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Battery draining power.

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Tommyc, Oct 4, 2011.

  1. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    I suspect something is draining powere from the battery on my 1970 shovelhead. Is that possible when the ignition is off? Is there a way to check for this?
    Thanks guys!
    Tommyc, Oct 4, 2011
    #1
  3. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    FLHTbiker, Oct 4, 2011
    #2
  4. eieio4tn

    eieio4tn Active Member

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    just for kicks and giggles...try it with the battery cover off. my shovel drained to the cover until i lined the lid with teflon. no more loss.
    eieio4tn, Oct 4, 2011
    #3
  5. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    a volt meter will give you a false reading looking for a draw. it is too sensitive...

    take the pos. cables off the battery. take a testlight and connect to the power cable that leads to the bike....the bigger one will go to the starter......attach the aligator clip to the wire and stick the probe to the pos.post. the light should not burn. if it does there is a draw. start removing fuses one at a time, and checking all the circuits. wiggle the ignition switch.....ect. ect.
    chucktx, Oct 4, 2011
    #4
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    What chuck said


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    hotroadking, Oct 4, 2011
    #5
  7. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    The current meter on a volt tester should do the same thing. Used it before and worked. What your doing will work also. :D
    FLHTbiker, Oct 4, 2011
    #6
  8. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    Thanks guys!
    Tommyc, Oct 5, 2011
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  9. Tommyc

    Tommyc Active Member

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    will the test light trick work if connected thru the negative cable too? I did that last night and no light came on. I think my battery was just dead. I left the ignition on over night. I think that killed it.
    Tommyc, Oct 6, 2011
    #8
  10. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep, that will do it :D
    FLHTbiker, Oct 6, 2011
    #9
  11. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Yeah if you are gonna check for power draw, having power helps...

    You got a battery tender for it? Should pick one up, made in Deltona,
    you can get them most anywhere it's a smart charger...
    hotroadking, Oct 6, 2011
    #10
  12. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    it works from neg. sometimes...........i have had better luck going to pos.
    chucktx, Oct 6, 2011
    #11

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