How to determine battery age?

[schoeney]

I have a 2003 1500. I am not sure if the battery is the original OEM one or not. It is a Yuasa so it may be. I was hoping to know if there is date stamping on it before I go through the hassle of removing it.

I am the third owner and it only had 2100 miles on it when I bought it last year.

The battery seems fine (knocking on wood) and I use a battery tender every night but if it is really 6 years old I think it may make sense to replace it if it is OEM. I don't want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks

[dogdoc]

Sounds like it is OEM to me too S,,, some have lasted 8 yrs, but i wouldnt push it. 6 yrs you got your monies worth IMO.

[blowndodge]

If your battery is always hook up to a battery tender when not being ridden it should last at least 5 year or more. Riding only on the weekends lets is discharge for 5 days. Discharging is the death of batteries so mine is plugged in everytime.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

If your battery is always hook up to a battery tender when not being ridden it should last at least 5 year or more. Riding only on the weekends lets is discharge for 5 days. Discharging is the death of batteries so mine is plugged in everytime.

This advice from the guy who rides every other weekend.

[trip]

I realize that there are varying opinions about batteries just like there is about oil.....but, I replace mine every 3 years, without fail. I have always run on the premise that if you use your moto battery longer than 3 years, you're running on borrowed time.

You don't really know what trouble is until your battery suddenly goes dead while you're on a trip. IMHO, $90.00 every 3 years is not too much to pay to make sure your bike starts.

Also, I've been riding bikes for over 12 years and have never used a battery tender. Of course, I realize I live in Texas also.

My 2 centavos worth.

[macmac]

Just don't worry about how old it is and do a Load test instead.. Pass/ Fail....

You need a dc volt meter to read no more than 20 volts... Most read 20, or have a scale to read 20 unless you have one mounted....

Hook up the meter as needed... pull the plug wires off the spark plugs so the engine can't start, and crank the starter motor over as if you were going to start...

That sucks up apx 365 AMPS at once, and with a watch you count seconds... Count as many seconds cranking as you can, to say no more than 20 .....

IF the battery reads no less than 10.5 dcv in 10 seconds that battery is good.. If you can run out to 20 seconds send me that battery since you are going to replace it anyway because the poor dear is old...

Then put it back on your shumaker at the lowest settings you can for 1 hour.. If you oplan a ride allow 15 minutes for the starter to cool...


.................................

Trip get a 20 dollar Shumaker and use it...... Texas and a battery are not related... You are killing bike batterys by a death of sulfaction.

You might like to drop 90- buckos each 3 years when you can drop that same 90 in 8.... Some how this makes me want to call you silly names... LOL

[glwilson]

Battery tender each time it is parked in the garage?

[blowndodge]

I do every time!

[macmac]

Any time you are not riding and or parked at work for the day the battery Shall be on a auto float charger.. The batter Tender is good, the Jr battery Tender isn't all that great, both are pricey. The 20 dollar Shumaker at walley world is th best bang for the buck.

It puts out 13.3 dcv at 1.75 amps when the battery demands..

Anything less no matter where you live is killing that battery by Death of sulfaction period.

[glwilson]

Didn't know that. Glad I just bought a new battery a week ago. I can do the "tender" at my house -- a little tougher while out on the road; but it is on the bike if ever I can.

[schoeney]

Thanks Mac...I think a neighbor has a volt meter. Do the OEM (Yuasa) batteries have a date stamp?

BD- I have been doing the same thing....putting on the tender all the time.

[macmac]

that garble I wrote was to be Shall Be and I fixed it... What bothers me is a read back before I posted and missed seeing what I really wrote. it looked good at the time ya know? ::)

If you guys wonder about me, think what is is like on my end.... Huh? Mac types? Naw can't be BUCK SKINNER's can't type!

[macmac]

Originally Posted by schoeney

Thanks Mac...I think a neighbor has a volt meter. Do the OEM (Yuasa) batteries have a date stamp?

BD- I have been doing the same thing....putting on the tender all the time.

Well I can see in the big sig picture you are a man of some means, so I suggest you go to wally world and drop 17 bucko's on a yellow digital mulitmeter and get back to me if you can't figure out how to set it to DCV..

A meter like that can set you free.... You can test flashlight batteries, the cell phone, even watch batterys, and it will impress yer wife! Suddenly you will be a real knuckel dragger, able to preform feats of magic, and tell her how much juice is in a battery!

I do this all the time to my wife. I say Woman what do you mean the tv remote doesn't work? Of course it does, but you must learn to sweep the cat off it as that cat of yours is killing the remote batteries...

I test the battery, she swoons, and the cat hates me..

[dogdoc]

I never used a tender for last 3 yrs but after a few weak starts(IN TEXAS) I took mac's advice and bough Mr. Schmakers battery maint at wally world. $20 and I plug her in every night no matter how warm or cold. I have had no starting issues for past 9 mo. while doing this. Great advice he's giving guys. My battery is now nearly 4 yrs old.

[blowndodge]

I wish I'd said that!!!