Battery Quit Today

[Bob_Roller]

Went out to start the bike for the ride into work this morning .

Got all of 2-3 seconds of starter operation before the solenoid on the starter started chattering .

Batteries sure don't give any warning of their impending demise in this relentless desert heat .

Battery is around three years old, AGM type .

Battery has been kept on a battery tender whenever it's not being ridden .

Have a spare battery already, just need to swap it out when I get home this afternoon .

[montmil]

Anyone who can squeeze 23,000 miles out of an expensive Oilhead rear tire has no room to squawk about his three-year-old battery going Tango Uniform.

I'm just sayin'...

[Bob_Roller]

Just got done replacing the battery, a fraction of a second of starter operation and the engine is running .

I guess the battery was slowly giving up, but I didn't notice it .

I attributed the little bit of 'crankiness' in starting the last few weeks, to a tankful of older fuel I put in it, but that doesn't appear to be the case .

[Barry]

Anyone tried one of these batteries. Ultramax NP18-12 £32.00

Though bang on the correct dimensions they are described as general purpose rather than specifically automotive. Bob did you purchase something very similar recently? I don't mean the same make but a general purpose sealed lead acid battery.

[Bob_Roller]

Yes, I purchased a generic type AGM battery, they are listed as batteries for UPS use for computer emergency backup power and electric wheelchair application .

But in the fine print they say the battery can be used in motorcycles/powersport applications as well .


http://www.gruberpower.com/12-volt-18-amp-hour-ah-battery

[Barry]

And I take it the battery works OK ?

I'm sure it must have done as maximum discharge current of 360 amps for 30 secs is more than enough.

[Bob_Roller]

Battery works great, this is the third battery I've gotten from them, this company was selling these batteries for quite a few years .

 Then about 5 years ago, they started having quality control problems and stopped selling them, due to just about all they sold over a 6-8 month period, came back to them under warranty .

When I'm asked how the battery will be used, I tell them it's for a remote monitoring weather station .

[wa1udg]

Since they are so much cheaper than Dieter's factory batteries, you can afford to buy more of them.   The AGM does last longer than the high priced spread despite the lower price.  

[Bob_Roller]

I've had two Odyssey batteries, lasted at most a year longer than the generic AGM batteries, but cost three times as much .

Odyssey batteries have a one year warranty, same as the generic batteries .

[Ed Miller]

If it got hot enough to kill one of my batteries, I probably couldn't ride in it anyway.

Monte, AGM batteries are expensive!

[montmil]

... Monte, AGM batteries are expensive!

http://www.staabbattery.com/product/sla-12/UB12220-V.html

Have this AGM battery in both my R65s. It's a perfect fit, both have weathered the Texas heat for over three+ years, so far, and have provided exceptional service and reliability.

I don't consider this price as being expensive. $49.80, then enter the code BMWR65 for a 5% discount.

[wilcom]

Battery works great, this is the third battery I've gotten from them, this company was selling these batteries for quite a few years . http://www.gruberpower.com/12-volt-18-amp-hour-ah-battery

Bob..... at $44 delivered to my door from Phoenix (1day UPS) I had to go for one. Putting my bike back together and  have dead cell on the Westco that's in it.

I day away, 44 bones..... almost can't afford to get in the car to go get one. I'm almost $9 dollars in fuel  away from a spot that would carry my battery...... Thanks for the TIP