DEAD Battery

G

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
So yesterday afternoon...

I was putting away my truck keys and seen I had a status alarm on my bike's alarm pager. "backup" WTF!

Went outside.. knowing this was that the alarm went to battery backup. Looked at the tender hooked up... its still on blinking red...

Hit the alarm off... nothing!

Put the key in the ignition... NOTHING! NOTHING!

Pull off the seat... grab the voltmeter... NO VOLTAGE!!!!! NONE!!! 0.0

WTF!!

I just parked it Tuesday and it was fine!!

Well remember a few weeks I jumped it off the car... poped the circuit breaker... then had to jump it a few more times...

Call Vickie.... how much and best suggestion for a new battery?????

HD with 6month warrenty $86
BD same crappy warrenty $126
Thunder Start with un-conditional 2 YEAR free replacement warrenty $106

The catch! I either go get the HD from the local dealer or get the Thunder with the better warrenty from Vickie... hoping it would get here by the forecasted sunny weekend!

I was going to chance it but remembered I have a ride planned for early Sat morning.

A quick trip to the HD dealer, $91 later, I had a HD AGM battery for a softail. That would directly bolt in.

The only difference is its front mounted posts for the screws instead of them screwing in from the top. Which is actually better cause it gives better clearance for the seat.

Plus... MADE IN THE USA!

Back in biz boys! :2thumbs:
 
chucktx

chucktx

Well-Known Member
glad your back on the road!!!!!!
did the battery only last one year, with tender maint.??
sig shows you have an 06 model.....
 
G

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
Yeah well... the plot thickens...

The new battery installed in the bike. Started once. On a battery tender. Starts to go dead after only a few hours.

Something on the bike pulling a drain on the battery.. and its more than even the battery tender can keep up with!!

I have it on the tender out of the bike now... its almost fully charged again. I have removed the alarm on the bike and will test it once I get it back in the bike again.

But I'm confused as to how to figure out where the draw is.... if its not the alarm.
 
Tim

Tim

Administrator
Staff member
Founder
Lifetime Supporting Member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Supporting Member
That could be a difficult problem to troubleshoot. Are you still under warranty?
 
Thumper

Thumper

Founding Member
Calendar Participant
Gas Man said:
Fixed...not so much.... the damn bike is wanting to eat batteries.
Click to expand...

I am sure you covered this but......was the battery fully charged to start with and what is the charging output from the bike?

I am never a big fan of jump starts from running vehicles. I own a portable jump box which helps eliminate spikes. They are pretty cheap, usually a decent one is about $150
 
CCRainman

CCRainman

Well-Known Member
Speaking about batteries, I might be due for 1 soon. I killed mine the other day and I hope it'll hold a charge. If not what are the batteries that you guys would recommend?
 
chucktx

chucktx

Well-Known Member
one way to check for a draw is to install the battery, install the ground onto the battery, then use a test light between the hot wires and the battery. if there is a draw, the test llight will light up. make sure the ign is off. if llight is still on, remove fuses one at a time until light goes out. if light stays on while all fuses are out, start removing wires from volt reg, starter, ect, until the light goes out. when it goes out you have found your draw. hope this is clear enough, if not ask away .......have fun and i hope ya find the problem
chuck
 
CCRainman

CCRainman

Well-Known Member
Thanks WT, the vet already put in a battery and told me it's what they use. I trust the vet, so I should be picking the dog up afterwork tommorow.
 
G

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
chucktx said:
one way to check for a draw is to install the battery, install the ground onto the battery, then use a test light between the hot wires and the battery. if there is a draw, the test llight will light up. make sure the ign is off. if llight is still on, remove fuses one at a time until light goes out. if light stays on while all fuses are out, start removing wires from volt reg, starter, ect, until the light goes out. when it goes out you have found your draw. hope this is clear enough, if not ask away .......have fun and i hope ya find the problem
chuck
Click to expand...
That's good. I'll check that.

Thump... .yeah I jumped it like 3 weeks or longer ago. It poped the breaker and all... but I have been riding just fine... now all assudend.

The only thing different is I changed the oil Sunday night, rode it a bit Tuesday and parked it. I didn't park it on the lift this time... maybe its mad about that!
 
G

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
The dealer called. They held up their end GREAT! He said the mechanic said yes it was the VR. First he called and said he was going to have to order the parts. Then he called back, he got the new VR in today, cause he ordered a new one the other day. So he'll get it installed today and test rode tonight or tommorow morning. I can pick it up Thursday anytime.

Further, BDM warrentied my BD battery due to the VR killing it. Just as I think they should!

This guy did exactly what he said and when he said. I'm very pleased with this different dealer. They will be my new dealer.
 
Thumper

Thumper

Founding Member
Calendar Participant
Good to hear you found a dealer that is on board with the program. I have not been so lucky yet but remain hopeful :job:

Maybe the dealer you used deserves a little recognition here?
 
Tim

Tim

Administrator
Staff member
Founder
Lifetime Supporting Member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Supporting Member
That's great news.

What dealership took care of you?
 
Chopper Dave

Chopper Dave

SIICK!!!
Thats cool Gas......I believe he took it to American Cycle Mart in Waterford, MI.
I will be doing my ride to Full Throttle tomorrow morning ...riding down for my 500 mile service. Yeah Gas...I didn't get my PIAA H-4 Plasma bulbs yet...so looks like I will be doing that sometime next week.
 
G

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
So I got the bike back home. Cleaned up. Back in her dog house.

I took it to American Cycle Mart. Chris, the newer service manager, did what he said he would do. Dropped off Saturday, got the work done by Wed night. I picked it up today, thursday, due to working last night.

I have found a new dealership for my needs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top