You know I'm right!
These look really impressive!
Massive weight saving too, as all models are well under 1kg. Only 2 different case sizes though, but they supply special packing material for fitting.
http://www.shoraipower.com/default.aspx
Who's going to be first to import one?
Nunquam Non Paratus
I've sent them an email...
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
You know I'm right!
If you're interested in one, this place is priced well and apparently ship outside the US.Originally Posted by Edbear
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http://www.twfracing.com/shorai.html
Nunquam Non Paratus
I was thinking about becoming an NZ agent for them and I'll be asking if they are suitable for cars, etc. If I can get them at a realistic price, they may go well.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
If this is the same LiPo technology as used in R/C cars / planes, I understand they require pretty careful charging or they can go up in flames. Would the average motorcycle charging circuit be sophisticated enough to maintain these properly?
Link to R/C lipo battery info: http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-lipo-batteries.html
it's not a bad thing till you throw a KLR into the mix.
those cheap ass bitches can do anything with ductape.
(PostalDave on ADVrider)
They have just sent me a dealer application form which I have filled in and sent back. He said at the mo they are flat out trying to gear up to meet the demand from the US and haven't been able to even think about other countries but has offered me a reseller discount to import 3 batteries for "trials" and "internal testing only".This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
The pricing looks ok, more expensive than lead-acid of course but reasonable given the tech and I feel should find a market here. I've asked for more info and technical details meantime. I'll keep everyone posted on developments.
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Team Wrecked 'Em Racing
Why "more expensive than lead-acid of course"? At 78cents per cell it shouldn't cost a premium for a LiPo battery.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
http://cgi.ebay.com/100-batch-A123-b...item2c584a8371
Use the best, use MotoMart, Pirelli tyres and EBC brakes
MotoMart
7 Rutherford St Lower Hutt
ph: 04-589 5106 or 0800 DUCATI
NOt quite apples with apples, but I'm talking with the manufacturer so should get the best price they can do them for... We'll see what they say, anyways...This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
So what's the application here?
As pete says above, they aren't suitable for use in a SLI application, would have some advantages for total loss racing/bucket systems I suppose, if those guys are wanting to replace water pumps with electric ones to gain a small advantage then a couple of kg weight saving must be a good thing!
No, completely different. That's a LiPo, this is a LiFePO4. They're fine in motorcycle charging systems, I have an 8 cell. Cost me a hell of a lot less than a Shorai battery... those are fine if you want to pay for the packaging (which is very convenient). Zoran at TWF (linked above) will happily sell you some, he's quite happy with them. A friend has a 4 cell in an NSR250, been there about 6 months now I guess... weighs like 300g IIRC.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
DO THEY SPEAK ENGLISH IN WHAT?
I'm happy to be a beta tester for you. Its amazed me for years that when we are crowing about weight reduction "Oooooh, look, these clipons are 300g lighter than stock" that we carry a big old lump of lead around with us in the form of a battery.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
"Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine." Patti Smith
111000101000100010011110
+1. A bunch of guys on the RC31 forum run 8cell custom made ones too. We installed some old as LiFePO4s (4 cell) from an electric bicycle (so not designed for cranking amps at all) onto my vt250 and it goes fine (turns over a little slow), but held its charge for about 3 months, and weighs heaps less than stock. I have heard mutterings that battery tenders won't touch them, but when they hold charge for so long, and are tolerant of high depth of disharge, can't see why you'd need one!This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
But if you know where to look, you can get the individual cells cheaper than these shorai batteries.
I appreciate everyone's input, as it's giving me the right questions to ask them. I think, price-wise, there's much to be said for simple "plug and play" and people will pay a bit extra for convenience if the "extra" isn't OTT.This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
The charging question is very important.
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
These are indeed very expensive, but they're also very convenient. Don't worry about a tender, a LiFePO4 will only lose 1% of it's charge over a year. CCA isn't a problem either, a single cell will provide up to 110A for 10 seconds, so an 8 cell will start a car ok. Making your own is a little harder know due to the number of counterfeit cells out there, but do your research and you'd have no trouble. TBH, the counterfeit ones will crank a bike fine in any case.
It is - and here's some info for ya (and anyone else listening :-))This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
An automotive charging system is designed around a lead acid battery chemistry. Simple as that. A bike's charging system is in most cases harder on batteries that a car's.
A Lithium chemistry battery is fundamentally different to a lead acid, and the two are not interchangeable in terms of refilling them with ergs - they have different and specific charging characteristics. Some of them will explode or burst into flames if abused, and believe me you do NOT want to be dealing with a Lithium fire!
LiFePO4 batteries happen to be one Lithium based chemistry that stands up to less than ideal charging (i.e. in a motorcycle) but there will be some effect in terms of service life, energy availability or some other factor. Basically something will suffer, the question is - is it still worth it to the individual? I have seen add on modules that try to give the cells a more suitable charge profile, also there may be battery packs out there with built in monitoring and control.
The fact that people are having good results with certain types and brands is an indicator that there are no major showstopping problems, so it remains up to the individual to answer the weight saved vs extra cost vs potential problems.
If it was me - well, I am just not that good a rider to be able to make any use of the same weight reduction as a couple of litres less fuel, or less pies, or not carrying my bag on a bike! That's why I originally asked what the application was - on the street, what's the point? The biggest advantage would be that you can leave yer bike sitting for a year and then still have enough juice to start it.
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