Electrical issue, GL 1800

[gidagojoe]

Have a problem. Was putting some lights on the Wing, (Kuryakyn plug and play). Key was in run position, lights went dim, Radio shut off dead short. No fuses blown. Turned the key off for a few minutes.
Back in the run position, everything worked but bike would not start. Again, radio went off lights dimmed. Battery shot, was a new battery. Put in another battery (my spare) everything worked. Started bike, everything worked. Let the bike run for 5 minutes, no issues. Left key in run position to check lights and secure wires. After a few minutes, same issues, radio shut off lights dimmed.and I think shorted another battery. No fuses blown again. Everything works after I leave the key off for a while, then starts allover again? Point me in the right direction. Am blowing off the dust from the repair manual. 2013 Gl1800.

[DaveO430]

Did you charge that spare battery before you installed it? 5 minutes run time is not enough to recover what you used starting the engine. It will recover some when left off for a while, maybe enough to restart it but not enough to keep everything on for long with the engine stopped.

[gidagojoe]

Sorry both batteries were fully charged. I keep them on a tender.

[M61A1MECH]

Did you try disconnecting the new lights and wiring you installed to get back to a configuration where you know the bike worked OK?
I am not sure what would cause the issues you describe, but first step for me is to eliminate anything that is new or different in a troubleshooting effort like this with a sudden onset of a problem after a new install.

[WingAdmin]

I agree - undo the last thing you did electrically (the lights) and see if the problem goes away.

It wouldn't be the first time that aftermarket lights/electrical stuff came from the manufacturer with the "plug and play" plugs wired incorrectly.

[Viking]

Sorry both batteries were fully charged. I keep them on a tender.

Were the batteries fully charged when you put them on the tender? A tender will not bring a battery up to full charge.

[WingAdmin]

Sorry both batteries were fully charged. I keep them on a tender.

Were the batteries fully charged when you put them on the tender? A tender will not bring a battery up to full charge.

Battery Tenders (at least the Deltran ones - i.e. Battery Tender Jr.) will bring a battery up to full charge, but the battery must have at least 3 volts for it to start charging, and it won't be fast. Of course, if your lead acid battery is down to 3 volts, you might as well just toss it and buy a new one.

It will take quite a while, but it will charge them, as the charge rate is very low (the Jr. charges at 0.75 amps). I used one recently to charge a 60 AH car battery that was quite low, and it took 2 1/2 days, but it did charge it fully.

[AZgl1800]

Scott beat me to it,
The Battery Tenders darn sure will bring a very low battery back up to Full Charge.

I have done that several times, one a car battery, one my RV Deep Cycle battery, and on my 1800 when I had forgot to plug in the Battery Tender when it was put away in the shop.

My 1800 goes for many weeks at a time between rides, and if I don't keep the Battery Tender on it, it will drop below 10.5 volts and the ECM refuses to close the start relay solenoid.

One of the reasons my 1800 battery will drop below starting point, is that I have the Voltmeter connected directly to the Battery ( fused wire ).... it is extremely minor, but that little tiny bit of current draw, added to the Standby current of the 1800's static draw, pulls it down in 5 or 6 weeks where it won't start.

I just like to be able to glance at the Voltmeter on the dash whenever I walk in the shop and verify that the Battery is up to snuff without me having to turn the key on.

[Big Blue UK]

You have not mentioned the fully charged battery voltage, before and after fitting. You have not mentioned the charge rate (unless I have missed something). Fit a fully charged battery, check the voltage, and the charge rate as soon as it starts, leave the test meter connected until it cuts out, and see what the voltage is.

Coincidence is unlikely, but not unheard of.