Help with ST1300 Police Model

[BlueKnightFL]

I'm the Special Ops Lieutenant and one of the four units under me is Motors (just went to Basic Police Motorcycle School two weeks ago and I'm also a Blue Knight). Our office uses the ST1300P as our police bikes. They have left us stranded twice in high profile ceremonial events. It did it once while the bike is running at low RPMs in a parade. The second time, it wouldn't start after running lights were left on for 5 minutes by accident. It was my first ride with my unit and I opted to give the Zero Bike my bike and I stayed with the dead one. Let me tell you, loads of fun as everyone passes you by...

From what I gather, the charging issue is a common problem for police use but I have found no common answers. Honda says there is no problem with the bike. Everything I read says the bike produces more than enough juice to keep up with accessories (750 Watts max output and uses no more that 250 for normal operation, leaving 500). We are getting better batteries for starters and looking at alternative ways to rewire accessories. Any other ideas as to the cause and effect? Thanks in advance...

 

[TMUS]

Take at look at this

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?95497-Shorai-Lithium-Iron-Batteries&highlight=shorai

 

[Avtrician]

Do not leave the bike with the lights on without the engine running. The alternator can handle the load, but the battery cant as its primary use is starting.

 

[BlueKnightFL]

We just ordered this battery for our bikes last week based on other threads I have read. I guess I'll find out if that was a Good thing or bad. This is the first time I read anything negative about them. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks for the information!

 

[Mellow]

Many departments seem to go with the Odyssey PC545 battery as well due to it's capacity. There are several LEOs here that have them and one w/Lithium that I'm aware of so they will probably chime in.

 

[abiter]

Hey L T
I have the dual battery system on my honda and really like it. No matter what happens with the secondary battery, the primary will start the bike everytime. I have several pics on this forum. I am really pleased with the SHORAI batteries and their longevity.....any questions about it get hold of me...

 

[BlueKnightFL]

Very cool...I appreciate the offer. When you can, here is my work email so you can send me your contact information (amur@osceola.org). I would like to call you and talk to you about your bike and its set up. Thanks again!

 

[Byron]

Try contacting Huntington Beach Honda here in California. They are the regional police bike distributor to the best of my knowledge and have assisted me when I have had questions related to the police bikes. I'd say it's worth a try.

 

[roadriderg]

just over at HB honda and was looking at their police model. They had fitted a new battery tray and a much larger battery. How large I do not know , you will have to contact them. hbhonda.com

 

[BlueKnightFL]

Thanks for the heads up...will do. So far so good with our plans on upgrading to the Shorai Battery. We also found a vendor for a light box on the back. The forums have been a great place for information and finding like minded people. Thanks again!

 

[st1300r]

it wouldn't start after running lights were left on for 5 minutes by accident.
(750 Watts max output and uses no more that 250 for normal operation, leaving 500).

That's normal for a stock battery to be toast if you leave the lights on for 5-10minutes.
750 seems a little high, honda now claims somewhere arournd 640watts @ 5000rpm.
I've never heard the 250w normal load.

Good luck with the LiFe battery. Let us know how it goes.

 

[BlueKnightFL]

Thanks...will do.

 

[BlueKnightFL]

We put the Shorai batteries in and they are working fine. When we first got them, they were at 90% and they charged up to 100% in 15 minutes. We then connected a new car lightbar to it and used every single light it had. The battery lasted 26 minutes. Pretty damn impressive considering even our headlight wouldn't draw that much power. We are buying a 4-bank LED bulb for our driving lights. They are bright but don't have the same draw as the stock lights. We'll use those for parades instead of the main headlight.

Thanks to networking with Tony Biter, we are also testing a new box for the bike that holds our computer and ticket printer. If it works out, I will be getting them for all 7 of our bikes. We mounted the demo one today and the they look like just the thing. The unit is very excited. I'll keep you posted...

We are all sad today as one of our brother motor officers was flown out to a hospital with serious injuries after a car pulled out in front of him while driving code. He has at least one shattered leg with compound fractures. My guys will visit him as unit after they conduct two funeral escorts on Saturday. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

 

[st1300r]

Sorry to hear that.
Here's hoping for a complete recovery as quickly as possible.

 

[Mellow]

We are all sad today as one of our brother motor officers was flown out to a hospital with serious injuries after a car pulled out in front of him while driving code. He has at least one shattered leg with compound fractures. My guys will visit him as unit after they conduct two funeral escorts on Saturday. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Sorry to hear that sir... our thoughts and prayers are with him.

 

[carpdm]

We are all sad today as one of our brother motor officers was flown out to a hospital with serious injuries after a car pulled out in front of him while driving code. He has at least one shattered leg with compound fractures. My guys will visit him as unit after they conduct two funeral escorts on Saturday. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

I am sending prayers to the officer and family.

 

[BlueKnightFL]

I could have sworn I posted this update already...

Anyway, we have put in the Shorai Batteries and they are working great (thanks Tony!). We are also testing a custom box so we can put our computers and ticket printers in them (thanks again Tony!). That will help clear up space in the saddlebags and make it more efficient for the unit to do its job. We are also replacing our standard bulbs in our running lights with a four bank LED. That should cut don on draw as well. We will be looking at an HID conversion in the future as well.

Film at eleven...

 

[BlueKnightFL]

OK, must be the pain pills...I am pending a wisdom tooth extraction on Monday. Sorry for the duplicity of my posts. Thanks for all the kind words for John. He has several pins, screws, and a plate put in his left leg. He should be out today or Monday. They are still saying it will be about four months before he can start walking again. After the car pulled out in front of him and he hit it, he flew over 40 feet. His helmet saved his life...Needless to say, the bike flipped over the car as well and is a total loss. He is in good spirits and can't wait to get back on a bike!

 

[st1300r]

He is in good spirits and can't wait to get back on a bike!

:yes: That should help with the rehab.

If you run a wig wag on the head lights the HID's might not work. The HID's don't like to be cycled hot. Maybe the HID lo, Halogen hi beem would.

Good luck with the wizdom tooth. youch...

 

[BlueKnightFL]

Update with John. I spoke with im last night. He was actually thrown 117 feet from point of impact and found the only grass patch in a parking lot to land in. His bike was hurled 77 feet and crashed into a parked car. He is having some complicaitons but will hopefully be released by Wednesday.