Need a new battery for V7 Racer

[dilznik]

Hi,

I have a V7 Racer and the battery died.  I was wondering what everyone uses in their V7.  Not interested in getting another Yuasa and spilling acid everywhere.  Was thinking of getting an Odyssey PC680 which apparently fits.

Anyone have any recommendations for a good replacement battery?  Not interested in Lithium Ion at this time, thanks.

[Kev m]

No suggestions, except that if an Odyssey fits that would be my first choice.

Also, what year is it? Many 2013-14 models have been recently found to have overcharging regulators that can kill a battery. Check that out before potentially damaging the replacement.

[ChuckH]

I recently replaced the battery in my R Bike.  Went with a Duracell AGM, two-year replacement warranty from the local Batteries Plus Bulbs store.  An exact fit for the old unit.  Cost was far less than the closest BMW dealer quoted for a replacement.

[dilznik]

It is indeed a 14.  Is there any way I can check the regulator myself or is that a dealer thing?

Edit: found this: http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/13-15-v7-over-charging-please-read.15720/

Looks terrifying and expensive.

[pete roper]

It is indeed a 14.  Is there any way I can check the regulator myself or is that a dealer thing?

Edit: found this: http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/13-15-v7-over-charging-please-read.15720/

Looks terrifying and expensive.

Check it with a voltmeter across the battery terminals.

[sign216]

Here's a list of batteries that fit, as least for the pre-2013 engine: 

Yuasa YXT14AHL and YB18L-A / Sears DieHard # 44005 / WestCo # 12V14L-B / Interstate CYTX14AHL-BS #M62H4L / Odyssey PC545 / Scorpion YTX14 / MotoBatt MBTX14 AU

I pulled the list from the Database page of the MG 750 Yahoo group:  https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MG_750/info

[valval]

I have a 2013 V7 Stone and replaced with a Motobatt MBTX12U . I have used motobatts in three different bikes and so far so good. The oldest is going on three years and still fine.

[Craig in Alabama]

I'm using AGM X2Power batteries from Batteries Plus in my R100RS and my V11-EV. The one in the RS is about 5 years old and still going strong.

Cheers!
Craig

[Kev m]

It is indeed a 14.  Is there any way I can check the regulator myself or is that a dealer thing?

Edit: found this: http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/13-15-v7-over-charging-please-read.15720/

Looks terrifying and expensive.

It's not a big deal if it's the case, and cost is maybe $125ish+labor.

What Pete said, check across battery terminals WITH the engine running, rev to about 3-4k and see.

[dilznik]

Odyssey says the PC680 fits and I had one in my BMW R1100S awhile back which worked fine.  I think I'll do that unless I cave and just go to Batteries Plus tomorrow.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/motorcycles.htm

[Kev m]

Let us know about that charging voltage.

[Muzz]

No suggestions, except that if an Odyssey fits that would be my first choice.

Also, what year is it? Many 2013-14 models have been recently found to have overcharging regulators that can kill a battery. Check that out before potentially damaging the replacement.

My Breva is coming up 13 years old and I am on my 2nd wet cell Yuasa. It has never dropped acid in either of the two batteries. The most mine hits is 14.8 volts. I suspect Kev is right and you are boiling the acid out from overcharging.

[malik]

If you are not a fan of lithium iron, there's also the Deka EXT15L for the V7. Glass mat so nothing to spill. Supplied & recommended by our local Guzzi mechanic. Performs well. I keep one as a backup/spare.

[dilznik]

Went to Batteries Plus and got the el cheapo (relatively) Xtreme that was the same size for $90.  Figured if it dies while I'm trying to figure out if I have a problem and then get it fixed then it's not as big of a deal.

They had the Odyssey range.  No way any of them were fitting in the V7.  Especially not the PC680.  No idea what Odyssey was thinking when they made the list.

When I got home and went to install the battery I discovered it didn't come with nuts.  I guess mine were stuck in the old battery and I didn't notice.  So now I can't hook it up.  FML.

[Craig in Alabama]

I bet Batteries Plus will give you a set of nuts and bolts if you ask.

Cheers!
Craig

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If you are not a fan of lithium iron, there's also the Deka EXT15L for the V7. Glass mat so nothing to spill. Supplied & recommended by our local Guzzi mechanic. Performs well. I keep one as a backup/spare.

This ^^^ Supports US manufacturing. East Penn Mfg., sold as Deka, Big Crank and a bunch of others.

[SeanF]

They had the Odyssey range.  No way any of them were fitting in the V7.  Especially not the PC680.  No idea what Odyssey was thinking when they made the list.

They probably mean the v7 big block from the olden days.

[dilznik]

Alrighty.  The good news is I went back and the nuts and bolts were on the desk waiting for me.  Apparently they fell out of the box.

The better news is, it's all running again.  Mostly back together.

The possibly bad news is, the multimeter is saying 14.99 at idle and 15.28 at 3-4000 RPM.  That article I linked above says the idle was over 15 and at 3-4k it was 16 to 17 volts.

Granted, this all happened to a bike with exactly 450 miles on a 3 year old battery (I bought it 2 years ago on a year old closeout).  It's possible I killed the battery by leaving it hooked up without a battery tender all winter (my garage doesn't get colder than 45-50° in winter).

Does that sound like a bad regulator or just bad motorcycle off season management?

[Muzz]

Way too high. I would go 14.8 - 15.1v max myself. Others may have a slightly different figure of course.

[Kev m]

So here's what I found when I researched this.

Most OEMs (bike or batteries) say charging systems should regulate to a max of a low 14.something volts.

But there's some indication that AGM batteries may withstand or even benefit from slightly higher voltages.

It looks like the regulator used by Guzzi on these early 1TB V7 models was actually designed to regulate voltage up to 15.0 volts. Which sounds high to most people with any experience.

And to make matters worse many owners have checked and found even higher voltage.

When this surfaced and owners were checking charging system output it looked like latter models (most 15+) must have changed something because they are not charging so high (staying in the mid 14's as expected). Maybe Guzzi figured out they had gotten a bad batch of regulators or maybe they specd something with a better anticipated range.

Still with me?

With the voltage you're showing I doubt you cooked your battery in such short a mileage (mine and some other's here had similar output on our 13 & 14 models for up to ~10k miles and our batteries survived albeit mine might be a bit weaker for it).

PERSONALLY at that voltage I'd probably consider replacing the regulator. Even if OEM sources suggest voltage up to 15 as normal that's just a tad too high for my comfort, and technically the reading of 15.28 is beyond even that excessive factory spec.

Lastly yes, a few failed showing even HIGHER voltage 16+ and some of those might have even damaged EFI system components. But that's failing spectacularly. Again technically anything above 15.0 is failing and many people feel anything over even 14.8 should be considered a fail too.

[dilznik]

Okay I think I'll just hold out until finally bringing it in for the first service and then ask them to replace it.

[sign216]

Okay I think I'll just hold out until finally bringing it in for the first service and then ask them to replace it.

You coward.  That's not the Guzzi way!  The Guzzi way is to replace it with a non-standard battery from a WWII transport vehicle and modify the bike until it fits.  All to save 75 cents in sales tax.

(tongue in cheek)