K11 Owners Group

[Green Monster]

Hey all,

Couldn't find a direct or similar post so here it goes.

I have a 10 month old Odyssey battery. I ride quite often here in central GA even in the midst of this pandemic. Leave it on a trickle charger when not in use for extended periods of time. Went to try and start last weekend and it is almost dead. 3 weeks ago, it showed no signs of battery drain and this weekend it needed a jump. This would be my 2nd Odyssey in approximately two years!

1) - Should I change my trickle charger? If so, what are your recommendations?

2) - Should I get a new battery...again? If so, should I stay away from Odyssey?

3) - Would there potentially be anything wrong with my charging system?

4) - What else could be causing this?

All replies appreciated.

Mike
_________________
1995 K1100RS in Palmetto Green
1988 K75C (sold)
1987K75S (sold)

[leonp24]

From the Odyssey website:

If the battery is used in a starting application, the alternator should provide between 14.2 and 14.5 volts at the battery terminals. In cycling applications, the absorb voltage should be between 14.4 and 14.8 volts, while the float setting (if applicable) should be between 13.5 and 13.8 volts.

I'm not sure our bikes provide enough voltage.

Full disclosure, I'm currently running an Odyssey and discovered this after purchase. I plan to go back to a standard battery when this one fails.
_________________
1994 K1100RS - Mystic

[Flying Duck]

You got a bad battery. Make a warranty claim.

I've had many Odyssey batteries and my best one lasted almost ten years.

If you want to go with a different battery then I've also had very good experience with these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074VFKRKL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[Flying Duck]

More:

I've used a bunch of different trickle chargers on Odysseys and all worked fine. Most of my trickle chargers have been Battery Tender Juniors.

If your charging system is failing then the warning light in the cluster should come on.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[Grunter]

I have heard varying reports on these and have stayed away from them when the time came to replace I bought alternative makes.

The battery fitted to my K75c is a sealed lead /acid which I previously had on my K75s. That battery is at least 12 yrs old now and still holds a charge and gives 12.8V when the trickle charger is removed for a short while.
_________________
1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

[michaelcurrin]

I've had my 93 K1100rs since probably 1999, and am on my second Odyssey battery, first one lasted almost ten years, have at least 7 on the current one. The bike stays on a battery tender.
_________________
Mike Currin
20 BMW R1250RS
93 BMW K1100RS / EML Speed 2000
06 Ducati ST3
67 Triumph 650 chopper

[Green Monster]

Thank you all for the prompt replies! I knew I can always come here to get the best advice.

Turns out it was nearly dead and not fully dead. Thus, rode her more these past few days, tossed out my older battery tender and installed a Battery Tender Junior. Now all seems to be good for now.

I do think my next battery will be a Westco but even these are no longer Westco...I think their KG or something like that.

Again, THANKS MUCH!
_________________
1995 K1100RS in Palmetto Green
1988 K75C (sold)
1987K75S (sold)

[Scott_Anderson]

I've used Westco for more than 10 years....but no more.
The original ones I got lasted about 7years.
The last ones I purchased only lasted about 4.
I bought an R1100 in September and it had the same Westco battery that I use in the K, it was only 8mo old, and it didn't have the enough power to consistently start it without ABS faults. Replaced it with a Motobat brand and I've had no more starting issues.
It may have cost me about $50 more, but it also came with 2yr warranty.
_________________
Ride safe.



1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)

[flybd5]

Is it Westco or Wesco? If the former, their web site is dead as a doorknob and the batteries used to be made in Japan by Panasonic. Apparently they sold out to China and the products have turned to plastic boxes of crap since then.
_________________
To err once is human. To do so repeatedly is incompetence.
1995 K1100LT SE

[Flying Duck]

Westco batteries are made in Vietnam. One I purchased in 2013 lasted about seven years.

https://estorebc.mkbattery.com/
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[flybd5]

Huh. I'm surprised, Vietnam has a better manufacturing reputation than China, at least in my book.
_________________
To err once is human. To do so repeatedly is incompetence.
1995 K1100LT SE

[Acentistaha]

[flybd5]