Battery source?

Wirespokes · 09-11-2007, 10:06 AM

Does anyone have a good source for batteries?

I'd never gotten one from Digikey, but had heard of them for years. Finally it was time, so yesterday prepared to order a few from them. But, as it turns out, their great deals are no more. The large Panasonic battery (standard large airhead size) that used to be $50+ is now $95. The smaller 20Ah (for the /5, 80G/S) is $70.

Is this still the best deal out there or do you guys have leads on other sources?

fixer · 09-11-2007, 10:11 AM

check www.batteryweb.com

datchew · 09-11-2007, 10:27 AM

Oh man Terry, if you weren't such a distinguished veteran, I'd harass you for not using the search feature

As it is, I have this bad boy in my "subscribed threads" list.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=228589&page=3

It starts on page 3...ahem.. I think you were the one to educate me on what types of batteries are good.

Anyway, there's a few links to places to buy the panasonic and other types.

If you come across any great leads (ya... bad pun), lemme know and I'll update the "dark secrets" thread which *should* have the latest deal going on batteries.

jtwind · 09-11-2007, 12:05 PM

I've always bought my westco/panasonics from Digikey. Haven't checked lately what their prices are. Used to be when you paid by check they didn't charge for shipping. I know Interstate also has a new sealed battery that will fit our airheads that is supposed to be pretty nice. Don't know if there is a "best" place to buy them.

Wirespokes · 09-11-2007, 01:46 PM

Thanks Datchew. I had a feeling I'd take some flak on this one.

I did look in the stickys and didn't find what I needed.

For sure, I'll let you know what I discover.

JT - I guess Digikey's prices skyrocketed recently. They still give free shipping so that needs to be factored in, but it's not the great deal it used to be.

Fixer: that site is more expensive than Digikey, and probably doesn't have free shipping - but I didn't check on that.

jtwind · 09-11-2007, 03:08 PM

Digikey's 10 amp battery for /5's, r65's and r80g/s is $43.91. The 28 amp battery for the rest is $56.65. I believe they are Westco's but not sure. I don't think they were a while lot cheaper than that, were they?

Wirespokes · 09-11-2007, 11:10 PM

Those are the BB brand, not Panasonics. And I don't think they're really that cheap - from what I recall of my conversation with a salesman, the website hasn't been updated and those are actually more expensive. Also, the 28Ah is a weird size and might not fit. But I didn't check that over real well - I was looking for the Panasonic and wasn't settling for any substitutes but I may be head back for another look.

Wirespokes · 09-12-2007, 03:05 PM

It appears that lead acid batteries have jumped dramatically in price recently. Digikey's prices went up just last week - the larger airhead battery Panasonic 28Ah LC-X1228P went from $82 to $95.

I talked to a salesperson - who then checked with pricing and was able to negotiate a deal for me at $81 ea for a package of 2 - because the online catalogue still lists them as $82. If you would like to go this route, I'd talk to them right away and perhaps you could get a similar deal. This happened last week, and just the week before that they sent out a new catalogue that still has the old prices listed.

From the shopping around I've done, all the suppliers prices have gone up. If you think you might need a battery in the next year, I'd suggest you get one now - these things have a great shelf life.

Cogswell · 09-13-2007, 10:07 AM

I recently bought a sealed glass matt battery for my old air head project bike at the local batteries plus. It is their Extreme brand and 28Ah for $84.
It is not the exact size as the stocker but close enough for a good fit.
They kept trying to sell me a lead acid battery because they said it was the correct one for the bike. I told them I wasn't going to put a lead acid battery in a bike I had just restored.

Mike

Wirespokes · 09-13-2007, 10:51 PM

I don't care if it's a restored bike or not, anything other than a sealed battery is nuts in a bike. The Panasonic is just a bit narrower than the stock size, which is great! The battery just slides in, rather than unbolting the subframe and battery box, or removing the air filter.

09-11-2007, 10:06 AM	#1
Wirespokes ^OP Beemerholics Anonymous Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Jackson's Bottom Oregon Oddometer: 7,354	Battery source? Does anyone have a good source for batteries? I'd never gotten one from Digikey, but had heard of them for years. Finally it was time, so yesterday prepared to order a few from them. But, as it turns out, their great deals are no more. The large Panasonic battery (standard large airhead size) that used to be $50+ is now $95. The smaller 20Ah (for the /5, 80G/S) is $70. Is this still the best deal out there or do you guys have leads on other sources?

09-11-2007, 10:11 AM	#2
fixer KLR-riding cheap bastard Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Lost Wage$, NV Oddometer: 7,439	check www.batteryweb.com __________________ Sit tall in the saddle, Hold your head up high Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky And live like you ain't afraid to die And don't be scared, just enjoy your ride. "... in my version of Heaven you get all your dogs back." – Mista Vern "Old dogs don't die, they just wait for you in another place." – Twilight Error I'll show you a place, high on a desert plain, where the streets have no name.

