Excessive Battery Drain

[douglaskinney_phd]

I have an 08 GZ250. I have installed a set of driving lights, installing the power supply to the fuse box for the ignition switch. I also have a rocker switch installed to power the lights off. I can ride the bike a couple of days..about 30 miles and the bike will not start. Lights are dim and starter will not turn over. Can push start and ride. Are driving lights pulling too many amps for the bike to charge the battery. Bike was purchased new in July.

Update: Because I wanted to keep a set of driving lights and a brighter head lamp I did the following. I replaced my Brake Light with an LED bulb, put a on/off switch on the driving lights and only use them during fog or night driving. I am also going to replace the turn signals with LED's. I added a small LED strip on my back fender right below the tag, and one under the gas tank. Cool Blue glow at night. Head Lamp is now the correct rating. I will post some pics under mods when I can get some good one taken.

[patrick_777]

Yes. That's exactly what is going on. The bike is not able to charge the battery enough with the power drain from the lights.

[alanmcorcoran]

I was told by a dealer that you need 30 mins of running engine to restore the charge used to start the bike. This is without any add-ons. This seems exaggerated, but it's no secret the charging system is not exactly robust.

Sarris, Easy Rider and others have posted about battery tenders which would allow you to recharge the battery, but I think you are gonna just kill it every time you ride it. Your battery might already be toast too. Excessive discharge allegedly kills the battery beyond resuscitation. I'm not Mr. Mechanical but I drained my down with a taillight incident and learned a bit from it.

I'd recommend you forego the add-ons.

[Sarris]

:plus1: to Patricks comment.

If you can find an auto electric shop (there aren't many anymore) you may be able to get the alternator rewound to produce a higher output. Other than that you're screwed.

Also, GZ's will not push start and/or run if the battery is completely discharged (dead).

:skull: :skull: :skull:

[patrick_777]

I wonder if there's a way to put a Boulevard alternator or other aftermarket charging coil on the GZ...

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by douglaskinney_phd

Are driving lights pulling too many amps for the bike to charge the battery. Bike was purchased new in July.

Yes, that is exactly what is happening.
You have only 2 practical choices:
1) Replace the lights with someting like LEDs which will draw much less power
or
2) Use the aux. lights only at night when you really need them and carry a Battery Tender with you at all times.

Actually #2 really isn't a good choice because if you drain the battery too low too many times, it won't come back "up" again.

I'm afraid you made a mistake.

[Water Warrior 2]

The GZ has approx 50 watts extra to play with for add ons. I would doubt there is a feasable way to upgrade the charging system. For better lighting at night a SilverStar bulb will be an improvement over OEM with the same power requirements. Also change your driving lights to a lower wattage bulb(20/25 watts each)and give it a whirl. Might be all you need.

[Badbob]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

For better lighting at night a SilverStar bulb will be an improvement over OEM with the same power requirements.

Better lighting but way more expensive when you consider that that don't last near as long.

[douglaskinney_phd]

Thanks for all the information. I may have inadvertently found part of the problem. Will check it out and report back. I think maybe the headlamp was the problem. Rated too high...have replaced with original wattage and will test the driving lamps with new set up.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by douglaskinney_phd

I think maybe the headlamp was the problem. Rated too high...have replaced with original wattage and will test the driving lamps with new set up.

Well now THAT would be very unusual. What kind of bulb did you find in there?

And what is the wattage rating of your add-on driving lamps?

If we know that we can tell what's going to happen without much actual testing.