Can an alternator be putting out diminishing amperage while keeping the correct voltage?

[wezx]

1993 GL1500. I have a heated jacket and gloves and have ran them for a couple of years. This year they are not getting very warm. I used to be able to nearly burn my hands! Now, the jacket and gloves are just getting lukewarm. In years past I’ve run my jacket and gloves and my wife’s gloves along with my phone charger and everything worked great. The previous owner installed what I am assuming is a high output alternator because I never could have run all of that with the stock Honda alternator right? I’m getting 13-14 volts out of the alternator and the bike runs and starts flawlessly. Could the alternator have started to put out diminishing amperage while keeping the correct voltage? Can’t measure the current with my Fluke multimeter as it’s too high for the meter and I don’t have a clamp meter for amperage. Any ideas?

[AZgl1800]

if the voltmeter shows proper voltage, then the gloves are aging....
thermal gear deteriorates over time.

[DenverWinger]

If the alternator output is inadequate, then the voltage will drop. Since your voltage is staying where it belongs the alternator is fine, the problem is elsewhere.

Try measuring the voltage at the connection for the heated gear. As stated, it likely has deteriorated.

[MikeB]

I'd suspect the heated gear connections. I doubt that there is a problem with the alternator.

The wires to the controller, from the controller, to the jackets and gloves do go intermittent at times.
The connectors can become intermittent due to age. If I were you, I would look there first.

[wezx]

Thanks for everyone’s response. Gloves, jacket (new), and wife’s gloves (brand new) all do it. I’ve switched out all lines and bypassed the dual controller. I have no idea why this is happening then because my voltage is not dropping...???

[BadJack]

Same thing happened with my heated Harley Davidson vest. Heated gear gets old and performance degrades over time.

[MikeB]

Thanks for everyone’s response. Gloves, jacket (new), and wife’s gloves (brand new) all do it. I’ve switched out all lines and bypassed the dual controller. I have no idea why this is happening then because my voltage is not dropping...???

If you have the power routed through a relay, try routing the power direct from the battery for a test of the gear. The battery should have plenty of current avaialbale to power your heated equipment long enough to do a good thorough test. If not, try to power the heated equipment through your car ot truck battery.

[wezx]

Thanks for everyone’s response. Gloves, jacket (new), and wife’s gloves (brand new) all do it. I’ve switched out all lines and bypassed the dual controller. I have no idea why this is happening then because my voltage is not dropping...???

If you have the power routed through a relay, try routing the power direct from the battery for a test of the gear. The battery should have plenty of current avaialbale to power your heated equipment long enough to do a good thorough test. If not, try to power the heated equipment through your car ot truck battery.

Yes, through a relay...I’ve got a spare harness, I’ll try a car...that’s a good idea - thanks!