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  Pedro123

  5 years ago

  2016 1200C sporty just had to fit the 3rd battery.

  Bike is constantly on a Intelli charger but still chews batteries.

  Just wondering if anyone has figured out  a way to piss of the alarm without killing the ignition?
  

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  Far Canal

  5 years ago

  Sounds pretty unusual to me.

  If you do lots of short rides, ie ride to work every day and it is only a couple of ks. That will do it.

  Or perhaps turn your ignition on then faff round putting on helmet,jacket,gloves etc before you start it. That won't help.

  Have you checked the charging?.

  Got about 9 years out of my first battery and it was still working when I changed it.

  A really low amp trickle charger is a good thing.
  

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  Oz Dan

  5 years ago

  I'm with Far - very unusual.....something defiantly not right.
  

  So my special topic is the bleeding obvious.....its a alternator/regulator issue. If you can't diagnose take it to a shop....

  
  

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  Pedro123

  5 years ago

  Probably don't get to ride the bike as much as I would like to, or should, but you'd think that after a month on a trickle charger it would start.

  I did notice that in the last few days/ week the charger was showing that it was constantly charging, not sitting steady in a charged state.
  Once I get a new battery fitted to it and take it for a run I'll put a meter or two on it and check the charging system and residual current draw.

  Would still lovev to piss off the alarm though.
  

  
  

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  Far Canal

  5 years ago

  Typically the alarm hardly uses any power, providing the loud alarm/siren is not on continually which I'm sure it isn't.
  

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  Krash Kinkade

  5 years ago

  Perdro123 , I have a carb sporty . but have you monitored how many volt the battery has in it? I think they need more than 11.5 + volt to power the ECU.

  I keep my bike on a battery tender ( plug in - unplug ) I ride it a lot , only battery trouble I've had is battery terminal breaking off. I have not had battery go flat.

  but like you said if battery plugged into a charger or tender, I would expect it to be right to go. so all I can think of is to monitor how many volt the battery has say once a week.Are you using the Harley AGM battery? & if third one in three years I hope they are giving you new ones under warranty.

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  Mr.Mow

  5 years ago

  You don’t keep the key fob in range of the bike do you? I’ve been told if the security system is in range it will continually ping the fob.. not sure how true that is though.

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  Pedro123

  5 years ago

  Key fob is not near bike.
  

  Battery is constantly on charge.

  No short rides, when I do get to ride it's usually for a few hours at a time.

  Testing still to come.
  

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  Ken in Cairns

  5 years ago

  Also check you ground leads, they have a habit of loosining off.

  Something is amiss somewhere.

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  tussuck

  5 years ago

  So its either....
  

  - a large drain when the bike is turned off (this can be tested with a multimeter with the bike NOT on the charger)

  - a buggered charging system not charging the battery properly (too much or too little) and therefore reducing its life expectancy.  use the manual to do a charging system test.

  - Cheap or poor quality batteries from the same maker.  Perhaps try a different brand. Use a sealed type as they are maintenance free.  Do NOT use a Lithium UNLESS the trickle charger and bike charger are right for the job as they have different charging needs.

  - The Earth wire and other wires may be loose or buggered and thereby causeing ALL charging (bike or mains) to be hit and miss.  Sporties are reknown for having iffy earth leads.  I would start here!

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  Lozz

  5 years ago

  If your jiffy stand is straight on concrete or dirt you might get slow earth leak. Try putting a block of wood, chunk of rubber or mat under it, if you haven't already. Does make a difference. Just suggesting.

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  tussuck

  5 years ago

  Quoting Lozz on 07 Nov 2019 07:34 AM

  If your jiffy stand is straight on concrete or dirt you might get slow earth leak. Try putting a block of wood, chunk of rubber or mat under it, if you haven't already. Does make a difference. Just suggesting.

  WTF....  Must be because the jiffy stand is right next to the flux capacitor!  (you gotta start sharing your meds around too)

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  Pedro123

  5 years ago

  Checked the battery drain, not excessive.

  Checked the charging system, ok.

  Checked the charger (ctek) , ok.

  Checked the earths, ok.

  Put in new battery and it fired up first go.

  Car battery purchased from same company, different brand, died just out of warranty too.

  Lozz is the second person to mention the drain through the stand this week, maybe there's something in it. Battery earthed on engine, engine connected to frame, frame to stand, stand to ground?
  

  
  
  

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  Wideglider

  5 years ago

  Quoting Pedro123 on 11 Nov 2019 09:04 AM

  Checked the battery drain, not excessive.

  Checked the charging system, ok.

  Checked the charger (ctek) , ok.

  Checked the earths, ok.

  Put in new battery and it fired up first go.

  Car battery purchased from same company, different brand, died just out of warranty too.

  Lozz is the second person to mention the drain through the stand this week, maybe there's something in it. Battery earthed on engine, engine connected to frame, frame to stand, stand to ground?
  

  
  
  

  Wow, a new discovery this electrical issue, just now after over a hundred years of motorcycling!

  HD and all the other motorcycle makers should be ashamed of themselves that they haven't informed us of this 'battery drain through sidestand' issue. A recall of all motorcycles should happen without delay.
  
  

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  HOG63

  5 years ago

  Charger maybe not so intelligent. 

  Constantly charging (flat-out, not a trickle) cooks batteries. 

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  Wideglider

  5 years ago

  Quoting HOG63 on 11 Nov 2019 11:44 AMedited: 11 Nov 2019 11:45 AM

  Charger maybe not so intelligent. 

  Constantly charging (flat-out, not a trickle) cooks batteries. 

  A quick check with a voltmeter will reveal charging state with both the alternator or the charger.

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  Pedro123

  5 years ago

  Harley wouldn' recall for a known problem let alone a suspect one. Ha ha
  

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  daddyracer56

  5 years ago

  on da Sportys late model da earth lead can cum loose because of da vibration etc , always check she's tight, its a bit hard too get too 

   a long skinny 10m.m. helps 

   check for any drainage leaks , and check charge rate

  
  

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  tussuck

  5 years ago

  I would try a different place to buy batteries from as well.  Its all a little suspious that place.

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  WideglidingNZ

  5 years ago

  What brand of Battery are you using?