Battery Question
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: St.Louis Mo.
Battery Question
Yesterday we were out all day and stopped at a place out in the country and i let the radio play for an hour. When i went to leave the battery was drained, not dead by not enough to crank it over. Gal came along in a jeep and i jumped it off a non-running jeep. Rode it home about 40 miles and it was fine. Put it on the tender all night and fires right up today. Battery is 31/2 years old.
I put my multimeter on it and when cranking it never went below 10.7 volts and is showing 12.7 when off and bike is charging fine. What is your opinion ? Good , bad, stay home ? and i know i will be replacing shortly but i'm going on a pretty long ride tomorrow and don't want to stay home.
I put my multimeter on it and when cranking it never went below 10.7 volts and is showing 12.7 when off and bike is charging fine. What is your opinion ? Good , bad, stay home ? and i know i will be replacing shortly but i'm going on a pretty long ride tomorrow and don't want to stay home.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,097
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From: mid Michigan
It should be fine. I drained mine to the point the blinkers wouldn't work when my stator went, was amazed it still ran. Charged for 1 1/2 hour went back got bike started on trailer. Then when home charged a bit more it's doing fine still and I'm out of my country with. Might replace next spring mostly because me rider needs a battery and I'll put the interstate in it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Georgia
Just a few thoughts.
A trickle charger is not the best choice for a depleted battery. A real battery charger set to around a 2A charge rate for a few hours would be my choice.
Your voltage numbers sound fine.
If the bike is not starting hard then I wouldn't worry about it too much. Batteries tend to give a bit of advanced notice that they are getting weak. Having it not turn the bike over after an hour of radio play could be an indication of that but if your stereo system is modified, maybe not.
If you're really concerned get a LiIon booster pack, they're small and light and not real expensive, for the saddlebag so you won't be stranded waiting for a jump start.
A trickle charger is not the best choice for a depleted battery. A real battery charger set to around a 2A charge rate for a few hours would be my choice.
Your voltage numbers sound fine.
If the bike is not starting hard then I wouldn't worry about it too much. Batteries tend to give a bit of advanced notice that they are getting weak. Having it not turn the bike over after an hour of radio play could be an indication of that but if your stereo system is modified, maybe not.
If you're really concerned get a LiIon booster pack, they're small and light and not real expensive, for the saddlebag so you won't be stranded waiting for a jump start.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,224
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From: St.Louis Mo.
I would have thought the bike could run the radio for an hour or so I'm taking this as an early warning sign of a failing battery, but i'm riding tomorrow. Deka big crank is in my future.
It took about 2 hours for the tender to go green when i got home and that's a good thing.
New big crank on the way as of 7pm tonight.
It took about 2 hours for the tender to go green when i got home and that's a good thing.
New big crank on the way as of 7pm tonight.
Last edited by hardheaded; Sep 29, 2018 at 07:57 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
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From: clinton CT
At 3 1/2 years You are close enough to a new battery that either putting a new one in now or at beginning of riding season for 2019 would be a good decision. It would be better to just get it done before you are out somewhere again and you get stranded again....just a thought.
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,224
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
At 3 1/2 years You are close enough to a new battery that either putting a new one in now or at beginning of riding season for 2019 would be a good decision. It would be better to just get it done before you are out somewhere again and you get stranded again....just a thought.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Stuart, Fl
Don’t think using your radio with out the bike running is the way to go these aren’t big batteries and are know to drain fast when there not charging. I have dont the same in the past i dont use my radio when i am not riding they will eat up a battery.
