Dying battery... : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

JoeShovel · 03-11-2009, 01:23 PM

What could cause my battery to keep dying when everything is turned off. Kind of drawing a blank. No horn, signals, speedo, etc.. Just electric start hooked to toggle on/off with two buttons for start and kill. I just kick it to start though. Key has ign and light turn on points. In order to start the bike I need to turn key to ign and hit the on position on the toggle. Bike has Malory electric ign.

Please note I did not build this bike so I dont know the wiring from top to bottom just yet.

Any tips would be great...

rosascycle · 03-11-2009, 06:44 PM

Check to see if volt reg is drawing and killing that battery or is the battery its self loosing charge on its own

bourg chopper · 03-11-2009, 07:09 PM

Well it could be the external reguator, not sure what your using for charge system, but the old type regulators sometimes could do this. Also i remember back in 80-81 when AMF...ugh had problems with starter silinoids being conductive on outer parts causing battery drain. Dont know if it will help you but its a start. I would also have the generator checked. I know you said its happening when bike sits, but these parts if shorted can draw on batt. good luck.

wanna ride · 03-11-2009, 07:39 PM

May not be the bike or wiring killing the battery, the bike may be due for a new battery. If in doubt of the life of the battery spend the bucks get new. Also run a voltmeter across the battery terminals to make sure the battery getting a good charge.

DD Slider · 03-12-2009, 07:09 AM

There really is no way to diagnos electrical problems over the phone, blog or for that matter any way but up close and personal...go to Sears and get yourself a meter, you can get it for under $10 if you happen to catch a sale. then get a manual and start testing...you'll find it's easier than eating your corn flakes...
if you don't have a manual, I'll get you one...

JoeShovel · 03-12-2009, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the reply guys. I know I hate electric issues. I had the volt meter on the battery and started it up and revved it. The charging system seems to be working as the volts jumped up to 14v on the battery. I just put a new battery in the bike as well so that rules that out. I have an electronic external regulator on the bike which has two wires going to the generator.

What I'm gonna do is test the postive cables while disconnected from the battery and see if something is grounding them out. I just thought maybe somebody had some experience with the break pressure switch or front head light drawing on their battery...

Thanks again!