Is your Dog cold blooded?

Energy One
BadDawg Bill

BadDawg Bill

Well-Known Member
Srodden said:
I've never had EHC issues either. It's just that we only hear of the EHC problems and not the ones that are working well.
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I've been in the computer field for over 35 years now. The one thing I know is the power has to be constant or the boards fry. I think most of the EHC problems are caused by a lose wire on the battery or a bad battery. The VR is also a problem. Too much voltage or not enough voltage will affect the ECH.

All the guys saying their batteries have lasted years are just waiting for the EHC to fry.... When that battery goes so does your ECH. Just think about placing your laptop in your car/truck engine compartment and expecting it to work forever. Not going to happen. The heat and vibration will kill it. Take a desktop computer and disconnect the monitor or connect it without shutting it down first and you will fry the board.

In cars they place the computer under the dash where it gets heat and cold and stays dry. Not so on a bike. You can mess with the EHC all you want but sooner or later one of the above things will happen and your not riding. Harley designed a system over 80 years ago that still works today even though they too have gone to computers which in my Humble opinion is wrong.... I'm an engineer and the first lesson we learned is K.I.S.S... Keep it simple stupid.... BD went out of the box and tried something new but it isn't working and we are all paying the price...
 
Matheny 514

Matheny 514

Active Member
BadDawg Bill said:
I've been in the computer field for over 35 years now. The one thing I know is the power has to be constant or the boards fry. I think most of the EHC problems are caused by a lose wire on the battery or a bad battery. The VR is also a problem. Too much voltage or not enough voltage will affect the ECH.

All the guys saying their batteries have lasted years are just waiting for the EHC to fry.... When that battery goes so does your ECH. Just think about placing your laptop in your car/truck engine compartment and expecting it to work forever. Not going to happen. The heat and vibration will kill it. Take a desktop computer and disconnect the monitor or connect it without shutting it down first and you will fry the board.

In cars they place the computer under the dash where it gets heat and cold and stays dry. Not so on a bike. You can mess with the EHC all you want but sooner or later one of the above things will happen and your not riding. Harley designed a system over 80 years ago that still works today even though they too have gone to computers which in my Humble opinion is wrong.... I'm an engineer and the first lesson we learned is K.I.S.S... Keep it simple stupid.... BD went out of the box and tried something new but it isn't working and we are all paying the price...
Click to expand...
I completely agree with you Bill. Almost every EHC related issue I have fixed on my bikes or other's bikes was from either a bad battery, a lose wire, or the VR having a field day.


bigkelk9 said:
My bike is all straight wiring to a small fuse block.. the only thing with computer boards on my bike is my Dakota gauge cluster and the factory BDM signals and I haven't had any issues with that.. I really love big dog.. but I am scared of all the problems everyone always has.. but hands down the sickest production choppers ever made.. I'm just trying to do my research is all.. thanks a bunch
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Kel, as far as the electrical issues of BDM's themselves, I wouldn't stress too much. Yes the EHC is a bit of a worry but it's fairly easy to replace it with an upgrade of your choice. The same goes for the VR. As far as mechanical issues, that will depend on the year you are looking for. It's hard to say how quickly something mechanical could come up if at all. A good example is the TP rocker boxes on the 05-06 117ci engines. Some members were affected within 5,000 miles whereas others have not had any issues whatsoever.

Do keep in mind though that our community here on the forum is THE place that all BDM owners come with any issues they are having. So a lot of what you read here is about someone having an issue but don't let that discourage you. This is basically the central hub of BDM knowledge and experience. Do your research of course and if you get another then our community will support and help you keep that Dog running strong. :old2::chopper::old2::cheers:
 
Hirter6Pack

Hirter6Pack

Not Quite A Guru
BadDawg Bill said:
I've been in the computer field for over 35 years now. The one thing I know is the power has to be constant or the boards fry. I think most of the EHC problems are caused by a lose wire on the battery or a bad battery. The VR is also a problem. Too much voltage or not enough voltage will affect the ECH.

All the guys saying their batteries have lasted years are just waiting for the EHC to fry.... When that battery goes so does your ECH. Just think about placing your laptop in your car/truck engine compartment and expecting it to work forever. Not going to happen. The heat and vibration will kill it. Take a desktop computer and disconnect the monitor or connect it without shutting it down first and you will fry the board.

In cars they place the computer under the dash where it gets heat and cold and stays dry. Not so on a bike. You can mess with the EHC all you want but sooner or later one of the above things will happen and your not riding. Harley designed a system over 80 years ago that still works today even though they too have gone to computers which in my Humble opinion is wrong.... I'm an engineer and the first lesson we learned is K.I.S.S... Keep it simple stupid.... BD went out of the box and tried something new but it isn't working and we are all paying the price...
Click to expand...
Matheny 514 said:
I completely agree with you Bill. Almost every EHC related issue I have fixed on my bikes or other's bikes was from either a bad battery, a lose wire, or the VR having a field day.




Kel, as far as the electrical issues of BDM's themselves, I wouldn't stress too much. Yes the EHC is a bit of a worry but it's fairly easy to replace it with an upgrade of your choice. The same goes for the VR. As far as mechanical issues, that will depend on the year you are looking for. It's hard to say how quickly something mechanical could come up if at all. A good example is the TP rocker boxes on the 05-06 117ci engines. Some members were affected within 5,000 miles whereas others have not had any issues whatsoever.

