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Replacement Batteries
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:45 pm
by David.
The Part No. for the Battery on a 2012 Twin Cam is 61 21 2 346 800 & costs £136 from BMW (11/04/2014).
Exide Batteries,
http://webshop-cdn.tecdoc.net/exide/home.jsp, this link can be used to search for a replacement Battery.
Putting the BMW OE Number in the Article Number & selecting "OE Number" from the dropdown list comes up with GEL 12-19 EAN 3661024034074.
Euro Parts, Online and Click & Collect price is £74.40,
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/acces ... &0&cc5_989
It also looks similar to this one from Motorworks for £69.00.
http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/ ... 5_30_IA_10
(BMW Gel battery original equipment 19amp/hr | ELA59014)
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 9:24 pm
by stelyn
On this subject of Batteries, AGM `may' be the way to go having found the following, the difference in `charge and holding rate', of which I admit I didn't fully understand;
AGM (absorbed glass mat) is a special design glass mat designed to wick the battery electrolyte between the battery plates. AGM batteries contain only enough liquid to keep the mat wet with the electrolyte and if the battery is broken no free liquid is available to leak out.
Gel Cell batteries contain a silica type gel that the battery electrolyte is suspended in, this thick paste like material allows electrons to flow between plates but will not leak from the battery if the case is broken
AGM Batteries outsell Gel Cell by at least a 100 to 1. AGM is preferred when a `high burst' of amps may be required. In most cases recharge can be accomplished by using a good quality standard battery charger or engine alternator. The life expectancy; measured as cycle life or years remains excellent in most AGM batteries if the batteries are not discharged more than 60% between recharge.
Gel Cell Batteries are typically a bit more costly and do not offer the same power capacity as do the same physical size AGM battery. The Gel Cell Battery excels in slow discharge rates and slightly higher ambient operating temperatures. One big issue with Gel Batteries that must be addressed is the GEL charge profile.
Gel Cell Batteries must be recharged correctly or the battery will suffer premature failure. The battery charger being used to recharge the battery must be designed or adjustable for Gel Cell Batteries. :whistle:
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:04 am
by guest2360
So far as I am aware BMW have ditched Gel batteries for all their bikes except the 1600s, so they must be old tech. .
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:20 am
by David.
The BMW Rider's Manual for a 2012 Twin Cam says the Battery is a Gel type.
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:23 am
by guest2360
DaygloDavid wrote:
The BMW Rider's Manual for a 2012 Twin Cam says the Battery is a Gel type.
Quite correct. Should have said current models.
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:27 am
by David.
A Part No. check also confirms that the Twin Cam has a different battery type to the LC.
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:37 am
by David.
stelyn wrote:One big issue with Gel Batteries that must be addressed is the GEL charge profile.
Gel Cell Batteries must be recharged correctly or the battery will suffer premature failure. The battery charger being used to recharge the battery must be designed or adjustable for Gel Cell Batteries.
"Generally, gel batteries are less tolerant of high heat and are charged at lower power than traditional or AGM batteries."
The Optimate 4 sounds just right,
http://www.optimate.co.uk/OptiMate%204% ... eaflet.pdf
"The alternating test and charge maintenance program is designed to provide the recommend maintenance voltage for AGM / GEL batteries whilst reducing the average voltage as required by STD filler cap batteries, making it ideal for indefinite and 100% safe long term maintenance charging of any type of 12V lead‑acid battery."
Even better if connected via a Power Socket to the CAN-bus system.
"The motorcycle's on-board electronics know when the battery is fully charged. The on-board socket is switched off when this happens."
"CAN-bus program: the KEY-LESS activation program guarantees automatic re-opening of the connection even with the ignition not turned on."
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:16 am
by stelyn
Thanks DaygloDavid , your `post' clarifies the `doubt issues' I had 
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:16 pm
by David.
Nippy Normans do this Odyssey Battery with a 2 year guarantee, for £89.
http://www.nippynormans.com/products/ba ... dy-pc680rt
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:30 pm
by stelyn
Looks OK and reasonably priced, I'm sure the Battery is not included in the warranty so shouldn't be a problem with BMW for having it fitted. Is that correct RTman10 ? , I'm only thinking of any subsequent issues with the electrics /i] :not speak:
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:06 pm
by guest2360
I cant imaging any warranty refusals for having a different battery fitted. Photo suggests the fitting is not spot on as there is a spacer on top of it but I understand they are good kit. Don't know what he charges for postage but with a bit of discount from your local dealer there might not be much in the price difference.
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:15 pm
by David.
DaygloDavid wrote:The Part No. for the Battery on a 2012 Twin Cam is 61 21 2 346 800 & costs £136 from BMW (11/04/2014).
The Part No. for the Battery on a 2014 LC is 61 21 8 531 121, have had a look on a US Site & it may be cheaper than the Twin Cam Battery.
If this is the case & it will fit a Twin Cam, then it may be reasonable upgrade, seeing as AGM gives more "bang for your buck" over Gel.
(Would need to confirm that the charging system & other electrics on the Bike are compatible with both AGM & Gel Batteries).
If folks are advertising AGM Batteries as an upgrade over Gel, you'd like to think so, but worth checking out first.
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:48 pm
by guest2360
Would not fit, its a lot smaller and wouldn't clamp down
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 5:52 pm
by David.
Could some packing/spacers be used to help secure the Battery, like the Odessey one.
Re: Replacement Batteries
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 9:40 am
by David.
“Wet” MF or “AGM” (Absorbent Glass Mat separator) batteries are also referred to in some technical bulletins & documents as “ Valve-regulated “. It is worth mentioning here that there is much confusion around the term “Gel” battery, when applied in the motorcycle industry. Unfortunately, the term “Gel” was mistakenly used to describe AGM batteries in some quarters, presumably because they appeared outwardly similar to the sealed Gel-acid batteries that had been used in deep-cycle applications for decades previously. Worse still, AGM batteries from some obscure Chinese factories seem to have appeared in the marketplace with “Gel” written on the case, despite being of AGM construction. One can only assume that someone asked a Chinese factory for “Gel” batteries while referring to an AGM one, so they obligingly wrote “Gel” on it. As far as we are aware, the only motorcycle battery of a genuine Gel construction is a hybrid starter/DC battery made by Exide for BMW. Other than that specific model, nearly every sealed motorcycle starter battery is likely to be of AGM construction and of course, all these batteries (including Gel) are lead/acid.