New battery...again!
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: in a trailer next to a ditch in South Florida
New battery...again!
Had to buy another battery yesterday. This is the 3rd battery since I purchased bike new in July of '07. 1st lasted 2 yrs, 4 months;
2nd-1 year 3 months.
This last battery was made in January of '09 (date code A 09) and was purchased at the end of November of that year. I don't believe the dealer kept it on a battery tender while it was on the shelf for 10 months. From day one it never felt like it turned the engine over on start really strongly. It left me stranded at night about 4 miles from home this past Friday when trying to re-start after dinner out.
Had to jump start to get it home even though it was always kept on a tender.
I measured the new battery at the parts counter when brought out, measured 13.5 volts no-load, he had just taken it off their battery tender. Parts man said they keep their batteries on a tender until sold. Funny thing is, this dealership (Fort Lauderdale H-D) is part of the same dealer chain as where I purchased the previous unit (now closed Pompano H-D) that apparently did not do that.
This new battery was made in February of this year (date code B 11) and received by dealer a few days ago. At least this one kicks over really strong!
Yes, checked charging system and static drain...all ok, charges at about 14 volts with lights on and engine idling. I also keep it on a battery tender.
I'm hoping to get at least 2 years out of this one!
2nd-1 year 3 months.
This last battery was made in January of '09 (date code A 09) and was purchased at the end of November of that year. I don't believe the dealer kept it on a battery tender while it was on the shelf for 10 months. From day one it never felt like it turned the engine over on start really strongly. It left me stranded at night about 4 miles from home this past Friday when trying to re-start after dinner out.
Had to jump start to get it home even though it was always kept on a tender.
I measured the new battery at the parts counter when brought out, measured 13.5 volts no-load, he had just taken it off their battery tender. Parts man said they keep their batteries on a tender until sold. Funny thing is, this dealership (Fort Lauderdale H-D) is part of the same dealer chain as where I purchased the previous unit (now closed Pompano H-D) that apparently did not do that.
This new battery was made in February of this year (date code B 11) and received by dealer a few days ago. At least this one kicks over really strong!
Yes, checked charging system and static drain...all ok, charges at about 14 volts with lights on and engine idling. I also keep it on a battery tender.
I'm hoping to get at least 2 years out of this one!
Last edited by Bikenator; Mar 21, 2011 at 02:34 PM.
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: In the World
First battery died out in 7 months ... would not hold a charge. The stealership in Sarasota wanted to keep the bike overnight ... no way I was going to leave it with them so an 18 year old kid could screw with it .. I paid them the ridiculous over-the-counter price for a new HD brand battery (made by Deka .. in New Hampshire I think) ... because I needed a battery and I needed it right away. Next battery will not come from a Harley stealership ... NO WAY ... that is for sure. If Optima makes a gel cell that'll fit ... get one.
I've had better life on the smaller gel batteries keeping a very low amperage self regulating tender on them when the bike/scoot/snowmobile is not in daily use.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: in a trailer next to a ditch in South Florida
I'm on my second HD battery ... have a 2010 Fatboy with about 10k on it ... lots of hot summer riding on West Coast and middle of penninsula in FL. Charging system check out to shop manual specs.
[SNIP]
I've had better life on the smaller gel batteries keeping a very low amperage self regulating tender on them when the bike/scoot/snowmobile is not in daily use.
[SNIP]
I've had better life on the smaller gel batteries keeping a very low amperage self regulating tender on them when the bike/scoot/snowmobile is not in daily use.
Seriously though, I think it would be a good idea to bring it back to the dealer so they can measure the static drain current. Could be an issue they can find and fix in warranty. High current in off position will kill an Optima too.
Last edited by Bikenator; Mar 21, 2011 at 02:39 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 911
Likes: 3
From: Venice, FL
I'm on my second HD battery ... have a 2010 Fatboy with about 10k on it ... lots of hot summer riding on West Coast and middle of penninsula in FL. Charging system check out to shop manual specs.
First battery died out in 7 months ... would not hold a charge. The stealership in Sarasota wanted to keep the bike overnight ... no way I was going to leave it with them so an 18 year old kid could screw with it .. I paid them the ridiculous over-the-counter price for a new HD brand battery (made by Deka .. in New Hampshire I think) ... because I needed a battery and I needed it right away. Next battery will not come from a Harley stealership ... NO WAY ... that is for sure. If Optima makes a gel cell that'll fit ... get one.
I've had better life on the smaller gel batteries keeping a very low amperage self regulating tender on them when the bike/scoot/snowmobile is not in daily use.
First battery died out in 7 months ... would not hold a charge. The stealership in Sarasota wanted to keep the bike overnight ... no way I was going to leave it with them so an 18 year old kid could screw with it .. I paid them the ridiculous over-the-counter price for a new HD brand battery (made by Deka .. in New Hampshire I think) ... because I needed a battery and I needed it right away. Next battery will not come from a Harley stealership ... NO WAY ... that is for sure. If Optima makes a gel cell that'll fit ... get one.
I've had better life on the smaller gel batteries keeping a very low amperage self regulating tender on them when the bike/scoot/snowmobile is not in daily use.
HD battery price was around $120. I got mine out the door for about $80.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 177
From: Tipp City, Ohio
I changed my battery at 4 years and put it in my riding mower. It still works great. I'd bet that old battery wasn't on a tender for more than a few hours in 4 years and not at all for the last two on my mower.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 463
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From: in a trailer next to a ditch in South Florida
Seems like hot weather state riders can expect shorter battery life no matter who makes it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 28
From: Kokomo, IN
I got an Exide battery from Parts Plus/Bumper-to-Bumper.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From:
Still running my original factory battery , 7 years old and gets the tender overnight in the winter if I don't ride for 2 weeks or more . Waiting for a slow start and it will be replaced , what manufacturer - who knows ?
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