New Battery Time

[Chrisj CMA]

This is not a " my battery lasted ten years" post.  I have been using Ever Start batteries from Walmart for 15 years now and I used to change them every three years wether it needed it or not.

Since the addition of the Volt meter, I replace the battery as soon as it fails to hold at or near 13 Volts with the engine off.

So, the last few rides the Volts were between 12 and 12.5 at engine shutdown.  

So I take an old battery up to the WM and low and behold they no longer have the 14 BS.  So before getting too bummed out, I search the book and discover a brand new battery has replaced the old 14BS.

The new one is still an Ever Start but it's different and a bit more expensive by 8 or 9 bucks.  It's a ES-TX 14.  This one says NOT to initially charge it.  "Ready to ride" is what it says all over the box.  You don't even have to put the acid in... already done.  Cool!

Back up to 13 and 14 Volts (running and not running)

It also had some neat longer bolts and a spacer to make the additional wires I have easier to connect.

So I m pretty sure it's been around four years.  That's all I m willing to let a bike battery go anyways.  They like to not warn you before giving up the ghost.

[gregk]

Thanks Chris . I'm due, mine isn't holding a charge.   
 Popsicle sticks work for those short screws.

[Robert]

Glass mat batteries are good but different in what they like. I know you ride all the time and keep your bike in running order but keep it fully charged and dont over charge them.

[Chrisj CMA]

Glass mat batteries are good but different in what they like. I know you ride all the time and keep your bike in running order but keep it fully charged and dont over charge them.

Thanks Robert. I looked up the specs on the old 14BS and it was AGM as well. So hopefully treating it like all my others will serve me well.  I never use a battery tender.  Just ride and ride.

[Firefighter]

Hey Chris, are you talking about a volt meter mounted gauge or a hand held multi meter that you check the voltage with? I have a volt meter gauge but never really look at it with the key on except after the engine is running. Little over 14 volts all the time running. My battery is an AGM and I started using a tender after I read here how they help battery life. I usually only get to ride once a week or so.

With my last battery I did notice running voltage slightly lower than normal one day while I was riding and decided to change the battery, don't like taking chances. The oil, volt and temp. gauges I installed years ago give me piece of mind especially since I ride alone nearly all the time.  Firefighter

[cookiedough]

what did wally world want for that everstart battery?

Last 2 times I got my YUASA off amazon.com for around 80 bucks both lasting me 5-6 years.

but YES,  they do go out all of a sudden with no warning. 

[Chrisj CMA]

what did wally world want for that everstart battery?

Last 2 times I got my YUASA off amazon.com for around 80 bucks both lasting me 5-6 years.

but YES,  they do go out all of a sudden with no warning. 

After tax and fees it was $85

[Chrisj CMA]

Hey Chris, are you talking about a volt meter mounted gauge or a hand held multi meter that you check the voltage with? I have a volt meter gauge but never really look at it with the key on except after the engine is running. Little over 14 volts all the time running. My battery is an AGM and I started using a tender after I read here how they help battery life. I usually only get to ride once a week or so.

With my last battery I did notice running voltage slightly lower than normal one day while I was riding and decided to change the battery, don't like taking chances. The oil, volt and temp. gauges I installed years ago give me piece of mind especially since I ride alone nearly all the time.  Firefighter

Its a boat meter from the Overtons catalog and I fabbed up the mount with some purple heart.  Wired directly to the battery so it would be always on except I put a switch in the ground wire so I can turn it off.  That way I can turn it on to get a reading without the engine running

[cookiedough]

the yuasa 14 battery on amazon.com must have went down in price since last bought over 70 bucks.

https://www.amazon.com/YUASA-YTX14-BS-Maintenance-Free-Battery/dp/B000WJX4BQ/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Honda%7C59&Model=GL1500CF%20Valkyrie%20Interstate%7C17894&Year=2001%7C2001&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=motorcycle

is now under 70 bucks - better deal?

Last 2 Yuasa's go 5-6 years for me. 

I prefer to NOT have the acid in the battery in a store or shipped to me since have heard (and I agree) that the longer the acid is sitting in the battery, the LESS life the battery will have.  Once you add acid to the battery plates,  the longevity will start to go down for life of battery.  So, that Everstart could have been with acid inside the battery for 1-2 years, thus reducing useful life by maybe 1 less year?

