Author Topic: Battery recommendations (Read 56367 times)

frankenduck · « **on:** August 06, 2012, 11:56:47 PM »

The "go-to" battery for many motobrickers, including me, is the Osyssey PC680. Sealed (no maintenance), reliability and long life are it's key attributes. Be sure to shop around as the pricing on them varies widely. It will fit all classic K bikes and for 93 and earlier bikes it is a "half-sized" battery and will shave off some weight if you're currently running a full-sized battery.

Other batteries worthy of note: Below are a couple of other K-compatible batteries that have good reputations.

Westco 12V30: SEALED BATTERY, AGM TYPE, 12 VOLT, 30 AH, NB, 350 CCA This is a full-sized battery and will not work on ABS II K1100s. I don't have first-hand experience with mounting one of these but you supposedly need slightly longer bolts as they are a bit taller than a stock battery. This little hurdle can be easily overcome by purchasing some M6 "threaded bar stock" and a couple of M6 lock nuts at the local hardware store. Get stainless if they have it.

Panasonic LC-X1228: SEALED, 28 Ah. This is a full-sized battery that is slightly taller than stock. I've had one of these in my K1100LT for years and it has been quite reliable. It is slightly taller than stock. On my 93 I was able to overcome the bolt issue by using K75 battery hold down bolts.

ADDED 2/5/13: After doing some poking around today I ran across Battery Mart's USA-made "Big Crank" AGM batteries that seem to be a well-respected battery. Probably too thick for an ABS II bike but they have several that will work for K bikes with the "full size" battery tray.
The ETX15L (L for reversed polarity which is good for Ks) is smaller than a PC680 and weighs 5-6 pounds less for $72 with free shipping.

A word of caution when buying batteries online: Many times you'll find battery sites with apparently very good prices. Many times what they're selling is a "replacement for" and not the actual named battery itself. Be sure to read all of the details on a web page to make sure you're getting the actual battery you want. Otherwise you'll end up with a cheap bottom-of-the-line "equivalent" battery.

If anyone else wants to share their opinions on batteries then feel free to add to this thread.

Scott_ · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2012, 12:44:26 AM »

I've had good results with the Westco 12V20P.
I have one in each of my LT's.
The only caution is to have a piece of plastic for an insulator under the motronic ECM, as it's possible for the + terminal rings to make contact as they are wider and can potentially contact the underside motronic.
Other than that little issue to be aware of, a good solid battery.

frankenduck · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2012, 01:09:34 AM »

I put a piece of 1/8" industrial rubber on the positive terminal to keep it from shorting.

argent brick · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2012, 01:19:11 AM »

I just had to replace the battery installed by my bikes PO. He was running a Yuasa #53030. The thing is huge. Lasted 5 years.
I wanted a PC680, but no one in my area had one in stock. I ended up with a MS 53030, the AGM version of my old battery.
Time will tell if I made the correct choice.

billday · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2012, 01:34:03 PM »

No complaints on the Westco battery I bought last year. I'd read some negative comments about Westco but it was cheap and easy to buy from Beemer Boneyard, so I went with it. 9 months, more than 10,000 miles, winter storage (with Battery Tender Jr) -- no problems.

The Westco is indeed taller than standard, and Beemer Boneyard helpfully supplies a pair of long bolts (with convenient Allen heads) with the battery. My concern has always been that the brain box basically rides on top of the Westco battery, instead of hanging in the air by the rubber donuts. I don't like wondering whether vibration from the road and the engine might one day scramble my bike's brains.

Chaos · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2012, 04:50:46 PM »

I got 7+ years out of a Westco, no complaints. Have an Odyssey now. I have heard of problems with the Westco on newer bikes with Can-bus systems.

healthy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:02:29 PM »

anyone have any input regarding lithium batteries vs these sealed ones? By Spec and price they seem comparable, just much smaller and lighter.

http://www.amazon.com/Ballistic-Performance-Evo2-Battery-100-011/dp/B0068EQOYI/

This one has a stated capacity of 15AH and cold crank amperage of 275A, but at 1.7lbs it is crazy light.

http://www.ballisticparts.com/products/batteries/8cell.php

I also found this page comparing the 12 cell version (in this case 2x of them) to one of the odyssey PC680. it states that the Odyssey actually has CCA at 680 for the first 5 seconds, though i'm finding it tough to compare apples to apples, things get confusing pretty quickly. http://www.abri.net/sq2000/LiFePO4.html

good news for people who like supporting made in the USA, Ballistic is based in Wisconsin.

healthy · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:48:05 PM »

found this long thread over at ADV, lots of info and it seems like the marketing materials can be a bit misleading, and it really depends on how your bike charges the batt during operation.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=770364

Lawrence · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2012, 03:49:53 PM »

I was a big fan of the Odysse 680 batteries, having owned 3 of them -- then I bought the latest. It is defective, will not hold a charge more than a few weeks. Major bummer. Other such batteries have gone more than one-half year without measurable discharge. If you buy this battery and have any doubts at all, I'd recommend that you don't wait but immediately contact the seller with your concerns.

frankenduck · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2013, 03:12:55 PM »

because I added another battery to the first post.

Qdude · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2013, 01:36:33 PM »

How do you know if your 93 k1100lt ABS is ABS II or not?
I am choosing a battery right now and there appear to be restrictions around this designation...

frankenduck · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2013, 02:23:26 PM »

A 93 will have ABS I.

