The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Bob_Roller on November 21, 2010, 10:56:26 AM
-
Just got an email from Harbor Freight, it's an advertisement with coupons, they have a motorcycle battery float charger for $4.99US using the coupon .
Anyone in the US/North America that has a store near you, I can send you the email and you can print the coupon and take it to your local store .
Send me a PM with your email address if you are interested .
I've got four of them in use now, so far no complaints about them .
I'm using them on the generic AGM type batteries from Staab Battery .
-
Saw 'em last Saturday at HF as I was picking up another free 9-LED flashlight. OK. I did buy some stuff, too.
Wondered then if the HF "float" chargers would be any good. I'd almost bet my $35.00 Battery Tender was made next door to the HF production line somewhere in China. ::)
How long have you been using them, Bob?
And a Harbor Freight "P.S." I had read somewhere on some forum that HF had quit accepting their nice 20% off your most expensive purchase coupon because of "a corporate decision". Not true at my HF.
Monte
-
I've had the chargers in use since July of this year .
I've been checking the battery voltage weekly, these chargers fall just under the voltage range that AGM batteries are supposed to have .
The range on my four chargers is 13.18-13.25 volts .
I think the recommended voltage is a little over 13.3 volts for AGM's .
I've got a battery maintainer from Harbor Freight for the Z-3, it seems to keep the voltage right at 13.35 volts, don't know if it would work on a motorcycle battery or not .
http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/battery/15-amp-three-stage-onboard-battery-charger-maintainer-99857.html
-
I had to get the big 2.5 amp out model Deltran to keep my PC680 up to snuff. I was shocked to find out last winter that the standard 1.25 amp Deltran wouldn't cut the mustard!
-
Those of you using a Battery Tender, Yuasa, or other charger with the SAE-type two pin connectors:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chartersventures.com%2Fcar%2Fbencoupe%2FSAEConnectorEnd.jpg&hash=8b69f09a1a571f6d8dd79667357160cc7a25d7e0)
Would you be interested in a small retractable reel which has that two-pin SAE connector? With, say, 15 feet of wire? And with a small shelf that you could mount the battery tender on up on the ceiling next to the reel? That way wherever you park a bike or car that uses a tender, you could just have the plug dangling from the ceiling for whenever you park...
-
I had to get the big 2.5 amp out model Deltran to keep my PC680 up to snuff. I was shocked to find out last winter that the standard 1.25 amp Deltran wouldn't cut the mustard!
IMO (for what it's worth), AGM batteries are completely different from lead/acid. I don't think I would bother with a float charger on one. I don't even own one. My Odyssey PC680 likes 10 amps for 30 minutes or so, maybe once a month. I never have to charge it during the riding season, and I normally forget all about it all winter until it is time to prep the bike for the new season.
-
I'd be interested in a retractable SAE chord!
Hey, Rob, how long do you think we'll get out of the PC680s? Will there be warning like on an old lead acid type? Or just kaflump!!!
LRB's PC680 is heading into 6th year next summer. Always on an Odyssey special maintenance tender. Is it time to consider a new one?
-
I'd be interested in a retractable SAE chord!
Hey, Rob, how long do you think we'll get out of the PC680s? Will there be warning like on an old lead acid type? Or just kaflump!!!
LRB's PC680 is heading into 6th year next summer. Always on an Odyssey special maintenance tender. Is it time to consider a new one?
R65.org folks will be some of the first to know, if I can make it happen!
I run a PC680 in my race car. I've killed one before by letting it become far, far too discharged. However, I've heard of them lasting 10+ years if properly maintained. Sounds like you're keeping yours up properly.
-
I'd be interested in a retractable SAE chord!
Hey, Rob, how long do you think we'll get out of the PC680s? Will there be warning like on an old lead acid type? Or just kaflump!!!
LRB's PC680 is heading into 6th year next summer. Always on an Odyssey special maintenance tender. Is it time to consider a new one?
Sue, I have heard that AGM batteries do not give the gradual warning signs that we are used to with lead-acid batteries.
