starting problems

[shoppersal]

I have a 2012 RT having battery problems??? Sometimes it will not start. Took it to dealer & they looked at it found nothing wrong with it. After I am done riding it I plug it in to battery tender which has been working ok. Today I rode it about 3-4 miles got off had a bite to eat came out & wouldn't turn over. I was at a Harley shop where they know us went in & talked to parts manager & he came out with charger & it only took a few min. to charge it. Is anyone having this problem or just me??? Going to make apt with different dealer to have it checked out!

 

[ARtraveler]

A 2012 should not be requiring a new battery. I was still using the OEM battery on my 2010 when I traded it off recently. Sat on a battery tender each winter from Oct through Mar.

If the HD dealer charger worked instantly for you, maybe you need another battery tender.

There is a difference between charger and tender though. The tender maintains what charge is in the battery and the charger puts new "oomph" into the battery.

 

[ARtraveler]

A slightly different take.
Batteries do not have a set life, even two batteries taken care of more or less identically.

Assuming your connections are all tight and your Spyder's magneto is working properly it sounds as if your battery is only developing a "surface charge" which typically happens when batteries can no longer hold a deep charge.

A surface charge when measured with a voltmeter and the engine off can appear upwards of 14 Volts giving the impression that the battery is OK.

But that charge dissipates and after a short while the battery can't muster enough electrons to do anything useful for you.

I defer: :bowdown::bowdown:

My non-mechanical abilities were showing. :yes:

 

[Magdave]

A slightly different take.
Batteries do not have a set life, even two batteries taken care of more or less identically.

Assuming your connections are all tight and your Spyder's magneto is working properly it sounds as if your battery is only developing a "surface charge" which typically happens when batteries can no longer hold a deep charge.

A surface charge when measured with a voltmeter and the engine off can appear upwards of 14 Volts giving the impression that the battery is OK.

But that charge dissipates and after a short while the battery can't muster enough electrons to do anything useful for you.

Sorta like Kenda tires:dontknow:

 

[Chupaca]

Have to agree..!!

Roger
:agree: the key is connections. Faulty loose or corroded and it won't work. On the battery load testing is the way to go for seeing if you only have a surface charge...:dontknow:

 

[Bob Denman]

Yup! :thumbup:
Check over all of your connections, :lecturef_smilie: and give them a good cleaning too!