BMW K bikes (Bricks)


You are not connected. Please login or register

Go to page : 1, 2  Next

View previous topic View next topic Go down  Message [Page 1 of 2]


1Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Batteries.. again. Sat Mar 11, 2017 5:14 pm

JaseYPK

JaseYPK
Silver member
Silver member
Hello all,

Been a while. The bikes been off the road over winter for repairs, and I've had little time to do as much, or anything that I wanted to do to it.

Anyway, apologies as I know the battery debate has been covered to death, but not in recent years - I'm hoping theres new news!

I'm looking for a battery I can either stick inside  a seat cowl (cafe racer style) or mount elsewhere as I want to free up the original battery mount location.

I've got a Varta 25Ah 220CCA brick at the moment that works "most" of the time.

What would be a Li-ion or LFP equivalent to either this battery, or a suitable one to start the K100 happily?


I don't know what the minimum CCA required is, nor the minimum Ah recommended for a K100...

Cheers


__________________________________________________
1984 K100 RS - The Project!
    

2Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sat Mar 11, 2017 11:33 pm

Holister

Holister
Life time member
Life time member
Yes, we've had lots of very recent discussion on batteries and all this has been discussed before. You just need to use the search box located on the Portal tab or the Forum tab and enter the search term [battery] or multiple terms like [battery lithium]. If you want the latest posts about this topic adding a search operator such as [date:2016] will give you all the threads started in 2016 as well as 2016 posts for threads posted earlier. In case you find that difficult here's a link...
www.k100-forum.com+date:2016&*" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.k100-forum.com+date:2016&*" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.com.au/search?q=battery&sitesearch=www.k100-forum.com&gws_rd=cr&ei=Z7jEWOnINoP28AWkubKACg#q=battery+lithium+site:www.k100-forum.com+date:2016&*

BMW originally specified a 25Ah battery for the K100. A few here like myself use a Motobatt AGM battery which is 30Ah (Motobatt don't make a smaller one that fits). Others however use batteries around 20Ah. These seem to work as ok. The only problem with lower Ah is there is not much in reserve if you run into problems.
As for CCA, I don't think there are any clear specs. My Motobatt MBTX30U is rated at 360CCA but I think you would get away with a minimum of about 240CCA. Keep in mind that the lower the specs the less reliable it will be in the long term.

As for lithium. The latest tech is LiFePo. Many here will agree that you are wasting your money on a litium battery for a K100. Aesthetically, I've seen plenty of good looking K-cafés with the battery mounted normally and they look good. There is no appreciable gain by having a lighter battery.

Cheers



Last edited by Holister on Thu Mar 16, 2017 6:16 am; edited 2 times in total


__________________________________________________

1989 K100RT     VIN  0097367 (naked)  
1996 K1100RS   VIN  0451808
 Batteries.. again. Austra12    Fuel:  95 Octane
Engine Oil: Nulon Full Synthetic 15W50
Gear Box Oil:  Nulon Synthetic 75W90
    

3Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:21 am

charlie99

charlie99
VIP
VIP
just a reminder of the typical lithium battery's

as they approach discharged you get almost no indication that they are going to do that ...they just refuse to recover for another attempt at a start

at least on an old lead acid , you can hear see that the voltage is getting lower before they throw in the towel ...and they do recover fairly quickly ..well not fully but significantly enough to get a push start, and on your way again ?
by the way they don't like hot environments at all ..


__________________________________________________
cheezy grin whilst riding, kinda bloke ....oh the joy !!!! ...... ( brick aviator )

'86 K100 RT..#0090401 ..."Gerty" ( Gertrude Von Clickandshift ) --------O%O
'86 k100 rs.. #######..  "Fred " (f(rame) red ) ( Fredrick leichtundschnell ) - -
bits and pieces from many kind friends across the k100 world ...with many thanks ..
1987 k100rs ########   "Red"  - (red sports rs TWB style )
1989 K100rt #009637   "Black Betty"  (naked rt ala Nigel , now sporting an rs main fairing )
    

4Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:45 am

Chocolate

Chocolate
Life time member
Life time member
Holister wrote:
Many here will agree that you are wasting your money on a litium battery for a K100. …

Hello!

But for a caferacer it could make sense, a caferacer isn't a bike to (only to the next cafe place to showing up :-) to ride long distance.

