13.2 volts too much?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Ohio
13.2 volts too much?
I have a 2020 Softail Heritage and when I check the battery voltage of the battery with the bike off I get a reading of 13.2 volts. I looked at my service manual at it said anything above 12.7 volts requires a battery diagnostic. Also with the bike running at idle the output of the battery and charging system is 14.35 volts. Do these numbers sound like they are with in normal range? The reason I ask is the other day the bike had a hard time starting, it would turn over once the hesitate for a second then start normally. So I am thinking about taking it in for service but wanted to get so opinions first. Thank
I have a 2020 Softail Heritage and when I check the battery voltage of the battery with the bike off I get a reading of 13.2 volts. I looked at my service manual at it said anything above 12.7 volts requires a battery diagnostic. Also with the bike running at idle the output of the battery and charging system is 14.35 volts. Do these numbers sound like they are with in normal range? The reason I ask is the other day the bike had a hard time starting, it would turn over once the hesitate for a second then start normally. So I am thinking about taking it in for service but wanted to get so opinions first. Thank
The charging voltage doesn't sound too high but you should rev it to 2,000 rpm and monitor it there.
You should monitor the battery voltage when cranking and it should not drop below 9V (that would be the absolute lowest) Would probably want to see 9.6-10 when cranking.
If it's under warranty and starting hard, just have the dealer check it if the symptoms are repeatable.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: Arkansas
Is this an AGM battery or the HD Lithium battery, lithium batteries have a little higher static charge than AGM and service manual is written with AGM in mind not Lithium. 13.2 sounds normal for a Lithium. And as Ed said check charging voltage at 2000 rpm.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Ohio
AGM battery 14.35 volts at 2000 rpm.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Always hit the on switch back on for about 5 seconds not running and then off after shut off or if you have just came off maintenance charger. Then take your battery reading. Also with the bike running at idle the output of the battery and charging system is 14.35 volts sounds good. Keep in mind, usually, most manuals give a test RPM which in most cases is 2000. Depending on the battery condition, that 14.35 might be a tic higher. One more value. Never over 15 volt DC runnings. If you get that, you either have a bad regulator or the terminals are loose or corroded.
I am not familiar with a Lithium.
I am not familiar with a Lithium.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 195
From: Ohio
Always hit the on switch back on for about 5 seconds not running and then off after shut off or if you have just came off maintenance charger. Then take your battery reading. Also with the bike running at idle the output of the battery and charging system is 14.35 volts sounds good. Keep in mind, usually, most manuals give a test RPM which in most cases is 2000. Depending on the battery condition, that 14.35 might be a tic higher. One more value. Never over 15 volt DC runnings. If you get that, you either have a bad regulator or the terminals are loose or corroded.
I am not familiar with a Lithium.
I am not familiar with a Lithium.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,623
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From: Honah Lee
Don't have a 2018 but numerous others from the 40s thru 2014. After 2004, they mostly all say that test. Some give a value per 100 rpm.
You can check the stator AC side with a simple Volt/ ohm meter. The regulator side without fancy stuff is really is a simple ballpark since it reads back and forth on the battery. Why anything above 13 is charging and below 15 is OK.
Old stuff with small alternators needed that 2000 or per 100.
That 12.77 is a real strong non sulfated battery. What does it drop to while cranking. 9.6 is OK. Bet yours is close to 10.
Your big alternator is probably putting out at idle what mine does at 2000. Why I said a tic higher. If you had bumped it at idle at 14.35, to 2000, you might have got 14.45. could even have dropped a tic with that static 12.77.
You can check the stator AC side with a simple Volt/ ohm meter. The regulator side without fancy stuff is really is a simple ballpark since it reads back and forth on the battery. Why anything above 13 is charging and below 15 is OK.
Old stuff with small alternators needed that 2000 or per 100.
That 12.77 is a real strong non sulfated battery. What does it drop to while cranking. 9.6 is OK. Bet yours is close to 10.
Your big alternator is probably putting out at idle what mine does at 2000. Why I said a tic higher. If you had bumped it at idle at 14.35, to 2000, you might have got 14.45. could even have dropped a tic with that static 12.77.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Oct 16, 2020 at 03:53 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,307
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From: Ohio
Don't have a 2018 but numerous others from the 40s thru 2014. After 2004, they mostly all say that test. Some give a value per 100 rpm.
You can check the stator AC side with a simple Volt/ ohm meter. The regulator side without fancy stuff is really is a simple ballpark since it reads back and forth on the battery. Why anything above 13 is charging and below 15 is OK.
Old stuff with small alternators needed that 2000 or per 100.
That 12.77 is a real strong non sulfated battery. What does it drop to while cranking. 9.6 is OK. Bet yours is close to 10.
Your big alternator is probably putting out at idle what mine does at 2000. Why I said a tic higher. If you had bumped it at idle at 14.35, to 2000, you might have got 14.45. could even have dropped a tic with that static 12.77.
You can check the stator AC side with a simple Volt/ ohm meter. The regulator side without fancy stuff is really is a simple ballpark since it reads back and forth on the battery. Why anything above 13 is charging and below 15 is OK.
Old stuff with small alternators needed that 2000 or per 100.
That 12.77 is a real strong non sulfated battery. What does it drop to while cranking. 9.6 is OK. Bet yours is close to 10.
Your big alternator is probably putting out at idle what mine does at 2000. Why I said a tic higher. If you had bumped it at idle at 14.35, to 2000, you might have got 14.45. could even have dropped a tic with that static 12.77.
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From: Honah Lee
The stator is doing Its job even at idle to provide all the power (amps) needed and therefore, all the regulator needs to do is put a limit on voltage to charge battery. I think the reason it stays there is the always lights on pulling that load. Older low amp Harleys' needed above idle to do that.
That was what I expected from your idle reading. All it needed. Would do that from idle all the way to rev limiter. Of course, AC output would increase all thru that. Turned to DC with one way diodes in regulator and it doing it's job of keeping that DC at your number you see. If all you did was run that AC thru diodes with out regulator, not a clue what DC would be at idle but I would not want the battery under me at WOT. DC volts would be thru the roof.
There are some electrical experts on here that can tell us what DC would be without regulator and just how regulator trims it.
I had AC/DC and National Electrical Code but it has been 55 years ago. My TV then was black and white...
That was what I expected from your idle reading. All it needed. Would do that from idle all the way to rev limiter. Of course, AC output would increase all thru that. Turned to DC with one way diodes in regulator and it doing it's job of keeping that DC at your number you see. If all you did was run that AC thru diodes with out regulator, not a clue what DC would be at idle but I would not want the battery under me at WOT. DC volts would be thru the roof.
There are some electrical experts on here that can tell us what DC would be without regulator and just how regulator trims it.
I had AC/DC and National Electrical Code but it has been 55 years ago. My TV then was black and white...