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Gel battery

S

ssco156

Forum Apprentice
Can I replace the AGM battery with a Gel? The charging voltage on my bike is 14.5V to 15V. Thanks in advance.
 
Weather lead acid (also called conventual or wet cell), AGM, Gel cell, or the new Lithium-ion, all would be fine.
 
I prefer AGM over Gel from personal experience. They are hardier. Li-ion is the least hardy of all of them so far in my experience. I think when the actual storage capacity nears that of an AGM (like the REALLY expensive big ones from Antigravity) for a reasonable price then it will be the way forward. Right now compactness & weight are the only reasons to have one.. :)
 
Rob, about normal around here, terrible ice storm end of Jan. beautiful spring weather end of Feb. Personally I've had no problems... When I see that stuff from up your way on national news, Hoping everybody is getting along O.K.
 
salty_monk said:
I prefer AGM over Gel from personal experience. They are hardier. Li-ion is the least hardy of all of them so far in my experience. I think when the actual storage capacity nears that of an AGM (like the REALLY expensive big ones from Antigravity) for a reasonable price then it will be the way forward. Right now compactness & weight are the only reasons to have one.. :)
Click to expand...

Don't some Lithium-ion mc batteries (placed in 80's motorcycles) perhaps, potentially, possibly encounter slight incompatibility issues with the original 80's charging system?
 
Lithium batteries have a higher charge threshold.
If you throw 13.3v at a lead acid battery it will eventually charge, a lithium battery needs a jolt of about 15v to start to charge, then you drop the voltage. If you use a regular lead acid charger it will never charge as it will never reach that threshold..
A AGM battery is "absorbent glass matt". It has a gauze that absorbs the acid.
A GEL battery has acid in a gel.
Both act like a regular lead acid battery, the gel and matt are to make less maintenance required (the acid doesn't evaporate as easily) but are the same technology
... so if you want to use a lithium battery you should replace the regulator to one that is compatible with lithium. The stator will charge it, it just need the higher threshold.

The battery that is easiest to keep going is an old lead acid with caps... so you can top up the electrolyte (We spend a lot of time and money on "maintenance free")
 
bitzz said:
The battery that is easiest to keep going is an old lead acid with caps... so you can top up the electrolyte (We spend a lot of time and money on "maintenance free")
Click to expand...

You ever tried even seeing the top of the battery on a stock 82-83 11E? :congratulatory:
 
"The battery that is easiest to keep going is an old lead acid with caps... so you can top up the electrolyte (We spend a lot of time and money on "maintenance free")"

That's easier than installing an AGM and never having to touch it? I'm obviously confused? Or does "maintenance free" have a new meaning?:p
 
I don’t get it either Ron, I haven’t had a sealed AGM battery drip any fluid on anything, like the old type with caps that you have to fill with electrolyte.
 
ssco156 said:
Can I replace the AGM battery with a Gel? The charging voltage on my bike is 14.5V to 15V. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Am I missing something here? If your bike is charging upwards of 15V, doesn't that indicate a problem with the reg/rectifier?
 
Thank goodness for the "AGM's", For me, adding any water to any motorcycle batt is always an aggravation , especially when you got a GS you got to remove the seat, tank, and air box just to see the battery. No more "old lead acid batteries with caps" for me. AGM's for me till they come up with something better at a reasonable price.
 
rphillips said:
Thank goodness for the "AGM's", For me, adding any water to any motorcycle batt is always an aggravation , especially when you got a GS you got to remove the seat, tank, and air box just to see the battery. No more "old lead acid batteries with caps" for me. AGM's for me till they come up with something better at a reasonable price.
Click to expand...

Here here! Couldn't agree more. :)
 
Thanks for the reminder, fellas. Need to check the battery in my sports car.
Original 9 year old battery that requires maintenance. :cool::cool:

 
... and how many of you have a 9 yr old "maintenance free" battery? The serviceable battery in my truck is 8 or 9 yrs old.
My point was/is: you can maintain a battery with caps. if you overheat a "maintenance free"; there's a good chance it is done.
A "maintenance free" battery is convenient, a maintainable battery should last longer... IF you maintain it, "maintenance free" is not free.
 
Since I've been using them the AGM's, I haven't noticed a difference in them and the old Lead Acid, as for how long they last.
 
bitzz said:
... and how many of you have a 9 yr old "maintenance free" battery? The serviceable battery in my truck is 8 or 9 yrs old.
My point was/is: you can maintain a battery with caps. if you overheat a "maintenance free"; there's a good chance it is done.
A "maintenance free" battery is convenient, a maintainable battery should last longer... IF you maintain it, "maintenance free" is not free.
Click to expand...

I've got two AGMs in my bikes, I tend to swap them around every year to even their wear out. Both are at least nine years old now.
Prior to that, I had a calcium-doped maint-free battery in my van. It left the factory in 2001, and I sold the van with that battery still working perfectly fine, in around 2017.
So, in short, I'd disagree.
However, look after the charging system above all else.
 
Grimly said:
However, look after the charging system above all else.
Click to expand...

I agree with this.

Another thing I've have learned to be cautious of, is Battery Tenders.
I don't leave mine plugged in during storage. Once a month I'll but it on until it's charged, then take it off.
 
I've looked, though not recently, for a trickle charger, or tender, that turns completely off when batt. is fully charged then comes back on when, if, batt drops a little. as many chargers and marine chargers do, seems simple. Maybe I'm not clicking the right buttons but so far I haven't found one...Thinking my regular charger set on 2A that turns completely off when batt. is full charged should be better than a tender that never turns off, just drops to a very low charge rate.... Opinions?
 
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