2018 Softail (Heritage) battery problem
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 197
From: London, UK
Thanks all.
The dealer told me that yeah, dropping to 12.6v when left off is normal, so I'll try not riding for a few days and regularly check to see if the voltage keeps dropping.
They did say they've had a few of the 2018 Softails with similar issue, but that mine's the first that's come back twice. Apparently Harley are aware of the issue, but for now there's no 'fix'
I'll keep this thread updated, good or bad.
The dealer told me that yeah, dropping to 12.6v when left off is normal, so I'll try not riding for a few days and regularly check to see if the voltage keeps dropping.
They did say they've had a few of the 2018 Softails with similar issue, but that mine's the first that's come back twice. Apparently Harley are aware of the issue, but for now there's no 'fix'
I'll keep this thread updated, good or bad.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 467
Likes: 154
From: New Mexico
Hate to say it, but have never taken the Fob out of the saddle bag since I picked the bike up at the end of last October, Never had an alarm installed, but the lights flash if you disturb the bike. Now at 6,400 miles and gets better every time I ride it.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 197
From: London, UK
ok, 24 hours later and the bike's still holding 12.75v
Interesting point about the key fob - my spare is in my office, which although 2 walls away from the bike, is only about 5m.
Anyhoo, I'll keep checking on the voltage, but maybe the reset the garage did has worked
Interesting point about the key fob - my spare is in my office, which although 2 walls away from the bike, is only about 5m.
Anyhoo, I'll keep checking on the voltage, but maybe the reset the garage did has worked
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 197
From: London, UK
12.7 VDC is about normal for a battery sitting idle with engine off. This represents 100% charged. When you start your bike it should read the output of the voltage regulator which is approx. 14.1 VDC.
High CCA should be a good thing. That just means you can provide more to the starter and other electrical systems if needed when you start your bike. Spec for 2018 Heritage says good battery should be 315 CCA.
If you are measuring the voltage when you start your bike you will probably see the voltage drop to about 11 VDC for just a moment, then the engine starts and the voltage regulator drives the voltage to 14.1 VDC
High CCA should be a good thing. That just means you can provide more to the starter and other electrical systems if needed when you start your bike. Spec for 2018 Heritage says good battery should be 315 CCA.
If you are measuring the voltage when you start your bike you will probably see the voltage drop to about 11 VDC for just a moment, then the engine starts and the voltage regulator drives the voltage to 14.1 VDC
Yeah, once running it's showing a good 14.1v or so.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 8
From: UK
My dealer phoned and said they can't find an issue. However, as the bike has discharged the battery twice in 900 miles, they are keeping it until they find a reason. They have two Heritage Classics in the workshop with this issue.
The key fob won't receive a signal back from the bike if the engine stop is in the off position. Theoretically everything is isolated with the engine stop switch in the off position. The alarm system has its own battery as it sounds the siren if the main bike's battery is disconnected. I don't know how the alarm circuit is re-charged.
Dropping from 13v to 5.7v in 48 hours, like mine did, is a significant draw on power. If it wasn't intermittent, it should be easy find.
It may take a while to fix as the HD UK tech. wizard is on holiday!
The key fob won't receive a signal back from the bike if the engine stop is in the off position. Theoretically everything is isolated with the engine stop switch in the off position. The alarm system has its own battery as it sounds the siren if the main bike's battery is disconnected. I don't know how the alarm circuit is re-charged.
Dropping from 13v to 5.7v in 48 hours, like mine did, is a significant draw on power. If it wasn't intermittent, it should be easy find.
It may take a while to fix as the HD UK tech. wizard is on holiday!
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 197
From: London, UK
Definitely keep us posted Phil!
Mine seems to be keeping charge, but Ill keep monitoring it each few hours for the next few days and note any change
which dealer are you using?
Mine seems to be keeping charge, but Ill keep monitoring it each few hours for the next few days and note any change
which dealer are you using?
Last edited by stinkerbill; Jul 12, 2018 at 06:33 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 331
Likes: 102
From: Southern Ohio
My dealer phoned and said they can't find an issue. However, as the bike has discharged the battery twice in 900 miles, they are keeping it until they find a reason. They have two Heritage Classics in the workshop with this issue.
The key fob won't receive a signal back from the bike if the engine stop is in the off position. Theoretically everything is isolated with the engine stop switch in the off position. The alarm system has its own battery as it sounds the siren if the main bike's battery is disconnected. I don't know how the alarm circuit is re-charged.
Dropping from 13v to 5.7v in 48 hours, like mine did, is a significant draw on power. If it wasn't intermittent, it should be easy find.
It may take a while to fix as the HD UK tech. wizard is on holiday!
The key fob won't receive a signal back from the bike if the engine stop is in the off position. Theoretically everything is isolated with the engine stop switch in the off position. The alarm system has its own battery as it sounds the siren if the main bike's battery is disconnected. I don't know how the alarm circuit is re-charged.
Dropping from 13v to 5.7v in 48 hours, like mine did, is a significant draw on power. If it wasn't intermittent, it should be easy find.
It may take a while to fix as the HD UK tech. wizard is on holiday!
If its 0 ma then the bike is fine and you have a bad battery. If its some number greater than like 50ma or something then there's some electrical component within the bike drawing the battery down or the positive lead is shorting to chassis. It should be rather simple to find.
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