Battery Replacement

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:49 pm

In an earlier post (5/09), I mentioned that I charged up the Westco battery on my '80 and the bike started right up after sitting for nearly two years. I tried to start the bike again today (first time since May '09) and the battery was dead. I put it on a Battery Tender but it will no longer take a charge. The battery is approx 5.5 years old. Is this a typical life expectancy for these batteries? I realize that I did not take proper care of this battery. For a replacement I'm thinking a either a Westco 12V22, SVR18 or an Odyssey PC680. They're all about the same $$. Any reccomendations?

Don · Post by **Don** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:17 pm

If an AGM battery is cycled regularly (used and charged) it's not unusual to have them last 10 years or more . . . . but I suppose half that would be a pretty good lifespan for one which is neglected - That's twice or 3 times what a wet cell would give you under similar treatment

Begining with the 1990 model, every Mazda Miata came from the factory with an AGM in the trunk and there are many, many Miatas still running around with 10 or 12 year old factory Panasonic AGM's still going strong

Don

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:18 pm

I really neglected this one. Bike hasn't been out of the garage in two years

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:28 pm

Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 6:34 pm Post subject: Battery swap...finally!

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Its been six years, almost to the month that I replaced the battery in my 79 while on tour. Had to settle for a 'fill it with water occasionally' type, an Interstate Y50N18LA which has 350 CCAs. Lately its been starting the bike kinda slowly so I load tested it and sure enough its failing. Found another online thru BatteryStuff.Com and took a chance and bought a sealed AGM from the Scorpion company, model YTX24HLBS, also with 350CCAs. I put it in the 82 as its the bike more often ridden long distances (Montana here I come in July!!!) and took the (also six year old) battery, a Westco sealed AGM, same exterior size and weight but no model name on it, and put it in place of the old Interstate in the 79. It tests fine and spins the 82 like a top! Should serve the 79 well until it finally peters out. Its inevitable I guess but using my Deltran Battery Jr occasionally has sure made them last a long time. I'll report back when the Westco wears out. BTW, the new Scorpion cost only $77 delivered!!! They only list batteries for 1982 CBXs and this one is listed as the optional one. Boy if it fails on my tour this summer I'm gonna be pissed!!!

To add, the Scorpion didn't fail

and works like a charm, and so does the six+ year old Wetsco in the 79! Very much worth the $77 delivered. And Carl, a Deltran Battery Tender Jr costs less than $30 almost anywhere!

steve murdoch icoa #5322 · Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:29 pm

I bought a Big Crank ETX20L three years ago for my '81 and have had no troubles. I will be buying another one for the '79.
http://www.bigcrank.com/honda-cbx1000-s ... X-20L.html

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:32 pm

I had all three of the batteries you consider, the Westco, the SVR and the Odyssey and prefer them in exactly that order.

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:38 pm

According to their respective websites the SVR has more CCA than the Westco even though the Westco is 22A as opposed to 20A. I believe the SVR is made here (wow). The last Westco I purchased was made in 'Nam.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:39 pm

steve murdoch icoa #5322 wrote:I bought a Big Crank ETX20L three years ago for my '81 and have had no troubles. I will be buying another one for the '79.
http://www.bigcrank.com/honda-cbx1000-s ... X-20L.html

The similarly priced Scorpion has 80 more CCAs!!!

so there!

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 8:48 pm

The main reason I prefer them in that order is size. The Westco fits best. Both the SVR and the Odyssey have somewhat odd sizes.
The Scorpion has a rather crude finish. It is made in China and it shows, in my opinion. I bought one for my R100S and I don't like it for very specific reasons unique to that application.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:39 pm

"The Scorpion has a rather crude finish."

Mine came in a bright yellow hardshell finish and looks and fits perfectly. Looks like a rectangular box of Pennzoil!

Time will tell how much being made in China has to do with its longevity, so again, the $77 'gamble' doesn't hurt very much. When it crumbles, if it crumbles, I'll let everyone know.

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:22 am

Terry wrote:"The Scorpion has a rather crude finish."

Mine came in a bright yellow hardshell finish and looks and fits perfectly. .

My Scorpion for the BMW has a black housing. It looks like a third-world battery. The surface is rough and uneven. It looks like the seams have gaps and it does not have the dimensions stated in the order form. As a result, it does not fit in the battery box.