AGM or Gel battery?

[zaphod beeblebrox]

I've not had my V7 long but I think that in this cold weather the battery may be past it's best. I'm in the process of running a reconditioning cycle as I'm typing this but if it doesn't improve then I'll replace it.

Any thoughts on the advantages or disadvantages of moving from a traditional lead acid 'wet' battery to either an AGM or Gel?

Gel seems to be pretty much leak proof even if you tip the bike over in an accident but I've read that they don't generally provide as much starting current as AGM or wet.

Is the bike's charging circuit ok with these different types or could it overcharge/undercharge the battery?

Thoughts?...

 

[GerryAZ]

A good AGM is also leakproof since electrolyte is absorbed in glass matting between the plates and a much better choice for engine starting. Gel batteries have electrolyte that is thick like jello so the active material can stratify and cause the battery to sometimes be too weak to crank the engine.

A high-quality lithium ion battery is a good choice and should last much longer (higher initial cost). There are many low-quality lithium batteries in the marketplace so buyer beware. Check out the GTM Store for a high-quality lithium battery.

If the charging circuit is functioning properly, then it is suitable for any of these battery types.

 

[zaphod beeblebrox]

Thanks.

Sounds like the AGM option is best then. I appreciate that the lithium ion may be better in the long term but in my case I don't think the extra cost will be justified.

 

[scottmastrocinque]

As has been written about EXTENSIVELY here, and is widely available on a SEARCH, AGM batteries have steadily deteriorated in the quality available on the open market. They rarely survive more than a year or two based upon comments by riders here. (GerryAz lives in a very warm climate.)

A good quality Lithium battery, will last many years if properly cared for, and given the harsh environment most of the UK has, it will endure the temperature shifts much better. The added benefit is that the internal discharge rate of a lithium battery, is virtually negligible while AGM batteries discharge every single day.

Please be sure that you are not being “Penny Wise but Pound Foolish”. If you can spring for a Lithium, I strongly recommend that you do. Italian motorcycles ABHOR erratic voltage, and in 98% of all issues reported here, the poor condition of the battery, turned out to be the root cause of a host of problems.

FWIW: I have never read a post about issues where the proximate cause was a lithium battery. All 17 of my motorcycles run with lithium batteries, and I will never go back to gel or AGM.

 

[zaphod beeblebrox]

Thanks for the advice. My apologies but I had tried to search the forums for the info before posting my question but the search tool results says “AGM and gel words too short for the search and will be omitted”.

Having had extensive experience with lithium cells in drones and other broadcast kit, I am a little bothered about how the bike can charge the cells in a fully balanced manner unless the battery has a decent controller built in. Also whether the voltage output from the bike regulator is compatible given that it will vary depending on the engine.

It’s also not easy to see if any cells would be starting to physically deform which is often a prelude to a breakdown and resultant fire risk given that the battery is tucked out of sight.

 

[GerryAZ]

A high-quality lithium powersport or automotive 12V battery will have a built-in management system to manage charging and balancing of the individual cells. I noted before that buyer should beware because there are low-quality lithium batteries in the marketplace. I stand by that statement because of articles on other forums in which I participate and because of the experience of the local store where I purchase most of my batteries. That store stopped selling powersport lithium batteries a few years ago because of so many problems, but has now started selling and stocking a particular brand which they hope is reliable. I purchased one to try as a starting battery in my portable generator so time will tell how well it works in my climate. It has an internal battery management system with a self-test function.

Personally, I will continue to use high-quality AGM batteries in my vehicles (there are a couple of brands which have proven very reliable for me in my climate in AZ as well as the bike in NY) for now. I would trust the lithium batteries sold through the GTM Store and may purchase one for my V85TT when the OEM battery (AGM over 2 years old and still doing fine) gets weak.

 

[zaphod beeblebrox]

A high-quality lithium powersport or automotive 12V battery will have a built-in management system to manage charging and balancing of the individual cells. I noted before that buyer should beware because there are low-quality lithium batteries in the marketplace. I stand by that statement because of articles on other forums in which I participate and because of the experience of the local store where I purchase most of my batteries. That store stopped selling powersport lithium batteries a few years ago because of so many problems, but has now started selling and stocking a particular brand which they hope is reliable. I purchased one to try as a starting battery in my portable generator so time will tell how well it works in my climate. It has an internal battery management system with a self-test function.

Personally, I will continue to use high-quality AGM batteries in my vehicles (there are a couple of brands which have proven very reliable for me in my climate in AZ as well as the bike in NY) for now. I would trust the lithium batteries sold through the GTM Store and may purchase one for my V85TT when the OEM battery (AGM over 2 years old and still doing fine) gets weak.

Thanks for the info Gerry, do you mind me asking which brands of AGM battery you have had a good experience with?

Brian