Gtx ltd 98 - battery issue

[BOND007]

Hi all,
I have a 98 GTX LTD and have suspected a battery problem for some time. Had intermittent starting probs with the DESS while on the water. The dealer said the DESS problem was not related and provided/programmed a new one at the outrageous cost of $289. Eventually I took out a volt-meter on a ride and detected the voltage was dropping. Then after I was away on busines for 2 weeks I tested the battery and found it had only 3volts. When I kick-started on the water-tap, it quickly picked up to nearly 13-volts (normal - no doubt due to the boost from the alternator). Anyway, it was enough warning for me so I went looking for a new battery.
The battery in the Jetski is a 12volt 18amp/hour fully-sealed lead-acid jobbie. It is slightly smaller than the original battery shown in the Owners Manual. The SeaDoo dealer said it was the right size and type to use. I can get a similar replacement from auto stores, electronics stores etc. But I am wondering if this is the correct battery or is there a battery that is better suited and fits the cradle better as well? I'm located in Australia but most US batteries are available here or similar versions. Are there any specifics regarding battery consumption over hourly-periods etc? There is nothing in the manual, specs, etc. except 12v/19amp/hour. Rob

 

[seadoosnipe]

Battery....

KustomKarl is more familar with batteries than I am but, in my experience through the years, the marine batteries are never sealed. This isn't to say that in the last few years, they haven't come out with one that is.

The reason why is because most of these batteries are marine, deep cycle batteries. The deep cycle batteries sometimes need to be re-filled with distilled water due to excessive running on battery power.

I would suggest you go to your local automotive store or a major store that sells batteries and look for a deep cycle marine type battery with the minimum amount of amp hours or more. These batteries normally only last a season or two. If yours was older than that, then this was likely your problem.

Your right about the outrageous price for the lanyard and programming. Here, if you buy the lanyard from the Seadoo dealer, the programming is free. The lanyard normally runs less than $100 bucks.....The bad part is, that dealer should know how to test your post and mpem to see if you even needed the new one. If you could put that lanyard on and get two beeps,.....you didn't need it.:cheers:

 

[Chester]

Yuasa makes the best lead-acid batteries for PWC's. Your model requires the YB16CL-B. Or if you want a sealed battery, you can use the YTX20L-BS.

Chester

 

[lvanek]

ok question on batteries, i have 2 yusa 16cl-b batteries. i charged both for about 24 hours, and when i dropped them back in the skii's had enough power to turn on electronics but only make the starter relay click. now i didnt know till now that you need to check the water level so that i did not do. im pretty sure the battery was allowed to run dead and they probably froze last winter. my question is, is it worth a shot trying to refil with electrolyte or water and recgarge. if so are they reliable? resaon i ask is electrolyte is like $6 and a new battery is $60 and i need 2

 

[timmyboy76]

ok question on batteries, i have 2 yusa 16cl-b batteries. i charged both for about 24 hours, and when i dropped them back in the skii's had enough power to turn on electronics but only make the starter relay click. now i didnt know till now that you need to check the water level so that i did not do. im pretty sure the battery was allowed to run dead and they probably froze last winter. my question is, is it worth a shot trying to refil with electrolyte or water and recgarge. if so are they reliable? resaon i ask is electrolyte is like $6 and a new battery is $60 and i need 2

jump the relay, maybe its bad and/or check red cables and ground cable..

 

[seadoosnipe]

electrolyte?

Electrolyte is only added when the battery is new. When the water boils off the battery, the electrolyte stays with it. If you need to refill the battery, you should use distilled water. I know that distilled water is not readily available but using tap water has minerals in it that can affect the life of the battery.

Now, I'll admit I'm the first one to put tap water in mine. It's not what your suppose to do but I do it.

If your batteries went dry and frooze, their dead. Don't waste your money. Buy the new batteries...........:cheers:

 

[lvanek]

im pretty sure they were allowed to die and freeze. the guy never rode the skis last year. so they sat a year and i highly doubt he put a trickle chaarge on them...and he left the bateries in the ski's and he stored them outside...and here this year we had several nights where it got to -15 -20 degrees

 

[seadoosnipe]

Life span....

A standard motorcyle battery, which is what most use after the Yuasa battery dies, will only give you one or two seasons of use before it's replacement time. With what you've said, I'd buy new ones..........:cheers:

 

[lvanek]

ok i put new batteries in them

 

[popasodatastie]

i've had good luck with batteries from autozone i still am running the same battery i've had for the past 2 summers and i guess i'll find out in a few days if its still good. i put my batteries in the basement and i filled the batteries with distilled water every year before storage and i keep the maintainer on all winter and they've kept a good charge when i bought the batteries they had 12.7 volts, last year they had 12.6 volts and i've took the charger off for an hour once to see what it had and sure enough 12.6. So i'm hoping to have another low cost year.

 

[dcman4usn]

So, i too am facing the dreaded battery dilemma. Seadoo wouldn't start, so i went to buy a new battery. Riding friend stated he bought a sealed battery last year, and his fired right up. After several trips to multiple walmarts, i have found the following. Seadoos from 88-93 take the sealed battery #ES16LBS. Years 94-07 take 16CL-B-BS. I need the latter, but what is the difference? They both look like the typical seadoo battery. Sure, I could find a traditional battery, but I think the extra investment would reduce cost ($75.00 for a 2yr battery vs $50 for 1 yr) Thanks for your help!!!

 

[Seadoomoney]

Hey Peeps:

Good Yuasa YTX20L-BS prices (and others!) at this place I've been hitting 4 a while: www.batterytex.com

Good shippings too!

-Doo