Drycell/Gel Battery Transport

[Ginger]

Alright, I'm taking a long trip. I'll be flying to my destination and I think it would be wise to bring a big 12V battery with me. I've got a very large (by motorcycle standards) drycell/gel battery that I use for my CBR. I'd catch hell for bringing it in carry on, so that's out, but I've got 2 questions:

1) I know you can Check just about anything, firearms included, is the TSA going to rip apart my bag for a big battery?

2) Does a drycell/gel battery have any objections to very high, altitudes (like the unpressurized cargo hold on an airplane)?

Here is a link to the battery that I own:

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[BLINGMW]

:lol: oh yeah, TSA is going to LOVE you!

Out of curiosity, I mean, someone had to ask.... why do you need a battery on your trip?

[Ginger]

Along with the tool kit, helmet, motorcycle jacket, tire inflator (battery would be for the portable tire inflator... I don't want to be on the side of the road, inflating my tire and decharging my bike's battery... nor do I want to keep one hand on the gas, spinning the motor at 5K just to keep it from happening), and assorted un-normalisms... I'm a little worried that my gear might not make it to my destination.

[Maengelito]

just call someone from TSA or the airport and ask the first question. as for low pressure/cold, i'm sure if the battery is okay in pretty cold weather, it'll be fine. but i'm not sure exactly how cold it is at 45000 feet in the air. where are you picking a bike up from and can you just buy a battery at a local shop wherever you're going?

[Ginger]

Batteries from local shops, unfortunately, do not come charged.

(destination: Kansas City)

[Maengelito]

you could always call one of the shops and explain what you need and maybe they'll charge it for you. or you can send all your stuff as a package to whatever destination you're going.

[Ginger]

I kinda feel like a dummy, because I really should have shipped my gear beforehand... but I'm flying Saturday.

[Ginger]

One more thought - does anybody think I'lll catch flack (ok, or that they'll just tear my bag apart) for a good sized selection of hand tools in the bag?

Tools would include:
GearWrenches
3/8 socket wrench with socket assortment
tape
allen keys
tire inflator pump
patch kit
and just about any other basic tool you figure you might need for an 1100 mile trip on a bike.

[Evan]

Along with the tool kit, helmet, motorcycle jacket, tire inflator (battery would be for the portable tire inflator... I don't want to be on the side of the road, inflating my tire and decharging my bike's battery... nor do I want to keep one hand on the gas, spinning the motor at 5K just to keep it from happening), and assorted un-normalisms... I'm a little worried that my gear might not make it to my destination.

I take it that you are flying then riding a motorcycle back? might want to have mentioned in your post

gel cells are sealed, so I so no inherent problem. They are built to withstand much higher pressures than any cargo bay will subject them to.

[HAULN-SS]

Best bet is to overnight it fedex. You can legally take it, but there's no guarantee your bag won't get ripped apart by TSA for some other reason, much less for a battery. Tools should be no problem. Truckers pack those all the time.

-worked in the airline industry for 3 years

[Ginger]

But if I tell everybody I'm riding back then I've got to admit to my bad decision!

As for the cargo cabin.. aren't they unpressurized and really, really cold?

I guess I'm SOL on the battery.. there's no time for me to even overnight it now. I could probably pick up a jump-start pack from a walmart or something along the way and just pray that I don't need if before I can charge it at my hotel after the first travel day.

[HAULN-SS]

they are not unpressurized unless you're taking some military transport or something. They are however, really cold. Probably in the teens. If there is a dog or something in the cargo hold though, they'll have the heat on in them.

[Maengelito]

when you get there, just bring $30 and go to walmart and buy one of those "mechanic's kits". sure they're not great, but it should do enough to get you home assuming you even need tools to do this. as for the battery, get off MM, and call someone at TSA and ask.

[Ginger]

I like the toolkit idea. That leaves me just bringing a patch kit and an inflator, really.

I think I'll pass on the battery. I'm sure somebody at the TSA could tell me if it were technically OK... but people at big, unorganized government ogranizations say all kinds of stuff that doesn't reflect what really goes on. He could say "sure, it's fine" and then I come to find out that they tore my bag open to see what it wasm left it in there, but half my shit gets to kansas in a garbage bag.

[Maengelito]

I like the toolkit idea. That leaves me just bringing a patch kit and an inflator, really.

a can of fix-a-flat is less than $10 at that same walmart you buy your toolkit

[Ginger]

Does that shit work? I know mechanics will HATE you for it... and it's gotta take me a long way. Motorcycle shops are cliosed Sunday and Monday, so it's not like it's just got to get me to the closest Mr. Tire, you know?

[.RJ]

I'm not going to come and get your ass if you crash in the middle of nowhere! :lol:

[Ginger]

You wouldn't come get me if I crashed 3 blocks from your house!

[.RJ]

If you were 3 blocks away at least I'd go laugh at you.