some interesting battery info from Deka

[user_deleted]

the Deka battery plant is about 40 minutes northeast of me....just south of Kutztown, PA. the size of this facility is mind-blowing and they are justifiably proud of being 100% American content, construction, packaging and labor force for their product content. I go there 2X a year to pick up batteries for inventory as i've had a dealer acct. with them since the mid 90's. had a very interesting and informative discussion with one of the production supervisors last friday while at the facility. we all know that XB's use the ytx14-BS battery. so does a whole host of other atv's, bmw models, certain kawasakis, and the H-D V-Rod. due to the case size and terminal location this battery fits a wide range of powersports vehicles. initially the super asks me what our most popular application is for this battery and i say V-Rods and Buells. here's where it gets interesting: he was quite proud of the fact that Deka has been the OEM battery manufacturer for mother H-D for several decades now and that all the H-D's built at both the York, PA and Kansas City plant have OEM Deka batteries branded as H-D batteries installed at the factories....and all Buells from the Troy, WI plant also had them as OEM batteries. He showed me cross-sections of several Deka batteries on display which are marketed under various names and are all identical.....as well as a few Chinese batteries they had cross-sectioned for comparison purposes. the differences in construction, plate quality and count, and in particular how the terminals are attached and constructed was alarming to put it mildly. what i found really interesting and worth mentioning here on the board was a fairly new battery he showed me marketed under the name of Big-Crank. Deka designed this battery and its construction and 220 CCA's specifically for Buells and V-Rods. it is an AGM battery, part # ETX-14, designed to take the heat and vibration of these bikes, and to be competitively priced plus it has twin screw terminals allowing easy attachment of battery tender terminal ring connectors, and a great warranty to boot.
i thought that a local American company who has designed and built a quality battery specifically for our Buells was worth mentioning.

 

[WIGGLE2]

Hello John!
Are you getting any for your stock? I have a feeling I'll need one soon....it's an '05 and has the ORIGINAL battery @ 28K+ miles!!

 

[Enemy Zero]

I am about to replace my stock one here soon. This is great info to have. Thanks for the write up.

 

[user_deleted]

Hello John!
Are you getting any for your stock? I have a feeling I'll need one soon....it's an '05 and has the ORIGINAL battery @ 28K+ miles!!

hey you: how's your summer going? yes...i keep approx. 20 of the ex14 BIG CRANKS in stock. they retail for $89...your cost is $72. let me know mark when you need 1 and come up or i'll fire one down to you.

 

[50dro]

Thanks for the info! If these are truly the same as the HD batteries, this will be a good money saver for us all while keeping it out of HD's pockets

 

[Renegade]

I got this exact Deka battery last week (ETX-14)...it seems to be much better than the HD battery that was in the bike to begin with.

The Kansas City HD plant produces the VROD and the Sportster. I have toured that facility quite a few times, worked across the street (Congress/NW 112th St) and grew up just a few miles away.

 

[camouflage]

I fitted a Deka Intimidator ETX14 Power Sports AGM battery last month and I cant complain at all.
Read some good reviews about it and after fitting it I am glad I did

 

[Sirius815]

Man I wish I would've known this about a month ago!! [up]

 

[WIGGLE2]

John;
I am doing pretty good! I've gotten quite a bit of riding in so far. I have to find out WHERE you are in Leola. I go to see see Denny @ The Service Pavillion in New Holland very occasionally. Are you going to Ephrata Sunday?

 

[user_deleted]

I go to see see Denny @ The Service Pavillion in New Holland very occasionally. Are you going to Ephrata Sunday?

right down the road from me, son. let me know if i should get a Big Crank ready for you....when you need it.
i have never been to Ephrata sunday mornings which is ridiculous seeing as how i can see Ephrata from my back yard. i am taking a weekend cycle trip to Wellsboro but perhaps first Sunday of September would work. we should try and get some Buellers to make that, mark. glad you're doing well.

 

[WIGGLE2]

John;
That would be cool to get some to go! You HAVE to go...literally thousands of bikes roll thru from around 6 'til after lunch. (Breakfast is from 7-11 though). Some REALLY cool stuff too! I'll try to look you up for next month!
Rick

 

[user_deleted]

yes sir rick.....pm me if you are going. we should get some buellers to ride over there. i know it is a great get together.

 

[WIGGLE2]

I will do that John. Always go unless it is pouring. I will pm you with some details once we get closer to September!