I installed a Deka 12V AGM into the JD ZTR ~12 yrs ago & that sucker is still going strong although dead of winter it will discharge but I don't mow in the dead of winter, non-issue.

 

Sometime those batteries do surprise you. Now the price surprised me. Just picked up 2 marine and 1 automotive lead acid batteries, the cost was just a schouch over 4 hundo's.

 

I hear ya. I get about 3-5 yrs lifetime from my Pb-Acid batteries in the diesel tractor F250. $500 to replace both batteries. I just replaced both last year - knock on wood. Requires lots of juice to turnover an 18:1 compression ratio.

 

Recommended Extreme Odyssey batteries for this beast run ~$400 ea.

 

Holy Schnikeys

 

I just checked how long I had the Yuasa I just replaced, it was 4 yrs and 11 months, and I thought that was great! Those Deka batteries must really be made well! I have no idea how much they cost? The new AGM Yuasa I just bought was $104, about middle of the road from what I remember when I was shopping. I don't remember seeing the Deka to fit my Indian. There were definitely cheaper batteries in the $70 range, but they were names I'd never heard of? I had never had an issue with the QC of the previous Yuasa batteries I've purchased until this one with the mis-aligned terminal holes. I probably should have sent it back, but I had already activated it (added acid), and didn't wanted to deal with the hassle!

 

Ouch!!!

 

I have Duralast Gold 850CCA, 2,000 Cranking, 120’ reserve in it now - 3 yr warranty. Roughly $166/yr to turn over the engine. What I’d like to see on consumer cars is a battery life cycle which measures (1) total [accumulative] start cycles and (2) total engine run time to really get meaningful results information.

 

New tire-on-wheel installed. Time for a walk around the Ponderosa. Sorta like Mike walking down to the roll-up.

 

Hi guys,

After dealing with the battery install yesterday morning I got out and mowed/trimmed the yard yesterday afternoon. No other chores that need to be done today.

My Day Lillies seemed to come in very late this year and I don't really know why? They're just getting close to full bloom now (pic). They add a nice accent to the front of the house.

Hope everyone has a great day! 😃

 

Chris - Five years on that Pb-Acid Yuasa is pretty decent. Of course with any battery much depends on total start cycles and compression ratio of engine to gain meaningful results; still, 5 yrs is nice & you keep it in a tender which is good.

 

Day Lilies look nice, Chris.

 

Yes, those statistical measurements you listed would be very helpful in determining expected battery life.

 

Yes, I think if you're getting nearly 5-years of service out of that type of battery you've done pretty well. You have to take into account that while they are motorcycle batteries, in my case they are turning over engines >1.8L in size, larger than some small cars!

Thanks for the compliment on the Lilies!

 

I have 4 dead ones on the bench plus one in the Indian which needs R&R.

 

The YTX20HL-BS on the left is the exact battery I just put in my Indian, but you probably already knew that.

 

I should have had that starter out of the Indian months ago, but I'm not dead certain on the printed procedures for removal of the starter as outlined in my Indian Service Manual - it has not (yet) gelled in my tiny brain why I need to remove the starter jack-shaft. Doesn't appear I need to. Thing is this, I upgraded the original Indian starter to an All ***** starter ~3 yrs after purchase. Well, I didn't, the dealer did it for me. The All ***** is a more heavy duty cycle starter (producing far more voltage) than the original starter. I'm not 100% convinced the starter is bad. I did test the solenoid and wiring & that stuff checked out. I'm thinking the All ***** starter has a different style jack-shaft than the original starter jack-shaft - that's essentially my dilemma. To remove the original type (Indian) starter I have to remove the jack-shaft & that jack-shaft removal requires removal of the compensator nut, compensator sprocket, the entire primary drive, clutch assembly (discs/spacers) & the primary drive chain. Reviewing/Examining the installed All ***** starter doesn't appear to me at least, any requirement for removing the jack-shaft separately as the jack-shaft is attached to the starter. That's why this is taking so damn long. I don't want to get my nuts in a bind performing some removal operation(s) which don't appear to be required. I've replaced starters on other motorcycles (certainly not this type), but my tiny brain just can't seem to accommodate what's required. Damn it.

