smaller battery for t3?

[yackee]

The  battery in my t-3 died (after just 2 years, sadly). My local wal-mart used to sell 300 CCA/375 CA  lawn tractor batteries that would *just* fit into the bike, and those worked fine, but the local was-mart doesn't carry them anymore. I'm planning on running out to the local Honda etc. shop today to see what they have, and was wondering if anyone had any advice/recommendations on what to look for as an appropriate (and perhaps smaller!) replacement. A friend recommended I look at "gel" batteries, but I am pretty clueless about this stuff.

Any thoughts on what I should look for? Do I just need to try to match the cold cranking amps, or are there other factors I need to worry about? I anticipate that the Honda parts guy will clam up as soon as I tell him it's for an old Moto Guzzi.

Jason

[fotoguzzi]

Highly recommend the Oddessy battery mentioned in the other battery thread. Expensive but with very long life. Do you have a batteries plus in your town?
Curious why your old battery lasted only two years, do you by chance have a tender plugged in all the time? Don’t do that.

[acogoff]

     For me the Odyssey 680 works well. Requires a bit of shimming. The first one went 8 years before I could tell it was loosing some capacity. I passed it on to the neighbor kid for use in his atv.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The  battery in my t-3 died (after just 2 years, sadly). My local wal-mart used to sell 300 CCA/375 CA  lawn tractor batteries that would *just* fit into the bike, and those worked fine, but the local was-mart doesn't carry them anymore. I'm planning on running out to the local Honda etc. shop today to see what they have, and was wondering if anyone had any advice/recommendations on what to look for as an appropriate (and perhaps smaller!) replacement. A friend recommended I look at "gel" batteries, but I am pretty clueless about this stuff.

Any thoughts on what I should look for? Do I just need to try to match the cold cranking amps, or are there other factors I need to worry about? I anticipate that the Honda parts guy will clam up as soon as I tell him it's for an old Moto Guzzi.

Jason

Low end replacement: a sealed riding mower battery (group U1) from NAPA, Advance, Autozone, etc. costs around $60. I wouldn't recommend any that vents through the caps.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NBP8227

Mid-range: ETX30L/YIX30L/MTX30L AGM battery meant originally for '97-'15 Harley FL/FLH touring bikes. Should be available at Advance Auto, Autozone, etc. and any battery retailer. This what I use in my '76 Convert and install in nearly all customer's Guzzis.
https://www.batterymart.com/p-mtx-30l-mega-crank-30l-battery.html
https://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX30L-Battery.html

[Diploman]

If you are looking for a "smaller" battery for your T3, I suggest you consider a Lithium Ion battery from AntiGravity's "small case" series.  These batteries are extremely compact and lightweight compared to traditional lead acid batteries, but pack greater energy density for their size.  I replaced a Yuasa in my V50 with an Antigravity 8-cell of about equal power (240 CCA) and saved about eight pounds and considerable space.  For a T3 you might want to consider AntiGravity's  12-cell Small Case at 360 CCA.  Lithium batteries are very durable if cared for properly and will hold a charge far longer than lead acid.   They represent a real technological advance over the traditional lead acid batteries which, even in their "gel" versions, are much the same as 50 years ago.

Downsides of Lithium batteries: 
-- Expensive compared to lead acid
-- Need a dedicated, bespoke charger
-- In cold weather need a brief warm-up routine (eg, headlight on) to reach full CCA prior to starting.

If you are willing to make an initial investment, I believe a Lithium battery is worth it and perhaps even more economical than lead acid in the long run, in addition to the weight, size and durability advantages.

https://shop.antigravitybatteries.com/productline/starter-batteries/small-case/

[yackee]

These are good suggestions, thanks. Given the price of the lithiums, I'll look for the ETX30L types...I wouldn't have known about those without your help.

I am not sure why the last lawn tractor battery died so quickly. I think it might be because I left the bike sitting for six months when I was overseas. In the past they seemed to last 4 years or so. I don't do the trickle-charger thing. Usually just charge them up at the beginning of the season.

[jacksonracingcomau]

I use ytz 14 or generic thereof, no issues,last for many years (10 was best )
Not lithium, cheap and give you loads of room, save weight
On my uk bike have motobatt ytx 16, a bit bigger but still half orig
Both lay flat, terminals at front

Only need a battery to start, these cover that always, both sealed, no spill
If you want to play music, light the campsite or run things beyond charging output etc maybe need more