K11 Owners Group

cafedeush

So I've swapped out the gauge cluster for a Trailtech Voyager. It has a voltmeter that shows bike battery voltage and the internal battery voltage. As a result of the swap I was expecting to have to add a bulb into the charge circuit in order to get a charge....based on numerous discussions I had read.
Some people saying LED's wont work and Duck swearing that LEDs work fine etc...well I dont have a light at all and I can see my battery voltage go from 11.5 volts up to 13 when I brap the throttle. Its a 95 LT has all original harness...nothing added or modded. Is this some sort of magic? Have we all been adding lights without checking first...or am I missing something? Anyone else experienced this?
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'95 K1100LT
'83 R65

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 4:28 pm Post subject:

Normally a small current is required to energize the "magnetic field" internal to the alternator.
SOMETIMES(ie not always) there can be enough of a residual(leftover) magnetic field that when the RPM's are high enough(above 2000) the alternator will generate power. However I can't guarantee how well the alternator will regulate the output current/voltage without the proper exciter input circuit.

You should be reading closer to 14v when running. Mine will run up to 14.2 I think the range is 13.6-14.5 or pretty close depending on your battery and how good your alternator is.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

cafedeush · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:55 am Post subject:

Cheers Scott,
I checked it again and it seems to charge below 2000 but only really gets up to 14v when the revs get up there. I guess I just have to keep an eye on it...maybe add a resistor as I don't have anywhere to fit a visible light.
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'95 K1100LT
'83 R65

rbm · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:41 pm Post subject:

Two 56 Ohm 2Watt resistors connected in series will replace the charge indicator bulb. Wire them between +12V and the alternator Blue wire.
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- Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

cafedeush · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:36 pm Post subject:

will do thanks Robert!
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'95 K1100LT
'83 R65

cafedeush · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 5:18 am Post subject:

I just put a bulb in...easiest option. I've had to conceal it as I've got no place to display it...no big deal. With the bulb it definitely charges a lot better starting at idle. I think this is the safest option to avoid a flat battery.

cheers guys.

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'95 K1100LT
'83 R65