Biggest is Best?

[Dribblers Dad]

Given that this winter (In the UK) is supposed to have been the coldest since 1975, there must be lots of people riding around using their heated grips/heated vests/running with standard lights/extra driving lamps and fog lamps etc all turned on, this must have a big effect on the drain on the battery and its recharging, so whats the biggest battery/modded battery carrier? that anyone has fitted? is it necessary and how does it perform?

Cheers DD

 

[Tarka]

It`s not a case of the battery needing to be bigger....it`s just a matter of you not exceeding the alternator`s output.

Even if you fitted a battery the size of a top box,you`d still eventually run it flat if the alternator output was being exceeded by the current drain of your accessories.

 

[Fanum]

Still on the original gel GSA battery......30k miles, two winters, lives outside all the time and runs grips, autocom and associated gubbins and heated waistcoat....never let me down, not plugged into anything overnight...

Don't see what the fuss is

 

[Lou Can]

IIRC the 11xx series have a 700W alternator. You'd have to have be going some on the accessories front to get that to struggle......

LC

 

[Dribblers Dad]

Isn`t it just the Adv` thats fitted with the 700Watt Alternator? I thought the standard 1150`s were smaller

DD

 

[Dribblers Dad]

The reason I posed the question is that I the bike is nearly five years old so the original battery must be due for replacement, and I wondered if the standard size works ok for everyone or whether something a little larger might be advisable although I take Tarka`s point that once the alternators output is exceeded your still up sh1t creek

Cheers Fellas

DD

 

[Tarka]

Isn`t it just the Adv` thats fitted with the 700Watt Alternator? I thought the standard 1150`s were smaller

DD

You`re still on a hiding to nothing with this,mate.

Don`t feed the troll,etc.

Regardless of what alternator is fitted and what size the original battery is, as long as you`re not exceeding that alternator`s output,there`s no problem.

Your original questions have been answered,your fears quelled.
The 'typical' or most commonly fitted and used accessories won`t cause any problems (assuming correct installation).

If you want to know whether or not a specific thing you want to do will cause problems,then stop beating about the bush and ask the specific question.

 

[Tarka]

The reason I posed the question is that I the bike is nearly five years old so the original battery must be due for replacement, and I wondered if the standard size works ok for everyone or whether something a little larger might be advisable although I take Tarka`s point that once the alternators output is exceeded your still up sh1t creek

Cheers Fellas

DD

You posted that while I was posting mine......

Yes...the original battery is technically on borrowed time.

But stop worrying and just use the bike.

If you start getting signs of the battery giving trouble,replace it.

 

[sparkplug]

As ever, I seem to find myself in agreement with Tarka. I'm starting to consider having my hair cut like his too

I changed my factory standard battery with a Hawker Odyssey mainly because it has higher cranking amps and it 'fixes' a 'problem' on the 1150 where if the battery is low the ABS sometimes fails on start. It's not much of a problem as you just need to switch the engine off and then on again to cure it but I needed to change the battery anyway..

I must say I've been really happy with it. Never needed to charge it. Bike is used year round and heated vests / grips / BTBR lights / IntaRide intercom regularly used 2up no problem at all.

As Tarka says, if it ain't broke... wait until it's about to and then replace it.

 

[Lou Can]

Isn`t it just the Adv` thats fitted with the 700Watt Alternator? I thought the standard 1150`s were smaller

DD

Tarka's on the nail here, but for the record the 1100 and 1150 both have 700W alternators. If you are running the battery down with the normal range of accessories (and I mean four driving lights, heated vest, heated grips and all the other gubbins) then something is wired in wrong.

LC

 

[(RIP) Jamie]

Still on the original gel GSA battery......30k miles, two winters, lives outside all the time and runs grips, autocom and associated gubbins and heated waistcoat....never let me down, not plugged into anything overnight...

Don't see what the fuss is

Got a hawker, a wise £80 spent five years ago. Just a top up straight after the snowy period, and bobs yer uncle.

 

[grandtrousers]

Got a hawker, a wise £80 spent five years ago. Just a top up straight after the snowy period, and bobs yer uncle.

..............actually Colin is my uncle