RCinNC said:
I'm contemplating making this swap myself right now, from an OEM Yuasa YTZ12S to and Extreme AGM YTZ14S. I have zero experience with AGM batteries in general, but what I've found on line seems to suggest that the AGM style batteries require a special kind of charger. Can anyone with experience in this area tell me a specific model of battery charger that is compatible with the AGM battery?
Has anyone here had any experiences with the AGM Extreme brand that they'd care to relate?
I know this is an old thread, but it seemed silly to start a new discussion when a thread already exists covering this same ground.
You already have experience, because the OEM battery was AGM and you'll only be able to buy an AGM or lithium for our bikes because of the orientation.
The big thing for both AGM and li-ion is to not overcharge either. A lot of the old chargers would not reduce charge once a battery was charged, but the newer chargers mostly do. Whatever battery you buy, simply go to the manufacturer's web-site to see what they say about:
1. Max charge voltage
2. Chargers which can de-sulfate (It can badly damage some battery types)
3. Charge reduction when full or on float.
You'll probably find that most any decent newer charger will work fine.
I argue against li-ion in these bikes and the Stinger is one. Yes, li-ion has a great discharge which will give nicely spin the starter and li-ion can hold a charge forever IF there are no parasitic drains. The couple of lbs difference is meaningless in a nearly 600 lb machine and beyond that they have more negatives than plusses. Our bikes do have a parasitic drain when sitting and leaving a li-ion on a (li-ion) trickle charger shortens it's life for a couple of reasons. Li-ion has a limited number of charge/discharge cycles and loses efficiency when kept at 90-100% charge. If a li-ion goes deep discharge (you let the parasitic drain kill it) it will likely become a very expensive brick or have an extremely short ensuing life. When li-ion goes bad, it goes right NOW, leaving you stuck. etc.