I noticed the past couple rides my headlight and lights are dimming When I looked down at my dakota gauge which has a voltmeter it showed 12.1 volts then climbed back ot 14.3 volts. The battery was just replaced 5 months ago and I rider everyday. Any ideas whats causing this? Thanks btw it's an 04 deuce fi

 

start with the usual, are U cables clean and tight, check them all over.

 

Like oct1949 said. Also, a new battery doesn't always mean a good battery.

 

check your regulator and stator

 

whats the voltage of the battery when its not running? Should be 12.7...12.6 would be a 75% charged battery...12.3 is 50% charge...12.0 would be 25% charge...Even though it has over 12 volts, might not be keeping the charge...

My tender would be green, but my battery would never get higher than 12.4 and it died less than 2 years old, couldnt start the bike all the time.

When you hit start on the bike, on the meter how low does it drop to? If they battery goes down to like 4 volts then back up, most likely the battery.

If while running, its over 14 volts, then the regulator/stator is usually good...Check your connections, make sure they are tight and the grounds are good on the frame.

 

Check to make sure you have a good ground and it is making good contact.

 

I think I found the problem. The postive cable was a little loose. I wont know for sure until I take her for a spin tonight.