battery charge

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Jun 11, 2009 | 02:37 PM

tooskie

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Jun 2009

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battery charge

I ride a 1991 Ultra. I had the stater replaced last fall. Last weekend I noticed while riding with my headlight on the battery discharges so low my directionals don't work. If I ride without the lights on the battery maintains a full charge. Any guesses?

Jun 11, 2009 | 02:52 PM

jamesw

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2008

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Short?

Jun 11, 2009 | 02:56 PM

papa_freeman

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 429

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From: California

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesw

Short?

+1

that's where i would start

Jun 11, 2009 | 03:15 PM

tooskie

Thread Starter

Stage II

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That's where I'll start. Thanks for the replies.

Jun 11, 2009 | 03:40 PM

n8dc

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Michigan

Ok if it was a short not only would the amp gauge be to the minus side of zero it would prolly blow a fuse.. Is suspect a bad or weak charging system component before id call short.

Jun 11, 2009 | 03:58 PM

frog13

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,140

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From: Wisconsin

Quote:

Originally Posted by n8dc

Ok if it was a short not only would the amp gauge be to the minus side of zero it would prolly blow a fuse.. Is suspect a bad or weak charging system component before id call short.

+1 A battery on a full charge will last a while without lights. Turn on the lights, it's going fast. Pull the seat, run the bike and put a voltmeter across the battery. You can look in the manual for the exact numbers but you need to be getting 12+ volts at the battery, usually more in the 13-14 range. You can usually tell right away if you give it a little throttle, there will be a small increase in voltage. If not, time to figure out if it's regulator, stator or rotor. If the charging system is ok, which I doubt based on your symptoms, all that is left is battery and wiring. The battery can be load tested at any battery center or your local, friendly HD dealer.