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Replacement Batteries

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by PSteele, Aug 22, 2007.

  1. PSteele

    PSteele Member

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    OK guys, I have just about had it with the electrical system, knowing that I have only begun to start. Searching for something better than the Yuasa 12Y battery that comes in a Maxim 650. Starts fine every day even when damp or humid since going with inline ATO fuses, until it gets cold. If the temp drops below 55F it won't go as the puny battery doesn't have the guts to deal with the temperature change. It will bump start fine at this temp, but if the temp drops below 50F for a long period overnight, it won't even bump start.

    Home for lunch with temp about 60-65F,it starts first push of the button. Tried charging an hour before getting on, etc. with no better results. Is there a better battery or battery system? That is a really small space and perhaps I am asking for something that doesn't exist?

    A pal suggested I put the trunk to good use and install a small sealed auto battery as it would be less susceptible to temperature induced voltage drop. But I think that the melting connections discussed in other forums may be a problem, as well as providing a negative effect on the center of gravity.

    Another thought was to build a plug-in battery blanket similar to an auto version but smaller, using heat tape or something similar.

    I really want to ride well into that fall season, so any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated!
     
  2. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    Mine has an Energizer YB12A-A. It will crank the bike just fine to well below freezing.

    I think you must either have a failing battery or some other issue.
     
  3. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Sears DieHard.

    Got 'em in all my bikes. Love 'em 'cause they can handle being alone for awhile and still having enough juice to start a Dead Cold Bike in Cold Weather!
     
  4. redcentre003

    redcentre003 Member

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    I've got a battery of some sort of generic origin sold at the local auto battery shop around the corner from where I live. It's a slightly heavier duty with extra CCA's to give it that oomph for starting on colder mornings.

    I've had it around 2 years now. Winter mornings are around the 5 to 9 deg Centigrade level and I find that if I plug it into the charger for an hour or so while gtetting ready for work she starts up almost first go every time. Various sites related to the XJ900 and electrics indicate that if the battery is less than up to it, starting will be troublesome. The starter will turn over but there may not be enough left to give a good spark at the same time.

    If I don't put it on the charger for an hour each morning then starting becomes a little more difficult. After about 3 mornings, no charging, she turns over fine but it takes a few hail Mary's to get it to fire - it does eventually but you sure notice the difference if you've given it a good charge first.

    And all that with a 2+ year old battery. If you're having problems starting even after it's charged then try to swap out the battery with a known good one and see if it makes a difference. It sounds like the battery might be slowly fading on you. For me, the difference in starting when I charge her up in the mornings compared to overlooking that process for a few days...or even one cold morning...is significant.

    KH
     
  5. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't be surprised to find-out that the Enrichment System Output on the 900 isn't really Rich enough to give that 900 Engine the shot it needs to get that thing popping right-off-the-bat.

    I imagine the extra kick it would get from having a Battery on top of its charge would be quite helpful.

    In New England, when the snow flies, and I need to start my 900 to get the frost out of her and let her have some warmed-up oil and exercise the Valve Springs ... I just hook 'er up to the charger for a half an hour and give 'er a sniff or two of Starting Ether ... and, she fires-up like we're heading out to the Burger Stand to show-off the Purple LED's and Polished Aluminum.

    In a way, I regret having the Max replace her as my Number-1 Ride.
    But for and Old, balding, Fat Guy ... the Max is like having a Caddy instead of being cramped-up behind the wheel of a 'Vette.

    But, she knows ... when the time to play Red Barron and go-out and shoot-down enemy HOG's rolls around. The 750's is just a comfortable Cruiser ... the 900 is the one for fun!
     
  6. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    I'll second the Diehard endorsement, mine lasted years and worked great.
     
  7. redcentre003

    redcentre003 Member

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    I agree Rick. I think the enrichment system may not be quite rich enough for those cold mornings. Even with a freshly fully charged battery, when it does fire up first go (on full enrichment), it sounds little like me when I "jump" out of bed in the morning...grumpy, bleary eyed and a bit slow to get going.

    We - my XJ and I - settle down soon enough but we need our respective breakfasts to warm up and feel normal.
     
  8. TaZMaNiaK

    TaZMaNiaK Member

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    I'm using a $35 EverStart from Walmart. Lasted 2 years so far, with it on the maintainance charger from December til March. I wish Optima would come out with a AGM spiral motorcycle battery already! I have one in my truck and it has never let me down.
     
  9. vinco

    vinco Member

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    The Yuasa YZT10S is the motorcycle equivalent of an Optima. It's OEM equipment on several Honda sportbikes, and some Yamaha's as well. When I needed one for my CB900F3, the cheapest place locally I could find one was at the Yamaha shop!! It was a full $45 cheaper there than at the Honda shop!! Of course, one of these babies will set you back almost as much as an automotive-sized Optima.
     
  10. Ltdave

    Ltdave Member

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    as far east as you can get in michigan 43.027407,
    i just bought an interstate 12A-12A-s whatever for my 550 at the local bike shop for $29.95 plus tax...

    its considerably cheaper than a battery that you can buy for $45 less at one place vs another...

    d
     
  11. Fongdingo

    Fongdingo Member

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    ive got one of thoughs interstate batts too. In the winter i always take it out of the bike and bring it in side and put it back in at morning or afternoon when ever i get up, like that its so far so good, but i think that i may get one of thoughs dir hards ive been reading about.
     

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