Major Pita - Electrical 85 Rs

[Carguz]

Good morning to all

I left my lights on and drained the battery the other day.

I started it this morning with my portable battery pack. I let it run for about 2 minutes and then pulled the cables off. It died again after about 30 seconds. I put the cables back on to start it BUT - I screwed up and reversed the polarity of the starter cables!!

I had them on for about 10 seconds before I realized what I did (and tried to start it).

Now I have a short. I did not smell anything and I am looking carefully throughout the harness, but can't see it but I do have a short (No alt. light, can hear the whirr of the fuel pump and the tach needle reads in the 5's.)

HELP!. Any comments suggestions. What could the consequences be?

Thank you all!

Carlos

[PGlaves]

Start at the alternator. It may well be fried. I would pull it and have it tested.

[Carguz]

Thanks Paul. Can an automotive store (i.e. Advance with testers do this?)

What can be done? Can they be rewound or do I need to replace. Any idea on cost and sourcing?

Thanks.

[Carguz]

After about 25 min. I tried again. Lo and behold, no more short. It started right up.

My thinking is there is some minute short that was shaken loose during my prodding.

What do you think??

[cjack]

After about 25 min. I tried again. Lo and behold, no more short. It started right up.

My thinking is there is some minute short that was shaken loose during my prodding.

What do you think??

See if the charging works...red light out, battery voltage rises with rpm...
It's possible to melt the alternator diodes open after they short. Then the alternator would not present a short, but would not work.

[PGlaves]

Thanks Paul. Can an automotive store (i.e. Advance with testers do this?)

What can be done? Can they be rewound or do I need to replace. Any idea on cost and sourcing?

Thanks.

Yes - auto stores can test.

A good automotive electrical shop that does Bosch stuff can often repair. I wouldn't suspect windings. Probably the rectifier diodes if damaged.

[Carguz]

Alternator is charging. Rode the bike about 40 miles and it started again several times.

[MotorradMike]

You are a lucky guy!

Buy a lottery ticket today! Maybe some GM stock too.

[jshuck]

be sure to put the battery on a long, slow charge. Riding it 20 miles will not recharge fully...

[Carguz]

Amazing what a good charge does! The bike starts like never before. Like it means it, right away. My riding habits are mostly short trips and I suspect the battery was chronically under-charged.

[brickrider]

You are a lucky guy!

Buy a lottery ticket today! Maybe some GM stock too.

+1

BrickRider

[cayuse60]

I have a brand new alternator in my "someday to repair" locker that the previous owner hooked the battery up backwards. Diodes blown.
You lucked out :thumb