Battery for the XJ11

[deo]

I have been trying to find a battery for my XJ 11 and keep running into this question, Doesn't that bike need the battery with the sensor? I don't know but would like very much to know.

Can anyone tell yes or no and which battery is the replacement for it if any?

deo

[Mike Hart]

I think these are correct part nr's:
SY50-N18L & AT or GM18Z-3A

You don't have to have the sensor model, but then your BATT lcd will be on unless you fool it a la Jerry's Yamaha XJ Battery Sensor Eliminator tip.

[strom]

I have a battery made for Virago 1100... it has a sensor hole/stuff, I think it's FIAMM... it's 2 amps weaker than the original, but I guess it'll be OK. It was the only right size at the time.

LP

[deo]

Long and the short I need to rewire the connectors to by pass the sensor, right? I can do that but I would rather find the right battery as I suppose the sensor is there for a purpose. Is there a reason beyond the simplest that they did it that way cause they wanted to? I don't want to eliminate something if it may prevent another problem.

dave

[Mike Hart]

The sensor is to let you know your battery electrolyte level is low - one of the cell filler holes is larger than the others, and the cap that goes in it has a probe on it and a wire to connect to the wire to the lcd panel. Actually, by time that baby warns you, the electrolyte is really low. I find myself adding a bit of water to my battery long before the sensor fires up the lcd warning.

The sensor batt is only a bit more in cost than the one without, just a bit harder to find (read, not at Walmart, Sears, etc). Certain Hondas use the same batt, so most bike shops have it in stock.

[deo]

Okay, maybe the Harley shop will have it

Thanks I think that buying is easier than doing a work around.
Maybe that is the basic laziness coming out in me or maybe I am choosing my battles, like redoing the ________________.
dave

[rockyr74]

Yep, a YUASA SY50-N18L-AT
fits the XJ1100, XVT1300 Venture Royale (86-92),Suzuki 1400 Calvalcade (86-88),and KAW 1200 Voyager XII (86-98)
So sez my '98 Yuasa catalog

It is the same size and spec as the non sensor Y50-N18L-A3 and Y50-N18L-A both of which have plenty of applications and should be availiable anywhere.

My advice is to get the non-sensor replacement and to get a good made in USA or Japan (not China or Korea) battery. There are lots of "branded" batteries made in Reading, PA at the Yuasa/Exide factory. I would not buy a Chinese Wal-Mart battery.

I read the tech tips about defeating the sensor and it looks like a lot of trouble. I wonder why not just pull the light bulb !

[Mike Hart]

If that Harley shop sells Hondas, they might have it. If it's Harley only, they likely won't have it, though may order it for you. Find a Japanese bike dealer (Honda or Yam) or an independent.