Battery....here we go again??
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Battery....here we go again??
OK.... my current battery is about 3 years old. I noticed over the weekend the volt meter showed' just below 12v with the ignition on. Starts ok, no hesitation. When running, volt meter reads about 12v. So I guess it's about time for a battery replacement. My question is this: Is the lithium battery worth the extra cost over the AGM? Any major down fall with the lithium? I feel confident with replacing with AGM, but am just curious on the lithium. Your thoughts.
And yes, I did a search but did not find anything.
And yes, I did a search but did not find anything.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,971
Likes: 840
From: In front of the computer for now.
Initially we had a fair amount of HD lithium battery failures. It's tapered off a bit since but so have our sales of those batteries. One of the claimed benefits of that style is a claimed weight savings of eight pounds. My opinion is that weight savings will only help when installing or removing it. Eight pounds of weight in an 850 lb. bike isn't going to make much of a difference. It also requires a specific tender. Longevity is unknown because they haven't been out for very long. At almost twice the cost, I'd stick with the AGM. Keep in mind this is assuming you're looking at HD batteries. If it's another brand, longevity and failure rate is something I'm not familiar with but negligible weight savings and cost (+ the new tender) still have to be considered.
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I am leaning towards the AGM.... trying to figure out what batteries Eastern Penn make (they own Deka which makes HD batteries). Trying to see if there is something out there other than HD. And I forgot to check on my way home from work today, but usually runs 14v+ when running. I may have noticed the 12v at idle. So I'll be checking again. Maybe time to get the volt meter out and do some real checking. I have always viewed the factory gages and a semi-reliable unit.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 550
From: Springfield, IL
If you are not having problems turning the engine over with your current size battery I see no need for the expense of a lithium battery. I put one in because the stock AGM battery did not have enough CCA's to turn my engine over in cooler weather.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 653
From: Atlantic Canada, eh
Before going through all that, could you verify those 2 numbers using a good known digital ( or good analog) voltmeter/ multimeter vs. what your bikes voltmeter is telling you?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,623
Likes: 6,442
From: Honah Lee
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,737
Likes: 17,577
From: Driftless Area
I get 7 years out of a lead-acid battery in my Shovel. Check your charging system.
Lithium doesn't like cold, needs a special tender and is expensive. I wouldn't trust one any farther than how long it would take me to yank it out of there in the event that it spontaneously combusts.
Lithium doesn't like cold, needs a special tender and is expensive. I wouldn't trust one any farther than how long it would take me to yank it out of there in the event that it spontaneously combusts.
Last edited by RHPAW; May 17, 2021 at 01:00 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
AGM still works best IMHO, skip the lithium batteries.
Are you sure you have a battery problem and not charging system issue?
A battery that gets too much voltage takes a while to go bad (as the electrolyte boils away) , one that is not getting enough voltage (usually about 2 more volts than the battery is rated for) will not fire the bike up after a few starts/trips as it won't have the stored capacity even if the voltage reads close to spec.
Charge it out of the bike using 2 amps as a charging rate so as not to overheat the plates, then load test or check the specific gravity using a old fashioned hygrometer.... they are fairly cheap
https://www.batteryequaliser.com/bat...tenance-facts/
Are you sure you have a battery problem and not charging system issue?
A battery that gets too much voltage takes a while to go bad (as the electrolyte boils away) , one that is not getting enough voltage (usually about 2 more volts than the battery is rated for) will not fire the bike up after a few starts/trips as it won't have the stored capacity even if the voltage reads close to spec.
Charge it out of the bike using 2 amps as a charging rate so as not to overheat the plates, then load test or check the specific gravity using a old fashioned hygrometer.... they are fairly cheap
https://www.batteryequaliser.com/bat...tenance-facts/
I was told by my Harley Tech that the gauges are worthless.
My is always pegged over 16V.
They checked my regulator and it's fine.
I would never trust the gauge.
Like was said before, check it with a good volt meter.
My is always pegged over 16V.
They checked my regulator and it's fine.
I would never trust the gauge.
Like was said before, check it with a good volt meter.
