Author Topic: Potentially stupid question...  (Read 1798 times)

rjs987

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2021, 04:10:25 PM »
At first i thought the one in it was crapping out already...but now just thinking ahead. Wont pull the trigger till i need to though. Probably should buy one now though with inflation going all Venezuela like it is...(kidding)


What observations are happening to make you think it might be crapping out?
It would not be the first time a "new" battery ended up DOA or developing a bad cell really soon after being placed into service. But it is unlikely.
Do you plug into a battery tender/maintainer? If not, you should.
As is commonly stated on many platforms the AK seems to have more than its share of phantom loads that will drain the battery if it sits very long between rides so a battery tender/maintainer is essential.


I just bought one from Amazon that runs about $50. It arrives Tuesday and after looking around this one seemed like a very good price to me as well as being a good unit anyway. I figured that since the maintainer I already have on hand is more than 15 years old it would be good to have a new one. And also since I have 2 bikes and a lawn tractor that I want to be plugged into one through the cold season it helps having the extra one. I'm too cheap to have one for every battery so I'll alternate the old maintainer between my wife's scooter and the lawn tractor and keep the new one for the AK.
/bob
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jermwars

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #16 on: November 14, 2021, 10:03:39 PM »

What observations are happening to make you think it might be crapping out?
It would not be the first time a "new" battery ended up DOA or developing a bad cell really soon after being placed into service. But it is unlikely.
Do you plug into a battery tender/maintainer? If not, you should.
As is commonly stated on many platforms the AK seems to have more than its share of phantom loads that will drain the battery if it sits very long between rides so a battery tender/maintainer is essential.


I just bought one from Amazon that runs about $50. It arrives Tuesday and after looking around this one seemed like a very good price to me as well as being a good unit anyway. I figured that since the maintainer I already have on hand is more than 15 years old it would be good to have a new one. And also since I have 2 bikes and a lawn tractor that I want to be plugged into one through the cold season it helps having the extra one. I'm too cheap to have one for every battery so I'll alternate the old maintainer between my wife's scooter and the lawn tractor and keep the new one for the AK.

It got my attention because it was starting out at a little lower voltage every day when id start the day...And im back to being concerned...

Yesterday it started out even lower at 12.5v and today it started out at 12.3v

I ride for hours every day so i would be surprised if charging it with my battery tender would make much difference but its worth a shot to me simply because you suggested it

It charges well during use, but the voltage drops off REALLY fast when at rest :/
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jermwars

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #17 on: November 14, 2021, 10:07:09 PM »



I just bought one from Amazon that runs about $50. It arrives Tuesday and after looking around this one seemed like a very good price to me as well as being a good unit anyway. I figured that since the maintainer I already have on hand is more than 15 years old it would be good to have a new one. And also since I have 2 bikes and a lawn tractor that I want to be plugged into one through the cold season it helps having the extra one. I'm too cheap to have one for every battery so I'll alternate the old maintainer between my wife's scooter and the lawn tractor and keep the new one for the AK.

I take it you dont think the lithium option is worth the extra cost? Or do you have any other opposition to them?
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07' Yamaha Majesty YP400

rjs987

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #18 on: November 15, 2021, 12:03:02 AM »
It got my attention because it was starting out at a little lower voltage every day when id start the day...And im back to being concerned...Yesterday it started out even lower at 12.5v and today it started out at 12.3vI ride for hours every day so i would be surprised if charging it with my battery tender would make much difference but its worth a shot to me simply because you suggested itIt charges well during use, but the voltage drops off REALLY fast when at rest :/

I notice that right after a ride and I shut down the motor I see 12.7 v. If I then keep it turned on, motor not running to check my trip meter or playing around with Noodoe or something else, I'll see it drop to 12.6 within 5 or 10 minutes. I've read in many places about this scooter having a few more phantom loads than most. I am thinking simply due to Noodoe attempting to communicate with a phone and possibly with the keyless fob.

I don't recommend connecting a battery charger but rather a Battery Tender or other battery maintainer. There is a big difference. A maintainer, such as Battery Tender, senses battery charge condition and will run through a program of sequences to keep a battery in top shape and maintains the charge without burning out a battery. They will turn on or off as needed based on state of charge of the battery. A charger is always on and in one state of constant charging that can burn out a battery. Trickle chargers and brute force chargers fall into this category. A Battery Tender or maintainer can be connected and left connected indefinitely with no harm and only benefit to the battery. That is why I bought a new Battery Tender Plus for mine. I have an older battery maintainer, an AccuMate maintainer, that I bought over 15 years ago that I will be continuing to use on my wife's scooter and my JD lawn tractor through the cold months but I wanted something newer dedicated to my AK 550.  ;D

I take it you dont think the lithium option is worth the extra cost? Or do you have any other opposition to them?

