Battery help please!

[ryans85]

I have just received my shiny new odyssey pc680 battery for my 1999 r1150gs as the stock one has pretty much given up. I couldn't help but notice that the odyssey battery is quite a lot taller than the original and the cables don't reach, is there anything i can do about this, as i have read that people with 1150gs' swear by these batteries but i cant seem to make it fit?
Any help would be most appreciated as i don't really have a clue.

 

[Buz]

Cut 1/2" off the bottom of the battery, it will sit lower in the cradle then......No thanks needed for the advice, its all free

 

[ryans85]

Haha thanks for that handy advice mate, i'll give it a go.

 

[jkersh1]

I had the same problem on my 1100. I bought a fusible link (75 amp IIRC) at the auto parts store for use as an extender on the positive terminal. Basically a copper strip with a fuse in the middle.

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

I have just received my shiny new odyssey pc680 battery for my 1999 r1150gs as the stock one has pretty much given up. I couldn't help but notice that the odyssey battery is quite a lot taller than the original and the cables don't reach, is there anything i can do about this, as i have read that people with 1150gs' swear by these batteries but i cant seem to make it fit?
Any help would be most appreciated as i don't really have a clue.

As an 1150 owner I don't rate them. The one on my old RT failed in a lot less time than the intervals where I've wondered if the one in my GS is getting tired: It's OE, still going strong and I even gave an older spare away to a nice chap once.

I had the same problem on my 1100. I bought a fusible link (75 amp IIRC) at the auto parts store for use as an extender on the positive terminal. Basically a copper strip with a fuse in the middle.

What's the fuse for?

 

[wessie]

Is your bike a non-ABS model? If so the OE battery is smaller & the factory will have fitted a spacer in the bottom of the battery box. Just remove the spacer.

I found the Odyssey battery slightly narrower than the OE battery. A strip of cardboard from the packing case sorted that.

For the terminals: you can bend the positive lead straight and it will bolt onto the battery. For the negative terminal I used a copper post on the battery but you could make something from a bit of aluminium strip (Al is a better conductor than copper)

I fitted the Odyssey to my R1150GS when the OE battery gave up after 4 years. I sold the bike 7 years later and it was still going strong.

 

[MattW]

You've got to love these odyssey 'snake oil' batteries. Trade capacity for cranking current, cost more and don't fit the bike.

What's not to like?

 

[wessie]

You've got to love these odyssey 'snake oil' batteries. Trade capacity for cranking current, cost more and don't fit the bike.

What's not to like?

They were a big advantage a decade ago as there were few options using the AGM/VRLA technology. I certainly had value for money from the Odyssey bought in 2004.

Now, most manufacturers have an AGM/VRLA option and the Odyssey is expensive when compared to alternatives from Exide (as supplied by BMW dealers), Westco or Motobatt.

 

[Stewart H]

I have one and its a lovely orange colour I packed the battery box with tactical neoprene and made L shaped bits to make the leads fit.

 

[MattW]

I have one and its a lovely orange colour I packed the battery box with tactical neoprene and made L shaped bits to make the leads fit.

tactical neoprene - never travel without it

 

[ryans85]

Thanks a lot for your help guys, i managed to get the new battery in, i just had to remove the spacer from the battery tray which was a pretty fiddly job but not too bad really.
I wasnt too sure it was removable but then i looked closely and there were 4 little bolts hidden away.

 

[richierex]

For the negative terminal I used a copper post on the battery but you could make something from a bit of aluminium strip (Al is a better conductor than copper)

No its not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It may be a better conductor of heat but certainly not electricity

 

[MattW]

No its not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It may be a better conductor of heat but certainly not electricity

Yup.
Aluminium is about 60% as conductive as copper.

It can be cheaper for the same current capacity but it certainly isn't a better conductor.

Should a have used silver...

 

[davegs]

Current

If you need to use alloy use a larger section as in alloy cable they are always of a larger section but cost a lot less than copper!, also copper is the best heat conductor by far try a copper saucepan and see the difference.

 

[richierex]

If you need to use alloy use a larger section as in alloy cable they are always of a larger section but cost a lot less than copper!, also copper is the best heat conductor by far try a copper saucepan and see the difference.

Yeah, BT changed their cables over to aluminium form copper in the 70`s and have had to change back. They were less conductive, went brittle and needed to be bigger for the same capacity, absolutely useless for broadband connections.