Charging issue.

[Hoodlum502]

Hey guys, I'm not only new here, but new to owning a Big Dog. I bought a 2007 Mastiff in January, and I am having my first problem. I leave a tender on the battery anytime that I'm not riding, so the each ride starts with a fresh battery. After a few starts, and about 75 miles or so, my bike won't start, so it's definitely something going on with the charging system. My question is...has anyone else had charging issues, and is the voltage regulator the best place to start when replacing parts? Thanks in advance!

 

[keverett91507]

Hey guys, I'm not only new here, but new to owning a Big Dog. I bought a 2007 Mastiff in January, and I am having my first problem. I leave a tender on the battery anytime that I'm not riding, so the each ride starts with a fresh battery. After a few starts, and about 75 miles or so, my bike won't start, so it's definitely something going on with the charging system. My question is...has anyone else had charging issues, and is the voltage regulator the best place to start when replacing parts? Thanks in advance!

I went through the same thing before but it was my battery. It would charge on the trickle charger but not enough left to keep it up. Just a thought but make sure your battery is good before you go changing parts like I did. I learned KISS keep it simple stupid and now I check the easiest parts first. Any auto part store will test the battery for u

 

[BWG56]

Is it charging when its running?

 

[Hoodlum502]

I went through the same thing before but it was my battery. It would charge on the trickle charger but not enough left to keep it up. Just a thought but make sure your battery is good before you go changing parts like I did. I learned KISS keep it simple stupid and now I check the easiest parts first. Any auto part store will test the battery for u

Is it charging when its running?

No. It is not charging when running. I forgot to mention that I already purchased a new battery because I thought it was a bad battery.

 

[Hoodlum502]

I

I went through the same thing before but it was my battery. It would charge on the trickle charger but not enough left to keep it up. Just a thought but make sure your battery is good before you go changing parts like I did. I learned KISS keep it simple stupid and now I check the easiest parts first. Any auto part store will test the battery for u

I'm sorry, I should've mentioned in the post that the first thing that I did was buy a new battery because I thought it was a bad battery. So, yes the battery is brand new.

 

[keverett91507]

Voltage regulator is the easy switchout. Stator is a little more complicated. Check the voltage coming from the regulator and make sure it's putting out

 

[Hoodlum502]

Voltage regulator is the easy switchout. Stator is a little more complicated. Check the voltage coming from the regulator and make sure it's putting out

Will do. Thanks

 

[Letbigdogintocanada]

Also check the circuit breaker,if it has one ,my is under the seat ,years ago happened to me ,where I thought it was the charging system,if you installed the new battery check if its charging properly,my is 12+ volts at idle and 14.3 with a crack of the throttle

 

[SEAL-rider]

Throw a colt meter on the battery tender connector while running.


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[SEAL-rider]

Or a volt meter if you don't have a young horse.


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[Hoodlum502]

Also check the circuit breaker,if it has one ,my is under the seat ,years ago happened to me ,where I thought it was the charging system,if you installed the new battery check if its charging properly,my is 12+ volts at idle and 14.3 with a crack of the throttle

Definitely will check these things. Thank you.

 

[Hoodlum502]

Throw a colt meter on the battery tender connector while running.


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Will do. Thank you

 

[Hoodlum502]

Or a volt meter if you don't have a young horse.


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Lmao. I have no young horses around.

 

[glennpg]

Ran into the same problem this past week. Got on the road and battery went dead after an hour on the road. stopped at a Harley Shop, changed the battery and mechanics tested the charging system at the battery, he said is was not charging and that is was probably the stator. I will check the VR and also check to see if there is a breaker under seat before moving on to the stator. Thanks

 

[BadDawg Bill]

Ran into the same problem this past week. Got on the road and battery went dead after an hour on the road. stopped at a Harley Shop, changed the battery and mechanics tested the charging system at the battery, he said is was not charging and that is was probably the stator. I will check the VR and also check to see if there is a breaker under seat before moving on to the stator. Thanks

Ya, fookin Harley.... Let's put in our over priced battery and THEN check to see if it's charging..... Typical....

 

[Hoodlum502]

I got my new VR last week. Put it on and wired it up. Problem fixed. Turns out that the regulators that Big Dog used on their bikes are junk and a lot were recalled. Apparently any time that you jump your bike with those VR's with a running car, you fry them.

Ran into the same problem this past week. Got on the road and battery went dead after an hour on the road. stopped at a Harley Shop, changed the battery and mechanics tested the charging system at the battery, he said is was not charging and that is was probably the stator. I will check the VR and also check to see if there is a breaker under seat before moving on to the stator. Thanks[/QU

 

[BWG56]

I got my new VR last week. Put it on and wired it up. Problem fixed. Turns out that the regulators that Big Dog used on their bikes are junk and a lot were recalled. Apparently any time that you jump your bike with those VR's with a running car, you fry them.

Yep, along with the OEM ECH

 

[shansel88]

I got my new VR last week. Put it on and wired it up. Problem fixed. Turns out that the regulators that Big Dog used on their bikes are junk and a lot were recalled. Apparently any time that you jump your bike with those VR's with a running car, you fry them.

I'd never recommend jumping a motorcycle with a "running' car. You should have no issue jumping a bike with the car - not running. (exception V8 motor bike) This is usually a safe scenario for most bikes. And if you cant start it that way- then you got other issues anyway-shorted wires/etc/ Just my opinion

 

[Big D Florida]

Food for thought...
The VR (vent regulated), or "gel cell" batteries, as some call them, are very similar to deep-cycle batteries in their contruction and charging requirements.
Low amperage input is called for in the specs, the plate configuration will not withstand high current rates.
This applies to any battery of this type (trolling motor, rv, golf cart)

 

[DrRx]

Shouldn't leave the battery on tender but for no more than one hour a day max.