Stranded

[Alberta Patriot]

On our ride down to Leavenworth WA, we were on our last leg back to Creston BC. I filled up in Rock Creek and got about 8 miles East when the instrument panel went dead...again!!
Last year that happened on our trip to Whidby Island WA. Turned out it was the Alternator Stator Windings. The shop rewound the stator and replaced the bearings as well. The guy said that the rectifier and rotor tested OK.
I took it back to them this week to find out "what's up"...he just called back and said he bench tested it and it showed no problems??
After recharging the battery I turned the key on with the lights on, the brake lights activated and the 4 way flashers on for about 20 minutes, and the starter still turned over, so I am thinking that the battery is in good shape.
So what else could it be??

[Gryphon Rider]

You're home now?

[Alberta Patriot]

Yes...that is a story by itself. We did decide to haul the bike to Creston this year to start the ride.  From Creston we headed South to Spokane Valley and on to Leavenworth. Trailering to Creston turned out to be a very fortunate choice!!

[MarkT]

Battery ground or dog bone connections.  Have you already moved the battery ground off the back of the aluminum block to the left steel footpeg bracket mount?  It fits, just takes a few minutes and it will save you grief later even if it's not the problem right now.

[Alberta Patriot]

Battery ground or dog bone connections.  Have you already moved the battery ground off the back of the aluminum block to the left steel footpeg bracket mount?  It fits, just takes a few minutes and it will save you grief later even if it's not the problem right now.

I will clean, sand and reconnect everything plus coat them all with dielectric paste this time. Are there washers that would promote better conductivity?
I am also thinking of checking for parasitic current draw with the bike sitting as well as running.(not sure what amp draw is normal for the Interstate though)

[Valker]

Battery ground or dog bone connections.  Have you already moved the battery ground off the back of the aluminum block to the left steel footpeg bracket mount?  It fits, just takes a few minutes and it will save you grief later even if it's not the problem right now.

I will clean, sand and reconnect everything plus coat them all with dielectric paste this time. Are there washers that would promote better conductivity?
I am also thinking of checking for parasitic current draw with the bike sitting as well as running.(not sure what amp draw is normal for the Interstate though)

Just remember that dielectric grease is an INSULATOR, so don't put it between contact points.

[Alberta Patriot]

Battery ground or dog bone connections.  Have you already moved the battery ground off the back of the aluminum block to the left steel footpeg bracket mount?  It fits, just takes a few minutes and it will save you grief later even if it's not the problem right now.

I will clean, sand and reconnect everything plus coat them all with dielectric paste this time. Are there washers that would promote better conductivity?
I am also thinking of checking for parasitic current draw with the bike sitting as well as running.(not sure what amp draw is normal for the Interstate though)

Just remember that dielectric grease is an INSULATOR, so don't put it between contact points.

Yep-just for corrosion protection after the contacts are all cleaned and wrenched on.

[Alberta Patriot]

Battery ground or dog bone connections.  Have you already moved the battery ground off the back of the aluminum block to the left steel footpeg bracket mount?  It fits, just takes a few minutes and it will save you grief later even if it's not the problem right now.

Okay, but not sure why that is better, but maybe with an added copper washer...? maybe.

[Thunderbolt]

Alternator Charge Fuse good?

[Alberta Patriot]

Alternator Charge Fuse good?

"Alternator Charge Fuse"...do you mean the Dogbone or is there another one I don't know about??
The weird thing is that when I got the bike home and charged the battery and fired it up the charging system worked for awhile, as I could see the headlights brighten when revving past idle...then started dimming (flickering) and eventually stopped charging again. I need to pick up a new O-Ring as there was slight seepage and then re-install the "supposedly OK" alternator. All wiring connections will be inspected/cleaned  and carefully re-attached.
So...other than the obvious connector locations at the 1-alternator, 2-the battery(negative cable-both ends) and 3-The Dogbone fuse, am I missing something??

[Beardo]

What voltage are you reading when the bike is off? When running?

It's likely your alternator isn't charging or your battery isn't taking a charge. Checking the voltage should tell you which one.

[Alberta Patriot]

What voltage are you reading when the bike is off? When running?

It's likely your alternator isn't charging or your battery isn't taking a charge. Checking the voltage should tell you which one.

The shop that rewound the stator asked me to bring the bike to his shop once the Alt. is re-installed so he can load test the whole charging/battery system.
One thing I did not state earlier...When the instrument panel went blank, I pulled the head/tail/brake light fuses and bump started the bike so we could at least get back to Rock Creek(8 miles). I really did not want to be stranded at the side of the highway. My wife and I managed to score a ride to Creston(180 Mi) so I could pick up the car/trailer to go back and get the bike(540mi. total 3 trips). It turned out to be a 14 hour day from when we first left Osoyoos that morning!!
It could have been far worse...possibly being stuck somewhere in the 100+ degree prairie heat between Spokane and Leavenworth.
BTW...Bill and Ruth at the Creston Valley Motel where we stayed are riders and a great couple. We always book directly with them so they don't have to pay the 15% comish to the booking services.