Replacement Drop-In LiFeP04 Batteries

[Riderjeff]

Have you seen these (Shorai SFX...):
Motowheels - Quality Motorcyle Parts and Products

I've been tempted to try the A123 route but my stock battery has lasted since new (07/06). These new batteries from Motowheels seem to have it all: low weight + high CCA + drop-in ease. And not too much $$ for all that...

Anybody else tried one or know anything else about them?

(fwiw I have no affiliation with Motowheels...)

[JCPakBikes]

If weight is a issue then this type of aftermarket batteries will do well
But
I have had the stock Yuasa in for over 4 years and it has been performing just fine. I have always plugged the bike in to a Battery tender.
Infact recently i put a fresh Yuasa in just to be on the safe side. Replacing a battery at 4 or 5 years is prudent. The old battery is now a utility battery and I keep that on a charger as well.

I believe the A123 type does not need or should not be put on a trickle charger.
Anyway
The prices are good and I saw this Shorai at the IMS last week.
Very light and even comes with padding shims. Pretty cool.
These are so new I doubt anyone has had it for more them 6 months at this point.
I'd give it a try if I needed to replace a battery soon.

JC

Originally Posted by Riderjeff

Have you seen these (Shorai SFX...):
Motowheels - Quality Motorcyle Parts and Products

I've been tempted to try the A123 route but my stock battery has lasted since new (07/06). These new batteries from Motowheels seem to have it all: low weight + high CCA + drop-in ease. And not too much $$ for all that...

Anybody else tried one or know anything else about them?

(fwiw I have no affiliation with Motowheels...)

[magista]

Seeing as my battery maybe toast I might have to pick one of these up...only if it will fit under the seat.

[ducSculptor]

Originally Posted by JCPakBikes

These are so new I doubt anyone has had it for more them 6 months at this point.

I'm not sure about this particular pack, but LiFePo cells do work. I'm over a year with my A123 pack (assembled myself) and it works great. It's started every time and I've had no issues with it.

[moto]

Originally Posted by Riderjeff

Have you seen these (Shorai SFX...):
Motowheels - Quality Motorcyle Parts and Products

I've been tempted to try the A123 route but my stock battery has lasted since new (07/06). These new batteries from Motowheels seem to have it all: low weight + high CCA + drop-in ease. And not too much $$ for all that...

Anybody else tried one or know anything else about them?

(fwiw I have no affiliation with Motowheels...)

The Shorai batteries don't use the A123 cylindrical cells like allthe other LiFePo batteries on the market. They are the first to use the prismatic LiFePo cells which are supposed to be lighter, more amp hours and more durable. We are testing it on our own bikes so we have first hand experience--but the company has been using these batteries in aviation and submarine applications for 9 years - so they have been subject to some extreme testing already.

We've been using light weight batteries in all of our project bikes in the last 12 years. We've used the Yuasa YTZ7S, Odyessy PC310, Speedcell and many of the A123 copy cats. We've had the most success so far with the Speedcell batteries but I think Shorai has addressed many of the weaknesses of the A123 type battery with their new design.

-M

[Riderjeff]

Originally Posted by magista

Seeing as my battery maybe toast I might have to pick one of these up...only if it will fit under the seat.

Check the specific dimensions in the individual product descriptions. They'e about 2" deep and appx. 5.5" wide. That'd be cool if they'll fit onto a seat pan! If you're going to measure, please post?

[dmartland]

Has anyone who has put the speed cell in and relcted the rectifier under the seat had any problems with the rectifier getting wet and shorting? Also anything specific problems with the speedcell betteries? How long do they last?

[magista]

Originally Posted by Riderjeff

Check the specific dimensions in the individual product descriptions. They'e about 2" deep and appx. 5.5" wide. That'd be cool if they'll fit onto a seat pan! If you're going to measure, please post?

5.86" x 2.60" x 4.13"

I'll measure tomorrow and post the results. It'd be great if it fit in the pan.

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Originally Posted by dmartland

Has anyone ... relocated the rectifier under the seat had any problems with the rectifier getting wet and shorting?...

The R/R is a sealed unit, generally encapsulated in epoxy. Under the seat is fine. It won't short out.

[dmartland]

Thanks, when I was having all my problems with mine last spring I asked the dealer about relocating it and they said they would not do that because of shorting. But I have wanted to relocate it and put the speedcell in. Dose the speedcell go on a tender or just need to be replaced in the spring? How does that work?