New battery heading my way

[barb36jack31]

Good scoop on the battery situation. Will run my original battery until she quits. At least I now know where to get a good replacement.

Jack H.

[effgjamis]

thank you

[effgjamis]

I have purchased and installed the Odyssey pc680 battery and I also purchased the Odyssey Battery charger/tender OMAX-6A-1B.

The instructions and box state that the charger is only for Odyssey 12V batteries only.

My question, " How can the charger really tell if, the battery it is charging/tending, is not a Odyssey brand battery?? ". Not that I would use it on a non-Odyssey Battery...

[bone crusher]

Lamonster,

Can you start a section on the website that just has parts on it?

For example...one thread might be batteries..and you list the options...make it a closed thread so everyone can't just write stuff in there...you would put on what is validated to work...of course, we'd be your eyes and ears...

We'd have our own Spyderlovers parts section...this is good when we're all out of warranty and/or if we want to upgrade something...

For example, if my battery lasts another 1.5 years and then I need a new one, I certainly won't remember this thread...but if there's a section on parts with a topic of 'batteries', then finding information would be easier....

[Donzo]

Well, yesterday I started my Spyder - backed out of the garage - turned it off and washed, dryed etc it. Then I went to start it and would only click when I pushed the start button - after a while it said "push mode button" I did and it started - I went for a long ride, stopped a few times - always started right up. This morning I went out and turned the key and the dash lights came on dimly and nothing happens when I push the starter button now.
Do you guys think my battery is out or some other electrical gremlin?? I have it on the charger now and will see if it starts to show more life.....
Can these batteries really be this bad - I only have about 3,000 miles on the bike?!

[ataDude]

Sounds more like bad/loose connections at the battery.
.

Well, yesterday I started my Spyder - backed out of the garage - turned it off and washed, dryed etc it. Then I went to start it and would only click when I pushed the start button - after a while it said "push mode button" I did and it started - I went for a long ride, stopped a few times - always started right up. This morning I went out and turned the key and the dash lights came on dimly and nothing happens when I push the starter button now.
Do you guys think my battery is out or some other electrical gremlin?? I have it on the charger now and will see if it starts to show more life.....
Can these batteries really be this bad - I only have about 3,000 miles on the bike?!

[chris56]

its also very cold and snowy here in austria - when i startet my baby - all still ok with the battery (3 month sleeping) but she was smoking/fogging.. 5 minutes - like to much oil or so..
is that normal ?? - she did it never before
chris

[NancysToy]

Well, yesterday I started my Spyder - backed out of the garage - turned it off and washed, dryed etc it. Then I went to start it and would only click when I pushed the start button - after a while it said "push mode button" I did and it started - I went for a long ride, stopped a few times - always started right up. This morning I went out and turned the key and the dash lights came on dimly and nothing happens when I push the starter button now.
Do you guys think my battery is out or some other electrical gremlin?? I have it on the charger now and will see if it starts to show more life.....
Can these batteries really be this bad - I only have about 3,000 miles on the bike?!

The most likely culprits (in no parrticular order) are:
1. Bad battery.
2. Corrosion at battery terminals.
3. Riding at insufficient RPMs for adequate charging voltage.
4. Riding insufficient distance to recharge fully discharged battery.
5. Bad charging magneto (when I grow up I want to be an alternator).

Check or clean terminals, charge it, check charging voltage at sufficient RPM. These things will not charge right at three grand. Battery is warranteed only for six months, as I recall.
-Scotty

[NancysToy]

its also very cold and snowy here in austria - when i startet my baby - all still ok with the battery (3 month sleeping) but she was smoking/fogging.. 5 minutes - like to much oil or so..
is that normal ?? - she did it never before
chris

Probably a little oil, and a lot of condensation. Won't clear up until the combustion chambers warm. BMW R-bikes are real notorious for this. They will fog whenever parked on the sidestand, or after a long nap even on the centerstand sometimes. They always show condensation for a while when it's cold, usually until the temp gauge shows one bar.
-Scotty

[COOLHAND]

Mine turned out to be loose battery cables from the factory. Service shop tighten them up and I haven't had an issue since.

[Donzo]

Thanks for the replies - I think it is a loose connection somewhere - The charger says the battery is charged - it would not start, then all of a sudden it started right up and went to 2800rpm - I think the battery was disconnected long enough to "unlearn" the computer. I shut it down and started it right back up and now it is back at the 1350-1400 rpm. I am going to track down the cables and see if I can find a loose connection or some corrorsion.
How can you test the battery to see if it is still good?

