Replacement battery advice needed - AT

[Steve C]

Hello; a bit of advice needed if anyone has the time - and sorry for cross posting (I posted this a couple of days ago in Africa Twin forum but got no takers and could really do with some input ).

Looks like the battery on my 2000 AT is breaking down (voltage collapses under load, worse in cold than when warm, been an on/off problem for a month or so and been diagnosed by a friendly and helpful AA man yesterday after going completely and leaving me unable to start).

Anyone know if this is overkill for an AT with a few but well-used and power hungry accessories (like heated grips about 9 months of the year)

http://www.ruggedroads.co.uk/shop/ar...6aid%3D3033%26

And is it a straight swap for original battery - i.e. size..

I'm pretty sure I'm on the original rectifier too - worth replacing on the basis that it's going to pop soon due to age?

any guidance much appreciated.

Thanks

S

[Lutin]

I don't wish to be funny, but a quick email to Jonathon at Rugged Roads should have your questions answered.

And I'm sure that they wouldn't stock it if it wasn't fit for purpose.

[Steve C]

I don't wish to be funny, but a quick email to Jonathon at Rugged Roads should have your questions answered.

And I'm sure that they wouldn't stock it if it wasn't fit for purpose.

Thanks for your reply Lutin; and yes, that was my first thought too. Sadly 2 telephone calls and a message drew no response and 5pm Friday came and went. And as this is my daily transport for work, it's knda urgent-ish. So I felt it reasonable to see if anyone here had some actual experience/advice...

[Lutin]

Thanks for your reply Lutin; and yes, that was my first thought too. Sadly 2 telephone calls and a message drew no response and 5pm Friday came and went. And as this is my daily transport for work, it's knda urgent-ish. So I felt it reasonable to see if anyone here had some actual experience/advice...

That does surprise me. Hang on - Jonathon's on-line now and reading this very thread.

[Stormforce8]

Hey Steve

Without wanting to do ourselves out of a sale - you'd be much better off with a Motobatt AGM battery - perfect fit, sealed for life, and great reviews (I have these fitted to my RD04 and my standard RD07A.

Motobatt Battery for Africa Twin RD07A



TBH the PC310 Odyssey Battery is if you are really looking to save significant weight, and need a physically smaller battery - I have one of these fitted to my modified RD07A, as with the rear tanks you have to fit a smaller battery.





And whilst you're at it - definitely upgrade your Reg/Rec to a Mosfet unit - fit & forget especially as you use your bike all year round - do a search for Mosfet on here, and you'll get loads of threads.




Steve - I've just read your reply - sorry to hear you couldn't get hold of us, but I haven't had any missed calls and all emails have been answered.

I've just sent you an email

[XR Mad]

If your battery is duff put a new one on. heated grips are not normally a problem for the standard battery and charging system. after testing the bike is charging the battery ok with nothing switched on, Switch all your accessories on including the lights and check the voltage at the battery with the engine stopped then start the bike and do the same with the revs up about 2 to 3k the voltage should be higher then the voltage when the bike is stopped if it isnt start switching things off untill it is this will show you what if anything is dropping your voltage also check your not overcharging
Another thing to try is with the ignition off measure the battery voltage and then do the same with the battery dissconnected there should be no difference in voltage if there is you may have something powered when the ignition is off like an alarm or if your grips havent been wired through a switched live it can also indicate that the reg/rec is failing allowing the battery to leak to earth if everything checks out ok and the battery is being charged ok theres on need to change the reg rec

[Steve C]

Hey Steve

Without wanting to do ourselves out of a sale - you'd be much better off with a Motobatt AGM battery - perfect fit, sealed for life, and great reviews (I have these fitted to my RD04 and my standard RD07A.

Motobatt Battery for Africa Twin RD07A


...snip

And whilst you're at it - definitely upgrade your Reg/Rec to a Mosfet unit - fit & forget especially as you use your bike all year round - do a search for Mosfet on here, and you'll get loads of threads.

Great Jonathan, I ordered one. Won't get it 'til Weds/Thurs unfortunately, which will create some consternation in the Steve C household as I'll be begging for the car each morning 'til I'm back on the road

And I had a feeling that the battery on your site was for a more specialist use than I need so your advice is appreciated... and I'll get on to the rectifier too

Steve - I've just read your reply - sorry to hear you couldn't get hold of us, but I haven't had any missed calls and all emails have been answered.

I've just sent you an email

Thanks Jonathan - just seen that. No worries at all

It was def your mobile number I was given by the person that answered the number on your site and when I dialled it, your name popped up on my tellingbone, so I'm guessing I tapped it in correctly. I called your # just before 4.25 on Friday afternoon and left a message - I didn't fret, just thought it might have been too late on a Friday for a reply - it was well close to beer o'clock

[Steve C]

If your battery is duff put a new one on. heated grips are not normally a problem for the standard battery and charging system. after testing the bike is charging the battery ok with nothing switched on, Switch all your accessories on including the lights and check the voltage at the battery with the engine stopped then start the bike and do the same with the revs up about 2 to 3k the voltage
...snip

Thanks XR Mad; pretty sure battery's caput as the charge looks fine but just switching ignition on (with nothing switched on) is enough to cause charge to collapse from 12.6 vols to almost nothing. Took a while to find because the battery hasn't failed completely but when the AA guy did a series of tests to diagnose and finally put his battery into the circuit, everything was fine and no sign of his booster being drained; though my question about rectifier fits with what you're saying... I think mine's original so I think it'd more likely go 'direct' than just drain the battery? Going to change it though as per Jonathan's advice above (and my nerves ).

Thanks for your input much appreciated.

Steve

[Steve C]

Great Jonathan, I ordered one. Won't get it 'til Weds/Thurs unfortunately, which will create some consternation in the Steve C household as I'll be begging for the car each morning 'til I'm back on the road

All done - back on the road! Thanks for your help guys, especially Stormforce8

[Steve C]

Just letting folks know I bought one of these. 6/7 months later, it seems to have failed.

Mind you, on a more positive note, they're about £20 less now than when I bought mine

Motobatt Battery for Africa Twin RD07A