| Author | Message | ||
     1_mike |
My bike melted my Shorai battery last week. The engine started running a little funny, then went to a miss, then shut off, all in about 10 seconds. I started heading to the right shoulder of the freeway at the first sign of trouble. I didn't make it when all power shut down, coasted to the shoulder. At home, I plugged in another battery, dash power seems ok, hit the starter button, the engine started and seemed to run fine...apparently very lucky... Checking the voltage, at idle, 14.3 volts. At 3500 rpm, 16.7 volts..! Time for a new regulator...and new battery... Mike | ||
| Snacktoast |
How many miles are you up to now, Mike? | ||
| Dave |
I saw postings of 1 or 2 Shorai failures and I belive Shorai replaced the battery. DAve | ||
| Snacktoast |
I'd be surprised if they would replace it, since it seems it happened because of a failed regulator. However, if they do, that is phenomenal. | ||
| 1_mike |
Snack - Just over 18,000 in about 16 months. Yea, I didn't even ask about a "free" replacement battery because of it going bad because of anther parts failure. They are on sale right now though...($160). New battery and regulator on the way. Mike | ||
| Froggy |
From everything I've read, Shoari lacks a basic overvolt protection, so yea if the VR goes it can easily take out the battery. Be grateful it didn't catch fire like it has for some other users. | ||
| Slaughter |
You should still call Shorai - even though it isn't a battery problem, they DO pay attention to customer feedback and if they get a lot of melt-downs due to overvoltage, they may start selling them with protection. | ||
| 1_mike |
I did call them. They want the battery back to see exactly what happened. I told them I was going to cut it open to see what was inside. Shawn said that if I'd send it back, he'd take interior pictures and send them to me..! And yes, he did offer some money back after I send it in. Good call guys. Mike | ||
| Snacktoast |
Shawn's a good guy, and obviously a bike guy. Pretty impressive that they offer anything, but great to hear that. | ||
| Dave |
Hey that's awesome! DAve | ||
| 1_mike |
What the hell.. I thought the finned aluminum box under the gauge cluster was the voltage regulator..! That one's for keeping the head lights cool. The voltage regulator's under the freaken seat..! A nice..."warm" place...with near zero airflow. While it may be bolted to an aluminum plate to help dissipate the heat, there's still no airflow. At least, I'll follow what we do at work. While bolting black boxes to panels for satellites, silicone is used to make a "full" contact connection. This allows the greatest heat dissipation into the base material. I'll also look into mounting it where's there's some airflow. Mike | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Shawn rocks. Pic from the good 'ol days. Got a great one of me and Walt Sipp iin front of his XBRR but I can't find it. Damn.  | ||
| 1_mike |
Interesting find... Removed the original regulator, it does have a grease on it to help metal to metal contact. The interesting part, it left a witness mark, which showed that there was only about 1/4 of the regulators surface actually touching the subframe mounting plate. This "isn't" a good thing for heat transfer. So, with file in hand, I made sure the new regulator is flat and smooth, actually the ears are a little high to force more metal onto the subframe. Also touched the subframe plate with the file to do the same flatness check. A coat of fresh silicone filled all of any possible air pockets for an air gap free installment. I also bent the piece of plastic right next to the regulator that seals the under seat area, for maybe a "little" airflow. I may open a hole in the seat back for more air. This is too expensive to have happen again without a little effort to keep it from happening again. Mike | ||
| Ducbsa |
I assume you mean this sort of product http://www.homedepot.com/p/Super-Lube-3-oz-Tube-He at-Sink-Compound-98003/202932736?cm_mmc=Shopping%7 cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D25T-Garage-Automotive%7 c&gclid=CjwKEAjww_a8BRDB-O-OqZb_vRASJAA9yrc5J3a576 AFioR7FH8WMt_RzVNz2BRVXA5OY3doTJy4VxoCXajw_wcB&gcl src=aw.ds not ordinary silicon seal? | ||
| 1_mike |
Two more (new) things... 1. The regulator has the word..."DUCATI" cast into one of the housing edges..! 2. I seem to have another problem. Last night I noticed the fans didn't come on while idling in the garage. The fuse was blown..! I bought some fuses this morning, and a new one popped after about 15 seconds of running. Now...I have a hunt and destroy mission on my hands. Crap... I've been beating up my little XB with 80+ mph runs to work in the morning and having to deal with 95+ degree afternoons splitting lanes in traffic. Looks like it'll be running for a little longer... Mike | ||
| 1313 |
The regulator has the word..."DUCATI" cast into one of the housing edges..! Just like the 1125 days... And as an FYI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ducati-energia-s. p.a. I'll leave #2 for you, 1313 | ||
| 1_mike |
What it rains it pours... Jeeze, how lucky can a guy get...two (three!) things go bad at the same time. Lucky...no wiring damaged, that I can see without taking the airbox out. The left side fan seized. Runs on a 10amp fuse (15 stock) now..! Mike | ||
| Ebrfan |
So, the fan probably seized due to over-voltage from the overcharged battery (before it melted down). On the good side, there are plenty of fan motors from smashed bikes that can be put in there. I'm sure there is s member on here with one or two. | ||
| 1_mike |
Long story, but luckily I have a fan ready to go. Just got back from a short trip...all seems well...except the front indicators are both out..! Over voltage..!? I don't think the fan would have the symptoms it does with an over voltage. The fan blade isn't moving without a fair amount of force. Over voltage would just burn the winding's. Gonna take it apart to see what it looks like inside. Mike | ||
| 1_mike |
Finally took the bad fan motor apart. Looks like the plastic inside the motor got hot enough to melt and got a piece melted off and got stuck between the armature and the magnets and held the armature from spinning properly. Overheated even worse and shorted the windings so that only half of the armature segments have proper conductivity for rotation. There's a lot of plastic inside those little motors. Mike |
