Battery question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 8, 2011 | 10:14 PM

Comingapart

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 150

Likes: 1

From: Arkansas

Battery question

The stock battery in my '10 FXD is not holding a charge and has left me stranded twice.
My question is, is it normal for a battery to only last a year and a half?
I ride year round, so it's never set up for an extended period of time. I ride it almost everyday. I don't use a maintenance or trickle charger. Connections are clean and tight.
I've checked and there isn't any draw on the battery with the key off and it's putting 14-15 volts into the battery at idle.
I'm shopping for a replacement now, but since it seems odd that the battery would fail in less than two years, I want to make sure there isn't anything else I should check for so I don't have the same problem with the new batt.

Also, are the JP Cycles brand "High Output" batteries any good, or should I go with another choice?

Aug 8, 2011 | 10:22 PM

Spanners39

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 7,736

Likes: 1,524

From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand

18 months life is not unusual but if you getting 14-15 at idle I would get your regulator checked as 12.9-13.5 is more the correct figure....it may be cooked from over charging.

There are only two batteries you should fit in a Harley in my opinion, one is the genuine H-D brand and the other is Motobatt.

Aug 8, 2011 | 10:45 PM

thedonthere

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 2,419

Likes: 1

From: Ashland Ore.

I just replaced my original battery 3 months ago. The original lasted 5 years. I religiously use a battery tender.

Aug 8, 2011 | 10:52 PM

DonN

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,760

Likes: 210

From: Manila, Philippines

My first battery was bad from the start. Lasted 1 month and dealer replaced. My second lasted about 2 years. Heat kills them. I am trying a different brand this time.

Aug 8, 2011 | 11:03 PM

WS6 Formula

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 3,124

Likes: 255

From: From Long Island, now in So. Cal

My original Harley Davidson battery crapped out within six months, and was covered under warranty. After five years I replaced that one with a Deka East Penn battery http://www.dekabatteries.com/ , they make the Harley Davidson battery's

I also have my bike plugged into a Battery Tender when ever I'm not riding, made a big difference on my last bike for extending battery life.

Info below is from other threads:

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEONNIGHT34609

woke up this morning and wanted to go for a ride but my Odyssey battery has sh** the bed. even know i got about 3 years out of it i dont feel it was worth the extra money. what are my other options? also it is better to order on line or should i look for something local. thanks

I would order online, it would be cheaper and they probably sell a lot more of them then a local shop, which would most likely get you a fresher battery then one that has been sitting on a shelf for who knows how long. Some quotes from other threads that should help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBFXDLI

My guess: Remove your battery & load test it. Then make sure it is fully charged and reinstall making sure the cables are tight. I would get a 12v deltran battery tender from amazon for $27 if you are not using a tender. When batteries start to die the engine will hard start as they lose their ability to handle the load on startup.

If you need a new battery go to the East Penn Deka website as they make all of the Moco batteries. Call them to find a local distributor and you will save $30 over the dealer cost. If the battery takes a good charge and runs down again then test your stator & vr for charging voltage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pascoz28

Just thought I'd pass on a great deal I found on DEKA batteries...it's at Parkerbattery.com...the EXT20L (what I just bought for my 00 WG) was only $69 with FREE UPS shipping and if you use Paypal it's another 10% off, so I paid $62.10 shipped. I have no connection with Parkerbattery.com whatsoever...just thought this was a great deal and wanted to pass it on.

Here's the link: http://www.parkerbattery.com/ETX20L.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by WS6 Formula

Run wires directly to the battery (use Loc-Tite). To make a quick connect / disconnect you can solder wires to a banana jack and mount it some were out of sight. Use an additional banana jack on the Battery Tender leads.

FRYS.com #: 2379099: http://www.frys.com/product/2379099
Pomona MDP-02 Double Banana Plugs w/ wire Guide. Set Screw Secure Leads, 5000-V DC, 15-A

Set screws secure wire
Accepts cables up to .215" max.
Contains one black and one red dual banana plug
Rating 5000V, 15 Amps

$4.99

Aug 9, 2011 | 01:12 PM

nevil

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 9,278

Likes: 1,138

From: southeast PA

My original battery lasted 23 months so it got replaced under warranty. They also checked the charging system when they did it. You hopefully still have some warranty left, right?

Aug 9, 2011 | 01:24 PM

flyscoal77

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 131

Likes: 0

From: SOCAL

Yup over 14 Volts is suspect. I would install a trickle charger and see if that fixes the problem. If not get one of these:

http://www.powersports.braillebatter...tteries/b2015/

If this thing craps out then you know you have a different problem. These braille batteries kick ***. This is the same battery I'm using on my TP124 with 10:1 compression with no comp releases. Will fit your dyna battery box.