$5 my butt!
$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.
2009 Honda Gold Wing Motor Trike Adventure Kit
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.
2012 Tri-Glide, DK's Lift Brackets, 416 Progressive shocks, S&S Power Tune Duals Header, V&H Monster Rounds , HD Ventelator AC, FCS Fans, Tank raised 2", Dual Halogen Headlight, L.R.S 10" Tinted Windshield, Hammock Seat, Tourpak 1"raise & 2" back & Light conversion, PV w/Target Tune, Bagger Bar, Harley 2" pullback bars, Running AmsOil in all Boxes.
Are you talking about a load test? If so they are not expensive.
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.
2012 Tri-Glide, DK's Lift Brackets, 416 Progressive shocks, S&S Power Tune Duals Header, V&H Monster Rounds , HD Ventelator AC, FCS Fans, Tank raised 2", Dual Halogen Headlight, L.R.S 10" Tinted Windshield, Hammock Seat, Tourpak 1"raise & 2" back & Light conversion, PV w/Target Tune, Bagger Bar, Harley 2" pullback bars, Running AmsOil in all Boxes.
Here is a good example of a load tester that does AGM, Gel, & standard batteries.:Pulse Tech 6 Volt 12 Volt Battery Analyzer Tester | eBay
2012 Tri-Glide, DK's Lift Brackets, 416 Progressive shocks, S&S Power Tune Duals Header, V&H Monster Rounds , HD Ventelator AC, FCS Fans, Tank raised 2", Dual Halogen Headlight, L.R.S 10" Tinted Windshield, Hammock Seat, Tourpak 1"raise & 2" back & Light conversion, PV w/Target Tune, Bagger Bar, Harley 2" pullback bars, Running AmsOil in all Boxes.
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 !
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..
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 M1325.
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/...pswnuweejq.jpg
Red Ultra Powered By Head-Quarters 120, Easy Clutch Pull By ClutchWIZ. 2012 GL1800 Hannigan. I've yet to ride a stock Harley which wasn't in need of a mechanical intervention.
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!
2012 Tri-Glide, DK's Lift Brackets, 416 Progressive shocks, S&S Power Tune Duals Header, V&H Monster Rounds , HD Ventelator AC, FCS Fans, Tank raised 2", Dual Halogen Headlight, L.R.S 10" Tinted Windshield, Hammock Seat, Tourpak 1"raise & 2" back & Light conversion, PV w/Target Tune, Bagger Bar, Harley 2" pullback bars, Running AmsOil in all Boxes.