But if you like, why not have a look in the air industry.
Super B 7800 Aircraft Battery

CheersBatteries.. again. Img_2812


__________________________________________________
Only a few activities make me experience my senses in a way motorcycle riding does, it is like swimming in the nude in a river.
K75 BA/1992 ABS, K75 BA/1991 noABS, Ducati, Mobylette M1/1973
    

5Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 8:04 am

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
My K100RS 16v with ABS is happily starting with a 14 Ah Yuasa gel battery (YTX14BS), It has about 180 CCA and needs no more. It is about a quarter of the size and weight of the 1960s technology battery that was fitted to the early Ks. BMW changed to smaller batteries with the birth of the K1100 as battery technology had moved on in the '90s.
As for Lithium, I have one in my Ducati 848 and it weighs in at 600 grams. It has no problem starting the big twin at any time. Lithium batteries have huge CCA, something like 400 for 10 seconds, but low Ah, this should not matter with the K as the alternator is big enough for any power that you need when the engine is running.
The Yuasa YTX14BS costs around €60 whereas the lithium was about €110.
There is no point in saving weight on a K as you will never feel that saving.
If you are one of those that think the original old lead acid battery is good enough then why not use old fashioned 20/50 mineral oil from the '70s, and crappy old 1970s tyres too.
Just remember that the only reason for the battery is to start the bike, after that it does nothing.

    

6Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 8:45 am

Holister

Holister
Life time member
Life time member
BobT wrote:My K100RS 16v with ABS is happily starting with a 14 Ah Yuasa gel battery (YTX14BS), It has about 180 CCA and needs no more.
And it would because the YTX14BS uses a 20hr rating. Work that out on a 10hr rating which most other M/C starter batteries are based on and you have well over 20Ah. Yuasa rate that battery at 12Ah@20hrs and 200cca. Other manufacturers at 220cca. Let's not confuse the issue for the OP who is trying to work out which battery is best for his machine.


__________________________________________________

1989 K100RT     VIN  0097367 (naked)  
1996 K1100RS   VIN  0451808
 Batteries.. again. Austra12    Fuel:  95 Octane
Engine Oil: Nulon Full Synthetic 15W50
Gear Box Oil:  Nulon Synthetic 75W90
    

7Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 8:51 am

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
Holister wrote:
BobT wrote:My K100RS 16v with ABS is happily starting with a 14 Ah Yuasa gel battery (YTX14BS), It has about 180 CCA and needs no more.
And it would because the YTX14BS uses a 20hr rating. Work that out on a 10hr rating which most other M/C starter batteries are based on and you have well over 20Ah. Yuasa rate that battery at 200cca. Other manufacturers at 220cca. Let's not confuse the issue for the OP who is trying to work out which battery is best for his machine.
I see what you are saying so the YTX14 BS will be ideal for the OP then. The Ah rating means very little on a starter battery and 200+CCA will be fine for his machine.
It would probably also fit inside his seat cowl.

    

8Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 9:23 am

JaseYPK

JaseYPK
Silver member
Silver member
Thanks for the input guys, very helpful and much appreciated. I may now end up looking at non-L-ion batteries to save cost, gel ones seem appealing due to versatility with mounting them on their sides.

However I've noticed some batteries (odessey for example) state the CCA rating and a PHCA rating. I'm aware of the difference being one is for freezing temps, the other is for 30'c temps.

However I'm still at a loss when trying to work out which rating is more relevant to me if I'm riding my bike when the outside temp is typically going to be between 2'c and 30'c - UK temperature.


__________________________________________________
1984 K100 RS - The Project!
    

9Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 9:52 am

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
If you are riding you bike then the battery is doing nothing. It only does anything when you are starting. I have used Hawker Odyssey PC680 on my Ks before. They are fantastic batteries and I have one on my microlight (4 cylinder, 4 stoke, 1400cc, 100hp). They are the same physical size as the K1100 battery which is half the physical size of the old 28/30Ah original K100 battery.
Not cheap though.

    

10Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 9:56 am

Holister

Holister
Life time member
Life time member
JaseYPK wrote:.....
However I'm still at a loss when trying to work out which rating is more relevant to me if I'm riding my bike when the outside temp is typically going to be between 2'c and 30'c - UK temperature.
It won't matter. CCA is measured at -18ºc.
I don't see 2-30ºc as extreme temps. Quite mild really. If you're worried, go for something with higher CCA but as BobT said above, the battery is only used for starting. After that it pretty much does nothing.
Make sure you check out the AGM batteries to.
Possibly some of the Poms from the North of UK will chime in with what they use.


