2005 Suzuki King Quad Battery Question

[LMI]

Hi all.  New to the forum & quads.  Seems like a great place full of info.

I just recently picked up a 2005 Suzuki KingQuad LTA700.  I need a battery.  I've been reading up on conventional vs AGM types.  I have a Royal Distributing and Canadian Tire.  RD has 2 types avail for my year/Model a battery YTX16-BS CRANK $75, and BATTERY YTX20CH-BS YUASA $140.  Neither of these is the type from the manual FTZ16-BS.

from what I can tell... I think the only difference is the capacity with the $75 unit rated at 14 AH/10HR and the $140 unit rated at 18 AH/10HR ... which is the rating in the manual for the FTZ16-BS.  How much does this make a difference for nearly x2 the cost?

And about the models/type numbers.... what is important to know ... they all end in "-BS" but are the other details relevant or just manufacturer naming?

[davefrombc]

If the batteries are physically the same size , the loss of  2  Ah shouldn't  make  a lot of difference.  More important  is the cranking amps available for starting.

[LMI]

Thanks, I think its 4Ah difference.  I guess my concern was that with EFI, fuel pumps, headlamps, aux headlamp, taillights, warmers, electronic display... that somehow the bike couldn't supply that load once running ... and required the extra capacity to slowly drawn down... 

The lower priced YTX16-BS is 230 CCA, and the YTX20CH-BS is 270.  Although I will use in spring & summer I expect most hrs used will be fall for hunting.  I am then assuming the that CCA in colder weather would be lower than rated and thus the larger unit would give me a safety margin of sorts.

Is my thinking of the drawn down incorrect... and that once running all stock accessories could be managed by the power generations of the bike?

[davefrombc]

The  alternator   will power all  the  electronics and recharge the battery .  Yes,  cold weather will make the  quad draw more  on starting  cold. The CCA  is the  Cold Cranking Amps rating.  it  is  less than what is available  when  warm.  I searched on the  3  batteries . and found that yes, there is a 4  AH  difference  rather than  2  as I assumed from their  part numbers . You'll  notice  the  OEM  battery   has a  16  in its  part number, but actually an  18  AH rating  while the   cheaper one  with the 16  in its  id  is actually  only  14  AH The  expensive  one   has a 20   , but  only 18  AH  rating ..  Manufacturers  playing  confusing games with their  part  numbers.  The  BS  in the  battery  id  means it is a sealed battery. About the only difference to  me   in the  AH  capacity of the  batteries  is   in how  long  it will  crank  over the engine before  it is  depleted. Once running , the   alternator will run the  quad and recharge the  battery.   No quad  maker  makes one where  the  charging capacity  is  less than the  power  draw.  To  me ,  the  only rating that  makes  much difference is the  CCA. That is the  one that determines whether it will  start the  motor in the  cold

 

[LMI]

thanks a bunch...

Considering often times I will be alone I'd rather (with appropriate gear as I do when I snowshoe) worry less about the battery state.  The main difference with back country adventuring by snowshoe or by Quad, is that the distance/time I travel on foot to get in is the same distance/time to get out.  But with a Quad a breakdown once you are in is a heck of a walk out.  I'm going to have to spend some time locally learning the bike before I have to rely on it.

On the battery topic, I found this link.  It refers to UPS batteries, but batteries are batteries I guess. and it explains the kC value from the Suzuki manual but I think you are right and those are nuances we probably don't care about as long as the bike starts... but for reading benefit, here it is. LINK

[davefrombc]

Many UPS  batteries  are designed to   have a  long ,  low  amperage draw down..  They  do  not   usually  have the  high discharge ability  of  starting  batteries and are  unsuitable  for quads or bikes.   Make   sure  if you  go that  route  to  check the  CCA  rating on them if you go that route .  The batteries in the  larger  units  would  likely  be  fine if  their dimensions  fit the  battery  box.

I'd suggest  getting  one of the  new Lithium  ion   jump starters  to   take in your  emergency  kit  on your  quad. They  are  compact,  lightweight  and have the  power  to  boost  a  car. They're a bit  pricey ,  but handy  to  have for   power  peace of  mind if you're out alone .  Many of those  jump starters also  have  a  5 v outlet that  can  be  used to  recharge  a  cell  phone or  any other  accessory  that uses   USB  recharging or operation.

 

Edited March 17, 2018 by davefrombc

[vr32]

Unsure if this applies to motorcycle batteries but with vehicle AGM batteries it is only recommended to have those fitted to vehicle's that have start/stop feature.

The charging is slightly different for the AGM's compared to the standard SLA's.

I would go for the more expensive battery as it will last longer than the cheaper one. 

LOL: just looked at the date of the last post, I guess better late then never. 🙂

[quadmaniac]

I have an AGM battery in my car for a few years, now that I think about it. Doesn't have start/stop though. I find it performs better in extreme cold. I can hear it with the starts. 

[davefrombc]

The "Start/Stop" feature is something in some newer vehicles that allows them  to  automatically stop when  brakes are held at stop lights or other  time you're  stopped   and holding the brakes. It  auto-restarts the engine on brake release. For those vehicles a deep cycle AGM  battery is recommended  because of the very heavy load ..  A regular battery would quite rapidly degrade and fail.  Many , but not all  AGM batteries  are built deep cycle..   AGM  batteries ARE good in all    vehicle uses.. They're specifically recommended  for use in vehicles that use start/stop because  they deliver the higher load and deep cycle needed  by those vehicles.  It's not the battery itself having the start/stop program.
AGM batteries are  the best  choice for bikes and ATV /UTV  use  in all seasons.

[Gwbarm]

The volvo i had was equiped with 2 batterys one about the size of a lawn and garden battery and then the regular size battery, i always thought the small one was for the stop start feature but maybe not.

I have 2 cars that use AGM battery both batterys are inside the car, dont know if its because they are protected from the elements but i have gotten 8 or 9 years out of those batterys.

[davefrombc]

The AGM in my Chev Traverse  is still working but it doesn't have much reserve left at 12 years old

[jen]

Hillsborough County’s ( That is Tampa , Florida) solid waste department began tracking an uptick in garbage fires in 2023, when seven trucks erupted in flames and burned to a crisp.

The next year, that number climbed to 10 fires. And last year, 13 trucks went up in thick, chemical smoke.

In almost every case fire marshals have investigated, one tiny culprit was to blame: rechargeable batteries. They’re found in phones and laptops, lawnmowers and cars, disposable vapes and toothbrushes — even birthday cards that sing.

When drivers suspect they’re carrying a “hot load,” they have to move quickly to find an unpopulated spot where they can dump the smoldering heap. Sometimes it’s a parking lot. Other times, it’s the side of the highway. In a best-case scenario, the trash is dumped before flames consume the truck.

Hillsborough does not own a fleet of garbage collection trucks and instead contracts out to three companies, according to the county. Trucks can cost businesses up to $500,000 each.

Across Florida, 80% of garbage truck fires are started by rechargeable batteries, said Keyna Cory, a lobbyist for the National Waste and Recycling Association’s state chapter. Cory said the total number of garbage truck fires across the state is unknown, but she said one company alone had more than 170 last year.

[davefrombc]

I  don't know what garbage fires due  to rechargeable  D, C , A and AA /AAA batteries  improperly  disposed of has to do with lead acid flooded, gel or  AGM  batteries used in vehicles.  I seriously doubt anyone is tossing full size vehicle batteries into  garbage cans .

Some of those garbage truck  fires could also have been  caused by  old alkaline batteries tossed with some charge  still  in them  and shorting to  metal and igniting paper..  If a Lithium ion battery is  shorted out  it can quickly overheat and burst into  flame itself and start a fire , but like the others it's because people are  just tossing them  into the garbage improperly.

[jen]

I understand and y'all are a lot smarter than I.  Albeit, I am taking extra precautions on storage and maintenance of my Li ion batteries and equipment.

[WeeBee]

Sounds like a good idea!

[davefrombc]

4 hours ago, jen said:

I understand and y'all are a lot smarter than I.  Albeit, I am taking extra precautions on storage and maintenance of my Li ion batteries and equipment.

I do  too  Jen .

Lithium Ion batteries are great   for capacity and holding their charge; but they  must be charged with  chargers designed for them, not with ones for  NiMH  batteries. Another caution for Li ion ones is to  keep them  out of the sun where they could get overheated. Li FePO4  batteries used in solar systems and  power stations are much safer than the older  Li ion  batteries but they still need to be charged with  chargers designed to  work with them, and they cannot be used  for starting service as they are designed for a  long draw at  low  amps   (deep cycle) rather than  the short heavy draw of a starting battery

 

[Gwbarm]

Interesting battery discussion, i would have never thought small battery would cause a fire , but i guess its possible, i have many battery powered tools, saws, drills, impact wrenches, and i take special care when charging them also, i never charge them directly after use, the battery is usually hot, so i let it cool for a few hrs before charging, i think what really concerns me is leaving battery maintainers on equipment i use rarely, never had a problem, but it is concerning keeping them plugged in all the time. Intersting enough i have several of those going all the time and the only one i ever had to go bad was a Dewalt, and i paid a lot for it just to get a good one. Goes to show you, never know, and the chinese ones still going good. battery boxes also concern me, im not talking about the cell phone size ones, i have a few that i use rarely because they are annoying, never have power when you need it, have to keep pressing that little button,  im talking about the big ones that take a small battery and amp it up. I have had more of these go bad and internally short, no fire just sparks but most just die. I am extremly careful with those. 

[jen]

Here are some of the main causes of these fires as per the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• Physical damage: Impacts or punctures done to the battery or the surrounding casing can break internal components and cause short circuits.
• Overcharging or overheating: Excess heat or excessive voltage can trigger thermal runaway.
• Manufacturing defects: Design flaws or contamination during production can lead to internal failures.
• Improper storage or handling: Storage conditions where batteries are held in extreme temperatures, near metal objects, or poorly ventilated areas can increase the risk of short circuits or thermal runaway.
• battery age and wear: Over time, lithium-ion batteries’ performance degrades, and as they age, they are more likely to experience internal faults, making them more susceptible to fires.

[WeeBee]

Very good information especially the Age&wear portion .I thought they were just defunct at that point !

[Gwbarm]

It does appear that most of those reasons would describe battery conditions in a garbage truck. I do remember once putting a AA in my pocket it shorted out to either keys or change and my pocket starter heating up, got it out of there very quickly. Button batterys would even be worse although not as much amperage.