[AussieDave]

I have had my bike on the charger for two days , the device tells me it's full and the battery shows 13 volts ... But it won't activate the relays . I found that with the small red wire that plugs to the larger wire that runs to the starter solenoid attached the voltage drops  approximately one volt vs having it unplugged . This indicates a load but the ignition is off and the kill switch in the off position also. Checking resistance in this condition( red power wire unplugged ) from the red wire to ground shows infinity resistance , and yet there is still a voltage drop of aprox. One volt . Does this happen on anyone else's bike ?

[gremlin]

I don't have the diagrams with me today.  Is the rectifier/regulator connected to the battery through that wire ? (the output transistor of the regulator might be leaking)

[singhg5]

I don't have the diagrams with me today.  Is the rectifier/regulator connected to the battery through that wire ? (the output transistor of the regulator might be leaking)

Yes, the small red wire connects battery to RR.

[AussieDave]

I just replaced the RR as it was allowing to much current through - more than 20 volts .... I think I May have to go over the loom systematically ...no doubt it will be educational . Wishing this bike was carb fueled and had no complex electrical system ...just a simple kick start ...

[AussieDave]

I just thought I'd post what I found to be the problem . I took the loom apart looking for shorts - on the g5 the computer is located under the seat with the wires running into the connecter making a hard 90 degree bend over the metal edge of the retaining bracket . The insulation on some of the wires had become abraded through vibration - while there was no direct short circuit it appears that this condition plus a little moisture was enough to drain the battery and cause a voltage drop with the ignition and and kill switch in the off position . Although I couldn't get any heat shrink into the position some careful use of electrical tape seems to have solved the problem . I just hope my battery isn't beyond redemption .

[heloego]

Glad you found the root cause, and hope your battery is OK.

Is the service loop long enough to provide some relief for that bend?

[AussieDave]

Thanks Helogo , the battery was screwed - one cell had shorted ... I had to get a new one  , but the good news is I found a battery supplier who charges wholesale .
 Regarding the loom , I tidied it up and rebound it with tape into a better position - there is enough slack in the wires to avoid contact with metal edges- but I covered the computer bracket edges with a cloth tape that should help I think . I'll replace it every few months I think in case it retains moisture and causes rust ... Anyhow with some careful loom taping these problems can be avoided I think .

[Arizoni]

When I first got my (at the time) new 2011, G5, I checked everywhere to see if there were any sharp metal edges close to any of the wiring harness.

I found several and used some short pieces of vinyl tubing, slit down the side to cover these metal edges.
The slit tubing works a lot better at protecting the wiring harness than the black plastic electrical tape the RE factory uses to hold the wiring bundles together.

[AussieDave]

That's an excellent idea Arizoni . I think I'll follow suit .Thanks.

[Arizoni]

After reading your adventure I decided to check out my G5's wiring in that area today.
Everything looked OK on my bike including the flat nylon strap I had installed to replace the rotted black rubber strap that held the computer in place.
(It had rotted sometime in the first two years before I removed the seat for another task.)