[Chrisj CMA]

the yuasa 14 battery on amazon.com must have went down in price since last bought over 70 bucks.

https://www.amazon.com/YUASA-YTX14-BS-Maintenance-Free-Battery/dp/B000WJX4BQ/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Honda%7C59&Model=GL1500CF%20Valkyrie%20Interstate%7C17894&Year=2001%7C2001&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=motorcycle

is now under 70 bucks - better deal?

Last 2 Yuasa's go 5-6 years for me. 

I prefer to NOT have the acid in the battery in a store or shipped to me since have heard (and I agree) that the longer the acid is sitting in the battery, the LESS life the battery will have.  Once you add acid to the battery plates,  the longevity will start to go down for life of battery.  So, that Everstart could have been with acid inside the battery for 1-2 years, thus reducing useful life by maybe 1 less year?

That seems to be a good deal on that YUASA.  But as far as the acid being in there.  Heck every car battery I ever bought had the acid in there and they last like 50 years.  Besides, at least at our WM the batteries move quick.  When I first saw these on the shelf there were two rows of them and 3 or 4 days later when I went to buy it there was a half a row.  So if it lasts a week or two less than 5 years because of that I will never know because I will replace it NLT June 2021 if it and this old world last that long.

[Jess from VA]

With two bikes, I like to keep a dry Yuasa (acid on the side) on hand. (maybe for years, inside in a controlled environment)

Mine go a long time, but when they fail it's usually pretty quickly.

Something would probably be available locally, but I hate shopping or calling around.

I hit a few strokes on Amazon, shopping is done, and it appears on my doorstep in a few days. 

[cookiedough]

With two bikes, I like to keep a dry Yuasa (acid on the side) on hand. (maybe for years, inside in a controlled environment)

Mine go a long time, but when they fail it's usually pretty quickly.

Something would probably be available locally, but I hate shopping or calling around.

I hit a few strokes on Amazon, shopping is done, and it appears on my doorstep in a few days. 

We have the last few years been doing amazon PRIME and loving it.  It costs a few bucks per year but we get our moneys worth out of it and saves gas going to store to store to store not finding it wasting time and gas money along with amazon being cheaper 99% of the time over any store.   Hate to say it, but the mom/pop stores are going by the wayside.  Even amazon.com might eventually put good old walmart out of business.

Amazon prime gets the stuff to our door in 3 days usually and I can live with that.  Nearest decent town to buy items is 35 miles away and iffy at best to have in stock, so if you know what you want,  amazon.com thru prime is the way to go no doubt.  Besides, I keep my UPS driver very busy keeping him a job as well.  Just got my wife's bicycle inner tubes and rim tape and rubber patch kits sent my way and worked great for her older Giant bicycle needing an inner tube (near 1/2 the cost of a store) and cloth rim tape needed badly inside the bicycle rim. 

I still think acid in batteries if say over 1 year old sitting on a shelf in a store shortens overall battery life, maybe not 1/2 a year but in my opinion,  1/4th of a year of that 1 year sitting on a shelf.  Most batteries will go 5 years (give or take) and that extra 1-2 months may make a difference being stranded or making it home that day.

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok, this battery may not be the best deal money wise that one can find, but it sure was convenient.  I have had good luck with Walmart batteries even if they are not Japan or USA made Yuassa.

After two good rides this new battery is holding a 13.7 or 13.8 Volt charge for quite some time after engine shut down.  Overnight it drops more.  Dead cold the battery reads 13.2 or 13.3 or so.  Seems better than any of the other batteries I have had so far.

If it lasts four years like my last two Walmart batteries did Ill be a happy camper.

[cookiedough]

Ok, this battery may not be the best deal money wise that one can find, but it sure was convenient.  I have had good luck with Walmart batteries even if they are not Japan or USA made Yuassa.

After two good rides this new battery is holding a 13.7 or 13.8 Volt charge for quite some time after engine shut down.  Overnight it drops more.  Dead cold the battery reads 13.2 or 13.3 or so.  Seems better than any of the other batteries I have had so far.

If it lasts four years like my last two Walmart batteries did Ill be a happy camper.

Agree, if any battery lasts a good solid 4 years then got your moneys worth out of it.  5-6 years is a bonus.