LiFePO4 (Li-Ion) Battery vs Lead/Acid

Pug · 11 Mar 2013 at 21:31

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...

Pug · 11 Mar 2013 at 22:46

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 · 11 Mar 2013 at 23:43

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.

Pug · 12 Mar 2013 at 00:21

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)

Pug · 14 Mar 2013 at 00:15

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

Pug · 14 Mar 2013 at 12:35

will do

read about that, apparently it isn't essential. but will prolong the batteries life so probably worth it...

Pug · 16 Mar 2013 at 15:57

Well its turned up and is tiny (and light). Shockingly small!

Hopefully get it installed tomorrow! It arrived with 13v in it

Pug · 4 Jun 2013 at 11:32

haha sorry guys, i forgot i had this in here.

I'd have to research where i bought it from, but my experiences thus far are positive.

In my bike CBR1000 RR 08 the OEM battery (Yuasa YTZ7S) is much the same size, and so there were no space savings, but weight was reduced.

It was actually a pain to fit as the battery posts were opposite (neg & pos on different sides) so orienting it actually made it a tighter fit (real tight, but overcome with a bit of cable management - maybe the extension kits you can buy would be a good solution).

As for performance, it's been flawless. The Blade cranks over with a bit more urgency now (though they are notoriously soft starters anyway) and as i haven't got a suitable charger i installed it with the charge it arrived with (which was 13.something volts; well high enough).

Since then i have probably used it 3-4 times, and it's started first time every time (but a lead one would have too i guess). The real test will be over winter, when it's left for 6 months. I always make a point of turning the ignition on (and so the lights) for a few seconds whilst i manouver it prior to starting as these batteries "warm-up" with current flowing.

Overall i'm very happy - it has done everything a Pb one would do, and will hopefully last a lot longer. If i leave it for 6 months, and it doesn't start first time i'll be disappointed, but otherwise trouble-free motoring!

And nor battery-inspired fires (yet!)

EDIT: Found my invoice:
http://www.thefnt.co.uk/online-shop...component-batteries/ballistic-8-cell-battery/

They're are a watercraft shop, and use these in systems where there is no alternator (total-loss) apparently they are a lot more resilient, and go through more cycles before being drained. Also, i read, that track-day weight savers are using them and removing the recharging circuits from their bikes to save even more weight - typically lasting the days event before needing any attention.