[WingMan71]

Folks,

We just installed a new hi-output alternator (85 Amp) in my friend's GL1500.

This is not a Compufire unit (too expensive for his budget). It's an LA Electrical (LActrical) 85 amp aftermarket unit.

I've read that when installing a Compufire alternator you should replace the bike's main 55 Amp dogbone fuse with a 110 Amp one. I think they actually do that by installing two 55 Amp dogbone fuses one on top the other.

So, my questions:

Does he NEED to install a higher rated main fuse now that we've installed an alternator that can put out 85 amps. Or, can he make do with the 55 Amp main fuse as long as he doesn't load up his bike with a ton of accessories and lights that pull more than 55 Amps combined?

If we NEED to, i.e. MUST, where the heck do we get an 85 amp main dogbone fuse? Do we just double up two 55 Amp fuses and go with a 110 Amp main fuse?

Also, what about the battery. Is a stock Yuasa battery for a stock GL1500 going to be OK with the 85 Amp alternator charging it?

All experience and advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[DaveO430]

The 55 amp would probably work most of the time but if the battery was low it might not do the job, just double the fuse.

 

[mechtech1]

Not sure about the battery, but would suggest to get a AGM (glass matt) battery next time you buy one.
I replaced the dogbone fuse with a PAL fuse from Autoparts store. Several amp levels to choose from.

 

[Ansimp]

55 amp fuse should be fine. My preference though is to replace the fuses with auto reset circuit breakers. Remember the fuse is to protect the wiring, too high an amperage fuse may cause melted wires.

 

[DriverRider]

If your electrical system draws 30A now, installing a larger alternator will not change the draw, it is still 30A.

Where the big alternators come in handy is at idle, RPM for RPM they output more current. They work much less where the OEM is going full bore and falling behind.

In a RARE circumstance I guess if the battery was going kaput you MIGHT pop the 55A fuse. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[Bluewaterhooker0]

I'm with Ansimp, the bike wiring is not designed to handle double the amperage or double the fuse. If something is going to draw more than 55 amps, you probably want the fuse to blow, rather than watch a smoldering bike on the side of the road.
As was stated, folks forget that fuses protect wiring, not the load. Should you wind up with an accidental short circuit in the main wiring, the wires will light up like a light bulb, right before they set whatever is adjacent on fire.

 

[mrtwowheel]

Heck yeah, with a 110 amp fuse those 16 and 18 gauge wires could be burnt and gone before that fuse gets warm enough to break. I gotta say, glad I'm not a newb listening to some of you guys and taking this stuff as gospel.

Scott

 

[mrtwowheel]

Two 55 amp fuses in theory should burn through at the same time at the 55 amp rate. If the bikes main fuse is 55 amp per manufacturer, that's what it should be.

Scott

 

[DriverRider]

Heck yeah, with a 110 amp fuse those 16 and 18 gauge wires could be burnt and gone before that fuse gets warm enough to break. I gotta say, glad I'm not a newb listening to some of you guys and taking this stuff as gospel.Scott

Which post exactly do you disagree with? And what has been written which you find fault with?

Please be specific when posting.:?

 

[glhonda]

Two 55 amp fuses in theory should burn through at the same time at the 55 amp rate. If the bikes main fuse is 55 amp per manufacturer, that's what it should be. Scott

Boy, I'm glad I'm not a newbie taking everything you say as gospel.....

 

[redwing52]

Scott,
I think if you study the schematic you will see the 55 amp does not protect the smaller wires. It only protects the heavy wires that carry heavy loads and are large gauge. Many times manufactures will design circuit protection that can have a margin of 3 times the load. In other words a 10 gauge wire might be protected by a 40 amp fuse when it could handle as much as 120 amps, in theory. Many on the board have done the double dog bone when using the Compufire alternator (per their instructions) with no issues.

 

[WingMan71]

Thanks all for your advice.

We'll be keeping the single 55 Amp dogbone fuse.

As mentioned, I also was surprised to see that Compufire recommends doubling the dogbone fuse (two 55 Amp fuses) when using their alternator. Made no sense to me. Which is why I asked the original question.

Did not think this particular topic would be controversial. Oh well.

Thanks again.

 

[ByronM]

I am interested in this LA Electrical (LActrical) 85 amp aftermarket unit.

Are these new or are they rebuilt from an OEM alternator?

Has any one used one of this for any amount of time?

 

[WingMan71]

I am interested in this LA Electrical (LActrical) 85 amp aftermarket unit.

Are these new or are they rebuilt from an OEM alternator?

Has any one used one of this for any amount of time?

Byron,

I'm not completely sure about the new or rebuilt aspect. It says "new" in their ad and it looked brand new out of the box. Also, it's just a bit larger (longer) than the Honda OEM unit.

We bought it through Amazon.com. It was $134.00. Here's a link:

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/LACTRICAL-ALTERNATOR-Goldwing-Aspencade-Interstate/dp/B008EBCFSC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375445091&sr=8-1&keywords=gl1500+alternator[/ame]


INSTALLATION NOTE:
The housing is just a bit longer than the Honda OEM alternator. In order to get it installed, we had to cut about 1/4" off of the main electrical connector threaded bolt. That bolt was just a bit too long and would hit the frame when you try to line it up to insert it into the alternator mounting cavity in the bike. No problem once we cut down the bolt. Plenty of bolt left to attach the connector with no problems.

Also, most install instructions fail to mention that the bike's connector for the alternator is under the left side panel of the top shelter! So you have to remove that panel to make the connection.

***

 

[ALEX BERECZKY]

I've been using just one 55-amp fuse on both my bikes with compfires... no problems for many years so far.