Jota Battery

I got 10 years out of an Oddyssy in the Motodd with the standard charging system. It now sits in the SFC and still turns it over after a charge with a normal battery charger, given the SFC only gets started once a year. The Motodd now has a SSB lithium that's half the size on the oddyssy and weights 0.7KG.
After years of lead acid batteries and a couple of spills fucking up paint never will I go back to last centenary technology.
Only thing I don't like about the Oddyssy is the price of them in Oz
 
I have heard of some people having problems with Odyssey batteries in the last few years but mine has been excellent over a long time. I personally will never put lead acid batteries on a bike again after short term failures with Yuasa and Varta. Not tried any agricultural use batteries but would not rule it out if I needed a new one. Currently happy with what I have.
 
Wot Rob said is right...my Od failed on 79 Jota, got new one under warranty, but the notes are clear as to the charging requirement . Now with Sachse/Red conversion, experience is like Simon's, I.e it gets no attention and still cranks over/ starts after weeks or months of neglect. If you have an original charging and ignition on a 79 Jota, you are due for some changes if you want to have good ignition and charging....this is an area where originality is not best.
 
Had an Odyssey for years in my 180, but fitted it after my IIS ignition which had a charging upgrade.  No problems with it at all- it's probably still going strong in Steve Hobson's RGS even now after we swapped it out for his shagged standard battery one year.
 
Rob said:
If your '79 bike is running the OE Bosch alternator, it won't fully support the Odyssey charging requirement.
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I wonder if this is the source of the Odyssey problems detailed above Rob?

Certainly worth asking the people that have had problems whether they have Series 2 (or upgraded) charging systems or the old ones?
 
I've said it before - the Odyssey Tech Manual specifies 14.7v to fully recharge the battery.  Anything  less (or more) will reduce it's life.  14.2v is the minimum requirement .... and that sees the useful life shortened fivefold when the battery is being repeatedly deeply discharged.
 
Until I read this I was about to order/buy an Odyssey for my Mirage but, as it has the original charging system, now I'm not so sure...


Does anyone have any experience of Dynavolt gel batteries? I've bought a couple lately for my Cali and Dramah though it's too early to say how well they're doing (haven't fitted the one for the Cali yet). Do these have any special charging requirements? I'm getting pretty tired of coming home to flat batteries on everything (even the car!). Like an earlier poster I will NEVER go back to lead acid batteries no matter how cheap they are..


Rgds
AndyW 8)
 
AndyW said:
Until I read this I was about to order/buy an Odyssey for my Mirage but, as it has the original charging system, now I'm not so sure...


Does anyone have any experience of Dynavolt gel batteries? I've bought a couple lately for my Cali and Dramah though it's too early to say how well they're doing (haven't fitted the one for the Cali yet). Do these have any special charging requirements? I'm getting pretty tired of coming home to flat batteries on everything (even the car!). Like an earlier poster I will NEVER go back to lead acid batteries no matter how cheap they are..


Rgds
AndyW 8)
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Hey Andy
Might be a few misconceptions out there. AGM & gel batteries are still lead acid type batteries, although obviously are sealed. They can still split and make a mess (although the Gel batteries should be better in this regard). They won't boil over as such and will only split from excessive overcharging or damage (I think some do offer a stronger outside shell to avoid splitting from damage - Odyssey?)
Both AGM & Gel can be prone to problems due to incorrect charger being used and I think the Gel technology can be a bit more touchy!!
A big issue with modern AGM (&Gel) batteries is they do not like being discharged and can fail quite quickly from not being kept fully charged. If you are going to use a trickle charger type device then I would suggest you go to a proper battery place and get one that will suit the battery you want to buy.
I use a Deka and like the quality, however you will find many pros and cons on most makes.............
 
Shajota said:
Hey Andy
Might be a few misconceptions out there. AGM & gel batteries are still lead acid type batteries, although obviously are sealed. They can still split and make a mess (although the Gel batteries should be better in this regard). They won't boil over as such and will only split from excessive overcharging or damage (I think some do offer a stronger outside shell to avoid splitting from damage - Odyssey?)
Both AGM & Gel can be prone to problems due to incorrect charger being used and I think the Gel technology can be a bit more touchy!!
A big issue with modern AGM (&Gel) batteries is they do not like being discharged and can fail quite quickly from not being kept fully charged. If you are going to use a trickle charger type device then I would suggest you go to a proper battery place and get one that will suit the battery you want to buy.
I use a Deka and like the quality, however you will find many pros and cons on most makes.............
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Forgot to say, I get my batteries pretty cheaply....... :P
 
AndyW said:
Sheesh! Nothing's ever straightforward is it... ::)
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No :D
As you also have a number of vehicles if you don't already the first thing you should purchase is a proper 3 stage smart charger. At least this will charge most AGM's correctly, (although be aware some batteries stipulate specific chargers). If using an old style charger you will likely burn through batteries very quickly unless very lucky..............................(I showed you my charger didn't I?)
 
