Charging problem

[themetalman03886]

I was riding home last night and my lights went dim, I continued to ride but only got about 30 miles down the road and I completely died. I got on my wives sportster and went home to get the truck. I put the battery on the charger and left it over night. This morning I started her up, started just fine, checked the charging system and was sitting at about 14.25 volts. I let her run until the fans kicked on, shortly after that the lights went dim again and my voltage dropped to 12.1. So something is over heating but what? Any help would be great!

[Ricky-D]

I suggest first to check all the connections but I,

really think it's the alternator.

When it gets warm/hot the windings lose contact.

And you stop making direct current.

***

[Grandpot]

With the engine slightly above idle you should have about 14.2 volts.  Did you check the voltage for just a moment?  Hook up the volt meter so it continually measures to voltage and keep an eye on it.  If the voltage drops to 12.1 while the engine is running, you most likely have a bad alternator.  You can also drive around the neighborhood and watch the meter.  Don't get too far from home.

Stock Honda alternators are notorious for having cold solder joints and these will fail as the alternator heats up.

If you need an alternator, there is a guy who specializes in Honda alternators.  His company name is MARS  (no joke).  I don't have his email address.

[themetalman03886]

I already checked all connections, they look great, no corrosion at all. I kept the volt meter on it for a good while. I guess I will be ordering a new alternator. Time to do some research, good thing I only live 3 miles from work, still can ride till I get my new one.

[Grumpy]

I already checked all connections, they look great, no corrosion at all. I kept the volt meter on it for a good while. I guess I will be ordering a new alternator. Time to do some research, good thing I only live 3 miles from work, still can ride till I get my new one.

Here is the link to the motorcycle Alternator rebuilder.

http://myplace.frontier.com/~hemi-roid/

[themetalman03886]

http://www.psep.biz/store/honda_motorcycle_alternators.htm#AHAHA0001 I found this, price is better than anything else I have found.

[old2soon]

I have a M A R S on my I/S. And he is a straight up guy. If you order the G/W alt it will need to be clocked. Good luck with the R%R on yer Fat Lady. I myself would have the battery tested. ANY doubts at al install a new battery. Very CHEAP insurance. RIDE SAFE.

[john]

mileage ?
did you take'em off and check ...
or just eye ball'em ?           
remove both cables from the valkyrie and ...
and all wires and fuses you can get to under right cover ...
starter relay ect ... little ..easy things first           
take them all off... clean and use the dilectric grease and reconect
but ... its your putt ... and your dough         

the biggest problem with the valkyrie is the nut between the seat and the handle bars ...             

[Gryphon Rider]

When your voltage went down to 12.1, was this with the engine idling?  If so, this is normal IF, when you throttle up to 1500RPM or so, it jumps back up above 14V.  If it stays at 12V, you know you have a charging system problem.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Three miles trip to and from work will not keep your battery up. A friend was having the same problem with his VTX 1800 the 5 mile trip each way wasn't charging his battery enough after a week or so his battery would not start his bike. I was told it takes about 20 minutes of charging to replace the power it took away to start.

[CASABROKER]

http://www.emsglobaldirect.com/product.php?productid=434&cat=17&page=1

Original OEM Hitachi for Goldwing great price not the Chinese junk.  Will have to clock this one but why pay more for the same alternator

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I replaced my stock alt. with the goldwing one 68k ago and with the over night charge it was still less than $250. from HDL.  prices may have changed some in the last 5 yrs tho.