New source of cheap batteries

[stevec5000]

I found a source of cheap maintenance free sealed lead acid batteries at Gruber in Phoenix. They are selling them at cost on ebay, which is about half what anyone else seems to have them for. I went over yesterday and got one to save shipping and there was no sales tax either. It seemed new, still in the box and was fully charged. I've got tired of replacing the acid and water filled ones when they die every summer so I'm trying a new kind to see if it does any better. Works fine so far.
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...sort=3&rows=50

[Jerry]

Which model number did you get?

[stevec5000]

I got one of the 12v 35 AH ones but they won't fit unless you have removed the air box and moved some other stuff around.
There is an 18 AH model that may fit in place of the stock one but get the measurements to be sure.

[kf4anm]

sla

the sla batts or absorbed glass matt units will work great for the bike applications. a lot of newer models are coming from the factory with an agm installed. they will not spill, gas or corrode as bad as a conventional wet cell. properly maintained they will last you 3 to 5 years. the only problem you will find is that sla batteries are case specific to amp hours across the board. meaning a 12v 18ah will have the same dimensions no who makes it. the 33 or 35 will be a tad big. the 18 should work, it however may be a bit tall. instead of using a sla i would recomend the oddessey by hawker. it is also an agm but has been designed for motorsports applications, plus it carries a 2 year free replacement warranty. with the xj the only mod that will have to be made is the batery sensor, since there are no open cells. I manage a battery store here in indy and have access to any battery specs or general info you folks may need, just let me know. in the mean time for those running wet batteries with winter coming on if you don't already have one pick up a battery tender. the jr is a good model but pulsetec makes the best.

cheers daryl

[mrfiznix]

I purchased a 58-GPS-50-N18L from gruber in march of 08. Now, July 2008 it is dead, I did make sure to keep the charge on the battery. I emailed gruber last week and today, will see how their customer service is. I would feel bad/mad if I get no response because I recommended gruber on this forum under another post on batteries.

[powerram50]

i got one from walmart for about 40 bucks.it is a wet cell but seams to work great for me.i am planning to ride most of the winter but i do have a small trickle charger if it gets to cold and i put her down for a few months.

[stevec5000]

My maintenance free battery from Gruber is starting to get weak after 6 years. I think they could fail anytime but should last a lot longer than 4 months.

[mrfiznix]

Finally got a response from Dawn Leamons lea@gruber.com, satisfied with the outcome, but took awhile. I would still recommend Gruber as a source of maintenance free batteries. The email I sent to support@gruber.com was responded to, but the one I sent to estore@gruberpower.com was not.

[stevec5000]

mrfiznix, have you checked the bike to make sure it's charging properly? If it over charges it will kill the battery in no time.

[mrfiznix]

Bike has not been ran since I got the new battery, been sitting apart for a few months now. I have just kept a charger on it now and then and load test the battery now and then to make sure the battery is good.

[stevec5000]

The charger probably killed it. You shouldn't put a charger on a sealed battery for a long period.