 

Norm - Could the answer be to simply call the Service Department where you had it installed, tell them you don't live in that area anymore, and then ask them for some tech support?

 

Well, here's a perfect example of how time is just flying by. I get occasional memory reminders from Microsoft OneDrive about special events that have been captured in my pictures. Today I got reminded I retired 8-years ago today, it sure doesn't seem even remotely possible it's been that long! OneDrive sent this collage.

 

Chris - Mechanics aren't paid to take phone calls for customer support. They're paid to work on bikes. Additionally, that Indian Motorcycle Dealership (which was the VERY FIRST Indian Motorcycle Dealership - Indian Motorcycle Charlotte) was sold in 2018. All new staff, all new managers, etc. Good try but that won't fly sorry to say.

 

I understand, thought it might be worth a shot?

 

I recall each of those pictures because you posted each of those pictures to CO. It's been (I guess) ~8 yrs since you joined CO, I think? Nearly same time as myself (2018). Great pics.
However, I'll add this caveat - this is one serious reason I do not use OneDrive - an exceedingly invasive tool. Look what a simple robot found out about you? And, you realize these images, who posted them, and their locations are known to nearly every ROBOT on the planet. Far, far, far too invasive for me.

 

Understood, and agree!

 

My dream of retirement is to finish the day after everyone leaves,log my time, shut down the laptop, drop the keys to my equipment cage off on a manager's desk upstairs after sending him an email, giving Security my ID card, and asking them to buzz me out of the turnstyle when I page them after I walked out to it.

I'll go home and box up the work clothes, then think nothing more of the place. Maybe I'll put my hardhats on a shelf in the basement.

 

The new fuel filters I ordered may arrive tomorrow, maybe not.

 

Nearly identical to what I did - never looked back & enjoying every single day since then.

 

Was supposed to hit a car show today, but it got a bit soggy. On Friday they were predicting some rain, but south of here. Yesterday morning, it changed to .02" and spotty, not to impact the days activities. By the 6pm weather report yesterday, they were showing a system coming from the SW, giving us showers. I checked my rain gauge about an hour ago, after it finally quit. Just under 2.75". As a buddy of mine used to say, it must be nice to have a job where you can be wrong half of the time, and still get paid for it. I was out in the yard awhile ago, filling the dish with jelly for the Oriole's. I noticed the one of the buds on my Peony was on the ground, deadheaded by something. Hmm? I happened to look out just a bit ago, and a squirrel was pulling them off #@!%. On a unrelated matter, I just ordered a Crosman pellet pistol.

 

I've owned a Crosman pellet pistol ~25 yrs. Nice popper.

 

There is a diverse & a variety of reasons.
(1) All Lilies are hybrids having been crossed a gazillion times since their introduction from Asia. I think the original (non-hybrid Asian stock) was yellow in color. This does not mean (necessarily) a yellow lily is closer to its parental (genetic) stock/origin, it can simply mean the color yellow is a dominant trait of selective hybridization in the variety of Lily you have planted.
(2) All hybrid plants spp. lose some genetic characteristics resulting from hybridization. Most (nearly all) hybrids of any plant spp. lose vigor (as the result of hybrid crossing). Selective hybridization (e.g. Lilies, but all plants) yields plants which are less adapted to certain environmental conditions: [a] too much water [b] not enough water [c] incorrect soil conditions resulting from lack of nutrients or [d] incorrect soil conditions resulting from an over abundance of select nutrients. Soil "ages", plants remove nutrients from the soil & utilize those nutrients. If you're a hybrid you require more attention to correct watering regimen & select nutrients in order to flourish optimally. Again, they're hybrids far, far, far removed from the parent genome.
(3) Aphids, Lily 'rust' & select diseases all play a role. Plants can bloom later than usual if they've been subject to critters (e.g. Aphids) feeding on them, rust (which is a term for a plant fungus) is very characteristic in most varieties of Lilies. Nearly all Lilies survive the rust invasion but can often bloom much later than normal as they recover. Again, they're hybrids and more care is often needed w/ any hybrid plant.
(4) Crowding. Lilies produce bulbs. Too many bulbs reduces nutrients to supply the many 'spates' required upon which each bloom resides. If you find fewer spates, each year, it's likely time to divide & separate some clumps. It's actually extraordinarily beneficial to increase Lily vigor.

