Sluggish start in cool weather

[kingfish108]

I have a '17 TG with 63,500 miles. Stage one and two have been done. The battery is 2.5 years old. At home it's always on a maintainer. Voltage looks good when running. In my travels, I do a good share of starting up and shutting off the engine. Sometimes over 30 to 40 times a day. I take a lot of pictures for those wondering why. This past Sunday it was 44 degrees when I left the motel. It was very sluggish starting and the voltage dropped down to 8 volts before it started. Stopped for a cup of coffee 28 miles down the road and had the same thing happen. When I got home I left it for about 15 minutes, then started it. Seemed better, but it was over 70 degrees by then.

I have not done a load test on the battery yet. Maybe it's giving up already. Also thought that the starter may be getting a little worn. Or the possibility that my trike doesn't like cooler weather:Shrug:. Has anyone else run into this?

 

[cubalz]

It sounds like your battery is giving up the ghost. What you describe is typical. When your bike is cold it makes the the engine harder to crank over which really makes the weak battery noticable

 

[rhino 2]

I have a '17 TG with 63,500 miles. Stage one and two have been done. The battery is 2.5 years old. At home it's always on a maintainer. Voltage looks good when running. In my travels, I do a good share of starting up and shutting off the engine. Sometimes over 30 to 40 times a day. I take a lot of pictures for those wondering why. This past Sunday it was 44 degrees when I left the motel. It was very sluggish starting and the voltage dropped down to 8 volts before it started. Stopped for a cup of coffee 28 miles down the road and had the same thing happen. When I got home I left it for about 15 minutes, then started it. Seemed better, but it was over 70 degrees by then.

I have not done a load test on the battery yet. Maybe it's giving up already. Also thought that the starter may be getting a little worn. Or the possibility that my trike doesn't like cooler weather:Shrug:. Has anyone else run into this?

Starting 30/40 times a day will put a toll on your battery and the starter…In my humble opinion get ready to replace the battery… especially in low temperatures …

 

[Jack Klarich]

Any drop below 10 volts during starting is a sure sign of a battery going South

 

[kingfish108]

Got the seat off and the battery out. Ordered a new one on line. Going to pick it up. Thanks for the responses.

 

[rhino 2]

Got the seat off and the battery out. Ordered a new one on line. Going to pick it up. Thanks for the responses.

…

 

[Old Road Dog]

I would check the diodes in the regulator/rectifier and perform a voltage leak test.. A bad regulator will destroy a new battery.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Got the seat off and the battery out. Ordered a new one on line. Going to pick it up. Thanks for the responses.

See this thread for more info

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thr...-System?highlight=harley+charging+system+test