More on Odyssey Battery

[Dr. Strangelove]

My new one came today, ordered because of a low voltage fault read at the dealer last week, Also, it seemed the starter has not been getting enough ooomph, esp when all farkles were lit during ignition when not the first turnover of the day. It would spin rather than engage despite cleaning and lubing it well

So, the bike has been sitting in a cold basement for a week, off the tender. I check the resting voltage...12.15; I start her watching the voltage, with all farkles on--motolights, gps, sirius radio, brights during ignition. Voltage dips to 8.1+ then pops up to 11+ and change. So, If I have my info correct that "load" test is positive to replace...correct?

I open the box of my new Odyssey and for grins I check its voltage right out of the box and it too is 12.15-16-14.

My current battery even if on a tender will not hold a charge greater than what it is showing now.

My question is: Is That Voltage Normal for a "fresh" battery? It has been traveling in some pretty cold weather. And should I expect better load bearing when I install it?

tia

John

[jm1515]

You need to charge it....

The OM says ..'ODYSSEY batteries are shipped fully charged from the factory, but prior to installation, check the battery's voltage to see if it is 12.65 volts or greater. If not, recharge using the procedure below.......'

It's in the 'Maintenance' section....

[Dr. Strangelove]

thanks

I should've read the manual

PS the sun is actually out this morning, or at least some star like object that casts shadows!

John

[Airman]

You need to charge it....

The OM says ..'ODYSSEY batteries are shipped fully charged from the factory, but prior to installation, check the battery's voltage to see if it is 12.65 volts or greater. If not, recharge using the procedure below.......'

It's in the 'Maintenance' section....

Doesn't the Odyssey like a solid hit from a real battery charger when it's discharged? I'm thinking it's not good to put it on the trickle charger when it's low.

[Dr. Strangelove]

it got a trickle charge and was 12.65 this am
It was never fully discharged, but at about 75%
and yes, the OM says that a real battery charger is fine, but I don't recall it saying not to use a trickle charger.

I had previously used the metal jacket odyssey and that jacket fits very tightly in the holder. I pulled the old battery out--it slipped from the jacket easily and inserted the new one into the metal jacket. No problem.

The battery shipped with a couple of adapter plates, L shaped.
I put them on and when I was re locating the tank--loud POP. The tank touched one of those adapters and must've been grounded. Hell with the adapters. I took them off and attached straight to the battery as I had done previously. The poles are WAY more protected that way. I would definitely rec NOT to pay any extra for the adapters; and if you do feel the need for them, be very careful. That spark/pop was right by the quick disconnects.
I have the main leads and the leads to my aux fuse box (Centech) attached with no problem.

[TicTac50]

it got a trickle charge and was 12.65 this am
It was never fully discharged, but at about 75%
and yes, the OM says that a real battery charger is fine, but I don't recall it saying not to use a trickle charger.

The battery shipped with a couple of adapter plates, L shaped.
I put them on and when I was re locating the tank--loud POP.

I almost got the point of the LOUD POP too. Those L shape adapters need to go horizontally on the battery.
Both of my batteries came with 12.65 or 12.71 volts. I installed the new style L shape adapters with no problems.
But for another one I used an OLD style L shape adapters, the ones I purchased 6 years ago, directly from the Odyssey.
I think that old L shape adapters are much better and made out of copper, I .
I would use the L shape adapters, before I bend the wires.
Good Luck.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I had them horizontal but angled out slightly so I could get to them by only lifting the tank. Mounting directly to the posts did not bend the wires at all in my case

Up and running though

[TicTac50]

I installed Battery Tender 081-0069-6 Ring Terminal Harness with Black Fused 2-Pin Quick Disconnect Plug.
Now I can charge all my bikes without lifting the gas tank.
Here is the LINK:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NC ... ss_product
Alligator clips are also a good thing to have. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ND ... ss_product
Add to the order a couple of Hella 80/100w bulbs http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CO ... ss_product And you will get FREE shipping from the amazon.

P.S. With the 100/80W bulb, the 7.5A fuse will need replacement with the 10A fuse. I found it the hard way .
Good Luck.

[Sunbeemer]

I also used the L-shaped adapters that came with my Odyssey battery, but didn't have trouble mounting the tank. However, I didn't like the proximity of the tank to the positive terminal so I stuck a small square of 3M Mastic insulation (the kind they use to insulate wires underground) on top of that terminal so there is no possibility of that side of the battery shorting to the tank even in a tip-over. This mastic is available at fine electrical hardware stores (contractors use it), and maybe even in the electrical section of Home Depot.

Gas + spark = KA-BOOM!

Glad you didn't blow yourself up!

[Dr. Strangelove]

Glad you didn't blow yourself up!

yeah,me too! It was a blow up moment to be sure.

I think those extensions are inherently dangerous, or maybe just in my hands.