New battery

cactusjack · 10-29-2010, 09:46 AM

Wednesday night I was on my way to meet up with some VROC friends in Scottsdale and decided to take a roundabout way to get there to avoid rush hour freeway traffic through Chandler, Mesa and Scottsdale. It got dark along the way and I decided to stop and swap my sunglasses for some clear ones. I pulled over on this dark, deserted highway and was only off the bike for maybe a minute. When I tried to start the bike up, it didn't have enough juice to crank it. Long story short - after letting it sit about 15 or 20 minutes, it had rejuvenated itself enough that I could start it. It started just fine when I left to go home after we ate.

Since the battery is the original, I decided it was time to replace it. I went to Batteries Plus near where I work and bought a replacement. It is a XTAX20CH-BS AGM battery. I paid $89.99 for it and it comes with a 1 year free replacement.

The battery I replaced was an XTAX16-BS.

Replacing the battery wasn't difficult, messing with the battery post bolts and nuts ate a lot of time, though. Even though the batteries appeared to be the same size, I think the new one was slightly taller, because the hold down bar didn't want to sit right on top of it. I ended up removing the rubber pad on the bar and used a couple of lengths of duct tape to pad it.

When I had everything back together I cranked it up. It only spun about once and fired. Much faster than it has been. I guess when your battery gets weak over time, you don't realize it. Now that I think about it, it has been harder to start recently.....hmmm.

blowndodge · 10-29-2010, 10:17 AM

I bought a Yusa 20 amp just before the Custer trip and it fit perfectly. Funny thing was I took the nuked stock battery and put in on a 10amp charger because the battery tender wouldn't charge it. 48 hours later after putting in my new battery I checked the status on the stock battery and it showed full charge. I've used it numerous times to run 12v dc through a cigarette lighter plug and it works fine. Tested it the other day and it still shows 12.7 volts.

**Cajunrider** · 10-29-2010, 10:45 AM

Same thing with my generator batter Brad. It was dead as a hammer. I put it on a trickle charge for 48 hours and it cranks the generator every time.

macmac · 10-30-2010, 09:27 AM

I'ld be using some flat washers to space the bar, and put that rubber tray back in. Battery's don't really like a rock solid base holder much. The shaking can damage them.

redjay · 10-30-2010, 02:45 PM

I took the battery out of my bike today for winter storage. I cant get to the bike over the winter months. The positive battery post screw was difficult to get undone. The nut under the battery post kept turning. I lifted the battery part way and stuck a small screwdriver in beside the nut.
After a few attempts the post screw started to come away from the battery. After the connection to the battery was moved away so I could see the post on the battery it was completely destroyed, it just disintegrated. I am going to have to buy a new battery in the Spring.

At least I dont have to worry about keeping the battery charged all winter !

cactusjack · 10-30-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

I'ld be using some flat washers to space the bar, and put that rubber tray back in. Battery's don't really like a rock solid base holder much. The shaking can damage them.

I did that today Mac. I put the little rubber pad back on the hold down bar and spaced it with washers.

recumbentbob · 11-09-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

At least I don't have to worry about keeping the battery charged all winter!

That's save some money on the electric bill............

henryk · 11-09-2010, 10:04 AM

Just read this thread today cactusjack. I had the same thing happen to me with my bike this past Saturday.
Did you notice anything funny with your speedometer minutes before it died?
I also bought the XTAX20CH-BS AGM from Batteris Plus.
They had to order it. I was hoping it would be a good fit. Well at least now I know what I have to do to make it fit. Thanks
Henryk

cactusjack · 11-09-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryk

Just read this thread today cactusjack. I had the same thing happen to me with my bike this past Saturday.
Did you notice anything funny with your speedometer minutes before it died?
I also bought the XTAX20CH-BS AGM from Batteris Plus.
They had to order it. I was hoping it would be a good fit. Well at least now I know what I have to do to make it fit. Thanks
Henryk

No, I didn't notice anything weird. I just went to start the bike and it barely cranked over. It reset my clock and trip odometer while cranking because the voltage dropped so low.

macmac · 11-09-2010, 11:54 AM

It is telling when the instruments re-set. The voltage drop does that and it is a sign that the battery has given up the ghost. I am hoping my battery doesn't die before it's time, so I monitor it with a full time volt meter till winter forces the battery off the bike into the cellar where either way it remains on a charger.

