Battery Questions

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Mar 5, 2010 | 05:43 PM

srmason

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 11

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Battery Questions

I've owned a 09 Street Bob about 1.5 months and every time the bike sits 4-6 days without being rode the battery is dead. Is this normal?

I've previously owned an 07 sportster for a year and never had to charge or use a battery tender and sometimes didn't ride the bike for a couple of weeks.

So I just want to know if this is normal and should I pony up and get a battery tender or does this sound like some other type of problem?

I've replaced the battery in the street bob so I'm pretty sure the battery isn't the problem.

I'm just wondering if this is normal or the sign of some other issue.

Thanks!

Mar 5, 2010 | 05:48 PM

8541hog

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 6,642

Likes: 48

From: Ogden, UT

You have a problem. I would start with checking all your connections, make sure they are clean and tight.
Do you have any electrical accessories wired to the battery, or is it all stock?

Mar 5, 2010 | 05:53 PM

wescoot2

Road Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 805

Likes: 6

From: Burb of Chicago

Nope, doesn't sound normal at all. If I were yu, I would check to make sure that your battery is getting the proper charge. You may be having a problem with your regulator or stator.

Mar 5, 2010 | 06:05 PM

godjunior

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 245

Likes: 2

From: Quebec

Doesn't sound normal at all. Not the bike expert here but should stand for much more than that even if you have the alarms system ON. My bike went for 4 weeks with the alarm on and when I went to start here up she just fired away. Like 8541 said I would check connections or as wescoot said, check that it is chargeing correctly.

Mar 5, 2010 | 07:43 PM

seniorsuperglideE8

Supporter

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 15,787

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From: along the shore of Mishigami

Check your battery connections,Check voltage while idling and at 2,000 rpms. voltage 12.8-13.2 v and 14.2-14.4 respectfully. Being EFI your voltage maybe 14.2 at idle. Also what are your riding habits? Very short rides, less than 30 minutes, may n ot be a sufficient charge and all you are getting is what's called a surface charge. If that's the case then a smart tender may be your fix.

Mar 6, 2010 | 03:03 PM

srmason

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

This is the third battery I've tried on this bike. So I'm pretty sure that it's not the battery that is the problem. No accessories attached to the bike. I have a multimeter and the battery was reading 12.8v-12.9v fully charged which is about right and bike was showing 14.34v across the battery while running today at idle. I think something is shorted or something. I'm heading over to my mechanic buddy hopefully this evening to check the alternator and then we are going to check the amperage while not running.

Mar 6, 2010 | 05:10 PM

8541hog

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 6,642

Likes: 48

From: Ogden, UT

Sounds like you have something that is not turning off and draining the battery. If you are getting those voltages it doesn't appear to be a charging issue.
One way you can prove it, Disconnect the battery at night or for a few days and see if you still have the problem.