Oddyssey Battery...how reliable?

[MIKE R]

Came to start my standard 1150 today and nothing!

Engine did not try to turn over, no clicks; nothing, and the clock went out.

I thought this very strange as in Feb 08 I invested in an Odyssey battery to replace the original 6 year old unit.

Trying to recharge via the BMW plug socket using an Optimate, and it tells me after about 30 mins that it is fully charged....but nothing except the clock which vanishes as soon as I turn on the ignition.

Tried with my BMW unit that I bought for my K12 and the red light just flashes indicating a de sulphurated battery.

During it's brief life the battery has occasionally been put on an Optimate....could this have damaged it, or is it probably a faulty unit (it has a 2 year warranty if it's worth the paper its written on)?

The only other possibility is that the bike was stored at a mechanics for about 7 weeks whilst some work was being done and the battery went flat....that surprised me as there is no alarm etc. Obviosly the battery was re charged before I picked up the bike. I'll probably ring tomorrow to see what he used.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cheers

Mike

 

[Fanum]

Optimate

I'll be proved right one day.....until then, it's yet another one to add to the list

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Odyssey should be dead reliable, but should be stored fully charged. I would jump start the bike and give it a good spin to charge the batt, save all the bllx with chargers.
my 1150 will start after 3 months in garage, and usually the ABS sets first time as well.
Bin

 

[motobiker]

Optimates.

Plenty of people use them many keep them connected to the battery every moment the bike is parked up with no problems. Many posts in this section testify to that.

I have one but use it sparingly... maybe once every other month. usually if the ABS failed to set - or the clock reverted to zero. But having said that a ride to the end of my road puts enough juice in the battery to sort these niggles.

Makes me smile. the OP had 6 years of reliability from his Original. recently someone posted about 10yrs. I've also seen 8yrs 9yrs... how long is a piece of string.

If it ain't broke.. why fix it? or in this case chuck away reliability in favour of the latest 'must have'

I would suggest it's far more likely that the battery is itself faulty. (not the first) if the warranty is worth the paper its printed on - get your money back and put in another OEM and forget about battery woes for another 6+ years.

 

[Grim Rider]

I am sure I have read elsewhere that using the BMW plug socket to attach a charger to is not a good idea (wiring not up to the job?) and should connect directly to battery or via a bikestart system. Am sure someone else can confirm this.

Last week started my 1150 for first time in nearly 4 months - left in garage with no charger, 2 year old standard BMW battery and started first time!

 

[John Armstrong]

Trying to recharge via the BMW plug socket using an Optimate, and it tells me after about 30 mins that it is fully charged....but nothing except the clock which vanishes as soon as I turn on the ignition.

The only other possibility is that the bike was stored at a mechanics for about 7 weeks whilst some work was being done and the battery went flat....that surprised me as there is no alarm etc. Obviosly the battery was re charged before I picked up the bike. I'll probably ring tomorrow to see what he used.

Battery is dead

I'd guess that the flattening has killed it, rather than the type of charger. Assuming the charger is serviceable.

I am sure I have read elsewhere that using the BMW plug socket to attach a charger to is not a good idea (wiring not up to the job?) and should connect directly to battery or via a bikestart system.

Bet you can't find where it says it with regards to the oilheads.

 

[JoeC]

I am sure I have read elsewhere that using the BMW plug socket to attach a charger to is not a good idea (wiring not up to the job?) and should connect directly to battery or via a bikestart system. Am sure someone else can confirm this.

The BMW Service and Technical Booklet that came with the bike says ...

page 48 ... 'The battery can be recharged with the BMW battery trickle charger by way of the power socket.'

page 49 ... 'The motorcycle must not be jump-started by way of the power socket.'

Reason for not jump starting is because the wires connected to it are not man enough. However, are fine for trickle chargers.

 

[MattW]

As John says - once you've flattened a battery (any battery, even Odyssey snake oil batteries), you've killed it. The charge capacity becomes severely reduced.

No charger (whatever the claims they make) will restore the lost capacity and as you've found out, they'll usually just missread the charge status of the battery.

The only way to ensure that a lead acid battery remains healthy is to never use more than 50% of its capacity (very difficult on a bike) and always keep it charged (lead acid batteries hate being stored in a partially charged state).

 

[elevensies]

i have a odyssey on my r1100s, last time i had bike out or started was sept last year.

came this morning to start bike to take for mot, started first time, no optimate, no other charger no nothing.

so thumbs up for the battery

 

[BillN]

The Optimate is not recommended for the Hawker, (odyssey), Battery - OK, it will generally work, but on the odd occasion it will not, it is not recommended

See Optimate and hawker sites - re types of batteries

The Hawker battery needs, either a normal battery charger or (maybe), the CTek.

 

[MIKE R]

Every one is allowed to make a complete a**e of themselves at least once on this site, and now it's my turn!

Took the tank off to remove the battery and discovered the negative terminal was very slightly loose ....you could not tell with the tank on. Quick tighten and it fired first time.

Many thanks for all your suggestions

Mike

 

[MattW]

Every one is allowed to make a complete a**e of themselves at least once on this site, and now it's my turn!

Took the tank off to remove the battery and discovered the negative terminal was very slightly loose ....you could not tell with the tank on. Quick tighten and it fired first time.

Many thanks for all your suggestions

Mike

Result

That's saved you a few quid!

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Odyssey 1, Mike R - 0
Result!

 

[Banjaxed]

Odyssey + CTek