Battery road test take 1

blackdogg6164

blackdogg6164

Member
I'm going to take a ride with a few bikerboyz to Steelers training camp from Pittsburgh this afternoon and Friday evening, my Deka started the electric click of "help, I'm dying!" As that oh no panic of is it gonna start set in, it finally turned over. I got home, checked the pig tail and it was flashing yellow. Know of the ride today I called around and visited a Batteries Plus store in Monroeville PA. They turned me on to this:

X2 Power lithium battery. It has a 3 year warranty no matter what just keep the receipt. It weighs practically nothing and it was full charge in a little over an hour. it also has a test button on the top to check the health.. I bought the Deka May 23, 2023 so I'm bummed I only got 14 months. The bike stays on a CTEK charger throughout the winter and when not in use for more than a week. To be continued...........
 

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Mickmorris

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
Make absolute certain to install a inline fuse between your EHC and the battery. During the cold months DO NOT leave the battery in the motorcycle. Store the battery in a lipo safe environment in warm conditions. Cold is the enemy of lithium batteries and can make them dangerous and susceptible to lighting off. Best Wishes from Florida
 
DynoDave

DynoDave

Guru
Mickmorris said:
Make absolute certain to install a inline fuse between your EHC and the battery. During the cold months DO NOT leave the battery in the motorcycle. Store the battery in a lipo safe environment in warm conditions. Cold is the enemy of lithium batteries and can make them dangerous and susceptible to lighting off. Best Wishes from Florida
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Good advice!
Lipo batteries can be stored in a 'lipo safe' or an old ammo can (vented).
Also, be sure to monitor your lithium battery when charging.
Here's what can happen if you don't;
1722182607325.png
 
blackdogg6164

blackdogg6164

Member
UPDATE: don't do it. After the install, I pulled the bike out on Sunday for a ride up to Latrobe to Steelers camp. I turn the key and fuel on, helmet n boots and........ click! Then nothing. No cluster lights, dead as the inquisition. I pulled it out, replaced it with a Deka (my usual go to) and the Dog is thumping once again. I read online somewhere about "lightning starting" types were not good for high compression motors. All I know is this type, although lighter at 310 CCAs crapped the sidewalk. The power check but still read full charge too. Batteries Plus thought it was my bike until I let them hear a video I took after the Deka install. This is puzzling to say the least but my conclusion is simple. Dance with who bring ya. I use a great charger too........
 

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S

Savage 1

Member
Thanks for the update! Glad you switched back to AGM.

As you can tell by the posts, I think we all had some level of concern!

I've seen several batteries through the years with correct voltage and then produce little current. The state of health is no good for other reasons.

I've found using a good battery analyzer to be a much better tool then multimeter when testing batteries.

A DVOM can be used for sure, but, testing capacitance is a more informative method. Gives a better more accurate picture. Just my preference.....

Hopefully, ya checked the voltage regulator after installing new battery just as a sanity check to ensure your charging system is working properly.

Good deal man!
 
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S

Savage 1

Member
blackdogg6164 said:
UPDATE: don't do it. After the install, I pulled the bike out on Sunday for a ride up to Latrobe to Steelers camp. I turn the key and fuel on, helmet n boots and........ click! Then nothing. No cluster lights, dead as the inquisition. I pulled it out, replaced it with a Deka (my usual go to) and the Dog is thumping once again. I read online somewhere about "lightning starting" types were not good for high compression motors. All I know is this type, although lighter at 310 CCAs crapped the sidewalk. The power check but still read full charge too. Batteries Plus thought it was my bike until I let them hear a video I took after the Deka install. This is puzzling to say the least but my conclusion is simple. Dance with who bring ya. I use a great charger too........
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For others in forum, I believe this charger is designed for lead acid and AGM batteries. Not lithium batteries. I believe it has different charging profiles.

Please research before purchasing chargers and batteries. Important......Dogs are unforgiving when it comes to electrical circuits!
 
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Mickmorris

Mickmorris

Well Known Member
Supporting Member
blackdogg6164 said:
UPDATE: don't do it. After the install, I pulled the bike out on Sunday for a ride up to Latrobe to Steelers camp. I turn the key and fuel on, helmet n boots and........ click! Then nothing. No cluster lights, dead as the inquisition. I pulled it out, replaced it with a Deka (my usual go to) and the Dog is thumping once again. I read online somewhere about "lightning starting" types were not good for high compression motors. All I know is this type, although lighter at 310 CCAs crapped the sidewalk. The power check but still read full charge too. Batteries Plus thought it was my bike until I let them hear a video I took after the Deka install. This is puzzling to say the least but my conclusion is simple. Dance with who bring ya. I use a great charger too........
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Very happy to hear that you decided NOT to go with a lithium battery. I usually advise against it to members or at the least give them information to keep their bike or house from burning down. I use lithium batteries in my R/C racing boat and they are very temperamental to say the least. You can pick up a battery tester with a built in load tester @ harbor freight. Very handy for identifying a battery with a dead cell. Not super expensive and works just like what they are using at Batteries Plus. Have some great safe rides. As a side note you shouldn’t leave your trickle charger on continuously. You need to get a timer so it only charges for 2/3 hours a day. Constant charging will damage the battery. Might be why they are going bad so quickly. I use this on my charger. IMG_3986.jpeg
:chopper: :cheers:
 
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Jersey Big Mike

Jersey Big Mike

100K mile club
Lithium batteries frequently require a "warm up" when its cold outside. Turn the bike on and wait 2 to 3 minutes for current to flow thru the battery and it "wake up" as it warms up.

Battery chargers -- Lithiums are better served by specific chargers .

I had one lithium when I was in NJ -- it worked ok, as long as I warmed it up (couldn't get used to that) but I had another issue at some point that toasted the connectors on that battery and I've stuck with AGM's since.

Given the experience seen on this site, overall the risk reward isn't worth it unless you find a Lithium in the same price range as an AGM and know about your chargers.

There may come a day when Lithium batteries are worth it (tech is still evoling) but for now I err on te side of less $$
 
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