Battery not holding charge after Bad Boy install....

[rugguy]

My 2000 Valk I/S ran perfectly and never had a problem starting. I wired in a Bad Boy air horn and now the battery won't hold a charge....coincidence? Or, could I have done something to keep battery from charging?

The Bad Boy was wired through a relay (the one they provide) according to the directions.  I have also been doing some major body work on the plastic (bought a dropped bike), removed the fairing so I had to disconnect the headlamp assembly, turn signals and speakers...but those connected right back up.

Rode for an hour and the battery did not charge at all. And noticed the backlight on the radio dimming with turn signals, brake lights etc. I don't have manual yet (it's in the mail), but I don't think there is an charge or alternator warning light. I would like to try and diagnose a possible wiring problem before I replace the battery and/or alternator.

Any thoughts?

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

[Brian]

Check for a good grounding. You should see approximately 14.3 volts across the battery terminals with the engine running. I would start here first. I am sure you will get other help on here soon.

[t-man403]

I'd take the battery into a shop and have it load tested ......... that usually is done at no cost to you, other than your time. 

[R J]

I'd do the battery test, 14.3 across the terminal while running.

Ya don't have the 14.3, I'd take the alternator off and have it checked by a alternator, starter, place.   

I'd bet it is the alternator, that was the way mine went.

[Ricky-D]

Right up front I would say that you have wired the relay improperly and it's draining the battery somehow.

Either that or you have somehow done the same with the wires under the fairing.

Get a volt/ohm meter to help understand better what is happening.

I would suggest to not start replacing things that are not proven to need replacing.

Understand the problem first.

Do you think you've simply left a wire disconnected from the alternator?

***

[john]

            '   I wired in a Bad Boy air horn and now the battery won't hold a charge  '
                         

[pancho]

With the bike off, remove the negative battery terminal and put an amp meter between the battery and cable to check for current flow. If there is some, there is a problem with the wiring/install. If there is none, there is a battery or charging system problem......  Like Rickey-D said,, understand the problem first

[rugguy]

Thanks all.....I took the battery to Advance Auto Parts. They tested it and said it was done....$111 later...runs great. $20 more than the dealership but 40 miles r/t closer.

I did figure that it wasn't the alternator. If the alternator had been bad a) the battery would have held a charge from the battery tender and b) the bike would have died as soon as I put the electrical system under a heavy load....like 80mph on the hwy for 40 minutes. And, a friend pointed out that if I had wired the relay wrong that the horn would not have worked (this I know because I have done that before).

What I did find out yesterday, while being stuck in Atlanta traffic, is that my cooling fan does not come on. I may have left something unplugged when I put the radiator back on....thank God and Honda for the temp light.

Love this darn bike....like a 57 year old kid with a new toy. Now if they just didn't sell so much chrome....

Thanks again....

[pancho]

Good to hear you goter straightened out rugguy. With the fan, make sure the sensor on the lower left of the radiator is plugged in, check the fan plug for connection, and verify that the radiator is grounded. Ride safe

[t-man403]

That's pretty much what I paid for mine.
There is some peace of mind knowing the battery is tip top!

[salty1]

A Yuasa replacement from Amazon is much less costly if you can afford to wait for it.

[R J]

I tried Amazon once for my tractor battery.

When I googled it the price was super good,
                         BUT
the shipping & handling brought it up to a few
$$$$ over what I'd of paid here.

[rugguy]

Went with local and fast.....the cost of waiting is higher than the price of riding.

[Brian]

I got my new Yuasa battery from Amazon for $63 and free shipping. It came dry and was no big deal to activate it.

[rugguy]

Another thing I liked about the Advance battery is it came wet and fully charged. That's very important on a beautiful day.

[salty1]

I got my new Yuasa battery from Amazon for $63 and free shipping. It came dry and was no big deal to activate it.

  Mine came in at $60 with free shipping, a special they had.