Battery Replacement?

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rzmad
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Battery Replacement?

#1 Post by rzmad » Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:59 pm

I need a new battery. I have a spare older battery since 2009 but its slightly smaller and only has 5 amps rather than 5.5 amps. It holds a charge so seems ok but I need to buy smaller nut and bolts for it to fit.

The other option is buy new, so I visiting a local battery shop today and they suggested a smaller looking sealed battery which came with 6 amps but cost £35 as apposed to the original spec battery costing £25.

Bikes sits in garage most of its life on charge via Optimate. Suggestions welcome!

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rzmad
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#2 Post by rzmad » Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:14 pm

To clarify, is it OK to fit a 6amp 12v battery intsead of the std 5.5amp? Will it do the bike any harm? I dont think it will but im asking just incase there would be a problem.

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Gary Papesh
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#3 Post by Gary Papesh » Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:14 pm

The 6 amp/hour battery will deliver 12 volts for 6 hours vs. 5.5 hours.
that is the only difference.
The man who dies with the biggest carbon footprint WINS !!!

HWY9CA
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#4 Post by HWY9CA » Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:01 pm

I have used these battery with great success http://www.rzrd500.com/500phpBB3/viewto ... ry+options
http://www.rdsonly.com/
JT
1975 RD350B
1975 RD250B -rough
1979 RD400 Race bike- in process
1985 RZ500 - flame bike
1993 TZ250 4DP2- to be restored

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rzmad
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#5 Post by rzmad » Sat Mar 31, 2012 4:32 am

Thanks Gary, great answer.

HWY9CA - the 6amp battery that I was encouraged to buy was a gel battery which look similar to yours but with different connectors and smaller shape. It was £10 more and because it was physically smaller I wasn't sure? It kind of looked like this but black...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-RD-500 ... 500wt_1287

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rzmad
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#6 Post by rzmad » Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:13 pm

I managed to get a couple nuts n bolts that fit and now using my unused 5am battery which was for my RD350. So far so good.

HWY9CA
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#7 Post by HWY9CA » Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:07 pm

Good deal, I have run the 5amp with no issues as well.
http://www.rdsonly.com/
JT
1975 RD350B
1975 RD250B -rough
1979 RD400 Race bike- in process
1985 RZ500 - flame bike
1993 TZ250 4DP2- to be restored

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rzmad
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#8 Post by rzmad » Mon Apr 02, 2012 3:01 am

Thing is, this 5amp battery was fitted new to my RD350R August 2008. The mechanic fitted a 5amp rather than 5.5amp so I soon after that bought the right battery. This battery has been sat in garage unused since then with only a charge here and there. It may pack up soon :shock:

Hope not though as its nice to save money rather than keep spending!

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rzmad
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Re: Battery Replacement?

#9 Post by rzmad » Sat Mar 02, 2013 11:38 am

Well I fitted that spare battery I had sat in the garage over a year ago I think? But for the last 6 months or so my Optimate has shown "red". I keep unplugging and try again but soon enough goes back to "red". So I'm now looking for a new battery. I would probably remove the battery if it was easier to get too but its a bit of a faff! Not sure what to do? I don't really want to spend loads of money as I'm not really using the bike, it probably came out for 2-3 short rides last year? Probably best to sell it at this rate!

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Andrew
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Re: Battery Replacement?

#10 Post by Andrew » Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:48 pm

If you maintain an older type lead acid battery, it'll last longer than these newer gel cells.
Once your 500 starts, it drains very little from the battery. There's now capacitor type battery eliminators available where you can save the weight by removing the battery all together, and still have all your electrics work as normal.
Andy (UK)
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rzmad
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Re: Battery Replacement?

#11 Post by rzmad » Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:05 am

Hi Andrew

When you say maintain an older lead battery, what do you mean? Is it enough to keep it plugged into a charger 24/7? I never check battery acid levels. Once filled and in bike I leave it.

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