Ballistic Performance Batteries - new technology or old smoke/mirrors?

[rgbeard]

http://www.ballisticparts.com/products/batteries/batteries.php


If I am reading this correctly it looks like we have a viable replacement for the lead-acid battery at a fraction of the weight?

[veefer800canuck]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killacycle

[caddydaddy]

I have this version in my Sprint.  

http://www.shoraipower.com/

It's tiny, light and cranks like a son of a gun!  

[MadMax96]

I have this version in my Sprint.  

http://www.shoraipower.com/

It's tiny, light and cranks like a son of a gun!  

A guy I know is a distributor of these.  I'll probably pick one up next time I need a new battery.

https://mishacycles.com/store/Batteries/

[Kootenanny]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery

From that link, this quote:  "However, one key advantage over other lithium-ion batteries is the superior thermal and chemical stability, which provides better safety characteristics than lithium-ion batteries with other cathode materials.[6] Due to significantly stronger bonds between the oxygen atoms in the phosphate (compared to the cobalt), oxygen is not readily released, and as a result, lithium iron phosphate cells are virtually incombustible in the event of mishandling during charge or discharge, and can handle high temperatures without decomposing."

Good to know...in the mid 80s, I worked for a company that made experimental lithium/sulphur dioxide batteries, and lemme tell ya, when something goes wrong, they go off with a real bang! (enough to bend the 1/4" steel plate door on the cycling test cells, and the guy filling them had to work behind a Lexan shield and wear full protective gear).  The battery in many bikes (including mine) is under the seat...

[Andrew]

From that link, this quote:  "However, one key advantage over other lithium-ion batteries is the superior thermal and chemical stability, which provides better safety characteristics than lithium-ion batteries with other cathode materials.[6] Due to significantly stronger bonds between the oxygen atoms in the phosphate (compared to the cobalt), oxygen is not readily released, and as a result, lithium iron phosphate cells are virtually incombustible in the event of mishandling during charge or discharge, and can handle high temperatures without decomposing."

Good to know...in the mid 80s, I worked for a company that made experimental lithium/sulphur dioxide batteries, and lemme tell ya, when something goes wrong, they go off with a real bang! (enough to bend the 1/4" steel plate door on the cycling test cells, and the guy filling them had to work behind a Lexan shield and wear full protective gear).  The battery in many bikes (including mine) is under the seat...

WOW talk about a hot seat

Looks like batteries are going a long way from the led acid stuff of the past. The lithium-ion sure looks like a winner (size & weight compare to CCA)

[Tyrroneous]

I purchased a Shorai battery several months ago as the OEM battery size in the Daytona is not common and the battery has always been one of the weak links in the Daytona's charging system (why do I always pick bikes with poor charging systems?     ).  So several months on and no issues at all from the Li-Fe battery.  It cranks quicker than the gel cell the bike's PO had put in it too.  I was surprised at how small the battery is too...the thing looks like a toy!

[Jes_VFR]

I'm planning on replacing the batteries in the RC51 and the VFR with them, when the time comes.

Now of course that means, I just cursed myself and the two lead acid AGM batteries in both bikes will last forever.

Perhaps not, as the RC51's battery got a really deep deep discharge (left it key on for two weeks, with the spare key), and I have not had a chance to really test whether or not it recovered on the battery charger.

If it is bad, I'll be calling Shorai, to order up the battery that can best crank that beast over on a hot day and then use the extra space under the seat to mount another Hydroxy booster setup.

[turbo.mp]

I've rocked a MOTYDesign lightweight battery in my CBR for a few years now and love the thing.  Weight savings are huge and it's nice to be able to pop the battery out for the winter, store it in a closet, and plug it back in in the spring to find that my bike fires right up.  Customer service at MOTYDesign can't be beat either.

In more of a touring application (which I'm new to), you'd probably want to go with at least a 12-cell to make sure you can adequately power any accessories you might have.  I come from more of a sporty/racing background where weight is king.  Brian at MOTY can help you figure out which one would best suite your needs though.