Batteries -- what is the dif?

[DrRod]

With three ATVs it seems I'm buying batteries with unsettling consistency. The dealer has plenty of options for $120 but Amazon and Rocky Mountain ATV have plenty of options at $40. I've bought some of the cheaper batteries and found that they don't last very long. The following are some choices on Amazon and Rocky Mountain but there are plenty more.

So I'm asking you -- what are the specs I should be looking for to get a good battery at a good price.

Thanks so much.


Weize YTX14AH-BS High Performance - Maintenance Free-Sealed AGM ATV Battery Rechargeable Yuasa YTX14AH Motorcycle

Mighty Max Battery YTX14AH 12V 12AH Battery for Polaris 500 Sportsman HO '96-'13 Brand Product

YTX12-BS iGel Battery - High Performance, Maintenance Free, Sealed Motorcycle Battery

YUASA Standard Battery with Acid YB14AA2

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A sealed batt. cost more, but it won't leak all over if the ATV gets turned over.

I've found YUASA batts to be expensive, but of good quality.

SR

 

[Jimmy Joe]

A sealed batt. cost more, but it won't leak all over if the ATV gets turned over.

I've found YUASA batts to be expensive, but of good quality.

SR

I second YUASA sealed also called AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries. There is no chance of leaking plus the battery is usually located in a spot where you have to remove it just to check the acid level. I have had nothing but good luck with the YUASA AGM batteries. I know you will think I am crazy but I have a 18 year old battery that still starts my 1981 Honda goldwing. Spend a little now you will save in the long run I have bought cheaper batteries and only got a year or two out of them one was a sealed AGM by the name of Big Max only lasted 2 years.

 

[DrRod]

Is there a standard code to their names -- similar to tire size. All the options in the ads make no sense to me.

For example, in the following list, does the number [12, 14, 30] refer to power?
What does the BS, LA, AH mean?

BTX14-BS
BTX30LA
YTX14AH-BS
YTX12-BS
YB14AA2

 

[Jimmy Joe]

Is there a standard code to their names -- similar to tire size. All the options in the ads make no sense to me.

For example, in the following list, does the number [12, 14, 30] refer to power?
What does the BS, LA, AH mean?

BTX14-BS
BTX30LA
YTX14AH-BS
YTX12-BS
YB14AA2

This thread may help What Do Motorcycle Battery Model Names Stand For? | BatterySharksBatterySharks.

 

[dragoneggs]

A little off topic but do you keep them on battery tenders when not regularly using? I have found this really helps with my smaller batteries for my tractor, riding mower, generator, etc.

 

[oosik]

I've have the batteries on my ATV, motorcycle & tractor on battery tenders. They will normally last 10 -14 years. At around 12 years, I get nervous and replace a battery. With my luck - an older battery will die on the coldest day in the winter.

 

[DrRod]

A little off topic but do you keep them on battery tenders when not regularly using? I have found this really helps with my smaller batteries for my tractor, riding mower, generator, etc.

No. My garage doesn't have electricity. I know there are solar trickle chargers but I don't have much faith in them.

 

[Gary Fowler]

No. My garage doesn't have electricity. I know there are solar trickle chargers but I don't have much faith in them.

I have good luck with solar chargers on my gate opener battery. I would highly recommend them but get one that produces at least 14 watts of power to trickle charge. That would be a little over 1 amp of charge power which is good for continuously charging without burning up the battery.

 

[CobyRupert]

No. My garage doesn't have electricity. I know there are solar trickle chargers but I don't have much faith in them.

I found that when my ATV sat for a couple weeks, the battery would be weak. Usually this wasn't noticeable when ridden regularly. But after buying 2 batteries in a couple years when the battery would sit for a month and be down to 9-10 volts I did some testing and found my ATV was discharging at about 30milliamps when ATV was turned off.
I believe its through a solid state starter relay (or some diodes)....
Once a battery's voltage gets to low for an extended time, I think it dies and doesn't come back (without serious desulphurization),
Sure a trickle charger could constantly feed the parasitic load draining the battery, but putting a switch on the negative battery cable cuts the parasitic load to zero, and saves battery.

 

[dfkrug]

This thread may help What Do Motorcycle Battery Model Names Stand For? | BatterySharksBatterySharks.

Interesting link. Thx for posting.

I buy a lot of batteries for ATVs, M/Cs, etc. I used to think that the number in the code (e.g. 14 in BTX14-BS) was the Amp-hour rating. Until I found a few exceptions.

I buy all my smaller batteries (smaller than car-sized units) from eBay dealers, and they run $25-50 with shipping. Some are AGM, some come with sealed acid packs you add yourself, and some come dry w/o acid. With any lead-acid battery, you don't want to fully discharge them and leave them in that state. So older batteries that have been on the shelf for a long time, AGM or not, are not good. I like the dry ones for that reason, and esp when you can get them without the acid packs. I buy acid in gallons from the local autoparts store. I have had some defective batteries, but the seller always has sent a new one right away, and lets me recycle the old one. I have bought as many as 10 or so in one year.

I like the good battery maintainer-chargers, like the green ones from Battery Tender. The cheapos from HF are not so good. I have had one of the latter overheat and die, and one that overcharged a car battery.

Best lead acid battery brand I have ever owned (car or m/c) is Panasonic.

