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motobatt gel battery crap

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magwa View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote magwa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: motobatt gel battery crap
    Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 17:55
So when I sorted my click no crank with mods and a brand new motobatt gel battery in July 2017 I thought Job Done
wrong
6 months later motobatt reads 9v , won't charge or hold charge.
I'm about to send it back to Busters, Swansea for replacement
(I feel an argument coming)
£64 wasted plus an £18 motobatt charger
I think an old fashioned lead acid replacement being bought.
bike charges ok
battery is fooked in under 6 months

Looking on various forums motobatt gel battery don't look as good as the sales pitch makes out
they don't like extremely cold sub zero weather
( been minus 7 in my garage recently )
Battery killed


Edited by magwa - 23 Jan 2018 at 17:58
Magwa
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cugsy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote cugsy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 18:19
Been there with these 'super duper' moto batt things. The yellow ones yep?  My DR650 was bugger to start come winter time and despite having bought one from wemoto they insisted I didn't charge it properly.  I've got 3 seperate chargers and I expect the bike to charge it too. But , no...not interested. They aren't what they're cracked up to be.  I just buy yuasa now and stop the shopping around.  
Due to italian electrickery I am saying nowt. Despite nearly giving the Vstrom away the honda has gone...
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magwa View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote magwa Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 18:23
My biggest problem is that the lead acid come dry charged. You try buying acid in mid wales. Probably a 70 mile trip to Aberystwyth
Magwa
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote c13pep Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 18:29
Most batteries come with the acid packed separate, to be added when commissioning, I think it`s more to do with shipping regulations. I`ve never heard of having to supply your own acid
CHRIS
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iceni View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote iceni Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 18:37
Hmmm. My latest bike purchase has a new Motobatt fitted, so I’m hoping it’s going to be ok. I usually buy the lead acid type, delivered with a separately sealed acid supply, which simply “ plugs in” to the battery, dispensing the acid safely and accurately.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Oldrat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 18:58
Had mine for three years, occasionally use a trickle charger. No probs even with my low mileage or maybe that’s the answer??


Perhaps I should keep an eye on it!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 19:21
I've heard two different opinions on Motobatt, one extreme case was one which lasted all of a few days, others have lasted years.
 
My favourite is Westco batteries from Tayna. They are a battery specialist (in Wales).
 
By the way, many batteries come dry with a filling kit. The important point is to leave it for at least 6 hours after filling before attempting to do anything more. Use it immediately and you will reduce the life.
Brian.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Exmoorbeast Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 2018 at 19:44
Originally posted by Brian UK Brian UK wrote:


I've heard two different opinions on Motobatt, one extreme case was one which lasted all of a few days, others have lasted years.
 
My favourite is Westco batteries from Tayna. They are a battery specialist (in Wales).
 
By the way, many batteries come dry with a filling kit. The important point is to leave it for at least 6 hours after filling before attempting to do anything more. Use it immediately and you will reduce the life.

as above -the initial charge can make or break a battery, plug & play is a recipe for a short life.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Android Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 08:01
my motobatt required charging last night , was new just last year.
 
I will change the alternator belt and see if it improves but this thread is making me feel there's not much hope.
 
thanks Guys
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But can buy a bike and that's pretty close!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 08:11
Before you fiddle about changing the belt, read my post about the alternator wiring.
 
Run the engine and check the voltage on the battery. It's very possible you have a bad connection somewhere in the charging wiring from the alternator to the battery.
Brian.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Android Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 08:26
Just read that thread .......your bike ammeter readings before are very similar to mine .......guess what I'll be doing at the weekend .....lets hope the weather is kind (no garage or shelter)
 
Cheers Brian you are a star , I owe you another beer.
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But can buy a bike and that's pretty close!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PaulW Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 09:00
Whenever I need a replacement battery I get a Motobatt. Of all the electrical things that have failed on my last three bikes, using them all through the winter, it’s never been the Motobatt battery. Stored outside, no trickle charger.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 09:12
As I said, some have lasted years, some only days.
But it will also depend on which battery on which bike.
All the older models don't have the parasitic drain of the ECU and dash, so the battery gets a far better life. Add to that all batteries fitted to the older models are far larger capacity.
Brian.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote italianmotor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 10:53
My lawnmower battery bought from Tayna and as recommended by Mike H works great, 40 quid and has lasted three years so far, useful little handle too: https://www.tayna.co.uk/895-Enduroline-Lawnmower-Battery-P8379.html
Guzzi lover doing my own thing: http://www.italianmotormagazine.com
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dukedesmo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2018 at 11:14
I've got Motobatt on all my bikes and have had no problems at all, in fact I can only praise them based on my experience.

My 916 had a Yuasa lead acid battery before and it would run down enough to not start if left more than a couple of weeks, initially replaced it with the same again but it wasn't long before it did the same. 

Monster has a Motobatt although, to be fair I've never had a different battery on that as my experience with the 916 made me get a Motobatt from the off. But it has a very high compression and even with the added CCA/larger cables it still turns over slowly but reliably - they can be troublesome bikes to start.  

When I bought the Guzzi it had a new Banner lead-acid battery (the seller fitted it a couple of days before I bought the bike as the old one was dead) and it would often struggle to crank it over fast enough to start, especially after sitting a week or two.

Both replaced with Motobatt and both now start first time, every time and don't need topping up when not in use.

All my bikes have voltmeters and a comparison of volts indicated during cranking shows favourably to the Motobatt - Guzzi would often show 8v or less on the lead-acid whilst cranking, where as it's more like 10 -11v on the Motobatt. 

The Guzzi needs more power to crank than either Ducati (I think the starter gear design is the culprit?) but will start even at a slowish crank where as a 916 can be cranking OK but won't start if the voltage is slightly low as the ignition/injection/fuel pump are all dependant on a good voltage - would imagine modern Guzzis have similar problems?

Also the equivalent Motobatt has more CCA than the lead-acids they replace, which obviously helps.

The only downside is that they are heavier (Motobatt on the Guzzi is around 10kg!) but I'd rather carry a couple more KG than try to bump start a heavy, high compression V-twin.

They also make a black version of the model used in Guzzis/HDs because they're essentially on show and the yellow looks a bit garish... 
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