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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> How long to trust an AGM battery? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1490070216 Message started by stewmills on 03/20/17 at 21:23:36 |
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Title: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by stewmills on 03/20/17 at 21:23:36 I have an AGM that I have had in the bike since September 2013. My bike is stored in a garage (no excessive hot and cold exposure). My battery is showing no signs of trouble, but I am about to get into my "riding season" with several long weekend rides and the last thing I want is a dead battery whilst off having a good time. Considering average battery life and the fact that AGMs give no sign of dying...they just die, am I wasting money going ahead and getting a new battery to replace this 3.5 year old AGM? If I get a new one, I was going to probably go with youzguys recommendation of he Big Crank: http://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Crank-ETX15L-Battery.html |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by eau de sauvage on 03/20/17 at 22:50:02 My crappy wet cell battery has dropped low on liquid a few times, lights have been left on and drained it by accident a couple of times, it's three years old and it's still in very healthy condition. Fires up instantly and the charge is always about 12.6 at least if I check it first thing. Get yourself a cheap multimeter and check it occasionally, if it's still got at least 12.6 volts after you've let the charge on the plates dissipate, then I doubt it's going to suddenly die on you. What hurts AGM batteries is if they are regularly discharged down to about 11.8V or 12.0V which is not going to happen due to it being constantly charged, and there's nothing to top up. I can't see why it shouldn't give you 10 years of happy voltage. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by Gary_in_NJ on 03/21/17 at 05:09:21 [quote author=232435273D393C3C23500 link=1490070216/0#0 date=1490070216]I have an AGM that I have had in the bike since September 2013. My bike is stored in a garage (no excessive hot and cold exposure). My battery is showing no signs of trouble, but I am about to get into my "riding season" with several long weekend rides and the last thing I want is a dead battery whilst off having a good time. Considering average battery life and the fact that AGMs give no sign of dying...they just die, am I wasting money going ahead and getting a new battery to replace this 3.5 year old AGM? Don't let me stop you from spending money, but I don't change out a working battery. If it's holding a healthy static charge (12.6-12.8VDC overnight) and doesn't drop below 10.5VDC under cranking load - then it gets used. A well cared for battery can last anywhere from 3 days to 6 years - so I tend not to over think it. You could always keep a new backup in the garage, but if your current battery (pun) lasts two more riding seasons (and it could), then you really wasted money on the new battery. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by Dave on 03/21/17 at 05:35:23 If you want a backup - then buy an AGM battery that comes with the acid in a pack that you need to add. You can keep the battery indefinitely, and then when you need it you can activate it, and give it a charge. You will have a working battery in a just a few hours. As if you don't yet have enough stuff to pack in your truck when you haul the bike to the Dragon.....you could then throw in the spare battery and a charger! |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by stewmills on 03/21/17 at 06:27:18 I checked the battery this morning and it read 12.24v. This is after my last ride being about two weeks ago. Is 12.24v ok for 2 weeks of sitting? Haven't had a chance to check it under load, may try that later this week. Dave, Are you making note of my back seat being crammed full of stuff? ;) I do tend to overpack, but hey...when someone says "I need a purple whizzergidet with a half-moon twist at the top" you can bet I probably have one in there somewhere. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by Gary_in_NJ on 03/21/17 at 06:36:03 2B2C3D2F353134342B580 wrote:
Maybe. Probably. I'd charge it or go for a ride. Check the voltage after the charge/ride and then after an overnight. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by stewmills on 03/21/17 at 06:39:44 Thanks Gary. I'll see about getting some measurements this week and report back. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by ohiomoto on 03/21/17 at 06:44:05 313627352F2B2E2E31420 wrote:
Is 12.24v ok? My answer is very simple: If it starts you bike, then it's OK. When it doesn't, it's a problem. ;) |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by JohnnyBeeGood on 03/21/17 at 14:21:31 Pack some jumper cables and run it til you're stranded. It's a good way to meet new people and make friends. Or buy a battery every other year and feed the landfill. I like cheap and eco-friendly, especially when eco-friendly happens to be cheap. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by batman on 03/21/17 at 19:30:46 I feel sad that you guys aren't riding to the dragon ,just at the dragon.Half the fun is getting there. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by Dave on 03/22/17 at 04:34:31 6467726B6768323E060 wrote:
Some ride to it....some don't. I don't, as I generally have to leave after a City Council meeting and my trip doesn't start until 8 - 10 PM. It is a 5 hour drive in my car if I hustle, and I don't get to the area until 1-3 AM! On that first night I sleep in my trailer. Also when I am in a hurry to get there....the first 4 hours of the trip is on I-75, and it is a horribly busy highway between Cincinnati and Knoxville. Riding a motorcycle on I-75 isn't much fun - the last hour of my trip is a much calmer ride as I have left the interstate and the mountain scenery and curves would make a nice bike ride. And maybe most important for me.....my Savage is a Cafe' conversion, and I don't have any place for luggage. MMRanch rides to the Dragon from Lynchurg, and he has found a really nice route - and part of it is the Cherohala Skyway! Oldfeller and old_rider haul their bikes sometimes - trailer sometimes. Verslagen and Lancer have to haul the bikes as they are coming from far out west. When I am retired and can take more time.....I could ride down US 27 which is known as Dixie Highway - it is a bit like the East/West Route 66 was, as Dixie Highway was the major north/south route before the interstate highway system was built. The road is often "Main Street" to most of the small towns along the way.....it was a road that even provided the Stage Couch route in this area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_27 |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by stewmills on 03/22/17 at 06:23:17 0003160F030C565A620 wrote:
I would if my wife wouldn't kill me, not to mention that 75% of my route is up interstate 85/75 and 285 around Atlanta. If I had a riding buddy to make the ride with in a desperate situation I would consider it as a last resort, but I just don't feel comfortable on those long busy roads solo. Also I leave after work and my ride up is 4+ hours at night as well as on the way home. I have night vision issues and that's not a good combination either. Plus the agreement with my wife when I got the bike (my first bike at age 38) was that I would stay off the interstate. We have a lot of fun at the Dragon and surrounding areas to make up for it. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by batman on 03/22/17 at 08:51:17 Well everyone as different circumstances to deal with,we all need to do it the best we can . I wish you all a safe trip and a memorable time! |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by stewmills on 03/25/17 at 13:33:35 I rode a good bit yesterday. Checked the battery upon arriving home and it was 12.34v. Checked again today 22 hours later and it is 12.29v. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by Gary_in_NJ on 03/25/17 at 16:11:33 It's holding its charge quite nicely. Enjoy your riding season with that well cared for battery. |
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Title: Re: How long to trust an AGM battery? Post by ero4444 on 03/27/17 at 14:43:10 1. search for "lead acid battery state of charge" - 12.29v is about 60% charge for AGM. 2. +1 if it starts then it's good 3. if it don't start then you can push-start it with a marginal battery - practice beforehand and it won't be a big deal. Flat ground or downhill. 4. Advanced Auto or your local chain should load-test it, hopefully for free. |
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