Whats a good battery to fit a 850 and a Alton E start

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jimbo

jimbo

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Whats a good battery to fit a 1974 850 and a Alton E start? I would prefer a sealed type, but not a lithium.
 
jimbo, I bought my Alton for my 850 from Classic Bike Experience and the instructions came with specific battery purchasing instructions
I remember buying an Odyssey, your Alton purchase did not come with battery specs? I can look it up later if someone does not chime in
 
1up3down said:
jimbo, I bought my Alton for my 850 from Classic Bike Experience and the instructions came with specific battery purchasing instructions
I remember buying an Odyssey, your Alton purchase did not come with battery specs? I can look it up later if someone does not chime in
Click to expand...
haven't received it yet.
 
I previously posted about the Yuasa battery reccomended by Alton. I have just measured the battery tray and it appears that nothing bigger than 87mm wide and 155 long will fit. The measurements shown for the Yuasa are 87 wide, and 175 long, height 155.
Can anyone with first hand experience offer any light on this please as I will shortly be fitting an Alton starter and would like a battery that fits and doesn't break the bank! 850 mk11as by the way. Am looking up the DEKA.
 
I have been using the (same) Shorai 18 in my Alton-ized '73 since Feb, 2013.


OOPS - sorry, just noted you said "no Lithium" (Shorai is Li Fe) So disregard.
 
Just found the Yuasa YTX20CH BS is 150mm l x 87mm w x 161h.
Seems to me that will fit.
Ah 18.9
CCA 270.

Any thoughts please.
 
DEKA may have a distributer in OZ but it's a US brand, manufactured by East Penn, one of only 2-3 battery manufacturers in the US. Basically, all US lead acid batts are made by these few companies and then branded appropriately. For example, Costco (Kirkland) batts and Interstate batts are the same "re branded" East Penns.
 
peter12 said:
I previously posted about the Yuasa battery reccomended by Alton. I have just measured the battery tray and it appears that nothing bigger than 87mm wide and 155 long will fit. The measurements shown for the Yuasa are 87 wide, and 175 long, height 155.
Can anyone with first hand experience offer any light on this please as I will shortly be fitting an Alton starter and would like a battery that fits and doesn't break the bank! 850 mk11as by the way. Am looking up the DEKA.
Click to expand...

I am fitting an Alton starter to my 750 S with the central oil tank and the recommended battery is way too big. I fitted a YUASA YTX14-BS which just fits in though the solenoid won't mount on the top unless it is turned around.
Cheers
 
As per my first post on this thread - if you are OK with a lithium, the Shorai has been great in my 850/Alton and takes a fraction of the space (and weight) of an old-tech battery.
 
I had an Odyssey PC 545 (12aH) battery in my '74 that lasted for 14 years!, and was a perfect fit in the battery tray for a '74.
I replaced it with a Lithium Iron at 1/3th the size and weight and 21 AH. It spins the motor like there is no compression.
I have a cNw electric start conversion and a 3 phase alternator. Yes, they are pricey. There are mixed reviews and opinions
about lithium batteries.

I think you need at least an 18 AH battery. Odyssey makes a model PC 625 which is 18aH and costs about $140
You could find a Yuasa 18aH (or equivalent) for about $50. Had a Yuasa 16 AH in a '75 I used to have. Battery lasted only 3 years and didn't have enough juice to spin the starter effectively.

IMO cheap batteries are not good economy.
 
FWIW, my Shorai is the 14AH and has been in the bike since '12 As per the above, it spins the motor like the spark plugs were removed! :)
 
Because I was back in the UK at the time where batteries are at least 50% cheaper than here, I went with the Alton recommendation and got a Varta YTX 20L BS 12V 18A-h. My bike is a MkIIa with the tray across the frame. Needless to say it wouldn't fit, so I converted the tray to allow it to fit along frame. It was actually the most challenging part of fitting the Alton. Read all about it here..

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/journey-into-the-unknown.25110/

The Alton with Varta has no problem spinning the engine either.
 
jimbo
For reliable winter use on my e start only Mk3, I have swapped my normal Shorai for a Yuasa YTX16 BS-12v CCA 230, length 150mm x width 87 x height 161mm fitted across the frame on my bike.
Better in cold conditions with no warm up required and spins motor in low to sub zero centigrade first time no probs, but 8lb heavier than Shorai if that,s a priority. £67.00 delivered in the UK.
Surprised the Alton needs a bigger battery than a standard Mk3 setup with Hi Power starter motor.
 
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LITHIUM IS BEST.............less trouble less room very light, less charging....IMO
 
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