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I have a 2009 Ultra Classic and believe I need a new alternator. Battery is dead after riding for an hour or so as if the battery is not getting charged as I ride. I run with lights on, spots on, radio, and GPS. Has anyone had to replace an alternator and how much did it cost you? Thanks for the input.
Harley's charging system is described in the 2015 Electrical Diagnostic manual:
AC voltage is generated by an alternator assembly driven by the crankshaft. pg 3-20
Here's what Wiki says:
An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.[1] For reasons of cost and simplicity, most alternators use a rotating magnetic field with a stationary armature.
There are several threads on checking charging systems, you may want to do a search.
Our bikes DO have an alternator! It comprises a rotor, mounted on the crankshaft, plus a stator, which can fail, but there is also a regulator which can also fail. Visit the Tech Electrical section, where there are two Stickies on checking your charging circuit. Don't buy or change anything without identifying the culprit.
When your bike is running put a volt meter across the positive and negative terminals on the battery. If it's not reading over 12.5 volts, your alternator/stator is not putting out. If it is putting out over 13 volts you could just have a bad battery.
Harley's charging system is described in the 2015 Electrical Diagnostic manual:
AC voltage is generated by an alternator assembly driven by the crankshaft. pg 3-20
Here's what Wiki says:
An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.[1] For reasons of cost and simplicity, most alternators use a rotating magnetic field with a stationary armature.
There are several threads on checking charging systems, you may want to do a search.
Good Luck
Fantastic response. Much better than the usual "buy the service manual." Just felt like stating.
Do the tests as described above, but I would suspect the regulator is shot, not the alternator's stator. There is a better designed regulator, too, from http://cycleelectricinc.com/
Thanks everyone for the responses. Very much appreciated. The bike is at the dealer now but this really helps me know some very good questions to ask the service manager. The symptoms were bike started in the morning, I rode about 60 miles and always have my lights, spots, radio, and GPS on, I stopped for a drink at a convenience store, and when I tried to start the bike it was dead. I got it started by popping the clutch and rode home 60 miles. Got home and turned it off and tried to start again. Dead. Charged until the light was green on the battery tender and it started right up.This is why I thought alternator as it seemed the battery wasn't charging during the ride. Never thought about the regulator as a possible culprit.
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Alternator
