Road King charging question
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Road King charging question
I have a 2004 FLHRI that has an issue with the charging system. The bike runs fine after I charge the battery with my charger, but after an hour or so it is too low to start the bike. I have followed the troubleshooting guide in my manual. The stator is not grounded or shorted, but it is only putting out 3 volts at idle and 9 volts at 3000 rpm. My question is whether I should replace the rotor, stator and regulator or just the stator. Thanks for any help.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Oxford, Nc
The regulator is putting out 9 volts (DC?) The stator should put out AC voltage that if I recall should be between 2,000 and 3,000 volts at 3000 rpm. Check that too.
Side note: After 3 stator replacements at 19,000,, 32,000 and 52,000 miles, I installed a 3 phase charging system, ( like the new bikes run,) from Compufire and never looked back. My bike now has 104,000 miles on it 2 1/2 years later. The charging system has been perfect since then.
Cycle Electric, ( another good company,) sells them too, I believe.
Side note: After 3 stator replacements at 19,000,, 32,000 and 52,000 miles, I installed a 3 phase charging system, ( like the new bikes run,) from Compufire and never looked back. My bike now has 104,000 miles on it 2 1/2 years later. The charging system has been perfect since then.
Cycle Electric, ( another good company,) sells them too, I believe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
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From: Rosamond, Cali
I think 2000-3000 volts stator output at 3K RPM is a little high. 
I'd think 18 or 19V (AC) tops would be about it.
You should see somewhere around 14 volts (DC) at the battery terminals at 3K RPM.
Make sure the battery isn't toast, and if you're positive about the stator output, I'd replace the stator/rotor combination, seeing what it would cost to upgrade to a higher capacity while I was at it. From your description, the regulator could still be good. (I had a case where the stator on a dirt bike started outputting excessively high voltage--which took out the regulator. But for a low-voltage failure of the charging system, I'd bet the regulator's still ok).
Alan
I'd think 18 or 19V (AC) tops would be about it. You should see somewhere around 14 volts (DC) at the battery terminals at 3K RPM.
Make sure the battery isn't toast, and if you're positive about the stator output, I'd replace the stator/rotor combination, seeing what it would cost to upgrade to a higher capacity while I was at it. From your description, the regulator could still be good. (I had a case where the stator on a dirt bike started outputting excessively high voltage--which took out the regulator. But for a low-voltage failure of the charging system, I'd bet the regulator's still ok).
Alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Mar 17, 2012 at 08:06 AM.
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I am sure I was measuring it correctly. I was getting 3 volts ac at idle. The battery is new this year, and it reads 12v. When i start the bike the battery voltage does not increase at all. I like the idea of yupgrading to a 3 phase system with all new components.
Stage III
Joined: Jul 2020
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From: Fort Bragg Ca.
Battery Tender
Hi, Hey I have never owned a Harley Davidson newer than a 70 FLH Electra Glide, my ? does a battery tender on a 2004 road king charge the battery or used for something else,, sorry for the ignorant question, I have tried looking it up to no avail.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Stowe Pa
First thing to check with an electrical problem is the battery. Take it out and have it load tested even if it was new last week.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
Probably the easiest way to describe it is by going through the list.
Basic battery charger. Regardless of size, they put out a charge, and charge the battery at whatever rate they are made for. Great for charging a dead battery. You have to disconnect them so you dont over charge a battery, damaging it by boiling off the water.
Trickle charger. These are regular chargers, just tiny. They can charge a dead battery, but it would take days. You sorta can leave a battery sitting on one of these. Lots of folk have. But since its constantly charging, it is very slightly boiling off water in the battery.
Tender. Its a trickle charger with a twist. Its measuring the battery, and when its fully charged, the tender stops charging (and the light turns on or solid). As time passes, if it detects the battery needs a little charging again, itll do it.
The rub is many tenders dont work right, and sit there constantly charging, just like a trickle charger. Damaging the battery over the period of several months.
Further complicated today with the different types of battery. The standard wet plate lead acid, but also the gel mat, the sealed, and the lithium ion types. Youve got to have the right tender for the battery. The tenders also dont seem to work well on long extension cords and the like that reduce the supplied ac electricity.
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