__________________________________________________

1989 K100RT     VIN  0097367 (naked)  
1996 K1100RS   VIN  0451808
 Batteries.. again. Austra12    Fuel:  95 Octane
Engine Oil: Nulon Full Synthetic 15W50
Gear Box Oil:  Nulon Synthetic 75W90
    

11Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 11:15 am

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
As Holister says look at AGM. The Hawker is AGM and I also believe that the Yuasa YTX are AGM. 
No need for a breather pipe with AGM and you can use them on their side if you want.

    

12Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 11:50 am

Chocolate

Chocolate
Life time member
Life time member
The best battery you can buy for money is the AGM KungLong.
Most of the K rider in Germany use them, I also!

30£ And is much smaller than normal acid batteries


Kung Long WP18-12 12V 18Ah UPS Battery - This is an AJC Brand® Replacement

Batteries.. again. Img_2813

Cheers


__________________________________________________
Only a few activities make me experience my senses in a way motorcycle riding does, it is like swimming in the nude in a river.
K75 BA/1992 ABS, K75 BA/1991 noABS, Ducati, Mobylette M1/1973
    

13Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 12:19 pm

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
Looking at those skinny battery terminals and the fact that it is described as a UPS battery and gives no indication of CCA, I wonder how that compares with a Yuasa? UPS systems have very different requirements to starter batteries. 
You might save the price of a tank of fuel, but is it worth it?

    

14Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 12:30 pm

Chocolate

Chocolate
Life time member
Life time member
Bob you properly don't know the kungLong Battery, we do!
If you want other terminals, get the KungLong WP 22 ah, perfect terminals.
It's known as good for the K with or without ABS
http://www.klb.com.tw/dbf/WP18-12.pdf.
We use it here for many years and we are happy.

Very good price and last a long time, starts good in winter.
But sure there are more then 100 others batteries out there, Yuasa or what ever.

Cheers


__________________________________________________
Only a few activities make me experience my senses in a way motorcycle riding does, it is like swimming in the nude in a river.
K75 BA/1992 ABS, K75 BA/1991 noABS, Ducati, Mobylette M1/1973
    

15Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 3:25 pm

wilcom

wilcom
active member
active member
Chocolate wrote:

Very good price and last a long time, starts good in winter.
But sure there are more then 100 others batteries out there, Yuasa or what ever.

Cheers
If you can get along with 18 ampere hour the Gruber folks make an excellent battery that the R65 folks have used for some time with NO issues. A tick over $40 delivered to your door Stateside. Mine would set all winter with snow outside and fire up with no battery tender.

http://www.gruberpower.com/12-volt-18-amp-hour-ah-battery

There next size up is a 26 ampere hour but the price goes up to $75 which is out of my "cheap charlie" range LOL

http://www.gruberpower.com/12-volt-26-amp-hour-ah-battery-elite


__________________________________________________
Joe Wilkerson
Telephone man with a splash of Data
Menifee, CA
1989 K100RS SE


past
1979 BMW R65
1980 BMW R65
1982 BMW R80RT (Gas hog)
1974 BMW R90/6
1972 BMW R75
1964 BMW R50 Earles forks( as reliable as a hammer)
2009 Buel XB12R (the FI sucked)
1999 Buell  (Yeah! a carburetor)
2005 Suzuki Bandit 1200
1991 Kaw ZX-11 OMG
1966 Norton 750 (had to have a chase car for anything over 5 miles)
1961 Norton 650' (see above)
1964 Honda 305 Superhawk
and a dozen or so I have forgotten about..........
    

16Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 3:33 pm

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
Not a lot of use to the OP as he in in the UK. Postage from the US would probably be 3 times the price of the battery and then the UK customs would probably want duty too.

    

17Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:26 pm

Snod Blatter

Snod Blatter
Life time member
Life time member
Sorry for the silly question, but while we're on the subject - how do you get a smaller battery to fit and stay secure? Is it easy? Do you have to pack it out?

