Battery Goes Dead
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 46
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Battery Goes Dead
I have a 2009 Street Bob. I never used a battery tender because in KY (where I live) there are always a few warm days a month even in winter so I would take it out or start it every week or so during the winter. I left it at my mom and dads for 2 weeks and when I went to start it it was dead. I jumped it and it was fine. I rode it 150 miles back home and parked it. It started the next weekend so I thought it was fine. I let it sit another 2 weeks and dead. I thought well my battery is a factory battery so I replaced it with a JPCycle high output sealed battery. It started fine. I parked it for 2 weeks and now dead as hell. What is up? Anyone got an idea?
Thanks
Mark
Thanks
Mark
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
Something is definitely draining it? My stock factory battery is still fine. I just rode my bike this week after sitting for 3 weeks and it fired right up. That's with no tender! It has sat for two months before with no tender and fired right up before. If you still have a warranty take it in. Do you have an alarm?? I don't have one. My buddy's nightster battery dies after a month or two without a tender and he has an alarm and the security light always flashes. Just throwing out thoughts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,525
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From: Honah Lee
I ride year round but if it sets a few weeks time to time with alarm system and the other electronics that draw even with key off requires a tender. I like you however do not tender all the time but pretty much when my trips get short or far apart (do not ride below freezing) I tender. Tender all the time and battery when it does wear out will leave you setting somewhere. Now that my battery is 5 years old I pull it ever 6 months , charge it 24hours and have it load tested at AutoZone or the Harley dealer free
Not all batteries last the same length of time. Some just go faulty sooner than others. They are/can be a 'weak link' in the electrical system. Parasitic-drain in the electronics is a common problem. A BT Jr. is about $25.
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9
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From: Olympia, WA
If you you have a digtal VOM you can check how much draw is on the battery with the key off. Pull the ground cable, set your meter to read dc amps, put your leads in the right holes on your meter, and connect the meter inline. If you have more than 50 miliamps, your draw is too much. Ideal is no more than 20 miliamps, 50 is just acceptable
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,525
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
If you you have a digtal VOM you can check how much draw is on the battery with the key off. Pull the ground cable, set your meter to read dc amps, put your leads in the right holes on your meter, and connect the meter inline. If you have more than 50 miliamps, your draw is too much. Ideal is no more than 20 miliamps, 50 is just acceptable
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Dec 4, 2011 at 11:47 AM.