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Replacement for '67 CA78 old style battery?

rider5
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Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:15 pm
Location: Alton, IL

Replacement for '67 CA78 old style battery?

Post by rider5 » Fri May 24, 2019 2:09 pm

Alas the old battery for my '67 CA78 (12N-12A-4A-1) has given up the ghost. I'd love to find a sealed battery as a replacement. Dead battery measures 5 3/8 x 3 1/4 x 6 3/8 and not much extra room there at all.

Anyone know of a sealed battery as a replacement?

DJM
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Location: Chesterfield UK

CA78 battery

Post by DJM » Fri May 24, 2019 5:36 pm

If you have one of the early 'thin' batteries I hear they haven't been available for some time.

You should perhaps investigate a Lithium Ion replacement which will pack much more power into a small size.

Look at the Shorai LFX range to start off but there are others.

You should be able to find one which will fit the available space but you may need to alter the existing wiring a bit to connect to the new battery.

A word of caution though, they aren't cheap and you may need to buy a new compatible battery charger as 'standard' battery chargers aren't suitable for this type of battery. Good news is that they are supposed to last much longer than a lead acid type.

danielzink
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Post by danielzink » Fri May 24, 2019 6:31 pm

eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Jeico-Vint ... .l4275.c10


I bought a Wisco JB-2 off eBay a couple years ago...bought battery acid at local FLAPS...I keep it on a trickle charger over the winter. It still works fine.


YMMV

edit: I realize you asked for a sealed replacement. I guess you can measure the 12N12A-4A-1 and xref it and see what matches closest.

Dan

rider5
honda305.com Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:15 pm
Location: Alton, IL

'67 CA78 battery 12N-12A-4A-1 is dead, replace with sealed?

Post by rider5 » Fri May 24, 2019 8:41 pm

Thanks DJM,

No this isn't the longer thinner type (my '65 has that one, still holding it's own), battery I'm replacing measures basically 5.25"x 3.25" x 6.375". No wiggle room at all front to back or for width; lotsa room on top since I don't have a battery tray (I can rig up a strap).

Appreciate the thoughts though.

rider5
honda305.com Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:15 pm
Location: Alton, IL

'67 CA78 battery 12N-12A-4A-1 is dead, replace with sealed?

Post by rider5 » Fri May 24, 2019 8:56 pm

Thanks a bunch Danielzink,

I've already tried searching ebay by measurements, actually am about to return one that I thought would fit but is slightly too long (I had a thought of trying to modify the rear support but quickly thought better of it).

I'll keep searching maybe but will likely take your idea, I've certainly dealt with the acid filling routine before. I'll try to remember to post the outcome to the group.

rider5
honda305.com Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:15 pm
Location: Alton, IL

'67 CA78 battery 12N-12A-4A-1 is dead, replace with sealed?

Post by rider5 » Fri May 24, 2019 9:40 pm

Sorry DJM, guess I'm trying to juggle too many projects at once and somehow lost track.

I'll definitely look into the lithium type battery for our '65 CA78 (longer thin type). GOTTA keep that girl going, she was a gift from my father-in-law several years ago before he passed on so she'll always take the priority here.

Thanks again

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brewsky
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Post by brewsky » Sat May 25, 2019 5:38 am

I'm not sure the new lithium batteries like the old unregulated charging systems very much.

It's easier to add a little distilled water occasionally to top off a lead acid type than to carry a fire extinguisher.
66 dream, 78 cb750k, 02fz1, 09 wing

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