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Battery life

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by tabaka45, Nov 1, 2018.

  1. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    I hav been getting about 2 - 2 1/2 years from my replacement batteries. I got almost 6 years out of the original battery in my Honda 750. Doesn’t seem to matter what battery I use. (I have just bought a Big Crank battery which is highly rated—higher than a Yuasa.). Batteries stay on a Battery Tender Jr when parked. Just wondering what other folks are getting.
     
  2. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    Your charging system might be putting out more voltage than is required in essence you can "cook" the battery . I had an 82 Honda CB750 custom with only 4500 miles , but the charging system was inop . Had to replace the rotor and all was good , you might check output , your voltage regulator etc.
     
  3. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I just replaced my battery got almost 3 years out of it got the battery at walmart.
    battery is probally the most neglected item on the bike I check fluid level every 3 weeks
    also check the voltage output from alt when I do this.
     
  4. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    I have been buying AGM batteries and keeping them on a battery tender, jr. But I did buy a conventional battery from Interstate and it lasted about 7 months before it completely dried out and exploded. I guess the trickle charger I was using was not as “intelligent” as the Battery Tender is.
     
  5. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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    I have 6 battery tenders and get between 4-5 years out of my batteries.
    And every second wreck I buy there is a nearly new battery in it. Haven’t purchased a new one in nearly 7 years.
     
  6. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

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    I buy "Walmart" type lead acid batteries and was getting about 2-3 years out of them...this summer I rebuilt my starter and pretty sure it is drawing less amps, so hopefully batteries will now last 3-5 years like they did when it was new.

    I check the fluid level periodically and use a battery tender regularly. I pay about $40 typically depending on where I buy them.
     
  7. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    I switched to the AGM battery , so far with good results.
     
  8. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Trickle chargers are just that; a steady voltage at 1.5 - 2 amps. They won't shut the charging voltage off when the battery reaches capacity.
     
    Colin 85 700 likes this.
  9. Jetfixer

    Jetfixer Well-Known Member

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    That is why I only leave my 1 amp charger on for an hour or 2 once a week
     
  10. Chitwood

    Chitwood Well-Known Member

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    So far, knock on wood, both battery tenders have not had an I'll effect on the regular flooded cell in the 81 or the agm in the 82. These are 750mA models.
     
  11. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    For perspective:

    My wife and I have a Miata that we rarely drive. It's on a tender about 300 days of the year, and the battery is going on 12 years old now. Still starts every time.
    Even maintaince free batteries require maintainance if a vehicle is not used daily.
     
  12. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    I bought my bike 2 years ago, never charge it, it sits outside covered for the winter at -40 and in the spring it just starts.
    I assume it will be the same this year.
    No idea what battery is in it, never had to pull it out.
    I've never trickle charged a battery for winter (or summer for my sled) mine always last 4-5 years. unless something draws on it a good charged battery won't freeze or loose power.
    However, NEVER! Take out a battery and put it on concrete or a steel shelf or bench top, it will kill the battery! Don't ask me why, I'm not a chemist, but it does.
    If you worried, disconnect the negative for the off season, if it's dead by summer it's no good anyways, it's shorted internally or has a bad cell.
     
  13. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    here we go with the old wife's tales. i'm pretty sure it's on a metal shelf in your car. the concrete part is to save the concrete from the old batteries that leaked acid and etched the concrete
     
  14. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    And that was from back when battery casings were rubber, not the plastic we have now
     
  15. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    I have a boat battery that sots on concrete all the time except for the few hours I use it every month. It stays on a battery tender an is at least 3 years old.
     
  16. Colin 85 700

    Colin 85 700 Active Member

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    Well, not that i dont believe you guys, but i did a little reasearch and yes the concrete thing is an old wives tale passed down from old school batteries that had carbon in the casing allowing power to leech out.
    Also they would commonly leak acid, eating steel and etching concrete....
    Ive been learned :)
     
  17. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Old wives tale.......

    My wife has an old tail...
    My old wife has a tail...

    Uh-oh......I'd better quit while I'm still ahead before I get in trouble
     
  18. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    That bit of wisdom comes from the pre-plastic era when battery cases were made of wood (and the early plastics that Dave referred to), and is not applicable to modern batteries.
     
  19. Richard Elbon

    Richard Elbon Active Member

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    Are Optimas being made for motorcycles yet? I have one in every car and two motor homes. Best ever. My first red top was $60 in 1991. Put in my Dodge diesel it went 17 years,wouldn’t crank anymore went into my 55 Buick for another 5 years,wouldn’t crank that anymore and it went to my riding lawnmower with a home built bracket till fall of 17. Tried charging the heck out of it with my agm charger but can only get 4 volts. 27 years of use. It’s retired.
     
  20. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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