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My Westco Battery is 6 years old - do I need to get a new one?

BluegrassPicker

By BluegrassPicker
in Oilheads

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T__

T__

Posted
Posted
Seems to be working ok, should spring for a new one?

 

Tom, every once in a while I will get a motorcycle or car battery to go over 5 years.. Usually at that age when they finally decide to fail it is quick & permanent..

 

You can probably go a little longer as long as it is functioning properly.. One day you will crank slightly longer or leave your lights on a few minutes with the key on & it will be history..

 

Twisty

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smiller

smiller

Posted
Posted

If it's working OK then it's working OK I guess. But six years is way on the far side of the service life curve and it can't have much longer to go, so a proactive replacement may be a good idea depending on how inconvenienced you would be when it does die (and this age that death could be very rapid.)

 

(Edit: Twisty beat me to it...)

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Rinkydink

Rinkydink

Posted
Posted

I think you would be fine 5-10 miles from home but b4 I went on an extended ride I would replace it. $100 vs. hours of inconvenience would seal the deal for me. Just be thankful you got 6 years--more than your $ worth out of that battery.

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Mr. Frank

Mr. Frank

Posted
Posted

If you never go out of town, you can wait until it craps out. You might save about $15 by worrying about it for another year. If it craps out far from home, you will be out some more money and lots of hassle. Replacing batteries at four or five years strikes me as a good idea.

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4wheeldog

4wheeldog

Posted
Posted

My original Beemer battery is almost 6 years old. I keep thinking that I should replace it, but it still cranks strong. I think I will get one before spring, though.....It just can't last too much longer.

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T__

T__

Posted
Posted

Thing I can’t understand is the price of batteries has gone way up reportedly due to China using most of their own lead production.. That I can understand but if that is the case why hasn’t the price of old reclaimed batteries gone up an equal amount.. The price of old batteries has gone up a little but not like new ones..

America supposedly reclaims 95% of their old batteries so the lead in them must be worth more now than it was..

 

Twisty

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smiller

smiller

Posted
Posted

I also don't understand why the cost of car batteries hasn't gone up nearly as much (proportionately) as motorcycle batteries, considering that car batteries use much more lead.

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Tony_K

Tony_K

Posted
Posted

The price of old batteries has gone up a little but not like new ones..

 

New fresh batteries are ready to go user friendly = max profit.

 

Old batteries are toxic waste and must be delt with as such even through a reclamation process = aint worth much.

 

simple aint it thumbsup.gif

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T__

T__

Posted
Posted

Old batteries are toxic waste and must be delt with as such even through a reclamation process = aint worth much.

 

 

Yes, but that process hasn’t changed in years so it is the same as before,, with lead being worth more now the old batteries should be worth more now also.. All that old reclaimed lead is used to produce new batteries..

 

Somebody’s making some big money here somewhere..

 

Twisty

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ESokoloff

ESokoloff

Posted
Posted
$100

 

They are about 25% higher then that tongue.gif

 

Oops.

My mistake. I confused Westco with West Coast Batteries Inc. (Odyssey) dopeslap.gif

 

I hope the Odyssey is 25% better then Westco's to justify the cost diference.

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BluegrassPicker

BluegrassPicker

Posted
  • Author
Posted

A place in orlando - Search ebay for this

 

WESTCO SEALED AGM MOTORSPORT BATTERY 12V20P

 

You can go through their online store also, but this way let me use paypal.

 

TOM

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philbytx

philbytx

Posted
Posted

Tom,

If you have kept it on a Battery Tender when not in use, then it could well last longer thumbsup.gif

You can check out the battery after a ride by letting it stand overnight without the charger being on. After the ride, check with a multimeter to get the voltage, then the next morning, check it again it shouldn't drop by much. Then, use a proper battery tester to test the battery under load. If it checks out fine, then it's fine....just did that with my 6 year old BMW battery which was almost like new!!!

HOWEVER.....If your bike is a pre-2004, I would install the BMW remote positive terminal pieces parts just in case...I did wink.gif

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bmwmick

bmwmick

Posted
Posted
http://ebatteriestogo.com/merchant2/merc...duct_Code=40696

 

I found these guys in Dallas. Cheapest AGM I could find.

 

Mike,

That Universal UB12220 is all over the web at $36-$44 plus shipping.

http://www.batteryuniverse.com/Sealed-Lead-Acid/Universal-Battery/UB12220

http://www.batteriesasap.com/48.html

http://www.ragebattery.com/power-sonic/40696case.html (4 Batteries for $36.25 ea)

 

How is it holding up? Sounds like it might be a new low cost battery. thumbsup.gif

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Rinkydink

Rinkydink

Posted
Posted

Philby, I wish you luck with your 6 year battery logic. Yes, you have coddled your existing battery but I think you will in time, find the inconvenience of a "side of the road" battery problem not worth the trouble. DAMHIK

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philbytx

philbytx

Posted
Posted

Hey Linc,

Understood...but, as I said, I properly tested the battery for loss and load but, however, I did put on the later positive terminal extension kit....Just in case wink.gif

