GL1500 Alternator Light
- stovall
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:42 am
- Location: Pendergrass, GA
- Motorcycle: 1990 Honda Goldwing SE Pearl White
GL1500 Alternator Light
I have been looking for a way to put an alternator "idiot light" on my wings, but until last night came up empty-handed. My issue is that i have only a basic understanding of electronics & am afraid to try & build a "circuit." Last night I ran across a website that solves this issue...it is an "all in one" solution. The website is: http://www.sparkbright.co.uk & I was curious if anyone else has tries this solution yet. There are 2 models to choose from & I am looking at purchasing the Eclipse model. It looks like it would solve the problem that GL1500 owners have dealt with for a long time!!! Any thoughts?
Brian Stovall
1990 Gl1500SE
Pendergrass, GA
1990 Gl1500SE
Pendergrass, GA
- WingAdmin
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Re: GL1500 Alternator Light
Have a look at this topic - the one from VP Accessories that the review is about is no longer available unfortunately, but there are some other alternatives posted by other members farther down in the topic: viewtopic.php?t=32282
- offcenter
- Posts: 999
- Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:10 pm
- Location: Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
- Motorcycle: 99 Gl-1500 SE
76 GL-1000
77 Honda Trail 90
Re: GL1500 Alternator Light
I must have gotten the last alternator warning light from VP back in January.
It paid for itself a week ago when the alternator failed.
That bright red light came on and I knew immediately that I was
running on borrowed time before the battery ran low.
That light saved my bacon.
It paid for itself a week ago when the alternator failed.
That bright red light came on and I knew immediately that I was
running on borrowed time before the battery ran low.
That light saved my bacon.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
- Andy Cote
- Posts: 1002
- Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:38 am
- Location: Windham, ME
- Motorcycle: 2015 Goldwing, basic black
Re: GL1500 Alternator Light
2015 Goldwing, basic black
Previously: GL1200 standard, GL1200 Interstate, GL1500 Goldwing, GL1500 Valkyrie Standard, 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, many other Hondas
Previously: GL1200 standard, GL1200 Interstate, GL1500 Goldwing, GL1500 Valkyrie Standard, 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, many other Hondas
- offcenter
- Posts: 999
- Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 2:10 pm
- Location: Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
- Motorcycle: 99 Gl-1500 SE
76 GL-1000
77 Honda Trail 90
Re: GL1500 Alternator Light
Just venting here....
Why the heck did Honda NOT put a alternator warning light on those bikes.
Honda left that blank spot at the right side of the panel with nothing in it and it certainly LOOKS like they had a warning light in mind. If I could buy the whole kit for $15, produced in bulk at the factory, I doubt it would have cost Honda $5 to add that light. On a bike as expensive and "high end" as a Goldwing, that is inexcusable.
Why the heck did Honda NOT put a alternator warning light on those bikes.
Honda left that blank spot at the right side of the panel with nothing in it and it certainly LOOKS like they had a warning light in mind. If I could buy the whole kit for $15, produced in bulk at the factory, I doubt it would have cost Honda $5 to add that light. On a bike as expensive and "high end" as a Goldwing, that is inexcusable.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
- stovall
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:42 am
- Location: Pendergrass, GA
- Motorcycle: 1990 Honda Goldwing SE Pearl White
Re: GL1500 Alternator Light
So I took the plunge & ordered LEDs for both of our wings & should be receiving them soon. In my correspondence with the gentleman who owns the company & does all of the work, he assured me that if anyone wants to order from him that he will custom program any desired limits for you at no charge. I am getting a semi-standard program that has the light coming on for 30 seconds upon starting the bike, then it goes out & doesn't bother you again until the voltage drops, or increases beyond the set limits. I think this is going to be a great addition to our wings & give us a heads up should something go wrong. I will post again when I receive the units & start to install them!
Brian Stovall
1990 Gl1500SE
Pendergrass, GA
1990 Gl1500SE
Pendergrass, GA
- raven41951
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2016 GL1800 (traded in)
1994 GL1500SE (sold)
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Re: GL1500 Alternator Light
I was a victim of undercharging as well. I put meters and an idiot light but all they do is tell you when its almost too late. I changed all the exterior lights to LEDs and made sure my idle was at or above 900 rpm. The meters told me that under 900 rpm at full load the battery was draining. After changing the lights and raising the rpm to spec I added grip heaters and never had an issue with the battery. I also kept a battery tender jr on it whenever it was parked.