K11 Owners Group

Shoganai · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:18 am Post subject: Voltage Drop Question

So, now when I turn on the PIAA's, the clock resets to 0100.

The PIAA's are wired directly to the battery, not thru the Blue Sea fuse block.

The prior owner stated they had just replaced the battery prior to the sale.
Yes, it's look new and I have no reason to doubt them.

On a short trip, the red light just below the high beam indicator stayed on.
After, turning it off and back on again the light behaved normally.

A voltage check of the battery in normal.

Unfortunately, I can't be certain it wasn't doing that before we installed the PIAA's.

What are your thoughts on causes, tests and remedies.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
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Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:55 am Post subject:

Weak alternator?

Too high wattage lamps?(not likely)

Dirty connections at the cluster?

What's the voltages:
bike off at battery,
bike running at battery w/lights off
bike running at battery w/lights on

Just my thoughts.
_________________
Ride safe.

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

DetroitDan · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:19 am Post subject:

If you can, check the battery voltage with the engine running. If it's 13.7 to 14.4, or so, your in good shape, there.

Next, hook your voltage meter between the negative cable of the battery, and the grounding point for the PIAAs. Turn the lights on. If you read more than a few millivolts, the ground is "lifting"; which will cause a clock reset. The cure is to check and clean the entire grounding path, back to the negative cable.

Often, electrical "gremlins" are caused by the ground path; rather than the supply path.
_________________
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)

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:12 am Post subject:

A little more detail on exactly you have them wired would be useful. How many watts are they?
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Sidmariner · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

Sounds like you are imparting a huge load when the lights are turned on. You say the the PIAAs are connected directly to the battery, but what about the switch? Are you going through a relay? Did you keep the inline fuse on the positive side? Make sure it's not too big. Try 4-5 amps at first. It should blow if the draw is excessive. That would be a clue to faulty equipment or wiring.

There are a few places where you might have an unintended short. Incorrect wiring of the relay if you're using one, poor grounding of the switch, pinched wire somewhere causing a short...just double check your runs.
_________________
Thunderbird 1: '93 K1100LT
Thunderbird 2: '86 K100RS
Thunderbird 3: '02 R1150RT
Thunderbird 4: '77 R100/7
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