Topic: AGM batteries?

[hawaiikid]

My local battery supplier says he doesn't have a AGM battery to fit my CB400f. i would like to know if there are any suggestions for a direct fit AGM battery that is the same size as my lead acid battery.

[grcamna2]

My local battery supplier says he doesn't have a AGM battery to fit my CB400f. i would like to know if there are any suggestions for a direct fit AGM battery that is the same size as my lead acid battery.

Do a search for 'YB12A-A AGM battery'.

[C317414]

When looking for an AGM battery, make sure that it is truly an AGM.  Some suppliers imply that their batteries are AGM, when in fact they are Sealed Lead Acid (SLA), or Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA).  Both of these are flooded lead acid batteries that are designed to minimize water evaporation. They are not AGM. 

[robvangulik]

My local battery supplier says he doesn't have a AGM battery to fit my CB400f. i would like to know if there are any suggestions for a direct fit AGM battery that is the same size as my lead acid battery.

I used a 10 Ah traction battery since 2004, and last year, 2022, ...replaced it with a new one because its capacity started to diminish a bit....., it's lighter, cheaper, smaller and lasted longer than any battery I had before!

[Deltarider]

When looking for an AGM battery, make sure that it is truly an AGM.  Some suppliers imply that their batteries are AGM, when in fact they are Sealed Lead Acid (SLA), or Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA).  Both of these are flooded lead acid batteries that are designed to minimize water evaporation. They are not AGM. 

But could be a good choice nonetheless, see Rob's in the former reply. And now I come to think of it: the two VMF's in my yacht (one 105Ah (semitraction) and the other 102Ah) are NOT AGM but are the sealed fluid type. It says VMF Calcium.
Tip. Those batteries usually have an indicator eye. The color green indicates: sufficiently charged, black means: needs charging and white: replace. When stored, you sometimes may find the battery with the eye gone black. Often, just move the battery about (you'll hear the fluid slosh) and the eye will turn green. Best batteries I ever had. Can somebody explain the calcium?

[Deltarider]

My local battery supplier says he doesn't have a AGM battery to fit my CB400f. i would like to know if there are any suggestions for a direct fit AGM battery that is the same size as my lead acid battery.

I used a 10 Ah traction battery since 2004, and last year, 2022, ...replaced it with a new one because its capacity started to diminish a bit....., it's lighter, cheaper, smaller and lasted longer than any battery I had before!

That's a very good result. Could you tell us where you got it and for how much?

[robvangulik]

It is AGM too, it's Chinese, can't recall where I ordered it, somewhere  on a dot nl site and was approx €25. Just google WP10-12se and you get loads of hits.

[C317414]

When looking for an AGM battery, make sure that it is truly an AGM.  Some suppliers imply that their batteries are AGM, when in fact they are Sealed Lead Acid (SLA), or Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA).  Both of these are flooded lead acid batteries that are designed to minimize water evaporation. They are not AGM. 

But could be a good choice nonetheless, see Rob's in the former reply. And now I come to think of it: the two VMF's in my yacht (one 105Ah (semitraction) and the other 102Ah) are NOT AGM but the sealed lead acid type.
Tip. Those batteries usually have an indicator eye. The color green indicates: sufficiently charged, black means: needs charging and yellow: it's dead. When stored, you sometimes may find the battery with the eye gone black. More than often, just moving the battery about (you'll hear the acid slosh) and the eye will turn green. Best batteries I ever had.

Not all VRLA/SLA batteries have an indicator eye.  As a matter of fact, most OEM car batteries today are of this type, but have no indicator.

A bit off topic, but I found the best value for the money for a boat house battery bank are flooded lead acid, 6 volt golf cart batteries.  They are very reasonably priced (in the US at least), provide a bit over 200 Ah, and last a very long time with a good three stage charger.  I had six of these on my boat in series/parallel as a house bank.  They were eight years old when I sold the boat in December, and were still going strong. 

[Stev-o]

My local battery supplier says he doesn't have a AGM battery to fit my CB400f. i would like to know if there are any suggestions for a direct fit AGM battery that is the same size as my lead acid battery.

