Direct short, it seems
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Stage II
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Direct short, it seems
Parked bike after 50 miles, 1 hour later, turn key and only 1 light in the dash comes on, starter wont budge. Battery 12.98 until key on, 5.32.
Anyone point me in the rught direction?
Anyone point me in the rught direction?
Might get lucky and only need a battery. If it drops that much just from turning on the key, that's where I'd start. It's not holding a charge, and drops when a load is put on it.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
That is possible, although a direct short will either burn up wires- or burn up a fuse ( when a short, the fusible material will 'splatter' and mark with carbon, rather than slump and break connection, as with an overload- you can tell by looking into the fuse) or trip a breaker ( which is thermal and may reset when the contacts cool down, resulting in another trip).
it is possible that the battery is dead.
a discharged battery looses about 50% of it's capacity to recharge- so if your battery has been discharged ( all the way) in the past, then it is on it's way out.
while the voltmeter shows 12 volts- with no load- once a slight load ( even a low wattage bulb) is applied, true reserve is shown.
all charging system checks need to be done with the battery fully charged, so charge your battery all the way up - a trickle charger won't do it, you'll probably need a 2 to 5 amp charger for 24 hours or more.
charing batteries emit hydrogen ( which burns)- so ventilated area, no smoke and no sparks- which means you disconnect the negative first and connect negative last.
with battery charged, you can check the charging system, which is pretty quick and simple.
year and model bike?
any electrical mods to stock wiring?
Mike
it is possible that the battery is dead.
a discharged battery looses about 50% of it's capacity to recharge- so if your battery has been discharged ( all the way) in the past, then it is on it's way out.
while the voltmeter shows 12 volts- with no load- once a slight load ( even a low wattage bulb) is applied, true reserve is shown.
all charging system checks need to be done with the battery fully charged, so charge your battery all the way up - a trickle charger won't do it, you'll probably need a 2 to 5 amp charger for 24 hours or more.
charing batteries emit hydrogen ( which burns)- so ventilated area, no smoke and no sparks- which means you disconnect the negative first and connect negative last.
with battery charged, you can check the charging system, which is pretty quick and simple.
year and model bike?
any electrical mods to stock wiring?
Mike
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Take a 10mm wrench and tighten the crap out of both connections on the battery. Had the exact thing happen to me a couple of years ago.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
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From: Jayhawk Country
I'm confused about the title of your post. " Direct short, it seems" What led you down that road? I'm not exactly sure what you are saying. A direct short and you would have nothing!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
He might be electrically challenged, and used the wrong term ..... But a direct short would do more than have nothing...... you would get smoke and possibly a fire ...... unless there's a fuse in front of it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
+1 on this. The battery cables WILL come loose on a Harley just by riding it. When you change the oil or remove the seat for any reason, check and tighten the battery cables.
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Short is Power straight to Ground (Smoke Happening). OPEN is a wire with no connection.
Check the Battery Cables. ** Both ends of the Ground Cable** If any of these 3 connections are loose, It will do just what you discribe.
Good Luck
Check the Battery Cables. ** Both ends of the Ground Cable** If any of these 3 connections are loose, It will do just what you discribe.
Good Luck
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