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Lithium Ion Battery

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by NZ-XJ550-Cafe, Jul 27, 2016.

  1. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    And the max charging current.
     
  2. nappunhaksang

    nappunhaksang New Member

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    Did you have to change anything in the stock charging system in order to run the lithium batteries? A mate and I are customizing an '81 XJ650; we're building a custom battery box, so we don't need to stick to stock dimensions. We're just concerned about the charging system itself.
     
  3. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    And fwiw, the replacement didn't last a year..........

    They did give me a replacement for the replacement as a courtesy, but I have that sitting on the floor right now----not convinced of it.
     
  4. cds1984

    cds1984 Active Member

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    Man thats some bad luck.
    I bought mine 04-06-2013 and it hasn't missed a beat.
    SSB LFP14AHQ-B5
    Then again the motobatt agm that I have in my other bike that I bought 06-11-2012 hasn't missed a beat either.
    hmm hmm...
     
  5. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    All automotive/powersport LiOn batteries have onboard charging monitors.

    They also have short life when undersized, and most are undersized (low cranking amperage) so they cam make claims about extreme lightness and compactness.
    For the cost involved, they really only make sense if you are racing, or building an electric motorcycle.
     
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  6. Craig B

    Craig B Active Member

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    Best battery I have ever purchased was the cheapo Walmart Eveready brand.
    Have used many other brands from Motorcraft to Interstate. They usually lasted a season maybe two.
    The cheap crap Walmart sells lasted many years so far.
     
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  7. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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  8. BigT

    BigT Active Member

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    +1 on the cheap Walmart Battery. Lasted over 4 years with no winter maintenance. Just topped it up with distilled water once in a while.
     
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  9. cds1984

    cds1984 Active Member

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    Polock... is it just me or... is that just mad.
     
  10. Stumplifter

    Stumplifter Well-Known Member

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    I'm not Polock (French Canadian and Czech mixed breed mutt w/ who knows what else thrown in) but I say that is just mad.

    I also do not own a smartphone . . . :eek:
     
  11. wink1018

    wink1018 Active Member

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    I agree with the Walmart batteries. For our bikes, I have found only one battery that has lasted longer in my XJ. And that is my 4+ year old Motobatt that is currently in it. If there was a Walmart battery that would fit my Suzuki, I would run it with no hesitation. Unfortunately, the Motobatt is the only one that lasts longer than 2 years in that bike. That is what made me try one in the XJ.
     
  12. chacal

    chacal Moderator Moderator Supporting Vendor Premium Member

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    This is what's wrong with this country.............
     
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  13. robawf

    robawf Member

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    I've had better luck with AGM batteries in my XJ. I use a slightly larger CCA battery that puts out 195 CCA, got it from Batteries Plus. It fits tight in the stock battery compartment but fits the bill with what these bikes call for during cold starts. Its worked flawlessly for two and a half years now compared to the stock sized batteries I've had that only seem to last half that long. I didn't like the Li Ion battery I had for my XJ, it was laboring most of the time it seemed and it would get fairly warm to the touch. Ive seen pictures of bikes that have been torched when these batteries go into melt down mode. Not pretty. Not the best battery for an XJ in my experience.
    I do,however, have a AntiGravity LiIon in my 81 CB750 and one for my Suzuki 650 thumper that have been great so far. Different bikes, different battery demands, I guess.You do have to provide a designated Li Ion charger for those batteries as their charging characteristics differ from traditional sytle batteries. My $0.02 worth I thought I'd share.
     
  14. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    I know. Back when I was younger we had to walk out to the garage if we wanted to talk to our batteries.
     
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  15. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    The Everstart batteries from Walmart are decent, and you do get what you pay for (a cheap 4-year battery with a 3 year warranty that will provide good service, but leaks acid if the bike ever tips over).
    The AGM battery in the wife's Miata is going on 10 years old. It had a 5 year warranty.
    Why has it lasted so long? It's on a tender when it's not being driven; same as the XJ.
     
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  16. robawf

    robawf Member

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    +++ 2 on the battery tenders.....All my stuff that might sit for an extended period as its own designated tender. No suprises when I want something to fire up, turn the key, done deal. No screwing around.
    Learned that lesson the hard way too.


    God, I sound like old fart now I'm in my mid 50's.....
     
  17. cgutz

    cgutz Well-Known Member

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    I've had good luck with cheap DuraStart lead acids from local farm supply store, even cheaper than Walmart Everstart. Use a inexpensive battery tender and I typically get 3-4 seasons out of them.

    I hadn't thought of what happens when the bike tips and leaks acid. In 30+ years, I've never had it down - knock on wood.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2017
  18. steber

    steber Active Member

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    I thought this topic was based on lithium ion batteries? I understand that traditional lead acid batteries are better, but sometimes for those customizing room is limited and as the op seemed to be building a cafe style bike. I have a LiFePo4 battery tender brand that I'll be putting in my build this summer. I got in for under $100 so if i get a few seasons out of it i'll be happy.. I bought a lithium ion battery tender for it which will see use as tend to keep all my bikes on tenders when im not riding.
     
  19. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Correct.
    Hence the comments. See Hogfiddles first post in this thread. Purchases should always be made with as much information about the product as possible.
     
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  20. Core

    Core Active Member

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    My lead acid batter is about dead - no correction , DEAD.
    I need another battery and I have been promising myself to by a lipo battery next.
    @saftie, what model battery do you have on what bike?

    I am riding a XJ900RN (1984)

    Would be great to start of on the right foot

    And is there a need to have a special charger just in case the voltage runs down too far?

    thx.
     

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