Installing Odyssey PC 680 in 2005 1200 RT

[Mr H]

Can someone post pictures of an installed Odyssey PC 680 battery in a 1200 RT. I can't seem to find a picture on the forum. Also any ideas or comments concerning installation will be appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

 

[Hall Vince]

I straightened out the +ve lead a tad and bolted it straight to the terminal. I also used a couple of 3/4" fuel type rubber pipe under the clamp to lock the battery in position.

Works a treat.

 

Oh and earth lead off 1st and back on last. ;-)

hth

\v/

[Groanup]

Mr H,

 

Look HERE for a pic. (Not my pic) This is how I did mine.

[Hall Vince]

Mr H,

 

Look HERE for a pic. (Not my pic) This is how I did mine.

 

Yep, same here. Works fine.

\v/

[Mr H]

OK----great----thats the picture I couldn't find I knew I had seen it before-----THANKS OL BUDDY. I have a couple direct wires to the battery for my electric gerbing jacket but I think I have enough room.

 

This forum has sure saved me some headaches.

 

Thanks again.

[Mr H]

THIS IS JUST MY OPINION

 

In my opinion the Odyssey PC 680 battery is not worth the headaches. The 680 cost me $153 and I could have got the BMW battery for $160 from CrossRoads in Lynchburg VA.

 

My problem with the 680 was the posts are too close to the body of the battery so I had to use the short bolts that came with the 680 which did not REALLY GIVE ME ENOUGH threads to put the bike cables on with two other wires. I got them connected but it was a pain. Also I had to put spacers on top of the battery and under the hold down bracket to keep it secure. So----my recommendation is----buy the BMW battery that fits and has space to use the longer bolts when additional wires are used.

 

Another item---the BMW is 18AH while the 680 is 16AH so I may have more headaches down the road.

 

THIS IS JUST MY OPINION

[chaparral]

After going through 2 batteries since 05 A BMW and a BMW AGM.I got fed up with $ 125+ batteries that last < a year. So I bought a sealed 20A from batteryspace.com for $45. I only needed to enhance the bolt hole size, + 20 amps in lieu of 18 amps. MY AGM battery lasted 4 months; ( failed to take a charge).

Go figger!

[moshe_levy]

Mr. H-

 

The hardware issue is solved with a 5 minute trip to the local hardware store. As shown in the pic, it's a pretty straightforward installation. The Enersys battery is rated for 8-12 years, and the BMW is really an Exide which sells wholesale for about $40, sold to you for $160, and will give you 3-5 years on average. That's fact, not opinion.

 

The AH rating has NOTHING to do with how long the battery will last. The extra 2AH you get from the Exide are more than offset by the Enersys' superior performance in terms of shelf life, overall life expectancy, resistance to shock and vibration, and of course operation in both low and high temperature extremes. As I keep repeating, there is no comparison.

 

-MKL

[bimmers]

I just added some high density styrofoam from a freezer pack under the clamp and it sits pretty. Thee only thing I still have to fix is the shielding of the connectors, I have multiple leads going in. GPS and Gerbing.

I did pay 150 I guess so it was pricey but should be better than the original one.

 

h

[Gadget Magnet]

Yusasa makes a direct fit battery for the 1200. I paid about $80 for mine. Just for your info in case you want to save some $ over the BMW supplied battery.

[JayW]

Yusasa makes a direct fit battery for the 1200. I paid about $80 for mine. Just for your info in case you want to save some $ over the BMW supplied battery.

 

If you don't mind, what is the part number for the Yuasa battery? The last time I looked Yuasa did not have a listing for the RT. Does it require any modifications at all?

 

Jay

[JayW]

...the BMW is really an Exide which sells wholesale for about $40, sold to you for $160...That's fact, not opinion.

 

Fact? Well, it is an Exide (says so right on the case), but I am not aware of anybody else other than the BMW dealer where one can buy that particular Gel battery in that size and configuration. Where did you learn of the $40 wholesale price and can we buy them from there too?

 

For what it's worth, my OEM Gel is still cranking strong after almost 5 years, but I may change it out later this year for peace of mind.

 

Jay

[markgoodrich]

$150? Nah: http://www.portablepower.com/index.php?main_page=shopping_cart Extra five bucks gets the "L" brackets which may be needed. I ordered one about ten days ago, it arrived Friday. Full charge on it.

[moshe_levy]

Jay-

 

My company makes rugged UPS for military use. Our wholesale suppliers sell any generic sealed VRLA, Gel, and AGM batteries (including Exide) in the 16-20AH range at prices of about $35-50, depending on brand. Enersys is obviously more expensive. Either way, you (individual consumer) will not be able to get these prices, as they don't sell 1-2 pieces to the typical public consumer. My point was simply to explain the markup is ridiculous - almost as ridiculous as paying that price for a battery that doesn't compare with the Enersys.

 

The size and configuration is totally standard. I can find you about 10 different brands of batteries which would all fit easily, and work fine in that application. There's nothing special about the Exide BMW battery. It is a commodity product.

 

-MKL

[JayW]

The size and configuration is totally standard. I can find you about 10 different brands of batteries which would all fit easily, and work fine in that application.

 

As we have learned, many of these require some shims and/or hole enlarging to make them work, so I guess it depends upon your definition of "totally standard". If one prefers a Gel battery for whatever reason, the only place to source one is from a BMW dealer. I could be wrong on this point though, and will defer to your expertise. I'll probably go with the Yuasa myself, especially if it is a perfect fit.

 

Jay