You may be thinking of my Odyssey PC545 installation HERE.
Battery failed...hoping to hear from Scorpion...
- Thread starter nhdiesel
- Start date
fwiw Odyssey battery sizes http://www.odysseybattery.com/powerspecs.html
The pc545 fits with some modification to the battery box as documented by hoowasat.
The pc545 fits with some modification to the battery box as documented by hoowasat.
Inquiring minds wanna know...how has the Odyssey PC545 held up for you? I have only used it in my Airhead, where it has done well, but the Honda is another beast altogether. It looks like a fun conversion, possibly one I'll tackle when my present battery gives up. I see the original post was from 2009, probably long enough to give you a feel for the durability. Thanks a load for the write up, and information!!
This thread has me thinking about my battery...not even sure what make/model it is, but I haven't done a thing to it since I bought my 1100 almost 5 years ago. Don't even keep it on a tender over the winter. Hasn't ever failed me...but am sure it will now that I've made this post... 
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Not trying to beat a dead horse D) but -
Motobatt AGM MBTX12U - $82.99 AH - 14 CCA - 200 - fits ST1100 no box mods.
Motobatt AGM MBTX9V - $67.99 AH - 10.5 CCA - 160 - fits ST1300 no box mods.
Looks to be similiar to the PC535 capacity. I am a bit surprised that the ST1300 takes a 'smaller' battery size than the ST1100. They also list the size/specs on all of their batteries. The ST1100 model has a 14 mm space on the bottom that can be removed. There may be another one of their batteries with higher AH & CCA that would fit in the ST1300. They come with a 2 year warranty which appears to be pretty standard with AGMs.
D) but -Motobatt AGM MBTX12U - $82.99 AH - 14 CCA - 200 - fits ST1100 no box mods.
Motobatt AGM MBTX9V - $67.99 AH - 10.5 CCA - 160 - fits ST1300 no box mods.
Looks to be similiar to the PC535 capacity. I am a bit surprised that the ST1300 takes a 'smaller' battery size than the ST1100. They also list the size/specs on all of their batteries. The ST1100 model has a 14 mm space on the bottom that can be removed. There may be another one of their batteries with higher AH & CCA that would fit in the ST1300. They come with a 2 year warranty which appears to be pretty standard with AGMs.
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In one of my follow-up posts in the installation article, I said I'd be happy if the Odyssey lasted 3 years. Well, I'm happy because 3 years passed in October of 2012, and any additional service I get from it I view as bonus time.
I added a Battery Bug (BB) monitor a month ago, and it (of course) said 100% life remaining as soon as it was connected ... it had no recorded history to think otherwise. The BB readings since then have been as follows:
57% & 13.0v on 1/2/13 after initial engine start
50% & 12.8v on 1/5/13 after several starts on a 45? day
49% & 12.6v on 1/15/13
46% & 12.9v on 1/21/13 after several starts during a 50? ride to Richmond, VA (about 160 miles total)
43% & 13.0v on 2/3/13
28% & 13.1v on 2/4/13 after starting when the bike sat out in 32? to 45? temps all day at work
28% & 12.7 on 2/6/13 aftter starting when leaving work today, 50? high temp
The 28% values have me a little concerned, but the battery starts the engine as it always had when in cold temperatures. The voltage numbers are good, but I haven't tried checking the voltage while cranking. I'm waiting to see if I get the "ST1300 telltale sign" that the battery is nearing its death ... when the clock/tripometer displays zero out after a start.
OTOH the Odyssey is not high on CCA, but it's supposedly very good on continuously cranking an engine. Other than the one time I ran it down when I left my headlights on, this battery has been flawless. The only thing I disliked when I ordered the Odyssey at a local Batteries Plus store was that they "quick-charged" it just prior to me coming to pick it up. Next time I'll know to ask them not to charge it at all, and I'll do an initial slow charge using my Battery Tender.
I do not use the Battery Tender on a regular basis ... only use it after I've farkled around with the ignition on for several minutes. I fully intend to post an update when this one finally calls it quits, but I won't hesitate to get another.
EDIT: Here are some PC545 spec's from the Odyssey website ...
545 cranking amps for 5 seconds
495 cranking amps for 10 seconds
420 cranking amps for 20 seconds
Short circuit current over 1200A
14Ah
18 minute reserve capacity with 25amp load
CCA - 185
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RONST1300
STOC # 8616
I've read all your posts and can not help but wonder if it is only partially the battery and some other variable. An electrical short or leak in the system, to many farkles drawing power over extended periods, a freezing garage, over charging. I don't know, in the past, I have bought cheap batteries and replace them often. This one on my bike now, I don't have any idea how old it is since I have not had to replace it yet. But I did put a battery tender on both my bikes. Are there studies on the actual usage of the battery and it's life span?
