Battery choices

[a.graham52]

Finally got the fj back together and running. However the battery is toast and it needs replacement without a dubt. I wanted to hear from people who might be running the modern non lead acid batteries and if they are worth the money in the long run.

[FJmonkey]

I am very happy with my AGM battery, much more stable and durable than a regular wet acid battery. The Li batteries seem to a good following as well. I will never use as wet acid battery again if can help it....

[aviationfred]

I currently have a TruGel battery installed. These are completely seal and can be placed in any position without leaking. I have also used the an AGM battery with good results. I agree with FJmonkey. I will never use a wet cell lead acid battery again.


Fred

[rktmanfj]

I've gotten very good life out of my last two AGM batteries with absolute minimum care.

I may experiment with some newer technology in the future, but AGM provides a lot of bang for the buck...

[giantkiller]

I love my lithium batteries. Have had one in my 700 raptor 5years now. Still going strong. Started it at -20 on the ice no problem. Have 2 more in the fjs. And the one in the chopper elbruto 113 120hp/120ftbl.cranked it over non stop. Had the most expensive highest cranking amps lead acid battery in it. If you didn't get it to fire on the first try. There wasn't enough juice for a second try.

[Bones]

I've got a Motobatt AGM battery in mine at the moment, 2 yr warranty and all the cranking power that you'll ever need. Once you flatten a wet cell battery their never quite the same when recharged, whereas newer technology is more tolerant to that sort of abuse.

[markmartin]

Consider upgrading to a bigger battery while your at it with this simple mod.  Yamaha thought it was a good idea in '91.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=11478.0

[ribbert]

I recently researched this and settled on an AGM as the best combination of technology, performance and price.

Cranking power? - you could just about ride it down the road on the starter.

I dismissed the lithium up front based on cost and no appreciable advantage performance wise. I don't believe there's anything wrong with them, I just couldn't find a reason to warrant spending the extra money.

Noel

[FJ1100mjk]

For value and longevity, I have stuck with Yuasa AGM batteries for years.

If you're into weight savings, you can't go wrong with the lithium, but with the price per pound for the weight savings, it's a pricey venture.

One other thing of note concerning lithium, and this is from Shorai, and may be problematic with the FJ's charging system...

Shorai Batteries require a charging system output of 13.1 Volts or higher at idle and must not exceed 15.2 volts at maximum output.

[gumby302ho]

 AGM is the way to go for me, the lithium batteries when living in a colder climate get a bad report card up here, they tend to like to be warm and sometimes fail when they dont have a warm sweater on, local bike shop does not like to sell them and warn people who want them for the weight savings and high amps, cold cranking is not a lithium battery's strong point.

[giantkiller]

Like I said I've had no problem starting my 700 raptor on the ice. I know once it was -20f.
I'm not sure too many bike riders. Are out riding the ice with their fjs. So not sure why the don't like them. You might have to use the. Warm up. If you crank it. And wait a few seconds. It'll crank it right up. I don't know how it works but it self warms. And has full power on the second crank. I forgot about the 8.8 lbs of weight savings. And the extra storage space in the battery box. I use the 14s(210cca) smaller than the 18s(270cca) that they recomend for the fj. I've gotten them for $120 don't think that is too bad of a price.

[gumby302ho]

Like I said I've had no problem starting my 700 raptor on the ice. I know once it was -20f.
I'm not sure too many bike riders. Are out riding the ice with their fjs. So not sure why the don't like them. You might have to use the. Warm up. If you crank it. And wait a few seconds. It'll crank it right up. I don't know how it works but it self warms. And has full power on the second crank. I forgot about the 8.8 lbs of weight savings. And the extra storage space in the battery box. I use the 14s(210cca) smaller than the 18s(270cca) that they recomend for the fj. I've gotten them for $120 don't think that is too bad of a price.

  700 Raptor, from what I have ever seen out of those Yamaha machines it suits the name Raptor to a "T". I was looking into a battery as I needed a new one for FrankenJ and it made sense to me with the weight savings alone, the guy told me they had alot of issues with them having a mind of there own when they decided to work or not when it got cold out, said it was not worth it for the extra money( Canadian's like the Aussies pay through the nose for everything) so I went with agm battery, sounds like lithium has worked well for you.

[giantkiller]

The one thing that they don't handle well is parasidic drane they have extremely high cranking output. But don't stand up to any even small constant drane. And if it gets drained out flat they come back weaker each time. That is probably what is happening to those other bikes

[a.graham52]

Alright guys, I ordered a lithium battery from bike bandit. We will see how she works

[giantkiller]

700 Raptor, from what I have ever seen out of those Yamaha machines it suits the name Raptor to a "T".

My Raptor 700 has aftermarket intake, exhaust, cams, a power commander, shocks, and a steering stabilizer. And runs like a raped...well Raptor.


Be sure you don't have any parasitic electrical drains. And it'll be great.  I'd be willing to bet that is why some are having problems with the lithium batteries