Weird electrical issue.

Alan Nyhus · 05-12-2020, 07:16 AM

Checked the starter yesterday...no bad bearings letting the armature touch the case, no signs of any arcing or overheating. The old solenoid did seem to engage and kick the drive out fine. The starter is a Powermaster 9400 Ultra Torque: https://www.jegs.com/i/Powermaster/713/9400/10002/-1

I purchased a new, high quality solenoid from a local alternator and starter rebuilder and everything checked out fine on their test equipment.

I suppose it's possible that the issue originated in the battery. I think I'll put something under it and between the top hold down strap and the battery to give it some cushion. Maybe vibration killed the battery?

I'll have our local rebuilder bench check the alternator, as well.

Ralph A Powell · 05-12-2020, 08:42 AM

Do not mount the battery with the face of the plates facing Forward and rearward the thin part of the plates need to face front to rear if not your just asking for trouble, Been there done that long ago!

MR DERBY CITY · 05-12-2020, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph A Powell

Do not mount the battery with the face of the plates facing Forward and rearward the thin part of the plates need to face front to rear if not your just asking for trouble, Been there done that long ago!

Curious Alan,, how old is the battery ? On a side note Ralph, it’s a Stocker so it MUST be mounted in the stock location....

Mark Ugrich · 05-12-2020, 12:03 PM

I started second guessing myself after I read that the cables and such were not hot.Probably the internal connection broke in the battery. I know of another group of PS/B racers that had a similar issue using 18 volt power tool batteries. Bike would leave then shut off after second or third gear. Then restart at times and be ok. Turned out to be a poor connection inside the battery.

Bob Mulry · 05-12-2020, 03:28 PM

An AGM battery could be a solution and a prevention for the future???

Keith 944 · 05-12-2020, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Mulry

An AGM battery could be a solution and a prevention for the future???

He said that both batteries were AGM type
I think a lot of people missed that

Nmbr1GMfan · 05-12-2020, 04:14 PM

Every experience I've had with a short is... at the end of the "hot" or "melted" wire is the problem, if no hot wires I vote battery.

Alan Nyhus · 05-12-2020, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

Curious Alan,, how old is the battery ?

It was new in April of 2019. -Al

MR DERBY CITY · 05-12-2020, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

It was new in April of 2019. -Al

Seems as though MURPHY may have been involved in this ...

05-12-2020, 07:16 AM	#1
Alan Nyhus VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lower Dakota territory Posts: 1,180 Likes: 1,074 Liked 799 Times in 236 Posts	Re: Weird electrical issue. Checked the starter yesterday...no bad bearings letting the armature touch the case, no signs of any arcing or overheating. The old solenoid did seem to engage and kick the drive out fine. The starter is a Powermaster 9400 Ultra Torque: https://www.jegs.com/i/Powermaster/713/9400/10002/-1 I purchased a new, high quality solenoid from a local alternator and starter rebuilder and everything checked out fine on their test equipment. I suppose it's possible that the issue originated in the battery. I think I'll put something under it and between the top hold down strap and the battery to give it some cushion. Maybe vibration killed the battery? I'll have our local rebuilder bench check the alternator, as well. __________________ "That'll never work....."

05-12-2020, 08:42 AM	#2
Ralph A Powell Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Bay City Texas Posts: 387 Likes: 2 Liked 225 Times in 136 Posts	Re: Weird electrical issue. Do not mount the battery with the face of the plates facing Forward and rearward the thin part of the plates need to face front to rear if not your just asking for trouble, Been there done that long ago!

05-12-2020, 12:03 PM	#4
Mark Ugrich Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Auburndale,Florida Posts: 220 Likes: 29 Liked 71 Times in 38 Posts	Re: Weird electrical issue. I started second guessing myself after I read that the cables and such were not hot.Probably the internal connection broke in the battery. I know of another group of PS/B racers that had a similar issue using 18 volt power tool batteries. Bike would leave then shut off after second or third gear. Then restart at times and be ok. Turned out to be a poor connection inside the battery.

05-12-2020, 03:28 PM	#5
Bob Mulry VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Coarsegold, CA Posts: 1,016 Likes: 57 Liked 320 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Weird electrical issue. An AGM battery could be a solution and a prevention for the future??? __________________ Bob Mulry 7516 STK A & M Motorsports

05-12-2020, 04:14 PM	#7
Nmbr1GMfan VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 1,763 Likes: 1,197 Liked 1,954 Times in 491 Posts	Re: Weird electrical issue. Every experience I've had with a short is... at the end of the "hot" or "melted" wire is the problem, if no hot wires I vote battery. __________________ Todd Greene