Ballistic LiFePO4 motorcycle batteries?

TekNinja81

TekNinja81

Well-known member
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
Hey folks,

Parttimer and I were at the Markham Outdoor Power event today, and got the chance to check out these "Ballistic Performance Components" LiFePO4-tech batteries. We were both pretty blown away by how much smaller and lighter they are vs a standard sealed-lead acid battery, but I've heard mixed reviews of the technology.

From being an e-bike owner years ago, I know the LiFePO4 batteries are supposed to be significantly longer-lasting than SLA batteries since they don't have a memory effect, but I've frequently read that they don't perform well in colder temperatures. The rep from PartsCanada at the shop mentioned they're fine down to -18C, which is far colder than the average rider would be out in, but I've had my bike out in similar temperatures on multiple occasions. A demo video on the Ballistic site showed the battery's performance after being in extreme cold, and I was impressed with what I saw.

I'm wondering if anyone here has bought this specific brand of battery, and what your experiences with it have been compared to standard SLA batteries. The battery in my V-Strom is crapping out, and if I can save a few lbs and get a 3-year warranty on this battery (as per PC rep), might be worth the larger price tag.

I'm also curious: they have a 4-cell for < 550cc, 8-cell for 550-1000cc, 12-cell for 1000-1500cc etc... would there be any reason specifically to NOT use the 12-cell, in a 650cc bike like my V-Strom? My understanding is it just has more cranking amps, but would it be too much for the bike's electrics to handle or something?

Finally: Anyone know if any dealers will have these readily available at the upcoming Spring Motorcycle Show? Pete's seems to have better pricing than Honda, but haven't looked elsewhere yet.
 
Standard electrolytes in batteries slow the flow of ions at low temps as they are liquids (sulphuric acid in lead/acid batteries) and the liquids become more dense as they get colder. The electrolytes in polymer batteries are set in a gel polymer and don't have this problem as much apparently.
 
They work great as long as they don't get cold, their output diminishes almost exponentially as the temperature drops (I'm talking like 15 degrees C as in cold, lol). But, all you have to do is hold the starter button down for a while, while the starter buzzes and it'll heat up the battery enough by about the third or fourth start attempt it'll fire right up! Wacky, I know!!

If you look in the Vendors section there was a new supplier of those batteries and he posted all kinds of technical info, tests, etc. Basically he said go to the next size "larger" in the LiFe battery (which is still half the size and weight of your stock one) if you are worried about "cold" starts.

-Jamie M.
 
I put a Shorai battery in my track bike, which is not the same shape but the same chemistry (or very close). One thing I've found out the hard way ... these things want a charging voltage that is towards the higher end of what's normally used for a lead-acid battery. With your engine running at various speeds check the voltage across the battery terminals. If it's not at least 14.8 volts, the LiFePo battery won't charge at an acceptable rate. If it's below 14 volts it won't charge at all. If it's 13.5 volts (like the crap charging system in my FZR that was designed for an old fashioned flooded lead acid battery) the battery will discharge while the engine is running ...
 
Might want to check out that 3 year warranty. I figured the same, Oh sweet a 3 year warranty! but what they don't tell you is how that warranty works. It is pro-rated:
1-6 months free replacement
7-12 months 75% discount from retail
13-24 months 50% discount from retail
24-36 months 25% discount from retail
ALSO, each ballistic battery is only eligible for ONE warranty replacement. Once a battery has been warranted the replacement item only holds the remainder warranty period of original battery purchased.

Traditionally 3 year warranty is 3 year warranty. Just a heads up on what the 3 year warranty entails.
 
Brian P said:
I put a Shorai battery in my track bike, which is not the same shape but the same chemistry (or very close). One thing I've found out the hard way ... these things want a charging voltage that is towards the higher end of what's normally used for a lead-acid battery. With your engine running at various speeds check the voltage across the battery terminals. If it's not at least 14.8 volts, the LiFePo battery won't charge at an acceptable rate. If it's below 14 volts it won't charge at all. If it's 13.5 volts (like the crap charging system in my FZR that was designed for an old fashioned flooded lead acid battery) the battery will discharge while the engine is running ...
Click to expand...

Very curious about this, as I have no idea what the normal "charging" voltage state has been with my current battery. I don't have any kind of a voltage meter currently on the bike, but have been considering one.

What I do know is, lately my old/stock battery is usually sitting at no higher than 12.2V after even an extended ride, even on some warmer days. (My Scorpio alarm keyfob will show battery voltage whenever the bike is armed/disarmed.) Hopefully the bike does charge properly, or I've got a whole other issue on my hands..
 
TekNinja81 said:
I don't have any kind of a voltage meter currently on the bike, but have been considering one.
Click to expand...
I've got 5 extra tiny voltmeters if you want one. I just gotta dip it in epoxy to weather seal it and it's good to go for a bike :)

-Jamie M.
 
My dad's new (to him) 2003 K1200GT has a Shorai battery, and being an R/C geek I plugged in to it with my Hyperion 703 computer charger to look at the individual cells.

They're really well matched and of low internal resistance. (less than 12 milliohms)

I put the battery into "storage" for the winter at 40% state-of-charge and woke it up a few weeks ago.

For those running Shorai packs, the pinout for the balance connector is a standard hobby-industry Lithium format, most R/C hobby shops should be able to supply you with a connector to interface, then you can plug in a voltage monitor to keep track of your pack at the cell level. Very much worthwhile doing if you are concerned about the health of your lithium and have a questionable charging system. It does not like to be overcharged or overdischarged, but will perform happily (and with amazing power) for years if you keep it in it's limits.

Looking forward to seeing how it performs, hope the BMW charging circuits supply a high enough voltage...
 
just got a lfx14a1- bs12 for 130 bucks delivered
i just figured it would weight a lot more than a drill battery half its size. Shorai battery is probably full of air.
[TABLE="align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Transaction Receipt[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]February 20, 2013, 8:57 am[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"][TABLE="width: 360"]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Amount:[/TD]
[TD]$129.63[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Total:[/TD]
[TD]$129.63[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Description:[/TD]
[TD]Shorai LFX 14 battery[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Last edited:
WarpTiger said:
just got a lfx14a1- bs12 for 130 bucks delivered
i just figured it would weight more than a drill battery half its size. battery is probably full of air.
[TABLE="align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]Transaction Receipt[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"]February 20, 2013, 8:57 am[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: center"][TABLE="width: 360"]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Amount:[/TD]
[TD]$129.63[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Total:[/TD]
[TD]$129.63[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Description:[/TD]
[TD]Shorai LFX 14 battery[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


View attachment 31284View attachment 31285
Click to expand...

That's a cool receipt, and it comes with a photos of the product too.
Where did you buy it from?
 
http://mountainmotorrad.ca/

not sure how many they have left. i wanted the bigger one but it was sold out

guess they were clearing out for antigravity
 
Last edited:
BTW ill be ordering some Shorai battery's in the next 2 weeks to my NY address
if any one wants to save on shipping and taxes you can PM me and ill add you to my order
im ordering direct from http://www.shoraipower.com
maybe if we hit 10 i can ask for discount
 
View attachment 31290
all rigged up now. just cant use my 3 cell lithium ion drill charger as a maintainer now. need to hack an old 14.4 volt drill charger for the new shoari battery now.
 
I got one, very powerful batteries.
Ask anyone from KC during fall when I was there. I ran a 1000w system on my bike for 2-3 hours and the battery voltage from 13.4v - 13.0v in 2 hours.
When it's idling, it ranges up to 14v.

About the cold, I left my bike out in -5 weather for 2-3 days and it started fine.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom