Racing Batteries Lithium alternative?

[LondonDutch]

I've had little success trying to replace the OEM Ducati battery (YT12B BS) on my Sport Classic 1000 with 3 small RB12 lithium units wired in series from Racing Batteries and will now try a single unit, the RB400.

The 3 smaller units just made the starter click, and received wisdom was that the ECU needs more amps to wake up than my setup was providing, while my three cell stack may have been wired together with some resistance in the connectors, so I'm being told the RB400 will work.

Just for the record, Calum at Racing batteries has been extremely helpful, and keeps sending me batteries FOC. Assuming this works in the end, I'd rate them highly.

Has anyone had any experiences that may help me with my upgrade?

Thanks

[davy.j]

Just get a Shorai.
.

[protokultur]

Originally Posted by LondonDutch

I've had little success trying to replace the OEM Ducati battery (YT12B BS) on my Sport Classic 1000 with 3 small RB12 lithium units wired in series

Why did you do that? Did you mean in parallel? Because you'd be cranking at the amperage of the small battery in series.

[TheX]

You need 4 cells (or 8, 12) for a 12vdc system.

[pcguru2k]

Have a friend with who went through 2 Shorai batteries on his 1198 and they have caused him nothing but problems. First one shorted out. And the 2nd one will give a 14v one min and then the next it will be 0v. And then when you put a tender on it to charge it will go back up to 13+v in a min of charging. Definitely something off with it. I've been using a Ballistic on my 1198 and it works wonders. Just don't use it in below 40 degree weather or you'll have a hard time cranking the bike.

Originally Posted by davy-j

Just get a Shorai.
.

[davy.j]

No problems here, the Shorai just keeps keeping on, good as gold.

.

[Desmo Soundtrack]

It clearly says in the Shorai instructions that you cannot use a tender or trickle charger on them

Originally Posted by pcguru2k

Have a friend with who went through 2 Shorai batteries on his 1198 and they have caused him nothing but problems. First one shorted out. And the 2nd one will give a 14v one min and then the next it will be 0v. And then when you put a tender on it to charge it will go back up to 13+v in a min of charging. Definitely something off with it. I've been using a Ballistic on my 1198 and it works wonders. Just don't use it in below 40 degree weather or you'll have a hard time cranking the bike.

[DuckMan]

Originally Posted by Desmo Soundtrack

It clearly says in the Shorai instructions that you cannot use a tender or trickle charger on them

I was just reading the instruction that came with mine and I don't see that. That only outstanding warning I see is to not use a high voltage "anti-sulfation" type unit. It says that any standard lead-acid charger with peak charge outage of 14.4 volts or less my be used.

I checked my Battery Tender and it only puts out 13.4 volts while charging.

It does however say that it shouldn't be necessary to charge it even if it sets for up to a year.

[Desmo Soundtrack]

I'm going to verify next time I get up to my cousin's where the box is, but I'm fairly sure I'm not making this up.

Originally Posted by DuckMan

I was just reading the instruction that came with mine and I don't see that. That only outstanding warning I see is to not use a high voltage "anti-sulfation" type unit. It says that any standard lead-acid charger with peak charge outage of 14.4 volts or less my be used.

I checked my Battery Tender and it only puts out 13.4 volts while charging.

It does however say that it shouldn't be necessary to charge it even if it sets for up to a year.

[DuckMan]

Originally Posted by Desmo Soundtrack

I'm going to verify next time I get up to my cousin's where the box is, but I'm fairly sure I'm not making this up.

Well, your right. The box does state it differently that the included instruction sheet.