Check my numbers please

[jsandidge]

I've been cleaning up some electrical connections to get my voltage up at the coils. I cleaned the connectors in the harness leading to the coils. I also disassembled and cleaned the ignition switch and fuse block. That's some shiny stuff now! The kill switch is new, and I have bypassed the clutch switch by plugging the 2 wires together.

Here are my numbers:

Battery with key off - 12.75V (This is after an overnight charge)
Battery with key on - 12.14V
+ side of both coils - 11.02V

The voltage at the coils is about .5V better than before the cleaning. How much better can I expect to get, and where else can I clean to improve on this?

[Steve]

You are only dropping a volt, I would not worry about it too much.

If you want to try to track down exactly where you are dropping that volt, look for the 4-pin connector that comes from the ignition switch. The four wires will be red, orange, brown and gray. Check the voltage on the red and orange wires. If you see a difference there, the drop is in the contacts in the ignition switch.

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[MisterCinders]

Losing a full volt at coils is not a big deal, but not ideal either. Have you considered a coil relay? It's dead easy to do and costs about $10 in parts.

[jsandidge]

maybe

Losing a full volt at coils is not a big deal, but not ideal either. Have you considered a coil relay? It's dead easy to do and costs about $10 in parts.

I am considering it. Is there any noticeable difference in performance when I get back to 12V?

[Steve]

Considering that you are on an 850, you will not be instantly ripping your arms out of their shoulder sockets, but it might idle a little better due to better spark at low RPM.

Can you check your coil voltage with the engine at 4 or 5k RPM? Compare that to the battery voltage at the same RPM.

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[jsandidge]

Good idea

Considering that you are on an 850, you will not be instantly ripping your arms out of their shoulder sockets, but it might idle a little better due to better spark at low RPM.

Can you check your coil voltage with the engine at 4 or 5k RPM? Compare that to the battery voltage at the same RPM.

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I have the valve cover off at the moment, but I'll check that once I receive a couple shims from our shim club.

[ptexotik]

I am considering it. Is there any noticeable difference in performance when I get back to 12V?

I noticed it at highway cruising speed! Bikes are just ready to launch when you are. I recall thinking 'holy crap, it's like a sewing machine now!'