Quick Question(s)

[Tony S]

Rode with a dude over the weekend with an '80 80cid Shovel. His battery leaked out of the overflow hose everytime we parked...'bout a nickel size. Also said his garage floor where he parks the bike has about 50 nickel size white spots from where the battery weeps. Just curious to know what would cause this (just for my own knowledge) Seems to me that would be from overcharging, no? AND if it is from overcharging what would cause it to overcharge? If it isnt overcharging why would the battery discharge from the overflow hose??

[petelogan]

No expert, but it sounds like overcharging to me too, which would point to the regulator.

But first check the age of the battery, I think.

Pete

[FL84FXWG]

My shovel was doing the same thing, checked the voltage @ the battery

while running and it was w/i range per the manual. Stator output was ok too.

Nevertheless I put on a new voltage regulator, for 22 amp (stock)

Still puked acid so I put in an Odessey Gel , sealed battery so I didn't have to

worry about this.

I was putting on a new rear wheel and the old one was corroded from the acid

drip blowing on the rim over the years from the previous owner.

Haven't had any problems yet.

Good luck

[newultraclassic]

Originally Posted by FL84FXWG

My shovel was doing the same thing, checked the voltage @ the battery

while running and it was w/i range per the manual. Stator output was ok too.

Nevertheless I put on a new voltage regulator, for 22 amp (stock)

Still puked acid so I put in an Odessey Gel , sealed battery so I didn't have to

worry about this.

I was putting on a new rear wheel and the old one was corroded from the acid

drip blowing on the rim over the years from the previous owner.

Haven't had any problems yet.

Good luck

This is very common on older Harleys in general. My '82 Shovelhead used to have battery acid burns all over the right side of the swingarm, muffler and wheel. I replaced the battery with a Yuasa AGM sealed battery about three years ago and it's been perfect ever since. I keep it on a float charger (Harbor Freight) all of the time when I'm not riding it and it's always ready to go.

The charge rate indicates about 14.0 volts on my analog voltmeter that is mounted on the bars when it's running. That's why they boil the electrolyte.

I'm glad that HD went to the sealed batteries on the late model bikes. My Ultra reads 15 vdc all of the time on the fairing-mounted voltmeter when it's running. (45 amp unit). The 2006 I understand is even more powerful. If I had a liquid-filled battery on that one, I would be needing a new frame every now and then.

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