My TRX uses a YTX12-BS (10.5Ah) which throws it round a treat, I can't imagine our Ks could possibly need more. In fact I even have a gel (yes, real actual gel) Dynavolt YB9-B (9.5Ah) in the CBX250 that seems to be a bit of a monster, I'd suggest one of those would work a treat too. Can we fit anything we like?


__________________________________________________
1989 K100RS SE ABS 8v  VIN: 0149214
Others: 1.5 x CBX250RS-E, '94 CB250, '95 TRX850, '16 Z250SL, '01 R1100GS
http://justbikethings.blogspot.co.uk/
    

18Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:48 pm

blaKey

avatar
Life time member
Life time member
"Looking at those skinny battery terminals and the fact that it is described as a UPS battery and gives no indication of CCA, I wonder how that compares with a Yuasa? UPS systems have very different requirements to starter batteries. 
You might save the price of a tank of fuel, but is it worth it?"


Well, mine lasted 6 years and cost me AU80 dollars, so I'm more than happy. I only replaced it recently as I thought it had failed, but the fault was traced to a dicky starter relay.


__________________________________________________
Neil
K100RS 1986 RED!

Dress for the ride and the potential slide.
    

19Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Sun Mar 12, 2017 7:01 pm

indian036

indian036
Life time member
Life time member
Snod Blatter wrote:Can we fit anything we like?
Simple answer is yes as long as it has enough CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) to reliably start the bike, and enough Ah (Amp hours) to give you a bit of a reserve if it doesn't start instantly. How much that is depends on your desire for a physically small battery versus the security of more starting attempts if things aren't going well.

That and avoiding stupidity such as mounting a traditional lead acid battery any other way than upright, and/or not making sure the battery of whatever type is securely mounted so it doesn't bounce around.

Bill


__________________________________________________
1985 K100RT  VIN 0028991  My original Very Happy ROB the Red Old Bike   (Historic rego)
1985 K100RT  VIN 0029036  BOB the Blue Old Bike  (Historic rego)
1990 K100LT  VIN 0190452  Work in progress
1984 K100RT  VIN 0023022  Work needing lots of progress

1986 K100RT  VIN 0090542  Work needing lots and lots of progress
1993 K1100LT  VIN 0183046  Work in progress
1993 K75S  VIN 0213045  Tom the Triple (now on Historic rego too.)
    

20Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Mar 16, 2017 6:12 am

JaseYPK

JaseYPK
Silver member
Silver member
Some very helpful advice here, so thanks to all that have contributed! Batteries.. again. 112350


__________________________________________________
1984 K100 RS - The Project!
    

21Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Mar 16, 2017 6:14 pm

Motorbike Mike

Motorbike Mike
Life time member
Life time member
Chocolate wrote:
Holister wrote:
Many here will agree that you are wasting your money on a litium battery for a K100. …

Hello!

But for a caferacer it could make sense, a caferacer isn't a bike to (only to the next cafe place to showing up :-) to ride long distance.

But if you like, why not have a look in the air industry.
Super B 7800 Aircraft Battery

CheersBatteries.. again. Img_2812
Have you seen the price??  £399!
I can get these for a K1100 for £70.

Batteries.. again. Batter10

These work well, I've had one for years.

    

22Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Wed Apr 21, 2021 4:26 pm

Zara

Zara
active member
active member
BobT wrote:My K100RS 16v with ABS is happily starting with a 14 Ah Yuasa gel battery (YTX14BS), 
I too have a K100RS with ABS and am looking around for a new battery. Where is the control unit on your bike? When I purchased my K100 from a dealer there was no tool tray and both the battery and the engne control unit were in the battery tray and the ABS control unit in it's place in the 2 slots at the rear of the battery tray.  I was advised to get a tool tray and put the engine control unit in the slot on that. This would then leave room for a Motoblat AGM 30amp hour battery as I have added heated grips and a satnav. My problem is that the ABS control unit is about 3cms too high to fit under the tool tray. Am I missing something here?

