Battery choices

Looks like my battery won't hold a charge. I disconnected it while the bike was running and there was no hiccup. I just had to jump the bike to get it going though so the old battery is likely shot (likely 5 years old via PO). The battery in it is a Sears Die Hard 12A-A & Sears says $49 for a replacement but it only comes with a 9 month warranty.

Thought Die Hards were supposed to last a long time & 9 mos. is not long...

So easily obtainable in the states, what's a better choice than the Die Hard?

Thanks!

 

My opinion: You gotta get a Deka AGM sealed maintenance free

I think you'll need a EXT15L but they can check for sure (or you can look at the chart online)...210 CCA
http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/assets/base/0278.pdf

A buddy just picked up two of them since we live close to the plant. Factory seconds (they had blemished cases) for $35.99 each. I think the factory store will ship them but not sure.

 

Ok Just gonna say this. I work at DEKA.We make about 50 -60 percent of Yuasa (we put their labels on them but their still DEKA). SEARS is the same. and wal mart too. Exide/Yuasa and Jonson controlls makes the rest. check the label for east penn. if not then its expandable metal(crap)(Exide). second's are rare for MC batts, you got lucky. (we usually recycle duds and seconds of MC batts) $60 new for mine or unfilled for 55 thats with my discount Non AGM. Don't know about MC AGM. The AGM Plates I run go for $500+ but their for Mercedes or BMW. The Harley crap (OEM) are run in another building. As far as shipping Im not shure. If you bring in a dead batt You get $3.

 

I fitted an AGM battery to my XJ700 Maxim X recently as I shot the old one when getting the bike working again & the extra cranking power is definately noticable, so if you can afford the extra dosh then would recommend the upgrade 8)
I bought a lesser known brand here in the UK & like Pazalas has said mine was also a better know brand re badged

 

I bought an AGM battery that's labeled "XS power"
Part number is 61-2026 for my bike. Oddly enough, my local Yamaha dealer was able to order it right from their catalogue.
Mikes XS has the exact same line of batteries, and even has a link to the cross reference / product sheet - Linky to the PDF file

So far - VERY happy with this battery. Significant increase in spinning power that I've noticed, and engine starts quicker too. I did spend $35 to get myself a new intelligent battery charger/maintainer that's rated for AGM batteries, but very very happy so far.

 

K I asked at work today. They won't ship from our in house store. The AGM is the way to go though better power longer life (instead of 3 years you should get about 8) and no spill. new roughly cost around $125. We have other plants in other states. Iowa, northcarolina (douglas), texas, and Florida off the top of my head. Go on our web site and plug in your Zip code. Should find a wharehouse or dealer near you.

 

Mike & all,

This is just what I needed to know. I had wanted a Gel Cell but discovered they were not as useful as I had thought but the AGM batteries fit my desires perfectly. I found CarQuest is a distributor for Deka and I found one that had the ETX15L so I drove over only to find the terminals are reversed from what my XJ650 uses. They said I should look at the ETX15 as the positive is on the left which is what I need. I wasn't sure though because the connectors are different and the battery is ever so slightly wider than the 12A-A that the bike calls for.

I found an ETX at another CarQuest and picked it up. Pricey! but I was able to get it to fit with some modifications. I needed to remove the plastic battery housing and remove the white plastic latch that holds the battery in place by the elastic strap. I then had to cut away the beveled part of the plastic battery housing on the rear section that protrudes into the battery compartment and cut it flush with a saber saw. That allows the EXT15 to fit inside snugly and not be pushed on by anything in the holder.

After bolting the battery compartment back in I found the extra width of the battery touched against the Red plastic battery cover that says Maxim so I removed the battery and unbolted the cover which allowed the holder to slide over 1/4" & against the airbox. Now the red cover fits perfectly so I left the holder unbolted as the battery has no place to go & is held snugly.

What a difference! that ETX15 is perfect for the XJ650 and it really kicks that starter over like crazy. Niiice!

Thanks to all for their replies.

 

Hope I'm not just bringing a post back from the dead.. but since its spring and a lot of us are probably going to be replacing a battery.. I want to say that the etx15 is an incredible battery. I just installed one tonight and it made an extreme difference! Partnered up with a new fuse box and new battery cables it made the starter spin faster than ever(which is good becausr i was considering replacing it)I highly recommend this battery, as its the same one I use in my Polaris jetskis and now my XJ.