Shorai battery

[cywelchjr]

Some FAQ's of interest on shoraipower.com ~~>
http://www.shoraipower.com/t-faq.aspx
Of particular interest to me is a chart showing voltage of the battery at different percentages of capacity of charge. Our regular battery is 12.7 volts, if it's "full" charge; 100%. The Shorai doesn't drop down that low, until 10% capacity of charge. And ranges between 13.3-14.34, 90%-100% of charge. I know when my current "standard type" battery is at 12.7 V, versus maybe being at 12.5 V, the machine starts easier, and the starter is "alive" (with a bit more authority) when it slams the starter clutch. Also, one would have to have better spark at "12.7V" versus any lower voltage reading, that would show on the multimeter. In cold, cold weather 12.5V won't provide near the cranking power or spark, that 12.7V or above will do. I use my Greenlee multimeter a lot. "14.34V' or anything above 14V, or even 13.5V, stands to reason, starter is going to kick the starter clutch harder and faster and with more spinning torque=(?)better engagement. T99Ford in one of his posts in the thread telling of his mishap, tells that Shorai told him they had redesigned the battery for "safety" purposes, and the process had reduced cranking performance by a minimal degree. So now those voltage numbers in the aforementioned chart may not apply.
Also, cywelchjr mentions above re "...... stable charging on that battery would not be met by the XS charging system..........." May-be. Bob Jones, RIP, mentions in his book XS ELEVEN HEAVEN, that the charging system of the XS11 is a superior charging system. He had also mentioned same, several times when he had his fabulous website. I have book #161; gosh, I wish he'd gotten book II finished.

Our charging system can't even put OUT that voltage level until about 2500 RPM without Geezers regulator which would be an issue. But from what T99ford says, these bikes don't have a stable enough charging system for those batteries, they need a pretty good system and while these may have been good back in the day, they are really poor compared to anything made in the last 15 or so years (or maybe even more).

[natemoen]

Well I guess you could put TC's alternator mod on and a shorai battery. TC said he was getting full charging at idle with the mini alt he put on. Seems like a lot of effort and expense for not much gain though.

[T99Ford]

A significant part of the problem I had with the Shorai was the old thyristor type voltage regulator not being able to cope with the heat generated by trying to damp down the robust charging system of my VTR. Since changing to the MOSFET regulator, I have had really good luck with my second (improved model) Shorai battery. It cranks the 1000cc V-twin like nothing. Looking back, I think that the next gen Shorai would work really well in the XS1100, since it has such a marginal charging system, and has a hard time generating enough current to produce voltages of the damaging range of over 14 volts. These higher voltages were the concern with the one I had that melted down--to which Shorai has added overcharge protection since.

I have several hundred miles on the replacement battery they sent, and have had no ill effect. To the contrary, there is no water to deal with, and removes an easy 7 lbs. I would confidently endorse the battery for the XS1100 especially since the old stock is gone, and the newer, improved batteries are now available. Cranking on the 1100 is no harder than on my VTR (particularly when hot), so I think even a non-spec'ed size would work well.

Just my .02...

[T99Ford]

A couple other things...

I never followed up here on the whole fire incedent. Shorai made good on all promises to repair the bike, and replace the battery with a next gen one. The new battery terminals are much stouter, and there are no other noticeable differences. Temps have not gone remotely over normal (and believe me, I checked) Shorai is a really standup company, with a terrific product.

Also keep in mind that these are NOT Lithium-Ion. They are the much more stable Lithium Iron Phosphate. Ironically, since someone mentioned this earlier, they are the exact same as the A123 cells. The A123's use the same mat found in the Shorai, just rolled up into a cylinder. The Shorai is just in a compact case already, saving the buyer some work.

Again, performance on the V twin is terrific, and it starts much harder when hot than my 1100 ever did. I say try it!!

Here is a pretty current pic of the battery installed (under the seat):

[oldnortonrider]

T99Ford~~I very much appreciate your input on the Shorai battery. (?)Which of the Shorai batteries do you feel that you would be most inclined to think would be most suitable for the XS1100? Batteries offered by Shorai ~~> http://www.shoraipower.com/c-1-batteries.aspx

(?) Do you feel that the standard/stock XS11 regulator would be quite compatible for use with the Shorai? ...........or would you recommend to use Geezer's upgrade?

[cywelchjr]

T99Ford~~I very much appreciate your input on the Shorai battery. (?)Which of the Shorai batteries do you feel that you would be most inclined to think would be most suitable for the XS1100? Batteries offered by Shorai ~~> http://www.shoraipower.com/c-1-batteries.aspx

(?) Do you feel that the standard/stock XS11 regulator would be quite compatible for use with the Shorai? ...........or would you recommend to use Geezer's upgrade?

