My 12V battery replacement, motorcycle AGM battery

[thejaredhuang]

So my 2015's 12V was on the fritz and finally died., tried to revive and charge it but it's toast.

I can source an AC Delco LN1 for about $140 but I decided to use my Spark as guinea pig for future battery replacements in my other vehicles. My total cost was about $80 (60 + 15 + 5). If I need to replace the battery I don't need to make another bracket nor get another set of terminals, both of those can get reused. I also added a $10 heatshield as the underhood temps and the stock battery felt really warm after normal use.

I would say a substantial amount of motorcycle batteries are AGM so they're extremely easy to source, also since the 12V in the Spark never really cranks an engine switching to a motorcycle sized AGM shouldn't really be worked hard. I used a Chrome Battery 30L-BS AGM battery, it was about $60 from Amazon, which is a substantial savings over any automotive AGM battery. I prefer Chrome because they have a 18 month warranty and their customer service is based in the USA. You can use whatever battery brand you like, IMO all the ones at this price point are coming out of the same place in China.

A little info on motorcycle battery sizes: https://www.batteriesinaflash.com/motorcycle-atv-battery-cross-reference Pretty much the higher numerical value means a physically bigger battery, BS/BL refers to the orientation of the positive terminal on the battery.

To do this mod you need to buy 2 things in addition to the battery:

• SAE Terminal adapters https://www.ebay.com/itm/264571832112

• Make your own battery mounting bracket, I used aluminum stock from Home Depot/Lowes/ACE

• Optional, some thermo barrier to decrease battery temps and prolong life. Search for "Hook and Loop heatshield", i used this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08JKN1LYH/

The bracket I made fits into the stock location and uses the stock battery retention tabs + screw so everything is bolt in and bolt out if you ever wanted to go back.

 

[NORTON]

Nice job!
The heat is nothing compared to a gasser or motorcycle, I would think.

I used a SLA motorcycle battery for about a month while I was capacity testing the original battery on my '14 Spark EV.
No problem. Although last time I tested it, it was starting to shoe its age. I'll have to probably replace it before this winter.

The floating voltage between all these lead acid battery types is minimal. They all will work.
The test would be how long you can leave it parked unplugged with a smaller than stock battery.
The Onstar cell phone receiver, the remote key fob receiver and who knows what else still draw a little power.

 

[thejaredhuang]

Thanks, I'll report back when it finally dies. From prior experience with daily riding a motorcycle, these cheaper batteries start to give up the ghost after 15 months.