moddy
the mod
I have researched this on the web to the point I need to come here to see what some of you have tried and done. Much appreciated. I will be getting into a non runner and want to hear about what some of you have done.
Jeff has it right. No problem jumping off a car battery, I've done it dozens of times. The largest 12 V battery will only supply as much juice as the appliance (in this case yur starter) needs. Big batteries just provide longer function.Jumping from a car battery is fine. Just make sure that if the battery is still in the car that the car is switched off.
As what I explained above describes, the battery doesn't "push" power...the starter draws it. Whether its hooked up to a motorcycle battery or a car battery, the starter doesn't know the difference...except that a car battery might keep the voltage where it belongs longer than a motorcycle battery, which will actually help the starter. You are better off trying to start the bike hooked to a car battery than you are to try to start the bike with a half dead battery. THAT is what will damage a starter.The problem I can see arising is if the starter is cranking and requires more juice than a motorcycle battery could provide, the auto battery will push more with the amps, hence the problem, electrical destruction.
No reason you couldn't, but the battery is actually a pretty important part of the whole electrical system, so you wouldn't want to run without one.Have you used an automotive battery that isn't connected to a vehicle to start a motorcycle that doesn't have a battery?
I plan to go to this battery when my current one is ready to die on me. And to fill the extra space, I'm thinking of moving my fuseblock to fill the void and rewire everything from there. I'll know better once I have the battery.I recommend you consider switching to a Shorai.
I've got a full digital stereo system on my bike that can draw up to 4 amps at high volume off the battery and steadily drains it at 65ma when it's off. Also a cruise control that adds a few ma when idle and of course the clock with its steady 4ma drain. There are also two PTO's for accessories like cell phone chargers and a cigarette lighter.
I've moved over to the Shorai, high endurance and it's a good compromise. The standard battery for the St is 12 amp / hour. The Shorai high endurance is 18 amp / hour. CCA for the Shorai is 315 amps, quite a bit more than the standard lead / acid. Fitting the small format battery into the bike's existing battery holder took me 30 minutes, approximately.
Your biggest battery problems in the ST are really lack of space and heat stress, less so capacity. The Shorai will solve both of those for you and give you enormous cranking amperage. Capacity is only a modest 6 amp / hour increase. Depends on what you really want to do.
The Shorai costs more but if predictions of its life span being 4 times a lead acid's are true then it's going to be good value. My original Yuasa cost $124.00 with taxes. The Shorai; $186.00. It will not adversely affect your bike's charging system and will save you about 7 pounds of weight.
Ross