Maintenance free batteries?

[detorn]

I have to replace the battery on my GS550M. I have been able to track down the manual suggested replacement, but I was curious about maintenance free batteries.

The question is, as long as size and capacity are the same, can I use any battery?

I'm curious about these batteries because I am in a cold climate and wish to keep the bike running year round. From what I read the maintenance free batteries are better for this. Here is one option.

Thoughts...

 

[Steve]

I don't know anything about that particular brand, but the type of battery (AGM) is what is highly-recommended by many of us. They tend to have a little more capacity in the same size shell, so it should work well.

Check your charging system to make sure it's putting out all it can. AGM batteries like just a little more voltage than wet-cell batteries, so if you are putting out about 13.6 to 13.8 volts, you will still have a decently-charged battery, but it won't be at its full potential.

Like any other battery, an AGM is less likely to freeze when it's charged, but you will really appreciate not having to ever check the electrolyte level.

.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I agree, AGM battery is the way to go. I put a stock size Yuasa AGM battery in mine and it works great. There are others...

http://www.batterystuff.com/ - Batteries, etc.
http://www.bigcrank.com/ - Big Crank Batteries
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/ - Batteries, etc.


Many use the inexpensive AGM batteries from Wal-Mart. Interstate makes decent batteries too. AGM batteries don't spill and there's no levels to check. Just remember they must be properly initialized.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[detorn]

http://www.batterystuff.com/ - Batteries, etc.
BassCliff

Glad to see you include these guys in your list, their site is shady/ghetto but I ordered this from them anyway. With free shipping and the low price, I figured I'd give it a try.

The description says that the battery comes "ready to install" so I shouldn't have to do anything to it.

I'll post a review of the battery and the site when it all comes in.

 

[marvinsc]

One of the better upgrades you can do IMHO.

 

[pontiacstogo]

Gotta toss in another one;

www.batterymart.com

They carry the Big Crank line too - I've bought four Big Crank AGM's from them; the first was purchased in 2004 and they're all still going strong.

 

[Guest]

AGM is def. the way to go. I also suggest getting a battery tender / smart charger, and wire in the pigtail when you install the new battery, since you (like myself) plan on leaving the battery installed in the bike all winter. Hooked up to the tender via the pigtail, I've never had the battery off the bike in 4 years, with no adverse effects (winters in Canada = brutally low temps!)
There are actually only a few battery manufacturers....many of the batteries out there are essentially the same, re-badged and marketed under a dozen different name brands.....if you research the actual specs published by the different companies, performance in terms of CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) is the same for Yuasa, Big Crank, and a bunch of the other popular brands (it's been 4 years since I did this, but IIRC they were all putting out 210 or 215 CCA), so be aware that more expensive isn't necessarily better.
Tony.

 

[bwringer]

I'll admit that I don't have a Big Crank, but I've met men who do have Big Cranks, and they seem very happy with their Big Cranks.



Anyway, to me, one of the nicest parts of sealed batteries is that they can't leak and spit acid all over irreplaceable parts. All my bikes are wearing AGM batteries -- a Yuasa in the GS, a WallyWorld EverStart AGM in the VX800, and another Yuasa that came with the V-Strom.

Just say "no" to vent tubes...

 

[bonanzadave]

http://www.batteriesplus.com/produc...585-Suzuki/1982-DASH--DASH-1977/GS550M/1.aspx

 

[Steve]

The description says that the battery comes "ready to install" so I shouldn't have to do anything to it.

I would not be so sure about that. :-k

Did you notice the post just before yours?

Just remember they must be properly initialized.

Giving the battery a proper, full charge before you ever apply ANY load to it will go a long way to maximize its potential and life.
The nice part of this is that, even if your AGM battery is only operating at 80% of its capacity, it's still better than a 100% wet-cell battery.

.

 

[detorn]

This is quoted from under features on the batteries page

"Scorpion AGM Battery ships charged and ready to install."

:Shrug:

I'll hit it with a voltmeter when I install to see where its at.

 

[Steve]

Yes, they say that it is charged, but when was it charged? :-k

Even AGM batteries will self-discharge over time, so if it was charged last week or last month, it should be topped off BEFORE YOU PUT A LOAD ON IT. Even if you only install it, then turn the key on to make sure it works, that load puts a cap on the capacity. It will be very hard to get it past that point by charging it. Charge it FIRST, then turn on the key. BassCliff posted a link to one of his pages that has another link to the actual article about properly charging batteries.

.

 

[GavinJuice]

Why is this?

Even if you only install it, then turn the key on to make sure it works, that load puts a cap on the capacity. It will be very hard to get it past that point by charging it.

 

[Steve]

I don't know the exact chemistry behind it, but you can get a better idea if you read the article that BassCliff linked in his post, way, way back there in post #3.
You may not have noticed the link, you had to click on the words "properly initialized". There, I just made the reference to the link a link.
Either click on that or click here: http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/newbattery.htm and read the article. It's long, but VERY informative.

.

 

[tomcat24551]

Read the specs and get a 14 Amp Hr. AGM battery if you can find one. Check the ones at Advance Auto.

 

[pontiacstogo]

For what it's worth;

I have four Big Crank EXT15L's in four different bikes. The first was purchased in 2004. I do not (and have never) used a battery tender on any of them - they went into the bikes straight from the box. This time of the year (last week in fact ) I park the bikes for the winter and the batteries stay in the bikes and connected. My garage is unheated and I do not run the bikes through the winter. When spring rolls around, the bikes all fire up without any top up charging required.

I've only had to charge a Big Crank once, and that was when I came home from a ride and left the ignition and lights on and went inside.

They have an added benefit of spinning the engines over faster when starting too.

 

[Glen]

Yes, they say that it is charged, but when was it charged? :-k

Even AGM batteries will self-discharge over time, so if it was charged last week or last month, it should be topped off BEFORE YOU PUT A LOAD ON IT. Even if you only install it, then turn the key on to make sure it works, that load puts a cap on the capacity. It will be very hard to get it past that point by charging it. Charge it FIRST, then turn on the key. BassCliff posted a link to one of his pages that has another link to the actual article about properly charging batteries.

.

I just bought a Scorpion battery, and the instructions that came with it say to check the voltage. If it's under 12.6 volts, charge before using. If it's over 12.6, it does not need to be charged.

Mine read 13.0 volts so I just ran it. I hope they're right!

 

[emjay]

I'll admit that I don't have a Big Crank, but I've met men who do have Big Cranks, and they seem very happy with their Big Cranks.

Just say "no" to vent tubes...

My big crank has a vent tube.

 

[Guest]

My big crank has a vent tube.

Some older ones may use catheters.
Better a big crank than a bent crank, no?
They are re-labeled Deka batteries.
Tony.