My Odyssey Battery died after 5 years of good service.

[motoguzziman]

I was motivated to put an Odyssey battery on the Breva, by the late Larry Kline, of GT Motors, Lansing MI.
It was installed on the 9th of June 2010; with 26 730 miles on the clock.
During the first 9 months in unheated storage, in Ontario, it did go flat, due to my alarm, even in sleep mode, draining the power.
A short charge brought it back to life.
Since then, when putting the bike in storage, I have disconnected the battery, and on my return 9 months later, the Guzzi fired right up.
Today, in St George Utah, we were going to ride up to Snow Canyon & get the late afternoon colors of the rocks....
Well, the bike would not start, we tried a jump, but it died again.
On removing it, it was evident that it was dead, one end was all cracked up.
Today 18th of June 2015, with 68 700 miles on the clock.
5 years & 41 970 miles.
Obviously I did not notice the cracks in the case, until I had removed it from the frame.
Anyway we took it to O'Reilly auto parts, and they had nothing with screw in terminals, so they suggested we got across the road to CarQuest, as it was just on closing time.
Well, they also did not have anything in the store, but could have a dry cell replacement, by 0800 tomorrow the 19th. so, fingers xed, as we are due to move on from St George tomorrow, taking the scenic route to Ely Nevada.
Take Care Out There.

[rodekyll]

Judging by the picture the problem isn't the battery.

[fotoguzzi]

should have bought the metal jacket version.. what cooked that thing?

[kevdog3019]

Looks like the spent wood chunks in my smoker after a good brisket smoke.  Never seen that before.  What's up with that?

[motoguzziman]

That was my first dry cell battery, It lasted 5 years.
I get to ride 2 months of the year, June & July.
Rest of the time Im sailing.
Never had a lead acid battery last 5 years.
motoguzziriders.com
Take Care Out there

[Vince in Milwaukee]

I just picked up an Odyssey for my Beemer.  I'll be a happy camper if it gives me 5 years, but will be even happier to get more.  Considering it only cost me $115 delivered to my front door, and not $150 the BMW lead acid battery cost me (it lasted 3 years  ), I'm already ahead of the game.  When the L & G battery gives up the ghost in the LM3, an Odyssey will most likely be going in that too.  I also like the extra room you get.  The PC680 is about half the size of the lead acid. 

[Triple Jim]

For the record, Odyssey's site says theirs are AGM type lead-acid batteries.

[motoguzziman]

For the record, Odyssey's site says theirs are AGM type lead-acid batteries.

Yes, but the liquid is absorbed by the glass mat, you cannot top them up, and they do not leak.
Thats how you can install them lying down or stood on end, like mine was.
So people commonly refer to them as Dry Cell batteries, as seen here ;
http://www.atbatt.com/odyssey-pc925l-dry-cell-agm-battery.asp?utm_content=ODYSSEY-PC925L&utm_term=PC925L&utm_category=Sealed-Lead-Acid&gclid=CInZ5_X2m8YCFU-TfgodpF0Aqw

[kevdog3019]

Yes, but the liquid is absorbed by the glass mat, you cannot top them up, and they do not leak.
Thats how you can install them lying down or stood on end, like mine was.
So people commonly refer to them as Dry Cell batteries, as seen here ;
http://www.atbatt.com/odyssey-pc925l-dry-cell-agm-battery.asp?utm_content=ODYSSEY-PC925L&utm_term=PC925L&utm_category=Sealed-Lead-Acid&gclid=CInZ5_X2m8YCFU-TfgodpF0Aqw

Lithium is even more dry and about 3 vs. 12-15 lbs.  They are also MUCH smaller if you prefer.  I only say this because I'm seeing posts here about such gains from AGM vs. Lead acid.  Don't shoot the messenger here, just pointing something out.  Not sure you know.

[Vince in Milwaukee]

I should phrased my comparison Odyssey vs a "traditional" lead acid battery.  Traditional is the key word here.  Looks like a learning curve for some folks (me especially) and a lot of knowledge to be gained on this site.  I'm rather a Luddite when it comes to technology, but this looks to be a case of the new stuff actually IS better than the old. 

[Triple Jim]

I should phrased my comparison Odyssey vs a "traditional" lead acid battery.  Traditional is the key word here.  Looks like a learning curve for some folks (me especially) and a lot of knowledge to be gained on this site.  I'm rather a Luddite when it comes to technology, but this looks to be a case of the new stuff actually IS better than the old.

The industry buzz word for the old type wet lead-acid batteries is "flooded", but traditional gets the idea across fine.   

[rodekyll]

I'd still like to know what happened to cook that battery from the outside.  It did not die a natural death.

[Triple Jim]

I'd still like to know what happened to cook that battery from the outside.  It did not die a natural death.

I suppose it's possible that the cell on the end failed, and then got very hot from attempted charging after that, so although it looks like it was an out outside heat source, it wasn't.

[kevdog3019]

I suppose it's possible that the cell on the end failed, and then got very hot from attempted charging after that, so although it looks like it was an out outside heat source, it wasn't.

Well, ain't that somethin'. I thought only lithiums cooked themselves. I mean if one does it they all do, right??   
Looks like an inside job in this case. 

[bad Chad]

Five years is good out of a battery, though some have gone far longer, as in pushing 10!   Heck, I have got 5 years out of a $22 lawnmower batter in my Bassa.

[Triple Jim]

Yeah, I use generic alarm system AGMs myself, and they seem to last as long as any. 

[motoguzziman]

Lithium is even more dry and about 3 vs. 12-15 lbs.  They are also MUCH smaller if you prefer.  I only say this because I'm seeing posts here about such gains from AGM vs. Lead acid.  Don't shoot the messenger here, just pointing something out.  Not sure you know.

Ha, yes, if I had been at home, but as said I had just ridden a couple of thousand miles through some godawful thunderstorms, my rain gear is usually brill, but it gave up this time, as did the rear bag cover.
The bike had just had a full service, new clutch plate,  main engine seals etc, and the battery was fine then.
So, either it  died of old age after arriving in St George, or  perhaps the torrential rain on the interstate shorted something out ?
Anyway  after trying O'reilleys and Car Quest I found one at Napa, that did the job.
Thing was, we were due to move on today, and couldn't stay longer as the place was fully booked, so I had to go with what was available in St George. anyway now in Ely Nevada, after a great hot & windy ride.
Obviously , if this one conks out, any time soon, then yes, Ill have to find a decent workshop somewhere & have  it looked at. Also Ill post it here too, but sso far, I am not seeing anything funny going on in my charging circuit.
Take Care Out There.

[earemike]

Five years is good out of a battery, though some have gone far longer, as in pushing 10!   Heck, I have got 5 years out of a $22 lawnmower batter in my Bassa.

My OEM Spark 500 managed to eek out 12 years before it would no longer take charge

[charlie b]

Five years is good out of a battery, though some have gone far longer, as in pushing 10!   Heck, I have got 5 years out of a $22 lawnmower batter in my Bassa.

Where'd you get one for $22.  Mine was $35  :)  I decided 4 yrs was enough on my lawn battery.  Got an Odyssey last month.  Nice that it is only about half the size.  Thanks to Harpers for that little bracket thingy to hold it in place  :)