Softail battery keeps going flat

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Mar 20, 2014 | 03:24 AM

Navs68

Thread Starter

Stage I

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Australia

Softail battery keeps going flat

Hi all

I know there are threads with this already but not sure if anyone has seen this. I have had to change a 2 year old battery as one of the cells had given up the ghost. Put a new one in and had few flats since so it was time I undertook a methodical search with my multi meter and torch

Finally found the rear brake switch had cooked the neutral side of the switch off and the active was leaking via carbon left behind causing the battery to discharge slowly, flat battery would happen after 4 days of not riding which is rare as I ride every day.

New switch and all is good. Hope this helps

Mar 20, 2014 | 08:15 AM

NDBadlands4-2

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 14,778

Likes: 69

From: Badlands of ND

Just fixed a similar problem in my kids car. I hate electrical problems.

Mar 20, 2014 | 08:50 AM

MagDump

Banned Idiot Asshole

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 176

Likes: 0

The only thing worse than a flat battery is a dead tire....

Mar 20, 2014 | 12:29 PM

dickey

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 19,982

Likes: 6,110

From: Florida

Instead of a torch, why didn't you just use a flashlight?

Mar 20, 2014 | 01:29 PM

Uncle Paul

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 2,053

Likes: 39

From: San Diego

Softails tend to go through batteries pretty quick because they are mounted surrounded by the very hot oil tank. This slowly cooks the battery. Heat is the enemy of batteries.

Mar 20, 2014 | 02:00 PM

Frostbite

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 7,483

Likes: 4,957

From: North Dakota

Welcome to the forum!

You'll have to remember when you come here to translate English to American for us dumb locals...

Mar 20, 2014 | 03:52 PM

heybaylor

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 2,601

Likes: 189

From: east texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagDump

The only thing worse than a flat battery is a dead tire....

my kind of thinking

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Mar 20, 2014 | 07:08 PM

harleydavis

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 2,932

Likes: 32

From: Broomfield, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by txfxstrider

The last battery in my Softail lasted seven years.

My 1st battery lasted 7 years and I am at 6 years on my current battery.

Mar 20, 2014 | 09:33 PM

#10

harleyfiremedic

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 733

Likes: 61

From: Springfield, MA

Had a similar situation in my sons 07 sporty. I searched high and low for he drain on his battery. Would die in about 48 hours. Finally had to take to a friend of a friend who works on bikes. Turns out there is a known issue that sometimes comes up with the 07's. Water got into the fuse box and corroded the connections in the fuses and the relays. Caused a short. Easy fix once he found it. I also hate electrical issues.