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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through September 24, 2008 » Time for a new battery...What kind? » Archive through September 20, 2008 « Previous Next »

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Andrejs2112
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 06:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's time for a new battery for my Uly. What is the best replacement?
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Jcbikes
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 06:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Buell stock battery
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Chrisrogers3
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 07:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

+1 on the stock
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Andrejs2112
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 08:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Happen to have the Buell part number?

Thanks
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Gwis2
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Anyone ever try one of those Odyssey Drycell Batteries? I see them listed in my Aerostich catalog and although they do list a model number for Buells, It doesn't list the Uly. Just wonderin' ....
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Andrejs2112
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 01:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

H-D part number: 65948-00
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Etennuly
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 03:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Uly battery is the same as all of the XB's and the Blast.
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Jcbikes
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 05:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

$99 at my dealer. All batteries have had a price increase because of the lead, they told me.
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Johnboy777
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 06:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've been using the wireless battery from Aerostich; a little spendy, but it really works.

LINK:
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Wireless-Batte ry-p-20344.html

.
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Gsilvernale
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 06:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Whatever you do, stay away from Advance Batteries. I went through 2 of them on my VFR in about six months. Only $60, I guess you get what you pay for.
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Etennuly
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 11:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm not too interested in replacing with another HD battery. Buell SM requires 12.6v minimum before testing the bikes systems, mine was never above 12.3 when the bike was new and even right after charging. The dealer said it tested normal, I pointed out the discrepancy and they said not to worry about it.

I will be looking elsewhere. Funny thing, tonight I looked at Wally World and they had several batteries in stock, all with the boxes open and some looking like the posts were corroded. That looked like a bad omen to me.

I'm going to check with my truck battery supplier. Damn things are probably all made in China from our old recycled stuff anyway!
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Gamdh
Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 11:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've been looking at batteries... these are the 2 I've found. Have had good luck with Yuasa in the past.. no experiance with the BigCrank.

http://www.yuasabatteries.com/battery_search.asp
YTX14 (factory activated)

http://www.bigcrank.com/motorcyclebatteries.mv?p=B IG-ETX14

(Message edited by gamdh on September 06, 2008)
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Xbimmer
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 12:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm looking too, but if I have to spend $100 I'm leaning toward Westco.

When I looked into batteries last summer when my charging system dumped BHD batteries were $75. Rise in price of lead...? Whatever.
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Red_chili
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 02:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've been using the wireless battery from Aerostich; a little spendy, but it really works.

LINK:
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Wireless-Batte ry-p-20344.html
It's OK, Johnboy, *I* got it!!! LOL
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Rwven
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 10:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I had a Big Crank battery in my last bike (Honda PC800). My experience was positive, it withstood several full discharges due to a faulty charging system and was still working fine when I sold the bike. (Yes, I did repair the charging system before selling it!)
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Ratbuell
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 10:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ron - you sold the PC800??? That says great things about your Uly experience, but wow....that was a gorgeous bike! : )
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Etennuly
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 09:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, I was at a different Wally World yesterday and they had the ES14BS Everstart battery in a sealed unopened box for 62.00, so I bought one.

This is a no maintenance liquid acid sealed battery. You have to put the acid in, install the seal caps(never to be opened again), let the acid settle for a half hour, and do a slow charge for a few hours.

Putting the battery in the bike was exact fit except for the terminals. They are about 3/8" inset from the top side position and required bending the positive cable end 90 degrees to attach from the top. The negative cable fit on with just a twist.

For the first time ever it sounded like the bike had a starter that had enough power to start the bike. The dash and headlights came on instantly bright like never before.

I feel that this battery should have been replaced by HD when the bike was new. It has been testing at the same voltage since it was new. That being 12.3v after charging. The Buell SM says not to test the bikes electricals unless 12.6v has been achieved by the battery. I did take it in twice for this and according to HD it was "a little low but normal". That sucks. Which is also why I did not want to own another HD Battery.


I would have changed it earlier, but being the cheap, irritable, stubborn person I am I had to get two years out of it to justify its existence. It just started loosing the tripometer and clock info a week or two ago.


Oh well, at least Wally World will stand behind their products. I have one of these batteries in my boat and in my truck with no issues in over two years.
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Lost_in_ohio
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 10:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Etennn.....interested to hear your thoughts about the battery in a week or two, after using it???????
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Etennuly
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 01:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I will let ya know. So far it seems much more powerful than the stocker. The only thing I didn't like is having to angle the positive lead. It doesn't allow the red rubber lead cover to fit right. I guess I'll tie it down with a little zip tie.
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Mark_weiss
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 01:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've got an Odyssey in my BMW (1982 R100rs). It is a good battery and I have no complaints. When I biffed off of a Supermoto ride and was off of riding for four months, the Odyssey endured the non-use without issue. The battery is now four years old and is still going strong. No issues and about 1/2 the weight of the BMW's stock wet-cell.

I don't know if Odyssey batteries are any better than a stock Buell battery. The Odyssey is not less expensive and Buell batteries seem to be pretty good units.

Mark
in Arizona
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Johnboy777
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 02:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I emailed Odyssey, and was told that they didn't have a fitment for the Buell Ulysses... he told me to measure my battery and get back to him. That was about 6mos. ago.

.
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Gamdh
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 06:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I think the Odyssey model would be...
PC 545MJ. IIRC thats the one it showed for the other Buells. I also noticed that the terminals were reversed as compared to the stocker.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc545mj.ht m
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Lost_in_ohio
Posted on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 09:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

thanks vern, My bike and yours is of a similar vintage and I had the exact same starting issue as you since the bike was new. the big hesitation then crank......


I couldn't get the battery replace under warranty either......Of course you know how wonderful my dealer is.
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Lost_in_ohio
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 08:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ok vern.....whats the the word on the new battery?????
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Xbimmer
Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2008 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ok vern.....whats the the word on the new battery?????

Couple of questions on that WalMart battery. I looked at one yesterday but I'm uneasy about a battery that you have to fill with acid then turn it on its side to install.

How does it seal Etennuly? Are you OK with that?
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Froggy
Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2008 - 04:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Vern is too busy riding! : )
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Crusty
Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2008 - 04:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Naw; he's busy pouring Baking Soda all over his bike to neutralize the acid that leaked out of his battery.
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Tootal
Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2008 - 04:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That's what I was thinking!
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Xbimmer
Posted on Monday, September 15, 2008 - 05:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well I couldn't wait any longer, got rewarded twice yesterday with clicks when I hit the starter button. Did a LOT of inet research over the weekend, there a lot of choices for us out there with a huge price range for AGM batteries. But this is what I bought today:



Deka-East Penn ETX-14 AGM


$75+tax from Star Auto Parts in San Bernardino, made in USA, factory sealed and note the terminals.

When I was searching over the weekend I noticed that the Big Crank (which I almost ordered, $60 seemed great even with $15 shipping) had big terminals with extra threaded holes in them that I could attach my auxiliary leads to. When I checked into Westco's depending on which site I was on I was led to SVR's which looked just like the Big Cranks with a different label.

Eventually the name Deka came up and they looked the same also, by now I'm thinking they're all made by the same manufacturer. Checking into Deka led me to East Penn Mfg, who has an office in nearby Ontario CA.

When I called East Penn this morning to see whether I could buy one directly from them I was told no, but their Deka's were sold through Star Auto, with a warehouse about five miles from me. I called Star and sure enough they confirmed that their ETX-14 was in stock and in fact a Deka-East Penn battery.

Got one, got it installed, new bike in the garage. Starter spins like crazy and when I shut it down the fan screams with a new vengeance. Once I get a couple new bolts I'll move my aux leads to the other holes on the terminals so the bike's battery cables are dedicated.

I almost bought one of Etennuly's Wal Marts since I've learned that his seal is the same as what most factory seals are, and with the AGM's nothing's getting out anyway. I also noticed that the battery is probably made by GS (marked "GS" in a couple of places) in Taiwan.

When other BMW riders were throwing their money away on POS Mareg's I was buying Taiwan GS's at less than half the cost of a Mareg from an irreverent BMW dealer. They lasted far longer too.
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Etennuly
Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2008 - 10:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well the (nearly) Ever Start, made in Taiwan, sold through Wal-Mart battery has become a bust.

The permanent acid seal strip cap deal is a non issue. It does not leak and if it is removed after installing it will void the warranty.

I gave it some extra time and special attention before coming back to post anything negative about it. I wanted to make sure it wasn't a bike issue or a mistake in reading the straight forward instructions, or my loss of mental powers after being in the automotive and truck repair business for 38 years or so.

When first charged and installed it read 12.8v. After running for a week it would read 12.2v after setting over night. Now another week later it only holds 12.0v after over night. I recharged it off the bike and the results were the same.

I have tested the bike for shorts, connection problems, unwarranted power loads, key off power loads, all tests prove the bike is good.

The power spike when starting can draw it as low as 6v when the initial test shows 12.0v. When I run the bike and it charges to 12.6v (right after shut off) the starter load only drops it to 10v. I leave it sit for ten minutes after running the bike,or after slow charging it slowly drops back down to 12v.

This is the same set of voltage numbers I got for my two year old POS stock battery. I will let you know how their return policy works out on a motorcycle battery.

I have a new 12v big truck battery that is about twelve inches high by twelve inches thick and just over two feet long. It weighs around seventy pounds. Ya suppose it would be a bit much to custom fit? I KNOW it would start the bike and not loose the info in the trip-ometer and clock!
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