Author Topic: gell cell and maint free batteries compared to the usual (Read 3901 times)

snofrog · « **on:** March 16, 2006, 09:56:08 PM »

I will be purchasing a new battery this spring.are the gell cell and maintainance free batteries worth a look ?i would expect a longer life in exchange for the higher prices. your input is valued here as i am in the dark when it comes to batteries.TIA Mark

Farre · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2006, 06:05:41 AM »

At school we've got a lecture about the AGM (Absorbant Glass Mats, Gel) Batteries. All in all they are safer than conventional batt's, just because there's no acid splotching around. Incidentally, while i was looking around for a regulator i've read a post on gsresources that an AGM can accept higher charges than regular batt's. Charging normally even over 14V's without bad effects (but bad effects for the rest of your electrical system

). Would keep your costs lower if this happens.

Red01 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2006, 10:15:05 AM »

Gel cell and other gas-free batteries have the nice advantage of not caring what attitude they sit at. You can mount them upside down or sideways without ill effects. Because of this, they don't spill when the bike does.

As for "maintenance free" lead-acid batteries, my experience with car batteries is they don't last any longer than a normal one and can still loose water. When they do, it is more difficult, or impossible, to service them.

tacoman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2006, 01:27:03 PM »

Whats comes on the Bandit stock? When I got my B6 that battery was dead and I just bought a new one at the dealer. Its all sealed. Seems good to me, the bike can sit for a couple cold winter months and will fire the bike right up.

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2006, 01:43:09 PM »

The stock B12 battery is a Yuasa YTX12-BS:
Voltage: 12
Capacity: 10
Dimensions: 6" x 3.4375" x 5.125"
Weight: 7.5 lbs.
Metric Dimensions: 150mm x 87mm x 130mm
Metric Weight: 3.4 kg
Acid Volume: 0.6
Amps: 1.2
C.C.A.: 180

The stock B6 battery is a Yuasa YTX9-BS:
Voltage: 12
Capacity: 8
Dimensions: 6" x 3.4375" x 4.1875"
Weight: 5.4 lbs.
Metric Dimensions: 150mm x 87mm x 105mm
Metric Weight: 2.5 kg
Acid Volume: 0.4
Amps: 0.9
C.C.A.: 120

Both are "super-sealed" (Yuasa's words, not mine) maintenance-free lead-acid batteries that only vent in case of overpressure.

FWIW, you should be able to put a B12 battery in a B6 for a little extra cranking power...

ray nielsen · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2006, 05:20:48 PM »

Don't use a flooded cell (regular type) battery on a late model Bandit.

The voltage regulator is set a bit higher and will boil the water from the elecgtrolyte and ruin the battery.

Use a sealed or absorbed glass mat (AGM) type battery. There are several good choices, Yuasa, Extreme and Westco, with Westco usually being the least expensive. Check at <www.westcobattery.com> for their prices, which include shipping and handling.

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2006, 09:57:55 AM »

FWIW, the Yuasa YTX series batteries are AGM type.

snofrog · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2006, 01:22:45 AM »

picked up my stock replacement today at the stealer and fired my bandit up for the first time since october.mmmmmmmmmm smells good.M

FlyingTurtle1 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2006, 10:13:13 AM »

You folks should also know when these "maintance free" batteries decide to leave you they do so RIGHT NOW...No warning like with a regular "wet" battery. How do I know this.....I missed Daytona 200 last weekend standing at a gas station in Atlanta waiting for a tow truck that never showed up!! It's harder to find one too...2 hour run in Atlanta rush hour traffic to have Batteries Plus send my son back to me with the WRONG battery. It did get my "Italian Whore" going and got me home next day, but had to replace it when I got home. To Batteries Plus credit they did replace the 9 month old battery that went dead and credited me for the wrong battery I was given in Atlanta.

pmackie · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2006, 02:12:13 AM »

The standard factory batteries are "sealed", but they still loose water. I have topped mine up at least 2x in three years. You can carefully pry open the caps, that are connected together in one long strip, then top up the battery with distilled water, leaving a few millimeters of air space.

With topping up the water, regular recharging, and use of a "smart" trickle charger or battery tender during off season, you should be able to get 4 or 5 years out of your battery.

Red01 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2006, 04:19:57 PM »

Quote from: "pmackie"

With topping up the water, regular recharging, and use of a "smart" trickle charger or battery tender during off season, you should be able to get 4 or 5 years out of your battery.

Hmmm... maybe you're better off just leaving them alone then.

I've got 5 years out of mine so far (still works fine) and it's never been topped off or put on a charger.

I has been treated to a little run time every 4-6 weeks during the winter - if I remember to go out there and do it.

snofrog · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2006, 05:07:53 PM »

mine was the factory installed battery on my 2000 bandit and it just gave up the ghost. i guess i can live with that

Slider · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2006, 02:27:15 AM »

Mine's a 98 and was still going strong last fall. Dealership sez y'gotta charge it several times during the winter or it will croak.
All previous experiences with regular bat's is that they lasted a max of 3ish years. This one's working on seven.

I vote gel.

JBrobeck · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2006, 10:34:20 AM »

My Battery is the original from '98, aside from jump starting it in the spring when I start getting it ready to ride, it never sees a charger. I don't take the battery out in the minnesota winters or anything else. I've got friend that habbitually remove their batteries, store them indoors, trickle charge them (battery tender) all winter and for some reason they are replacing them every 2-3 years. I don't get it. I will be replacing mine this spring (with a gel cell) but its not at the top of my list cause it still works. Keep in mine, I am using the stock B6 battery to crank over the 1100 motor even.

Josh