I just went to their site and used the lookup tool, and surprisingly they actually have a listing for the 1980 XS1100, which means that should be valid for the other years as well. They list both a standard and I guess you would call it "heavy duty" battery. The listings are:

Standard Recommendation: LFX24L3-BS12

Our LFX Standard recommendation is the best overall pick for most applications, and has been selected to give strong cranking performance and long lifespan. This LFX battery is 12.53 Lbs. lighter than the lead-acid YTX24HL-BS. For technical questions, please see the Shorai FAQ.

Duration Recommendation: LFX27L3-BS12

The LFX Duration recommendation is for those who want the strongest possible cranking performance and lifespan, and don’t mind a slight increase in weight and cost compared to the standard recommendation. Users with extra electrical accessories - like stereo systems used regularly when the vehicle isn’t running - may also choose the duration suggestion. This LFX battery is 12.43 Lbs. lighter than the lead-acid YTX24HL-BS. For technical questions, please see the Shorai FAQ.

[DAVINCI]

WHOA!

$250 MSRP for their standard type. Yikes.

[cywelchjr]

WHOA!

$250 MSRP for their standard type. Yikes.

Yes, but look at the FAQ, they estimate a 5 to 7 year average life vs a normal battery. And they can go a year without any charging and STILL start the bike . They have a lot of the good characteristics of the battery in your laptop (stable voltage down to a very low charge state, no memory, no sulfating) plus they are not as volatile, not toxic like the laptop batteries AND handle both fairly high (for battery size) charging rates and pretty high discharge rates, right down the minimum usable charge level. My average on cheap walmart batteries has always been about 2 years, at that rate, they cost only a little bit more, rather like moving up to a premium standard battery, with a LOT more reserve capacity.

Read the FAQ about how much of the total capacity you can actually use compared to a lead acid. Now think about working on a cranky bike that doesn't want to start. These things actually crank better and faster on the 3rd and 4th try than the 1st, rather then the reverse like a lead acid does.

[somesuch]

A couple other things...

I never followed up here on the whole fire incedent. Shorai made good on all promises to repair the bike, and replace the battery with a next gen one. The new battery terminals are much stouter, and there are no other noticeable differences. Temps have not gone remotely over normal (and believe me, I checked) Shorai is a really standup company, with a terrific product.

Also keep in mind that these are NOT Lithium-Ion. They are the much more stable Lithium Iron Phosphate. Ironically, since someone mentioned this earlier, they are the exact same as the A123 cells. The A123's use the same mat found in the Shorai, just rolled up into a cylinder. The Shorai is just in a compact case already, saving the buyer some work.

Again, performance on the V twin is terrific, and it starts much harder when hot than my 1100 ever did. I say try it!!

Here is a pretty current pic of the battery installed (under the seat):

My experience exactly, plus the case is some sort of carbon composite...it is in the FAQ

FYI I got mine from Santa Clara Cycle salvage at a 15% discount.

[oldnortonrider]

My experience exactly, plus the case is some sort of carbon composite...it is in the FAQ

FYI I got mine from Santa Clara Cycle salvage at a 15% discount.

Important input; glad to see someone else chime in about any knowledge or experience that they're having with the Shorai battery. I'm going to get this Shorai battery; I've decided; although, now, I'm not needing it for my original idea to have it help to maybe mostly eliminate the "starter-clutch-kickout" problem, which I'm sure would be a "side benefit". I installed the Iridium plugs 3-4 weeks ago, and now it starts and catches so quickly, compared to OEM type plugs, that the starter-clutch-kickout is nearly non-existent.

[somesuch]

Important input; glad to see someone else chime in about any knowledge or experience that they're having with the Shorai battery. I'm going to get this Shorai battery; I've decided; although, now, I'm not needing it for my original idea to have it help to maybe mostly eliminate the "starter-clutch-kickout" problem, which I'm sure would be a "side benefit". I installed the Iridium plugs 3-4 weeks ago, and now it starts and catches so quickly, compared to OEM type plugs, that the starter-clutch-kickout is nearly non-existent.

Wow, it has been eight years and I still have that same Shorai battery ... but now it is in a different bike

That battery is awesome! there was one year when I left my bike sitting in the neighbors garage, and the bike started right up when I went to start the it when I needed to move...I could not believe it.

I have now bought a couple of Shorai batteries more, one for the Husky 610 and one for the GSXR1000 both are perfect.

I made a trip to their Morgan Hill headquarters once, thinking GSXR battery was faulting, they handled it admirably, but it turned out to be my ECU that went bad (as I found out was common to that year GSXRs)

Anyway, in summary, very happy with everything Shorai I bought!