Sealed batteries for older BMW's

[tsamuolis]

I have a 1983 R80RT and need to replace the battery. Has anyone put one of the new type of AGM batteries in their older bikes and what have been the results. Thanks

Tony

[jmerlino]

I have a 1983 R80RT and need to replace the battery. Has anyone put one of the new type of AGM batteries in their older bikes and what have been the results. Thanks

Tony
I have a Westco AGM battery in my 82. No problems whatsoever.

[R100RS]

I've been using a Panasonic sealed battery in my airhead for the last 5+ years without any problems whatsoever.

I also put one in my father's /6 and it died shortly after a year (and the warranty expired). However, that one did get laid down and I later ran the battery down all the way (the headlight was left on all day while I was at work). Not sure if this is a bad reflection on the battery or the user, but it was never any good after I ran it down all the way. I still replaced it with another Panasonic.

[rinty]

ts:

I had an airhead for 15 years and installed an Odyssey two years ago. I wouldn't use anything but an AGM in an airhead now. They just have way better cranking rpm, longer cranking endurance, and they lose their charge much more slowly than a lead acid battery.

Rinty

[cjack]

I have a Westco AGM battery in my 82. No problems whatsoever.
That's a good one I think...the 12V30. Drops right in because it is slightly narrower and no vent hose.

[jmerlino]

That's a good one I think...the 12V30. Drops right in because it is slightly narrower and no vent hose.
I believe that's the one - I'd have to actually go look at it to find out the number but 12V30 sounds right. It's definitely narrower than the battery box on the bike, but the bracket that holds it down will hold it in place just fine so it doesn't move around.

FWIW, I believe I read somewhere that the Westco and the Panasonic batteries are actually the same product, just rebranded for the respective seller. The Panasonics are slightly cheaper.

[cjack]

I believe that's the one - I'd have to actually go look at it to find out the number but 12V30 sounds right. It's definitely narrower than the battery box on the bike, but the bracket that holds it down will hold it in place just fine so it doesn't move around.

FWIW, I believe I read somewhere that the Westco and the Panasonic batteries are actually the same product, just rebranded for the respective seller. The Panasonics are slightly cheaper.

They are the same last I knew. The Westco sold thru the dealer here is more but easier to deal with if it goes bad within a year. We have had a couple go bad out of hundreds and are replaced without question. By the way, BMW warranties their batteries for 2 years now.

[peteremsley]

Happy user of the Panasonic AGM from Digikey here. 2 1/2 yrs on my /6 without charging or problems so far.

Less than $50, too.

[jdiaz]

The big Panasonics are 28-amp, and the little ones are 20-amp.

The funny thing is that if you order from DigiKey using the form that BMWMick has posted here, you can literally save enough money to keep a spare battery on the shelf at home. We bought one in January, and didn't throw it in the bike for about four months, and the standing voltage during that period never changed. :D

[bmwmick]

The big Panasonics are 28-amp, and the little ones are 20-amp.

The funny thing is that if you order from DigiKey using the form that BMWMick has posted here, you can literally save enough money to keep a spare battery on the shelf at home. We bought one in January, and didn't throw it in the bike for about four months, and the standing voltage during that period never changed. :D


Here is that link again:
http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T062/order.pdf

The large battery is a LC-X1228P
The small battery is a LC-X1220P

Both are out of stock till 9/15 and 9/18 respectively.

An alternative site is:
http://www.batteriesasap.com/111.html
They have both batteries in stock but the prices are a little
higher and no free shipping (Digikey offers free shipping IF you mail the
order form with a check for the price of the battery).

WestCo no longer uses the Panasonic battery, they are using an MK battery.

[peteremsley]

Interestingly I noticed the big Panasonic (LC-X1228P) available for $30 through amazon:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002ILJXW/sr=8-6/qid=1155334126/ref=pd_bbs_6/104-4025644-8022314?ie=UTF8


No idea how much shipping would be.

[bmwmick]

Interestingly I noticed the big Panasonic (LC-X1228P) available for $30 through amazon:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002ILJXW/sr=8-6/qid=1155334126/ref=pd_bbs_6/104-4025644-8022314?ie=UTF8


No idea how much shipping would be.


Is that from levy liquidating? Someone reported that the battery was the genuine thing. I was surprised for $30.

I later found out that they are USED batteries and not NEW ones.

[robsryder]

I purchased the 28 Amp Panasonic battery from Amazon (Levy Liq) for $30. Shipping was an additional $18. The total cost of $48 is less than Digi-Key is charging (assuming advance payment made).

The shipment of the battery was marginally satisfactory. The battery was not damaged, but more padding and a stiffer cardboard box should have been used.

Unlike the Digi-Key batteries that are shipped with nearly a full charge, the Levy / Amazon battery was not fully charged. It took my Battery Tender Plus over 12 hours to regain the green light. Since that initial charge, no problems.

I'd order from Levy again, but I'd ask for a more stout shipping container to be used.