Lithium-Iron Phosphate Battery?

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Jan 1, 2012
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I've searched this side of the forum a couple of times now and have not seen any recommendations either for or against Lithium-Iron Phosphate batteries like the ones Shorai offers. Just wondering if there is a reason. I've seen enough posts about stock batteries discharging sooner than expected. Maybe s system like this could help?

Peter
 
I show cars as well as bikes. It seems all newer vehicles with ECUs, alarms etc., loose their charge in 3 or 4 weeks even with a new battery. I have some older vehicles that will go all winter and still start.

I have never tried a Lithium battery so I can't answer your question. I have heard some good things about them on the MV Agusta forum!
 
Peter, I assume you're talking about searching the 961 side of the forum, right? There's been lots of chat about the Shorai's on the original Commando part of the forum.

Ken
 
lcrken said:
Peter, I assume you're talking about searching the 961 side of the forum, right? There's been lots of chat about the Shorai's on the original Commando part of the forum.

Correct, Ken. I know there's been a lot of discussion about these batteries on the the classic Commando side. I actually went out and purchased one for my Mk3, but have since changed my mind about installing it. Mainly because i don't have the time to mess around with changing the stator on that bike. But the 961 already has a 3-phase high-output stator so it shouldn't be an issue. I just surprised no one has started a thread on the subject already.

Peter
 
The 961 has a modern 300 watt charging system which should be more than capable of charging these Lithium Ion batteries and keeping them at peek operation. There are threads on the Triumph Rat site with many Hinckley Bonneville owners who are successfully using these batteries. There are a few users who have had mixed results. New EFI/Bonnevilles seem to tax their batteries more than the older carbed Bonnies, and some have had the L-I units die prematurely. I have also heard of the batteries overheating and melting the plastic battery box. However, I would think that this has more to do with individual quality control than the fundamental design.
 
I have a Shoria in my 961 and have had no problems so far. I also bought the Shoria charger for its "storage" feature. In the mountains of Utah, the bike needs to hibernate for a good while. The battery is very light and I thought it would help the weight distribution what with the battery mounted so high. It's way to soon to draw any conclusions about longevity. The battery is the LFX18A1-BS12. Mark.
 
Britjunkie said:
The battery is very light and I thought it would help the weight distribution what with the battery mounted so high. It's way to soon to draw any conclusions about longevity. The battery is the LFX18A1-BS12.

Mark.

Now that's the kind of information I was hoping to find. Thanks much, Mark! :)
 
Britjunkie said:
I have a Shoria in my 961 and have had no problems so far. I also bought the Shoria charger for its "storage" feature. In the mountains of Utah, the bike needs to hibernate for a good while. The battery is very light and I thought it would help the weight distribution what with the battery mounted so high. It's way to soon to draw any conclusions about longevity. The battery is the LFX18A1-BS12. Mark.

Exactly how long is so far? :(
 
WE had a power failure a while back at the house and for some reason my chargers for a lead acid battery in a dirt bike, and the Shorai charger for the battery in the 961 did not come back on when the power was restored. I didn't notice because the bikes are stored on a lift with my car under them during the winter. Well I went to start the 961 and the battery was dead flat. Wouldn't even turn on a light bulb. The Shorai charger was cycled and came on and I left it on overnight. The good news is it came back from the dead as good as new. I'm thinking these Shorai batteries may be worth the price!
 
Yes, that' is how it has been "billed" as better than typical AGM batteries. relatively no memory effect.

I managed to sell the Shorai model I had purchased for my Mk3. I quickly applied the proceeds toward the Shorai model fitting the 961. Of course, I won't be able to test it out until sometime in May. But I am confident it will be an improvement over the stock battery. :D
 
contours said:
Yes, that' is how it has been "billed" as better than typical AGM batteries. relatively no memory effect.

I managed to sell the Shorai model I had purchased for my Mk3. I quickly applied the proceeds toward the Shorai model fitting the 961. Of course, I won't be able to test it out until sometime in May. But I am confident it will be an improvement over the stock battery. :D

I'm curious -- did you have problems with the Shorai in your Mk3? I did. The charging system didn't seem to fully charge it, so I went back to the traditional type and all is good again.
 
The guys on the MV Augusta site love the lithiums. Apparently their stock battery is marginal and the Shorai and others are popular replacements!
 
DBono said:
I'm curious -- did you have problems with the Shorai in your Mk3? I did. The charging system didn't seem to fully charge it, so I went back to the traditional type and all is good again.

I'm glad you got it all sorted out.

I bought everything I needed to install the Shorai, but got way behind on my list of other things to do. (She's been sitting in my shed since July all pulled apart). So I gave up the idea and sold the battery before it sat in its box any longer. I've read conflicting reports about how well it works for the Mk3. My hands are full as it is without having to worry about installing a new 200W stator. :oops:

Peter
 
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