Battery questions -

[TBob]

So yesterday I came out of work to find my battery had dies once again. I get home call Napa, Pep Boys, AutoZone and Checker and no one carried it or at least couldn't cross reference the BMW battery number. I'm getting tired of my battery taking a crap every 1.5 years and my butts getting sore payint 175 at the local stealer for one.
I searched on here today and found out you can order an odessy online - is that the only option? Would sure be nice to be able to get one localy when it goes again.
Also what's the deal with this thing going dead so often? any suggestions there?
Finally I've replaced it 2 times and have never done the throttle twist thing that I read here today that is supose to be done and never had a problem. Bike starts and runs fine.
My bike is an 03 - I'm guessing an 03 doesn't need to have this done?

Thanks,
Bob

[gpolakow]

I've heard having your battery on a tender adds to the life. That's what I do. I'll let you know how it goes.
I bought a gel battery on line a few months ago.

[harv054]

Bob,

I've got an '03 (bought new in '04) as my daily commuter ride then the roads are snow, ice, and salt (more or less) free and the temp is above about 25F.

It's got about 28K on it and I'm still on the original battery.

Do you use a battery tender on a regular basis?

I only use mine for about 24 hours after the bikes been off the road for about a month or so.

It seems to me that many of the members who experience short battery life also use the tenders on a regular basis.

Harv

[joegottberg]

Bob,

It is surprising to me that your battery is going every 1-1/2 years.

My 05 still has the original. I ride it often but never use a tender.

My suspicion is you have bad connections or some drain on it.

If you don't ride it that often, you may want a battery tender.

Joe

[TBob]

I haven't use a tender on it but have one.
I ride it just about every day.

[patroa1]

Bob, did you try the Batteries Plus store in Mesa I believe they handle Odyssey batteries.

As far as it going dead so often I would check to see if you can find a drain on it from something. Also do you use a Battery Tender when not riding. I've had my Odyssey for 4 yrs. and never had a problem, I also use a Battery Tender when bike is parked for any length of time.

Resetting the TPS should be done if the battery has been disconnected, this applies to all yrs. The bike will still start and run if you don't but it has to relearn the position over time instead. Easy enough to do so why not.

[Dick]

I haven't use a tender on it but have one.
I ride it just about every day.
Ole Toad is/has been on a Battery Tender Plus quite a bit in the off-riding season (short as it is here in the Tejas Hill Country). Only time we had a battery drain problem wuz early in life when the radio module came from the factory with a glitch that caused battery drainage even with the key turned to off and the handlebars turned to lock. Since the warranty replacement back in 2000, we haven't had a drain problem. Have replaced the battery a coupla times (Odyssey once and now running on a Panasonic), with nary a problem. Odyssey changed out just because it wuz 4 yrs old, butt it's still working, according to the friend I gave it to.

Lemme ax ya - what is your procedure for turning off the bike at work, and at home? Lock the bars and remove the key?? Ever go past lock and walk away, which will leave the leetle parking light on in the headlight niche? Checked your trunk light to make sure it goes off with lid closure? Those are just some of the reasons for a battery drain down. May be others, such as thangs to do with the battery posts/terminals corrosion, or corrosion down the harness?

I don't think that using a Battery Tender (the correct one for the battery type) regularly has anythang butt a positive effect on the battery life or condition, butt letting a battery deep discharge a few times will definitely shorten it's useful lifespan.

BTW - ordering a battery from Batteriesasap is pretty easy. Shipment is quick and there is no worry about spillage, since the Panasonic and the other recommended brand are both non-lead-acid and are sealed. Good luck - just review your shut-down procedure and make sure you haven't entered any anomaly to the process.

[TBob]

Dick now you have me thinking.
I was having radio problems ever since I got the bike and it finaly went out and got replaced so maybe it was the cause - we'll have to wait and see on tha one.
As far as turning it off - I always turn it to the lock position. At work I take the key at home I leave it in.
No other lights turned on - The only after market thing I have wired is and autocom system. But I haven't used it in at least a couple of years but the main box is still under the seat.
It's an AZ bike no corrosion

Thanks,
Bob

Ole Toad is/has been on a Battery Tender Plus quite a bit in the off-riding season (short as it is here in the Tejas Hill Country). Only time we had a battery drain problem wuz early in life when the radio module came from the factory with a glitch that caused battery drainage even with the key turned to off and the handlebars turned to lock. Since the warranty replacement back in 2000, we haven't had a drain problem. Have replaced the battery a coupla times (Odyssey once and now running on a Panasonic), with nary a problem. Odyssey changed out just because it wuz 4 yrs old, butt it's still working, according to the friend I gave it to.

Lemme ax ya - what is your procedure for turning off the bike at work, and at home? Lock the bars and remove the key?? Ever go past lock and walk away, which will leave the leetle parking light on in the headlight niche? Checked your trunk light to make sure it goes off with lid closure? Those are just some of the reasons for a battery drain down. May be others, such as thangs to do with the battery posts/terminals corrosion, or corrosion down the harness?

I don't think that using a Battery Tender (the correct one for the battery type) regularly has anythang butt a positive effect on the battery life or condition, butt letting a battery deep discharge a few times will definitely shorten it's useful lifespan.

BTW - ordering a battery from Batteriesasap is pretty easy. Shipment is quick and there is no worry about spillage, since the Panasonic and the other recommended brand are both non-lead-acid and are sealed. Good luck - just review your shut-down procedure and make sure you haven't entered any anomaly to the process.

[bblalock]

I just received a new battery today(slow turning over cold) for my '05 with 78,000 on it. I average 2,000 miles per month and never used a tender. Bought her 10/1/05. I'll bet there are other issues if you are toasting the battery every 1 1/2 years.

[BecketMa]

If you run a scan on Odessy batts, you'll find a thread that Ron did a while back with just about every battery that we can use in the LT.

I think he bought one for less than $40 that was made in CHina.

People who don't live where the summer temps are over 100F have no idea how fast heat kills a batt. I've been listening to mine carefully when I start the bike. I can usually hear the change in the starter speed as my batt goes south. Its at the point where it sorta sounds a little slower, but maybe not.

Guess its time to measure the resting morning voltage?

Best from Tucson
Bob

[jzeiler]

Dick now you have me thinking.
I was having radio problems ever since I got the bike and it finaly went out and got replaced so maybe it was the cause - we'll have to wait and see on tha one.


You may also have a conflict between the radio controller and the radio itself. If you have a version 3.0 controller and a radio that is pre version 7.0 you will have a current drain issue unless you shut down the radio BEFORE turning off the key.

Look her for instructions on how to check: Radio Version (http://www.bmwlt.com/files/displayimage.php?pos=-184)

Although the main point of this article is the time out issue on 05 and up, the end of the article is strickly for the 04 and earlier bikes and tells you how to check the software versions.

[BecketMa]

Here it is:
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30992&highlight=ODYSSEY+battery

[TBob]

thanks! but I don't have an issue with the radio cutting out.

You may also have a conflict between the radio controller and the radio itself. If you have a version 3.0 controller and a radio that is pre version 7.0 you will have a current drain issue unless you shut down the radio BEFORE turning off the key.

Look her for instructions on how to check: Radio Version (http://www.bmwlt.com/files/displayimage.php?pos=-184)

Although the main point of this article is the time out issue on 05 and up, the end of the article is strickly for the 04 and earlier bikes and tells you how to check the software versions.

[TBob]

thanks!

Here it is:
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30992&highlight=ODYSSEY+battery

[deanwoolsey]

Here's an easy way to tell if you have a battery drain. Buy a digital multi-meter at Harbor Freight or someplace similar. Look for one that has DC amperage on it. You can get them for less than $20.00. Then take an alligator clip and connect the positive probe (yes the positive probe) to the negative clamp on your battery. Then loosen the clamp and while holding the negative probe against the battery terminal remove the battery clamp and you will have a direct read of amperage drawn from the battery. Just be sure to turn the meter on before removing the clamp and don't break the circuit or you will have to wait for the computer to go to sleep again as they have timers on them and may stay active for several minutes after the ignition is switched off. I presume cycles are like cars, that's what they do. Anything more than a few hundreths of an amp may be cause for concern. The same application will work for your cars as well. All newer vehicles draw a small amount of amperage to keep the computer and radio settings current.

