Road Smith Fuel Transfer Problem

[bikerbillone]

My 2005 GW/2012 RS has developed a fuel transfer problem. The transfer pump remains powered up when the aux tank is empty, the 'empty' indicator light remains in the 'on' mode when it should blink to notify that the tank is empty. The manual switch will 'power down' the pump, but there's no way of knowing when the tank has fully transferred the fuel without closely monitoring the main tank fuel gauge.

I have an appointment with Fun Bike Center, Lakeland, FL, about 25 miles, on Wednesday, yes they build Road Smiths, to take a look. The warranty is still good, Road Smith is a stand up conversion, so I'm sure it will all turn out well. I could take it to the builder, Trike Shop Daytona Beach with no hassle about the fix, but that's over 90 miles from me, and if there's a hang up for parts, whatever, then I'm stuck in Daytona, not a good thing.

Will post back here how it all shakes out, and the problem solution.

[mhgoldwing]

My first red light comes on when I power up the transfer pump. My second red light will turn on and stay steady red once the fuel gets low enough to quit sloshing in the tank. When the light stays steady on is when I know the tank is empty. (all it's going to transfer. it leaves a little to keep system closed and prime pump I think). Mine is 2011 kit

[bikerbillone]

Hmmm, now that's interesting, maybe I need to throw a gallon in the aux tank, go for a ride, light off the transfer and see what happens. Can't believe it has gone from left light blinking, right ling full on when my transfer is complete, to the full both on, I suppose anything is possible.

[Gold Rush]

Please let us know what you find. My Roadsmith AUX Fuel lights both come on initially then go into the blink mode like Bills use to... I don't guess it makes any difference as long as you know what is "Normal" for your trike... Just surprised a bit......

Just checked the install manual. Here is a direct quote:

To check wiring:
i. With the ignition switch on, the auxilary fuel pump switch on, and no fuel in the aux tank, only (1) indicator light should be lit.
ii. With the ignition switch on, the auxilary fuel pump switch on, fuel in the auxiliary tank, both indicator lights should be lit.

[bikerbillone]

Right Gold, my book says the same thing, but my left light blinks, RS says the pump should auto shut down when the tank is empty, that has never happened, the light is the indicator, blink or whatever it supposed to do. I think it's different on different installs, whatever one they happen to use at the time. My only power off is the manual switch, the indicator tells me when it's empty, but right now it's only telling me it's still pumping. One of those nutty problems that has a way of just being irritating. Will post when it's fixed.

[mhgoldwing]

Right Gold, my book says the same thing, but my left light blinks, RS says the pump should auto shut down when the tank is empty, that has never happened, the light is the indicator, blink or whatever it supposed to do. I think it's different on different installs, whatever one they happen to use at the time. My only power off is the manual switch, the indicator tells me when it's empty, but right now it's only telling me it's still pumping. One of those nutty problems that has a way of just being irritating. Will post when it's fixed.

The switch should only indicate power to the fuel pump is on. The fuel pump will shut itself down when out of fuel; but the power at switch is still applied so the light stays on until you turn switch off.

[bikerbillone]

Problem is, the pump does not shut itself down when the aux tank is empty, I've checked this thing nine ways from Sunday. I've run the pump in the on position for 35 or 40 mins, the tank was empty, I can still hear pump in operation, until I manually shut it down. I know the tank was empty, ran the aux tank for a full 30 mins while riding and watched the main tank fuel gauge, the gauge was moving to lower position, not once, but twice. I have a couple days before I take this thing in, so tomorrow I will put a gallon of fuel in the aux tank, then take a ride to see one more time when I pump it dry if there's any change in the two light indicators. Hope no one else has this prob, most frustrating because of the many steps to go through to prove the failure.

[Gold Rush]

The switch should only indicate power to the fuel pump is on. The fuel pump will shut itself down when out of fuel; but the power at switch is still applied so the light stays on until you turn switch off.

We are discussing apples and oranges here. From your first description of how your system works it is obvious you have some different set up then Bill and I do. Did you compare my copy and paste segment from the install manual and if so is that how yours works? If not then Bill has a different situation. The two of you may very well have the same components in the works - just wired differently... I wish someone from Roadsmith would see this and chime in....

[bikerbillone]

Yes, that's confusing to me as well. My manual switch, actually three switches with only one of the switches powers the on and off to the aux pump, the other two are for lights or whatever one would like for power. the switch unit sits atop the front brake reservoir. I'm hoping the tech can just transfer the wiring from where it is located to another and that will solve the problem. I could probably do that, but I don't want to screw around with a warranty problem. By the way, I have been e-mailing Road Smith about the problem, but they can't diagnose this over the phone or e-mail, I believe it's because they have used different wiring and/or lighting for "fuel empty". I have two red lights when the pump is running, and fuel is actually transferring, let me make that clear, it's just I can't get an indicator light when the tank is empty, hope I haven't confused anyone about that.