Do I need to replace my gel battery?

[paul_d_r1100rt]

I have an R1100RT that I don't ride as much as a used to--probably once every two or three weeks. Twice so far this year I've gone out to ride and found my battery dead, which is a real pain as I can't park somewhere with a power outlet to use a battery tender, so I have to take all the plastics off and then take out the battery, charge it and put it back.

 

I bought my battery four years ago. Should I replace my battery? How many years do gel batteries normally last?

 

Many thanks,

 

Paul

[Andy Johnston]

Hi Paul

 

your battery is probably dead,

this is a possible replacement

 

GP12200 Battery

Replacement battery GP12200 from CSB Battery Co.

GP12200 is a general purpose 12v 20Ah battery with a 3-5 year life in standby service or more than 260 cycles at 100% discharge.

As with all CSB batteries, all are rechargeable, highly efficient, leak proof and maintenance free.

 

link:http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/shop/productprofile.asp?Model=GP12200%2012v%2020Ah&ProductGroupID=1608&Brand=CSB%20Battery%20GP%20range&DepartmentName=CSB%20Batteries&DepartmentID=181

 

or Enersys ODYSSEY PC 680

 

Motorworks £82.90 inc vat

 

Andy

[Boffin]

I have often saud that GEL batteries have no place on a motorcycle. There is however, no need to pay automotive industry prices for a battery for your BMW. My bike has a Powersonic PS-12180 AGM computer backup battery fitted which has performed flawlessly for the last 3 years and started the bike without problem last week after being laid-up since November in an un-heated garage without power - so no optimate.

 

See here for my write up of the install.

 

They now cost £36-24 delivered from Batterymasters.

 

Andy

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Paul,

Likely you are going to need a new one.

 

It has been my experience that modern (gel/AGM) batteries do not recover well from deep discharge. The battery just went on my Sprint. It had been starting fine with no problems and my charging system is in great shape.

 

Problem was, it was only holding a good charge for shorter and shorter periods. At the point where it would only keep a good cranking output for two days, it was just time.