[ataDude]

... I think it is a loose connection somewhere - The charger says the battery is charged - it would not start, then all of a sudden it started right up and went to 2800rpm...

That's exactly why I guessed connections. Loose (or corroded) connections at the battery are not out of question for this or any other bike that vibrates a bit. The VTX 1800 was bad about this.

.

[Donzo]

I found 2 places where I could tighten the screws holding the cables from the battery anywhere form 1/2 to 1 full turn - no corrosion, just alittle loose....maybe?
It is starting fine now -- I am keeping all the panels off and see how it does in the morning - If all is well I will put all back together and take a ride. These electrical issues are the WORST and the most likely to get you stranded.
I am going to carry extra tools for awhile to be prepared.

All "love" relationships require patience and work!..... And this one never asks where I have been....cause I have been with "her"!

[ataDude]

Before you button it up, put some lock washers (star type preferred by me)... or use some red Loc-Tite on those screws!

.

I found 2 places where I could tighten the screws holding the cables from the battery anywhere form 1/2 to 1 full turn - no corrosion, just alittle loose....maybe?
It is starting fine now -- I am keeping all the panels off and see how it does in the morning - If all is well I will put all back together and take a ride. These electrical issues are the WORST and the most likely to get you stranded.
I am going to carry extra tools for awhile to be prepared.

All "love" relationships require patience and work!..... And this one never asks where I have been....cause I have been with "her"!

[LDFIREWORKS]

good info thanks alot hope i do not need one to soon

[rsuthers]

Can someone give me a hint on how they installed the pc680 on their Spyder? I can't seem to get the positive terminal connected... the angle of the cable just doesn't want to fit to this battery. Any help/ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

[ataDude]

Can someone give me a hint on how they installed the pc680 on their Spyder? I can't seem to get the positive terminal connected... the angle of the cable just doesn't want to fit to this battery. Any help/ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

I didn't take pics... sorry. But you're right... it is a bugger. If I recall correctly, it just takes a little work to "stretch" the cables to the point of installation.

.

[nickcaro]

Can someone give me a hint on how they installed the pc680 on their Spyder? I can't seem to get the positive terminal connected... the angle of the cable just doesn't want to fit to this battery. Any help/ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

I was not able to stretch mine all the way so I went to the local harley dealer and the parts guys gave me an L style bracket that is often used on their bikes. I just replaced mine a few weeks ago and went with a new brand, so I can't share any photos.

[BumbleBee]

Lamonster,

Can you start a section on the website that just has parts on it?

For example...one thread might be batteries..and you list the options...make it a closed thread so everyone can't just write stuff in there...you would put on what is validated to work...of course, we'd be your eyes and ears...

We'd have our own Spyderlovers parts section...this is good when we're all out of warranty and/or if we want to upgrade something...

For example, if my battery lasts another 1.5 years and then I need a new one, I certainly won't remember this thread...but if there's a section on parts with a topic of 'batteries', then finding information would be easier....

[vt228]

That figures. It is a great battery. I've had mine for a while now and it's working great in this cold weather.

well it work for the sm5??????

[M2Wild]

well it work for the sm5??????

I just got one. Not as "thick" as the original. But it works great. You might need to shim a little to snug up the battery.

[krb1945]

You may have a loose connection on the battery. A loose connection will prevent the battery from getting a full charge. Ride 'em safely! Ken krb1945

[krb1945]

Current price January 2011 for each is $103.95 and total ground shipping for two is $21.45. I'll be ready to ride when I get back on my feet. Ken krb1945

[M2Wild]

Current price January 2011 for each is $103.95 and total ground shipping for two is $21.45. I'll be ready to ride when I get back on my feet. Ken krb1945

Sounds about right. I gotten mine off eBay for $115 with free shipping.

[Marker]

Came across this battery on another forum. It is very small. Not sure how to post a pic from their web site so here is the web site info. ballisticparts.com[IMG]file:///Users/markcrenna/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-2.png[/IMG].
Since this battery is much smaller than a stock battery maybe extra space could be used for more performance accessories (ie Juice box)
just an idea.
[IMG]file:///Users/markcrenna/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.png[/IMG][IMG]file:///Users/markcrenna/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]