Most botanists, plant physiologists suggest separating & dividing Lily clumps every 3-5 years. I separate my giant Lilies every five years (roughly). They end up producing exceptional spates & blooms. Lilies are unlike Tulips & Jonquils (Daffodils) etc. Lily bulbs do not require an overwintering cold snap - they don't go dormant. They remain active in the soil.

I think you might try separating & dividing some clumps if it's been at least three years since first planting & especially if it's been longer than five years. JS

 

WOW what a bright sunny morning! Unfortunately yesterday and Saturday were cold, rainy. Today was forecast to be warm and sunny- and they were right. Not a cloud in the sky. Hopefully all the Memorial day visitors will have a good day on the lake. I told you guys about my old lawnmower "hobby/business" and how I gave up on it. Well while doing that I found a snowblower last spring at a garage sale- bought it cheap- changed oil and fixed a few small things and kept it until fall- Sold it for $275 I think. I found that most snowblowers stay inside garages and don't deteriorate the way unused mowers do out in the back yard. When people move they want to sell the snowblower quick so it's cheap. So this spring I have bought 6 snowblowers- in varying states of condition. So far 4 of them run and already have used parts off one of the junkers. I find I am wired to fix things- last week I spent 4 hrs getting a broken head bolt out of a $100 snowblower- but I fixed it! But doesn't make sense in a financial way - but better than sitting on couch and watching netflicks...

 

Dan - A little soggy to say the least! I don't know if you've been having any better luck than I have getting your car out to events, but I haven't had much luck lately. I got out once the last week of April, and to the judged show I posted about on May 2nd, and I haven't been out since. Rain has been squashing my plans the last 3-weeks!

 

Greg - You're of Phineas Mason (The Tinkerer) fame. Far better than sitting on the couch.

 

Norm - Thanks for the great info! I went out earlier and saw no signs of Aphids or other critters on them, and no sign that I recognized as 'rust' or some other type of blight. I do however know for a fact they have not been thinned in the 18-years they've been there! So that can't be helping them any for sure. I had actually been thinking of trying to transplant some of them along the length of the wall. If I decide to thin them and transplant the bulbs what time of year should I do that try? Also, should I try to take bulbs from both the interior and exterior from each of the clumps, I've never done this on any plants before? Thanks again for writing all that up!

 

x2, you were certainly blessed with a gift to do that type of work! 👍

 

Good morning guys,

Dry, sunny, and in the low 80's here today, it's going to be a beautiful day! No big plans right now.

My daughter Blaire and family have a Jet Boat and a Jet Ski, and they invited us to go to the Meramec River with them today for the day, but Dawn said she wasn't feeling it and just wanted to relax at home so that's what we're doing. Alright by me.

Hope everyone has a great day! 😃

 

All plants (esp. Lilies) have two pronounced stages of development: (1) Vegetative & (2) Reproductive. Your Lilies are currently in the Reproductive stage and it would be the absolute worst time to separate/divide bulb clusters (clumps). All of the energy is being used to reproduce.
Short story - wait until after summer. Early fall is best after they've actively entered the vegetative stage.

 

Thanks again! 😃

 

Doesn't much matter, really. Shovel/Dig the entire clump & remove from soil...again, the entire clump of numerous bulbs try not to slice through the bulbs. Sorta like digging up a tree - you want to remove the entire root ball, so start digging a circle around the entire set of bulbs (the clump). Shake the clump, wash the clump to remove soil, then with your hands separate bulbs and transplant each or several to a different location or toss them out. They're choking to death as it is. Separating/Dividing them so they're not competing for the same soil/nutrients is what's key here. Give some to you kids or whatever.

 

I though the orange variety was the original . My uncles house keeper used to call them "'ditch lilies

 

Got it! As I dig up each original clump to separate the bulbs, before I put some of the bulbs back into their original space I will add some enriched potting soil back into each space before replanting since they have been depleting the nutrients in those spaces for so long. I will also put some good soil in with the bulbs that are being transplanted to the new locations.