Many thanks

    

23Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:44 pm

Shep

Shep
Life time member
Life time member
I have a 1985 and a 1987 K100 RS without ABS. This may not be of any use to you but I have enclosed two pictures. One shows the top of the storage tray that sits under the seat. The cover is removed. The other picture is a side view showing a shelf/enclosure under the storage tray where the ignition control unit is installed on these bikes. Storage tray and shelf for the ignition control unit is all one piece.
Shep

Batteries.. again. 1987_i12

Batteries.. again. 1987_i13


__________________________________________________
Model        Production Date/Serial Number
K100RS      1984 July/ (F0040448)
K100RS      1986 Dec/ (H0142581)
    

24Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Wed Apr 28, 2021 8:06 pm

Zara

Zara
active member
active member
Thank you Shep but the ABS control unit fitting slots means that it sits upright directly below the deep part of the tray on the right - and it just does not fit. I have tried the alternative cover recommended for low seats but even that is 3cm too low to accomodate the ABS unit. I could force the ABS unit to lean backwards and make two extended brackets to secure it in place. If I did that though, I cannot see the point of using the low cover instead of just putting the battery, engine control unit and ABS control unit in the battery tray other than it would not accommodate a larger 30 amp hr battery. On the plus side, not having any under seat tray does make working on the bike much easier.

    

25Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:25 am

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
Zara wrote:
BobT wrote:My K100RS 16v with ABS is happily starting with a 14 Ah Yuasa gel battery (YTX14BS), 
This would then leave room for a Motoblat AGM 30amp hour battery as I have added heated grips and a satnav. 

Many thanks
Not sure why you need a huge battery for heated grips and a satnav. The satnav uses so little power that the one on my phone runs for a day without charging. 
A battery exists to start the bike, as soon as the engine is running the alternator supplies the electricity for the heated grips and to charge the battery.

    

26Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:26 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

avatar
Life time member
Life time member
I have a 92 K100LT, its ex police. The ABS unit sits in the under seat tray under the removable cover, not in the rear compartment. As far as I can see there is no modification to the loom, straight fit.

Its ABS1.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 48,061 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 61,190 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

27Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:01 am

Zara

Zara
active member
active member
Thank you Olaf, an interesting option that I had not considered but having now purchased and fitted an Odyssey PC680 battery, I shall just not bother with a tray - unless someone can give me a good reason to have one.

    

28Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:04 am

Zara

Zara
active member
active member
Thank you BobT. Simple reason actually - because the supplier (not Motorrad) recommended the bigger battery as a replacement for the original part.

    

29Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 11:51 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

avatar
Life time member
Life time member
PC680 is used in the K1100LT ABS 2.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 48,061 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 61,190 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

30Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:01 pm

gorio

gorio
Silver member
Silver member
I always thought part of the reason for such a large battery in these bikes was to run the cooling fan at idle while stuck in traffic? I know my K100rs 4v does not produce much power at idle. Perhaps it is time I had a look at the alternator? It charges well but not until you hit 2000-2500 rpm at least.
I guess you are likely to be a low RPM when you have the ABS in use as well but I don't see that demand being there for any length of time.

The PC680 is a great battery but it is expensive. If you consider the amount of effort required to replace it seems most modern BMW were designed to for infrequent battery changes. The K's aren't too bad.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100rs 16v
1997 R1100rt
2006 R1200rt
Past lives
Kawasaki Concours
1976 BMW R90s
1975 Ducati 860gt
1992 Honda VFR750
1985 Honda VF750
1982 Kawasaki 750GPZ
1975 Norton 850 Commando
    

31Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:03 pm

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
The ABS will do nothing while you are sitting in traffic, besides, it will not draw much continuous electrical power. 
Bigger batteries being more powerful is such a 1970s thing. Your PC680 has way more cranking amps (CCA) than the older lead acid battery that is twice the size and twice the weight.
The idea of an alternator rather than an older dynamo is that it very quickly produces electrical power at low revs. Fitting a voltmeter will assure you that it is working fine.

    

32Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:27 pm

gorio

gorio
Silver member
Silver member
BobT wrote:The ABS will do nothing while you are sitting in traffic, besides, it will not draw much continuous electrical power.
You are absolutely right but I was thinking of what the draw might be when you slam the throttle shut and grab all the brakes you can find. At the same time the cooling fan, heated grips, lights, vest, running lights, GPS, stereo, cell phone, x-box, beer cooler and sat phone are running. Does anyone know off hand what the ABS servos (for lack of a better name at the moment) draw for amperage?

Of course you would immediately return to modulating the brakes and using engine braking for the rear to perform the shortest possible emergency stop from 120kph+ to 0kph.

