Volt Gauge Question
Volt Gauge Question
Hello Forum!! I noticed something today which I never noticed before and was wondering if it's normal or something else. Occasionally I have been fighting the dreaded PO562 (low batt. voltage) on my 08 FLHTC but that's another thread and this may or may not be related. I've noticed that when I start the bike the voltage gauge is slow to climb up to 14v (once it never got there and was not charging) but what I noticed today was when shutting it down (run switch to OFF and ignition to OFF) it also is very slow to sweep down to full left. Was just asking if anyone else has experienced this and if it's normal...again I've never noticed it before. Wondering if this is isolated to just the gauge itself if everyone else's gauge jumps down to nothing immediately. Thanks!
Ahhh that is good to know as I've also noticed it turning over harder when starting recently. It may be a battery starting to go. Thanks for the reply.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 270
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
Get an
and check your battery voltage and your operating voltage. The voltmeter on your bike isn't the best.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
There are a couple of Stickies in the Tech Electrical section which may be helpful, but first thing to do is charge your battery and get it load tested. If it is old and fading a new one may restore everything OK, if not, use those Stickies to check and diagnose what else may be giving problems.
Yes always on the tender when in the garage.
Yes I do have one. It's a Fluke and has the ability to record. I did the start test while recording. Just off the tender hooked up the meter before starting battery was at 13vdc. Started recording and started bike, battery voltage dropped to 8.6vdc during start cycle. Once started battery voltage rose to 14.2vdc at idle. Just a disclaimer I do believe this is the original battery I do not think the original owner would have replaced it in the first 3 years. and I haven't replaced it since I purchased it in 2011.
I did all the checks in the stickies. I have good stator voltage (about 22vac at idle all 3 phases) all resistance checks seem okay. Went through all the basics on the wiring and checking grounds. Just seems to climb slow up to 14vdc when started (sometimes slow enough to throw on the CE light and po562 code then CE goes off once it reaches 14vdc) and just noticed its even slower to drop down once ignition is off. I have not had the battery load tested and I know I should. Maybe that is on the agenda for tonight!
Thanks ALL for your responses!
Get an inexpensive voltmeter and check your battery voltage and your operating voltage. The voltmeter on your bike isn't the best.
There are a couple of Stickies in the Tech Electrical section which may be helpful, but first thing to do is charge your battery and get it load tested. If it is old and fading a new one may restore everything OK, if not, use those Stickies to check and diagnose what else may be giving problems.
Thanks ALL for your responses!
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I have an '07 Buell which I just replaced the battery on, not so much because it was giving problems, just that it seemed to think twice before getting on with starting the bike and I am going to France on it for a few days. My battery was the original H-D one, so I reckon I have had my money's worth!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
I have an '07 Buell which I just replaced the battery on, not so much because it was giving problems, just that it seemed to think twice before getting on with starting the bike and I am going to France on it for a few days. My battery was the original H-D one, so I reckon I have had my money's worth!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 695
Likes: 13
From: New Braunfels, TX
I don't know this for a fact, but I'm sure the stock gauge uses a capacitor to steady the needle, this will make it lag a bit.
What I do know for a fact is that this is very common with OEM gauges in the car world where even the RPM guage is filtered and stabilized to the point that its precision is more like ballpark.
What I do know for a fact is that this is very common with OEM gauges in the car world where even the RPM guage is filtered and stabilized to the point that its precision is more like ballpark.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JKC
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
0
Jul 30, 2012 07:21 PM