Going to try a Lithium battery

[Hubs]

So, yuasa battery died, date codes suggest it’s 4 years old so about due. I’ve just fitted a Noco lithium, more out of curiosity than anything else. I know there’s mixed opinions on their use and cost so I’m interested to see where this goes. Even allowing for Dr. Farkhoff’s strongly worded opinion, I’ve had pretty good use of lithium batteries in the campervan and the boat, so I have some in built bias, although the use case is different.

First impressions; nicely made battery, good terminals, fits, and the starter feels like it’s been given a stiff talking to and is spinning a lot faster from the start. I don’t think I have any particular drain of amps when the bike is off, as long as the Carpuride doesn’t decide to switch on by itself, so the lower capacity is less of an issue.

But we’ll see. More news as it develops…

 

[JJH]

I’m a fan of lithium. Just not on Dreamliners. JJH

 

[Santa-2512]

I had a Noco lithium fitted to my TC a couple of years ago, i ran it for a few months, then bottled out as the weather got colder,

As i know they wont charge in negative temps, and i do a lot of running in the winter

Fast forward to the last couple of weeks the current new Motobatt failed, so i grabbed the Noco out of the shed , checked the voltage (13V) and stuck it in

Been fine since then, one sluggish start yesterday (very cold 6c) but span up happily


So I'm running a Noco but have a Noco boost pack as a back up for when i go traveling in the highlands

 

[Robbieben]

I have NOCO lithium on a few bikes, never have any issues with them, oldest will be 5 years old maybe even six. I have a number of bikes & I've found the lithium ones to be far better at holding their charge for far longer when a bike isn't used for some time.

 

[JJH]

I had a Noco lithium fitted to my TC a couple of years ago, i ran it for a few months, then bottled out as the weather got colder,

As i know they wont charge in negative temps, and i do a lot of running in the winter

Fast forward to the last couple of weeks the current new Motobatt failed, so i grabbed the Noco out of the shed , checked the voltage (13V) and stuck it in

Been fine since then, one sluggish start yesterday (very cold 6c) but span up happily


So I'm running a Noco but have a Noco boost pack as a back up for when i go traveling in the highlands

You got to wake them up. Give it a 10 second attempt to start then after 30 seconds it should be rareing to go. JJH

 

[KickStarter]

I've got one on the R100, haven't reallly been able to test it out, as the bike issn't' running yet! Do you not need to change the voltage regulator/rectifier on newer ones then?

 

[JJH]

I don’t think so. What damages lithium batteries is modern smart chargers which go into a recovery mode with a higher voltage to jolt lead acid batteries back to life and lithium can’t take it. I think some more modern batteries have circuits built into them to manage this. I not 100% sure on this. Bits and pieces you read here and there. JJH

 

[dashfixer]

All batteries dislike the colder temps no matter what type.
Lead acid 12 volt batteries can lose 20-30% of their resting capacity in temperatures between +25c down to 0c, and up to 50% at sub zero temperatures. Their charging ability is also effected due to the the internal resistance increasing as the temperature drops.
I have always used lead acid on bikes and all my bikes are plugged into a battery conditioner. Current battery in the GS is the second one ever, the first OEM battery died at 9 years, this one is 8 years old. The bike is ridden often and all year.
I would worry about the discharge characteristics of a lithium, do they slowly lose voltage at the end of their discharge cycle like a lead acid, or do they crash like an alkaline battery? That could make quite a difference when out riding if you have an undetected charging issue.
Also lithium have a bit of a reputation for thermal runaway (B787 for instance).

 

[DrFarkoff]

Yup agree with Dashfixer If you get an Overcharge situation ??

I just don;t get it to be honest !!!

is it a trend??
Is it weight ??

All I know is the bikes were originally designed with either a lead acid or an AGM

The characteristics of the materials make them more "stable"

Plus £50 ish ?? and keep an eye on it and it last for years

 

[Santa-2512]

Just as Lead acid & AGM have pro's & cons so do lithium

Pro's

Huge amp hour capacity in a in a very small form factor 400Ah in a battery that weighs 2lbs

The equivalent AGM only has 240 Ah capacity and weighs a ton lol

They can be left charged and unused for very long periods

I took mine out of the shed where it had been sitting for 2 years and checked the voltage - 13v

chucked it on the bike and it span it over straight away

They charge very quickly (using an appropriate charger)

5 mins on a charger will put enough in to start your bike


Cons

They dont like the cold lol

They need warming up if very cold , but once warm off they go

They wont charge below 0V, but if its a reputable battery it will come with battery electronics built in

this controls the charging , preventing overcharging ,etc

once warm they act like a normal battery


Cost wise they an be exopensive compared the an AGM say


MY Noco cost me £80 with some money off coupons on a black friday deal


My motobatt cost £79

I have a jump pack just in case

 

[Slipperyeel]

I'm a fan of lithium batteries - but as per JJH, not in aeroplanes

Ref some comments above. Lithium batteries are famous for holding their charge. Look it up.

The idea that the 1200 oil cooled bikes were 'designed' for a particular battery type is, I believe, nonsense. Only when you enter the computer controlled bike era (1200 water cooled onwards) then yes, problems arise, but even then, not because the battery is no good - instead it's a software story. Have you heard that anywhere before?

For us on the 1200 oil cooled bikes, lithium is good. I'm approaching 10yrs with lithium. The punch you want at start-up every time, year after year. Cold is the only facet that needs a heads up - but even then it's just a fractionally delayed start-up - wake it up gently and all will be well. This is my real life experience on long trips in sub zero temps.

Lithium has never failed me. But I always spent a little more... I have always bought Aliant...