OK - Bonehead alert - Dead Battery
OK - Bonehead alert - Dead Battery
Took me 12 days of ownership but I left the switch on this afternoon and 5 hours later the battery (new in April) can't even turn on the oil can light.
First, my voltmeter is only reading about 5.1 volts. Is the Softail Deuce a 12v or 6v system?
What's your favorite charging system and what is your usual charging profile?
Learning by doing in San Diego!
MikeJ
First, my voltmeter is only reading about 5.1 volts. Is the Softail Deuce a 12v or 6v system?
What's your favorite charging system and what is your usual charging profile?
Learning by doing in San Diego!
MikeJ
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2,015
From: Missouri
I'd go buy a battery tender/charger and plug it in. I think it's a good idea to keep the battery on a tender when not in use anyway. Mine is similar to this one:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_595175-41462...11480004324782
Plug it in and forget it. It automatically adjusts 6-12 volts, automatically shuts off and idles, and keeps your battery where it needs to be. If the battery is dead or really low, it will charge it back where it needs to be and then go back into tender mode, just idle, etc. Like I say, no matter where your battery is on charge, just plug it in and forget it. Also has the two prong connector that plugs right into your pigtail, so easy connect/disconnect. Just make sure you get into the habit of unplugging it every time before you take off on the bike. Price is reasonable as well. You can't screw it up. I'm sure some posters here on the forum will say their battery tender is better, ya ya blah blah. It's just a battery tender/charger, no big deal.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_595175-41462...11480004324782
Plug it in and forget it. It automatically adjusts 6-12 volts, automatically shuts off and idles, and keeps your battery where it needs to be. If the battery is dead or really low, it will charge it back where it needs to be and then go back into tender mode, just idle, etc. Like I say, no matter where your battery is on charge, just plug it in and forget it. Also has the two prong connector that plugs right into your pigtail, so easy connect/disconnect. Just make sure you get into the habit of unplugging it every time before you take off on the bike. Price is reasonable as well. You can't screw it up. I'm sure some posters here on the forum will say their battery tender is better, ya ya blah blah. It's just a battery tender/charger, no big deal.
Last edited by 01dyna; May 31, 2015 at 05:43 PM. Reason: Added info about charging dead battery
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,096
Likes: 12,640
From: South Carolina
There is nothing wrong with using the kill switch to shut the engine off. You just need to be in the habit of shutting off the ignition switch, as uklauren suggests.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
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What a bonehead, Mike!! Just kidding.
It just takes making a new habit. I prefer using my kill switch just in case I accidentally leave my keys in the ignition some yoyo is not likely to figure out why the bike won't start if they are not a seasoned rider. This is a habit I developed many bikes ago.
After you've developed a habit it will be second nature. For me, when I park my bike I leave it in neutral, hit the kill switch, put it on the stand, turn the wheel to the far right, go inside and wait about 15 minutes to put the cover on. If I'm in unfamiliar surroundings I will lock the steering so it can't be pushed. I also have an alarm on my bike so that alone will drain a battery over time if it's not ridden. But, lucky for me, I don't own a car and my bike gets ridden a lot!
I'm in Cardiff by the way. What part of SD are you?
It just takes making a new habit. I prefer using my kill switch just in case I accidentally leave my keys in the ignition some yoyo is not likely to figure out why the bike won't start if they are not a seasoned rider. This is a habit I developed many bikes ago. After you've developed a habit it will be second nature. For me, when I park my bike I leave it in neutral, hit the kill switch, put it on the stand, turn the wheel to the far right, go inside and wait about 15 minutes to put the cover on. If I'm in unfamiliar surroundings I will lock the steering so it can't be pushed. I also have an alarm on my bike so that alone will drain a battery over time if it's not ridden. But, lucky for me, I don't own a car and my bike gets ridden a lot!
I'm in Cardiff by the way. What part of SD are you?
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The MSF is also responsible for hundreds of vacuum operated petcocks leaking because MSF trained riders turn them on and off without questioning why it's necessary.
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From: Southern Oregon
A tender is a great idea but when a battery gets drained dead I like to recharge it with more juice than the tender provides. When I get a new battery the first thing I do is throw it on a 4amp charge until my charger shuts off automatically. Some people might be surprised about how many new batteties dont come fully charged
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 875
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From: Corp of Discovery trail, Missouri
If you are using a newer style battery charger you may not have enough voltage on your battery to recharge it. The charger will show a fault. You can trick your charger with battery cables paralleled with the charger connected to the good battery and cables connected to the dead battery.