RE: [BMWMc] Thanks to those who responded about the Gel battery &Batter Tender

["Howard Etkind" <hetkind@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wanted to put in my two cents in about batteries...

Recently, my 2004 R1150R Rockster, bought in September 2003 and 41k miles,
wouldn't start because the battery wouldn't hold a charge for more than a
few weeks.  

My solution was the $44.68 digikey battery, the same one my 83 R80ST uses
and with a larger one in the 87 R80.  The original battery lasted 31 months,
a personal record for me with new motorcycle batteries.  The one in my 83
Yamaha XS650 lasted 11 months, in the 87 R80 9 months.

I seldom put batteries on charge since the bikes never seem to go into
storage in Texas.  Now, I do admit, I rode far less last winter than I
usually do, but that is a factor of having a new house that needed work and
a much longer commute to work.

So when this battery stops holding a charge well, I will write a check for
another $44.68...

Oh yea, I snapped off one of the fuel line quick connects.  A piece of 5/16
tubing and a couple of hose clamps fixed THAT PROBLEM.

Howard

- -----Original Message-----
From: bmwmc-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:bmwmc-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Steve Makohin
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 5:56 AM
To: IBMWR List; Oilheads List
Subject: [BMWMc] Thanks to those who responded about the Gel battery &Batter
Tender

Hello all,

Thank you to all who responded regarding a gel battery and a conventional
Deltran Battery Tender Plus (non-gel program). My R1100S has the new battery
in it, and it appears to have cured all my "hard start" woes. The Tender
indicates a solid green light (fully charged). We'll see what happens.

In summary, based on replies I got online and off:

o A regular Battery Tender will work just fine on a gel battery, though
  it may not charge it to 100% (will only go as high as 95%)

o Gel batteries last pretty much the same as lead acid, and...
o Gel batteries die quicker than lead acid

o Gel batteries don't like higher temps, like 100'F+

- -Steve Makohin
 '01 R1100S/ABS
 Oakville, Ontario, Canada
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