Hi Guys and Girls I’m in the market for a new battery I have narrowed it down to dynavolt or yuasa not sure which one is better does anyone have any thoughts or preferences, good or bad experiences of either? Your views are appreciated thanks Rob
I went with yuasa Robbie. Did want to go lithium as @Boothman has suggested but didn’t want to buy a new trickle charger as I’m tight
Just bought a Lifepo4 lithium battery for the project bike from Halfords (the trade card got it down to £3 cheaper than the cheapest I could find on the net at £67). The advantage is unless there is a parasitic drain the battery will be pretty much ready to go as it was when it was left. They charge very quickly once the vehicle is running as the internal resistance gets less the more it charges which in turn allows a quicker charge so basically within 15 mins of starting out they're pretty much fully charged. They will charge from any modern alternator, they have short circuit protection built in so the days of them catching fire has pretty much gone (thank fuck as you cannot put out the fire!!!) and lastly where a lead acid cell voltage drops until it is flat (around 11.2volts) a Lifepo4 will maintain 12v until pretty much dead. Its an interesting product. The reason you cannot use a standard optimate style maintenance charger is that it puts the battery into desulphation mode which will damage it. It'll take an old style trickle charge without issue.
Price difference between Yuasa and a lithium battery is not very significative. That's why I went with a lithium one two years ago and I don't regret it My Optimate is useless now because of compatibility but it does not matter. The lithium battery does not even discharge during the full winter !
I have not been impressed with yuasa on my RR and I thinks it is because of the hot location is it in. prices of low capacity LFP batteries are close to lead acid one and they keep don't loose their charge so quickly but if you run accessories on the bike then be careful with LFP. Nowadays you can buy smart chargers that do both (battery tender junior,optimate) for under £40. For the lead battery, make sure the Ah & CCA ratings are the same or better than OEM. I also prefer AGM to GEL specially if your battery sits on its side
if got a yuasa on mine been ok for the 3 years I've had it . it goes on an optimate over the weekends if I have a Saturday off and I tend to put it on if i have used the heated grips . àll good so far.