Ducati Monster Forum

To give you a quick overview though we are producing these packs in house. We are capacitive discharge welding the cells and the cable to the cells... no soldering at all in our process (soldering damages the cells due to the heat - it doesn't show until later in the cell life). We provide mounting solutions as well to make install super easy for customers.

Most packs on the market use A123 cells, but there are some major problems with that. First is that all the cells available to distributors are B grade cells and nearly all distributors are in China. Many rewrap the cells and sell them as A grade cells - A123 calls the pirate cells. A123 is only interested in working with major OEMs right now so they offer no support to the public. All A grade cells go to OEMs only. Because of these issues we started looking at other suppliers.

I found a company that offers a Lithium xxxxx xxxx cell that is actually better for this application. It has a higher energy density than A123 so a higher Ah rating and more cranking power. We are also buying the cells directly from the manufacturer and the support of their product.

So our packs feature:
1. Less than 5% capacity loss after 6 months of sitting so no trickle charge is required.
2. If the pack is somehow discharged it can be fully charged in 15-20 min.
3. We can make any special pack required with 24 hour turn around...
4. Cells are self heating so they work in cold weather (another downfall of the A123 cells).
5. 2 year warranty.
6. 3-5 year life expectancy depending on use.
7. Generally around 80% reduction in weight compared to lead acid.

Very interesting, I'll wait to hear pricing.

Life: 2000+ charge/discharge cycles with a typical lifespan of 5 years. Since most motorcycles have a built in charging system the lifespan will greatly increase as the battery won’t go through a full charge/discharge cycle every time it is used, only a partial.

A Real Life Example:
The Ducati 1098 comes standard with a Yuasa YTX14 battery, which weighs 8.06 lbs (3657.09 g) and produces 200 cold cranking amps (CCA). Our 8 cell battery weighs only 1.5 lbs (700 g) and has a 300 amp discharge (similar to CCA). Our batteries reduce weight by 6.56 lbs (2975.56 g) while increasing cranking power by 100 amps! Besides starting the Ducati 1098 easier and dropping a considerable amount of weight our batteries last several times as long as the original battery, require no maintenance (such as trickle charging) and includes a 2-year warranty!

FAQ
Q. Are your batteries safe?
A. Our batteries are safer than the OEM lead-acid battery included from the factory on all current motorcycles! They will not catch on fire, explode, spill acid, etc… like lead-acid and Lithium Ion batteries. Our cells have no thermal runaway and use no heavy metals so they are not only safe for use, but also safe for the environment.

Q. How long will these batteries last?
A. Our batteries will last several times as long as a lead-acid battery; typically 5 years with proper use and storage.

Q. How do I charge these batteries; do I need a trickle charger?
A. Our batteries are delivered fully charged, ready to install and do not require the use of a trickle charger. In fact, use of a trickle charger such as a Battery Tender can damage the battery and will void the warranty. Our batteries only lose 5% capacity over a 6-month period of non-use while stored at room temperature and have a 3-year shelf life.

If you have a race bike with no charging system or have accidentally discharged the battery you can quickly recharge the battery using an automotive type charger delivering 14.5 volts at 5 amps or more.

Q. Will my bike’s charging system properly charge this battery?
A. Most modern sport bikes have charging systems that operate at 14.3-14.5V at 5 amps above 2000 rpm, which is ideal for our batteries. Between your stock charging system and our batteries low self-discharge your battery will always be ready to start your bike, even after sitting for weeks.

Q. Does your battery come with a warranty?
A. Yes, we offer a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Each battery includes a warranty card with the battery construction number listed.

Q. Why is your battery more expensive than a lead-acid battery?
A. Technically our battery is cheaper! In general our batteries are twice the price or less of the lead-acid battery they are replacing, but our batteries last several times as long so over the span of 5 years our battery is cheaper since you will not have to replace it, but you will have to replace a lead-acid battery 2-3 times

When you look at the value our batteries make even more sense. Not only will our battery be cheaper in the long run, you’ll have a battery that performs better and weighs much less as well. To get an equivalent weight loss with exotic materials like carbon fiber, titanium or magnesium you would have to spend thousands of dollars. This should be the first modification of anyone wanting to reduce weight, increase performance and do it in a cost conscious way.

So now that you're $50 up wanna put it toward my purchase  [cheeky] [cheeky]

Here's some more info, it's not just the upfront cost, but the overall benefits..

Seriously?

I know this is a marketting exercise, but how many of us replace our batteries 2 or 3 times in five years? We replaced Jukie's battery for the first time last year ... so it was 7 or 8 years old ... never on a trickle charger. Betty's battery is still original (5+ years) starts first time every time, never been on a trickle charger.

So if these new wizz-bang batteries only last five years I am not sure of the attraction, but if they last for three times as long as normal we would be right for another 20+ years with them [thumbsup]

Betty, not everyone is so lucky, i know a lot of the superbike batteries (newer bikes) that have had battery & regulator problems, and have had to be replaced, good to see you can see the positives in all of this as usual...

good to see you can see the positives in all of this as usual...

I'm still interested to know what sort of battery life people are getting with their Monsters.

For some reason this comes across as rather personal ... and it is not the first time I have been the subject of your snide remarks.

I'm still interested to know what sort of battery life people are getting with their Monsters.

The New Superlight batteries are a revolution in battery technology. Our Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries offer an average of 80% weight reduction when compared to traditional lead-acid batteries and have far greater starting power so your bike will start quicker and more consistently.

Our LFP batteries address the 4 major issues with current lithium batteries.

