|
|
Cruiser
Posts: 238
SF Bay Area | I say... load test it, if it has an acceptable reserve, then keep using it. I have seen original batteries last seemingly forever if not abused. The shortest lived batteries are those that get completely discharged... each time you lose capacity/rebound. My '99 Vic had athe oriAinal battery for 9 years, my '08 Vision still has the original battery, but it was discharged once (my bad...), so I am riding with probably 80% of potentail capacity. |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 37
Southern Indiana | Go ahead and run that old battery. Changing wiring harness from low voltage high amperage draw cranking and replacing ECU's from jump starting pays my salary every day. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 208
Wichita, Kansas | I do the same thing with my vehicles that we do with aircraft batteries - perform a capacity check. Charge the battery. Turn on the ignition and turn on the high beams and the radio. Start a stop watch (or note the time) and watch the voltmeter on the bike. When it gets to 10 volts, shut it off and recharge it. Do it when new and you have a base line. When it gets below about 60% of the original time, change it out. In other words, my stock battery new went about 30 minutes to get to 10 V. Last week (it's a 4 year old 2008 SSG) I got about 23 minutes. So I'm near that point but I am confident it will get me through the winter and probably next summer. When it goes under 20 minutes I will replace it. The point is - use data, not guesswork or old legends or "common practice." Good data will allow you to get reliable operation at the least expense. But it takes a little time and planning. Some people would rather just spend money. Your call.
Edited by KansasGuardsman 2012-09-14 12:22 PM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Nice call, I like the way you describe to test it with empirical data. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | it always amazes me that people have the disposable cash to replace batteries that arent dead, belts that aren't broken,bearings that are working fine, tires that aren't worn, etc. I guess I'm one of the poor Vision riders. It's your money. If you want to buy stuff before you need it, it's your business, just perplexes me. |
|
| |
'08 w/ OEM battery