I carry a set of motorcycle-sized jumper cables with me at all times. If I ever get stranded, I could probably get it started with a jump, and just keep the revs up high enough to get me home, or to the nearest store with a battery that would fit.
-
One thing I have done to make me feel better about not running down the battery when doing non-high rpm rides like long interstates is to put in the upgrade to the alternator to 400 watt output mfg. by Euromotoelectrics John Rayski. Motorrad Electriks unit by Rick Jones just as good too! I did run a battery down years ago when I didn't realize how much draw down occurred in city riding. Over time it just wore the battery out. Below 4000 rpm is the no-go critical rpm I have heard.
Those maintenance chargers are the bees knees!
-
Hi Sue,
My PC680 is the same age as yours so I guess we are the test cases!
Yeee-hawh! 8-)
(Keep using the Odyessy Bat charger though if it is still working.)
-
Maybe Bill we should plan to attend the Gathering of the Clans next summer and both of us put in a new PC680 together!! Two PC680s sent to General Delivery, Ferguson, NC? OR we could just wait till we are grounded but I sure hope not on the side of the road!
I bet we have 2 more years on our 680s though. :)
-
I've had a PC680 or two...I tried it first in my Laverda because it's so dad-gum hard to get to the battery for any maintenance. I remember it lasted a LONG time, but I'd have to dig through my records to find out how long. Last time I put one in the R65 it didn't last as long as I had hoped. Although, I'm not riding near as much as I used to. That has to have some effect on it.
-
I'm not riding near as much as I used to.
Is retirement getting in the way???
-
I'm not riding near as much as I used to.
Is retirement getting in the way???
::) Ha ha! Yes, it is! :P
-
I think the key to battery longevity, is to keep it on a float charger, no matter what type of battery you have .
If you have a serviceable type battery, checking the electrolyte level regularly (at least once a month, until you see a pattern of how frequently the level goes down), so you don't expose the plates of the battery .
My last Odyssey battery gave me plenty of warning of it's condition .
I had it installed in the oilhead, last January the starter didn't sound quite right after sitting out at work .
I swapped the Odyssey battery for one that I had in the '81 R65, a generic AGM type from Staab
Battery .http://www.staabbattery.com/product/UB12220-V.html
I installed the Odyssey in the '81 R65, around September of this year, even with a float charger attached to the battery when the bike was not in use, after sitting at work for 18-20 hours, I started having slow starter operation, I knew the battery was gone and if I let it go any longer, I'd be sitting somewhere with a dead battery .
-
I think the key to battery longevity, is to keep it on a float charger, no matter what type of battery you have .
Couldn't agree more.
Some types cost more and can be abused for longer than others but in the end they will all last longer if kept fully charged.
-
I agree that float charging and maintaining the electrolyte level is most important. But I had a little experience with a truck battery I'd like to tell you about.
I had a Mazda pickup that I kept in Florida while I was sailing. It would sit there for about 10 months each year unused while I was away. Before I left I would always top up the electrolyte and charge the battery and disconnect it from the vehicle. I think all of these steps were important. When I returned I would charge it again before starting the truck.
I kept that truck for about 8 years after I replaced the battery when I bought the truck (used). I never had a problem with that battery. If you don't have a float charger I think the next best thing is to disconnect the battery then fill with electrolyte and charge. Keeping it disconnected while in storage is key.
-
Not so much an issue with motorcycle batteries, where there is a drain tube to vent the gases out under the bike .
But on 4 wheelers with a standard 'flooded' type battery, the conductive deposits that accumulate on the top of the battery can cause 'leakage' between the battery posts .
Take the negative lead from a voltmeter and place it on the negative terminal of the battery, take the other lead and place it a half inch, 12 mm from the positive terminal, not touching it, if you have conductive deposits on the top of the battery, you will have an indication of a volt or two, the battery is discharging through the conductive deposit .
A quick wash with baking soda will neutralize the conductive deposits .
-
That's interesting Bob. I never thought of that. I just prepped th battery on my wifes car for winter storage...I'll have to give the top a good cleaning.