YTZ14S Battery Replacements, Equivalents, and Comparison Chart

YTZ14S batteries are very popular small and compact starting batteries used in various Powersports activities, including motorcycles, snowmobiles, scooters, smaller boats, etc., but also in garden and lawn tractors, power generators, and similar light industrial applications.

YTZ14S batteries are almost exclusively lead-acid batteries, but in the last few years, lithium YTZ14S batteries are becoming more and more common.

Published: September 20, 2023.

YTZ14S Batteries Features and Specifications

YTZ14S batteries are relatively small and compact batteries, with a default maximum size of (L x W x H) 5.875 x 3.4375 x 4.3125 inches (~150 x 87 x 110 mm).

Despite their small size, YTZ14S batteries feature a nominal voltage of 12V, while lead-acid YTZ14S batteries also feature a 10h capacity of ~11.2 Ah and CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating of 200-250 Amps, with 230 CCA being most common.

Most modern lead-acid YTZ14S batteries are either Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) or Gel-cell spill-proof, maintenance-free batteries.

Generally, both AGM and Gel-cell batteries have very similar discharge characteristics, with AGM having slightly better cranking abilities and Gel-cell batteries having somewhat lower self-discharge rates.

But, most of these differences are more model-dependent than exact chemistry-dependent.

Lead-acid YTZ14S batteries, on average, weigh 7-9 pounds (~3.2-4.1 kg) and have a positive battery terminal on the left side.

Note: some non-standard YTZ14S batteries may have a positive battery terminal on the right side - when replacing such batteries, be sure to either get a similar "non-standard" YTZ14S battery or to get a standard YTZ14S battery and, if required, extend battery cables.

Lithium YTZ14S batteries are relatively new on the market - these batteries are based on the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery chemistry and internally feature 4 cells connected in series for a nominal voltage of 12.8V. Also, they feature an internal Battery Management System (BMS) that protects the battery from unwanted events like short circuits, overcharging, over-discharging, low and high temperatures, etc.

Also, some lithium YTZ14S batteries feature a charge meter and battery reset button.

Charge meter allows the user to test the remaining battery charge, while the reset button allows the user to reset the battery when the BMS disconnects the battery (if it is not automatic) and sometimes allows the user to activate the "almost discharged" battery for one final crank.

While lithium YTZ14S batteries often claim stronger CCA ratings than lead-acid YTZ14S batteries, in real life, their performances in low temperatures are not so good. And if it is very cold, BMS will simply disconnect the battery until the battery warms up.

Also, the nominal capacity of most lithium YTZ14S batteries is lower than the capacity of lead-acid YTZ14S batteries - if you have any parasite load on your bike or similar vehicle, lithium YTZ14S batteries will get discharged quicker than lead-acid YTZ14S batteries.

Best of all, lithium YTZ14S batteries are often made smaller than the nominal dimensions of individual Powersports battery groups, requiring users to place various spacers in the battery compartment in order to fit one of lithium YTZ14S batteries.

Personally, although lithium YTZ14S batteries offer a weight reduction of 5-7 pounds (~2.27-3.2 kg), unless you are a pro rider, go for tested AGM and Gel-cell YTZ14S batteries.

The following comparison chart lists some of the most popular lead-acid and lithium YTZ14S batteries with their features and specifications.

The price of YTZ14S batteries varies, but so does their quality and popularity - for short, don't go cheap on your batteries.

What Kills YTZ14S Batteries?

YTZ14S batteries are used in some of the most demanding applications, including motorcycles, ATVs, tractors, snowmobiles, and similar.

As such, they are exposed to vibrations, mechanical impacts, the use and storage in cold and hot weather, they are charged with onboard chargers of questionable quality, etc.

So, if you want to prolong the operating life of your YTZ14S battery, be sure to mount it firmly on your vehicle, preferably using some rubber mounts and spacers that will absorb at least some of the vibrations and mechanical impacts.

When your vehicle is in storage, store it in a protected shelter with temperatures at least slightly above freezing but not more than the average room temperature. Also, if the vehicle is not going to be used for weeks or even months to come, be sure to connect the battery to an advanced battery charger that will not only charge the battery but also maintain it during the storage period.

How to Charge YTZ14S Battery?

When the battery is connected to the vehicle's electric system and the vehicle features an alternator and charge controller, let the vehicle's electric system keep the battery charged.

However, when the vehicle is stored over longer period of time (weeks or even months) or the vehicle has a charge controller of questionable quality, it is a good idea to keep the vehicle stored with the battery connected to the advanced battery charger.

Such battery chargers should have charging mode for the battery type being used (AGM, lithium) and should be able to recover deeply discharged lead-acid batteries.

After recharging them, advanced battery chargers automatically switch to maintenance mode, keeping the battery fully charged for months to come.

Due to their capacity of ~11.2Ah, YTZ14S batteries can be recharged with battery chargers in the 1-2 Amps range. Personally, 1 Amps battery chargers are kind of slow, but they don't stress the batteries with charging current, keeping them relatively cold.

One of the best advanced 6V/12V 1A battery chargers is the NOCO Genius 1A Smart Battery Charger (Amazon link, opens in the new window), which supports charging of both lead-acid and lithium batteries. Also, it acts as a battery maintainer and can even bring to life (or at least try to) deeply discharged batteries.

If the 11Ah battery is discharged down to 50% DoD, 1A battery charger requires some 6-7 hours at most to recharge it completely.

NOCO Genius 1A is one of the most popular units in this class.

YTZ12S Batteries vs. YTZ14S Batteries

YTZ12S batteries and YTZ14S batteries are very similar batteries - they share the same dimensions, same chemistries, same battery terminal types, and orientation.

So, what is the difference between YTZ12S batteries and YTZ14S batteries?

Well, YTZ12S batteries are generally somewhat lighter than YTZ14S batteries, they feature somewhat smaller capacity (usually ~11Ah vs. 11.2Ah) and smaller CCA ratings (usually ~210 vs. ~230 CCA).

Also, YTZ12S batteries are generally somewhat cheaper.

So, when comparing YTZ12S batteries and YTZ14S batteries, one can consider YTZ14S batteries as "high-performance" YTZ12S batteries.

Personally, if your application requires cranking Amps that are well below CCA ratings (for example, below 100 CCA) of YTZ12S batteries, then go for either of these two battery groups.

However, if your application requires cranking Amps that are not so far below CCA ratings (for example, 130-150+ CCA) of YTZ12S batteries, go for YTZ14S batteries. Just my 2c.

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Long Story Short: sealed AGM and Gel-cell YTZ14S batteries are very mature batteries, already tested in real-life situations countless times.

If you are looking for a new YTZ14S battery, go for a maintenance-free, spill-proof AGM or Gel-cell YTZ14S battery.

If the battery weight is of big importance to you, go for a lithium YTZ14S battery, just be aware of limitations that such a battery still may have.