Is Walmart battery acceptable? By grocerygetter (Read 6,212 times)

[grocerygetter]

Appologize in advance if this has been covered - I couldn't find it.

Was going to order online, AGM style 9 amp, to replace the useless 4yr old one that came with the scoot. Approx $30 plus shipping everywhere I looked.
Walmart comes in at $7 more - and I have it in my hands.

Anyone have any bad experiences with the Walmart EverStart ES9BS?
Looking for feedback before I take it out of the box. Was in town today so figured I'd grab it.

Also - how many amps is too many for these scoots?
I'm thinking of doing the headlight upgrade to LED which shouldn't be an extra draw on the system, being LED's - right?
What about adding a 12v outlet for a GPS?
Bigger battery should be better right but I'm not familiar with charging ability yet.

Thanks in advance for your input
Ron

[Bong]

Walmart has a Decent (not great) battery. It comes with a warranty and are used a lot. (Battery and Warranty) You can get much better quality but if you need one and they have it, Go for it. Just make sure it fits and you have a charger.

If your Battery Is 4 years old, It is a good move to think about a replacement before your stranded. I would not expect the same longevity from a Walmart battery though. More AMPS mean better starts!!!!( I May Be Wrong)

Some use the term "Neverstart" for Wallywold Batteries so, You may be better off getting an Interstate or Yuassa (spelling?) if you want another 4 years of trouble free battery operation. You do get what ya pay for.

[89newbie]

I have used them in Jet Ski, Boat Toyota Ford Vans everything and have had no problems. I expect three years from a battery and walley world has not let me down.

[runningslow]

May 25, 2011 20:06:59 GMT -6 grocerygetter said:

I'm thinking of doing the headlight upgrade to LED which shouldn't be an extra draw on the system, being LED's - right?
What about adding a 12v outlet for a GPS?
Bigger battery should be better right but I'm not familiar with charging ability yet.

Thanks in advance for your input
Ron

You can replace all the bulbs on the scoot with LEDs, but you're not going to get LED headlight bulbs. The swaps people usually make there are higher wattage bulbs or HIDs.

FWIW, I think I'm currently running a 9A Autozone Battery. I'd expect it to be about on par with a Wal-mart battery. I've used Wal-mart batteries in my cars before. No real ill effects, but then I'm not trying to crank my car on a cold, sub-zero morning.

[Bashan]

I've read up on this stuff till I'm blue in the face. One article says one thing, another says something conflicting. This is what I have distilled out of the confusion but please feel free to comment on anything on this list:

• Amps will not harm your starter, you can jump off of a truck battery as long as the truck isn't running.
  
• Buy the battery with the most amps that will physically fit in your scooter.
  
• Cold cranking amps (CCA) and reserve amps (RA) are good measures
  
• Your charging system suffers if it is straining to charge a chronically drawn down battery no matter how big or small it is. Ergo LEDs are a good thing.
  
• Cheaper batteries are cheaper because they are already older and have some plate damage.
  
• AGMs are much better for scooters because they can stand longer periods without a charge.
  
• Use very smart chargers such as a Battery Tender JR on all scooter batteries.
  
• Draw downs such as clocks and alarms should be disabled or at the very least disconnected if you don't ride much.

BTW, I've had fantastic luck with Batteries Plus AGMs, they're a little pricey but they are indestructible.

[grocerygetter]

May 26, 2011 12:16:23 GMT -6 Bashan said:

I've read up on this stuff till I'm blue in the face. One article says one thing, another says something conflicting. This is what I have distilled out of the confusion but please feel free to comment on anything on this list:

• Amps will not harm your starter, you can jump off of a truck battery as long as the truck isn't running.
  
• Buy the battery with the most amps that will physically fit in your scooter.
  
• Cold cranking amps (CCA) and reserve amps (RA) are good measures
  
• Your charging system suffers if it is straining to charge a chronically drawn down battery no matter how big or small it is. Ergo LEDs are a good thing.
  
• Cheaper batteries are cheaper because they are already older and have some plate damage.
  
• AGMs are much better for scooters because they can stand longer periods without a charge.
  
