Deka Batteries!!

[winkel02]

Hi all,

Just wanted to throw in here some feedback on some batteries...Now, i don't know much - this is the first bike battery i've bought.

Here in Aus, we have a brand 'Deka', don't know if it's widespread elsewhere. Today was the first time i'd heard of it. Anyway, its a sealed, maintenance free battery for our XS's. More expensive than other batteries (roughly twice the price of the standard battery i was offered). But check out this. The battery itself lists itself as rated at 300CCA. We hooked it up to a tester and it registered 469CCA!!

The battery man, who i found to be somewhat of an expert and an avid bike fan, said it was his favourite battery because it's so damn tough and forgiving of abuse. He said jetskis use them because alot of people have said they can store them away between summer seasons, and at next season the battery is still good to go.

The bike practically cranks itself just looking at this thing. I'm yet to fit it, pending a clean of electrical connections and a sorting of some gremlins, but will let you know how it goes.

Merry christmas all.

[Trikerneil]

Hi Winkel02

Have you got a part No. for that Deka battery? I'm going to need a new one for my Trike soon.

[Jerry]

Don't kbnow the Deka name in the US, but I can let my XJ sit for 3 months or more in un-heated storage with no attention and it will start right up. Battery is a WestCo (www.westco.com) AGM type, paid $85.00 (includes shipping) in 2002. Starting 2006 shortly, coming up on 4 years of ownership with no apparent loss of performance. 4 years of not having to check fluid levels even when riding in 100 deg F + temps in Arizona part of that time. My opinion...if you need to replace your battery, try one of the sealed types.

[Trikerneil]

Thanks Jerry

I've had a bit of a trawl around today and Hawker Odyssey seems favourite, they semm to cost out at about £87 that's about 150US$!! We seem to get ripped off at every turn over here

[bandet01]

does anybody know of a sealed battery made in the usa that we can get for the xs1100 because i am thinking ti am going to have to change my battery out next season and want a dry sealed battery for it since i do alot of drag racing and i need a battery that can take some abuse

[winkel02]

ETX18L - that's the part number of my Deka Battery.

Still yet to fit it. Battery-man said this battery is particularly resistant to deep cycling and abuse, and as it's sealed it requires no maintenance.

Also, FYI, Deka is made by East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. in the US, so they should be available to all of you.

Winkel.

[DiverRay]

Just did a quick look for the Deka batteries. I can buy one locally for $64.64, the ETX18L. The Westco AGM battery is listed at $79.95.
Both prices seem good, and the Deka seems to be distributed by some of the "commercial" battery companies. I know my local is Bayland Battery, and they are also in Fresno and West Sac.
I think I've found my replacement battery for the winter project, once I'm to that point.
Ray

[bikerhawk]

I got a Westco battery for my XS11 (part # 12V22) a couple of months ago from www.cyclejuice.com. 350 CCA, $69 US, free shipping...and it works unbelievably well. I can't wait to get one for my hard-starting XS750.