Lost battery bolt
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 859
From: B.C.
The article said to limit testing to 5 years on batteries with 20 year life.
In a cool climate like mine why damage the battery under 5 or 6 years. And then if you do it at the point where the battery is older, you will end up needing a new battery.
I just don't see the point in load testing a battery that is performing fine.
I realize at 7 years my battery might not pass a load test, but is working fine. I also realize when they hit 7 years need to start thinking about replacing.
But on these threads here when there is an electric problem first thing they do is load test, rather use any test practices or logic.
A shop might do that because they don't care about your battery, not their money and many mechanics don't understand electrical
As the article states, limit your load testing
Maybe my off road vehicles that go remote areas might be good to load test, or just replace. Though I have elected to carry jump pack. Hopefully charged.
In a cool climate like mine why damage the battery under 5 or 6 years. And then if you do it at the point where the battery is older, you will end up needing a new battery.
I just don't see the point in load testing a battery that is performing fine.
I realize at 7 years my battery might not pass a load test, but is working fine. I also realize when they hit 7 years need to start thinking about replacing.
But on these threads here when there is an electric problem first thing they do is load test, rather use any test practices or logic.
A shop might do that because they don't care about your battery, not their money and many mechanics don't understand electrical
As the article states, limit your load testing
Maybe my off road vehicles that go remote areas might be good to load test, or just replace. Though I have elected to carry jump pack. Hopefully charged.
My battery was 8 years old and my dealer load tested it for free.
I figured they would say to replace it but they said it was good. It gave me peace of mind (there is a joke in there somewhere). I got another 2 years out of it.
If you are going on a trip with an old battery (no kick start and fuel injection) is it not reassuring to know you have a good battery that was load tested?
Bottom line is if your battery cant handle a load test it is NFG.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,469
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
Also I am not 100% against, I just think it is over done, rather than trouble shooting charging system. Typially you will notice a bad battery, especially if it does not live on a tender.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 859
From: B.C.
Remember load testing is not the same as testing for being loaded.
Another big reason a sane person would want a healthy battery is so they dont overwork the stator. But that is just foolishness, over done preventative maintenance.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 759
Likes: 936
From: Under the affluence of incahol.
So after testing the voltage of the battery resting it seems to be at 12.2 V.
is this a bad enough reading to potentially completely not start the bike at all and simply access Accessory mode with the trip switch?
The service manual says that this reading would put it at about 40-50% so I presume the battery is done and this could explain the issues?
is this a bad enough reading to potentially completely not start the bike at all and simply access Accessory mode with the trip switch?
The service manual says that this reading would put it at about 40-50% so I presume the battery is done and this could explain the issues?
Go get a new battery and ride on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,469
Likes: 3,723
From: backwoods
I am not against testing, it is destructive, which is why they say to limit how often you do it. So people decide on the balance they want.
I have heard about stressing charging system, and thought it made sense. Though with the style from Harley is is always putting out at amps, since the engine is always turning.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
The article said to limit testing to 5 years on batteries with 20 year life.
In a cool climate like mine why damage the battery under 5 or 6 years. And then if you do it at the point where the battery is older, you will end up needing a new battery.
I just don't see the point in load testing a battery that is performing fine.
I realize at 7 years my battery might not pass a load test, but is working fine. I also realize when they hit 7 years need to start thinking about replacing.
But on these threads here when there is an electric problem first thing they do is load test, rather use any test practices or logic.
A shop might do that because they don't care about your battery, not their money and many mechanics don't understand electrical
As the article states, limit your load testing
Maybe my off road vehicles that go remote areas might be good to load test, or just replace. Though I have elected to carry jump pack. Hopefully charged.
In a cool climate like mine why damage the battery under 5 or 6 years. And then if you do it at the point where the battery is older, you will end up needing a new battery.
I just don't see the point in load testing a battery that is performing fine.
I realize at 7 years my battery might not pass a load test, but is working fine. I also realize when they hit 7 years need to start thinking about replacing.
But on these threads here when there is an electric problem first thing they do is load test, rather use any test practices or logic.
A shop might do that because they don't care about your battery, not their money and many mechanics don't understand electrical
As the article states, limit your load testing
Maybe my off road vehicles that go remote areas might be good to load test, or just replace. Though I have elected to carry jump pack. Hopefully charged.
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