Time for a new battery, LeMans 1000

[bigbikerrick]

Hello Folks, after 4 years of use the gigantic Power Max 30 AH battery in my LeMans went tits up. I am thinking of putting a premium battery in the beast, and am wondering what the group recommends . I am thinking a Shorai would be nice ,  since the AGM battery for this bike is so huge, or an Odyssey, would be good also.
Any recommendations appreciated,
Rick.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I would recommend a regular AGM battery say 20AH Yuasa or some other brand with a warrantee

[Diploman]

While some here on WildGuzzi shy away from Lithium batteries (it's a natural human tendency to resist change and go with what is known/familiar), I took the plunge and have to say that I have had nothing but a very positive experience with my 8-cell AntiGravity.  It saved about 8 pounds over the former Yuasa lead-acid in my V50, and is so tiny that I relocated it and now use the former battery compartment for cargo/tools/raingear, etc.  Combined with new battery cables from Revival, and a Valeo clone starter (cranks stronger and saves significant weight over the OE Bosch), I have a powerful, stable and reliable electrical power unit.  Just for fun, I cranked the bike over one day last winter when the temperature was around 18F, to explore the validity of the commonly-held critique of lithium batteries: they are said to lose power at colder temperatures.  I found this somewhat true: The bike did crank slower at the low temperature.  Perhaps that could have been more due to thicker oil than a weaker battery.  At any rate the starter cranked dutifully at plenty of RPM's to start the bike:  about what the old Bosch starter and Yuasa would do on an 80F day.  So yes, perhaps the lithium does lose some power at lower temperatures, but it still has ample power to do its job.

IMO, the biggest downside to going Lithium is the entry price: rather un-Guzzi.  First, the battery is expensive (@$120), and then you need a special, dedicated Lithium charger (@$70).  If you can clear this hurdle, expect the battery to last for years (not much data on just how long), and the charger will serve for an subsequent Lithium battery.    The upfront investment, I believe, is abundantly worth it, given the weight, power and charge retention advantages of this modern alternative to the conventional lead-acid/AGM batteries available prior to Lithium's arrival on the market.  For much less than the price of a new set of shocks you can fit a power storage unit to your bike that will substantially outperform traditional batteries.  Shorai (Japanese) and AntiGravity (US-made) seem to be leading the Lithium pack currently, but there are many less expensive lithium makes now on the market.

[ejs]

Do you need a special dedicated charger ??!
What abaut the Bike charging system ¿???¿

[Furbo]

I think the best battery on the planet is the Spark 500 http://www.aliveneta.it/battery-spark-500-12-v-13-ah. Considering the cost, it should be. BUT....I have one in my 96 Sport 1100 since I bought it in........2002. It's still going strong and I do the worst thing you can - I leave the bike sit for months then ride it for a few hrs and abandon it again.

Otherwise, I'm an Oddessy fan. The small Oddessy in my Honda Dominator 650 has been there since 2005. The one in my Kwak Concours since 2007, and another in my Honda XR650L since 2014. Infact, I've never bought a second Oddessy for the same bike, usually selling the bike before it's needed.

so, that's my .02. 

[Old Jock]

Posted this before

For Lithium LiFe batteries

Do not charge them with a charger that has a Sulphate cycle
They should ideally be stored when not in use at 60-80% of full charge capacity (this does not equate to Volltage the relationshiop is non linear). Ask the supplier if in doubt. When you want to use the bike bring them up to 100% with the charger.
They should ideally be balanced charged if not all the time then at least ocassionally. The battery comprises of series parallel low voltage cell packs to make up the Ah & Voltage requirement, so each pack of parallel cells should be charged individually, if you don't then they can get out of whack and prematurely fail. Some manufacturers have this circuitry built into the battery others not, I'd ask the question.
A dedicated charger for the job is ideal
Do not let them go flat they are far less tolerant of abuse than Lead Acid

They lose power in cold temps so not recommended in a cold climate.
They do hold their charge better than Lead Acid BUT if you have parasitic draw they will flatten quicker, this is because although they are given a lead acid equivlent rating for comparison, the actual true Ah rating will be quite a bit lower.

They can cause heating Reg/Rec problems but a few seem to be running them in the old Bosch setup and are not reporting problems

For me they are fine, the downside is cost, the upsides are longevity, weight and size. I don't think they are the seed of Satan, just different tech so different operating and maintenance parameters

Personally I'm using an 18Ah Oddessy, however the Spark looks good too.
My own experience with the more expensive AGM batteries like Oddessy (and probably that Spark) are you get what you pay for, I'm still running a 6 year old Oddessy in my LM 1000, apart form the odd top up in the Winter (probably not necessary) it has been maintenance free and clean   

[sdcr]

I've been using Odyssey batteries with good results, the LM 3 has one in since 2011, when I first bought the machine. Bike starts fine after being idle for two or three weeks. They are a little pricey initially, but if you have a bike a long time, not so much.

[double.d]

I've had a standard Yuasa in mine for 3 years. I may ride once a month now and it starts first go every time........... because of the Optimate battery tender, one of the best motorcycle related investments i ever made.

