Mk 3 850 Electric start battery suggestions

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crusadersports

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Hello All

I've been trawling for the best battery to fit to a mk 3 electric start 850. About a year ago, Rick in Seattle was suggesting a YTX CH BS20 was the best lead acid we could do, with 270 CCA. COMNOZ was suggesting an Odyssey PC645 and reported good running with fewer CCA but more reliablity from the AGM type.

All thoughts welcome. I'm about to get a new one for my MK3 with Tri Sparx 3 phase alternator and reg/rect, Pazon. I want that bloody electric start to work first time, every time!! (yes, I know, buy a Yamahaha ha!)

Does the Odyssey fit without major mods to the battery tray??

Many thanks
 
crusadersports said:
Does the Odyssey fit without major mods to the battery tray??
Click to expand...

As far as I know, the biggest Odyssey battery that will fit in the Mk3 tray is the PC545, but that had to be stood on end to fit.

Mk 3 850 Electric start battery suggestions


If the standard Mk3 airbox has been removed then a bigger battery could be fitted in the extra space but it wouldn't sit in the tray.

Personally I didn't have much luck with Odyssey batteries, and my latest Commando battery is a WestCo AGM 12V14L-B (equivalent to YB14L-A2) which has lasted a lot longer than any Odyssey battery I've used (not all of them on the Commando).
 
Unfortunately the battery is not the problem with a MKIII.
I used a new factory specified Yuasa YB14L for 5 seasons before it faded out.
IMO it is entirely a charging system issue. If the power goes out faster than it it comes in, they will all die prematurely or strand you away from home.....
Low revs from big gearbox sprockets...bigger headlights and hungry electronic ignitions all take their toll.
 
Have you upgraded the starter cables? Old britts sells a lion battery that is small and powerful. check it out.


70-500003S Lithium-Iron Replacement for YB14L-A2, Shorai 4 - 153.95
70-503001 Battery Management System for Shorai Batteries 3 - 79.95
 
dynodave said:
IMO it is entirely a charging system issue. If the power goes out faster than it it comes in, they will all die prematurely or strand you away from home.....
Low revs from big gearbox sprockets...bigger headlights and hungry electronic ignitions all take their toll.
Click to expand...


I'm not sure I entirely agree, it's just a fact of life that big twin cylinder engines with electric starters tend to eat batteries. BMW flat twins are no different and they have considerably more powerful alternators than Commandos. If I get three years' (not seasons) use out of a good quality 28-30 AH battery on a BMW flat twin then I consider I've got my money's worth out of it.

Hungry electronic ignitions? Do you mean Lucas Rita as things have moved on.
 
Thanks gents,

Yes LAB, sorry I meant Odyssey PC545 (numbed, non isolastic fingers!). Yes bwolfie, I have CNW's upgraded starter cables- thanks for the tip. Intersting to hear LAB that you've not had a lot of luck with Odyssey batteries- COMNOZ has been pretty impressed with them to judge by his previous threads on ths subject. He said it started his wife's MK3 after sitting for a couple of months and that sounds good to me!

I'm hoping that with a 3 Sparx 3 phase alt/reg/rect, Pazon, LED daytime running lights and uprated starter cables in additon to a new Norvil starter motor , I've done as much as can be done- but any further advice most welcome! :mrgreen:
 
crusadersports said:
COMNOZ has been pretty impressed with them to judge by his previous threads on ths subject. He said it started his wife's MK3 after sitting for a couple of months and that sounds good to me!
Click to expand...

An AGM battery should hold its charge for months if it's stored under the right conditions.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/documents ... 11_000.pdf (page 12)


If you do need to use a charger then it has to be a suitable type for use with AGM batteries.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/chargers.html
 
Check out Old Britts. They've got a great battery, about 1/3 size and weight for the E-start bikes. I've got one on my order sheet for my project.
 
Mk3 with Decker (like Odessy) stands upright, has done 12 000 miles in 2 years, some long trips, but mostly short 100km trips,,,,,,and it stood in the bike for 18 months prior to getting used. Still good! I've had Odessey in Ducati lying on it's side and it didn't go flat but it leaked (but that could be because it endo'd 3 times) now replaced whit a Decker. Graeme
 
Crusader sports -

I have a Mark III that starts instantly when i hit that nice little button I love so much.

Have a Sparx 3-phase alternator, a Podtronics regulator/rectifier, and Dyno Dave's cable upgrade kit.

Battery is the standard Westco 12V14L (sealed). Works like a charm, as predictably and consistently as my Toyota.

(But that's after replacing the sprag clutch and two related gears, about a year and a half ago - which was a pain to troubleshoot).

Keith
 
You might also like to try the Motobatt MB9U after all your upgrades. Yellow (chopped mat type) battery
 
I generally use the Oddessy PC625 in MK3 Commandos. They will require trimming the fins on the left bottom side of the battery. I use a small grinder and remove the fins up to about 3/4 inch from the bottom so it will clear the folded up edge of the tray on the left side. I also use a piece of Dynamat insulating mat between the battery and the oil tank. It will set right against the tank. It gives a lot of reserve capacity. The one in my wifes MK3 lasted nine years. I kept an Oddessy battery charger on it over the winter. I replaced it with another just like it.

The 545 will also work as LAB pointed out if you stand it on end. A little less capacity but a little more room.

I use the PC310 in non-e-start bikes. The one in my fuel injected bike will be five next spring. Jim
 
I've tried everything with varying success. I fitted the Mk1 battery tray and went for a massive WESCO 19 AH AGM battery - which I promptly killed (don't ask). Then I went to Canadian Tire and bought a lead acid in 19AH of slightly smaller dimensions and it does the job very well. I'm thinking these batteries are, as LAB says, basically a consumable.
 
hi, i bought a motobatt, sealed high torque (MBTX14AU) for my mk3 from wemoto, check their web site, ( spins it over no problem)
 
I have been hearing a lot of good things about the Shorai batteries. I know the one for the Honda Goldwings is consierably smaller than the OEM battery but still seems to crank the 1800 engine without issue.
 
I am running a Shorai Lithium Iron, weights about 2.5 lbs and is incrediable small. Turns the engine over easly on cold days. I have it hooked to a Battery Tender Jr, but I do not leave it on full time, disconnect when light goes green. The Shorai holds a charge real well.
 
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