| Author | Message | ||
     Coastrambler |
Read a little blip in the new "Cafe Racer" magazine about Li-Fe batteries. Basically they say the batteries are good in smaller engined bikes. Not so good for high performance V Twin liter bikes, like ours. That they don't have oumph to start the motor. Also that when the temperature is below 10C (50F) power delivery falls off. So, anybody that has had one of these for awhile care to comment? | ||
| Redbat |
I've been running a Shorai for 2 years now. As long as you keep it charged, I haven't had any problems. But, I've noticed that I have a parasitic loss which slowly drains my battery about 1/2 volt in a week. I plan on installing a quick disconnect to resolve that issue. | ||
| Froggy |
In general what you post is correct, but there are different Lithium chemistries available. They also come in different sizes, the bigger beefier models handle high compression high displacement motors just fine. All batteries, even your stock one, get weaker as the temperature drops, but Lithiums are more susceptible. The EBR bikes come with a Shorai Lithium battery stock. | ||
| Northernyankee |
I currently run a 12 Cell LiFePO4 Battery in my 1125r and have run homemade Lithium Batteries in my Track Bike. As long as you have enough cells it will start the bike, Just look at the Panigale R it comes with a Lithium Battery from the factory...and that is one hell of a big bore motor. And yes below 50 F it does drop off at first but there are ways around that. What I have learned over the years is that you just need to modify your behavior when you start the bike. What I do, especially when it is cooler out, is to turn the key on and wait while I finish putting my gear on. This starts to "warm up" the battery, most of the time the bike will fire right up. If not I just tap the starter once or twice more until it starts up. Lithium batteries actually produce more power as try to start the bike, unlike standard AGM batteries which actually lose voltage in subsequent attempts. | ||
| Kruizen |
Have a shorai ^^+1 | ||
| Crowley |
I put a Shorai on my 1198 Ducati, since the lead/acid battery struggled. After warming the battery while fitting my helmet and gloves, it spins the motor over like a 2 stroke. The alarm once discharged it to below 11V (iirc) and the Shorai battery charger could no longer 'see' a battery connected to it, and refused to charge it. 15 mins on an Optimate lead/acid charger raised the volts high enough to allow the Shorai charger to function properly again. It's been fine since. I'll be fitting one to my 1125 track bike when the weather in the UK warms up a bit. | ||
| Rodrob |
As LiFe batteries get cold, internal resistance rises so they deliver less cranking current, which is why warming the battery up buy drawing current out of it for a bit, starts a cold bike better. More than once, my Shorai equipped cold 1190 barely cranked, then after sitting on for a minute, started right up. Lots of bikes have parasitic drain in the off position. The 1125R is notorious. This drain can kill a LiFe for good in a couple of weeks. Once the cells drop below a certain voltage, they are gone for good. Disconnect the ground and a Shorai will stay charged for a very long time. | ||
| Nobuell |
I had a Shorie in my race bike and had problems with it. I now have an EarthX and have had great luck. I like that the EarthX has electronics that balance the cells. As Rodrod says, make sure to disconnect when storing. | ||
| Froggy |
Nobuell, which model battery did you get? I like the specs on the 36D model as it has the most cells and highest power ratings, I'm just not sure if it will fit. | ||
| Nobuell |
Froggy - I have an ETX24Cin my 1125 race bike. I have a modified subframe and it fits nicely. I am not sure if the 36D model will fit. The 24C spins the bike over extremely well. | ||
| Fluffy282 |
I have a mooty design battery in my cr. I've fired my bike up at 10*f... Just as others have said, allow it to draw for a minute first. | ||
| Stevel |
Let the flames begin! Lithium batteries are NOT ready for prime time in the vehicle world. There are lots of good info out on the web to justify this position......do the research yourself. They are terribly temperature sensitive. They will not charge, nor hold a charge when cold and when hot, they are a fire hazard and a disaster just waiting to happen. They must be managed by firmware tailored to the specific cell type and not compatible to the charging system in a vehicle. People telling you different are stealing your money. | ||
| Pgh_biker |
Here is some info on Lithium Batteries. http://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-ar ticles/lithium-battery-overview.html I just bought the "Battery Tender" Brand LiFePO4 at the Cleveland bike show so eager to see how it works once all this white stuff vanishes. One comment from the vendor was that if you need a special charger to charge them, how do they charge once they are in your bike? | ||
| Reepicheep |
With a micro controller built into the battery. Different chemistry Li batteries vary in their susceptibility to damage from being drained or over charged. LiFePO4 is one of the more durable ones. A smart controller (either external or built into the cell) will potentially let cells last many many more cycles (lie 4x to 10x the lifespan). Lead acid batteries have issues too, but they have been pretty well tuned over the last 100 years. | ||
| Crowley |
Following on from what Stevel has said,my Ducati Dealer told me that the first question asked when a bike has ecm problems is 'what kind of battery is fitted?' If it's Lithium, then warranty claims are not automatic. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Li-Iron Phosphate is NOT a fire hazard the way Li-Ion's are. Li-Ip do not have the energy density of Li-Io but they also do NOT produce as much heat. What has caused Li-Io batteries to catch fire is when there is a short circuit or damaged cell inside the unit, which causes the whole unit's temperature to rise dramatically, which in turn lights it up. If the battery is constructed properly, with appropriate shielding between each cell, the smoke/fires will not occur. This is perhaps the reason why they use Lithium Iron Phosphates on automotive retrofit applications. They are safer. I don't think Ducati or EBR will put these on their new bikes if they knew they're fire hazards. That being said, gasoline is way more of a fire hazard and we ride around on those between our legs. The early Li-Ip temperature sensitivity has gone viral. Today's Li-Ip aren't any more sensitive to drops in temperature than a regular battery. I've had my bike sit outside at temperatures around 30 degrees and the standard OEM battery was a little slow to start the engine too. (Message edited by rogue_biker on March 03, 2015) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thats a fair point. My HD lead acid battery is unlikely to start my Uly below 30 degrees anyway. |