Do keep in mind though that our community here on the forum is THE place that all BDM owners come with any issues they are having. So a lot of what you read here is about someone having an issue but don't let that discourage you. This is basically the central hub of BDM knowledge and experience. Do your research of course and if you get another then our community will support and help you keep that Dog running strong. :old2::chopper::old2::cheers:
Click to expand...
And there you go.:old2:
 
bigkelk9

bigkelk9

Well-Known Member
Matheny 514 said:
I completely agree with you Bill. Almost every EHC related issue I have fixed on my bikes or other's bikes was from either a bad battery, a lose wire, or the VR having a field day.




Kel, as far as the electrical issues of BDM's themselves, I wouldn't stress too much. Yes the EHC is a bit of a worry but it's fairly easy to replace it with an upgrade of your choice. The same goes for the VR. As far as mechanical issues, that will depend on the year you are looking for. It's hard to say how quickly something mechanical could come up if at all. A good example is the TP rocker boxes on the 05-06 117ci engines. Some members were affected within 5,000 miles whereas others have not had any issues whatsoever.

Do keep in mind though that our community here on the forum is THE place that all BDM owners come with any issues they are having. So a lot of what you read here is about someone having an issue but don't let that discourage you. This is basically the central hub of BDM knowledge and experience. Do your research of course and if you get another then our community will support and help you keep that Dog running strong. :old2::chopper::old2::cheers:
Click to expand...
BadDawg Bill said:
I've been in the computer field for over 35 years now. The one thing I know is the power has to be constant or the boards fry. I think most of the EHC problems are caused by a lose wire on the battery or a bad battery. The VR is also a problem. Too much voltage or not enough voltage will affect the ECH.

All the guys saying their batteries have lasted years are just waiting for the EHC to fry.... When that battery goes so does your ECH. Just think about placing your laptop in your car/truck engine compartment and expecting it to work forever. Not going to happen. The heat and vibration will kill it. Take a desktop computer and disconnect the monitor or connect it without shutting it down first and you will fry the board.

In cars they place the computer under the dash where it gets heat and cold and stays dry. Not so on a bike. You can mess with the EHC all you want but sooner or later one of the above things will happen and your not riding. Harley designed a system over 80 years ago that still works today even though they too have gone to computers which in my Humble opinion is wrong.... I'm an engineer and the first lesson we learned is K.I.S.S... Keep it simple stupid.... BD went out of the box and tried something new but it isn't working and we are all paying the price...
Click to expand...
See.. that's why I love this place, mechanical, I'm not too worried, my K9 has been a champ.. knock on wood.. lol.. but yeah I kinda want a mastiff or a bulldog bagger.. we will see how it goes. I searched for mine for about a year before I found it.. so we shall see where it goes.
 
Th3InfamousI

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
2016 k9 use the RIP kit basically the Thunderheart box.

Both RIP and ESC use the same box. I am almost certain that with either kit if you had a failure you could simply unplug and plug in a replacement module runs about $250. Everything else is done in the wiring harness

With that said, DOC ESC been using the module for years has about 4,000 out in the market and no known failures. I also spoke to Thunderheart directly and while they didn't give me a failure rate they said it was insanely low and they rarely get one back. So that would include all the ESC, RIP and Harley owners that run their EA4260.

I have both a RIP and an ESC one in each bike...ive handled them both. I've previously done a Wire Plus and a PDM. So I think I've touched just about every option and these new boxes are the bees knees

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
 
Matheny 514

Matheny 514

Active Member
Th3InfamousI said:
2016 k9 use the RIP kit basically the Thunderheart box.

Both RIP and ESC use the same box. I am almost certain that with either kit if you had a failure you could simply unplug and plug in a replacement module runs about $250. Everything else is done in the wiring harness

With that said, DOC ESC been using the module for years has about 4,000 out in the market and no known failures. I also spoke to Thunderheart directly and while they didn't give me a failure rate they said it was insanely low and they rarely get one back. So that would include all the ESC, RIP and Harley owners that run their EA4260.

I have both a RIP and an ESC one in each bike...ive handled them both. I've previously done a Wire Plus and a PDM. So I think I've touched just about every option and these new boxes are the bees knees

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
:old2::old2::old2:
 
Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
HMAN said:
When its "warmed up" and running good, try jiggling the key. These key switches will give you issues. Even the Ford "fix" wears after time. Jm.02 Intermittent crap is tough to track. Could be corrosion @ the bar switches too?
Click to expand...
Yep, check the Key switch first.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Bubba_BigDog

Bubba_BigDog

Redneck
BWG56 said:
Get rid of the ECH and your electrical gremlins will go with it. I had similar start up problems and replaced it with the ESC from DOC's, deadonecustoms.com, and if you go with his and have any questions, he will answer your call, immediately.:old2:
I haven't had any problems the last 2 years since I installed it.:whoop::chopper:
Click to expand...
kickstart said:
Plus 1, and a new speedo like Dakota Digital is a good upgrade
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I have both the BDM Wires+ kit and Medallion speedo sitting on the shelf... just need the time to do it.
 
Bubba_BigDog

Bubba_BigDog

Redneck
HMAN said:
When its "warmed up" and running good, try jiggling the key. These key switches will give you issues. Even the Ford "fix" wears after time. Jm.02 Intermittent crap is tough to track. Could be corrosion @ the bar switches too?
Click to expand...
Have not tried playing with the key... but that was definitely the battery a I have not had to turn it off and back on with the new battery. And while corrosion could never be ruled out... it's lived in the dry AZ heat and inside a garage for half it's life.
 
BWG56

BWG56

Guru
Bubba_BigDog said:
I have both the BDM Wires+ kit and Medallion speedo sitting on the shelf... just need the time to do it.
Click to expand...
Well if that kit came from BDM, save yourself some time and get a real kit, or put that kit in and come back later and ask the same questions, its your time. :2cents:
 
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