New Battery!

[mastiffhound]

I got 3 years out of my old battery. It finally cracked and had a dead cell. I went with a shorai lithium battery. It is definatly different, about the size of my two fists maybe smaller and weighs 1.6 pounds. That is not a typo. My bike also starts like a demon now. I don't know if anyone else has done this yet but for 139.99 I'll be a guinee pig. Any thoughts or question? Any one else have expierience with these batteries?

[mastiffhound]

Oh, one more thing, the small size of the battery let me put the fuel pack harness and a small tool bag in the battery box also!

[jarel]

which Model exactly did you pick up?

[mastiffhound]

Shorai model LFX14L2-BS12 is the one I picked up. It is the second case series smaller and newer but same cca of 210. So far it has been 3 weeks and so far it works great. The series 1 is the exact same specs except bigger. Same cca, watts per hour, and amps per hour.

I could not find the series 1 on sale on the net also. It also puts out 10 cca than the yuasa battery I was going to get and came with a two year warranty. Also no acid to fill and won't leak. Put it in the bike right out of the box and it was fully charged. I found a place on the net called motomummy with free shipping. I also got a bunch of free stickers for my tool box!

[TheDinglepuss]

Schweet! Thanks for the info. My batteries (stock) last about 2 years. The summers here in Phoenix are brutal on batteries and mine is starting to lag on ignition (I was planning to hook it up the the charger this weekend)

[aemsee]

thanks for posting. I'll be watching this thread. Also sent ya some rep for being the guinea pig on this one:smoke. My battery is still original and I figure I am pushing my luck with it. Would be great to be able to relocate the ECM easily and go with a pre-07 fender and seat

[mastiffhound]

My ecm would fit in the battery box right now but I opted for a tool kit(small phillips head, a few allen wrenches, zip ties, worm clamp, small adjustable wrench) because it is nice to have if something gets loose. I have my harness in there also as stated before! Thanks for the rep aemsee!

[idigther]

Still have the stock battery in my 2007 XL, I use a tender (Sears brand) when the bike might sit for more than a week, and keep it hooked up all winter. I'll have to watch this thread as well. I usually get good service out of my batteries. The last 11 years I have been buying WESTCO (glass mat) batteries for my bikes. My brother is using (on an '87 Venture Royale 1300) an 11 year old WESTCO I gave him off my old Wing in 2008. I gotta check out the shorai lithium battery.
Thanks for the info.

[jharback]

Shorai model LFX14L2-BS12 is the one I picked up. It is the second case series smaller and newer but same cca of 210. So far it has been 3 weeks and so far it works great. The series 1 is the exact same specs except bigger. Same cca, watts per hour, and amps per hour.

I could not find the series 1 on sale on the net also. It also puts out 10 cca than the yuasa battery I was going to get and came with a two year warranty. Also no acid to fill and won't leak. Put it in the bike right out of the box and it was fully charged. I found a place on the net called motomummy with free shipping. I also got a bunch of free stickers for my tool box!

I'm getting ready to order one of these. S&S100sweden has been running one for a while and has has told me that it has operated flawlessly.

[oreocat1]

I'll be watching also. My RK may be due soon.

[aemsee]

just ordered one of these. now I will be able to try out my new 2006 Maverick LePera seat.

[myrl883]

I bought an Odyssey battery for mine. It's about 4 years old now, and it still cranks the engine over as well as when it was new. They're kind of expensive, I don't think I've ever seen them for less than $100, but I'm completely satisfied with it!

[bitpusher]

i, too, have been eyeballing the LFX14L2-BS12 but one thing bothers me: No one can tell me if pumping 22amps into it will damage the charge controller.

if you use their 'battery selector' it chooses a much larger, more expensive battery with 22a charge current. part of me says that this is just a marketing ploy. well, most of me.

but i need to know how the electronics handle overamperage. If this is not an issue there is nothing stopping you from going even one size smaller on the battery. It will have plenty to get you started and they charge back up faster than lead/acid.

cold weather would be the only issue with a tiny battery.


blah blah blah - so SS has been running a LFX14L2-BS12 for a year now, you say?

[bitpusher]

bump---

the question is:

since Shorai states that the max charging amps of the LFX14L2-BS12 is 14a, what affect does pumping 19-22a into it have?

[Lenster]

I fried my battery (and solenoid) last week. It was the stock battery that came in the bike new off the showroom floor in '06.

I'm going to order a Shorai LFX18L1-BS12, which is Shorai's website recommended replacement. It is stated to have 270 CCA, with a maximum charge rate of 18 amps.

[jharback]

I'm getting ready to order the Shorai LFX27A3-BS12. Costs a little more but, it is the recommended one for the strongest possible cranking performance and lifespan. Has 405 CCA with a maximum charge rate of 24 amps. Costs an additional 25 bucks.

