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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: frankenduck on August 06, 2012, 11:56:47 PM
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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 (http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX15L-Battery.html) (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.
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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.
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I put a piece of 1/8" industrial rubber on the positive terminal to keep it from shorting.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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/ (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 (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 (http://www.abri.net/sq2000/LiFePO4.html)
good news for people who like supporting made in the USA, Ballistic is based in Wisconsin.
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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 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=770364)
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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.
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bmp because I added another battery to the first post.
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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...
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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.)
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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)
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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.
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best deal on pc680 battery at autoplicity dot com... (http://autoplicity.com/347588-odyssey-battery-power-sports-battery) 100% yeeehaaaaaaa...
have had 4 of them... always good to go for this motobricker...
doo your doo dillergence...
j o
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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I have been using big cranks for a while in track and vintage cars. Good stuff and many sizes.
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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
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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...
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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 (http://www.largiader.com/articles/battery.html) that might be helpful—especially #4 in the FAQ section.
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I bought the Odyssey PC680 from Battery Mart. It has been in there for about 6 months. No more ABS alt blinking b.s. and fits perfectly. I bought this brand based on all of the reviews from multiple sources. A tad higher than BMW but not enough to cause a fit issue. There are less expensive alternatives on the market but I don't plan on buying another battery for this bike anytime soon.
BTW, I use a battery tender junior when it is cold out, plugged into the BMW power outlet...so convenient.
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Thanks for the answers,
Odyssey PC680 seems to be a 16 Ah with a capacity as 20 Ah.
the #4 in the FAQ section is interesting but it's quite complicated to measure the current (A)
Actually if someone tested batteries can telle me :
- 10Ah yes or no
- 12Ah yes or no
- 14Ah yes or no
I read that a 15 Ah can start a K100. But on a K75 (mine don't have ABS), compression are higher :dunno
My last possibility is to go in a shop, ask for a batterie, try it and bring back if it doesn't start !
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AH rating has nothing to do with starting the engine beyond telling you how long you can crank an engine that won't start before the battery goes dead. What you want to know is the CCA rating which tells you how much power the battery will provide for the starter. The higher the CCA, the faster and harder the starter will spin the engine for starting.
I have been using a 20 AH, 225 CCA AGM battery in my K75RT for three years now and it always gives me a good start even at temperatures as low as 10 degrees F.
225CCA at 10V(what the battery voltage drops to under heavy starting load) yields around 3HP to the starter motor to spin the engine. This should be more than enough to start even a stone cold brick engine.
With a fully charged 20AH battery you should have something like 3 minutes of cranking before the battery is discharged to 1/2 of it's capacity at which point the ability to spin the engine will become marginal.
While cranking can use a lot of current(amps) the AH used is very small because the engine usually starts after only 1 or 2 seconds of cranking. A normal start only uses about 0.1AH.
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Thanks for the answers,
Odyssey PC680 seems to be a 16 Ah with a capacity as 20 Ah.
the #4 in the FAQ section is interesting but it's quite complicated to measure the current (A)
Actually if someone tested batteries can telle me :
- 10Ah yes or no
- 12Ah yes or no
- 14Ah yes or no
I read that a 15 Ah can start a K100. But on a K75 (mine don't have ABS), compression are higher :dunno
My last possibility is to go in a shop, ask for a batterie, try it and bring back if it doesn't start !
Well.....pc680'S are used in race cars to start 3+ liter high compression engines....starting any motorcycle is a non-issue.
And I have a 680 in my k75s.
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I think what Totem is looking for is a petite battery—small, elegant yet energetic, the style and presence of Zoe Kravitz combined with the power of Thor. He seems not to have sorted how any of this bothersome electrical stuff works, and who can blame him.
So I'm just going to answer the substance of his questions although briefer than I did before because he doesn't seem concerned with the long term. Maybe he's never going to shut off the engine once it starts.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
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If you want something really really small, someone recommended this to me: http://www.masolise.com/batterie-moto-ulm-lithium-12v-c2x9183182
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Thank you for these answers and especially Colly.
I know Solise very well because I bought one of the battery but...I took a 240CCA but it's really not enought powerful with this Solise technology.
That's why I come back with a lead solution and it's also cheaper.
I'm here to find the best solution of my needs and understand the choice. You seems to have the knowledges and I'm here to learn.
Yes I thought that "Ah" was proportionnal with CCA and The Mighty Gryphon helped to re-oriented my battery research.
Laitch, thanks for the joke
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I've read good recommendations for Deka AGM batteries and using their EXT 30L in my R100 for three years now. Totem95b: a good fit for the K75S is the EXT 16L but a 30L will give you 400 CCA - enough for an arc-welder and it still fits the battery tray. Notice the dimensions cited for these are the battery overall dimension, the base dimension to fit the tray is slightly smaller. A complete line of Deka batteries are offered by vendors on eBay, reasonably priced. The factory charging system is designed for conventional lead-acid batteries, there are considerations when dropping in gel and Lithium storage batteries and a topic for a new post. Thanks to all for their contributions to this topic.
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Just buy the Odyssey and be done with it.
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Just buy the Odyssey and be done with it.
:2thumbup:
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I'm going on my 4th season with a Scorpion AGM battery in my RT and S. They never fail to start even when the temperature is down in the teens. Around 80 bucks if I recall.
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Deka AGM 8 years second one 5 years currently running a Rev Plus for coming up to 4 years due to the unavailability of the Deka at the time.
Regards Martin.
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Johnny knows (East Penn Mfg) :deal: listen to johnny. Tx all.
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I use a Bosch Miata battery.
For a very nice installation, have these folks make you a custom negative cable with a negative terminal on one end and a lug on the other.
http://www.2xpower.com/Custom-Battery-Cables_c_60.html
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I have the Panasonic LC-X1228.
I have to say that I am very, very, impressed with how resilient it is in the face of neglect. The bike sat for two years when I found it, it was able to easily turn over the engine. It has been neglected and abused for at least 7 years in total, and it still works fine.
If it were to crap out on me, I would definitely buy one again (if I could find one).
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Hi all,
When the Westco that was in my K75C died last year I replaced it with an "Xtreme AGM Battery CYLA30LXTA" from Batteries Plus.
Good specs, fit like a glove and most importantly it was half an hour away. Also a 10% discount when ordering online for p/u and I
could turn in my core. No problems so far (including heated gear). It spends the winter in an unheated shed on a tender and fired her right up a couple of weeks ago.
Ride safe,
Best, Steve
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I had a PC680 in my Corvette and it started it for 2 years before it bit it. I didn't think it would last even that long. I was shaving every pound off my car at the time.