Uh Oh Battery Thread

[sadicarnot]

Well here goes. I have been stranded several times in the past by batteries and don't necessarily mind buying a new one before it is needed.

 

I bought my '09 RSTD in June of '10 and it came with a BikeMaster TruGel battery. I was looking to maybe get a Shorai, but they are so dang expensive. I ended up getting a YSS Shock and decided it would be a good time now to change the battery as the shock is easier to get to thru the battery compartment. I was going to get an Odyssey but I never did like how the posts are and it is usually a PITA to get the wires to be just right.

 

I looked at some of the posts on this site and saw good info on the Deka, and considering the price ($90.95 to my door) decided to pull the trigger on an ETX20L from Bohannon Battery. I phoned them Wednesday and since they and I are both in Florida I got the battery on Thursday via USPS.

 

The battery is very well packed with styrofoam:

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6885911518_6bd0bbb4ff_b.jpg

 

The battery case on first inspection looks to be very well made and very sturdy:

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/6885917970_5de955993c_b.jpg

 

I like the posts; they look easier to deal with than the captured nut style on other brands and screw hole found on the Odyssey. I am not sure what the post material is, you will have to be careful not to strip them when they are tightened:

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7032017739_abe90d43ff_b.jpg

 

The battery includes 2 bolts and copper washers. Deka has a very elagent solution to include the screws:

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7032016931_89f0fa3849_b.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/7032015837_b003a8c803_b.jpg

 

Here is the Bike Master TruGel in my RSTD:

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7032018807_87a524119a_b.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7032020597_9a5c264e65_b.jpg

 

I never liked the case on the TruGel. It seems to be cheap and toy like and very plasticy, more plasticy than a plastic battery case should be like. Side by side I think the Deka has a much better, and more industrial construction feel to it:

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/6885925022_f08531ea0c_b.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7032023643_0f69efa292_b.jpg

 

Alright, well let the flames begin. I took the battery and shock out last night. Going to put it all back together today. I will post a separate post on the shock.

Edited March 31, 2012 by sadicarnot

[warriorhoneybee]

looks good to me. i thought a member sold the deka battery but not sure of the price. good luck on the shock replacement.

[Phoneman1981]

Hello: I too have that same Delka battery. No complaints. Nice write up. Thanks for sharing!

[Guest]

I too have a Deka from Bohannan. Its a pleasure dealing with Josh there.

[Snaggletooth]

You're not going to get many flames on the DEKA. One tough battery. I installed mine in April '09 and still cranks like a new one. Always have 12.8 on the digital voltmeter when I hit the switch.

 

Never been charged, never been on a tender. Never needed it.

 

You made a good choice and you should be vey happy with the performance.

 

Mike

[sadicarnot]

I too have a Deka from Bohannan. Its a pleasure dealing with Josh there.

 

I spoke to a very nice woman when I called.

 

I ended up buying a new car battery when I got stranded at work, had a co-worker jump me then went straight to Advance to get a new one. If I have warning in the future Bohannan will be where I go for all my future battery needs.

[Venturous Randy]

A few weeks ago I ran my DEKA completely down after parking the bike with the fog lights on for a couple days. I charged it over night and it is doing just fine. I had an Odessy and it worked good, but I think the DEKA may be a bit stronger.

RandyA

[sadicarnot]

Got the shock in and Deka is installed. Just a note, the Deka has 310 CCA vs 240 for the TruGel.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7032652087_c7743bafc1_b.jpg

 

Here it is installed:

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6886556850_feac14dbf2_b.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/6886559394_e226bc7122_b.jpg

by sadicarnot, on Flickr

[Drkngas]

I have not had good luck with the Bike Master Tru Gel in other bikes and will never purchase another one. I got my bike loaded and ready to leave for Big Bend last Monday after going for a ride. When I went to pull the bike in the garage I hit the starter and nothing. So Monday, the day all motorcycle shops are closed and 12 hours before I was scheduled to leave for the ride across Texas, I had to purchase a Duralast battery from Autozone. I did not have any problems with this battery. Has anyone else installed a Duralast? What can I expect out of it? I usually a Yuasa only guy. Never heard of DEKA till now.

[sadicarnot]

I have not had good luck with the Bike Master Tru Gel in other bikes and will never purchase another one. I got my bike loaded and ready to leave for Big Bend last Monday after going for a ride. When I went to pull the bike in the garage I hit the starter and nothing. So Monday, the day all motorcycle shops are closed and 12 hours before I was scheduled to leave for the ride across Texas, I had to purchase a Duralast battery from Autozone. I did not have any problems with this battery. Has anyone else installed a Duralast? What can I expect out of it? I usually a Yuasa only guy. Never heard of DEKA till now.

 

I have had good luck with Duralast in their car batteries. I had a buddie that got a bike battery several years ago from a car place for his bike, not sure what brand.