Hey kid...check what shipping will be out to the island [they ship free to the mainland]

https://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/sYT12C.html

[MauiK3]

Maybe Battery Bill in Honolulu?
I've bought from them.
They are in Mapunapuna on Ahua Street

https://batterybill.com

[Don R]

 I'm surprised to hear how long some of these batteries are lasting, I guess my experience isn't as unusual as I had thought.

[BenelliSEI]

I use only AGM batteries. I have purchased different brands and they all have lasted well beyond my expectation. Several over 10 years. I don't trickle charge. Only top off once during the winter and right before I start riding the bikes. Im with the crowd who has seen way too many frames with battery corrosion. Just not worth the problems associated with the flooded cell batteries.

+1. Unless you are perusing a perfect resto, go with the technology.

[PeWe]

My K6 got an AGM battery last year.
I hope it will survive longer.
I used cheap GEL batteries before.

I searched on Internet about the different battery types.
Easy to Google.
I hope I remember all details correctly.

# AGM need higher charging voltage like 14.6-14.8V.
To let them charge with a tender for long time not recommended.

# GEL need lower charging voltage, 13.9-14.4 V
For longer period 14.1-14.2V.
I got problems when I tried to adjust regulator to give max 14.2V. High voltage level did often not kick in at all.

The old style called WET is what stock charger is made for and also accept up to 14.7V.
Stock regulator work best when adjusted at max 14.5V according to Honda shop manual.

I often charge the AGM for a few hours, even after long rides to give it its higher voltage.

My CTEC charger has a mode for AGM, "snowflake symbol" used for wet batteries when cold, winter time.
Later model of same charger has AGM marking on that mode.
My GEL get a 12-48  hours charge now and then.
At least every 2nd month.

The old GEL bad batteries, found to become too weak for starter work fine to feed the ignition timing strobe lamp.
Fine to have it on floor beside engine. No need to struggle with seat open and connect to bike battery.

Additional battery work better. I have seen some strobe light misfunction when using bike battery.

[Deltarider]

Additional battery work better. I have seen some strobe light misfunction when using bike battery.

Same here.
The thing with gel batteries is that they may be damaged by voltages over 14,3 long time. Mailorder company Louis has a warning for this on its site. A friend of mine owns a CB350F which standard produces 15V from 3000 rpm onwards. His gel battery got damaged.
Does any of you knowr which batteries have a safety valve to vent and which not?

[C317414]

The old GEL bad batteries, found to become too weak for starter work fine to feed the ignition timing strobe lamp.
Fine to have it on floor beside engine. No need to struggle with seat open and connect to bike battery.

Additional battery work better. I have seen some strobe light misfunction when using bike battery.

Very true....

For many years I used a Sears Craftsman strobe light that worked on 120 VAC.   It finally broke after 40+years.

[MauiK3]

Good idea on using an extra battery for a timing light.
My battery luck is spotty, usually I get about 3 years and then things go down hill. A few batteries in my past have gone 5 or 6 years, very rare.

[Don R]

  I got a pair of small Oddysey batteries from a friend that tried starting a custom EFI early 392 hemi on them. He said he got one good shot and if it didn't start, they were done. They are harley or goldwing size, too bad one won't fit in a 750 battery box.
 I put them in the nose of our dragster to use for ballast and add to the total available electricity. A correctly sized alternator and new main battery was what it really needed. It was going down to 11.5V at the 1/8 mile mark.

[grcamna2]

The only really crap  battery I have had in the last 15 years is the MB5.5U Motobatt AGM which had a pooched cell and lasted but a couple of years. 5hitty terminals in the one I had so would not buy another Motobatt. All the other brands did very well including OEM brands. I know iMotobatt is made in China but I betya Motobatt was designed in Germany lol. A lantern battery would do better!! I typically get 8-10 years from bike, car and Jet Ski batteries.

I was curious about that Motobatt MB5.5U battery you purchased;was it used to run a Yamaha RD350 ?