Dying battery
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,121
From:
I know this type of problem has been posted before, but just seeing if there's any new ideas out there. Since I've had my FLD, which has been 8 years, I'm on my 4th battery. They barely last 2 years and I do know I don't ride nearly as much as I should, but a battery should last longer than 2 years. When I'm not riding, a battery tender is connected, and I'm not running any other accessories, no alarm, no abs etc. When I do go away for a few days on the bike, and putting it on a charge overnight doesn't happen when parked at a motel, it barely starts the next day. I carry a power pack just in case I have to jump it.
So, I've been told that I probably have a parasitic drain going on somewhere. And that is coming from the techs I know over at the dealer. Does that sound about right for what's going on with it? I've a got a buddy who does electrical, and I've asked him to diagnose it. Now all batteries have come from the dealer too, not sure if that's the problem right there!
I'm tired of replacing batteries....I need to find the source of the problem. Stay tuned.
So, I've been told that I probably have a parasitic drain going on somewhere. And that is coming from the techs I know over at the dealer. Does that sound about right for what's going on with it? I've a got a buddy who does electrical, and I've asked him to diagnose it. Now all batteries have come from the dealer too, not sure if that's the problem right there!
I'm tired of replacing batteries....I need to find the source of the problem. Stay tuned.
Did you test charging system with a cheap or even sometimes free(harbor freight) digital meter after when changing any of those batteries?
What exact battery tender are you using?
You state "When I do go away for a few days on the bike, and putting it on a charge overnight doesn't happen when parked at a motel, it barely starts the next day."...did you check charging system at that time?
When you change battery..does someone charge battery and then load test battery?
Do you know how to check for a parasitic drain? Do you know what numbers mean?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,066
Likes: 1,121
From:
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 1,190
From: New Hampsha
Maybe it would have made more sense if I said "the forums are filled with reports of batteries that die after 2 years on a tender."
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 91
Likes: 40
From: Florida
I keep all three of my bikes on tenders when not riding them and I've been using battery maintainers for at least the past 12 years. On average I get 5 to 6 years of life out of a motorcycle battery. I've added three more tenders over the past few years so I have a total of six thats always in use. The later ones were for my wifes Vespa, the electric start emergency generator, and one for the riding mower. Without a doubt, they simply work and extend the life of batteries.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 21
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
im,
I have tested previous batteries, with a cheap multimeter before starting and then under load. I've seen the readings be around 14.1 then drop once started up. Tbh, I haven't tested this battery, but I'm headed to my buddy's garage today and he is the king of electrical, so he is going to check it all out. The battery tender I'm using is the Tecmate Optimate 7.
And when I was away, I did not bring the multimeter with, so no I didn't measure voltage etc.
I do work at an HD dealer and ride to work for spring and summer. The techs have heard my bike starting up at the end of the work day and it does sound like the battery is going to die. They know my bike and they believe there is a parasitic drain going on. At this point, I'm going to let my buddy have a look since electrical is his specialty and has the experience with HD and my bike too.
I will see what that shows today....
I have tested previous batteries, with a cheap multimeter before starting and then under load. I've seen the readings be around 14.1 then drop once started up. Tbh, I haven't tested this battery, but I'm headed to my buddy's garage today and he is the king of electrical, so he is going to check it all out. The battery tender I'm using is the Tecmate Optimate 7.
And when I was away, I did not bring the multimeter with, so no I didn't measure voltage etc.
I do work at an HD dealer and ride to work for spring and summer. The techs have heard my bike starting up at the end of the work day and it does sound like the battery is going to die. They know my bike and they believe there is a parasitic drain going on. At this point, I'm going to let my buddy have a look since electrical is his specialty and has the experience with HD and my bike too.
I will see what that shows today....
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 21
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
zebraranger,
Long before I rode HD, I rode a Honda Shadow. That bike didn't have alarms or any accessories and during the winter, the battery was on a Battery Tender Plus, in my dining room. During riding season, I never had it on the charge, and it started up beautifully every time. And that battery lasted over 5 years.
Since owning HD for the last 12 years, the lowrider had the battery replaced once, but the parts tech told me that all HD's need to be put on the charge every night. I found that weird, but I've been doing that. I didn't do any traveling on my LR, so daily riding was fine. The FLD has been this way since I got it.
Long before I rode HD, I rode a Honda Shadow. That bike didn't have alarms or any accessories and during the winter, the battery was on a Battery Tender Plus, in my dining room. During riding season, I never had it on the charge, and it started up beautifully every time. And that battery lasted over 5 years.
Since owning HD for the last 12 years, the lowrider had the battery replaced once, but the parts tech told me that all HD's need to be put on the charge every night. I found that weird, but I've been doing that. I didn't do any traveling on my LR, so daily riding was fine. The FLD has been this way since I got it.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 21
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
So, my buddy tested my battery and charging system for a couple of hours yesterday. Battery was in good shape, voltage measured with no load and then with load. All good and then he did the regulator etc and checked all connectors. All connectors were clean, but he still went over them, and did a clean of all connectors, checked the ground connection (which did need a tighten up), so that also got cleaned (he uses a spray that cleans connections) . So, his assessment is there is no parasitic drain going on and the issue I've had with it when it has sat at work for 8 hours, and then having a hard time starting at the end of the day, has to do with compression. So, his recommendation is, if that happens again, and it sounds like its not going to start, turn the bike off, wait a minute or 2, and start it again. That should cause compression to release and should start no problem. So I will do that....apparently this has been a problem with the 103's.
He said to put it on the charge still when not riding, so I will do that too.
Thanks for everyone's input....
He said to put it on the charge still when not riding, so I will do that too.
Thanks for everyone's input....
Last edited by Krash26; May 19, 2020 at 08:26 AM.
