I just picked one up at the local Rural King store. 975 CCA, 685 reserve, 2 yr warranty $129.00 and core (I've got plenty of them). Tomorrow it goes on the test bench to see how it holds. If its satisfactory then I'll change out more as needed.

On 8/17/2015 9:46 PM, Tim wrote:

I just picked one up at the local Rural King store. 975 CCA, 685 reserve, 2 yr warranty $129.00 and core (I've got plenty of them). Tomorrow it goes on the test bench to see how it holds. If its satisfactory then I'll change out more as needed.


That seems like a very reasonable price. I just bought a new lead-acid
for my truck (the original finally gave up the ghost). Got it at
AutoZone for $158. 1000 CCA.

The tractor doesn't need anything that big. AutoZone carries the AGM
batteries as well, so I'll check them out.

I noticed something interesting after I replaced the truck battery.
It seemed to have more pep .. or maybe just more response to the
throttle. Shift points were different also. Then I realized that the
truck computer was re-learning my driving habits. I normally drive
like an old lady, rarely exceeding 3,000 RPM when accelerating. So,
after 7 years, it apparently had adjusted the timing and shifts
accordingly.

Richard, part of the better throttle response is that with the new battery, the computer is getting better voltage due to less drag on the alternator. So with the efficiency of the new storage box, the computer and ignition as well as injector system benefited from a slighter higher amp flow. And that could be as little as .2 volts difference.

On 8/17/2015 11:01 PM, Tim wrote:

Richard, part of the better throttle response is that with the new battery, the computer is getting better voltage due to less drag on the alternator. So with the efficiency of the new storage box, the computer and ignition as well as injector system benefited from a slighter higher amp flow. And that could be as little as .2 volts difference.


Could be. I don't know. The difference was immediately noticeable.

Recently we had a discussion here about how auto batteries don't give
much warning when they are about to croak. That was certainly the case
with my truck. It seemed fine ... started with normal vigor until one
day when I started it it seemed just a tad sluggish turning over. Not
something very noticeable and probably would have missed had I not been
paying attention. I had been expecting the battery to go bad because
it was 7 years old, so I headed straight for the local AutoZone store to
pick up a new battery. Store is only about 5-6 miles from my house.

Bought the new battery, intending to go back home and change it. Got
back in the truck and tried to start it. Dead. Wouldn't turn over.
That's how fast the original battery went. Had to change it in the
AutoZone parking lot.

Richard I had a bad battery in my Buick that would start like new. But I pulled into a gas station and left the headlights on for noore than 5 minutes.. Hit the key and k-k-k-click. I shut the headlights off and was eyeballing people whoo might give me a jump. After a couple minutes of sitting there I happened to try the key again and it started like new. When I got home I went for another battery....

On Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 5:00:01 AM UTC-4, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 8/17/2015 11:01 PM, Tim wrote:

Richard, part of the better throttle response is that with the new battery, the computer is getting better voltage due to less drag on the alternator. So with the efficiency of the new storage box, the computer and ignition as well as injector system benefited from a slighter higher amp flow. And that could be as little as .2 volts difference.


Could be. I don't know. The difference was immediately noticeable.

Recently we had a discussion here about how auto batteries don't give
much warning when they are about to croak. That was certainly the case
with my truck. It seemed fine ... started with normal vigor until one
day when I started it it seemed just a tad sluggish turning over. Not
something very noticeable and probably would have missed had I not been
paying attention. I had been expecting the battery to go bad because
it was 7 years old, so I headed straight for the local AutoZone store to
pick up a new battery. Store is only about 5-6 miles from my house.

Bought the new battery, intending to go back home and change it. Got
back in the truck and tried to start it. Dead. Wouldn't turn over.
That's how fast the original battery went. Had to change it in the
AutoZone parking lot.

Wal Mart installs while you wait. Pretty good deal. The local Advance Auto does also.

John H. wrote:
On Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 5:00:01 AM UTC-4, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 8/17/2015 11:01 PM, Tim wrote:

Richard, part of the better throttle response is that with the new battery, the computer is getting better voltage due to less drag on the alternator. So with the efficiency of the new storage box, the computer and ignition as well as injector system benefited from a slighter higher amp flow. And that could be as little as .2 volts difference.

Could be. I don't know. The difference was immediately noticeable.

Recently we had a discussion here about how auto batteries don't give
much warning when they are about to croak. That was certainly the case
with my truck. It seemed fine ... started with normal vigor until one
day when I started it it seemed just a tad sluggish turning over. Not
something very noticeable and probably would have missed had I not been
paying attention. I had been expecting the battery to go bad because
it was 7 years old, so I headed straight for the local AutoZone store to
pick up a new battery. Store is only about 5-6 miles from my house.

Bought the new battery, intending to go back home and change it. Got
back in the truck and tried to start it. Dead. Wouldn't turn over.
That's how fast the original battery went. Had to change it in the
AutoZone parking lot.
Wal Mart installs while you wait. Pretty good deal. The local Advance Auto does also.


When I'm due I want to watch them replace it. I don't even know where
the battery is!

On Monday, August 17, 2015 at 11:01:03 PM UTC-4, Tim wrote:
Richard, part of the better throttle response is that with the new battery, the computer is getting better voltage due to less drag on the alternator. So with the efficiency of the new storage box, the computer and ignition as well as injector system benefited from a slighter higher amp flow. And that could be as little as .2 volts difference.

Tim, you reckon they make AGM batteries for the Guzzi, or should I just stick with the $39.95 garden tractor batteries that last three years or so?

Oh I'm sure the do make them for motorcycles John. I have a neighbor that got tired of lead/acid batteries in his Honda 4 wheeler so he did some digging on the 'net and found a Lithium replacement for his application and bought it. He paid out the yang for it and was amazed at how small it was. But he installed it and hasn't been happier. Fantastic starting capability. I suppose if they're good enough for a Toyota Prius then it ought to work for a 4 wheeler.

Tim wrote:
Oh I'm sure the do make them for motorcycles John. I have a neighbor that got tired of lead/acid batteries in his Honda 4 wheeler so he did some digging on the 'net and found a Lithium replacement for his application and bought it. He paid out the yang for it and was amazed at how small it was. But he installed it and hasn't been happier. Fantastic starting capability. I suppose if they're good enough for a Toyota Prius then it ought to work for a 4 wheeler.


I have a friend who owns a Batteries Plus franchise. If you set up a
corporate account, they offer deep discounts and their warranty is the
best in the business. Super cheap batteries for UPS backups, too.