Battery time

[rando]

Okay, the 03 is about due for a battery. Been shopping around. Found the new yuasa AGM battery for $69 delivered for free. Says "activated and ready to install". Or the old wet cell type for $50, has to be filled and charged. OR BMW dlr $100 for whatever kind they are using (wet cell, I presume).

I've looked in the tech articles and the HoW for more tips but battery stuf is sorta lacking.

What are the current recommendations for 03 LTs at this point? I have a 1 amp trickle charger, pretty simple kind, with nothing other than 6 or 12 v settings. I am willing to upgrade this also, if I must.

Pros and cons of each type? I have seen some negatives associated with the gel and AGM type batteries so I am wondering which may be best. I do try to ride at least once a month in the winter and am actually getting to ride a lot this winter, which helps keep it charged. but I basically have to charge it every day now, so want to know best bet for a new one.

Thanks
Rando

[astuber]

The battery in my '03 is also on it's last legs. It came from the factory with a gel battery-it doesn't have any openings in the case.

There appear to be several options, Odyssey, Panasonic, and wet cell among others. The Odyssey (PC680) is about $90 and the Panasonic (LC-X1220P) is $56 from Digikey. It looks like you made need to get an adaptor to connect the Odyssey as the terminals look to be different.

[cfell]

Alan.. just found this:

http://www.gotbatteries.com/items.asp?params=search/SLA/1/all/LC-X1220P

$47!!!
Shipping unde $11.

or
http://www.portablepower.com/items/batteries/Motorcycle/1/BMW/1997%20and%20up%20K1200RS,%20LT/PC680/37L105S5

for $76.95 and ships in 24 hours.. will need this for use on the LT.. http://www.portablepower.com/items/search/all/1/all/30Z105B1

[murray]

The pulse on the board has suggested the Odyssey PC 680 batteries.

www.odysseybatteries.com

[mtrevelino]

Or you can purchase a Westco from:
http://adventurersworkshop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AWI&Product_Code=WESTCOBATT

for $79.95. In my 2000LT, the Westco cranks the engine faster than the Odyssey.

[rando]

What about chargers for the "fancy" batteries? Best bang for the buck? Battery Tender? Which one should I consider? I will need a different charger, from what I have read, to use with the gel opr AGM batteries.

RAndy