Electrical system bad?

Energy One
Chuck Hughes

Chuck Hughes

Member
So, I see a lot of stuff going on with the electronics on here, and I've seen a bit online too. Ivery only had mine a month, so I've had zero issues, but is the electrical system in these really THAT bad? Making me think about rewiring and using a HD softail kit.
 
SKOGDOG

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
I have an 08 K9 with about 65,000 miles, and Blacktopper has an 07 with 80,000 miles...both with the original ECH's. I think Big Dogs have an incidence of systemic electrical problems more than most other brands, but many (if not most) of the original bikes run just fine and do not require electrical component replacement.
Many 'Gurus' have very good advice about everyday practices in maintaining a healthy electrical system, including buying a quality battery, keeping it fully charged, and obsessively checking the major connections to be sure they are good and tight. They also recommend making sure connections are treated with dielectric grease and not exposed to water any more than absolutely necessary.
I know Baddawg Bill is a strong supporter of old school wiring, certainly a defensible position. But I'm happy with my OEM. Think I'll buy chrome goo-gahs for my Bagger instead.
 
Mr. Wright

Mr. Wright

Knows some things
Chuck Hughes said:
So, I see a lot of stuff going on with the electronics on here, and I've seen a bit online too. Ivery only had mine a month, so I've had zero issues, but is the electrical system in these really THAT bad? Making me think about rewiring and using a HD softail kit.
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You have to remember, the only people posting electrical problem, are the ones that have had an issue. What you don't see is the thousands that are not having an issue. I work on a lot of Dogs, and in the 14 years of doing so, I've only replaced 3 EHC's. Two because of cheep batteries that shorted out, and the other had the plug connector come loose and it broke some pins off.
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
Run it until ya have problems if you do and then fix it. I personally know of 6 people including myself that have replaced the EHC. Dead One Custom has sold over 4000 ESC's and I'm sure they sold as many if not more RIP-I and Rip-II's not to mention how many Wire+ and PDM's were sold. Those numbers would get you closer to 50% if not more that have been replaced.
Like I said, run it until you have or if you have problems then address it, some of the lucky ones are still running OEM.
 
bigkelk9

bigkelk9

Well-Known Member
I got my bike from the original owner who bought it in Feb of 08 with about 40 miles on it. He was a dealer at the time and his shop is still in business with most of the same employees he had back then.. but n e ways, he had the bike completely re-wired because he didn't want to face the problems. But I know many personally who have original EHC's with no issues.. so like Ker says, ride it til it gives u issues if it does. One of the big pluses for aftermarket is u don't have to worry about getting it wet or getting caught in the rain which I find myself doing constantly.. lol
 
Wolferider

Wolferider

New Member
Im having electical issues myself. I traced my wires and found that the rear lights wiring was rubbed completely bare. I got my chop for a song and dance so Im not complaining but anyone know where I can get a complete replacement harness. Ide rather jus re-wire the whole bike than continue to chase ghosts throught the system. For now Ive got a hotwire switch to strat the bike and the heads and turns stay on constant. I just make sure to get home before the werewolves come out.
 
PROFLYER

PROFLYER

SWOLE
Mr. Wright said:
You have to remember, the only people posting electrical problem, are the ones that have had an issue. What you don't see is the thousands that are not having an issue. I work on a lot of Dogs, and in the 14 years of doing so, I've only replaced 3 EHC's. Two because of cheep batteries that shorted out, and the other had the plug connector come loose and it broke some pins off.
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Make that 3 because of total shit batteries. I have had my 06 K9 since new and NEVER had a issue. Found a battery online with a 2 year warranty and good reviews so I bought it. About 3 weeks later it shorted internally and now I'm jammed in a battle with the company over what parts it fried. Took out my EHC and tach ring. $680 in parts.

Make sure your voltage regulator is working right and install a 40amp fuse between the VR (volt reg) and the battery that way if it DOES take a crap the fuse will protect it. Lots of info on here on what/how to do it. Also buy good batteries. DEKA makes the harley and braille batteries and made the big dog batteries when they still were around so those are a suitable replacement. If you want easy, get a harley battery the 20lb that fits every soft tail and then keep it on the battery tender.
 
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bdm7250

bdm7250

Guru
Supporting Member
BWG56 said:
Run it until ya have problems if you do and then fix it. I personally know of 6 people including myself that have replaced the EHC. Dead One Custom has sold over 4000 ESC's and I'm sure they sold as many if not more RIP-I and Rip-II's not to mention how many Wire+ and PDM's were sold. Those numbers would get you closer to 50% if not more that have been replaced.
Like I said, run it until you have or if you have problems then address it, some of the lucky ones are still running OEM.
Click to expand...
DOC's ESC has performed flawless, very straight forward install with instructions I might add..:D Over 9k miles without an issue:old2::old2:
 
BigDogRick

BigDogRick

Well-Known Member
Your '02 was sold new with a Thunderheart EHC and separate Thunderheart Ignition Module that have proven to be extremely reliable. I am old-school rewiring mine after having issues for the first time in 17 years and 80,000 miles. I have had all the normal stuff go wrong with age and wear, key switch & batteries, stator, coil, voltage regulator, key switch & batteries, shorts, wires cut through by random events, monster short from a disconnected primary coil wire to my engine that shot flames out at 80mph four feet, did I say key switch & batteries?, etc. None of those issues ever damaged the Thunderheart to my knowledge. Only last year did the ignition module finally wear out and the EHC went bad this year. I am old school wiring because I do not trust the harness and if I am replacing that, I have reason to go old school because of how and where I ride and how much I rely on straight v-twin shops to help me wherever I am. Because I knew it had a Thunderheart all those years, I never assumed my problem was the EHC even once.
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
PROFLYER said:
Make that 3 because of total shit batteries. I have had my 06 K9 since new and NEVER had a issue. Found a battery online with a 2 year warranty and good reviews so I bought it. About 3 weeks later it shorted internally and now I'm jammed in a battle with the company over what parts it fried. Took out my EHC and tach ring. $680 in parts.

Make sure your voltage regulator is working right and install a 50amp fuse between the VR (volt reg) and the battery that way if it DOES take a crap the fuse will protect it. Lots of info on here on what/how to do it. Also buy good batteries. DEKA makes the harley and braille batteries and made the big dog batteries when they still were around so those are a suitable replacement. If you want easy, get a harley battery the 20lb that fits every soft tail and then keep it on the battery tender.
Click to expand...
My PDM fried with a Braille and took the tach ring and Speedo sensor with it. That costed me a cool $800-900

MY VR tested fine but I replaced that and the stator at the same time. If is my opinion that we should be replacing these VR every 5 years. At least in my opinion it's worth $100

Also these are 32 AMP VR so should be a 40 not a 50 AMP fuse. Unless you have the 3 stage 40AMP setup of course


Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
PROFLYER said:
Make sure your voltage regulator is working right and install a 50amp fuse between the VR (volt reg) and the battery that way if it DOES take a crap the fuse will protect it. Lots of info on here on what/how to do it. Also buy good batteries. DEKA makes the harley and braille batteries and made the big dog batteries when they still were around so those are a suitable replacement. If you want easy, get a harley battery the 20lb that fits every soft tail and then keep it on the battery tender.
Click to expand...
Where ya been son, we've discussed this a few years ago and a 40 amp is fine with the 32Amp system. Bolted right in the same place as the breaker.
40amp.JPG IMG_1029.JPG
 
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