I am sure even the smallest oldest battery that would regularly start your K would have a enough juice to save that front end tuck in an emergency stop.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100rs 16v
1997 R1100rt
2006 R1200rt
Past lives
Kawasaki Concours
1976 BMW R90s
1975 Ducati 860gt
1992 Honda VFR750
1985 Honda VF750
1982 Kawasaki 750GPZ
1975 Norton 850 Commando
    

33Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:33 pm

Laitch

Laitch
Life time member
Life time member
gorio wrote:I know my K100rs 4v does not produce much power at idle.  It charges well but not until you hit 2000-2500 rpm at least.
How did you arrive at those conclusions, gorio?


__________________________________________________
1995 K75 90,000 miles
    

34Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:43 pm

gorio

gorio
Silver member
Silver member
Just using the aftermarket voltmeter on the bike. I guess an amp meter might be a better tool but I don't have one.
I did read somewhere and I think it was this forum that this was fairly typical of the charging systems on the K's.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100rs 16v
1997 R1100rt
2006 R1200rt
Past lives
Kawasaki Concours
1976 BMW R90s
1975 Ducati 860gt
1992 Honda VFR750
1985 Honda VF750
1982 Kawasaki 750GPZ
1975 Norton 850 Commando
    

35Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:54 pm

Laitch

Laitch
Life time member
Life time member
What's your moto's idle revs and what's your voltmeters reading at idle?


__________________________________________________
1995 K75 90,000 miles
    

36Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:00 pm

gorio

gorio
Silver member
Silver member
Laitch wrote:What's your moto's idle revs and what's your voltmeters reading at idle?
idles about 900-1000rpm as a rule
depending what I have turned of course. lights and nothing else about 12.8V at idle. so basically maintaining battery voltage. At 3000rpm you would see 13.8-14V


__________________________________________________
1992 K100rs 16v
1997 R1100rt
2006 R1200rt
Past lives
Kawasaki Concours
1976 BMW R90s
1975 Ducati 860gt
1992 Honda VFR750
1985 Honda VF750
1982 Kawasaki 750GPZ
1975 Norton 850 Commando
    

37Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:16 pm

Laitch

Laitch
Life time member
Life time member
gorio wrote:idles about 900-1000rpm as a rule
depending what I have turned of course. lights and nothing else about 12.8V at idle. so basically maintaining battery voltage. At 3000rpm you would see 13.8-14V
It's right where it should be. If you're concerned about discharging the battery by hitting the brakes and activating the ABS because it's already being taxed by the grips, driving lights, food processor and autoclave, don't brake—swerve.


__________________________________________________
1995 K75 90,000 miles
    

38Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:24 pm

gorio

gorio
Silver member
Silver member
Laitch wrote:swerve.

I hate to swerve with the stuff in the microwave, something always spills.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100rs 16v
1997 R1100rt
2006 R1200rt
Past lives
Kawasaki Concours
1976 BMW R90s
1975 Ducati 860gt
1992 Honda VFR750
1985 Honda VF750
1982 Kawasaki 750GPZ
1975 Norton 850 Commando
    

39Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:31 pm

Laitch

Laitch
Life time member
Life time member
cheers


__________________________________________________
1995 K75 90,000 miles
    

40Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:20 pm

Shep

Shep
Life time member
Life time member
Where do I buy the microwave?Batteries.. again. Icon_biggrin
Shep


__________________________________________________
Model        Production Date/Serial Number
K100RS      1984 July/ (F0040448)
K100RS      1986 Dec/ (H0142581)
    

41Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:35 am

BobT

BobT
Life time member
Life time member
gorio wrote:
Laitch wrote:What's your moto's idle revs and what's your voltmeters reading at idle?
idles about 900-1000rpm as a rule
depending what I have turned of course. lights and nothing else about 12.8V at idle. so basically maintaining battery voltage. At 3000rpm you would see 13.8-14V
That is fine then. Your battery should start the bike down to about 12.2 volts so 12.8 is charging the battery and supplying enough energy to run what is switched on. The regulator will keep this at above battery voltage as much as it can. 
How much time do you spend at idle with everything switched on?

    

42Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Fri Apr 30, 2021 8:57 am

Point-Seven-five

Point-Seven-five
Life time member
Life time member
I have two bikes in the garage with alternators that turn off the battery idiot light, but unless the engine is idling above 1500/1600 rpm the voltage output is only about 12.7v.. That is enough to turn off the light, but the alternator output certainly isn't putting out enough to run the electrical system.

