MIKE R
Well-Known Member
Hi All
First of all I must confess I am an absolute numpty when it comes to electrics (volt metres etc are a black art to me) but I hope someone may be able to help. Please be patient as the explanation is quite a lengthy one
It all seems to revolve around my Givi Trekker Halogen spot lights that were originally fitted to my 2nd gen bike when it was new.
About a month ago the lights stopped working and I diagnosed a faulty relay. Unfortunately the original relay (Song Chuan 804-1A-C1-30A 12V) are not available in the UK, so I bought a standard universal 4 pin 30A 12V relay. As the Song Chuan fits via a connector, I piggy backed wires from the connector to the universal relay. All seemed to work and I was a happy man. (I have since ordered a couple of Song Chuan relays from Taiwan but they are not expected until next month!)
Unfortunately a couple of days later the battery was flat, something I'd never had before on the S10. I assumed it was because I'd been playing with the lights etc when fitting the new relay. But as I was going on tour in a couple of days my local dealer checked the relay and confirmed it OK. There was one thing that I found strange however. Although the lights worked perfectly the relay did not click or vibrate when I turned the lights on (I usually have them switched on all the time so that they come on as riding lights when the ignition is switched on). Although the mechanic did not understand this, he thought the relay was wired up correctly.
Anyway off I go on my 3k tour which passes without incident. The bike was used every day apart from one on the 15 day tour so the battery was always charged and there were no problems.
On my return I booked the bike in for its 12k service. When I went to start the bike, which had not moved for about 4 days, the engine would not turn over, After charging the battery I went for the service. There I asked the mechanics to check the battery and if it was required to fit a new one which they duly did.
Once home the bike did not move for 5 days due to other commitments and bad weather, although I did put it on an a trickle charger on day one until it was fully charged. When I came to try and start it the battery was TOTALLY flat. Not even idiot lights.
Recharged it overnight and it is now fully recharged and the bike starts etc.
Here's what I have done and plan of action
1) Assuming the problem could be relay linked I have taken the cover off so that I could see the internals working and reattached it to the bike. All seems good with the contacts opening and closing as they should. Strange thing though......the relay is now clicking as it should and with the cover back on you can feel the vibration. Is it possible that the relay was sticking closed due to being wired up incorrectly? Could this flatten my battery? Obviously the lights went off when the ignition was switched off could the relay have been drawing current?
2) Realising it could be a battery fault I have now disconnected the battery. I have more than one bike and do not need to use the Yam next week. I'll try the battery on Wednesday. If it's flat I think it must be faulty and away I go back to the dealers.
3) If the battery does not go flat in 2) at some stage in the near future I'll let the bike stand again for a few days with the relay still attached. If the battery does not go flat my thoughts in point 1) maybe correct and I'll be happy
4) If the battery does go flat I'll remove the relay and wiring, stand the bike for a few days and see if the battery goes flat again. If it doesn't go flat with the relay removed the problem is the relay.
5) If the battery still goes flat with the relay removed all of the above has been a coincidence and I'm back to square one.
Well done if you've managed to get this far and understood what the hell I'm talking about.
Any comments or advice PLEASE.
Mike
First of all I must confess I am an absolute numpty when it comes to electrics (volt metres etc are a black art to me) but I hope someone may be able to help. Please be patient as the explanation is quite a lengthy one
It all seems to revolve around my Givi Trekker Halogen spot lights that were originally fitted to my 2nd gen bike when it was new.
About a month ago the lights stopped working and I diagnosed a faulty relay. Unfortunately the original relay (Song Chuan 804-1A-C1-30A 12V) are not available in the UK, so I bought a standard universal 4 pin 30A 12V relay. As the Song Chuan fits via a connector, I piggy backed wires from the connector to the universal relay. All seemed to work and I was a happy man. (I have since ordered a couple of Song Chuan relays from Taiwan but they are not expected until next month!)
Unfortunately a couple of days later the battery was flat, something I'd never had before on the S10. I assumed it was because I'd been playing with the lights etc when fitting the new relay. But as I was going on tour in a couple of days my local dealer checked the relay and confirmed it OK. There was one thing that I found strange however. Although the lights worked perfectly the relay did not click or vibrate when I turned the lights on (I usually have them switched on all the time so that they come on as riding lights when the ignition is switched on). Although the mechanic did not understand this, he thought the relay was wired up correctly.
Anyway off I go on my 3k tour which passes without incident. The bike was used every day apart from one on the 15 day tour so the battery was always charged and there were no problems.
On my return I booked the bike in for its 12k service. When I went to start the bike, which had not moved for about 4 days, the engine would not turn over, After charging the battery I went for the service. There I asked the mechanics to check the battery and if it was required to fit a new one which they duly did.
Once home the bike did not move for 5 days due to other commitments and bad weather, although I did put it on an a trickle charger on day one until it was fully charged. When I came to try and start it the battery was TOTALLY flat. Not even idiot lights.
Recharged it overnight and it is now fully recharged and the bike starts etc.
Here's what I have done and plan of action
1) Assuming the problem could be relay linked I have taken the cover off so that I could see the internals working and reattached it to the bike. All seems good with the contacts opening and closing as they should. Strange thing though......the relay is now clicking as it should and with the cover back on you can feel the vibration. Is it possible that the relay was sticking closed due to being wired up incorrectly? Could this flatten my battery? Obviously the lights went off when the ignition was switched off could the relay have been drawing current?
2) Realising it could be a battery fault I have now disconnected the battery. I have more than one bike and do not need to use the Yam next week. I'll try the battery on Wednesday. If it's flat I think it must be faulty and away I go back to the dealers.
3) If the battery does not go flat in 2) at some stage in the near future I'll let the bike stand again for a few days with the relay still attached. If the battery does not go flat my thoughts in point 1) maybe correct and I'll be happy
4) If the battery does go flat I'll remove the relay and wiring, stand the bike for a few days and see if the battery goes flat again. If it doesn't go flat with the relay removed the problem is the relay.
5) If the battery still goes flat with the relay removed all of the above has been a coincidence and I'm back to square one.
Well done if you've managed to get this far and understood what the hell I'm talking about.
Any comments or advice PLEASE.
Mike
