Starting issues after being left on tender
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois
Starting issues after being left on tender
So I have had my bike stored in the garage sitting on a tender. I decided that I wanted to change the oil before the long winter storage. I went to go turn over the bike and apparently it didn't have enough juice to start. I thought this was strange since it's been sitting on the tender with a green (charged light). The local temp hasn't fallen below 28 degrees. Any ideas about what might have caused the problem and what to do for next time? As of right now, I removed the battery, which after the start attempts, was at 11.8 volt, and placed it on the tender inside my house. I'm going to have a second go at turning over the bike this afternoon.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois
I thought that too, so I monitored the charge with my multi meter. Started charging when the battery was at 11.8v and this morning the tender light was green, battery read like 13v. Is it possible for a tender to trickle charge fine, but fail on maintaining a float?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois
I really want to check that out. Anyone know what degree of accuracy a battery load tester does to indicate the current health of a battery? I know I brought an old a$$ car battery, at least 5 years old and corroded, to AutoZone and they said it passed... I know the actual performance from the battery wasn't all that great.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
There is often more to problems like this than is obvious! What your battery reads static is of limited benefit. The recommendation to get your battery tested at a local auto store is a good one and will give you the thumbs up or down on your battery. Exactly what do they do? Don't know, doesn't matter! Ask them while you are there and then let us know!!!! You come away knowing you either have a good or a knackered battery. That info is often free and yet priceless.
If you have a good battery, or buy a new replacement, you know that any recurring problems are in the bike.
If you have a good battery, or buy a new replacement, you know that any recurring problems are in the bike.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 18
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois
There is often more to problems like this than is obvious! What your battery reads static is of limited benefit. The recommendation to get your battery tested at a local auto store is a good one and will give you the thumbs up or down on your battery. Exactly what do they do? Don't know, doesn't matter! Ask them while you are there and then let us know!!!! You come away knowing you either have a good or a knackered battery. That info is often free and yet priceless.
If you have a good battery, or buy a new replacement, you know that any recurring problems are in the bike.
If you have a good battery, or buy a new replacement, you know that any recurring problems are in the bike.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 605
Likes: 313
From: Colorado
Generally, trickle chargers are intended to keep a fully charged battery topped off. If there might have been a drop in CCAs prior to hooking up the trickle charger you could very well get a green light without having the amps to crank it. CCA and Volts are two different things. I've seen voltmeters read 12.6 volts, but the battery didn't have the amps to crank the bike.
Also, I'm sure you're aware, that when it's cold the oil is a bit thicker and it takes a bit more to crank a cold engine like that.
Just my 2 cents.
Also, I'm sure you're aware, that when it's cold the oil is a bit thicker and it takes a bit more to crank a cold engine like that.
Just my 2 cents.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Just to clarify, a trickle charger is a simple device which provides a battery with a steady low charging rate. Most of us these days use modern chargers, normally called tenders or minders, which are smart devices that monitor a battery and charge it accordingly - they are preferable to trickle chargers for use during the winter off-season, for those who like to hibernate!
As for cold starting, my first Harley was a kicker FX. That was impossible to start during cold weather, so I did as per the owners manual and changed the trans oil to a thinner variety. That may be a useful change for those of you who ride in cold weather.
As for cold starting, my first Harley was a kicker FX. That was impossible to start during cold weather, so I did as per the owners manual and changed the trans oil to a thinner variety. That may be a useful change for those of you who ride in cold weather.