New Lightweight Batteries

[moto]

Shorai Lithium Iron LiFePO4 Battery LFX09L2-BS12 $109

for 2 and 3-cylinder engines up to 600cc or 750cc 4-cylinder with original compression and stock stators.

Voltage (V):12
A/Hr PbEq:9
Cranking CCA (A):135
Weight (lbs.):1.23
Max Charge (A): 9


Shorai Lithium Iron LiFePO4 Battery LFX14A1-BS12 $153

Stock engines 600 cc twins to 1000cc with stock stators and compression as well as Triumph 675. Also recommended for modified engines under 750cc as well.

Voltage (V):12
A/Hr PbEq:14
Cranking CCA (A):210
Weight (lbs.):1.83
Max Charge (A):14



Shorai Lithium Iron LiFePO4 Battery LFX18L1-BS12 $186

For engines greater than 1100cc with stock stators or difficult to start highly modified 2 cylinder engines larger than 800cc or highly modified 1000cc or larger 4 cylinder engines.

Voltage (V):12
A/Hr PbEq:18
Cranking CCA (A):270
Weight (lbs.):2.12
Max Charge (A):18


Shorai exclusive eXtreme-rate LFX lithium technology
Industry-leading two year warranty!


· No more dead batteries. Holds charge for one year without maintenance
· Ultra-light. One fifth the weight of lead-acid batteries on average
· Twice to four times the service life of lead-acid batteries
· Drop-in replacement for your OEM battery
· Military spec Carbon Fiber Composite Case
· Faster cranking for better starts
· Super-fast recharge rate
· SAFE - No explosive gasses during charge, no lead, no acid
· Environmentally friendly, just discharge and dispose
· Japanese engineering and components

[wcorey]

They sound great, on paper anyway. If this is for real I'll be buying one come spring, about the same price as the two ytz7's I've been using to crank over my high comp 996.

Do you have dimensions? According to the website they're all 9" cubes, lol.

Do cold temps have a significant effect on cranking amps? Any special charging issues/procedures?

"Twice to four times the service life of lead-acid batteries"

What does this mean in real time? 2 years? 10 years?

I assume the carbon composite case will contain the explosion that occurs when a regulator goes bad?

[moto]

Frequently Asked Questions

[wcorey]

Ok thanks, the FAQ answered most of my ?'s.
I've been following the other (more active) battery thread also, guess I should move my inquiries over to there. Nothing mentioned anywhere as to whether this technology is more/less sensitive to cold temps than the problematic A123 based stuff as to CCA performance though...

There are some confusing discrepancies you may want to fix on your web site.

On the Shorai web site for the LFX18L1-BS12...

A/Hr PbEq: 18

Cranking CCA (A): 270

Weight (lbs.): 2.12

Max Charge (A): 18


On your site the specifications on the 'description' tab give the LFX18L1-BS12 the same capacities as the LFX14L1-BS12...

A/Hr PbEq:14

Cranking CCA (A):210

Weight (lbs.):1.83

Max Charge (A):14


Also if you click the 'specifications' tab it shows;

Mfg. Part No.: LFX18L1-BS12
Dimensions: 9.0 in. x 9.0 in. x 9.0 in.

[jdgun_13]

So are you currently using these in any of your bikes?

I am interested in one for my 1098, how long will this price be good for?
Can you ship USPS to an APO AE?

[moto]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll fix the entries.

Here is what the MFG sent me as far as cold starts:

— from a new Shorai dealer, stress testing the LFX batteries —

I got the LFX09 battery yesterday and put it thru its paces…WOW is all I can say. I froze the battery, and repeated starts…zero issues except when frozen solid; cranked and it was sluggish,so I left the key on for 15 seconds and hit it again and she spun right up, that was with the battery at -5 degrees F!
And that was on a 12.5:1 1109 Kawasaki ZRX1100 with 20/50 oil and your LFX09 135 CCA battery, rather than the recommended LFX14! So I’m sure the LFX14 is going to be an awesome performer over the long haul for this bike size, even at very low temps.Pete Aronson

[MotoRefugee]

Originally Posted by wcorey

They sound great, on paper anyway. If this is for real I'll be buying one come spring, about the same price as the two ytz7's I've been using to crank over my high comp 996.

Do you have dimensions? According to the website they're all 9" cubes, lol.

Do cold temps have a significant effect on cranking amps? Any special charging issues/procedures?

"Twice to four times the service life of lead-acid batteries"

What does this mean in real time? 2 years? 10 years?

I assume the carbon composite case will contain the explosion that occurs when a regulator goes bad?

On paper the YTZ7S has 130 cca and actually about 20% less in the real world. The stock YB16AL-2 has about 200 cca. We recommend the LFX18L1-BS12 w/ 270 cca, especially if you have ho comp pistons.

Cold temperatures affect all batteries. As temp goes down, resistance goes up. The are no special charging procedures with regard to cold conditions, but if the battery does not crank or cranks slowly, place a small load on the battery by turning on the lights for a few seconds. It should warm the battery enough unless the battery is discharged.

High temperatures reduce the life of any battery. So if the battery is subjected high temps from any source, whether it is from ambient air, or radiant heat from an engine or exhaust, the life will be less than a battery that is not subjected to as much heat.

There is no hard number for battery life span as temperatures and service conditions vary. If under "moderate" conditions a lead acid battery lasts 2-1/2 to 3 years, a Shorai battery may last 5 to 6 years. YMMV.

The sealed carbon composite case (not carbon fiber as originally described in error) is ABS plastic with a small amount ( just a small amount as carbon is conductive) of carbon fill, derived from a Shorai MIL-Spec product. Unlike lead acid batteries, LiFePo4 batteries will not explode as there is no hydrogen gas released from the cells. If overcharged they will generate heat but will not explode like a lead acid battery. If you are concerned about your VRR overcharging, measure the output. It should be is no more than about 14-14.5v.

[MotoRefugee]

Originally Posted by jdgun_13

So are you currently using these in any of your bikes?

I am interested in one for my 1098, how long will this price be good for?
Can you ship USPS to an APO AE?

These prices are current through the end of the year. Yes, we can ship USPS to an APO AE.

[wcorey]

Thanks for the additional details. If it really performs as stated then it's the one I've been waiting on for the last ten years. And if it really lasts twice as long it's effectively about the same price as a stock type lead acid.

Anyone remember Boulder Technologies 'Secure Start'? Was sold as an automotive jump starter that you could easily remove the battery pack from. Thin metal film spiral wound lead acid cells, pack was about the size of a VHS tape and would crank over a big block V8. They worked great for the month or two they worked, used to carry a spare one in my tank bag in preparation for the inevitable demise of the one in the bike. After returning 3 or 4 of 'em it left a bad impression on me for lightweight batts for a long time...

[moto]

Originally Posted by wcorey

Anyone remember Boulder Technologies 'Secure Start'? Was sold as an automotive jump starter that you could easily remove the battery pack from. Thin metal film spiral wound lead acid cells, pack was about the size of a VHS tape and would crank over a big block V8. They worked great for the month or two they worked, used to carry a spare one in my tank bag in preparation for the inevitable demise of the one in the bike. After returning 3 or 4 of 'em it left a bad impression on me for lightweight batts for a long time...

I remember experimenting with those batteries about ten years ago. We have come a long way in battery technology since then.

I've used the YTZ7S, Odyessy310, Speedcells and some of the copycat A123 batteries.

I think the Shorai is just the next evolution of these compact lightweight batteries. I'm sure it is not the final answer but I think they are on the right track.

-M