• Use very smart chargers such as a Battery Tender JR on all scooter batteries.
  
• Draw downs such as clocks and alarms should be disabled or at the very least disconnected if you don't ride much.

BTW, I've had fantastic luck with Batteries Plus AGMs, they're a little pricey but they are indestructible.

Thanks for the reply.
All good points.
I took a look at Batt. Plus - yes pricey $100 delivered.

I paid $55 at W/M, local Interstate dealer wanted $75 for a Yuasa equivalent.

I guess I'm questioning (struggling) with all this because my lawn tractor batt. = $10 from W/M after core return.
My 700 MCA (550 CCA) RV batteries from Costco were $65 ea and are about 4x the size of a scoot batt.

It is what it is I guess. I just didn't want to be paying too much for one of these little things due to my cycle ignorance.

I'll charge the NeverStart up and if it lets me down prematurely, I'll take a better direction on the next one, probably also shoot for more amps, 12 is available correct?

[grocerygetter]

May 26, 2011 6:09:49 GMT -6 runningslow said:

May 25, 2011 20:06:59 GMT -6 grocerygetter said:

I'm thinking of doing the headlight upgrade to LED which shouldn't be an extra draw on the system, being LED's - right?
What about adding a 12v outlet for a GPS?
Bigger battery should be better right but I'm not familiar with charging ability yet.

Thanks in advance for your input
Ron

You can replace all the bulbs on the scoot with LEDs, but you're not going to get LED headlight bulbs. The swaps people usually make there are higher wattage bulbs or HIDs.

FWIW, I think I'm currently running a 9A Autozone Battery. I'd expect it to be about on par with a Wal-mart battery. I've used Wal-mart batteries in my cars before. No real ill effects, but then I'm not trying to crank my car on a cold, sub-zero morning.

Thanks for the headlight clarification. I thought what I kept reading about LED replacements were the headlights.
However I did do some research on LED headlights, and found some good info. Basically they are out there, and can be made to be quite good, but not legal due to oncoming glare. I'll go 35w/35w for now. According to the handbook, I have 25w/25w.

[grocerygetter]

;D BTW - the Harley dudes and the BMW 1200 guy at work told me not to worry about a battery, that I could start my scoot with my iPod. Funny guys.

[Bashan]

Tell them to use THEIR i Pods as suppositories. Don't worry about the battery too much, get one that'll fit with a decent amp rating and put a smart charger on it regularly. I have one Battery Tender JR and I just keep rotating it among five two wheelers, it works out just fine. I wouldn't have paid 1C for the Batteries Plus job. We have several brick and mortar around here and I think I paid $60.00 at their shop.

[grocerygetter]

is this acceptable www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-800-Waterproof-Charger/dp/B000CITKCE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1306458007&sr=8-2
or should I go bigger?

I was just going to slap on my old car charger/booster on the new batt to get it going, but I know I want something more 'gentle' for the long haul

[cookees]

we recommend:

www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0123-Junior-Charger/dp/B000CITK8S/ref=pd_sim_auto_5

[grocerygetter]

Perfect - thanks.

[grocerygetter]

Too funny, now I'm re-thinking again - I was all set to hit BUY on Amazon late last night, but I had gone with a bigger unit to use with our RV batteries and the 3 other cars that hardly get driven, plus some accessories like longer cables etc, turned out to be $85, and some how I just couldn't do it and figured I'd better review my wants vs. my needs when I'm a little more awake.

I checked out that site - all the 14a batteries I found were too tall. Searched Honda Reflex and that came up with my size but only 10a. I'll measure the height available under the seat tonight, regroup my thoughts and make a decision.
Thanks for all the replies and info.

[cptk]

I have had really good luck with the one I purchased from batteries +. It is an X2-9 / X2power. Cost was around I want to say high 70's...All I Know it has been trouble free for well over a year now...

[cookees]

We use the commercial division of this company. They have a plant in New Castle , PA

www.batterygiant.com/showall.asp?comm=Motorcycle+Batteries&refer=Motorcycle-Batteries%2Findex.asp