Battery Voltage Testing
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
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From: South Carolina
If you are using a load tester on an installed battery, the only place to clip the leads from the tester is on the outside of the battery cable terminals...
Remove the cables from the battery posts, this will eliminate the possibility of a poor connection between the post and the cable, which could affect the load test.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,681
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From: Utah
Like Dan said, pull the battery and charge it, then have it load tested.
12.7 v = 100% charge
12.6 v = 75%
12.3 v = 50%
12.0 v = 25%
11.8 v = 0%
Watch the battery voltage when you start the bike, if a fully charged battery falls below 9.6 volts it’s time to replace it.
12.7 v = 100% charge
12.6 v = 75%
12.3 v = 50%
12.0 v = 25%
11.8 v = 0%
Watch the battery voltage when you start the bike, if a fully charged battery falls below 9.6 volts it’s time to replace it.
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,254
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From: England
The problem seems to be on Sportsters most are stuck with a 200CCA AGM battery that might actually be a bit small for the application when longevity is the goal.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 860
Likes: 262
From: CA
Thanks for all the replies guys. I am confident that the battery was fully charged - to the extent that the battery would do so - (my HD tender was solid green signaling full charge before I began testing).. as I always plug it in after done riding. And I have not been riding as much lately due to all our storms.
At any rate, last night after my testing, I plugged in my tender and let it work until it stopped flashing (signaling all charged) and then unplugged the tender. Pulled the battery this morning and had it load tested at AutoZone - it failed.
Installed a new HD battery (it had been on tender at the Dealer and ready to go). After installing the new battery volt tests were good.
Before start-up: 12.7
During Crank: 10+
Running @ 2000 rpm: 13.9-14
**Oh and she cranked over quickly... no hesitation like before.
This hesitation has been happening for a while now - pretty indicative of a battery going out. My original post - I was wondering if 13.8-13.9 @ 2000 was bad on the old battery as its supposed to be 14+?
Oh and also, a successive volt test while cranking over with the old battery was like 6.7
At any rate, last night after my testing, I plugged in my tender and let it work until it stopped flashing (signaling all charged) and then unplugged the tender. Pulled the battery this morning and had it load tested at AutoZone - it failed.
Installed a new HD battery (it had been on tender at the Dealer and ready to go). After installing the new battery volt tests were good.
Before start-up: 12.7
During Crank: 10+
Running @ 2000 rpm: 13.9-14
**Oh and she cranked over quickly... no hesitation like before.
This hesitation has been happening for a while now - pretty indicative of a battery going out. My original post - I was wondering if 13.8-13.9 @ 2000 was bad on the old battery as its supposed to be 14+?
Oh and also, a successive volt test while cranking over with the old battery was like 6.7
Last edited by cj24; Mar 9, 2023 at 05:03 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,591
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Too cool. Quite a few batteries back, I was getting the hesitation and even kickbacks banging the starter. One even popped the dipstick up and bounced off my leg.
Carried it to AutoZone and they said it was good. Few months later, I pulled it again same crap and carried it to a new just opened O' Riley's store and it showed good but he was the fellow they had trouble checking small low amp batteries.
Since then, when I get a few hesitations and know it's been charged, I just get a new battery.
They last about 3 - 4 years. Walmart carries a gel mat for a Softail.
Carried it to AutoZone and they said it was good. Few months later, I pulled it again same crap and carried it to a new just opened O' Riley's store and it showed good but he was the fellow they had trouble checking small low amp batteries.
Since then, when I get a few hesitations and know it's been charged, I just get a new battery.
They last about 3 - 4 years. Walmart carries a gel mat for a Softail.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 9, 2023 at 05:33 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 860
Likes: 262
From: CA
Too cool. Quite a few batteries back, I was getting the hesitation and even kickbacks banging the starter. One even popped the dipstick up and bounced off my leg.
Carried it to AutoZone and they said it was good. Few months later, I pulled it again same crap and carried it to a new just opened O' Riley's store and it showed good but he was the fellow they had trouble checking small low amp batteries.
Since then, when I get a few hesitations and know it's been charged, I just get a new battery.
They last about 3 - 4 years. Walmart carries a gel mat for a Softail.
Carried it to AutoZone and they said it was good. Few months later, I pulled it again same crap and carried it to a new just opened O' Riley's store and it showed good but he was the fellow they had trouble checking small low amp batteries.
Since then, when I get a few hesitations and know it's been charged, I just get a new battery.
They last about 3 - 4 years. Walmart carries a gel mat for a Softail.
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,452
Likes: 3,720
From: backwoods
If the battery was 12.3 the next day after riding, I would keep using it for a bit. 12.7 is ideal.
Should be around 14.4 when reved up, I would go higher than 2k rpm.
Is the bike bike starting? Is it starting after not be charged or rode for a few days? Leave it off the tender, let it sit for a few days. if it starts, you are probably fine.
I do not use tenders. During the winter, I charge perodically. I just throw it on a charger before first ride of the year. If it sat for a few weeks you could if you have a pigtail for it. But for years my bikes did not have cords to charge, and if it sat, I still rode.
If you got secruity, than you may need a charger. My newer bike, with a fob, I am playing with to see how long it can sit. So far I am not using a tender on it when not riding. The key is to ride it.
Should be around 14.4 when reved up, I would go higher than 2k rpm.
Is the bike bike starting? Is it starting after not be charged or rode for a few days? Leave it off the tender, let it sit for a few days. if it starts, you are probably fine.
I do not use tenders. During the winter, I charge perodically. I just throw it on a charger before first ride of the year. If it sat for a few weeks you could if you have a pigtail for it. But for years my bikes did not have cords to charge, and if it sat, I still rode.
If you got secruity, than you may need a charger. My newer bike, with a fob, I am playing with to see how long it can sit. So far I am not using a tender on it when not riding. The key is to ride it.
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