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BeemerBob
Dec 26th, 2005, 6:17 pm
Question for the Collective:

I need to replace my battery. I live in San Diego (moderate temperatures year round). Is a gel or lead/acid the best replacement. If gel, any suggestions on make/model?

Thanks

Bob Wood
Oceanside, CA
tomandrosie
Dec 26th, 2005, 6:30 pm
Question for the Collective:

I need to replace my battery. I live in San Diego (moderate temperatures year round). Is a gel or lead/acid the best replacement. If gel, any suggestions on make/model?

Thanks

Bob Wood
Oceanside, CA
Lead-acid batts are fine, provided you keep them topped-off. The gel batts, particularly the BMW one, are not living up to the hype that accompanied their introduction. They are fussy about charging, and don't handle deep discharge well.

You omitted the third category, the AGM (absorbed glass mat), which are working very well. The Odyssey 680 and the Westco are both outstanding choices, and not terribly expensive. $75 - $90. HTH
dshealey
Dec 26th, 2005, 7:04 pm
Odyssey!
Portguyofva
Dec 26th, 2005, 7:27 pm
Odyssey!

David,
Thanks for sharing. Never heard of the Odessy but the specs are incredible and price not bad ($83 at the BatteryStore) http://www.batterystore.com/Odyssey/OdysseyProducts.htm
Portguyofva
Dec 26th, 2005, 7:37 pm
Bob,
I just enlightened myself. Recommend you take a look at the Battery sub forum under the Accessories, Gadgets, and Gear thread. All the info you could want.
BeemerBob
Dec 26th, 2005, 7:54 pm
Thanks David. Had never heard of them before but will do some investigating. Hope you get back on a bike soon.

Bob
gulfxray
Dec 26th, 2005, 8:03 pm
Odyssey!

David, do you think using the BMW 'gel' battery charger on an Odyssey would be safe?

I'm going to have to replace my gel pretty soon - she doesn't crank like she used to - and am planning on the Odyssey.
dshealey
Dec 26th, 2005, 10:04 pm
The Oddyssey battery can be charged with a normal lead acid battery charger, not sure about the BMW Gel battery one. It won't hurt the battery though, so there should be no issue with trying it.

Also, there are usually a lot of PC680s on eBay, usually for the $60-70 range. I bought my last one from an eBay supplier, got it in 2 days.
rovero
Dec 27th, 2005, 3:05 am
The Westco 12v20p seems to have better capacity than Oddyssey PC680.

PC680 12v20p
16 amp hours 22 amp hours
222 cold cranking amps 275 cold cranking amps.

Both are AGM and charge fine with battery tender. Also Westco has same terminal type as stock BMW battery.

$79.01 for Westco at this link location.
http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?