What should the voltmeter read with ignition on?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 14,670
Likes: 139
From: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
I went to Harley-Davidson.com and set up a profile. Once done, I have access to my owner's manual. In my owner's manual there is a chart that says that if my battery voltage is at 11.8 the battery is dead. Fully charged it is 12.7 volts.
12.7 full charge
12.6 75 %
12.3 50 %
12.5 25 %
If your battery will not hold a charge of a minimum of 12.5 volts it is dead and needs replacement..
12.7 full charge
12.6 75 %
12.3 50 %
12.5 25 %
If your battery will not hold a charge of a minimum of 12.5 volts it is dead and needs replacement..
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
batteries plus is a good place to get a premium battery too. i've had no problems with harley batteries lasting quite well, provided you use a battery tender if you're going to have your bike out of service for a couple of weeks, or for winter storage.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: ontario, Canada
"but I noticed when I go out to the garage and just turn on the ignition switch the voltmeter only goes to 10v. Is that right?"
First off you can't tell what state the battery is in by turning on the ignition and checking any reading, bike guage or meter...... you've got lights on, fuel pump is activating, at the least, fully charge the battery and put a meter on it(with key off) and see what you have, but turning the key on and reading anything is an invalid indication of the state of the battery.
First off you can't tell what state the battery is in by turning on the ignition and checking any reading, bike guage or meter...... you've got lights on, fuel pump is activating, at the least, fully charge the battery and put a meter on it(with key off) and see what you have, but turning the key on and reading anything is an invalid indication of the state of the battery.
Last edited by ShadowMonster; Feb 22, 2013 at 06:35 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 5
From: Springfield, MO
You're not getting an accurate reading at the volt gauge when the ignition is on but the bike is not running... because all your lights and the ECM are on and draining the battery as you're trying to get a reading. This will be true even on a good battery.
Leave the ignition off and put a volt meter on the battery terminals (pull the seat) to get an accurate reading.
Leave the ignition off and put a volt meter on the battery terminals (pull the seat) to get an accurate reading.
Last edited by RPS1981; Feb 23, 2013 at 01:30 PM.
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