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Sealed Gel Battery Question

stoon48

New member
I'm considering replacing my stock battery in my 2002 1150RT with a sealed gel battery. Does this type of battery require any special care? I keep reading posts about the use of trickle chargers with gel batteries? Is this necessary if the bike is being ridden, say, once a week? I live in Houston and ride every weekend. Thanks.
 
Hi Steve,

The gel battery actually has a slower discharge rate than regular batteries when just sitting. If you do get a charger, you should get one appropriate for the gel battery. That's the only special thing.
 
If you ride the bike every week, there's no need for a charger at all. If you do ever need to charge it, though, do make sure you use something gel-ready. A regular charger will do the job but shorten the battery's life in the long run.
 
over voltage

Use the battery that is recomended for the bike. I don't know what the charge rate is from your alternator, but the same battrery life issues should exist whether you are over-charging from the bikes alternator or your charger.
 
Throw your "Battery Tenders" in the garbage. They are not supported by Deltran. And will not charge the Gel Cell Batteries. BMW in Canada no longer offers Lead Acid jobs and all batteries are being subbed to Gel Cells.

Tomas
 
That's a bit of overrreaction. Battery Tenders are fine chargers, and some of them are gel-compatible. And BMW still offers flooded batteries in the 25AH size.
 
Anton,
No over reaction...I called Deltran and they said their chargers are not meant to charge Gel Cells. They do however offer a new model specifiacly designed for Gel's. I have 3 and need to hunt hi and low to find a Lead acid replacement. Not in my budget to buy new tenders! I have a Oddessy Battery in my R100T and it needs 10+ amp charger to recharge after storing. Can't imaging how a standard trickle charger will work.

I'm just suggesting to be carefull. Your lucky in the States. BMW Canada no longer imports BMW Lead Acid Batteries for the newer bikes! Sure Yuasu and others may have them, but my original battery is almost 6 years old with 70,000km on my bike!

Cheers
Tomas
 
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