New Superlight Battery

[suzyj]

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

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.

[koko64]

Are these batteries similar to the Speedcell batteries in the States?

If they perform as advertised they would be an excellent replacement for my YT 12 BS. The YT 12 BS is a gel type on the newer SBKs that is lighter than the lead acid type on the old Monsters.

Seems like these batteries are as light again; the next generation. That could be a cheap weight loss in sprung weight.

[IdZer0]

My 2006 695 is still on it's stock battery (tricklecharger now & then); my buddy's 2005 S4R is on it's 4th battery or so (without trickelcharger).

[ozducati]

nothing personal at all Betty, i think you're taking it too personally, it was never meant to be a snide remark and i don't ever remember making snide remarks to you or anyone else.....

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.

[ozducati]

From what i can see here and what i know personally, everyone has a different experience with batteries, some get good life, others churn through them...
I posted this thread to see what sort of interest there was and hopefully for people to share what  experience they have had with their own batteries... there are a number of benefits with these batteries, the battery life (not all people have had issues), the fact that no trickle charger is required, safety, and environmentally friendly, and then there is the weight savings... is not for everyone, but hopefully we may get some interest and will most likely bring them in....


Here's the info with indicative RRP's in US$$:

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.  

[goldFiSh]

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.

My 03 M800 is still on its original battery...

Suzy, love to see a write up when you do it..

[spotcom]

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

[monstermick58]

I wonder how they compare to the MotoBatt series?







                                 Mmick

[stopintime]

How do you think an alarm will affect this battery, compared?

I know that if my bike sits for weeks, the battery will be drained (tried once).
On a daily basis, not a problem.

[cakeman]

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

You dont need any pace enhancing products, your winning races on your first race meet !

[suzyj]

Toys!


2010-12-03 by suzy_j, on Flickr

[Nibor]

hey Oz,

so both Suzie and you batteries are the same type (LiFePo), yet yours (indicative i know) are more than 250% more expensive assuming the aussie dollar doesn't reach parity again....

i'm assuming with Suzie's she needs to play about a bit configuring them ready for install, but i cant see that being $120+ of hassle and parts...?

[goldFiSh]

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!

[ozducati]

Thanks for that, different product entirely..... Nibor, if you read the details on the Superlight Batteries you'll see the differences..

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!

[Nibor]

no worries! my battery knowledge isn't too great, all i know is i hate liquid (acid) ones, they rooted my battery box, and paint all over the LHS cooling fins and frame