You can confirm this by the ABS modulators mounted behind the peg plates. (They're "internal" on ABS II bikes.)

NickAndHisBrick · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2013, 06:41:07 AM »

I would like to add that the Bikemaster brand gel batteries are 25% shit. Seriously a large number are DOA from the MFG / dealer. Mine personally was incapable of starting the bike @ 9 months old, and was also so bad it would act as a dead short in the system.

Bikemaster batteries = 25% chance you should just smashyour alt with a sledgehammer and consider yourself lucky i the process.

(the statements i have made are my own personal opnionion, it is up to the reader to determine if i am correct. YMMV)

argent brick · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2013, 12:29:30 PM »

Quote from: NickAndHisBrick on February 13, 2013, 06:41:07 AM

I would like to add that the Bikemaster brand gel batteries are 25% shit. Seriously a large number are DOA from the MFG / dealer. Mine personally was incapable of starting the bike @ 9 months old, and was also so bad it would act as a dead short in the system.

Bikemaster batteries = 25% chance you should just smashyour alt with a sledgehammer and consider yourself lucky i the process.

(the statements i have made are my own personal opnionion, it is up to the reader to determine if i am correct. YMMV)

Like I said, it was not my first choice. So far, mine has been OK.The darn thing was made in China and I am not crazy about that. There is no power where my bike is stored when I am not riding so I don't even have it on a tender. Maybe I got lucky.

johnny · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2014, 09:04:04 PM »

best deal on pc680 battery at autoplicity dot com... 100% yeeehaaaaaaa...

have had 4 of them... always good to go for this motobricker...

doo your doo dillergence...

j o

whiteout · « **Reply #15 on:** March 08, 2015, 03:42:35 PM »

I just installed a Westco 12V-20P AGM in my 2004 K1200RS. The current batteries have lead terminals (not the thin stainless ones). I had to file the top of the positive terminal bolt hole up a few mm so the stud on the positive battery cable terminal fitting would slide in. The cable terminal fitting interfered with the top of the battery as it is supplied.

john

Gio · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2015, 05:25:31 PM »

I've also had very good experience with Odyssey on the MG (not enough experience with the brick yet) - and to earlier post regarding those crazy light lithium alternatives - have read that they are indeed crazy light - but also reports of lack of cranking power ..?

Gio

whiteout · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2015, 03:35:27 PM »

On March 8, 2015, I purchased an Odyssey PC680 for the K75s from Autoplicity. They billed my VISA card right away. Last week I e-mailed to see when they would ship the battery. I figured it was over a week overdue. Today I found out that they will ship the battery on April 8, 2015 maybe. They couldn't be sure. I think 4 weeks is a bit excessive! They haven't responded to explain why I have been billed for it already. I'll discuss it with VISA when I get home.

Last month I purchased a Westco 12V20P from Beemerboneyard for the K1200RS. It arrived in less than a week. However, when I asked them why they wouldn't ship it by priority mail, even though the post office permits it, they didn't respond.

Fair Winds,

john

whiteout · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2015, 01:51:31 PM »

The other day, I received an email from Autoplicity saying they were shipping my battery on 4/8/2015. On the 9th, I emailed them to see if they had done so. They had not it turns out. Now they are saying 4/13/2015 for the battery I purchased on 3/8/2015 which they said they would ship in 1-3 days. They have lied to me twice now, but feel it is appropriate that they have billed me for the battery they haven't sent.

john

vintagemilano · « **Reply #19 on:** May 02, 2015, 05:17:27 PM »

I just replaced my battery and the battery I pulled out hasn't been mentioned before, it was an oem Harley battery, pn 66010-97a. Fit great, better I think than the Tussaud 53030 I put in there, is an agm type with positive on the left. Probably a pretty good option for people in towns that don't have good support but a Harley dealer around.

JVDH · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2016, 02:22:19 PM »

Just ordered Battery Mart's Big Crank ETX15L that Frankenduck recommended, it should get to me by next week. I will update regarding fitment, and eventually performance. I am replacing a stock battery.

K1300S · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2016, 03:11:59 PM »

I have been using big cranks for a while in track and vintage cars. Good stuff and many sizes.

colly · « **Reply #22 on:** April 27, 2016, 06:57:07 AM »

Does anyone know what the smallest battery is that would suit the K100? I believe some of the Lithium Ion ones are far smaller. I'm building a Café project and want to hide it in the tail section. Can anyone point me in the right direction please? Thanks

Totem95d · « **Reply #23 on:** June 04, 2016, 05:17:45 PM »

Quote from: colly on April 27, 2016, 06:57:07 AM

Does anyone know what the smallest battery is that would suit the K100? I believe some of the Lithium Ion ones are far smaller. I'm building a Café project and want to hide it in the tail section. Can anyone point me in the right direction please? Thanks

Did you go further with a small battery ?
Before order it , I would like to know if a 14Ah can start a K75...

Laitch · « **Reply #24 on:** June 04, 2016, 07:40:53 PM »

Quote from: Totem95d on June 04, 2016, 05:17:45 PM

Before order it , I would like to know if a 14Ah can start a K75...

It will start it. How many times it will start the bike depends on the condition of your alternator, the amount of equipment drawing current from the battery, the construction of the battery and how much the bike is ridden. Here's a little information that might be helpful—especially #4 in the FAQ section.

News:

Author Topic: Battery recommendations (Read 56367 times)