OP
OP
I went from a 6 year old original battery that could sit for weeks and still start the bike (actually went all winter while the bike was stored) to a "new" battery that could barely crank the bike after being parked for a weekend. While I did make electrical mods over the winter, the original battery was still in the bike and still hooked up for over a month after the electronics were installed. I have also tested for parasitic draw, as well as testing voltage while cranking (low cranking voltage, even after charging for 3 days).
Good thoughts though.
FOLLOW-UP INFO: I haven't started the bike since 2/6/13 and haven't connected the Battery Tender, but I gave it a try this afternoon. Fired right up without any difficulty.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Fired up one of my ST1100s with a Yuasa in last night and it started just fine. Went out this morning to get on it to ride to work - deader than a hammer. No power draws overnight - just another 'unexplained' Yuasa failure. Since the last of the Yuasas is already failing, I guess I'll be all 'MotoBatt'. I just got in another MotoBatt for the ailing one, having no idea the 'strong' one was going to die. So now I'll order a MotoBatt for the third ST1100. At least the MotoBatts have a 2 yr unconditional warranty - I'll see if I need it! ;-)
My last Yuasa lasted less than a year so I went the MotoBatt based on your glowing recommendations Uncle Phil.
It sure spins the 1100 over with authority. It’s only been it there a week so it is too early to know how long it will last but the warranty is sure nice.
Rick
It sure spins the 1100 over with authority. It’s only been it there a week so it is too early to know how long it will last but the warranty is sure nice.
Rick
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Yeppers, it turns the old girls over like they like to be spun! I ended up removing the bottom spacer (I like the extra clearance at the top for running wires), getting an extra set of terminals for the back bolt holes to hook up my 'extra' connections. I also decided I'd do a little grinding on the bike terminals for a better fit (ground off the back downward piece) and rebent the ground cable so it would not press against the fuse box so much (which causes them to work loose). All that's not necessary, but it just suited me a bit better! ;-)
MORE follow-up info: Due to local weather and other travelling requirements, I have not started the bike since 2/11/13, and the Battery Tender has not been connected. I had a little time around noon today & decided I wanted to ride for about an hour before the Daytona 500 got underway. Again, started right up even though the Battery Bug display says 28% life remaining with 12.4V. On a positive note, the recent foul weather has allowed me to stay indoors and reload a few thousand rounds.
Hey Folks,
my scorpion battery died again. This battery was sent to me by them a year ago and its now dead. Two emails to them with my original order number went unanswered. I just got off the phone with them. Apparently their warantee is 1 year on the original battery. I would think they re-start that clock on the replacement but no dice. That's not how it works. Anyone need a doorstop?
I may try the battery recommended in this thread or the Odyssey route. The Odyssey seems like the better choice.
my scorpion battery died again. This battery was sent to me by them a year ago and its now dead. Two emails to them with my original order number went unanswered. I just got off the phone with them. Apparently their warantee is 1 year on the original battery. I would think they re-start that clock on the replacement but no dice. That's not how it works. Anyone need a doorstop?
I may try the battery recommended in this thread or the Odyssey route. The Odyssey seems like the better choice.
OP
OP
Not a good sign flyguy. I ended up ignoring the Scorpion warranty because I was going to have to do a bunch of testing myself (same tests I already did and sent them the info in my original e-mail to them), then ship it back to them at my expense so THEY could do their own tests, then be without a battery while I wait for their decision. I'll just buy a Yuasa from our vendor when I get the money. Scorpion won't get any more of mine.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
So far the 3 MotoBatts I purchased spin the old girls over like a hot rod Ford. I like their 2 year warranty also. No more Yuasas for me! ;-)
OP
OP
I won't buy a replacement/aftermarket/dealer Yuasa, but I'll surely take advantage of the OEMs available from our vendor! 6+ years on my original, and it still worked better than the brand new Scorpion replacement.
My "Original", "pulled from Generator" Yuasa battery that I bought, lasted me 6 months in the '05, before I started having issues. I put the BikeMaster back in (from the '04) and it is doing fine! I recharged the Yuasa, but haven't done anything with it. It's sitting on my workbench.
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OP
OP
Their failure rate may not be zero, but I think they have one of the better track records, and the price is right. Nothing is perfect, but I'm going to stay away from the cheap junk with the terrible track records from now on.
I don't have a clue how good/bad the BikeMaster batteries are, and since it came with the '04, I don't know how old it is, but it seems to be doing okay for now.