lithium battery?
Banned
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 673
Likes: 409
I have used a Shido lithium battery in my 2002 Dyna for the last four seasons. (not that "four seasons"..)
I store my bike in a non heated space during the Scandinavian winters so a few months below zero deg F, and I don't use a tender charger, it drains to completely empty every winter. When spring comes I just charge it up again and it works perfectly.
I store my bike in a non heated space during the Scandinavian winters so a few months below zero deg F, and I don't use a tender charger, it drains to completely empty every winter. When spring comes I just charge it up again and it works perfectly.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,560
Likes: 3,983
From: San Diego, CA
No problems with my latest Shorai lithium after 4 years. I do use the Shorai BMS after a ride. Takes about 10 minutes, beeps a few times, then I remove the BMS. Pretty simple procedure and hopefully extends battery life. We'll see. My original Shorai lasted 5 1/2 years, which was pretty good, even without having the BMS at the time.
John
John
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 385
Likes: 325
From: Coastal Carolina
I am skeptic on 800 lb+ bike you can tell the difference when picking it up. But I never have
I would also like to hear someone say they had it atleast 5 years. I get 7 out of OEM. But I do get if you have a big engine, maybe they help.
What I heard as for voltage, they like it a little higher than tradtional tenders or chargers. But the bikes put out 14.4 which is enough. It might come down to how much you ride if you need another tender. You ride alot, and top it off regularly by riding maybe you don't. Then again if you ride alot, you don't need a tender.
I would also like to hear someone say they had it atleast 5 years. I get 7 out of OEM. But I do get if you have a big engine, maybe they help.
What I heard as for voltage, they like it a little higher than tradtional tenders or chargers. But the bikes put out 14.4 which is enough. It might come down to how much you ride if you need another tender. You ride alot, and top it off regularly by riding maybe you don't. Then again if you ride alot, you don't need a tender.
I like the idea of a light weight battery but I have this vision in my head of anything LITHIUM going "poof" one night and burning my bike and garage to the ground?
Seriously, whats the fire risk?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,283
Likes: 3,687
From: backwoods
If Harley can save a few pounds on the 2024 Road Glide CVO ST via removing the metal front fender and no rear speakers all to save a few pounds I wonder about my old school lead battery?
I like the idea of a light weight battery but I have this vision in my head of anything LITHIUM going "poof" one night and burning my bike and garage to the ground?
Seriously, whats the fire risk?
I like the idea of a light weight battery but I have this vision in my head of anything LITHIUM going "poof" one night and burning my bike and garage to the ground?
Seriously, whats the fire risk?
If we all wanted a 5 pound lighter bike, we could bike the bar and shield salad bowl.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,560
Likes: 3,983
From: San Diego, CA
Actually, a significant part of my decision to go lithium was weight reduction. The battery tray/oil tank mount is a poor design on my 1991 Sportster and expensive to fix if the tank cracks. So, taking 11 pounds of dead weight off the battery tray was good insurance against a potential problem. YMMV.
John
John
Last edited by John Harper; Oct 28, 2024 at 10:08 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 543
From: MN
If Harley can save a few pounds on the 2024 Road Glide CVO ST via removing the metal front fender and no rear speakers all to save a few pounds I wonder about my old school lead battery?
I like the idea of a light weight battery but I have this vision in my head of anything LITHIUM going "poof" one night and burning my bike and garage to the ground?
Seriously, whats the fire risk?
I like the idea of a light weight battery but I have this vision in my head of anything LITHIUM going "poof" one night and burning my bike and garage to the ground?
Seriously, whats the fire risk?
Lithium ion batteries for powersports vehicles are NOT the same lithium batteries used in electronic devices for the very reason you highlight - fire risk. They are Lithium Iron Phosphate, chemical name LiFePO4. These are much less prone to internal shorting fires. So why aren't they used everywhere? Their power density isn't quite as high as the lithium ion batteries in devices - so they would have to be bigger for the same length of service. Obviously a problem for small devices, so they take the fire risk. Companies also have learned the hard way not to outsource manufacturing sensitive parts like lithium batteries to the lowest asian bidder. You don't hear much about phone fires anymore for this reason.
So why aren't LiFePO4 batteries used in EV's? Same problem as small electronic devices - EV range is the holy grail of vehicles, with charge anxiety holding people back from buying. So maximum charge holding is crucial for cars. Which is why we see Tesla's on fire on occassion.
PowerSports aren't propelled by their batteries, they have engines. Perfect application for LiFePO4 batteries. Especially softails - having same size engine as touring bikes, but physically smaller battery case means less amps available. BCI Group 20L vs 30L.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 80
Likes: 13
I will agree weight was an issue with my 78 FLH. Good posts and interesting reading. I did invest in the EarthX Harley Bsttery. 4 lbs. So we shall see. Thanks guys lots of opinions here, but several good points about these new style Batterys.AJ
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 543
From: MN
Battery is buried in softail models, so I just pulled the main fuse instead.
So far so good, it started the bike great this 1st year, including my high compression build after mid-summer.
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