Weird electrical question

[BA80]

My power adapter won't work with the bike idling.

I have a power adapter with 2 USB ports in it, if the bike is off it works fine and if I'm going down the road it works fine. But, if the bike is idling it kicks the internal breaker in the adapter.

If I unplug it then plug it back in it'll come on for a few seconds then go off.

Regulator?

Other than that everything seems to work alright. Lights, ignition.....everything.

[IanDMacDonald]

Interesting Greg. I would automatically assume the R/R. I'd be more inclined to say a possible grounding issue, or maybe the charger itself. I'd hate to recommend it, but maybe bump the fuse size up?

[BA80]

The old charger wasn't working at all, just bought this one.

What puzzles me is it works fine just on the battery or if I plug it in going down the highway at RPM it's fine but as soon as it drops down to around idle speed it kicks off.

[bikerphil]

It may be picking up some spark interference from the secondary ignition side, especially if you aren't running a resistor plug/cap. A voltage spike can mess with cheaper electronic accessories too I have found. If all else fails, maybe a capacitor in paralell with the power lead may solve it. JAT

[BA80]

Brand new resistor caps. It worked fine on the other fairing before I crashed it. This is the same power outlet from that one though.

[motoman]

Greg,
My thoughts would be that at idle, any voltage drop below 12v could cause it to shut down, built in to keep damaging internal componets. I know when the Bentley fist had signs(unknowingly) of voltages dropping, the Apine deck would shut down, like kinda go into 'limp mode' at a stop, sitting at idle.......take off, it would start back up again Haven't a clue how all that works, but it IS done intentionally with voltage drops below what they should be to keep from damaging internally. I'm sure 3Phase or T.C., or someone that knows electronics can explain better the reason for that.

Least I know in the future that'll be a tattle-tale sign in my bikes case.

JAT.

[BA80]

But why does it work just fine on the battery only with the engine not running?

[motoman]

But why does it work just fine on the battery only with the engine not running?

Your volt meter has the answer. Key off......betcha got in the neighborhood of 12.5-12.8v.........running at idle....possible 11.6-11.9v......pull the headlite bulb......bet it'll work.


Sounds like a possible low voltage issue starting to rear its ugly head..

Again.....JAT.

[BA80]

It worked fine before. Low voltage won't shut it off.

I think there's a diode going south. I'm gonna try swapping out the regulator.

[motoman]

My guess would be that's part of what the internal breaker is for.

Like I said, make those checks, just for grins.

Another sign of a failing prim. ignition connection, creating resistance, is if you still use a servicable wet cell lead acid battery, and have to occassionally add distilled water, that is also a sign of a voltage loss issue.....somewhere in the primary circuit. Voltage regulater doen't know that......it just does its thing according to what's missin', which is before the battery......cosequently, the battery gets feed back WAY more than it is actually using........but you already knew that.
Since your zoned in on the regulater, those grounding wires there would be a good place to start.

[motoman]

No ofense intended BA80, just in a smart-ass mood............but, what I threw out there DOES hold water(no pun intended).

[3Phase]

BA, does the USB adapter kick off with just the adapter by itself connected or when you have something plugged into it?

Brant's got an idea with the low-voltage protection. If the system voltage goes low it can damage the USB adapter or whatever is plugged into the adapter like the mobile phone or its battery and the adapter shuts down so nothing bizarre happens like trying to raise the voltage on your bike with a cellphone battery.

Other than that -- not a clue!

.

[BA80]

On just battery power it stays on, on just battery power with the key on engine off it stays on, if I hold the rpms above 2500 it stays on, if it drops to an idle it flashes a couple times and goes off.

With nothing plugged into it.

[DAVINCI]

At idle, too much AC in the line, when you rev it up, the regulator kicks in and smooths things out. Yes, a large capacitor across the adapter leads will help, if you've any try 500 mfd / 50v. You can parallel them to add em up.

[3Phase]

On just battery power it stays on, on just battery power with the key on engine off it stays on, if I hold the rpms above 2500 it stays on, if it drops to an idle it flashes a couple times and goes off.

With nothing plugged into it.

Hmm... if it works with just the battery voltage when the engine's not running, what's the voltage at the adapter? Is the Headlight Relay bypassed so the headlight comes on before the engine starts?

Randy's got an idea there too.

What's the voltage at the adapter when the engine's running and the adapter shuts off? Check the voltage where the adapter plugs in, not at the battery or somewhere else that's easy to get to, and let the engine run at the RPM where the adapter would shut down. If you can't check the voltage with the adapter plugged in, take it out, run the engine and just pretend the adapter is flashing and shutting off while you check the voltage.

.