Lithium Battery

[Springman2007]

Guys,

I have a 2015 FLRT that I bought new in the fall of 2014. The stock battery is showing signs of age and I am thinking of changing it this winter with my normal winter maintenance. I had the high amp charging kit installed when I purchased my Freewheeler - and it has ran OK without issue.

I am considering the purchase of a lithium battery for the replacement. I am wondering if there would be an issue with the Hi-Amp charge system and using a Lithium battery?

Any words of wisdom? Any battery recommendations? Feedback please.

Thanks - and Happy Holidays!

Springman

[DK Custom Products]

Guys,

I have a 2015 FLRT that I bought new in the fall of 2014. The stock battery is showing signs of age and I am thinking of changing it this winter with my normal winter maintenance. I had the high amp charging kit installed when I purchased my Freewheeler - and it has ran OK without issue.

I am considering the purchase of a lithium battery for the replacement. I am wondering if there would be an issue with the Hi-Amp charge system and using a Lithium battery?

Any words of wisdom? Any battery recommendations? Feedback please.

Thanks - and Happy Holidays!

Springman

No issues with the high amp charging with our Lithium Batteries. I've been running them in several bikes, one since November of 2011.

At a bit over 5 years old and it still works just as well as the day I installed it.

If you used a battery tender, you will need a Lithium specific one.

You can see the batteries and tenders HERE.

Kevin

[alienwulf]

I tried one lasted less than a month got hot and shorted out. Was a battery tender model 180 bucks was under warranty. I had to pay for shipping and send to Fl. took 4 weeks to get it back they replaced it non repairable. In mean time I purchased a stock type replacement and sold theirs on Ebay. Maybe I just got a bad one but want to deal with local not 2 thousand miles away, can't ride with out a battery.

[Springman2007]

I tried one lasted less than a month got hot and shorted out. Was a battery tender model 180 bucks was under warranty. I had to pay for shipping and send to Fl. took 4 weeks to get it back they replaced it non repairable. In mean time I purchased a stock type replacement and sold theirs on Ebay. Maybe I just got a bad one but want to deal with local not 2 thousand miles away, can't ride with out a battery.

I understand your frustration. I have noted that quite a few of the Indy and Metric Bike stores in my area handle Shorai Batteries now. I was thinking of possibly utilizing one of them. Also, I have talked with others in my area that use them and most have been positive.

As I understand, I am needing a Shorai LFX36L3-BS12 battery for 2015 FLRT (or Tglide) . The CCA on this one is 540 and it weighs a little less than 5 pounds. This battery's case dimensions are: 6.1 inches high by 6.55 inches wide by 3.39 inches deep.

Anyway, that is what I am considering at the moment.

Springman

[alienwulf]

I am not knocking the battery and if you can get it local that would help. Just remember all is not positive with them, cold for one really drains their power. Also they don't have the reserve that conventional battery. Plus is they are very light and will whip your started over like no other. Just some things to consider. i am sure it will work just fine for you sometimes luck of the draw.

[Downtown Cowtown]

Dont fix what aint broke, conventional is user friendly, an so is my $20 battery tender.

Lithium for my impact wrench, conventional for my bike, so far, and i have considered them, but, the downside is the killer for me.

[Springman2007]

Guys,

I can understand your concerns; but, lithium batteries are not new, they have been out for a while and I would like to try one. I can say that their is risk - but there is risk with a conventional battery too - I have had that experience. That is why I was thinking of purchasing through a local seller - that is what I would most likely do for a conventional battery.....

Also, I have a buddy that uses a SHorai in his ride and he actually mounted the tender with the battery - its a pretty nice setup - IMHO.

As for cold - well, I do live in Ohio and it can get a bit "frosty" at times... But, my garage is heated and I have to confess that I tend to keep the garage set at 55 degrees all winter - cause a "cold" Harley ain't a "happy" Harley to begin with (GRIN!).

Lastly, I am one of those guys that tender the battery through the winter as well.

So, in some ways I think I am sort of an ideal candidate to use/try one. The holdup is the cost - it is an investment and I want to make sure it feels right.

Thanks,

Springman

[DK Custom Products]

Not all Lithium batteries are the same. It is worth doing some research on them prior to purchase.

When I first used a Lithium, over 5 years ago, it was to save space. I was not at all sure how long it would last. At that time they were relatively new for motorcycles.

While it has been 5 years, they are still relatively new to motorcycles. It will be very interesting, in another 5 years, to see how well they hold up. I am thinking that eventually all motorcycles will gravitate toward lithium, for space, weight, and longevity reasons.

Regarding the cold, a good lithium battery does not have any power drain due to cold...they simply need to be warmed up to give full output. This is easy to do, simply turn on your ignition for a minute or two prior to starting. The draw of the lights will warm the battery up and you will have full power.

If you are not planning on keeping your trike more than 2-4 years, it may not be worth it...would probably be more economical to go with a traditional battery like one of THESE.

But if you are looking at keeping it long term, or need additional space, it is almost assuredly better to get a good lithium nano-phosphate (not lead or iron) battery.

The one downside of the Lithium batteries is that they do not contain as many amp hours in reserve (as mentioned previously). This is only a concern if you run your stereo or other items off your battery for hours at a time while the trike is not running.

We have Customers with large stereo systems that will play their stereo for hours at a campsite or rally. Lithium batts are not for them...in fact, many of them have TWO conventional batteries, just so they have the extra amp hours to run their systems when not riding.

Kevin

[Jack Klarich]

Cant beat technology IMO I will try one when my battery fails

[Springman2007]

Originally Posted by DK Custom Products .....I am thinking that eventually all motorcycles will gravitate toward lithium, for space, weight, and longevity reasons.
I agree. In fact I just noted in a tech article that Yamaha might be using them in limited production specialty bikes starting in 2018. (I am not a big follower of Metric bikes, but it was an interesting read)


Originally Posted by DK Custom Products
.....The one downside of the Lithium batteries is that they do not contain as many amp hours in reserve (as mentioned previously). This is only a concern if you run your stereo or other items off your battery for hours at a time while the trike is not running.



This is not a problem for me, I do have accessories in the form of accessory lights and heated gear; but, no stereo - maybe an iphone and ear buds for a long trip... So, probably 98% of my additional electrical usage is while the trike is running. And, I did install the high-output charging system on the trike for that purpose.

So, I think I am a very good candidate to try a lithium battery. Now, I just need to wait for those "After Christmas Sales" to possibly afford one..... I would ask Santa for one; but, rumor has it he is bringing me LED lights......

Springman

[Springman2007]

I got a reply from one of the Indy's I have dealt with locally in the past and she thinks I can get the Shorai LFX36L3-BS12 battery and charger (tender) I want for the trike for about $274.95 in their year-end sale.....

So, if that price holds true - that is the way I will go!

Thanks guys,

Springman

[Woolie]

If I was in the market for one I would certainly consider DK Custom Products. If Kevin uses it, it must be good!

[Springman2007]

Well, I finally got around to installing the Shorai LFX36L3-BS12 battery I bought for my 2015 FLRT this weekend.

It was very simple; the Shorai battery was the same side to side width as the stock battery, just not as high or deep. I used the foam pads supplied with the Shorai battery as a spacer behind the battery to take up the extra space in the battery box and keep the Shorai battery from moving around.


The batter cables for the FLRT have 90 degree terminal-end that I bent back to flat-straight for the connection of the Shorai battery - used pliers - was quick. Then just affixed the modified cable terminal to the battery and I was done.

It took more time getting to the battery and getting the heavy, stock battery out than the install of the new, 5 lbs, Shorai battery.


Springman