LiFePO4 (Li-Ion) Battery vs Lead/Acid

Pug

Pug

Pug

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Buying a new battery for my 09 Blade and i've never been impressed with the OEM Yuasa Battery in it, Cold Cranking Amps of 130, 12v 6Ah, and it's always been weak starting.

So i've been thinking of replacing for one of the new Lithium batteries. Apparently they last a lot longer between charges/uses, have a CCA of 210 and to top it all off are smaller and weigh 2lbs versus the Yuasa at 4.6lbs...

Only snag is one is £60, the other £135.

Any obvious negatives (or experiences in general) to the Lithium Batteries, because i'm close to pressing the button...
 
All the advantages you mention are true. But lithium batteries do need to be charged very carefully. The stock method of charging on most bikes, including your Blade, is not designed to charge a Lithium battery. If you were to use an "Optimate" or a similar charger to keep the battery at it's optimal state while the bike is parked in your garage, it will be fine. But don't expect the battery to last very long if you don't. Also if it's not kept charged correctly, there is a very serious risk of the battery catching fire.
So my advice is, if you do go down the Lithium route, factor in the cost of an "optimate" or similar.
 
I have a ctek Battery tender, but I was under the belief they were a straight swap out, and actually had a lower burden on the bikes recharging mechanism?
 
Pug said:
I have a ctek Battery tender, but I was under the belief they were a straight swap out, and actually had a lower burden on the bikes recharging mechanism?
Click to expand...

So was i until i had a long conversation with an engineer that works for Makita tools (there drills use Lithium batteries). It's not the burden on the charging system that's the problem. Lithium batteries have to go through a "maintenance" stage during there charging cycle. A bikes charging system simply does not have this facility, so during normal running it will never be charged as it was designed to be. The downside of not being charged properly is shorter battery life and a very real danger of fire.
 
Hhhm, that's shot my plans then! The fire isn't really a concern as the LiFePO4's are plenty safe, more so than lead/acid I believe? But the charging whilst running is a concern.
 
It has a gel as oem but its always been so weak starting from new i thought extra cca's may help (could just be a naff starter tho)
 
People should not confuse "Lithium Ion" batteries as used in laptops, phones, RC models etc,. with Lithium Iron batteries which the OP is talking about. Lithium Ion cells have extremely demanding charging requirements and are prone to bursting into fire if overcharged. This makes them completely and utterly unsuitable for use in cars and bikes as a direct replacement for a lead acid starter battery.

Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are much tougher and safer. They have been used on competition bikes for a couple of years now and the technology is now available for road bikes, though no manufacturer uses them as standard yet which is probably more down to the cost than the reliability. They do have some charging constraints though, the terminal voltage shouldn't ever get above 15v (idealy no more than 14.6v) which means a duff reg/rect or using a dumb battery charger without voltage cut off could easily kill it.
 
Lithium Ion and Iron are completely different as mentioned above. They are more versatile and safer than Ion batteries.

I was going to switch to a Lithium Iron battery but all the research showed that they didn't perform well in the cold withput a kick up the backside.

In cold weather they need something a good current draw to get them going. On most bikes just hitting the starter will wake them up, then you can start the bike normally.

On bikes that sprag issues e.g. 90s Triumphs, or the Rotax 990 engines, this method of starting isn't going to do you any favours.

Guys who tested the batteries on the Aprillia forums, found that in cold weather they needed to turn their headlights on for a minute or two to wake the batteries up before starting the bike.

Once I change bike I'll give them a go again.
 
Cheers guys thought I was going mad!

I ordered an 8-cell Ballistic LiFePO4 cca 275 battery, in a 770g package. When it comes I'll test it out, £125 for the battery.

I also read they need to heat up, and so lights or something for a few seconds is ok, at which point it should never need a charge again (til it dies).

My Blades lights come on auto anyway,, so I don't see it as an issue.

http://www.ballisticparts.com/products/batteries/8cell.php
 
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will do

read about that, apparently it isn't essential. but will prolong the batteries life so probably worth it...
 
Well its turned up and is tiny (and light). Shockingly small!

Hopefully get it installed tomorrow! It arrived with 13v in it
 
Be in intrigued with how you get on with it :).

Currently use a lightweight Odyssey AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) in the race car, but a lithium from Ballistic Performance Components/SHORAI/Braille could save even more weight...
 
aznyone tried/heard anything about earthx lifepo4 batteries?

http://earthxmotorsports.com/

seem around the same price as the ballistic performance 8 cell but says it has all the battery management circuitry inside the case sop it does it's own balancing/overcharge protection as it's charged by the bike.

so no need for a balance charge every time you park it up in the garage.


too good to be true or any good you think? :p
 
Pug said:
Cheers guys thought I was going mad!

I ordered an 8-cell Ballistic LiFePO4 cca 275 battery, in a 770g package. When it comes I'll test it out, £125 for the battery.

I also read they need to heat up, and so lights or something for a few seconds is ok, at which point it should never need a charge again (til it dies).

My Blades lights come on auto anyway,, so I don't see it as an issue.

http://www.ballisticparts.com/products/batteries/8cell.php
Click to expand...

where did you buy it from?
 
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