[merc]

Jharback
make sure you get the battery with the terminal on the correct side.
LFX18L1-B12 has the negative terminal onn the left and positive on the right/
The LFX27A3-BS12 haas the negetive terminal on the right and the positive on the left.
That 2nd "L" stands for left. The ground cable won't reach otherwise.
I know I bought a battery from Pep boys with out the L and fought with it befor I took it back.

[merc]

Does anyone have the specs on the Harley Battery?
A/h, CCA, charge, weight and size?

[Lenster]

I'm getting ready to order the Shorai LFX27A3-BS12. Costs a little more but, it is the recommended one for the strongest possible cranking performance and lifespan. Has 405 CCA with a maximum charge rate of 24 amps. Costs an additional 25 bucks.

Is that one going to fit in your bike measuring 6.55" wide, 3.39" deep and 6.1" tall?

It'd be nice to have the extra CCA, but I beleive the one above won't fit in my bike ('06).

[bitpusher]

The smaller batteries put out enough power and recharge fast enough to power our bikes (cold weather excepted, i don't know).

But the salient issue is whether the charge controller ,i.e. the brain, can handle the output from our charging system which is rated at 22a.

We need some feedback from those that have been using the smaller (14a) unit for an extended period of time. (SS??)

SHORAI LFX Lithium-Iron Powersports battery, 14Ah 12V eq, "L" polarity, Case Type 2
Sku: 4897034420104 Part Number: LFX14L2-BS12

Voltage (V):12
A/Hr PbEq:14
Cranking CCA (A):210
Weight (grams):730.00
Weight (lbs.):1.61
Max Charge (A):14

vs

Standard Recommendation: LFX24L3-BS12 MSRP: $249.99

Voltage (V):12A/Hr
PbEq:24
Cranking CCA (A):360
Weight (grams):1800.00
Weight (lbs.):3.97
Max Charge (A):24

[jharback]

Jharback
make sure you get the battery with the terminal on the correct side.
LFX18L1-B12 has the negative terminal onn the left and positive on the right/
The LFX27A3-BS12 haas the negetive terminal on the right and the positive on the left.
That 2nd "L" stands for left. The ground cable won't reach otherwise.
I know I bought a battery from Pep boys with out the L and fought with it befor I took it back.

Yes, the spec's on their website shows that the positive is on the left. There is no second "L" on LFX27A3-BS12.

Is that one going to fit in your bike measuring 6.55" wide, 3.39" deep and 6.1" tall?

It'd be nice to have the extra CCA, but I beleive the one above won't fit in my bike ('06).

Yes, it fits. The stock battery from Harley for my '93 is 7"W X 4"D X 6 1/8" H.

BTW, the stock Harley Battery, I believe is 305 CCA but, don't hold me to it.

[TheDinglepuss]

Been putting this off for a while but my batt is slowly dying! The best price I've found on 'em so far is here (http://slavensracing.com/products/ktm/lithium-iron-batteries-by-shorai). Maybe you can save yourself $30 to $40 bucks!
***Make sure you choose the correct part number in the drop down field**

[TheDinglepuss]

I might add that link is for the LFX14L2-BS12

Here (http://www.batterystuff.com/powersports-batteries/LFX14A1-BS12.html) is the link for the LFX18L1-BS12 @ $148.00

Sorry for all the updates. . .I'm still looking around.

[bitpusher]

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

am i talking to myself?!

Shorai lists Max Charging specs in amps and we all want to or have mounted units that are specced with lower amperage for the charging circuit....

Am I missing something or do they publish these numbers just to hear themselves talking??1??!???!

Please tell me that you have been charrging a SHORAI battery with a 14a max charge rating from you sporty and I will buy one. they are so cute :doh

[jharback]

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

am i talking to myself?!

Shorai lists Max Charging specs in amps and we all want to or have mounted units that are specced with lower amperage for the charging circuit....

Am I missing something or do they publish these numbers just to hear themselves talking??1??!???!

Please tell me that you have been charrging a SHORAI battery with a 14a max charge rating from you sporty and I will buy one. they are so cute :doh

According to Shorai a standard charging works with their battery. That's one of the main reasons why I'm getting it and not one of the others. Bitpusher, You might want to PM S&S100sweden. He's running a 100" engine on both the track and the street. He's been running a Shorai battery for about a year now. I PM'd him about how it was holding up and here's the answer I got from him:

S&S100sweden S&S100sweden
Originally Posted by jharback
I'm thinking of getting one of these batteries. How is yours holding up?

Jim
It has been in my bike the whole season as has been working flawless. Both on the street and on the dragstrip. I use the Shorai charger after compression tests and during longer stands stills.

