'09 StreetGlide battery replacement

[Golfman]

Cranking amps on original battery are down to 175. It strains  but starts, and when hot the starter sometimes can't decide to stay engaged or not. The new batteries at the dealer are $176.00. They warned me about aftermarket batteries but being retired I need to save when I can.... and I would expect them to do that. Battery plus has a replacement for about $134, and Battery Mart will send you, what they say is a direct replacement for H-D part #66010-97C for $97.95 with free shipping that will drop right in and comes fully charged. On-line, the battery Mart battery has had great 5* reviews, but that is, of course, on their site. Both the Battery Plus and Battery Mart batteries are dimensionally the same as original and have 400 cranking amps and a capacity of 26Ah. I think I would like to order the Battery Mart battery (part # ETX-30L)  for $97.95, but was wondering if anyone on here has used either of the aftermarket batteries or has any other info on this subject.

[14Frisco]

Not that particular battery, but a couple of weeks ago I replaced the battery on my Sporty with a Big Crank ETX16 from batterymart.com - free shipping, came fully charged as stated on their web site, dropped it in and pushed the starter button.  So far, so good, obviously it's only been a few weeks but at this point I wouldn't hesitate buying another battery from them.

The box that the Big Crank ETX16 came in says it is made by "EPM Products".  EPM is East Penn Manufacturing.  East Penn Manufacturing makes DEKA batteries.

[truck]

The Battery Mart battery had good things said about here on HTT and it looks like it's a DeKa battery, go for it. You could also check your local DeKa Battery dealer, ask if they can get you a factory second, that's what I been using for the past 5 years, cost under $50.00, has a small mark next to one of the terminals.

[14Frisco]

BTW, I don't know how the battery cables attach on a Street Glide, but I did have to use the small spacers they supplied to since the cables attach on the side of the battery posts on the XL - no biggie, though.

[Golfman]

I went to the DeKa battery site and found the same battery part number ETX-30L that Battery Mart is selling and it is listed on DeKa's site as a replacement for the '09 Touring models but has the comment after it: "Does not meet Harley-Davidson OEM specifications". I'm assuming that they were forced to put that on there and the specs it doesn't meet may not be importnat on the application, but "who knows". What is your thoughts, on this?

[truck]

The terminals are different but not a problem.
When DeKa started making Harley batteries they weren't allowed to make their own version for several years, and they weren't allowed to sell "seconds" either, and I think they still can't, anything less than perfect got recycled. So I think you are right with your assumption.
My Power Sport "second" (Big Crank) fits and works fine. They're all the same battery, just different labels.

[tom149]

Cranking amps on original battery are down to 175. It strains  but starts, and when hot the starter sometimes can't decide to stay engaged or not. The new batteries at the dealer are $176.00. They warned me about aftermarket batteries but being retired I need to save when I can.... and I would expect them to do that. Battery plus has a replacement for about $134, and Battery Mart will send you, what they say is a direct replacement for H-D part #66010-97C for $97.95 with free shipping that will drop right in and comes fully charged. On-line, the battery Mart battery has had great 5* reviews, but that is, of course, on their site. Both the Battery Plus and Battery Mart batteries are dimensionally the same as original and have 400 cranking amps and a capacity of 26Ah. I think I would like to order the Battery Mart battery (part # ETX-30L)  for $97.95, but was wondering if anyone on here has used either of the aftermarket batteries or has any other info on this subject.

Try here: http://www.bigcrank.com/

[Golfman]

Thanks Tom, but BigCrank. com has the same battery and price as Battery Mart, but Battery Mart saves you with free shipping (ground) which amounts to about $15.

[14Frisco]

has the comment after it: "Does not meet Harley-Davidson OEM specifications". I'm assuming that they were forced to put that on there and the specs it doesn't meet may not be importnat on the application, but "who knows". What is your thoughts, on this?

I saw the same comment in the DEKA catalog about the ETX-16 before I bought it.  It might be the fact the posts, or the location of the posts, are so very slightly different that you have to use the supplied spacers.  Or it might be something more "serious", internally in the battery.  It's anybody's guess what it means and how important it is.

[tom149]

Thanks Tom, but BigCrank. com has the same battery and price as Battery Mart, but Battery Mart saves you with free shipping (ground) which amounts to about $15.

Good to know, thanks Golfman. 

[truck]

I saw the same comment in the DEKA catalog about the ETX-16 before I bought it.  It might be the fact the posts, or the location of the posts, are so very slightly different that you have to use the supplied spacers.  Or it might be something more "serious", internally in the battery.  It's anybody's guess what it means and how important it is.

I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt that internally the batteries are identical.
My last job at DeKa was as a material handler. I supplied the COS lines with cases and my partner supplied them with positive and negative plates to be assembled into batteries. From there they moved on to the assembly lines where the groups were welded together and covers were put on.
The lines loved it when they switched from DeKa brand to, say, Wal-Mart. All they had to do was switch from a black case to a yellow case and keep on keeping on.
The same goes for DeKa and Harley batteries with the exception of changing the cover on the assembly line.

[Golfman]

Thanks all. I plan on calling Battery Mart and ordering early Monday morning. I wonder how long it will take to get here (NC) with their free UPS Ground shipping? I'm going to be headed out of town with the Bike the following week.

[04Glider2]

+1 for the battery mart "Big Crank" bought two from them, but only a few weeks ago. One for my 04 RG and one for buddies 03RK.
They shipped "FedEx" to CA and they work fine. Of course they are new at this point.
I will say one thing though the brass spacers they supply make the wires want to move easily even when tight, I think I will remove them and put some center punch dimples to make the hold a bit better.
Also when you change the battery you may want to look in the Twin Cam Swap Meet area for the 2GA cables a member here is making for sale. Got a set from him and put in the same time as the battery. Very nice product for a fair price. Giant cables with a 2Ga wire to the frame ground instead of the factory tiny one. The RG cables were $45 delivered and well worth it.

[vaughtcity]

These arnt cheap but you may want to check them out.

http://www.shoraipower.com/s-93490-FLH-Touring.aspx

[Golfman]

Ordered the battery this morning, and got a notification that it was shipped this afternoon. They come from Winchester, VA and I am in the Raleigh area of NC, so it should be here before this weekend, I hope because I'm leading a H.O.G. lunch ride on Sat.

[Golfman]

Kudos to Battery M :up:art
Called and ordered my battery at 8:30 am yesterday. Told them I needed it this week for an upcoming trip but wanted to use the FREE Ground Shipping. They said they would try and made a note. The battery arrived at 1 pm today  . It's already installed and ready to go !!!