1.     Safety: No thermal runaway, no poisonous chemicals, no fire risk, this is the safest lithium battery on the market. Even safer than the lead-acid battery your machine came with stock.  

2.     Life: 2000+ charge/discharge cycles with a typical lifespan of 5 years. Since most motorcycles have a built in charging system the lifespan will greatly increase as the battery won’t go through a full charge/discharge cycle every time it is used, only a partial.

3.     Power: 150A from a single cell.

4.     Environment: No heavy metals, completely recyclable and ingredients safe enough to use as soil to grow plants.  

A Real Life Example:
The Ducati 1098 comes standard with a Yuasa YTX14 battery, which weighs 8.06 lbs (3657.09 g) and produces 200 cold cranking amps (CCA). Our 8 cell battery weighs only 1.5 lbs (700 g) and has a 300 amp discharge (similar to CCA). Our batteries reduce weight by 6.56 lbs (2975.56 g) while increasing cranking power by 100 amps! Besides starting the Ducati 1098 easier and dropping a considerable amount of weight our batteries last several times as long as the original battery, require no maintenance (such as trickle charging) and includes a 2-year warranty!

Construction Techniques:
Our batteries are hand made in the USA at our lab in Los Angeles, CA. We weld the nickel battery tabs and oxygen free high strand count copper cables using a capacitive discharge (CD) dual pulse welder with pneumatic welding heads. We use only brand new, grade A, cells sourced directly from the manufacturer in the USA. Every aspect of the processes and materials involved in the construction of our batteries have been well thought out, tested and proven. The end result is a battery with superior materials and construction that we can stand behind with a 2-year warranty, which no manufacturer matches.

We put our batteries through a multitude of tests three separate times during the build process to ensure we achieve the highest quality product possible. We test the cells prior to welding, after welding and after final assembly before being packaged and shipped. All our batteries get a final seal of approval on the package and warranty card included inside the package for the customer to verify their battery has meet our standards and is ready for use.


Products
We offer four standard battery sizes, but are capable of making battery packs in any configuration and to any specs required with very quick turn around since we produce these products in house. Each battery will have the option of standard tinned copper batter lugs or a quick disconnect plug. Pricing below is with tinned copper lugs. For quick disconnect plugs add $25.00.  

4 Cell Superlight Battery
weight: 420 g (.92 lbs)
rating: 2.6Ah
discharge: 150A
dimensions: 120mm x 30mm x 57mm
price: $109.95

8 Cell Superlight Battery
weight: 780 g (1.72 lbs)
rating: 5.2Ah
discharge: 300A
dimensions: 120mm x 60mm x 57mm
price: $199.95

12 Cell Superlight Battery
weight: 1100 g (2.43 lbs)
rating: 7.8Ah
discharge: 450A
dimensions: 120mm x 90mm x 57mm
price: $299.95

16 Cell Superlight Battery
weight: 1498 g (3.30 lbs)
rating: 10.4Ah
discharge: 600A
dimensions: 120mm x 120mm x 57mm
price: $399.95

Product Packaging
We have developed a fantastic packaging solution for our batteries. It is a printed tuck top box, which has a black foam insert. The foam insert holds the battery securely for shipping, but is also used to hold the battery securely in the battery box after installation. The foam is oversized and is designed to easily be cut down to be a perfect fit for any battery box.

Some motorcycles might not use a battery box, such as a race bike. For these applications we also supply industrial strength hook and loop as well as high strength zip ties. With these three solutions our batteries can be mounted on any motorcycle, atv, etc... with ease.  

Mine's still on the original battery, at 3 years.

I've just ordered a set of eight A123 LiFePo cells from ebay, for the princely sum of $80.  I'll use them to replace my battery.

A 3kg weight saving is not too bad! I'm thinking that the 696's OEM battery may "fail" on me soon.  ;)

Nibor, Suzy's using the A123 cells. See Oz's post on page one about what his are made from, not A123 (who are a manufacturer).

I'm not making any comments on the claims of differences. I'm interested to see how Suzy's goes. Surely my stock 03 battery will die in the not too distant future and I'd like to see the options.

Whilst the weights savings and other advantages of LiFePo cells are attractive, as they say, nothings for nothing! Cost, hassle to fit (if you go a Diy route) and perhaps how they go in temp ranges (Im not sure how hot the battery box gets on our ducs).

I'm sure Oz will be selling a reputable product and will support it. On the other hand, you can (like Suzy) go the diy route and see how you go.

Horses for courses!

hopefully we may get some interest and will most likely bring them in....

Ozducati, status report?

I take it that these are not the one's that you will be bringing in Michael

http://www.shoraipower.com/s-42258-Monster-696.aspx (http://www.shoraipower.com/s-42258-Monster-696.aspx)



                    Mmick

For a 1995 M900.
What is the smallest battery I could get away with for street duties? I currently run a YT12B-BS gel type which weighs about 3.6kgs. It works great but is getting old and I am looking for the next generation style replacement.

Bike has high comp pistons, but the Euro light switch so the donk can be cranked over with the head light off. Of course being an early carbed Monster it has a 350 watt alternator, basic ignition boxes and no electric fuel pump.

I have asked the same question of the Shorai vendor on the general forum. I lean towards buying from a local business, however I would like to know the relative weights of the batteries that would be recommended for an early Monster.

I figure if an 8 cell battery starts a superbike then it should have no trouble starting mine.

I'm glad the technology is being sold here in ready to run form.

Hi Michael

Has the street style battery arrived yet?

Tony.

I ended up with a Shorai 18 for the Monster and a 14 for the Gixxer.
Got the charger/diag/tender gizmo as well.
The new importer seems like a good bloke and helpful.