[bitpusher]

According to Shorai a standard charging works with their battery. That's one of the main reasons why I'm getting it and not one of the others. Bitpusher, You might want to PM S&S100sweden. He's running a 100" engine on both the track and the street. He's been running a Shorai battery for about a year now. I PM'd him about how it was holding up and here's the answer I got from him:

S&S100sweden S&S100sweden
Originally Posted by jharback
I'm thinking of getting one of these batteries. How is yours holding up?

Jim
It has been in my bike the whole season as has been working flawless. Both on the street and on the dragstrip. I use the Shorai charger after compression tests and during longer stands stills.


Jim, i appreciate that but even this quote talks about 'a' shorai battery, not specifically 'the' shorai 14a that we are talking about (unless i messed a reference to a model somewhere).

I would LOVE to put a <1lb 3x5 battery on my bike but shorai is trying to tell me to buy the 24a version...

i will listen to customers sooner than the manufacturers any day so I will take an "I run a 14a Shorai on my 22a sporty with no problem" and run to the battery store.

I would even be glad to be the second guinea pig here on xlf to run a 'smaller' shorai if I can get some feedback from the first (S&S?)

i aint tryin to piss anyone off it is just that my question has not yet been answered authoritatively :) i WANT to do this but being stranded with a burned out battery would be no fun.

[aemsee]

well, my battery should be arriving today. The LFX14L2-BS12 little guy. I will update on it after I run some miles. @bitpusher. I understand your concern about amps, but does the charging system on the bike put out a constant 22a? And how does the always on lighting components play in to total system load on the charging system?

[aemsee]

Holy Crap this thing is TINY. My automotive based brain is thinking NFW is this thing going to work. But, I'm eager to give it a try. At the very worst, I'll go back to an AGM and be able to keep this thing in my saddle bag as a emergency jump start unit.:D

[bitpusher]

oh, don't worry. it will crank you up no problem and recharges faster than agm.

i really hope it works out (doesn't burn out) cause i am counting on the size for my frame stretch.

[TheDinglepuss]

I ordered the LFX18L1-BS12 last night. Going to throw the stock one on the charger this weekend and hope it makes it!

Actually, I hope I make it to work this morning. I don't own a car.

[Lenster]

I ordered the LFX18L1-BS12 last night.

Ordered mine on Wednesday Evening. It's supposed to be delivered sometime between October 11th and October 13th.......we'll see about that. Canadian Customs sometimes holds things up.

[TheDinglepuss]

Ordered mine on Wednesday Evening. It's supposed to be delivered sometime between October 11th and October 13th.......we'll see about that. Canadian Customs sometimes holds things up.

Good luck!
Mine is supposed to be here in Phoenix tomorrow. I ship mostly HazMat (which includes Li batteries) to PEI all the time and Canadian customs almost always holds it up because some I wasn't dotted or some T wasn't crossed!

[TheDinglepuss]

Ok, got mine in yesterday and . . .holy crap! You can’t truly appreciate it until you go to pick it up and almost throw it across the room. Is this really going to start my bike?!? Anyway, some serious questions to those that have already installed one:

1-Are the battery leads long enough?

2-Did you use the provided foam inserts?

or

3-Did you rig some kind of bracket to hold it in?

[Jörgen]

Jim, i appreciate that but even this quote talks about 'a' shorai battery, not specifically 'the' shorai 14a that we are talking about (unless i messed a reference to a model somewhere)...



Correct
I'm using the Shorai LFX 18A1-BS12 on my 100" XL. This battery was Shorais standard recommendation for my 1993 1200 XLH when I bought my battery 1 year ago. Here is the installation with a lot of pics.

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?p=3206164#post3206164

[Lenster]

. . .holy crap! You can’t truly appreciate it until you go to pick it up and almost throw it across the room. Is this really going to start my bike?

X2.

I got mine yesterday. It's so light. I like that the terminals aren't lead and you actually use a screw and a bolt to attach your battery wires. I would think you could even use some blue locktite to prevent anything from coming loose.

I'm going to try and get my solenoid replaced and install the battery this weekend.

[merc]

I'm not sure what the important spec is and how it compares to Harley's battery.
Amps or cold cranking power?

[TheDinglepuss]

I'm going to install mine this weekend as well. The thread S&S pointed out has some good install ideas even though the battery compartment on my '07 is a little different. Might as well throw that Fulepak I have in to while I have the bike up in the air. . .

[aemsee]

I have decided to wait until I do my 1250 install in Dec to do the battery swap. I want to move my ECM as well as my PCIII at the same time. Might as well do it all at once.

[TheDinglepuss]

Just got back from a test ride. I installed the LFX18L1-BS12. The bike starts immediately. No lag whatsoever. We'll see how it goes. I also installed my Fuelpak at the same time and it's pretty awesome!