[bigbikerrick]

I called up Shorai's tech dept, and asked what battery they recommend for my LeMans. They recommended either the LFX24L3-BS-12 at $249.95   or the LFX36L3-BS-12 for a whopping $329.95! I knew shorai are expensive, but I didnt think they were quite this expensive.
Rick.

[troyhamilton]

ill just run my 32.00 wal mart lawn tractor battery after all i guzzi is a tractor!

[guzziart]

I've been using Odyssey batteries with good results, the LM 3 has one in since 2011, when I first bought the machine. Bike starts fine after being idle for two or three weeks. They are a little pricey initially, but if you have a bike a long time, not so much.

Almost the same here....Odyssey in my LM4 since 2011.

[blackcat]

ss!10003!US!-1" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-Batteries-PC680-12-Volt-AGM-Battery-7-27-x-3-11-x-6-67/263696560069?epid=115287251&hash=item3d658a2fc5:g:55YAAOSwYeNa~pxA:sc:ShippingMethodExpre ss!10003!US!-1

I think the one in the Daytona is 6-7 years old and the one in the 1000S is 8 years old. Use the wrong battery charger will kill them so beware. I have the 680 in all of my bikes.

[sdcr]

The 680 Odyssey is the one I used in all three of my Sports. Worked fine, and they really last.
In my Le Mans III, I have the same 680.

ss!10003!US!-1" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssey-Batteries-PC680-12-Volt-AGM-Battery-7-27-x-3-11-x-6-67/263696560069?epid=115287251&hash=item3d658a2fc5:g:55YAAOSwYeNa~pxA:sc:ShippingMethodExpre ss!10003!US!-1

I think the one in the Daytona is 6-7 years old and the one in the 1000S is 8 years old. Use the wrong battery charger will kill them so beware. I have the 680 in all of my bikes.

[bigbikerrick]

Lots of great info here, thanks guys! I have an odyssey in my 03 Aluminum, and the first odyssey before it lasted 6 1/2 years, so they are deffinitely good batteries. I was not aware I needed a special charger for the odyssey, I have always used a regular old battery tender I picked up at costco.
I also learned something new, that my Lemans takes the same  battery as a harley big twin  such as  a softail.

I have noticed that over the years many folks have recommended the newer sealed type of lawn tractor batteries available cheaply. Do those have enough CCA's to crank the big old bosch starter coupled to the high compression  big valve motor?
Thanks again for all the great replies!
Rick.
 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Lots of great info here, thanks guys! I have an odyssey in my 03 Aluminum, and the first odyssey before it lasted 6 1/2 years, so they are deffinitely good batteries. I was not aware I needed a special charger for the odyssey, I have always used a regular old battery tender I picked up at costco.
I also learned something new, that my Lemans takes the same  battery as a harley big twin  such as  a softail.

I have noticed that over the years many folks have recommended the newer sealed type of lawn tractor batteries available cheaply. Do those have enough CCA's to crank the big old bosch starter coupled to the high compression  big valve motor?
Thanks again for all the great replies!
Rick.
 

I've seen the sealed lead-acid type group U1 batteries up around 360 cca, comparable to the ETX30L which is usually 400.

I like big batts and I can not lie...  Big Block with Bosch (or Marelli) starter - the bigger the better IMO. The V700 has a Miata battery, the Ambassador an AC-Delco 55-6 (now 14 years old) and the Convert and ETX30L. The Morini has a "puny" ETX20L but might end up with a Motobatt soon.

[Chuck in Indiana]

We have a long thread on Odyssey "conditioning" with a proper minimum 6 amp charger. If done properly, Odysseys last as nearly as I can tell.. forever.  I have 3 in bikes and one in an airplane. I have abused them by letting them sit as much as a year without issue.

Lots of great info here, thanks guys! I have an odyssey in my 03 Aluminum, and the first odyssey before it lasted 6 1/2 years, so they are deffinitely good batteries. I was not aware I needed a special charger for the odyssey, I have always used a regular old battery tender I picked up at costco.

Not too bad for using a trickle charger. "Maintainers" are normally death to Odysseys.

[Old Jock]

Literature for the Odyessey batteries here


https://www.odysseybattery.com/Support/Literature

Personally I've been using a 4A charger, but Chuck is correct they reallly need a 6A charger

Download the Technical manual and it will lay it all out

[Moto]

I have trouble understanding or believing that Odysseys really need a special charger. Here's why:

1. They evidently get recharged in normal vehicle operations without a special alternator*, so why a special charger? Would an Odyssey fail if you ran your vehicle regularly and so never needed to hook up a charger?

2. I installed an Odyssey PC680 (?) 11 (eleven) years ago in my T3, which has seen very little and very intermittent service since then for a grand total of 6,000 miles. (Oh, the shame.) The Odyssey battery has been recharged very intermittently with an ancient (20 years old?), small (4x3x2.5 inch, plug-in type) Battery Tender trickle charger. It works fine these 11 years on.

That said, they do seem to be good batteries, compared to the three-year old Interstate one in my Griso that suddenly reads 3 volts after having passed a load test three weeks ago.

Puzzling.

Moto

* (EDIT) or a special voltage regulator, more to the point.