Battery Life

[Adirondack Bill]

I bought my Valk new in 2014 when they first came out. So, in the spring it will be my 4th season of riding. I have some concerns regarding my battery. The riding season here is roughly April through November.  In the winter months I take my battery out and keep it in the cellar on a trickle charge- Battery Tender Jr.  I have had no problems with the battery, but to play it safe, should I get a new one?? I don't want to get stuck out in the "boonies" with a dead battery.  How is everyone else's battery holding up?

[Jess from VA]

I can't speak to 1800s but I can for a lot of other bikes.

So long as your (hooked up) Battery Tender keeps showing a solid green light, that battery should be fine.

You get a replacement battery, with acid on the side (you'll need one sooner or later).  Stick it on a shelf and hold on to it until your current battery shows any signs of weakness or failing.  Slow or hard to start or dead.

When it gives you any worry, then charge and stick your new one in.

Course, getting an idea on how long other 1800 Valk original batteries are lasting can't hurt.  Though everyone doesn't ride as much as others, or get as much heat or cold exposure, or stick it on a maintainer from time to time.

I replaced one of my 1500 Valk batteries last summer.  I used my backup, and forgot to order another.  My new Amazon Yuasa just showed up last week.  It's sitting on a shelf now.  I might not need it for a couple years, but whenever I need it, it's just needs juiced, and a slow 2 amp charge to be ready.

I think this is a good a plan as any.

[Robert]

I doubt it will be any problem, and life should be good, but I would do a week on, week off, on the Tender.

The reasons that I doubt that anyone will have much problem is our alternators put out around 100 amps. Our bikes maybe take 15 amps running so even at idle like a car our batteries are constantly charged, so the life of our batteries should be good. This is far and above most bikes since they consume more power and have smaller alternators and at idle will discharge the battery. The constant draw and charge can shorten the life of the battery considerably.

If it makes you feel better you can but like buying a battery for a car, would you buy that early?

The battery Tender although not likely can overcharge the battery since its not a true float charger.

[Kidd]

I replace batteries on all my vehicles  every 3 years  , y'all  want to  guess why ?

Been stranded more than once because I did not buy a new one , no more of that crap , I change 'em every 3 years

It may be  a desert thing

[Jess from VA]

If it makes you feel better you can but like buying a battery for a car, would you buy that early?

Robert, car batteries come juiced and charged (and are already aging when you buy them).  My Yuasa's come empty with acid on the side.  Do you think they throw all the unsold ones out every three years?  An uncharged battery on my shelf at home lasts as long as in a warehouse (and in my house, the temps are reasonable and constant unlike all warehouses).  While empty they are inert.

The battery Tender although not likely can overcharge the battery since its not a true float charger.

My two bike Yuasas have been on Battery Tender Jrs and a Plus 24 X 7 X 365 in my bikes (except on trips) since 2005 and 7, and I have never lost a battery due to overcharge (nor any overcooking or acid leakage of any kind).  They have been replaced due to age at about 7 years on average (one went 11 years).  I have lost the Battery Tender Plus to age and use, but I have never lost a Battery Tender Jr, yet.  I also keep my car and my generator battery on these Tenders, constant (unless driving).

Once in a blue moon my outdoor GFCI circuits have popped (a few times - storms), and the tenders go off.  I always discover this after a day or two.  

I see no downside to having an uncharged bike battery backup on hand at all times.  Esp if you have 2 or more bikes (and my two take the same battery).  Granted you can always pay expedited shipping for a quick delivery.  All my Amazon orders come ground shipping, for free.

[Robert]

If it makes you feel better you can but like buying a battery for a car, would you buy that early?

Robert, car batteries come juiced and charged (and are already aging when you buy them).  My Yuasa's come empty with acid on the side.  Do you think they throw all the unsold ones out every three years?  An uncharged battery on my shelf at home lasts as long as in a warehouse (and in my house, the temps are reasonable and constant unlike all warehouses).  While empty they are inert.

The battery Tender although not likely can overcharge the battery since its not a true float charger.

My two bike Yuasas have been on Battery Tender Jrs and a Plus 24 X 7 X 365 in my bikes (except on trips) since 2005 and 7, and I have never lost a battery due to overcharge (nor any overcooking or acid leakage of any kind).  They have been replaced due to age at about 7 years on average (one went 11 years).  I have lost the Battery Tender Plus to age and use, but I have never lost a Battery Tender Jr, yet.  I also keep my car and my generator battery on these Tenders, constant (unless driving).

Once in a blue moon my outdoor GFCI circuits have popped (a few times - storms), and the tenders go off.  I always discover this after a day or two. 

I see no downside to having an uncharged bike battery backup on hand at all times.  Esp if you have 2 or more bikes (and my two take the same battery).  Granted you can always pay expedited shipping for a quick delivery.  All my Amazon orders come ground shipping, for free.

All good points Jess,

 I buy my tires one set extra to have on hand at all times since I mail order them and can get a nail in the one I'm using and no one local has them.  So I do understand about having extra parts handy, but I just dont think it needs to be done for batteries. Batteries usually dont die immediately and you usually get some kind of warning. Batteries are usually available from many local sources and most people dont ride everyday so I really dont see the need thats all. Why lay out the money now for a battery that may go 2 or 3 years from now. If worse comes to worse most battery companies that supply batteries for automotive shops have batteries available even if you cannot get one from Sears,Walmart, a local bike shop or so many other places. You said your battery went 7 years on average to 11 years for one so do you really need an extra battery on a bike say 3 years old?

As for batter Tenders;

While many have had good luck with battery Tenders I have known them to cook some batteries. Unless they have changed their design they dont ever turn off, you always are charging the battery. A charger that monitors charge level and shuts off completely is always the best since it turns completely off when not needed, yet still monitors the charge level and if needed automatically starts charging again. Most boat chargers are this way and its called a float charger. Its not good to have the battery on constant charge since it can overheat the battery and distort the plates inside. There are also many chargers that do a conditioning charge while in storage to allow the plates in the battery to desulfate.

[Jess from VA]

Robert, when I refer to Battery Tender Juniors and a Plus, I am talking about the brand name.

They are all float chargers with a brain.  I won't even own a constant-run trickle charger (for the reasons you point out).  My big car charger could be set to trickle constant, but I always use a timer on that one.

Jr


Plus (higher charge rate)(after this one burned out, I stuck with the Jrs, which have not burned out yet)


There are others just as good like Ctech, and at least one guy said his Battery Tender was messed up, but mine have been great, for years and years.

Finally I have worried about a fire.  But I'm on a modern 200A service, all my outdoor circuits are GFCI,  each tender is fused, and my bike is fused (all charging done on batteries installed in bikes with pigtails).  No fire since 2005, so I feel pretty good about it.

BTW, on tires, I always have a spare front ready to go.  But I run 37K mile Goodyears on back, and those tires age in the shed.  So I never have backups for those.  If I need one, I get it fresh.  I need at least one front each year, and sometimes two.  My last two Amazon Goodyears were at my door in a couple days.

[dans2014]

Mine quit last Spring. A battery tender is your only hope for long life. 3-5 years is average

[Hef]

I own a 2000 Standard with 127K miles on the clock. My current battery is 8 years old. Never had a battery tender on it. Works great. Maybe I have just been lucky.