Installing lithium battery

Hey all, I just picked up a lithium battery from my local Honda dealer and I’m on my way home (in my topless cage - the original battery in my VFR just died ). I’d like to install it tonight if I have time - how long should it take? I think there’s instructions in the owner’s manual, right? Anything to watch out for? Do I just remove the seat or is there more to it? Here’s the battery I got, it’s just under 1 kg!

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shorai-lithium-battery-lfx18a1-bs12

 

Just remove the seat and battery cover. You've probably already figured it out by now though...

 

Battery dead already EEK. Mines still going strong. Lift seat, pull cover, Neg lead off first, then Pos, remove old battery , insert new battery, Pos lead then Neg.

Did you also purchase a Li battery charger too as they don't work with conventional ones.

 

I’m happy to report that the Albinogator is back up and running with a fresh lithium battery. The new battery cuts 5.7 pounds (7.9 old minus 2.2 new) and the bike feels noticeably more flickable/tossable IMO - but it could just be pyschological Between the exhaust, tail tidy, and battery, I’ve now cut 13.7 pounds off the bike. Here’s a vid:

 

How many coins did you have to part with for the battery?

 

$169.95. My local Honda dealer matched/beat the Revzilla price by one dollar.

 

I did a lithium (Shorai) battery mod on my XR650L and it was like a new machine! Haven't really considered getting one for the VFR but never say never. Oh and the Shorai charger is a pretty sweet little guy that's nice to have JMHO.

 

Doesn't sound bad, all things considered. Thanks!

 

Anyone tried Exide lithium batteries? I was planning on getting one, since there are plenty around here.

Their specs mostly say they are not designed for snowmobiles, etc. for extreme cold weather -20C or so... How come the old batteries are around 9-10Ah and these only come in 5-7Ah?

Do they still have punch in them after a year or two, how do they put up with storage? Real life experience greatly appreciated!

Riding on the storm

 

According to the specs on Revzilla my new battery has 18 Ah

Specs:

• 12 V- Volts
• 270 CCA- Cold Cranking Amps
• 18 Ah- Amp Hours
• 18 A Max Charge Rate
• Weight: 2.19 lbs/0.997 kg

 

Do you have a link ?

 

That Shorai looks it is 7Ah (18Ah Pb equivalent). Not in sale near here tho.

Biggest Ah rated lithium batteries I've managed to find, that fit original dimensions, are:
-Exide ELTX20H (CCA 380A, 84Wh (7Ah), 1.3kg/~2.8lbs)
-BC batteries BCTX20H-FP-SQ (CA? 420A, ?Wh, 7Ah, 1.4kg/3lbs)

The stock fit, Yuasa YTX12-BS (AGM, CCA 180A, 10.5Ah, 9.2lbs). Seems to be an advanced Lead-Acid MF AGM type battery.

But lithium is still better. Except for cold temperatures. Only needs a smart battery tender and warm storage for storage periods. (Any of the bigger brand ones, that knows what to do with lithium batteries. I've had success with the 'CTEK' ones, even resurrected old AGM and lead batteries with a small 5A one. 'Benton' has been a miss or hit.)

BC batteries have a nice chart to help make sense of this stuff. ( Might be some truth to it, looks like it makes some sense I guess)
http://www.bclithiumbatteries.com/en/lifepo4_li-ion_lead-acid_batteries.html

Only issue I have with all the different brands and makes is the clear lack of standard ways of capacity indication. Some claim 18Ah, others 84Wh, some only have CCA, some state CA. I mean, how hard it is to state stuff in a real tangible manner?



Riding on the storm

 

Thanks! Looks like I have a christmas present wish made for me

I assume they don't require 'remineralization' like old Lead Acid batteries did.

Riding on the storm

 

Here’s a couple vids about lithium batteries:

 

I have virtually no knowledge when it comes to electricity so I’ll take your word for it

 

Wtf, didn't I come up with this idea before?

Build/buy a battery box for 3x4 18650 lithium batteries. Order a bunch of high discharge batteries straight from china and you're done.

Don't even need any additional electronics, since max charging voltage of 18650 cells is about 4.2V. For a series of 4 that is about 16.8V, so only issue is being a bit low on the charging voltage, but that shouldn't be an issue. I ride long distances so a low voltage might even be better.

Costs around $50 and you even have spares for easy on the road "repairs", if ever needed. Have to try this out over the winter.

Riding on the storm

 

Stick a paper clip in a 110 outlet and you'll learn a lot fast, LOL