Lithium Ion Batteries A Review

[singhg5]

Lithium batteries are now being advertised for motorcycles with advantages of light weight and good cranking power. Read this review of such batteries made by different companies, in Motorcyclist magazine.

Has any one tried them on RE or any other bike ?

 

[singhg5]

Page 2 of Review

[The Garbone]

I guess it depends on the chemistry.   I know that if they are cycled fairly deep the tend to pull a lot more amps than a lead acid battery.  I imagine if they have some type of regulator built in this might be a big issue.

[Arizoni]

After almost ruining my eyes trying to read the reports I noticed that all of these batteries ended up being rated at 3.7 Amp/Hr.
With the Royal Enfield UCE's 14 Amp/Hr battery rating requirement I wonder if these batteries would be suitable and would match the charging system?

I noticed they were conducting a 100 amp discharge test so I'm assuming the tests involved actually starting some real motorcycles?
I mean, they could have subjected the batteries to a 1 second or so Zap and said, "OK, there's another one!".

On the other hand for an Iron Barrel, AVL or UCE that is kick started I'm sure their batteries would have enough power to activate the ignition and headlight but at $160 + I'm not sure they are worth it.

[REpozer]

I'm on my 4th year with stock battery. I use a battery tender.
Lead acid is working fine for me.

[jartist]

I think the main advantage would be size and weight on a cafe racer. Hide it in the hump behind the seat and remove starter gear for less weight. Ace fireball the engine and vavrooooooooom!

[singhg5]

After almost ruining my eyes trying to read the reports

Place the cursor on the picture - RIGHT click the mouse and open the page in New Tab.
THEN place cursor on the text (in new tab). The cursor will become +, LEFT click and the whole page will expand further.

Letters will be the size shown in this sentence. 

If you still want to enlarge it further, at the bottom of the computer screen usually there is a 100% size on the bar, that can be expanded to 200 or 300 or even 400%.  The letter become HUGE as shown here.

No need to ruin your eyesight !

[Arizoni]

Well Schazzam! (Shades of Goober on The Andy Griffith Show). Thanks for the sizing instructions Singhg5.

[jmiller_2308]

So how would these batteries survive on the bikes charging system?  The second page indicates you want to charge the battery using a special charger and that makes me wonder what would happen under the normal charging system.

It also seems like this is apples and oranges.  The lithium are all less than 4 ah while the Yuasa is 10 ah.

Jeff

[singhg5]

So how would these batteries survive on the bikes charging system?  The second page indicates you want to charge the battery using a special charger and that makes me wonder what would happen under the normal charging system.

It also seems like this is apples and oranges.  The lithium are all less than 4 ah while the Yuasa is 10 ah.

Yuasa YTX12BS is rated at 10AmpH by manufacturer. BUT according to the reviewer the ACTUAL value was only 4.2 which is close to 3.8 AmpH of Braille Lithium battery.  May be something about the way the batteries were tested. 

On a similar note, Shorai Lithium battery for RE is LFX14L5-BS12  (They have it on their website -  http://www.shoraipower.com/s-327931-Electric-Start-500cc.aspx ). Its spec mention 14 AmpH lead equivalent .  The comparable Yuasa YTX14AHL-BS is rated at 12 AmpH. 

I guess if SAME test is done by same method, both lithium or lead batteries show comparable ampHs, with very slight advantage for lead battery.

The other question, if the charging system of motorcycles or RE is compatible with lithium battery ?  That requires some digging and trial. It depends how good the regulator is in maintaing a narrow range of proper voltage / amp.

[barenekd]

The article says they shouldn't be charged at over 13.7 volts. Most automotive charging systems run at about 14.5V. You can check the Enfield and see if it stays under 13.7. I will probably do it to mine in the next couple of days as I have a bit of electrical work to do. The 4th in the middle of the week is screwing up my RE scheduling!
Bare

[singhg5]

The article says they shouldn't be charged at over 13.7 volts. Most automotive charging systems run at about 14.5V. You can check the Enfield and see if it stays under 13.7.

You are right about charging systems running about 14.5 volts.

My G5 battery voltage had jumped to about 14.3 volts at higher rpms and stayed close to 13 volts at idle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6GnwkCXPi4

[Arizoni]

The little multiple LED voltage indicator I installed on my G5 says the idling voltage is at 12 with the headlight on, 13 with it off.
At idle with the headlight on, the turn signals knocks the voltage down below 12.
Riding at 40-50 mph in 5th gear gives 14 volts with the headlight on and winks of 15 volts with the headlight off.

A link to the voltage indicator
http://nfieldgear.com/enfield-store/aftermarket-parts-accessories/electrical/led-battery-gauge.html

[singhg5]

The article says they shouldn't be charged at over 13.7 volts. Most automotive charging systems run at about 14.5V.

Bare SCARE by 1 Volt  ! That would made lithium batteries unusable in motorcycles.

The article says they shouldn't be charged at over 14.7 volts (not 13.7 volts).

Shorai Lithium battery literature also states that they have the same charge requirements as AGM lead-acid batteries. They are direct replacement of OEM or AGM lead-acid batteries for motorcycles. 

I will try Shorai Lithium battery LFX14L5-BS12 next time after my Yuasa battery runs out of steam.

[barenekd]

Oops, my bad! 14.7 it is. Sorry about that.
Bare