I unplugged the trickle charger, fired up the HD and took off and immediately noticed the batt icon on my gauges and the volt meter was reading 10v. I turned around and went home. A few days later, fired up the HD no icon and over 13v. What are your thoughts? Should I be proactive and change my voltage regulator? FYI - Brand new HD batt was installed about 1 month ago.


Thanks in advance for your help.

 

If it were me, I would. Been through three, and you're seeing the tale tall signs.

 

Replacing parts indiscriminately will only waste money and not necessarily solve your problem.

Electrical problems require a systematic approach to diagnosing the problem. The link below will bring you to the electrical subforum. At the top are two Sticky's related to the charging system. Follow them step by step.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/elect...ting-alarm-43/

Don't skip the battery testing because your battery is only 1 month old.

Good luck.

 

Excellent advise here!

 

Had the same problem with mine. Cleaned up the contacts where the vr plugs in,problem solved.

 

1.) the in dash gauge is a reference- confirm readings with a voltmeter at the battery- OR you can use the tender pigtail, saves pulling the seat

2.) Listen to common sense- Bone Doc

3.) many electrical problems are just poor connections- the mere act of replacing a part will make for new, clean connections. whether loose or dirty, like the post above.
sometimes battery cables get loose or corroded- smart to check connections at both ends ( see pic below- this cost my neighbor $1300 at the dealer replacing 2 stators, 2 VR's and 3 batteries....I found this is 10 minutes by doing methodical checks with a meter)

4.) any one bad part of the charging system can destroy the other parts- if you think these is a problem, see to it.




Mike

 

Check with a known good volt meter, check connections, check - check - check.
If it does it again, get home, and with it running peck on it with a long screwdriver handle, tug at connections, see if it clears up that way.
Intermittent problems are not often found first time around, good luck.
I like clean connections with a light touch of dielectric grease.
I just pulled a 4 year old battery out of a truck, cleaned the battery and tray, terminals, posts, and greased the good clean tight connections. If it don't start up some cold morning soon, it sure won't be because of some connection!