Battery Life ??
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Battery life? Between 6 months and over ten years, in my experience. You're somewhere in the middle! Get a good quality modern battery minder, that adjusts charge while connected. Modern batteries give higher performance than older designs, but there is a price in that when they fail they tend to do so catastrophically.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 8
From: California
Battery life? Between 6 months and over ten years, in my experience. You're somewhere in the middle! Get a good quality modern battery minder, that adjusts charge while connected. Modern batteries give higher performance than older designs, but there is a price in that when they fail they tend to do so catastrophically.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 7
From: Corning, Ohio
Just did the same thing yesterday. It was suggested on the forum that I try BatteryMart.com for the replacement. Checked it out and the cost of their battery was $97.95 and shipping was free. I ordered on Wednesday morning and received Thursday Morning. That kind of service just ain't too shabby. I did have a little issuwe with getting the battery cover off but after a bit I gained the upper hand. I believe their part number is ETX-30L.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis IN
My 99 Ultra had it's first battery last 4 years last batter last 7 years. I do use the Harley battery tender whenever I'm not on it for more than a few days in the summer and all winter. I'd also only recommend the Harley battery. Seen to many other riders get Battery Plus or other batteries and while a little cheaper in the beginning they do not last as long no matter what you do.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
hd doesn't make batteries. the hd battery is a deka battery. if you get a deka battery, you are getting the same battery, except for the spacer on the terminals.
Last edited by skratch; Jun 15, 2012 at 08:15 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 702
Likes: 16
From: Zebulon, NC
My 99 Ultra had it's first battery last 4 years last batter last 7 years. I do use the Harley battery tender whenever I'm not on it for more than a few days in the summer and all winter. I'd also only recommend the Harley battery. Seen to many other riders get Battery Plus or other batteries and while a little cheaper in the beginning they do not last as long no matter what you do.
I thought...not sure...the Big Crank, the Deka and the Harley battery were all made in the same plant by Deka?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
I just bought a new bike and they told me every time your done you should hook it up to the BT , i was told doing this will extend your battery life....the guy from the shop said he is going on 7 years with the same battery..
so i figured i would try it out.
so i figured i would try it out.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 2,817
From: Oklahoma
I am also running the Big Crank from Battery Mart and well into the second trouble free year, but I do have an observation. I understand that Johnson Controls makes the factory Ford batteries which usually deliver 6 years of trouble free service and also the top Wal Mart battery. I have had several WM batteries have a cell die at about 14 months so I don't trust them any more. Same company making the batteries but the dependability is at the opposite ends of the scale. Hopefully the Big Crank is NOT the "Wal Mart" battery equivalent in Deka's line.