Finally, if you have a phantom load that is draining your battery (ATV, SxS, M/C), that is usually the regulator/rectifier, which is always connected to the battery. If you have a newer machine, there may be some electronics (other than the reg/rect) that can also drain the battery. My new ATV with FI does not have any phantom loads (measured with ammeter at battery).

 

[Jimmy Joe]

Has anyone heard of or tried a battery desulfator? My boss gave me a trickle charger/desulfator a while back I am just now trying it on my motorcycle batteries. It is supposed to desulfate or clean the plates of the battery by sending small pulses of electricity through the plates. Claims to extend battery life up to four times. I charged my 18 year old battery let it sit for a few tays, tested it with my voltmeter which read 12.45 volts. I put the charger/desulfator on it I am leaving it on for a month then will test it and put it in the bike and see if I notice any differance. This is the one he gave me. What do you think is it legit or snake oil? This is the one I have.

BatteryMINDer 1510: 12 Volt-1.5 Amp Battery Charger, Battery Maintainer, and Battery Desulfator – Designed for Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATV, Boats, RV

 

[Peter 315]

Has anyone heard of or tried a battery desulfator? My boss gave me a trickle charger/desulfator a while back I am just now trying it on my motorcycle batteries. It is supposed to desulfate or clean the plates of the battery by sending small pulses of electricity through the plates. Claims to extend battery life up to four times. I charged my 18 year old battery let it sit for a few tays, tested it with my voltmeter which read 12.45 volts. I put the charger/desulfator on it I am leaving it on for a month then will test it and put it in the bike and see if I notice any differance. This is the one he gave me. What do you think is it legit or snake oil? This is the one I have.

BatteryMINDer 1510: 12 Volt-1.5 Amp Battery Charger, Battery Maintainer, and Battery Desulfator Designed for Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATV, Boats, RV

I have 4 they work...

 

[fried1765]

I have 4 they work...

^^^^^^ AGREED !!!!

 

[DrRod]

I read through the article and basically found that the numbers and letters don't mean much -- mostly manufacturer's identification. I also get the impression that the one number that matters is the cold cranking amps -- although two batteries could have the same rating but be of significantly different quality. So other than experience, is there something that gives an indication of longevity.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Some say, heavier batts last longer... For me, by far the longest lasting batteries have said Interstate on them, but I don't buy light duty batts., I only buy HD batteries, group 31 Interstate batts have easily been the best batts I've bought..

SR

 

[fried1765]

Some say, heavier batts last longer... For me, by far the longest lasting batteries have said Interstate on them, but I don't buy light duty batts., I only buy HD batteries, group 31 Interstate batts have easily been the best batts I've bought..

SR

In simple terms, a battery with the highest cold cranking amp rating (CCA) is the best.
Interstate batteries are the "best"....because a big part of Interstate battery costs go to advertising!

Contrary to popular opinion, Interstate does not manufacture batteries.
Interstate is simply a marketing company.
Interstate batteries are manufactured by Brookfield Business Partners, and/or Exide.

There have been only 3 MAJOR battery manufacturers in the USA.
East Penn, Exide, and formerly Johnson Controls.
Brookfield Business Partners is now apparently what was formerly the battery division of Johnson Controls.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

In simple terms, a battery with the highest cold cranking amp rating (CCA) is the best.
Interstate batteries are the "best"....because a big part of Interstate battery costs go to advertising!

NOT at my place that isn't the reason, here Interstate batts have been best, because they have easily lasted the longest!

I don't give a dam what the brand of batts I buy, I buy accordantly to how long they last, period!

I also don't care who makes them, I've bought Exide from a parts house and they just didn't last as long, in fact, not half as long, although the last one got replaced under warr., and the replacement is still in that tractor.

The Walmart batts I've bought were really bad, never got one to last even two years, one was weak from the first month I bought it, they replaced that one!

Later this spring I'm going to buy another group 31 Interstate, maybe that one will be junk ?, I'll report how good it is, either way...

SR

 

[Jimmy Joe]

I have 4 they work...

Good to hear, I like the fact that the unit I have both maintains the battery and desulfates it. It will constantly be moved to whichever battery has sat the longest I don't have to buy batteries very often but when I do I never like it.

 

[fried1765]

NOT at my place that isn't the reason, here Interstate batts have been best, because they have easily lasted the longest!

I don't give a dam what the brand of batts I buy, I buy accordantly to how long they last, period!

I also don't care who makes them, I've bought Exide from a parts house and they just didn't last as long, in fact, not half as long, although the last one got replaced under warr., and the replacement is still in that tractor.

The Walmart batts I've bought were really bad, never got one to last even two years, one was weak from the first month I bought it, they replaced that one!

Later this spring I'm going to buy another group 31 Interstate, maybe that one will be junk ?, I'll report how good it is, either way...

SR

Different strokes for different folks.
I previously bought only Interstate.

Interstate stiffed me on a warranty claim while traveling in Canada.
Two Canadian dealers told me they were dropping Interstate because they had warranty problems.

No more Interstate for me ....EVER!
I have had great luck with the Walmart Everstart Maxx, and they cost less than an inflated price Interstate.
I keep a Battery Minder or Battery Tender on everything that is expected to sit for more than a month.