[Lenster]

Just got back from a test ride. I installed the LFX18L1-BS12. The bike starts immediately. No lag whatsoever. We'll see how it goes. I also installed my Fuelpak at the same time and it's pretty awesome!

Good News!

I didn't get around to mine today.

[bitpusher]

somebody here ordered the 14, right?
i am curious to know how that worked out and if it is as small and light as i think it is.

[SFRoadster]

Thinking about doing this, as well. I didn't see any reference to home charging systems (at least in this thread). Looks like the Deltran tender will work. Of course, Shorai has one for $80. From their website:

Q. Can I use Lead-Acid battery chargers or charger/tenders?
A.Yes. HOWEVER, you may NOT use a charger/tender if it has an automatic "desulfation mode", which cannot be turned off. We have confirmed with Deltran, makers of the "Battery Tender" brand, that their products do NOT have a desulfation mode, and are therefore OK for use with Shorai LFX, for example. But the best possible charger/tender for Shorai LFX is the SHO-BMS01, which will be released on about March 15th 2011, we expect. It uses the 5-pin BMS port in the LFX batteries, in order to monitor, diagnose, and balance the individual cells during charge. And it also has an optimized storage mode that will give the longest possible service life to your LFX.

[TheDinglepuss]

Good News!

I didn't get around to mine today.

Its a pretty simple install (I always need some mechanical fingers on hand because I always drop the negative terminal nut :doh)

I put the supplied foam inserts on the front of the battery to leave room for the Fuelpak but if I didn't have that installed, I'd put it on the back side of the battery. The terminals on mine are a bit wonky pushed to the back of the bike a few inches, but hey, that's what the side cover is for right?!?

[TheDinglepuss]

somebody here ordered the 14, right?
i am curious to know how that worked out and if it is as small and light as i think it is.

I have the 18. If you put them side by side, facing you, the Shorai is maybe 3/4 of an inch shorter in length, about 1/2 inch shorter in height and about an 1 1/2 inch shorter in depth. (Wish I'd have taken a photo now.)

Wait! S&S has some good photos of it here (http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?p=3206164#post3206164)

[wysper]

Have the shorai batteries been around for long enough for anyone to get a handle on how long the last as compared to the HD ones?

[Lenster]

Here's some pics I took today showing the stock battery next to the Shorai LFX18L1-BS12 LiFePo Battery:

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3227/004boc.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/163/001xvz.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3308/003ndj.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8045/002zpsj.jpg

I got a chance to rebuild the solenoid on my starter and install the new Shorai battery. The bike fired up right away. I'm pretty sure the starter was spinning faster than it had in the past, but my battery has seen six seasons.

It's unbeleivable how light these batteries are. I swear my bike felt faster ........ ;)

[TheDinglepuss]

It's been almost a week with the new battery and my bike hasn't exploded yet.

Sucker starts real good though.

[aemsee]

decided not to use the LFX14L2-BS12 that I just bought. it is brand new in the box. I'll post it for sale in the efi for sale area before I e-bay it

[bitpusher]

decided not to use the LFX14L2-BS12 that I just bought. it is brand new in the box. I'll post it for sale in the efi for sale area before I e-bay it

i call dibs!

but first - why did you not use it? would it not turn the motor?

I worry that the charging system would blow the controller.

[mastiffhound]

Since I was the OP I will give everyone some feedback. My battery is still working just fine starts and fires with no problem. I do not work at S&S however I wouldn't mind to. I did have one slow start and a no start. My voltage regulator went bad. I put the battery on the charger for 5 minutes at 2 amps and boom, the bike fired right up. I changed out my voltage regulator and not another problem. I have the 14 series and it has been a peach but it is in a 883 so I don't know how it will work with a bigger motor.

[Sol_Invictus]

So is there any consensus on using the 14 amp battery? I'm dying to find out as my battery is on the fritz...

[bitpusher]

i used the 14 (TINY) and it cranked like a champ, even on a high compression motor. charged up in minutes.

my only concern was overcharging it but i never had the chance. my starter solenoid shorted out and closed the circuit blowing up the little one. it was a nice gentle blow up. non-toxic even :smoke

but i moved up to the 18 when i replaced it, just to be safe. the only reason i had the 14 was because i got it cheap.

[MonkeyMouse]

Welp my battery crapped out on my 2007 low so I just pulled the trigger on the LFX18L1-BS12. Im hoping it lasts the claimed 8 years on there website. And I hope it will be enough when I build my 1250 ina the near future. I bought it on motomummy for $169 shipped. I expected the stock battery to last longer then 4 years, I used a battery tender on it every winter too. This year pulled it off the tender, hardly started. The next day went to ride didn't have enough power to crank it over even though it was on the tender over night. The stock battery in my dads heritage lasted 9 years! Oh well I've had my eye on the shorai, im excited to toss this new one in and possibly relocate my ECM to the battery box. :tour