Just never really considered going to a Lithium battery in my bikes. Personal choice for a bike. I really don't see anything wrong with them and they likely will maintain a better charge level over time. But you would still have the issue of phantom loads drawing down the charge over a few days, even if maybe more slowly than a AGM battery.

All my previous bikes had nothing close to the tech that is in this scooter. And there was no phantom load when I turned the key off on those bikes. So the batteries would all maintain the charge level where it was at the time I shut off the motor, at least for several weeks, before I'd see a drop of even a few tenths of a volt. But this AK 550 is different. Even more modern cars with the added tech can run down their batteries over several days or weeks. My mom used to own a Cadillac Town car that had several batteries for all the different tech installed in it. She never drove it enough to get all the batteries properly charged and was constantly having to take it in to the shop to get some of the tech devices batteries reconditioned since they were constantly being run down. My mom would only drive the car once every few weeks and then only a mile or two at the most.
« Last Edit: November 15, 2021, 12:05:32 AM by rjs987 »
/bob
2022 Kymco AK 550 Super Touring Extreme in Matte Deep Blue
RETIRED - US Navy and Air National Guard and civilian career

Clampett

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #19 on: November 15, 2021, 01:53:38 AM »
I take it you dont think the lithium option is worth the extra cost? Or do you have any other opposition to them?

2 things to consider (I've read, but have no experience).
1st is if you ride when it's approaching freezing, I've read the CCA drops fast on lithium batteries.
2nd is you have to use a different type maintainer for lithium batteries. A regular tender is not recommended
because it isn't designed to read the charge on lithium batteries and can not charge correctly.

On the other forum, everyone that has bought them, like them. They are just different. Like scooterists!!!!

rjs987

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #20 on: November 15, 2021, 03:25:22 AM »
2 things to consider (I've read, but have no experience).
1st is if you ride when it's approaching freezing, I've read the CCA drops fast on lithium batteries.
2nd is you have to use a different type maintainer for lithium batteries. A regular tender is not recommended
because it isn't designed to read the charge on lithium batteries and can not charge correctly.

On the other forum, everyone that has bought them, like them. They are just different. Like scooterists!!!!


Yeah, we ARE different. Aren't we.
/bob
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RETIRED - US Navy and Air National Guard and civilian career

jermwars

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #21 on: November 15, 2021, 04:14:37 AM »

Yeah, we ARE different. Aren't we.

Sure am glad i found this forum...you guys have been extraordinary
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Neil955i

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #22 on: November 16, 2021, 12:24:29 PM »
Sure am glad i found this forum...you guys have been extraordinary

A wealth of knowledge on here, presented in a really non-intimidatory manner.  Like you, glad to have found a natural home!
Regards & ride safe,
Neil

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CROSSBOLT

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #23 on: November 16, 2021, 02:50:12 PM »

Yeah, we ARE different. Aren't we.
Like pennies and farthings....
Karl

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #24 on: November 16, 2021, 04:44:52 PM »
Whenever I say something stupid....my wife comes back with....
"....and, your point?"

She says that a lot.....
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jermwars

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #25 on: December 04, 2021, 08:05:55 PM »
Buy a lithium ione battery, those you can mount even upside down. Costs the same and no worries anymore.

Got around to installing the "NOCO Lithium NLP14, Group 14, 500A Lithium Powersport Battery" today

Pretty neat battery...little heavier than i expected

Registered at 13.0V when i popped it in even after sitting around for several weeks! Way better than the 12.3 i was getting after sitting one night

Starter even had a distinctly higher pitch

I think i like it :D



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jermwars

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Re: Potentially stupid question...
« Reply #26 on: December 05, 2021, 08:26:29 PM »

What observations are happening to make you think it might be crapping out?
It would not be the first time a "new" battery ended up DOA or developing a bad cell really soon after being placed into service. But it is unlikely.
Do you plug into a battery tender/maintainer? If not, you should.
As is commonly stated on many platforms the AK seems to have more than its share of phantom loads that will drain the battery if it sits very long between rides so a battery tender/maintainer is essential.


I just bought one from Amazon that runs about $50. It arrives Tuesday and after looking around this one seemed like a very good price to me as well as being a good unit anyway. I figured that since the maintainer I already have on hand is more than 15 years old it would be good to have a new one. And also since I have 2 bikes and a lawn tractor that I want to be plugged into one through the cold season it helps having the extra one. I'm too cheap to have one for every battery so I'll alternate the old maintainer between my wife's scooter and the lawn tractor and keep the new one for the AK.

This Lithium battery is golden :D

Holds solid at 14.2 and when i come out in the morning its at 13.2 when i turn it on and then after a few seconds it jumps up to 13.3 even with my phone plugged in

Those are the numbers i typically have with my Yamaha so im quite happy with that.

I put the original battery on the battery tender and it registered as fully charged and functional so i dont think there was ever actually anything wrong with it...dont mind though.

Its worth it just for the higher pitch in the starter now...Sounds like a baby sneezing when it starts :D
22' KymCo AK550
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