why do batteries have to be so huge

[mysta2]

I don't like batteries, they're big, ugly, and like to drool acid all over a nicely painted frame. So I want to go with a sealed, I found out about these things a while back when everyone was telling me that they were the greatest thing and how small and light they were. So far I haven't been able to confirm this though: it seems that for straight over comparison a sealed batt is actually bigger than its' wet counterpart. Given that I've eliminated the electric start on all my bikes and have no turn signals, this seems to be my best option:



7 amp hour, 12 volt... big... not bigger than my original battery, but definiately not much smaller (4.5x2.75x5.25 roughly)

What am I missing here? Where are the small batteries?

(I've tried the battpac and I'm not currently willing to switch over to a magneto)

[Kal]

CG series has 6v batteries which are a fauir bit smaller than their 12v counterpoints.

Will post some meansurements after I get home.

[jmillheiser]

have you thought about relocating the battery to somewhere less conspicous.

Maybe make a small battery compartment under the tailpiece

[mysta2]

I'm out of less conspicuois places... it will be going in behind and under the twin filters, kindof where the tool box is in that pic.

[sapaul]

I had a 12 volt car battery in my SP 1000 Guzzi. We swapped out the points for a CDi and the bike battery could not handle it. You do not have many options.

[Sev]

http://www.alltvstuff.com/fl1.html

Perhaps you could adapt this concept?

[CNF2002]

Is this small enough?

[Posthumane]

On our FSAE car we use a 3 amp hour sealed gel cell battery. That's running a 600cc F4i engine with electric start (only), coil over plug ignition, and EFI. I see no reason why somthing that small couldn't work on your bike. The only difference of course is that the FSAE car doesn't have head/tail lights, but so long as your alternator is putting out enough power to run those and a bit to spare to charge the battery, you should be fine. In regards to the post about switching to CDi, that is likely an issue with the current output capability of the battery, rather than the actual energy capacity (although the two usually go somewhat hand in hand).

Alternatively, you could try a differnt battery chemistry all together for less bulk and weight (ie NiMH, LiIon, etc) but you would have to modify your charging circuit to make it last, which would require some electronics knowledge.

[cruisinflatout]

Is this small enough?