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I had my first experience of being stranded today. You always feel closer to the bike after this happens, don't you?

It was completely my fault, I suppose. I went on nice twisty ride (so lots of corners, lots of revs), and since it was bitterly cold, plugged in my Gerbing electric gear. At some point, I turned on my bright (doh!) headlight b/c some dufus was pulling out in front of me. I just left it on, not thinking about it (doh again). I stop at the local quickie mart for some after-ride beverages (thank you, Newcastle Nut Brown) and the bike won't turn over. The lights work, the starter wants to work, there's just not enough juice in the battery. Luckily I'd just watched a VHS of Joey and Robert Dunlop push-starting their bikes at the Isle of Man in the 80's, so I felt super cool that it started right up that way. I'd never done that before without a hill to coast down -- growing up I always had a hill by my house I'd take my '75 Kawi down to start her up when the kick starter wasn't doing it. Anyway, got home and hooked her up to the Battery Tender, and the beer tasted that much better. Oh, so here's my question: is the '81 KZ550 charging system such that it can't take more of a draw (such as accessory heated gear) without discharging? Thanks!

Post edited by: Siggy Javotnik, at: 2008/01/01 17:07

The stock alternator on a 650/750 twin/650 four/1000 is 280 watts, or 20 amps at 14 volts, and I think the 550's are the same.

Not much left after powering lights/ignition/recharging battery

Siggy Javotnik wrote:

I went on nice twisty ride (so lots of corners, lots of revs), and since it was bitterly cold, plugged in my Gerbing electric gear.

That's what I like about Central Texas winters. It rarely gets below 15deg here. I ride at least a couple hundred miles every day as long as there is no ice on the roads and haven't wanted anything more than grip heaters inside my Hippo hands. I do bundle up with insulated coveralls and insulated boots but no need for electric clothing. On a side note.... If you install grip heaters, make sure and wire them to a connection that is only hot when the ign. switch is on in case you forget to turn the grip heaters off when getting off the bike.It doesn't take very long for them to drain the battery when the bike is not running

Post edited by: 1982KZ1100D1, at: 2008/01/01 20:01

Good point about the grip heaters.

Not like doing that twice makes you any smarter than the equipment you operate. I dont know who that could have happened to, twice.

Now its connected to the headlight hot wire.

love2ride wrote:...Now its connected to the headlight hot wire.[/quote]

No offense, but I don't think that's a good idea either... unless you're just triggering a relay off the headlight hot wire, and the relay gets power directly from the battery or similar...

Its on the Ninja 250. No power til the ignition is on. Actually no power to headlight til engine start.

Post edited by: love2ride, at: 2008/01/01 21:25

love2ride wrote:

Its on the Ninja 250. No power til the ignition is on. Actually no power to headlight til engine start.

But that's not what I mean. I'm not mentioning it because of the power being on or off with the lights, I mean I'm afraid that there will be too much draw on the headlight power line.

A relay could be triggered off the same headlight power line, keeping the draw to a minimum, while the actual power (to the relay, therefore to the accessory) comes from elsewhere (battery or whatever).

If you think the power line to your headlight is strong enough for the light *and* the accessory, then nevermind...

Ah, I see what your saying. Food for thought. No probs so far.