It's not a big deal, the bike will run for quite a while on the battery. If you get stuck in traffic, just make sure to get 15-20 minutes of running after you get rolling again and you'll be fine.


__________________________________________________
Present: 1991 K100RS "Moby Brick Too"
 
Past:
1994 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
1988 K100RS SE "Special Ed"
1994 K75S "Cheetos"
1992 K100RS "Moby Brick" R.I.P.
1982 Honda FT500
1979 Honda XR185
1977 Honda XL125
1974 Honda XL125
1972 OSSA Pioneer 250
1968 Kawasaki 175
    

43Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:04 pm

robmack

robmack
Life time member
Life time member
My K75's the same as Point-Seven-Five's bikes.  Low voltage below 1600 RPM but adequate above that value.


__________________________________________________
Robert
1987 K75 @k75retro.blogspot.ca
http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/
    

44Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Alternator voltage Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:02 am

Ash

Ash
active member
active member
Jumping in here, as I don't think my query deserves its own post ;-)

Does the alternator need some alterations to work with these more modern battery chemistry?
My '85 K100 RS has a dud battery after no use over the winter, and want to replace it. The one in there when I got her was a Yusa 52515 (12v 23.3Ah), but from what I understand, the norm was the Yuasa 53030 (12v 28Ah). I'd like to switch to a AGM or gel for less hassle, and wanted to confirm if any voltage limiter or such is required when swapping in a AGM/gel battery?
My options are the OEM Exide battery from BMW (12V 19AH) or the Motobatt AGM MB51814 (22Ah) -- I'm leaning towards the Motobatt for the extra reserve crank attempts, but either should be fine right? :-)


__________________________________________________
1984 K100 RS
    

45Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:39 am

Rick G

Rick G
admin
admin
I have had several Motobatt and all have given good service. The 30Ah one in my K100 went for 7 years then got transferred to the K1100 and I got a further year from it.  If you decide on a Motobatt have a look around the Jetski and lawn tractor sections they are often cheaper there for the same one.


__________________________________________________
"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."   Dalai Lama


Bikes 1999 K1100 LT with a Big Block 1200
    

46Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Tue Jul 20, 2021 12:35 pm

Dai

Dai
Life time member
Life time member
Motobatt, no problem. The one in LFB has been there ten years now and has never given a problem. I also have one in Kostenlot (yeah guys - I'll finish it one day Very Happy) and a spare  on the bench. Long story....


__________________________________________________
1983 K100 naked upgraded to K100LT spec after spending time as an RS and an RT
1987 K100RT
Others...
1978 Moto Guzzi 850-T3, 1979 Moto Guzzi 850-T3 California,1993 Moto Guzzi 1100ie California
2020 Royal Enfield Bullet 500
    

47Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Tue Jul 20, 2021 2:23 pm

Jibe

Jibe
Silver member
Silver member
Batteries.. again. Img_2020


Got this in mine working out ok

    

48Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Tue Jul 20, 2021 2:44 pm

Ash

Ash
active member
active member
Thanks for the inputs, have ordered the Motobatt AGM MB51814 (22Ah).

Jibe wrote:Batteries.. again. Img_2020


Got this in mine working out ok

Wow, I'd be thrown out of the house if I were to place any greasy bike parts on the coffee table ;-)


__________________________________________________
1984 K100 RS
    

49Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:11 pm

Shep

Shep
Life time member
Life time member
Clean motorcycle parts are usually okay.
Shep


__________________________________________________
Model        Production Date/Serial Number
K100RS      1984 July/ (F0040448)
K100RS      1986 Dec/ (H0142581)
    

50Back to top Go down   Batteries.. again. Empty Re: Batteries.. again. Wed Nov 15, 2023 11:56 am

Tranberg

Tranberg
active member
active member
As good a thread as any to continue.

On my K75 RT, the battery hold down bracket also holds the coolant overflow container in place, and it fits exactly with the 175mm tall (once) 24AH battery.

If I were to fit a lower battery, the coolant overflow container would be squashed, unless I place a spacer under the battery. Is that the way to do it?

    

Sponsored content


    

View previous topic View next topic Back to top  Message [Page 1 of 2]

Go to page : 1, 2  Next

Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum