Need a new conventional lead/acid battery for my Alton E start Commando

MexicoMike

MexicoMike

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Jan 31, 2010
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My Shorai 18AH batt finally gave up the ghost after 13(!) years in my Commando. I would, of course, replace it with another Shorai BUT, they are not available here in Mexico. So I need to find the proper conventional batt. So...for folks that have the Alton (or the CNW starter) and are using a conventional lead/acid batt, which batt are you using?

Thanks!
 
Alton starter here running a Yuasa TTZ14S in my 850, the same runs in my 961.
 
Mk3 with an E/start that works, running a Yuasa YTX16 though I believe a YTX20CHBS is the same dimensions but none were available when I was buying.
 
The Li battery you gave last rites to had an enviable service life. The way most people treat a flooded lean/acid battery they usually get one maybe two seasons, but with judicious maintenance may actually out live an AGM. In the "race" to outlast an AGM they will be eating your motorcycle: just look at any motorcycle that has been fitted with a flooded battery and you'll easily be able to see where "dinner" was served: rot, rust, paint flaking off...this doesn't have to be a problem if you remove the the the battery, fill it elsewhere, wash down the area, maybe with a light dose of aquas baking soda....PITA. Very few people remove a flooded battery unless they are putting in a replacement.


Quoted from a Google post;

Can I ship lithium batteries to Mexico?

Lithium batteries can only be shipped internationally if they are installed in the equipment they operate. Shipping carriers are not allowed to ship packages containing only lithium batteries or cells to international locations – they must be included inside a product.


Bring one back next time you visit the states if the above doesn't apply to personal carry.

Or, get an AGM, and worry about something else?

Best.
 
thinking about a new battery, so following this thread. presently running a Motobatt MB16U with the Alton in my 74 Mk2. specs on the battery - 20Ah, 240 CCA. dimensions (mm) - 160 (L), 90 (W), 161 (H). overall, seems kind of weak. IMO, battery capacity is minimum for the Alton starter circuit. looking into a Shorai LFX24L3-BS12 - specs, 24Ah, 360 CCA, dimensions (mm) - 166 X 86 X 155. IF the old saying's true, "you get what you pay for," these should be top shelf, HOWEVER, no real experience with motorcycle batteries, so are these worth the $275 (list), is it overkill, or is lithium-ion a bunch of hype over LA or AGM? money is not really an issue - want the best bang for the buck with enough "juice" to spin that starter. BTW, i'm near my dimensional limits on battery size.
 
Last edited:
I use a motobatt 16Ah, mk3 850. It seems fine. Always on a battery tender in the garage, but long runs with multiple starts, headlight when moving and it's still fine at the end of the day.

That's spooked it! :rolleyes:
 
MexicoMike said:
My Shorai 18AH batt finally gave up the ghost after 13(!) years in my Commando. I would, of course, replace it with another Shorai BUT, they are not available here in Mexico. So I need to find the proper conventional batt. So...for folks that have the Alton (or the CNW starter) and are using a conventional lead/acid batt, which batt are you using?

Thanks!
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Last edited:
Thanks all! Turns out the Yuasa TTZ14S is the same battery that my 2014 BMW R9T uses and since it also needs replacing, I was going to buy two...

BUT...I checked and discovered that a TTZ14S is 264 USD (each) in Mexico and they would arrive only a couple of days before we are driving back to the US. So I'll buy batts in the US and bring them down next time, a Yuasa for the BMW and a new Shorai for the Commando. Hmm...or maybe two Shorai batts.

FWIW, there are (relatively) inexpensive batts available here that will fit in the bikes but based on the price, I figure their life expectancy is, shall we say, "not exceptional!" :)
 
joe czech said:
thinking about a new battery, so following this thread. presently running a Motobatt MB16U with the Alton in my 74 Mk2. specs on the battery - 20Ah, 240 CCA. dimensions (mm) - 160 (L), 90 (W), 161 (H). overall, seems kind of weak. IMO, battery capacity is minimum for the Alton starter circuit. looking into a Shorai LFX24L3-BS12 - specs, 24Ah, 360 CCA, dimensions (mm) - 166 X 86 X 155. IF the old saying's true, "you get what you pay for," these should be top shelf, HOWEVER, no real experience with motorcycle batteries, so are these worth the $275 (list), is it overkill, or is lithium-ion a bunch of hype over LA or AGM? money is not really an issue - want the best bang for the buck with enough "juice" to spin that starter. BTW, i'm near my dimensional limits on battery size.
Click to expand...
Motobatt are Chinese batts, with a bright color case & very aggressive marketing plan. (I've had four of them) Very UNimpressive performance/longevity (at that price point).
JMWO
 
"so following this thread. presently running a Motobatt MB16U with the Alton in my 74 Mk2. specs on the battery - 20Ah, 240 CCA. dimensions (mm) - 160 (L), 90 (W), 161 (H). overall, seems kind of weak. IMO, battery capacity is minimum for the Alton starter circuit. looking into a Shorai LFX24L3-BS12 - specs, 24Ah, 360 CCA,"

I ran my Shorai 18AH for 13 years total, in my Commando, 10 of those were with the Alton E-Start. The Shorai 18AH spun the engine as if there were no connecting rods/pistons!
 
concours said:
Motobatt are Chinese batts, with a bright color case & very aggressive marketing plan. (I've had four of them) Very UNimpressive performance/longevity (at that price point).
JMWO
Click to expand...
Strangely I've had good service from one motobatt and bad service from another
Both bought at around the same time
 
Mart UK said:
I use a motobatt 16Ah, mk3 850. It seems fine. Always on a battery tender in the garage, but long runs with multiple starts, headlight when moving and it's still fine at the end of the day.

That's spooked it! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
same battery - seems if the starter doesn't get enough initial momentum on the crank when it comes up on the compression stroke, engine compression will stop the starter dead in it's tracks. sometimes i have to "bump" the start button several times to get the engine to spin. pretty sure it's just a weak battery - it has a basic static voltage of around 12.6 volts or so, but really need to do a load test. thinking i just need a better battery.
concours said:
Motobatt are Chinese batts, with a bright color case & very aggressive marketing plan. (I've had four of them) Very UNimpressive performance/longevity (at that price point).
JMWO
Click to expand...
pretty much agree - unimpressive, at least with the alton. the battery is the last part of the alton puzzle to solve. have a motobatt in the BSA - seems OK w/ basic e-ignition and kick start, however, fairly sure i'm on my last motobatt.
MexicoMike said:
...the Shorai 18AH spun the engine as if there were no connecting rods/pistons!
Click to expand...
the only way the motobatt will spin the engine like that is to pull the plugs (or rods and pistons - :D:D:D)
 
joe czech said:
same battery - seems if the starter doesn't get enough initial momentum on the crank when it comes up on the compression stroke, engine compression will stop the starter dead in it's tracks. sometimes i have to "bump" the start button several times to get the engine to spin. pretty sure it's just a weak battery - it has a basic static voltage of around 12.6 volts or so, but really need to do a load test. thinking i just need a better battery.

pretty much agree - unimpressive, at least with the alton. the battery is the last part of the alton puzzle to solve. have a motobatt in the BSA - seems OK w/ basic e-ignition and kick start, however, fairly sure i'm on my last motobatt.

the only way the motobatt will spin the engine like that is to pull the plugs (or rods and pistons - :D:D:D)
Click to expand...
Do you pull the clutch on starting? I do, maybe that's the difference, as mine spins nicely?
 
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