Battery Problems
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 57
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
Battery Problems
Had a bone head moment yesterday. Got home from work and forgot to turn the lights off on the Road King. Came out this morning and of course it was dead as a door nail. I figured no big deal, just throw it on the charger. Wrong! The charger keeps indicating a faulty battery. Now I have never accidently drained the battery on my bike before but have done it a couple of times on a car. I never had a problem charging up the battery afferwards. Is this common for a battery to go dead after being drained over night? The bike is a new 07 that I bought in June.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 57
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
RE: Battery Problems
"Leave the charger on the battery for a few hour and check later.The indicator is probably reacting to the discharge state of the battery"
I'm not sure if my charger keeps charging while the fault indicator is lit. The manual says you have to remove one of the leads to reset it to a charging state.
"Did a similar thing at Starbucks and had to bet a jump. Took 30 minutes on the cables before the engine would fire. Then it was OK"
As far as jumping the bike, I was kind of hesitant to try it. I don't know why. Is it as safe to do on a bike as a car?
Thanks for all your help guys.
Brent
I'm not sure if my charger keeps charging while the fault indicator is lit. The manual says you have to remove one of the leads to reset it to a charging state.
"Did a similar thing at Starbucks and had to bet a jump. Took 30 minutes on the cables before the engine would fire. Then it was OK"
As far as jumping the bike, I was kind of hesitant to try it. I don't know why. Is it as safe to do on a bike as a car?
Thanks for all your help guys.
Brent
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From:
RE: Battery Problems
I had the same thing happen. Even took the battery to the dealer. They checked it.... said it was bad, would change it under warranty, but needed to bring the bike in. Bought new a new battery, brought the bike back for the "official" change. The old battery, after sitting overnight, decided to charge. They took the new one back, refunded my $$$, sent me on my way. These gels do strange things. I could not get my charger to make it happen.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
RE: Battery Problems
Okay. I picked up another charger that has diagnostic features and it is indicating a shorted cell. I called my dealer and they said there was no way would they cover the battery under waranty.
I don't really want to drop $109 down on a harley battery after this. A friend was telling me I could pick up an aftermarket replacement at Batteries Plus for allot less. Anybody ever used them? If not does anybody know of good alternative to Harley branded batteries that I can pick up from readily available sources? I'm supposed to be riding this weekend.
Almost forgot. Is there any threat if the replacement battery is lead acid? I think the stock battery is gel cell and I'm not sure if the replacement will be lead acid.
Brent
I don't really want to drop $109 down on a harley battery after this. A friend was telling me I could pick up an aftermarket replacement at Batteries Plus for allot less. Anybody ever used them? If not does anybody know of good alternative to Harley branded batteries that I can pick up from readily available sources? I'm supposed to be riding this weekend.
Almost forgot. Is there any threat if the replacement battery is lead acid? I think the stock battery is gel cell and I'm not sure if the replacement will be lead acid.
Brent
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,121
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From: NWFL
RE: Battery Problems
The gel is funny stuff. 1st, check the voltage across the battery.i'd suggest disconnecting the battery to start. then check the voltage across the battery. Now charge it at a steady rate. 2-6 amps and check it in 4-6 hrs. My understanding is that gels take longer to recharge and require a steady input. Keep checking it until it comes back to about 12.6 V. If it doesn't come to this after a day, it's gone.
Good luck,
Good luck,
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Joined: Apr 2007
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RE: Battery Problems
Before I would drop the cash on a new battery I would pick up a cheap charger with no protection on it to prevent it from charging. I bet if you can get it to charge your battery will be fine. I have ran new or near new batteries totally dead many times and have had them come back after a jump start or charge. It will shorten the total battery life, but it should come back up just fine.