Battery/starting problems

IntruderWithin · Oct 27th, 2009, 12:16 PM

Afternoon all,

Been having some issues with the 2004 883 as follows:

Bike failed to start after 4 -5 attempts then battery went flat

Charged the battery using a Optimate III SP
(can one use this on the HD?)

When the battery was charged tried to start the bike again and again 5 - 6 attemps to start and battery went flat?

Thanks in advance

D

Hoople · Oct 27th, 2009, 12:27 PM

You may want to pull a spark plug to see if it is wet. Then take the removed plug and attach it to the spark plug wire. Hold base of plug against frame ground, crank engine and check for spark.

Hoop!

IntruderWithin · Oct 27th, 2009, 02:13 PM

Hi, ok the battery got charged at it started around the 3rd time. Took it for 20 mile run all ok. Will check again tomorrow

Cheers

glider · Oct 27th, 2009, 02:15 PM

You never want to fast charge a battery, only slow charge so it doesn't overheat and warp the plates. Also never jump a battery in a bike from a car because damage to electrical components can occur.

IntruderWithin · Oct 28th, 2009, 12:23 PM

Thanks again for the feedback. Is it ok to plug in the charger say once a week just to keep it at it best? (it is the wifes bike and she dont go on it at much a I hoped)

glider · Oct 28th, 2009, 12:28 PM

Depending on the output of the charger, it can be left on if it has a float mode.

Battery Tender For Storage - Harley Davidson Community

gmurdock · Oct 28th, 2009, 05:24 PM

I agree with Glider about the charger. If it is the original Battery you might start thinking about getting a new one. 3 to 4 years is good from a battery. Once it is drained at that age it can go quickly.

fin_676 · Oct 28th, 2009, 06:28 PM

The optimate III is designed to be left plugged in all the time it checks the charge of the battery every 1/2 hour and if it has dropped it starts to give it a float charge till its full then goes back to monitor till sufficient drop in power is detected
just plug it in and leave it till you use the bike

Brian
http://www.optimate3.com/classic/

CatWoman · Nov 6th, 2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmurdock

I agree with Glider about the charger. If it is the original Battery you might start thinking about getting a new one. 3 to 4 years is good from a battery. Once it is drained at that age it can go quickly.

Wow, 3-4 years from a battery, here in the Arizona desert, you are lucky to get 2 years 1 to 1 1/2 is much more likely

To get the most out of my batteries, I use a Delfran Battery Tender Junior on both my bike and truck (although, the one on my bike is rarely needed

)

CatWoman :

Oct 27th, 2009, 12:16 PM	#1
IntruderWithin New Family Ride: 2004 883 Join Date: Oct 27th, 2009 Posts: 3	Battery/starting problems Afternoon all, Been having some issues with the 2004 883 as follows: Bike failed to start after 4 -5 attempts then battery went flat Charged the battery using a Optimate III SP (can one use this on the HD?) When the battery was charged tried to start the bike again and again 5 - 6 attemps to start and battery went flat? Thanks in advance D

Oct 27th, 2009, 12:27 PM	#2
Hoople Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Dyna Low Join Date: Aug 16th, 2009 Posts: 506	Re: Battery/starting problems You may want to pull a spark plug to see if it is wet. Then take the removed plug and attach it to the spark plug wire. Hold base of plug against frame ground, crank engine and check for spark. Hoop!

Oct 27th, 2009, 02:13 PM	#3
IntruderWithin New Family Ride: 2004 883 Join Date: Oct 27th, 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Battery/starting problems Hi, ok the battery got charged at it started around the 3rd time. Took it for 20 mile run all ok. Will check again tomorrow Cheers

Oct 27th, 2009, 02:15 PM	#4
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,467 My Mood:	Re: Battery/starting problems You never want to fast charge a battery, only slow charge so it doesn't overheat and warp the plates. Also never jump a battery in a bike from a car because damage to electrical components can occur. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Oct 28th, 2009, 12:23 PM	#5
IntruderWithin New Family Ride: 2004 883 Join Date: Oct 27th, 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Battery/starting problems Thanks again for the feedback. Is it ok to plug in the charger say once a week just to keep it at it best? (it is the wifes bike and she dont go on it at much a I hoped)

Oct 28th, 2009, 12:28 PM	#6
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,467 My Mood:	Re: Battery/starting problems Depending on the output of the charger, it can be left on if it has a float mode. Battery Tender For Storage - Harley Davidson Community __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Oct 28th, 2009, 05:24 PM	#7
gmurdock Play The Throttle Ride: 2009 Street Glide Join Date: Jan 21st, 2009 Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 155 My Mood:	Re: Battery/starting problems I agree with Glider about the charger. If it is the original Battery you might start thinking about getting a new one. 3 to 4 years is good from a battery. Once it is drained at that age it can go quickly.

Oct 28th, 2009, 06:28 PM	#8
fin_676 Moderators Ride: 1992 Softail Custom Join Date: Dec 21st, 2008 Location: Banffshire,Scotland Posts: 452 My Mood:	Re: Battery/starting problems The optimate III is designed to be left plugged in all the time it checks the charge of the battery every 1/2 hour and if it has dropped it starts to give it a float charge till its full then goes back to monitor till sufficient drop in power is detected just plug it in and leave it till you use the bike Brian http://www.optimate3.com/classic/ Last edited by fin_676; Oct 28th, 2009 at 06:36 PM.

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Battery/starting problems

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