As 2020 is in a few days....Is it time to do it?

[Genradman]

I have a 2015 RT purchased in June 2016 from a Can Am dealer who had it for one year in the box.

So far I have not had any battery problems. Our bike is storage in a unheated barn and I use a Battery Tender on weekends for about 24 hours. The Battery Tender goes to float voltage on a few minutes.


So here is my question..........Is it time to be proactive for not having battery issues and replace the battery?

Comments please!!


and Everyone have a GREAT and SAFE 2020!!!!

 

[troop]

Yup .. Do it

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Nope, not necessary. ….. If you have ( or get ) a Lithium-Ion battery jumping device. This will allow you to start your Spyder when the Battery does Fail completely...… I got another two years from my OEM battery, after it was 4 years old ….. Even if you don't have to use the jumper, it's small and gives good peace of mind.... When properly maintained batteries last longer then people think ….. good luck …. Mike hyea:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

If it goes to float voltage in just a few minutes I would say that indicates the full charge energy storage level is getting low. If the bike hasn't been run for a week and it hasn't been on a Tender, I think it should take the Tender at least a few hours to bring the battery to full charge. Take your voltmeter and monitor the voltage while you crank the motor. Turn the throttle wide open and that prevents the engine from starting. See how fast the voltage drops down. If it drops fast that's an indicator the battery is getting weak.

 

[BajaRon]

Unless you have indication that the battery is failing. I wouldn't replace it. I got 6 years out of my 1st battery. And I didn't keep it on a tender. The fact that the tender goes to full voltage in a few minutes may simply mean the battery isn't losing much between charges. Put a good, digital volt meter on the battery before hooking the charger to it and see what the standing voltage is.

On the other hand, if you have money to burn. Sure! Replace it now if it makes you feel better. My 1st replacement battery only lasted 2 years. But I didn't ride much and I didn't use a tender on that 2nd one.

 

[2dogs]

I own a 14 RT and I'm still on the OEM battery. (wish I could say that about my rear tire.) I digress. Anyway, I purchased one of harbor freight's newer 4 AMP battery charger/maintainers. It has a digital display that constantly shows the battery voltage. This is my first winter using the unit and one of its several features is a winter mode which keeps the battery at 13+ volts. Summer is 12V+. I also purchased HF's Lithium-Ion battery jumping device which is quite small and with a little squeeze will fit flat in bottom of trunk. It's approx. 2" thick. My plan is to push my OEM battery as far as it will go and have the jumper to use when it finally dies. My jumper is also there for anyone to use who might need it.

 

[Haze]

I have the original battery in my 2013 ST. It still starts OK. I put a battery tender on for a few days once every month.
I bought a replacement battery that is on the shelf waiting for spring when I will replace the OEM battery.

 

[Scotts8826]

I have a 2013 RT-S. I replaced my battery in 2018. It seemed to still be working just fine but I was going on a 2,000 bike trip with my wife and I just wanted the piece of mind of having a new battery. If I was staying around town I probably would of kept the original battery a while longer.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

So here is my question..........Is it time to be proactive for not having battery issues and replace the battery?

I would suggest you buy a new battery, the -BS version which means the acid comes in a separate bottle. Keep it on the shelf until you know your current battery is on the verge of dying, or are getting ready to make a trip where you don't want to take a chance of it dying. Then put the acid in, let it soak for a day or two, charge it up slowly, and change it out. Many here will argue that it's best to buy a factory filled battery but I've never had a problem buying and using a -BS version. They all come off the assembly line dry and have acid added later, or at the end of the assembly. If you're diligent and self confident there's no reason you can't add the acid just as well as a factory worker! And by buying it now you have time to shop for the best price. You might even snag a good New Year's sale price somewhere. And by buying and storing it dry you don't need to worry about keeping it charged and you delay the start of the operating life cycle. Don't worry about battery warranty. They're mostly useless, although I will admit Costco replaced my pickup battery at no cost when it crapped out just before the 2 year warranty ran out!

If you're doing mostly short distance riding and carry a jumper like BlueKnight suggests, you might be inconvenienced some day, but you won't be left stranded.

 

[JayBros]

Nope, not necessary. ….. If you have ( or get ) a Lithium-Ion battery jumping device. This will allow you to start your Spyder when the Battery does Fail completely...… I got another two years from my OEM battery, after it was 4 years old ….. Even if you don't have to use the jumper, it's small and gives good peace of mind.... When properly maintained batteries last longer then people think ….. good luck …. Mike hyea:

What he said!

If you choose to buy a new battery and you opt for a -BS battery you also need to use a charger with a maximum rating of 2 amps and the battery will have to be charged for 24 hrs to do the job properly.

 

[Mikey]

It will tell you in it's little ways before it craps out on you for good!! Cranking over slower, display screen acting up, you'll know!!:thumbup: