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Suntan Sid
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Joined: 07 May 2009
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PostPosted: 10:36 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Cheap Batteries Reply with quote
I've just bought a new battery for my DRZ400E, (a bike renowned for it's cruddy charging system).
I had two options, £90 for a "Yuasa" or £30 for a "Bobby no make".

Given that the bike can destroy a Yuasa battery every 12 months and that I don't use the bike that much, I went for the cheaper option.

If the new battery lasts for a year, then I've just saved myself £60!

So whaddya reckon, if I religiously hook it up to the optimate will I be able to keep it charged and usable for a year?
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TheSmiler
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PostPosted: 10:54 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Good luck with the cheap battery seriously, after my original battery went flat I ended up purchasing a new one (Dynavolt image below) ended up lasting a week, this was with charging and being linked up to an optimate 600.
https://www.bikebits4you.com/images/6n6%20battery.jpg

Ended up going through 6 batteries at £20 that was for just over 6 months. Finally ended up with getting a yuasa £45 from wemoto and it has been great with no problems.
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Mr Calendar



Joined: 14 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 10:55 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Re: Cheap Batteries Reply with quote
Suntan Sid wrote:
... if I religiously hook it up to the optimate will I be able to keep it charged and usable for a year?

No. Then the more expensive one didn't last a year anyhow.

I suspect it's something to do with the nature of the bike. If it gets dropped then the bike battery can be damaged. A DRZ400E and it's intended use suggests it might get dropped once or twice.

The plates are quite close together in a bike battery and are easily bent through abuse or over charging (as in too much charge current).

Not sure if your optimate has it but some kit can actually check if the cells are ok or not. Might be worth looking into. FWIW I've been thinking of trying one of these Easy 6 chargers.

Best bet is to suck it and see.
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Suntan Sid
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PostPosted: 11:29 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
I spent quite a while on ThumperTalk and the concensus is that the charging system on the DRZ is pants, the stator has a habit of deep frying itself.
I might have a go at cleaning all the connectors I can get to on the loom at the weekend.
I've never dropped it since I've had it and it had a brand new battery in it when I got it.
I should just order a kickstart kit for it and not worry about it.
I suppose one thing I don't have to worry about is cold weather, sapping the power!

Bump starting it is a bitch of a thing, I just about managed it downhill, in third! Shocked

I'll see how it goes, and yes it's a "Dynavolt" Shifty
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Bomberman
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Joined: 17 Aug 2004
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PostPosted: 12:17 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
TheSmiler wrote:
Good luck with the cheap battery seriously, after my original battery went flat I ended up purchasing a new one (Dynavolt image below) ended up lasting a week,

Unlucky I think. I've got a Dynavolt in my GPZ, been there 5 months or so now. Bearing in mind my commute isn't good for batteries (four miles each way sloooow) when I tested it on Saturday and it read 12.7v solid I was pretty happy. Took it in and hooked up to my optimiser and it charged for 10 minutes maybe before flicking to maintain.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them based on my experience. I don't mean to be patronising, but did you fill it right? Did you properly charge it before putting it on the bike?
Suntan Sid wrote:

I'll see how it goes, and yes it's a "Dynavolt" Shifty

lol, missed that bit Sid Very Happy As I say, fine for me, even with our ridiculously prolonged winter Thumbs Down
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TheSmiler
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PostPosted: 12:33 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Bomberman wrote:
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them based on my experience. I don't mean to be patronising, but did you fill it right? Did you properly charge it before putting it on the bike?


Got the local garage to fill it up on 4 occasions and it was charged for 12hours I believe on an optimate at the shop. The other 2 times I filled it myself and charged for 12 hours. Could of just had bad luck with them just like biking in general or had dodgy old stock.
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Bomberman
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PostPosted: 12:39 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
TheSmiler wrote:

Got the local garage to fill it up on 4 occasions and it was charged for 12hours I believe on an optimate at the shop. The other 2 times I filled it myself and charged for 12 hours. Could of just had bad luck with them just like biking in general or had dodgy old stock.

Confused 6 batteries in a row? Something more than bad luck at play here methinks. Done any other work to the bike? Messed with the loom at all?
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P.
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Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 13:04 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Smiler, your bikes not the best to go on really is it Laughing

Thats like me saying a bikes forks are shit because they leak all the time, not because of my cack wheelies Wink
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Suntan Sid
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PostPosted: 19:27 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm confused! Confused

The one I bought is a gel battery, is this good or bad?
In reality, I don't care really, as long as it lasts for the next couple of weeks, got a BCF'er coming over next weekend.
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Bomberman
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PostPosted: 19:32 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Suntan Sid wrote:
I'm confused! Confused

The one I bought is a gel battery, is this good or bad?
In reality, I don't care really, as long as it lasts for the next couple of weeks, got a BCF'er coming over next weekend.

Gels are supposed to be top notch no maintenance batteries no? What did you pay for a Dynavolt Gel? £30? I paid that for the standard type for my GPZ, so that sounds fine to me Smile
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Kickstart
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Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 20:48 - 08 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi

No experience of Dynavolt batteries. The main one I avoid are Sprint batteries. They seem OK in daily use but die rapidly with occasional use.

All the best

Keith
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Mr Calendar



Joined: 14 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 14:24 - 09 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
Suntan Sid wrote:
...The one I bought is a gel battery, is this good or bad?...

The thing about gel batteries is that they require a compatible charger. You need to make sure the one you're using gives the correct current or they fry. I believe the new Accumate/Optimate chargers are ok but not sure on older models or other makes.
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Bomberman
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PostPosted: 17:46 - 09 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
map wrote:

The thing about gel batteries is that they require a compatible charger. You need to make sure the one you're using gives the correct current or they fry. I believe the new Accumate/Optimate chargers are ok but not sure on older models or other makes.

The Oximiser 900 I have claims to do all types Thumbs Up
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'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare Very Happy
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Suntan Sid
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PostPosted: 17:48 - 09 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've got an Optimate 3+ does all types!
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