Soon as I get one electrical hiccup, it's a new battery for me thumbsup.gif

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Paul Mihalka

Paul Mihalka

Posted
Posted
It's made in CHINA eek.gifeek.gif
We may be getting to the point that not everything Made in China is necessarily junk. I'm sure it depends on the quality requirements and price point of the contractor. My big surprise was looking at top line Harley leather riding garments. Top materials, workmanship, zippers, details, high price, Made in China. Harley also has less pricey apparel lines, Made in China, half the quality, half the price. Established manufacturers, be it BMW, Chevy, or Toyota, if they think China in the long run can't make quality, they are making a big mistake. Think Japan first, Korea (Hyundai) second, China next?
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smiller

smiller

Posted
Posted

It took Toyota about three decades to go from the butt of jokes to outselling General Motors. In today's global economy China probably won't take that long. They have achieved manned space flight and may well beat us back to the moon. Get ready for some changes.

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Wild Bill

Wild Bill

Posted
Posted

Pay me now or Pay me later!! CHANGE THE BATTERY!!! It is long over due... If you are interested in a record for battery life, buy an new battery and put it in your side case for when the original craps out!! Then you can post back and report on your battery record, and not get STRANDED in the process...

 

Just change please!!

 

BK

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philbytx

philbytx

Posted
Posted

Paul,

 

Sorry, I was just being facetious grin.gif

We just had the windshield replaced on Deb's Subie (bad stone crack). The replacement was made in China...it was OEM with no optical distortion and extremely well finished. Chinese motorcycles anyone??? grin.gifgrin.gif

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  • 2 months later...
Aceboympk

Aceboympk

Posted
Posted
http://ebatteriestogo.com/merchant2/merc...duct_Code=40696

 

I found these guys in Dallas. Cheapest AGM I could find.

 

Mike,

That Universal UB12220 is all over the web at $36-$44 plus shipping.

http://www.batteryuniverse.com/Sealed-Lead-Acid/Universal-Battery/UB12220

http://www.batteriesasap.com/48.html

http://www.ragebattery.com/power-sonic/40696case.html (4 Batteries for $36.25 ea)

 

How is it holding up? Sounds like it might be a new low cost battery. thumbsup.gif

 

I just ordered the battery from Rage Batteries. I spoke with Jerry there. He's assured me these batteries will hold up as good as the Odyssey or WestCo. They have a 2 year warranty and he'll replace it for free if it fails before then.

 

I told him I'm going to be the guinea pig for the battery. Trust me, I'm neverous about not buying the WestCo (Panasonic) or the Odyssey. But, I figure it can't hurt trying out a battery for $35 ($45 with two day shipping).

 

Regards,

Mark

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randy

randy

Posted
Posted

my experience maybe limited ( so please no flaming) but what is the big deal about a battery going dead. You just bump start it one time and ride to wherever. there is always a sears or other place to get a battery. Mine went out on a weekend ride. Bump start at lunch, and again next morning. Got home on a Sunday, order the battery that night on-line and had it I think on thursday.

 

Will the new RXX series bike bump start? My comments are limited to the old oil head bikes, and my FJR. I have bump started both.

 

Am I missing something?

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bmwmick

bmwmick

Posted
Posted
I just ordered the battery from Rage Batteries. I spoke with Jerry there. He's assured me these batteries will hold up as good as the Odyssey or WestCo. They have a 2 year warranty and he'll replace it for free if it fails before then.

 

I told him I'm going to be the guinea pig for the battery. Trust me, I'm neverous about not buying the WestCo (Panasonic) or the Odyssey. But, I figure it can't hurt trying out a battery for $35 ($45 with two day shipping).

 

Regards,

Mark

 

Mark,

Did Jerry say why the UB12220 is no longer available on his site? It's a 22AH battery vs the 17AH one now listed as a substitute.

 

Does Jerry know how you are going to use it? Pretty impressive warranty for that price.

 

I'm the guinea pig for the Universal UB12220. After 10 years of success with the Panasonics, I'm going to see how this Universal holds up.

 

Mick

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realshelby

realshelby

Posted
Posted
myWill the new RXX series bike bump start? My comments are limited to the old oil head bikes, and my FJR. I have bump started both.

 

I recently had my 1 year old Panasonic fail while at work. Kind of flat here in Houston so no hill to drift down. I could not muster enough speed to jump on bike, upshift a couple gears, and let clutch out just as my weight hit the seat. RT's are heavy! Couple co-workers came out to help. Would not start in 2nd gear-just scooted rear tire. 3rd gear worked only when I hit the seat with my weight just right. Yes, they will bump start. But it would be a $%#& site easier if I had a hill to drift down! tongue.gif

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randy

randy

Posted
Posted

good point made, yes we have very nice hills here in GA and NC. so yes in both cases I had a nice slope to go down, and had a partner with me to help push. i.e. I did get a good "roll" going. Thanks for helping to qualify my comments.

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