K11 Owners Group

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: Normal running voltage?

Here is a question for you guys with voltmeters on your bikes.

What is a normal (healthy) voltage while the bike is running?

At what voltage do you say, "Oh, sh*t something isn't right".

Someone should make a little digital volt meter that plugs right into the front accessory plug.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

rkildu · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 2:39 pm Post subject:

I am running just a hair shy of 14 volts. Anything below 12 1/2 is a problem. If it drops below about 9 or 10 on start I would also worry.

Rod

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject:

At idle mine is 12.7V. When I gas it a bit it's 13.6V
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:54 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:33 pm Post subject:

Mine usually peaks at 14.1-ish when I have some decent RPMs going. When I start turning on heated vest, grips and running lights, it'll drop into the high 13s. That's with the 50A alternator. If I ran my 90/100w headlights and two 50W running/driving lights, it wasn't enough with the lower amp older alternator on my 93.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:46 am Post subject:

On cold mornings, my ABS won't kick in until I ride if for a few minutes, and then turn it off and back on again. I avoid this by putting it on the charger the night before (when I remember).
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Phil Marvin · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject:

will3hawks · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 4:52 pm Post subject: Running voltage

Mine, measured with a multimeter is about 14.2 at idle
_________________
The truth is 100 miles east of Memphis
BMWMOA# 70125
94 K 1100RS (Speedwagon)
"Even if I should die on the road, this would be the will of heaven"
Matsuo Basho, 1644-1694

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 6:58 pm Post subject:

So, what do you recommend for a replacement battery? BMW or after market?
Also, is there an easy way check if it's an alternator problem?
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

will3hawks · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject: Batteries

All have their upsides as well as problems. One thing to say for BMW batteries is that they are made for the bike and will not do evil to it, however don't believe the BMW bullshit that you can only charge one of their new batteries with the approved BMW charger-(overpriced and made by an aftermarket supplier)-checked this out with a gentleman from the local battery shop and he told me this is nonsense. My understanding is that Panasonic makes a very high quality battery. You should be charging the battery monthly even during the summer with an automatic trickle charger. It is a little known fact that more batteries fail in the summer than the colder months. Remember that a sitting battery looses 1% of it's charge every day which doesn't seem like much until you realize that if someone leaves a battery alone from mid November until mid February, the battery has lost 90% of it's charge.

Regards,

Will
_________________
The truth is 100 miles east of Memphis
BMWMOA# 70125
94 K 1100RS (Speedwagon)
"Even if I should die on the road, this would be the will of heaven"
Matsuo Basho, 1644-1694

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject:

I went with the big Panasonic SLA. I did need slightly longer hold-down bolts but aside from that it fits right in. And it's still working after 6 months - like that means anything. Rolling Eyes

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

rkildu · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject:

I've got a Panasonic, it's just like Duck says. However, mine has been in place for 7 years, so far so good. I got 10 years out of one in my airhead.

I do keep them on a battery tender whenever they are parked in the garage.

Rod

HoosierStu · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:20 am Post subject:

I got the charger thing covered. I'm an avid electronic R/C airplane guy and have all kinds of cool chargers.
So, where do I get this battery, what's the model number? Did you order longer rods from the parts fiche?
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

DetroitDan · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:28 am Post subject:

Just a quick note about charging voltage.

Nearly all electronic regulation systems are temperature responsive.

At very cold battery temps (below 0'C)the voltage can go to 14.4 or so.

At very high battery temps (above 40'C) the charging voltage may be limited to less than 13.5.

This is to protect the battery from over temp conditions including plate warping and gassing.
_________________
1973 CB350F / 1977 R100/7 / 1991 DR650S / 1995 K1100RS

"No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that’s in the right and keeps on a-comin’” Capt. Bill McDonald (1852-1918)

rkildu · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:57 am Post subject:

I got my latest battery from Motorad Elektrik. They are on the web. I don't remember the part number but he will know.

I just bought some threaded rod and cut to the proper length I think I got it a NAPA. Take one of your old ones with you to match the thread.

Rod

HoosierStu · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:53 am Post subject:

Did you guys buy one of these?
http://www.batteryweb.com/motorcyclebattlist.cfm?ID=63&motorbrand=BMW&cc=1100

The model LC-X1220P that is.

This seems like my best bet on buying it. Looks like it also doubles as a UPS battery.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002ILJXM/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A1WVGGIW699JP1&v=glance
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Jim · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject: K battery

Stu - that's the one I use. Those posts are a little tight. I used some rubber roofing material (got it free from a local roofer) glued to the bottom of the motronic bracket to prevent an electrical short. The Panasonic is a tough battery - haven't had any problems with them.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:50 pm Post subject:

Installed the new battery today. Hard to believe that the positive side doesn't come with some kind of cover. I used a piece of foam rubber between the + terminal and the metal cover plate.

The bolts to hold down the battery fit just fine. Thought I should mention that to anyone who wants to try this specific battery.

Thanks for your help!
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Jim · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:08 pm Post subject:

Stu - you might want something a little more substantial in there - foam rubber could wear through pretty fast with all the vibration. One of the other materials I considered using was a couple layers of plastic from a milk container.
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject:

I also applied some layers of electrical tape to the plate (but wasn't going to mention that since it sounds cheesy).

I was thinking that a good solution would be to get some rubber from a tire tube, cut it to fit the metal plate and then use two sided carpet tape to apply it to the plate. I will probably do that later this winter. She won't be ridden again till the first part of March unless we have a really mild winter.
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"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT