| Author | Message | ||
     Advoutlander |
Just called HD parts and I can get the stock battery for $115. That seems pricey. Are there any cheaper alternatives that are as just as good that fit without any issues? | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I was able to find the exact same as stock battery at a local joint for about $80. It's called Cassiday Battery. Look for a local battery place with a bike or two parked out front.  | ||
| Teeps |
I've had a yuasa ytx14ah-bs in my ULY since Aug/06. The positive termination on the cable has to be modified to fit the battery terminal. Should be able to find them at most motorcycle shops. I got mine at work, I believe it was for a Honda VTX1300. | ||
| Pnw_uly |
No affiliation, but very satisfied with the Big Crank, made in the USA and $73 to your door. http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX14-Batte ry.html?Category_Code=buell-xb12x-ulysses-1200cc-b attery | ||
| Teeps |
Very satisfied, how so? | ||
| Pnw_uly |
No modifications required for the terminals, exact fit for battery tray, made in the USA, $73.00 delivered, and most importantly - - it starts every time I key the switch. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I've run Big Crank batteries in other bikes in the past and had no problems with them. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I've always used the stock AGM Harley battery because it was a decent battery at a decent price. My last one seems a bit weak though, even though it was bought new. It's not dead, it just cranks slow and bleeds out more quickly. I think I'm done with factory batteries... | ||
| Advoutlander |
Big crank it is thanks. | ||
| Bpt |
Big Crank looks like a Deka which is made by East Penn Mfg who also makes H-D batteries. Same specs better price. | ||
| Tq_freak |
Yea Big crank is a Deka I just ordered one from these guys here http://www.etx14.com/index.html it is currently "out for delivery" so we will see tonight how it holds up | ||
| Advoutlander |
    My big crank battery arrived. When compared to the stock HD battery the big crank terminals are not flush with the plastic like the HD. I had to rotate the cables around the terminals so that they could make the best possible contact and be flush with the terminals. I also have the connectors for my tourmaster troller and battery tender. They are slightly making contact with the plastic. Is this dangerous? If so what should I use to make the connectors fit flush with the terminals. Here are some pics. | ||
| Teeps |
Same problem with the Yuasa; except the Yuasa battery has the ability to mount the terminals 90 degrees (battery top) from the position shown in the photo. Fabricate a copper or brass shim to raise the cable terminations off the plastic. | ||
| Tq_freak |
The Big Crank/ Deka should have come with 2 little brass washers to shim out the cables. Or at least Mine did. They were attached to the red Positive terminal cover. | ||
| Advoutlander |
I tried to delete my last post last night. Soon after I posted I noticed the 2 spacers on the red terminal cover. Bike runs great not had error 21 come up yet. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
I connected my big crank with the cables on top. No problems, and bike cranks better than the stocker. | ||
| Djohnk |
A little too late but ... I had the Big Crank and it lasted about me a year (My bike had stator and voltage regulator problems, so you can't blame it all on the battery). I have this one now: http://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/ hYTX14H.html It claims 260 CCA and I believe it. I feel it cranks over better than the big crank. We will see how long it lasts. Also, the terminals go all the way out the side of the battery so you don't need those brass spacers (Message edited by djohnk on January 23, 2013) | ||
| Motorfish |
I put Big Crank battery in my FXR, which has high compression pistons, last summer. It has always taken a first "hit" from the starter, then a second shot to fire up. I started it the other day, after over 4 months of sitting in an unheated garage at around 25degrees. It cranked right over, strong. It was cheap, fast delivery, and made in the U.S.A. Good deal.  | ||
| Motorfish |
Oh yeah, it did come with the brass spacers. | ||
| Swampy |
The thing I don't like about this battery: http://www.etx14.com/index.html is that it says right on the case "AGM Technology" What bugs me is why is it AGM technology instead of an AGM battery? I had the DEKA battery and it didn't last a year. I have had 2 stock Buell (H-D) AGM batteries that have lasted over 9 years each and 1 that is 4 years old. | ||
| Argentcorvid |
from looking for replacements for my Sportster's battery, the ones that are "AGM technology" come dry and you have to add the acid to and then seal up. The ones that are "AGM" come pre-filled, sealed and charged. I have no idea if this is right, or if there is any difference in the performance between the two. | ||
| Swampy |
There is a difference in the two. The one you have to fill is just a regular old acid filled battery with a filler between the plates that keep them from vibrating. You need to be careful as some of the AGM technology batteries come pre-filled from the factory but are still filled with acid. A battery that has acid in it vents, leaks, goes dry, sulfates, and if you mount it on it's side like in a Buell installation the plates become exposed to air and sulfate. You need to be cautious to avoid the AGM technology batteries that come pre-filled because you are not getting a true AGM battery. AFAIK True AGM battery is formed by using thin films of lead with acid powder between them and they are compressed tightly. They do not leak, they do not vent, the acid does not leave any plates exposed when tipped on it's side. You can "slam" charge them if you are in a hurry with no ill results. They do not freeze and they are more expensive than the AGM technology batteries by about $50-$60. An Oddessy battery is about $130 and are guaranteed for a couple of years at 100% not pro-rated for a year. If you look at the 6 pack batteries at Autozone or other car shops those batteries are formed by taking long lead plates and rolling them into a cylinder shape. www.odysseybattery.com/batteries.html | ||
| Firstbuell |
super thread - thx, guys | ||
| Argentcorvid |
Swampy, I think a true AGM is not like you describe. AGM stands for Absorbed Glass Mat. They are still a 'wet' battery. they work better than a traditional flooded battery because there is just enough electrolyte soaked up in some fiberglass mesh that separates the plates. This has two effects: one, the fiberglass keeps the plates from vibrating. two, the mat makes it more difficult for sulfate crystals to grow and cause internal shorting (which is what causes most batteries to 'die'). Also they are sealed and have a catalyst that recombines the hydrogen and oxygen that is generated during charging back into water so you never have to refill them and they don't spill. The 'AGM technology' batteries likely are some intermediate between traditional flooded batteries and AGM. those odyssey batteries look like a completely different dry cell technology. (which could be even better for all I know) | ||
| Tootal |
Did someone say Odyssey?  http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/397081.html (Message edited by tootal on January 26, 2013) | ||
| Eaglerider |
AGM technology is AGM or Absorbed Glass Mat. It does not matter if its pre-filled from the factory or filled at the time of installation. The stock HD battery is a 220CCA and works fine. I'm using a HD battery in one and a higher power (240CCA) Drag Specialty/Parts Unlimited battery in the other. Both works fine and I put them on the battery tender if/when I remember. | ||
| Eaglerider |
Once you filled a AGM battery with acid, it acts like a normal AGM, including not spilling the acid when tipped over. Motorcycle AGM batteries are the only AGM batteries I've seen that can the purchase "unfilled" and filled with acid by the user/seller. This might be due to the slow turnover rate of the batteries by motorcycle dealers. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
I had a pc545 odyssey in my xb once ,almost two years and it crapped out after a full day of riding.  lucky i was almost home (60 miles) Have a Motobatt 220cca now ,and it starts better as ever. | ||
| Tootal |
I guess you can get a lemon anywhere. I've been using Odyssey since they were called Panther batteries. That first Panther lasted 7 years in my FLHS! Nothing but good luck with them and they are in all my cars and bikes. Sorry you got a bad one, but I've gone through quite a few over the years and have been thoroughly impressed. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
I got a odyssey because they say these have a(good)reputation ,but probably i got a monday morning one. The lemon  i have now has more cca and was almost half the price of the h-d and odyssey. and the toolbag fits a lot better under there to! | ||
| Arcticktm |
+1 to Eaglerider from what I (think I) know. Whether it comes activated or not is a OEM decision. Pre-activated is easier to handle (no acid container needed), but then the battery will sit until someone buys it. When we first used an AGM battery at Arctic Cat (on our 1st 4 stroke turbo sled), we sent if un-activated. This is because snowmobiles are built in the spring-summer-fall, but may not be sold until winter at best (or maybe the winter AFTER that lately). this is a long time for a factory activated battery to sit in a crate, maybe out in the hot summer sun. Heat and time left alone will kill the battery. Cold simply slows it down until if gets warm again (within reason, of course, since you can freeze a battery that is already in poor condition). AGM's do not like rapid charging. Especially the initial charge. You can make them weak for life with a bad initial charge. We had to do dealer education and recommend new chargers (Optimate or similar) when we first gave dealers the AGM's. Cat had only used normal wet cell types prior to that (about 2003). I think AGM battery = AGM technology, just a different marketing term. I have not researched it, that's just my thought. |
