Help & FAQs    Search BCF    Members    Groups    Events Calendar
Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Cheap Batteries

 Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

Suntan Sid
World Chat Champion



Joined: 07 May 2009
Karma :
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?
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!" Cool
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

TheSmiler
World Chat Champion



Joined: 14 Apr 2011
Karma :
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.
____________________
CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

map
Mr Calendar



Joined: 14 Jun 2004
Karma :
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.
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger? Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Suntan Sid
World Chat Champion



Joined: 07 May 2009
Karma :
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
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!" Cool
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Bomberman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Karma :
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
____________________
'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

TheSmiler
World Chat Champion



Joined: 14 Apr 2011
Karma :
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.
____________________
CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Bomberman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Karma :
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?
____________________
'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

P.
Red Rocket



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Karma :
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
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Suntan Sid
World Chat Champion



Joined: 07 May 2009
Karma :
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.
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!" Cool
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Bomberman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Karma :
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
____________________
'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
Karma :
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
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

map
Mr Calendar



Joined: 14 Jun 2004
Karma :
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.
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger? Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Bomberman
World Chat Champion



Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Karma :
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
____________________
'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare Very Happy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Suntan Sid
World Chat Champion



Joined: 07 May 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 17:48 - 09 Jun 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've got an Optimate 3+ does all types!
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!" Cool
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 13 years, 3 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
 You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 
Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.10 Sec - Server Load: 0.59 - MySQL Queries: 13 - Page Size: 90.66 Kb