Yes you did  ::)  I recall looking them up on flEbay but baulked at the cost: remind me what it was again  ???


I have a couple of smart tender types (Oxford something-or-orther) which do recover/charge/protect etc what voltage they deliver is anyone's guess (though they are supposed to be 'smart' so who knows..)..
 
Andy, have a look at the SSB Lithium batteries. Hold a charge for 12months without use, can be charged with a normal charger in something like 10 mins. Weigh fuck all and half the size.
Have a look at their web site for all the spill. Just put one in the BM and Motodd. Apparently they use a different technology than other Lithium batteries and don't explode.
If you want to go with a gel type, you can't go far wrong with the Deka.
Don't understand the spill regarding Odyssey, as I said, had one in the Motodd from 2000 until 2010 when I did the rebuild. Using the standard BTZ ignition/alt. Been in the 750SFC since removing form the Motodd and still cranks it over after a few hours on charge with my normal battery charger.
Only reason I replaced it with a Deka was due to price, got really expensive in Oz.
 
AndyW said:
Yes you did  ::)  I recall looking them up on flEbay but baulked at the cost: remind me what it was again  ???


I have a couple of smart tender types (Oxford something-or-orther) which do recover/charge/protect etc what voltage they deliver is anyone's guess (though they are supposed to be 'smart' so who knows..)..
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Charger I have is this one:-
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZ-Charge-2-4-8-AMP-Battery-Charger-/291455353338?hash=item43dc17c1fa:g:LFwAAOSwrklVSZXI
Not saying it is the best by any means but I know it does the job for AGM / Gel/ Calcium. (I didn't pay that much!) I can probably get one that does similar for around the 100 bucks.
I agree with what Rob says, a Lithium battery appears to be a better option for infrequent use. As I said AGM's/Gel don't like being discharged and are particular in how they are charged (some batteries seem to be ok as in Robs case - but probability is high of failure with infrequent use and dodgy charging)
Lithium batteries are supposed to handle more cycling and do not seem to be as particular with charging, although ones I've dealt with do use designated chargers. I have no experience with Lithium batteries in Bikes but if they do what the package says would suggest they are well worth the money particularly for irregular use - notwithstanding spontaneous combustion and/or self detonation :o :LOL:
 
I've just looked up 'Odyssey':

Odyssey - describing the travels of Odysseus during his ten years of wandering after the sack of Troy.

I think we have a few years yet then?
 
Rob said:
May be true for some - but here's a quote from Odyssey's tech manual:
Unlike other AGM VRLA batteries, the ODYSSEY battery is capable of delivering up to 400 cycles
when discharged to 80% DOD and properly charged.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/documents/us-ody-tm-001_0411_000.pdf
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Sorry Rob, poor choice of words by me. Most of the good quality batteries (& certainly include Odyssey)  are built to handle a certain no of cycles. The problem seems to be how they are recharged / handled in general. Most AGM's certainly don't like being left discharged (sulphate?) and AGM's usually like to be charged in a particular way - generally a staged charge (and rarely fully recharge from a complete discharge). I am in no way an expert on this however do have experience with problems with AGM batteries due to incorrect charging etc (drives me insane). I tried to steer away from brand specific problems however some batteries do require more specific handling than others! On balance probably fair to say the real problem is the recharge not the discharge, but as is often the case some batteries perform brilliantly others not under the same conditions - perhaps vagaries of modern production control???

Edit - anyway hope some of that makes sense, just came from a session of beer sampling from a neighbours place..................
 
I have no idea about this but battery memory comments have been around since cordless tools appeared,maybe on topic. My ye old battery charger died a few years back,great looking gadget that looked like it was from the steam age and its replacement has a switch for 3 different types of battery and a 4 or 5 stages for charging plus a trickle section after charging that conditions the battery.Some of these stages look to bang in power hard and others appear more gentle.Seems like a lot of tech happening with it
 
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