Triumphrat

calal

I'd like to use a lithium/iron battery in the Daytona to lose some more weight (not me, the bike), but somewhere I saw a post referring to some issue with the Boyer ignition and these batteries. Can't find it again - anyone heard of this problem?
Thanks

Snakeoil

I cannot answer your question about the Lithium battery/Boyer iggy interaction, but I do understand that charging Lithium batteries is not fully figured out yet. I've heard stories about severe overheating and fires, but they could be exaggerations or urban legend.

I'd be wondering how the Lithium battery would react to the charging system on these bikes. It might not like it at all.

Just another thought to ponder.

regards,
Rob

Old Cafe Racer

Sorry Rob but your way out of date on the Lithium battery tech.

Since the Lipo4 generation arrived all the problems have disapeared (except one which I'll discuss last)
The rising heat characteristic of the early ones is long gone so the "burst into flames" of model aeroplane and computer batteries is well and truly ancient history now.

I've been using a Shorai Lipo4 Lithium on my Ducati 748 for quite a while now with no disadvantages at all.
The advantages are that they hold charge for 6 months+ easily so don't need trickle charging, sit at a static 13.2v+ so starting is easier and if discharged can usually be brought up very quickly (I used a standard 10 amp charger when my voltage regulator failed on a run and the battery eventually went down and it started the bike within 7 minutes)
Also this battery is a full 10lbs lighter than the lead acid boat anchor it replaced and about half the size.
No acid is a good thing too and the bike starts first pop every time effortlessly.
I run 7AH 4 cell Ballistic LiPo4's on the Cagiva Mito and the Daytona, they are smaller than a lantern battery and weigh 426 grams.
The Daytona one sat in the box for 3 months before installation on the first dry build, worked all the electrics for extensive testing for a further 3 months, sat at the local bike show with the parklights on for 4 hours and still had charge left so I am impressed.
Both bikes start very easy (the Daytona has TriSpark ignition) and they accept charge from standard alternators perfectly.
I'm using a 3 pase hi-output alternator and regulator from Tri-Spark on the Daytona and it all works in perfect harmony with the battery.

The only disadvantage (which I don't and won't experience where I live) is that they don't work well initially when really cold.
I'm told the cure is to turn the headlight on whilst gearing up which warms the LiPo's internally and brings the voltage up to the normal level.
Personally I love the acid free light weight, easy starts and no maintanance aspects of them even though they are more expensive than the lead acid ones.
As they become more mainstream the price will naturally drop but since my bikes are for fun and not daily beaters I can justify the extra expense.

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Morris the Cat

Shorai (lithium/ion) is the latest buzzworthy entrant getting alot of note.

OCR's post shows a 'Ballistic' type, notable for the cylindrical cells.

Out of curiosity, just went on the Shorai site and plugged in the info for my bike.
The recommended battery, LFX09L2-BS12, had the terminals wrong for my positive ground setup.
Made an inquiry, and the shop manager replied with A2, rather than L2, for terminal orientation.

Currently (!) am on the fifth season with an AGM type battery, but can't help wonder how long it will last.
Here is a link that may be of interest:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...8fFM9rWsAbdQ1w

__________________

Morris of Main Street

Snakeoil

OCR and Morris,

I'm quite elated to hear how wrong and out of date I was on Li batteries. I stand corrected and edumacated all at the same time.

This info could not come at a better time. I am fortunate enough to have recently added a 1939 Indian Four to my herd.The battery, which is a SLA disguised inside a box that emulates the original Indian 6 volt battery is dead and I was just about to order a new one. Guess I'll be rethinking that, provided I can get LiPo in 6 volts. Will probably do the same for my Knuck when I get it back together.

Guess I'll be snooping around the Shorai site while flopped in the LazyBoy.

Thanks boys and my apologies to Calal for providing out of date information.

regards,
Rob

Morris the Cat

You are a lucky man for sure!

Came up Ace's!

__________________

Morris of Main Street

Morris the Cat

Here's a link that may be of interest,
notice that lithium will burn on contact with water:

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/h...brids-on-fire/

__________________

Morris of Main Street

Snakeoil

Did a little web research on these batteries tonight. Here's a website with a review and readers comments that you might find helpful if you are considering one of these.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-battery.htm

regards,
Rob

calal

That's ok Rob - just be careful not to slosh that beer onto your laptop while you're riding the lazyboy or you might be shopping for a computer battery as well.
Alan

calal

I'm using a Shorai in my GB500 Honda - only had it for a few months so it's too soon to say much. Doesn't crank any faster than the old lead/acid battery. What Shorai offers is a variety of standard size cases to fit into original stock battery trays/boxes and use stock hold downs, etc. The weight savings is impressive - six pounds on the GB - feels like an empty battery case!

More on these batteries:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium...sphate_battery

and others:

http://www.gabma.us/page2.htm

Thanks all
Alan