Does my battery need replacement
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Joined: Feb 2022
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From: New Jersey
Does my battery need replacement
I have had my 2017 Ultra Limited Low with 2,600 miles on it for about two weeks. It has been on a battery tender since it was delivered and I have not ridden it yet. I have not started it for several days and it has been around 20 Degrees at night. It was about 45 degrees today and when I went to start it it barely turned over but did start. Since this is my first Harley I don't know what's normal for starting in cold weather or what the battery life should be. I assume it has the original battery in it.
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Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Granville New York
Did you check the battery to see if it is a lithium? They need to be woken up in colder weather by turning on the lights for a minute or so before starting it. If it's not a lithium then it's time to do a load test on the battery. 2017 so technically the battery is around 5 years old...pretty much the life expectancy of it, of course that one guy with the original battery in his 1987 sportster will be by to refute the 5 year life lol.
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Joined: Feb 2022
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From: New Jersey
Did you check the battery to see if it is a lithium? They need to be woken up in colder weather by turning on the lights for a minute or so before starting it. If it's not a lithium then it's time to do a load test on the battery. 2017 so technically the battery is around 5 years old...pretty much the life expectancy of it, of course that one guy with the original battery in his 1987 sportster will be by to refute the 5 year life lol.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
Did you check the battery to see if it is a lithium? They need to be woken up in colder weather by turning on the lights for a minute or so before starting it. If it's not a lithium then it's time to do a load test on the battery. 2017 so technically the battery is around 5 years old...pretty much the life expectancy of it, of course that one guy with the original battery in his 1987 sportster will be by to refute the 5 year life lol.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: NE Oklahoma
Lots of threads on batteries and testing here. A quick rundown though. First try identifying the type as noted earlier. Lithium-Ion types are a different animal. If its a lead-acid (old school type) type then put a meter on it and see what you get for a DC Voltage reading. Better yet, you may just read this and go from there.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...rcycle-battery
A battery is far more sensitive to heat and cold then most realize.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...rcycle-battery
A battery is far more sensitive to heat and cold then most realize.
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 81
Likes: 16
From: New Jersey
Lots of threads on batteries and testing here. A quick rundown though. First try identifying the type as noted earlier. Lithium-Ion types are a different animal. If its a lead-acid (old school type) type then put a meter on it and see what you get for a DC Voltage reading. Better yet, you may just read this and go from there.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...rcycle-battery
A battery is far more sensitive to heat and cold then most realize.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...rcycle-battery
A battery is far more sensitive to heat and cold then most realize.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: anacoco, la
it wouldn't kill ya to do so. figure it's one of the costs of buying a used vehicle, gonna need oil changes, batteries, tires, etc.... nice to start off on a clean baseline, knowing when all those things were last done.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Charleston, SC
That's about all I can get on my Ultra here in S.C. too. I don't know how some of these folks get 5 years.