honda gl1100 lights

[carpman]

Hi guys & gals a? iv made my self a trike with a gl1100 82 vintage but im having problems whit the lights 55 watt headlamp 18 watt flashers up front. LEDs to the rear. I would like to put on a pair of spots on the front with a high level rear brake light on the back . The problem is the alternator does not seem to cope with the load as the battery is all ways going flat after a run out the volt meter shows 14 volts on start up but drops to about 12 to 12.5 when all lights are on . Any tips ? on what can be done or checked to remedy this Many thanks Viv ....... ps Went out today battery flat within 30 miles this is on a new battery some thing is not right but what ? pps the trike is a HONDA GOLDWING GL1100 INTERSTATE 1982 any body got any ideas HELP Viv

 

[Calman]

Might check your manual to see exactly how much amp you can draw and see if you have a large enough battery to support what your trying to run. Also, if you've not done it yet, check out the 1100 specific forums at www.goldwingdocs.com and Steve Saunders Goldwing Page.

If you don't have a 1100 manual and can't find one on line, PM me and I'll send you the stuff I downloaded before Honda shutdown the free site.

 

[gwnut]

Carpman,I rode an 81 GL1100 for a lot of years with a bunch of lights. I found out thru trial and error that while the charging was able to handle the light bars and other accessories, but when I hit the switch for the driving lights (2x55 Watts) the voltage would drop immediately to 12 volts or less. If I turned off all of my accessory lighting I could use my driving lights for much longer, but still maintained lower voltage than I was comfortable with. Bottom line is that a stock GL1100 charging system will not support a heavy load. I have never heard of an upgrade, but you could possibly install an alternater and find a way to run it from the timing belt........Good luck!!!! Bill

 

[carpman]

Carpman,I rode an 81 GL1100 for a lot of years with a bunch of lights. I found out thru trial and error that while the charging was able to handle the light bars and other accessories, but when I hit the switch for the driving lights (2x55 Watts) the voltage would drop immediately to 12 volts or less. If I turned off all of my accessory lighting I could use my driving lights for much longer, but still maintained lower voltage than I was comfortable with. Bottom line is that a stock GL1100 charging system will not support a heavy load. I have never heard of an upgrade, but you could possibly install an alternater and find a way to run it from the timing belt........Good luck!!!! Bill

thanks gwnut for the info ....... look like putting a alternator on it . looked on this site and others and they all say that the standard electrics are crap on the 82 gl00. looks like a a poor boy kit wiil be made up this winter and put on .many thanks to you & Calman :wave4:ThumbUp

 

[wingking51]

You might check into switching to LED lights where possible. That would cut down on the amps you are pulling with conventional lights, lowering the drain on the battery.

 

[carpman]

thanks wingking51 iv done that on the back set of lights ie indicators stop and side lights iv been looking at the headlamp led bulbs but they don,t get a very good report , no beam only a overall bright light but i will be having a good look around all the options . many thanks Viv