Battery??
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Novice
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Preston County, WV
Battery??
I have one for your thoughts: 2008 Heritage Classic. Started it today (1st time in a month or so) and went about 35 miles. Came out of Lowes and turned the switch on, no prob so far; pushed the starter and it gave a quick clunk (not a bad sound, just did nothing after that). Then it was 100% dead, like I disconnected the battery. Electronics out, had to reset clock etc. flipped it off/on ... same. After about 2 min I turned it on again and it fired right up and I rode home. Pulled into garage and shut it down. About a min later I hit the starter and it was totally dead again (everything was out). Took off the seat to check the battery and just for the heck of it I hit the starter, fired right up. Took out the battery and put it on a charger, it was at 12.56 v and the charger said 85% when I took it from the bike. Let it go til charger said 100% then checked voltage, only 12.95 (just 5 min off charger). To the best of my knowledge this bike does not have a resettable ckt breaker. Main fuse is good (and tight), wiggled all the connections, all tight, ground straps tight and no corrosion. Main system relay good (bench test).
I'm thinking that the battery has destroyed itself internally and one (or more) of the cell interconnections is on it's last leg. Battery was new 05/2017. Because I run it so little I have it on a battery tender but I also have a timer on it. The tender charges the battery twice a day for 1 hr each time.
Before you ask, no I did not check the charging rate with the motor running (my bad), but with running 35 miles (50 min) and only a 30 min stop, it should have been charged.
Thoughts???
I'm thinking that the battery has destroyed itself internally and one (or more) of the cell interconnections is on it's last leg. Battery was new 05/2017. Because I run it so little I have it on a battery tender but I also have a timer on it. The tender charges the battery twice a day for 1 hr each time.
Before you ask, no I did not check the charging rate with the motor running (my bad), but with running 35 miles (50 min) and only a 30 min stop, it should have been charged.
Thoughts???
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
I have one your thoughts as well; try hitting return when you post.
Having sentences run into each other without any breaks makes it difficult to read and almost impossible to follow.
Having sentences run into each other without any breaks makes it difficult to read and almost impossible to follow.
what do you do when you have to read a paragraph in a book? this post wasn't bad at all.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,129
Likes: 12,691
From: South Carolina
OP: Take the battery to an auto parts store and have it load tested.
Replace the main circuit breaker.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Nov 10, 2020 at 07:48 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 64
From: The Netherlands
FWIW: I have my battery on a tender a day / month; I copied this from my dealer who maintains their winter storage bikes in this way; seems to work well...
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
My response was not meant to be trolling but rather provide advice on a clearer way to post a question so as others will be more willing to take the time to read it and provide a possible solution to the problem.
You tell me if this is easier to read and interpret:
"I have one for your thoughts: 2008 Heritage Classic.
Started it today (1st time in a month or so) and went about 35 miles.
Came out of Lowes and turned the switch on, no prob so far; pushed the starter and it gave a quick clunk (not a bad sound, just did nothing after that).
Then it was 100% dead, like I disconnected the battery.
Electronics out, had to reset clock etc. flipped it off/on ... same.
After about 2 min I turned it on again and it fired right up and I rode home.
Pulled into garage and shut it down.
About a min later I hit the starter and it was totally dead again (everything was out).
Took off the seat to check the battery and just for the heck of it I hit the starter, fired right up.
Took out the battery and put it on a charger, it was at 12.56 v and the charger said 85% when I took it from the bike.
Let it go til charger said 100% then checked voltage, only 12.95 (just 5 min off charger).
To the best of my knowledge this bike does not have a resettable ckt breaker.
Main fuse is good (and tight), wiggled all the connections, all tight, ground straps tight and no corrosion. Main system relay good (bench test).
I'm thinking that the battery has destroyed itself internally and one (or more) of the cell interconnections is on it's last leg.
Battery was new 05/2017.
Because I run it so little I have it on a battery tender but I also have a timer on it.
The tender charges the battery twice a day for 1 hr each time.
Before you ask, no I did not check the charging rate with the motor running (my bad), but with running 35 miles (50 min) and only a 30 min stop, it should have been charged.
Thoughts???"
Last edited by Bluraven; Nov 10, 2020 at 06:01 PM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
My first thought is a loose connection somewhere.
However since you checked all the connections then since the battery is 3-4 years old that's what I would try next.
I've had pretty good luck with Duracell's for my local Battery + Bulbs..
However since you checked all the connections then since the battery is 3-4 years old that's what I would try next.
I've had pretty good luck with Duracell's for my local Battery + Bulbs..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Check the ignition switch for crud and corruption.
ETA:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...le-riding.html
ETA:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...le-riding.html
Last edited by QC; Nov 10, 2020 at 06:21 PM.
