These companies know next to nothing about LiFePO4 and are simply taking cheap Chinese LFP batteries, slapping stickers on them and reselling them to unsuspecting buyers who believe the pure rubbish that it is safe to charge a LiFePO4 battery at 14.6V or regular lead acid levels.. Why? Because these companies have not a clue about interpreting the Chinglish instructions on the battery to begin with. They need engineers on their staff who actually understand LFP and not just a room full of marketers trying to interpret Chinglish.
Just got a new Lithium battery, as I was sick of the AGM ones failing after a year.I thought they had sent me an empty box it's so light! See attached pic.Even holding it, it feels like the bottom section is empty.Let's hope this one keeps its charge.
Hmmm, have alternators on bikes changed that much? I'm checking with a mate who has built his own electric bike and will let you know what he thinks.
Heard back from my battery mad friend, he wasn't 100% sure about lithium batteries. But he did say that they should not be overcharged or left to go flat. He also said that the bike will not check what voltage the battery is at so will just charge while you ride it until you stop.So sounds like the possibility to overcharge will always be present...
Something else I have noticed about the battery yu bought, LiFePho4 has way more energy capacity in the same phyiscal space as a LeadAcid, so I think your getting short changed. That battery should be more than the 14Ah, at a guess something like 20Ah - And while going through the list of Yt vids from the link I posted above I found one saying what I have been saying, you can not drop a LiFePho4 battery into a bike with a charging circuit design for LeadAcid - - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7odOzf2Q0X4
Thanks for the links, I'll do a bit more research to see what I can find out. You'd think the website selling these would have more info rather than just lumping these in with all the other lead acid ones saying it's a direct replacement.
Quote from: bigfootpete on 17 April 2018, 09:45:08 pmThanks for the links, I'll do a bit more research to see what I can find out. You'd think the website selling these would have more info rather than just lumping these in with all the other lead acid ones saying it's a direct replacement.Yeah thats the problem, you will find that these sites have bought them in from China and as ive read else where rely on the "Chinglish" instruction that come with them.Some more info about charging LiPo and LiFePo4 batteries on motorcycles - - http://www.fastbikegear.co.nz/index.php?main_page=page&id=18&chapter=1One of my questions got answered which was how will the batter be charged on the bike as you ride without getting damaged, and that is that reputable battery have an inbuilt Battery managment system (BMS). If it dosen't have this then you will haver to remove the battery often and charge on a mains charger, but even if it does have a BMS you will have to periodically remove the battery and charge off the external charger to balance the cells - if yours does NOT have a BMS then send it back RIGHT now for a full refund.But 2 issues that we as Uk rider will face are cold weather cranking (the battery has to be warmed/woken up) and LiPo and LiFePho4 do not like parasitic discharge (alarms), so as these batteries costs £100 or more compared to the £40-50 of the motobatt I currently have that will last a few years... I don't see the point atm in these types of batteries.
I don't ride very often these days, so in winter the drain from the alarm flattens the battery in a week - even just with the immobilizer on. I don't have any power to the garage so can't have a trickle charger attached.I even tried disconnecting the battery but it still went flat.
My research has led me to the conclusion that you can use a Lithium battery in an ordinany modern motorcycle. That's why I've got Lithium on my Fazer, Hayabusa and B-King all without any problems. Provided your regulator is in good condition, i.e. max charging voltage 14.4vGet a Lithium battery charger though and fully charge the battery before installation and only use it again if the battery voltage gets below 12v on the bike,which should only happen if you've got poorly fitted electrical accessories,BTW the fully charged voltage of a Lithium battery is 13.2v. The only caveat to this is a Lithium battery voltage will drop quicker than lead-acid if you have starting problems and need to crank the starter for longer than normal.