Bad Battery
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 13
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From: Fort Hood
Bad Battery
Hello, I am a new 2013 Sportster 1200XL owner and was wondering about my battery. I am already having issues with starting the bike, and I have never left the keys in the bike while on.
Am I wrong in thinking that my bike has some sort of alternator to charge the battery? Or am I going to be forced to hook the battery to a trickle charge to keep it running properly each night?
Am I wrong in thinking that my bike has some sort of alternator to charge the battery? Or am I going to be forced to hook the battery to a trickle charge to keep it running properly each night?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,551
Likes: 3,976
From: San Diego, CA
Yes there is a charging system, but check your battery connections (both ends of each cable) for tightness and/or corrosion. A battery tender is highly recommended by almost everyone.
If you have a multimeter, you can check the charging system if necessary as well.
Good luck.
John
If you have a multimeter, you can check the charging system if necessary as well.
Good luck.
John
I had my bike (2013 Iron883) on a CTEK maintenance charger over the winter, took it off the charger (which indicated it was fully charged and maintaining it) and went to start it, key ignition on, lights all all on didn't look dim at all, hit run, fuel pump sounded a bit weak, hit the start button, CLICK CLICK CLICK, 1st world problem at the highest level, i was a ruined man.
Took the battery out and checked the voltage, was around 12.4, when trying to start it dropped under 9 and lights would nearly die out.
The battery charger indicating it being fully charged and low loads on it (lights) working fine but no starting power.
This indicated straight away that there was a dead cell in the battery, there are 6 of 2 Volt cells in the battery, the other cells tend to compensate for this dead cell by charging to a higher voltage fooling any charger into thinking its charged.
the other cells will cope with lights, but as soon as you try and start the battery it will die as it is being pulled down by this dead cell.
a proper battery tester will see this when it applies a large load on the battery during testing.
this my not be your issue. but check the voltages of your battery if any of this sounds familiar.
if it is a bad battery the dealer should replace it then and there under warranty
Took the battery out and checked the voltage, was around 12.4, when trying to start it dropped under 9 and lights would nearly die out.
The battery charger indicating it being fully charged and low loads on it (lights) working fine but no starting power.
This indicated straight away that there was a dead cell in the battery, there are 6 of 2 Volt cells in the battery, the other cells tend to compensate for this dead cell by charging to a higher voltage fooling any charger into thinking its charged.
the other cells will cope with lights, but as soon as you try and start the battery it will die as it is being pulled down by this dead cell.
a proper battery tester will see this when it applies a large load on the battery during testing.
this my not be your issue. but check the voltages of your battery if any of this sounds familiar.
if it is a bad battery the dealer should replace it then and there under warranty
Last edited by OKona; Jan 22, 2014 at 01:34 PM.
For the above reason i don't use a battery tender any more. worried for a repeat cell killing.
Batterys are meant to be cycled, not keep at a prolonged fully charged state.
As long as it is not drained to much it should last its lifetime
Never during the summer month untouched without a tender did it fail to start. 1 month in a warm garage under a maintenance charger and it was a goner.
Charger in question is a CTEK XS 0.8, great charger! I'm just i bit sceptical of the whole maintenance charging now.
Batterys are meant to be cycled, not keep at a prolonged fully charged state.
As long as it is not drained to much it should last its lifetime
Never during the summer month untouched without a tender did it fail to start. 1 month in a warm garage under a maintenance charger and it was a goner.
Charger in question is a CTEK XS 0.8, great charger! I'm just i bit sceptical of the whole maintenance charging now.
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 13
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From: Fort Hood
Ok thanks for the replies... I will invest in a tester of some kind. When I get home from work I will also check the connections, but I am almost certain they are tight. Its a brand new battery, so I am leaning more towards the charging system being faulty.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett, Texas
It might be 80 degrees one day, then next were in the 20's sometimes, that kills batteries.
On my ride, I put it on a tender, dang thing died in a couple of days. Had cells go bad after some major temperature swings.
Got a new battery, and no issues. I only put it on a tender if I am not riding for about a week, which means only if it is raining solid for a week, or is below freezing for a week, otherwise, I ride it and keep it up that way.
Check the battery first, then your connections (could be a lose connection or short somewhere), then move on to charging systems and such.
Best of luck man.
By the way, a Batteries Plus store, or an Autozone can check your battery cells. But, taking a battery out of a sportster is pure evil man! MAKE SURE you look at your manual and disconnect the negative cable where it connects to the frame FIRST, or you'll spark something trying to wiggle that battery out of that little hole it is wedged in!
Best of luck man.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
If you want to check the charging system there are a couple of useful Stickies in the DIY Electrical section. If you leave your bike unused for any length of time a tender is very helpful, despite OKona's comments. I have three, all plugged in as I write, each of them many years old and no problems whatever.
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