Time For A New Battery

[Sledge Hammer]

After 2 1/2 years under my astigmatic watch and no telling how many years before that, my Magna's battery is rapidly losing its will to live. The voltage on it is okay, but the oomph to turn the motor over is just about gone. Not to be an hysteric but I rather prefer to take care of things like that at a location of my choosing rather than the battery's, so I'm thinking a trip to Wally World, Cycle Gear, or the stealership is in order, and as luck would have it, they are all about the same distance away, being no more than about 400 yards from each other. Anybody think the OEM battery from the dealership is worth the extra outlay of cash the guys at the parts counter doubtless want for it?  I've heard Cycle Gear isn't cheap either, but that if you give them a day that they will at least make sure they hand over a fully charged battey to you. I've had mixed results with automotive batteries from Wal-Mart, so are their motorcycle batteries generally good these days?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

[Jerry G Turner]

go on line and get a gel cell battery they seem to be better and most offer free shipping.

[lragan]

I installed a Wal-Mart battery about 18 months and ~ 7K miles ago -- it has served well, and was minimum price, around $40 as I recall.

What I like about their batteries is their guarantee.  If it fails within the warranty period, you get a new one -- no pro-rating or other BS.

I have a diesel tractor that eats batteries for breakfast.  Finally put a small solar charger on it, cause it sits most of the time, but before that, Wal-Mart replaced the batteries twice -- at two batteries per pop!

When I look at a battery, I see:

1) a case

2) some plates

3) posts or other connectors

4) acid & water

To my untrained eye, they all "rook arike", if you catch my drift.  Maybe I am missing something, but I don't understand why one would pay twice the price.  You pay more for a longer warranty, but what else is there?

[TLRam1]

Depends how much you want to spend on the style of battery you go with.

I did go with the AGM battery vs the flooded style, suppose to be better and on the old bikes especially, no acid drip on my pipes.

I have ordered a few batteries from O'Reillys, they can have them in a short time. I stay away from Walmart as much as I can but on MC batteries they have what I need in stock. I have a few websites for batteries somewhere in this computer.

[L J VFR]

Hey Lawrence, speaking of diesel tractors eating batteries, I feel your pain.  My 3010 John Deere likes them as well.  And at $100.00 a piece it gets old.  Oh, and this dang thing takes 2 of them cause it is 24 volt.    I've heard of a conversion to 12 volt kit, but everyone says it is like $400.00 to convert it.

[TLRam1]

  Finally put a small solar charger on it, cause it sits most of the time,

Tractors, this is the way to go.

[lragan]

Hey Lawrence, speaking of diesel tractors eating batteries, I feel your pain.  My 3010 John Deere likes them as well.  And at $100.00 a piece it gets old.  Oh, and this dang thing takes 2 of them cause it is 24 volt.    I've heard of a conversion to 12 volt kit, but everyone says it is like $400.00 to convert it.

Lance, I would not convert to lower voltage.  I would imagine it would require replacing the starter and alternator as a minimum.  If the starter draws the same power (which I don't see how it could avoid), then you will need larger cable/wire too.

It makes a huge difference in battery life if they are kept at full charge.  If you are near an outlet, I would invest in a 24 volt trickle charger.  The biggest killer on these is that they leak down, then it freezes, then -- toast.  I have two batteries, but they are in parallel for a 12 volt system.  My tractor is only 60 hp, and is 1/2 as old as I am, so I am sure yours is different.

[Sledge Hammer]

All, thanks for your replies. I think I'm going to try an AGM battery like Terry has. That construction type seems to offer some significant advantages over typical wet-cell batteries, reportedly including better ability to withstand heat and lower self-heating (maybe the lower self-heating enables the better heat withstanding) and less likelihood of corrosive build-up in the area around the battery and better spill protection. It looks like the trade-off is that the total amount of energy available is lower for a given size of battery than with wet-cells.

Now to cough up the $$$. 

[hootmon]

I bought my last Gell battery at Interstate batteries.
It is a rebranded yuasa and cheaper than I could have got from the dealer...
I've done the Wally world batteries and did not get a lot of life out of them...
I may not be a good test though.
My bike goes through Regulators like Tractors go through batteries...           

[Sledge Hammer]

Thanks, Hootmon. That's good information and there's an Interstate store not far from me.

I'm batting about 0.300 myself with Wal-Mart batteries. I've gotten some good ones, but only after going through a lot of warranty returns with bad ones. On top of that, I loathe doing business with Wal-Mart on general principle.

[Magnum Magna]

I loathe doing business with Wal-Mart on general principle.

I am with you.  I go there only if I have to.

[L J VFR]

Are you kidding, I live in Northwest Arkansas.  There is a Wal-Mart on every corner.  If a ma and pa store even tries to put up a grocery store, Wal-Mart puts one across the street.  It is pretty sad actually.  They are just too convenient for me not to shop at them.   I may just be a sucker too though.

[hootmon]

I love shopping at WalMart..
I can just never get out to the place..
They have 43 cash registers and 8 cashiers for a superstore...
The "express lanes" are 20 items or less, (Not sure how you call that express)
There's always a price check..
Then when they finally ring up everything..
   Then the customer reaches in and pulls out 40 coupons, they argue about the 10 coupons that the register won't take because they are expired, or didn't buy the right size item...
   Then they decide they are writing a check, so then reach back in and pull out their checkbook to START writing the check...

Then I walk up to the register with my two cans of SeaFoam  - *** ALL HAIL SeaFoam!!!***

Like I said I love shopping at Walmart, I just hate paying...
***Hootmon steps of soapbox***

[Jester]

I hate my walmart,  luckily we only have one so I'm not tempted by convienence.  The problem here is that they only have maybe 8 registers staffed and it's soooo packed that the only time you can actually find a parking spot is 2 in the morning!!!!   ALL HAIL SEAFOAM....screw walmart    btw what is a good price for a gel battery?

[Charles S Otwell]

It would be nice if we could pass the blame to Wal-Mart but the truth is, we are the ones that put the mom and pop stores out of business  . But on a happier note it should make you feel a little better to know that Mr and Mrs  Walton had children too, so in a since, mom and pop are still doing ok  .. Wal- Mart batteries have served me well so far, and besides I'm never sure the that the battery didn't come from the same manufacturer with just a different name on the case. Off soap box