I'm wondering at what voltage I should start to worry about too high an output from the alternator, causing damage to Radio, CB, Lighting and other electronics?
I have a 1999 GL1500 with a Comp-U_Fire 90 amp output alternator. The alternator was installed about 10 years ago. I'm using an AGM battery that is about 5 years old. The battery has been load tested and found to be in good (Acceptable) range. The bike when parked has a Battery Tender Plus attached to keep the battery fully charged.
My experience over the years has been the Air Rider Digital Shift Indicator/Volt Meter reads about 14.2 to 14.3 volts output from the alternator. On rare occasions it may read as high as 14.5 volts, but only very briefly. The bikes volt meter has been verified correct/ accurate with 2 other quality DVMs.
I am now seeing when I start the bike that the alternator output is 15.0 to 15.1 volts. Even at Idle. Eventually after riding it it settles back to 14.2 to 14.3 volts. I have never, (in past years) seen the alternator output that high.
I have read in posts that the service manual states that 15.1 is acceptable, but also read in posts that the Honda Service Manual is not always correct and they disagree with that high an output voltage.
What are your thoughts? Has the voltage regulator started to breakdown and put out too high a output voltage, that would be damaging to the bike. Could the battery test OK, but actually be in need of the high charge level?
I'm looking for a little help on this one. Thanks, DJ
I have a 1999 GL1500 with a Comp-U_Fire 90 amp output alternator. The alternator was installed about 10 years ago. I'm using an AGM battery that is about 5 years old. The battery has been load tested and found to be in good (Acceptable) range. The bike when parked has a Battery Tender Plus attached to keep the battery fully charged.
My experience over the years has been the Air Rider Digital Shift Indicator/Volt Meter reads about 14.2 to 14.3 volts output from the alternator. On rare occasions it may read as high as 14.5 volts, but only very briefly. The bikes volt meter has been verified correct/ accurate with 2 other quality DVMs.
I am now seeing when I start the bike that the alternator output is 15.0 to 15.1 volts. Even at Idle. Eventually after riding it it settles back to 14.2 to 14.3 volts. I have never, (in past years) seen the alternator output that high.
I have read in posts that the service manual states that 15.1 is acceptable, but also read in posts that the Honda Service Manual is not always correct and they disagree with that high an output voltage.
What are your thoughts? Has the voltage regulator started to breakdown and put out too high a output voltage, that would be damaging to the bike. Could the battery test OK, but actually be in need of the high charge level?
I'm looking for a little help on this one. Thanks, DJ