CVO Battery Drainage Issues
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: NC
CVO Battery Drainage Issues
Hello All,
Posting here cause i am out of all options as to what it could be...Harley has no idea..... But jumping right to the problem.
If my bike isn't connected to a trickle charger my battery is dead within 3 or 4 days. But also now that even when bike is on the trickle charger it isnt keeping it charged...like the drainage is more powerful than than what the charger is trying to keep up with. I have upgraded my radio but the sound guy has checked and rechecked all possible problems. The radio is completely off and not drawing power at all...My thoughts would be that the alarm on the bike is constant and remains on and slowly draining the battery. Does anyone have this issue or have ran into this issue ? also how would i disconnect the alarm and or turn it off. My audio guy has built thousands of bikes and never had any drained issues with other/older model harleys. It seems to only have this issue if you upgrade audio on cvo models. There is one other guy who went to a different audio guy and having the exact same issue. Anyones thought process on this would be greatly appreciated. Been dealing with this for over a year.
***Also when i replace the battery the bike starts right up like nothing was ever wrong...
I do know that whenever you move this harley or do anything it sounds the alarm and lights blaring... i think that's it possible the current remains constant so that motion of the bike is being detected and slowly killing my battery...what you think ?
Posting here cause i am out of all options as to what it could be...Harley has no idea..... But jumping right to the problem.
If my bike isn't connected to a trickle charger my battery is dead within 3 or 4 days. But also now that even when bike is on the trickle charger it isnt keeping it charged...like the drainage is more powerful than than what the charger is trying to keep up with. I have upgraded my radio but the sound guy has checked and rechecked all possible problems. The radio is completely off and not drawing power at all...My thoughts would be that the alarm on the bike is constant and remains on and slowly draining the battery. Does anyone have this issue or have ran into this issue ? also how would i disconnect the alarm and or turn it off. My audio guy has built thousands of bikes and never had any drained issues with other/older model harleys. It seems to only have this issue if you upgrade audio on cvo models. There is one other guy who went to a different audio guy and having the exact same issue. Anyones thought process on this would be greatly appreciated. Been dealing with this for over a year.
***Also when i replace the battery the bike starts right up like nothing was ever wrong...
I do know that whenever you move this harley or do anything it sounds the alarm and lights blaring... i think that's it possible the current remains constant so that motion of the bike is being detected and slowly killing my battery...what you think ?
Last edited by ScoopsLR; Sep 6, 2019 at 08:38 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 328
From: Southern Utah, USA
Could be the alarm but I'm not sure what the power consumption of the alarm is. Disconnect the positive cable and put a meter between the battery and the cable and verify how many milliamps is being drawn when EVERYTHING is suppose to be off. That is a starting point. Then you might start pulling fuses until the meter shows zero...then you'll know who the thief is...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 10,767
From: SE Michigan
So for what it's worth, I've not had an issue with my '17 CVO SG. I've had it about 3-4 months and have only had a few times where it went more than a few days without being fired up. I've gone a week without riding with a back injury and still no issues.
I was cautioned by the salesman to always keep it on the charger.
I also carry a jump charger, which will start my bike 23 times if needed.....good for charging cell and gopro as well.
I was cautioned by the salesman to always keep it on the charger.
I also carry a jump charger, which will start my bike 23 times if needed.....good for charging cell and gopro as well.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 25
From: Mims, FL
I am kind of in the same boat as you. 15 CVO Limited and I go thru a battery a year. I have replaced 4 brand new batteries so far. Have taken it back to the dealership several times and they can't figure out why the battery drains to the point the bike will not start after it sits for 3 weeks or so. Even as you, when on trickle charge it won't charge the battery enough to start it after 3 weeks of not using it.
New battery and it starts up like its brand new. Something, somewhere has a constant drain on the battery and they can't find it.
New battery and it starts up like its brand new. Something, somewhere has a constant drain on the battery and they can't find it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Both our CVOs have original trouble free batteries both over 2 years old but I always keep them on the battery tenders with the exception of being on a trip.Our 07 and 08 UCs batteries lasted over 4 years hopefully the new ones do the same.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
Systematic troubleshooting is how you find the problem.
This is very basic.
Turn all switches off, just like when you leave bike.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Set meter to read milliamps.
Connect multimeter between the negative battery cable, and the negative battery post.
Read the meter, how many milliamps are there?
This is very basic.
Turn all switches off, just like when you leave bike.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Set meter to read milliamps.
Connect multimeter between the negative battery cable, and the negative battery post.
Read the meter, how many milliamps are there?
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,760
Likes: 22,959
From: North Carolina
Yes the alarm system will drain a battery but not in 3 to 4 days. I keep my bike on a tender all the time for this reason.
So am I right to assume this problem started after your stereo upgrades? If so something went wrong.
You have received some good advice in the above posts to troubleshoot and find the culprit.
Good luck and keep us posted.
So am I right to assume this problem started after your stereo upgrades? If so something went wrong.
You have received some good advice in the above posts to troubleshoot and find the culprit.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 36
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From: NC
Yes it has to be something..i am so thinking the alarm or radio....when you move your bike like lift or sit it up...does your radio come on ?
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Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: NC
Could be the alarm but I'm not sure what the power consumption of the alarm is. Disconnect the positive cable and put a meter between the battery and the cable and verify how many milliamps is being drawn when EVERYTHING is suppose to be off. That is a starting point. Then you might start pulling fuses until the meter shows zero...then you'll know who the thief is...
What year is your bike ?