Battery FYI

[kawzak]

Since my P-250 is a 2008, and I don't want to chance having the battery crap out, I decided to put it in my Four wheeler and buy a new one for my scooter. I found the right one at Wally world. Glass mat type, etc. Well I guess it was on the shelf for a long while-It still doesn't charge as fast my old one. The battery is exactly the same OEM as the origional. A fresh (6 mo old or less from time of manufacture to purchase time) battery is best and will give you the longest life. I have got 2-3 years if I keep it on a Battery Tender (1-1/4 amp model). An interseting note is that my Battery tender Jr (3/4 amp) will never bring it up to 100 %-but the 1-1/4 amp will every time. So if you have a smaller amp smart charger, and you purchase a battery that has been on the shelf 2 yrs it will be harder to charge, dissipate sooner and go bad sooner too. I have had this same thing happen 3 times on batteries over the past many many years. I am trying to figue out the battery manufactures build dates / codes and will pass on the information. Maybe I should just take my meter in the store and check dry cell voltage before I buy!. Sorry for being long winded.

[wordslinger]

and you purchase a battery that has been on the shelf 2 yrs it will be harder to charge,

..not sure, because the only ones i've ever bought, were the type you had to add the electrolyte to...

..hmmm...

..had good service out of them...never checked out th' shelf-life...

[kawzak]

They all are dry untill you or the shop/store adds the acid and then seal it up( and it is supposed to be charged before using). These batteries are dry charged from the factory. Otherwise they would have to charge up once a month if sold wet (like car batteries are SUPPOSED to be done). The car batteries have an easy system to tell how long they have been on the shelf-like a month and date tag on them. Motor cycles have a different system. I just found out how Yuasa (Tawain and Japan) batteries are coded. example= 930312   year= 93  month=03 (march)   12=12th 1 factory code. I still have not figured out Everstart M/C batteries.