09-11-2007, 10:27 AM	#3
datchew Don't buy from Brad Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Savannah - the dirty south Oddometer: 7,403	Oh man Terry, if you weren't such a distinguished veteran, I'd harass you for not using the search feature As it is, I have this bad boy in my "subscribed threads" list. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=228589&page=3 It starts on page 3...ahem.. I think you were the one to educate me on what types of batteries are good. Anyway, there's a few links to places to buy the panasonic and other types. If you come across any great leads (ya... bad pun), lemme know and I'll update the "dark secrets" thread which should have the latest deal going on batteries. __________________ On tap:Nada Aging: 3 experiments in mead - blackberry, apple, and straight honey

09-11-2007, 12:05 PM	#4
jtwind Wisconsin Airhead Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Madison WI Oddometer: 3,451	I've always bought my westco/panasonics from Digikey. Haven't checked lately what their prices are. Used to be when you paid by check they didn't charge for shipping. I know Interstate also has a new sealed battery that will fit our airheads that is supposed to be pretty nice. Don't know if there is a "best" place to buy them. __________________ JT www.northwoodsairheads.com www.jefftrappwindsors.com "Between two explanations, choose the clearest; between two forms, the most elementary; between two expressions, the shortest." Between two motorcycles the simplest (DW) Eugeni d' Ors (1881-1954); Spanish writer.

09-11-2007, 03:08 PM	#6
jtwind Wisconsin Airhead Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Madison WI Oddometer: 3,451	Digikey's 10 amp battery for /5's, r65's and r80g/s is $43.91. The 28 amp battery for the rest is $56.65. I believe they are Westco's but not sure. I don't think they were a while lot cheaper than that, were they? __________________ JT www.northwoodsairheads.com www.jefftrappwindsors.com "Between two explanations, choose the clearest; between two forms, the most elementary; between two expressions, the shortest." Between two motorcycles the simplest (DW) Eugeni d' Ors (1881-1954); Spanish writer.

09-11-2007, 01:46 PM	#5
Wirespokes ^OP Beemerholics Anonymous Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Jackson's Bottom Oregon Oddometer: 7,354	Thanks Datchew. I had a feeling I'd take some flak on this one. I did look in the stickys and didn't find what I needed. For sure, I'll let you know what I discover. JT - I guess Digikey's prices skyrocketed recently. They still give free shipping so that needs to be factored in, but it's not the great deal it used to be. Fixer: that site is more expensive than Digikey, and probably doesn't have free shipping - but I didn't check on that.

09-11-2007, 11:10 PM	#7
Wirespokes ^OP Beemerholics Anonymous Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Jackson's Bottom Oregon Oddometer: 7,354	Those are the BB brand, not Panasonics. And I don't think they're really that cheap - from what I recall of my conversation with a salesman, the website hasn't been updated and those are actually more expensive. Also, the 28Ah is a weird size and might not fit. But I didn't check that over real well - I was looking for the Panasonic and wasn't settling for any substitutes but I may be head back for another look.

09-12-2007, 03:05 PM	#8
Wirespokes ^OP Beemerholics Anonymous Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Jackson's Bottom Oregon Oddometer: 7,354	It appears that lead acid batteries have jumped dramatically in price recently. Digikey's prices went up just last week - the larger airhead battery Panasonic 28Ah LC-X1228P went from $82 to $95. I talked to a salesperson - who then checked with pricing and was able to negotiate a deal for me at $81 ea for a package of 2 - because the online catalogue still lists them as $82. If you would like to go this route, I'd talk to them right away and perhaps you could get a similar deal. This happened last week, and just the week before that they sent out a new catalogue that still has the old prices listed. From the shopping around I've done, all the suppliers prices have gone up. If you think you might need a battery in the next year, I'd suggest you get one now - these things have a great shelf life.

09-13-2007, 10:07 AM	#9
Cogswell Spudly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Riding with my pal Richard Cranium Oddometer: 3,254	I recently bought a sealed glass matt battery for my old air head project bike at the local batteries plus. It is their Extreme brand and 28Ah for $84. It is not the exact size as the stocker but close enough for a good fit. They kept trying to sell me a lead acid battery because they said it was the correct one for the bike. I told them I wasn't going to put a lead acid battery in a bike I had just restored. Mike __________________ Cogswell Rides To Big Bend See my airhead project here Time Warp Vintage Motorcycle Club The good thing is, your damn motor can't read. If it says oil on the container, it's pretty much OK to dump in there.... ED.

09-13-2007, 10:51 PM	#10
Wirespokes ^OP Beemerholics Anonymous Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Jackson's Bottom Oregon Oddometer: 7,354	I don't care if it's a restored bike or not, anything other than a sealed battery is nuts in a bike. The Panasonic is just a bit narrower than the stock size, which is great! The battery just slides in, rather than unbolting the subframe and battery box, or removing the air filter.

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