[joegottberg]

If you have a Battery Plus near by, they do (at least mine does) carry Odysee. They quoted me $145.00 and the AH was lower that the BMW.

Anyway, I went in with my old battery and the guy behind the counter says "oh thats an 18" and walks to a pile and I get out of there for $70.00!.

I did have to "open up" the hole where the negative mounts, but, so far so good.

My battery finally crapped out after my earlier post.

Shop around!

[niel_petersen]

Better yet, get a cheap analog multimeter as they can stand more mechanical and electrical abuse (which might happen in this test!). Do the trick of connecting the multimeter between the battery post and the cable before breaking the connection so you don't see any surge current.

Expect maybe 10 milliamps - but even that will drain an 18 AH battery in maybe 6-8 weeks. Higher currents will proportionately drain it quicker - i. e. 100 milliamps will drain it in about 5 days.

You generally won't get the full theoretical AH out of a battery during discharge unless it is new, and even then that will be to near zero output voltage, in which case you'll be well past any starting ability.

[rcalli]

For the last 10 or 15 years I have used a battery tender plugged into a 24 hour timer. I set it to charge for 45 minutes a day. I just don't like the idea of the tender being on all the time. I get at least 5 years on each battery. It will usually turn to green in less that 30 minutes, then cut OFF for the day.

[sk8sslow]

My BMW Gel battery has been in since April of 2004. The deal put it in when I bought the bike as the battery that was in it had to be charged to me to test drive the bike and died within a week of buying the bike. Any how 60K+ miles later and starting it most everyday it has served me well. That being said it died today. I already had a replacement on order one of the 45.00 cheap ones from Batteriesasap. I was going to get an Odyssey but with price now at 125.00 I figure if I can get two years out of the cheap ones pricewise I will come out to the good. Time will tell.

[saddleman]

When I get home from work my voltage is 12.8 By morning its around 11.5. I should have a new battery here tomorrow. I hope that fixes my warning lights that come on know & then.

[JimH]

When I get home from work my voltage is 12.8 By morning its around 11.5. That's a pretty good sign that electrons are 'leaking' but we may not know if it is an internal 'leak' (bad battery) or an external 'leak' (parasite load) that is draining it.

After the new battery arrives, and is charged, check its voltage a few times, if it stay up you had an 'internal' leak, otherwise you will have to find out what is sipping the electrons when your bike is sleeping.

[saddleman]

That's a pretty good sign that electrons are 'leaking' but we may not know if it is an internal 'leak' (bad battery) or an external 'leak' (parasite load) that is draining it.

After the new battery arrives, and is charged, check its voltage a few times, if it stay up you had an 'internal' leak, otherwise you will have to find out what is sipping the electrons when your bike is sleeping.

I forgot to say its loosing voltage with the neg. cable unhooked. Early am running out the door to go to work & brain not fully engaged.

[razman10]

Sorry to hijack this thread...

Does anyone know if I can purchase (and if so, where) a battery tender that has a powerlet adapter included? I thought I saw one some time ago, however I cannot seem to find it now.

Or do I HAVE to buy them separately?

[ibbones]

Sorry to hijack this thread...

Does anyone know if I can purchase (and if so, where) a battery tender that has a powerlet adapter included? I thought I saw one some time ago, however I cannot seem to find it now.

Or do I HAVE to buy them separately?I bought the Yuasa battery charger from the local Honda shop and would have to lift the seat and plug it into the battery that way. Ended up buying a Powerlet adapter and life is much easier. I keep the charger on a power strip mounted on the wall and when I pull into the garage, I plug her in and flip the switch.

[3rdPig]

I've had great luck with the odessy but not on the LT. On a 1500cc Suzuki intruder they work great. I'm glad to read your post since I'm looking also. I'm new to the LT and still a bit scared of even basic maintenance.