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Old Jan 13, 2025 | 10:56 AM
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Lithium battery in Shovelhead?
 
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Old Jan 13, 2025 | 11:25 AM
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I have had excellent luck with absorbed glass mat (AGM) usually getting 7 to 10 years out of the battery using a Battery Tender in the off season.

The old lead acid batteries were lucky to see 2 years. What do you expect to get out of a Lithium battery and does the cost offset enough to justify?
 
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Old Jan 13, 2025 | 11:29 AM
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You’re right, I’ll go with the AGM. Thank you
 
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Old Jan 13, 2025 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Scrmnvtwins
I have had excellent luck with absorbed glass mat (AGM) usually getting 7 to 10 years out of the battery using a Battery Tender in the off season.

The old lead acid batteries were lucky to see 2 years. What do you expect to get out of a Lithium battery and does the cost offset enough to justify?
wow you said a mouth full not worth the cost
 
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Old Jan 13, 2025 | 02:13 PM
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i use SSB
 
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Old Jan 14, 2025 | 10:37 AM
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I have a lithium battery in my chopper. The AGM batteries would only last a season and a half. Probably because they were inside the horseshoe oil tank, and maybe undersized for the 96" S&S motor. This will be the fourth season on the lithium, and it still cranks better than the AGM ever did. Key is to use a cutoff switch to prevent killing the battery when stored.

I'll probably get another lithium if I convert my 72 FX to electric start, so it fits in the original battery box.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2025 | 11:08 AM
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Great post. My lead acid battery's are not very good owned my 1978 1/2 80c for five years and bought 4 battery's best one was from NAPA it lasted almost two years. One only lasted 6 months. Now Earth X offers a battery. My Harley charge system is compatible but my off season tender will not work. Their tender is not that expensive. Question is have any of you guys used the.Earth X Harley Battery
? AJ
 
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Old Jan 14, 2025 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Chile67
Lithium battery in Shovelhead?
Wouldn't suggest it without upgrading the charging system to the later 32amp unless it's a kick only bike with a small battery. Need dedicated chargers, trickle included, old style will damage them. They need to be "woke up", meaning turn the lights one for a few minutes to load the battery before they will throw full amperage, and the big one let it drop below a certain voltage it's toast they won't come back from that I learned the hard way. Ran a big $$$$ Antigravity lith. in mine, I'll do another when the compression releases go in later this winter.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2025 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Scrmnvtwins
I have had excellent luck with absorbed glass mat (AGM) usually getting 7 to 10 years out of the battery using a Battery Tender in the off season.

The old lead acid batteries were lucky to see 2 years. What do you expect to get out of a Lithium battery and does the cost offset enough to justify?
7-10 years in a shovel or the later machines? 50 plus years at this and never seen any battery go more than 3 yrs in a shovel and I've tried them all.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2025 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by TwiZted Biker
Wouldn't suggest it without upgrading the charging system to the later 32amp unless it's a kick only bike with a small battery. Need dedicated chargers, trickle included, old style will damage them. They need to be "woke up", meaning turn the lights one for a few minutes to load the battery before they will throw full amperage, and the big one let it drop below a certain voltage it's toast they won't come back from that I learned the hard way. Ran a big $$$$ Antigravity lith. in mine, I'll do another when the compression releases go in later this winter.
Yes, that's why you need the battery cutout switch. They have zero loss in storage if disconnected. Just turn the headlights on a bit in the spring and I'm good for another season. I never needed a trickle or any other charger either. I hope you have better luck next time. I've read that Antigravity is the best of the bunch because they balance the cells during assembly. IDK how valid that is, but mine works.
 
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