Batteries in Southern Climates

[BuzzKill]

This is mainly for the people in the hotter states down south.

I live in Texas.  How long do your batteries tend to last? 

I got a Yuassa a couple years ago or so.  I usually ride at least a few miles once a week, and a few times a month I'll go for 50-200 miles, not including the trips we take.  I have a Battery Tender but rarely use it because it doesn't sit for long periods of time. 

During the trip to Inzane I noticed it getting harder to start.  It only started after releasing the switch after pressing it a second or two (how long its been like that, I can't remember).  Once in a while it took a few tries.  I put it on the Tender for a week after I came home.  It started right up the first couple of hits, but it seemed to go back to started after releasing the button.

I don't THINK its the alternator because I run extra lights, CB and stuff also.  It always starts, but 3-4 times its taken multiple button pushes.

[John U.]

It may be that a few miles once a week is not enough to keep the battery fully charged. A battery left in a partially charged condition for long periods of time will sulphate and become unable to hold a full charge. This takes place over time and will shorten the useful life of the battery.
There are desulphating battery chargers on the market that can add years to the life of a battery. I've had good luck with a couple of them, for instance, Ctek makes a good line of chargers.

Of course heat does kill batteries. When I lived in Sarasota, Fl heat was the primary reason for premature battey death.
It sounds like your battery is about shot. It takes a lot of power to turn the engine. A weak battery can have just enough to turn the engine over but not enough left to fire the plugs. That's why a bike with a weak battery will start just as the starter button is released.

[Joevalk]

Maybe it was the LED lights, mine started that night we were parked in the middle of the road with all our lights on, but not the next morning. Too many LEDs. I think i need a deep cycle battery , Hey my boat has two of them. Nahh, i'll just turn them on for short periods of time.

[X Ring]

Here's the Chet's FAQ on batteries.  Firing when you release the start button is a classic sign you need to replace the battery.  BTDT when I got my first Valk.

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/#E%20BATTERY

Marty

[rodfarmer]

I live in Phonenix. I replace batteries every 3 years no matter what, cars, motorcycles, whatever I have. Would they last longer? Probably, but I don't like to thing about it. Been doing this since I moved here 26 years ago.

[JaysGone]

I ride daily using my bikes for commuting.
Average battery is 3-4 years regarless of brand.
Ive had 2 gel batteries last less then 3 years.
1 lasted 16 months.
Yusa batteries have given me the longest service on average.

[Jess from VA]

On a Battery Tender (TM) 24 X 7 when not riding (with the SAE pigtail, all you have to do is unplug to ride, plug to park), my original Yuasa in a '99 lasted 11-12 years, and was only replaced because of age and worry about alternator loading and/or eventual failure in the boonies.  Have had up to 5 bikes on Battery Tenders 24 X 7 and never lost a single battery to failure, and never lost a Battery Tender either.

Soon as I retired, I was only driving my '03 car about twice a month, and the battery died: so the new battery is also on a Battery Tender Plus 24 X 7. 

[sandy]

I live in the hottest climate in the states. My Wal Mart battery lasted 7 years. I don't keep it on a charger, but I use regularly.

[signart]

iI changed the battery in my '98 last year (2011). Factory installed battery build dated in '97. Unbelievable, but true.

[pocobubba]

My 2001 stock battery lasted until 2010.In Md.

[RainMaker]

My original YUASA in the Interstate went 9 years and I replaced it because I was afraid it would eventually fail.  Still use it to power some of my "experiments" in the garage.  My second YUASA is now in it's 4th year and starts strong even if the bike sits for 2-3 weeks.

Conversely, the Tourer's battery, a Sears Diehard, died pretty easily after 2 years.  A second Diehard is already showing signs of failure at the 18 month mark. 

Your battery will charge to full and work like normal, but then you ride it and after a few starts, it loses some juice.  That begins to make one wonder if your alternator is running at full strength since it should charge the battery back up just as your tender does.  Or are the extra accessories pulling too much power?

How many volts is your alternator putting out?  I'm not an expert on them but I have heard that brushes do wear out.

RainMaker

[Jess from VA]

Even with a perfect alternator that is able to fully charge the battery, every time you park, the battery begins to discharge, and over longer periods of sitting, sulfize, slowly degrading the battery's ability to take and hold a full charge, regardless of the alternator.  With a battery tender continuously going on and off in float mode this is minimized (for years) (and especially in very hot and very cold conditions, never removing it from the bike) (they truly pay for themselves).

Sure, a good battery/alternator and regular riding may make it last for 5-6 years, but on a tender it will last much longer, and you have the comfort of knowing your battery is in top condition every time you unplug and turn the key.  JMHO

[Daniel Meyer]

I consider it lucky if I get 5 years out of a good quality battery here in Texas.

The more you use the vehicle, the longer its battery will last.

[Sparky51]

Are you sure you don't have starter switch problems?

[Thrud]

Can I suggest the Battery Bug Battery Monitor from Argus?  Visit the link below for more info:

http://www.argusanalyzers.com/battery-monitors/products/bb-sbm12ps-battery-bug-battery-monitor-argus-analyzers.html

About four months ago I installed this monitor on my 2000 Interstate that was still using the battery that came with the bike a year ago.  Didn't know the age of the battery.  The monitor reports the health of the battery and its reserve capacity to start your bike.  Great place to mount it is on the Interstate's left pod.

As the date for Inzane XII was approaching I noticed that my battery's reserve capacity was down to 30 percent and the little battery warning symbol was flashing.  Time to change the battery!  I'm glad I did this because it was hot down in Arkansas and I run a lot of load on my electrical system.  I firmly believe I avoided being stranded with a dead battery.

Steve (Flat6)