$5 my butt!
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$5 my butt!
A couple years ago the battery went bad on my Electra Glide, no warning. We were riding and it was fine, we shut it off for a break and it was gone from then on. Couldn't push it or boost it to start it. Had to borrow a battery from my brother to get the bike home. It will go bad when you least expect it.
You could buy a battery analizer if you are flush, or just have someone at an autoparts store use theirs.....
They are a bit expensive to just use once a year or so.
Are you talking about a load test? If so they are not expensive.
[quote=Lakeman;190620]Are you talking about a load test? If so they are not expensive.[/quote]
No not just a load test. The analyzer tests the voltage under a slight load, then watches the volt drop, then watches the recovery of the voltage back to a static charge that batteries should have. The draw test is a low amperage draw as to not damage the cells. But just enough to make a slight voltage drop. Then rates the battery for life. Quite accurate.
To get an idea for current price do a search for battery analyzers. It is much less expensive to just stop by an auto parts store, or any place that sells batteries. Batteries Plus is one place here.
[quote=Lakeman;190620]Are you talking about a load test? If so they are not expensive.[/quote]
Here is a good example of a load tester that does AGM, Gel, & standard batteries.:[url=http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pulse-Tech-6-Volt-12-Volt-Battery-Analyzer-Tester-/360427661427?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53eb29a873&vxp=mtr]Pulse Tech 6 Volt 12 Volt Battery Analyzer Tester | eBay[/url]
My 2012 battery died last week , just replaced with H D new one . Before it went dead had the check engine and battery light come on while going down hwy. the volt gauge also dropped below 12 volts . I bought and installed the new one . Took it for a ride and the check engine and battery light came on again . Took it to H D shop only thing they could find was battery bolts needed about half turn more on each . Went for a ride yesterday and volt gauge went down to 10 volts twice . Has anyone had this happen ? Trike still in warranty but still had to pay half hour labor !
[quote=rae2012;191987]My 2012 battery died last week , just replaced with H D new one . Before it went dead had the check engine and battery light come on while going down hwy. the volt gauge also dropped below 12 volts . I bought and installed the new one . Took it for a ride and the check engine and battery light came on again . Took it to H D shop only thing they could find was battery bolts needed about half turn more on each . Went for a ride yesterday and volt gauge went down to 10 volts twice . Has anyone had this happen ? Trike still in warranty but still had to pay half hour labor ![/quote]
did they check the regulator and stator voltage readings..one or the other is bad..I am guessing the regulator at this point..If you have a manual and a meter you can check youself..
Failing during 2 yr warranty, that seems like a pretty crummy battery. I just replaced my wifes Sportster battery after 6 years. It still started fine but she added a bunch of LEDs and I didn't trust it sitting for a few hours somewhere with the lights running. I've never had one go bad in under 5 years while using a tender whenever it's not being run.
But, when I bought my Victory which sat in a showroom for two years with only 35 miles on it as a 'demo' the battery was dead and they had to replace it. That was 4 years ago, with a tender attached now.
I have seen charging systems kill a battery..Lucky I am still using my orginal 2010 battery and seems to be still holding up..
[quote=rae2012;191987]My 2012 battery died last week , just replaced with H D new one . Before it went dead had the check engine and battery light come on while going down hwy. the volt gauge also dropped below 12 volts . I bought and installed the new one . Took it for a ride and the check engine and battery light came on again . Took it to H D shop only thing they could find was battery bolts needed about half turn more on each . Went for a ride yesterday and volt gauge went down to 10 volts twice . Has anyone had this happen ? Trike still in warranty but still had to pay half hour labor ![/quote]
Like trikermutha said, might be your regulator. HD had a regulator recall campaign for early 2012's. Click on the bulletin number and you can check yours out to see if it is part of the recall [URL="https://app.box.com/s/51qvdn3f884os9fxy26q"]M1325.
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Now that is where a battery analyzer would be handy ! Well worth the time taken to have the battery tested before purchase of a new one.
My regulator went out on my 2012 trike also just after I bought it. It did the same thing you are describing. Harley had a bad run of them out of China!
[QUOTE=FRR;142752]Take this suggestion and save yourself some grief. Every three years switch your battery out. Like the gentleman said, some last 2 yrs and some last 7. Nothing is worse than to be on a trip or a ride and have the battery die. And when they die most do not give you a warning. It's not worth the headache to have to worry about it. I usually buy a Harley battery for my Ultra and a Westco, for my "other" bike. (I understand I'm not permitted to mention it on this site)[/QUOTE]
I have a 2015 Triglide, just installed 4th battery. They keep telling me all systems fine, must be bad batteries ( OEM replacements under warranty) . Can't believe this is true. Anybody else have this problem?