Battery question

[JJs1125r]

Hello everyone! I am new to the site and a new Bueller as well. Having a battery issue that is confusing me. If I let my bike sit for a few days my battery will be completely drained. It is a brand new battery from HD. I don't have an alarm or any accessories hooked up. Has anyone else had this issue? I don't think it is a stator issue cause I ride a lot and my battery doesn't die while ridding.

 

[John422]

Have you checked all your connections and especially your screws that hold everything to your battery post you want it tight.

 

[JJs1125r]

I did check all connections. The battery is only 2 weeks old too. I read on bad weather bikers that some people had problems with their instrument clusters draining batteries. Has anyone else heard of this?

 

[stensg]

Yep use your kill switch every time should take care of the problem

 

[JJs1125r]

Thanks stensg that may be the problem. I am trying to get in the habit of using it. I must have forgot. On my old bike I would just shut it off with the key. Would you happen to know the reason for why it would do that.

 

[Kruizen]

My 08 would do that even with using the switch. I don't see what year your bike is.

Hate to sound like a Harley tech, but get in be habit of keeping it plugged in.

 

[JJs1125r]

Kruizen it is an 08 as well. I do have the battery tender my only worry is if I travel somewhere that I don't have the option to plug it in. Is there any way to test if the bike is drawing electricity while it is turned off?

 

[Kruizen]

Yes there is, but I have no idea what the process is. Electrical manual might have troubleshooting- ukbeg.com has the download.

If on a trip- ride daily. You can get a new cluster(09/10) and that solves the issue.

Also make sure that you turn off the security in the cluster.

 

[lawdog]

Get a good voltmeter that can measure amperage. Usually the decent ones will have an amp setting you can use to measure amperage. Mine is max 10 amps. Disconnect the battery and run the voltmeter leads between the battery and cable. Turn the dial to measure DC amperage. You should only have a couple milliamps. You start getting above 50 milliamps parasitic drain and you will be draining the battery fairly fast. Don't start or turn the bike on while doing this. Your voltmeter probably can't handle the high load and will blow a fuse. This is strictly with the key off. Also switch the kill switch on and off and see if there is a difference of parasitic drain. I would then reconnect the battery start it up and measure your voltage to make sure the regulator and stator are working.

 

[Tork]

Good post, lawdog- To complement your current drain measurement, I would also pull fuses as necessary until the battery drain disappears which can help identify the culprit circuit or component. A copy of the maintenance manual would be extremely valuable in determining all that is associated with each fuse.

 

[JJs1125r]

I appreciate all the help. Lawdog I will pick up a good voltmeter and give that a shot. I was thinking about getting a 2010 gauge cluster anyways because I heard they have the gas gauge.

 

[sparky300]

pull fuses as necessary until the battery drain disappears

Very good troubleshooting idea +[up]

 

[Kruizen]

Don't think they have a gas gauge.

The 09 cluster allows you to see what gear your in. And changes the warm up display.

 

[Christer]

Will the 09 cluster fit without any modification to my 08 lightning ??

 

[Kruizen]

Christer, did you really just ask that? Might want to post that question on the lightening forum.