These next 4 days look like my last for a chance at a ride. I would leave the battery in the bike all winter if i could reach the trailer it lives in with power, but I can't, due to snow plowing.

10-29-2010, 09:46 AM	#1
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	New battery Wednesday night I was on my way to meet up with some VROC friends in Scottsdale and decided to take a roundabout way to get there to avoid rush hour freeway traffic through Chandler, Mesa and Scottsdale. It got dark along the way and I decided to stop and swap my sunglasses for some clear ones. I pulled over on this dark, deserted highway and was only off the bike for maybe a minute. When I tried to start the bike up, it didn't have enough juice to crank it. Long story short - after letting it sit about 15 or 20 minutes, it had rejuvenated itself enough that I could start it. It started just fine when I left to go home after we ate. Since the battery is the original, I decided it was time to replace it. I went to Batteries Plus near where I work and bought a replacement. It is a XTAX20CH-BS AGM battery. I paid $89.99 for it and it comes with a 1 year free replacement. The battery I replaced was an XTAX16-BS. Replacing the battery wasn't difficult, messing with the battery post bolts and nuts ate a lot of time, though. Even though the batteries appeared to be the same size, I think the new one was slightly taller, because the hold down bar didn't want to sit right on top of it. I ended up removing the rubber pad on the bar and used a couple of lengths of duct tape to pad it. When I had everything back together I cranked it up. It only spun about once and fired. Much faster than it has been. I guess when your battery gets weak over time, you don't realize it. Now that I think about it, it has been harder to start recently.....hmmm. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-29-2010, 10:17 AM	#2
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	New battery I bought a Yusa 20 amp just before the Custer trip and it fit perfectly. Funny thing was I took the nuked stock battery and put in on a 10amp charger because the battery tender wouldn't charge it. 48 hours later after putting in my new battery I checked the status on the stock battery and it showed full charge. I've used it numerous times to run 12v dc through a cigarette lighter plug and it works fine. Tested it the other day and it still shows 12.7 volts. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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10-29-2010, 10:45 AM	#3
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	New battery Same thing with my generator batter Brad. It was dead as a hammer. I put it on a trickle charge for 48 hours and it cranks the generator every time. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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10-30-2010, 09:27 AM	#4
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	New battery I'ld be using some flat washers to space the bar, and put that rubber tray back in. Battery's don't really like a rock solid base holder much. The shaking can damage them. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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10-30-2010, 02:45 PM	#5
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,952	New battery I took the battery out of my bike today for winter storage. I cant get to the bike over the winter months. The positive battery post screw was difficult to get undone. The nut under the battery post kept turning. I lifted the battery part way and stuck a small screwdriver in beside the nut. After a few attempts the post screw started to come away from the battery. After the connection to the battery was moved away so I could see the post on the battery it was completely destroyed, it just disintegrated. I am going to have to buy a new battery in the Spring. At least I dont have to worry about keeping the battery charged all winter ! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-09-2010, 10:04 AM	#8
henryk Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Palatine,IL Posts: 98	New battery Just read this thread today cactusjack. I had the same thing happen to me with my bike this past Saturday. Did you notice anything funny with your speedometer minutes before it died? I also bought the XTAX20CH-BS AGM from Batteris Plus. They had to order it. I was hoping it would be a good fit. Well at least now I know what I have to do to make it fit. Thanks Henryk
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11-09-2010, 11:54 AM	#10
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	New battery It is telling when the instruments re-set. The voltage drop does that and it is a sign that the battery has given up the ghost. I am hoping my battery doesn't die before it's time, so I monitor it with a full time volt meter till winter forces the battery off the bike into the cellar where either way it remains on a charger. These next 4 days look like my last for a chance at a ride. I would leave the battery in the bike all winter if i could reach the trailer it lives in with power, but I can't, due to snow plowing. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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