-
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will see less advertisements, have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
Ballistic Battery?
- Thread starter kbfnail
- Start date
Help Support Buellxb Forum:
I have an Alien Motion 12 cell on my XB12. I have only been using it for the past two weeks and it has no problem starting the bike. The past week or so the temperature has been in the mid 50s to mid 60s and I have had to crank it once to warm up the battery (the motor hardly wants to turn over) and then the second try it cranks and fires like a champ. That is a characteristic of these LiFePO4 packs. Just last night I looked into buying the 16 cell pack from Ballistic to possibly resolve that issue.
The LiFePO4 batteries have a high internal resistance at lower temperatures so the available cranking amps are much lower. Once a large current draw had been placed on the batteries they warm up, their internal resistance decreases, and they can provide their rated cranking amps. Ballistic has a Youtube video demonstrating this characteristic at much colder temperatures than what I have experienced: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOzpYsLDUAM
The LiFePO4 batteries have a high internal resistance at lower temperatures so the available cranking amps are much lower. Once a large current draw had been placed on the batteries they warm up, their internal resistance decreases, and they can provide their rated cranking amps. Ballistic has a Youtube video demonstrating this characteristic at much colder temperatures than what I have experienced: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOzpYsLDUAM
konarider94
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2009
- Messages
- 4,435
i experience this as well but sometimes it resets my clock and trip odo on the first attempt which is really annoying. anyway to avoid that?
I just emailed Ballistic asking about that. They say use a larger battery pack, like their 16 cell, which can provide more current at lower temperatures. I'm looking into building a pack to my specs instead. I think I can put one together with more cells and still fit it within the small space I have.
EricZ I would check the size of the battery before buying. both Ballistic and Shoria websites list their largest batteries for Buells both are larger than your stock one.The Ballistic is 500 cca and the Shoria is 300 cca when the stock battery is 200 cca. I am looking at buying the 12 cell in the spring myself witch is 400 cca.As for the cold starting I would just turn the headlights on for a few minutes before starting to get the battery warmed up, do this with the car on cold mornings when the temps are on the minus side.
konarider94
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2009
- Messages
- 4,435
yea when i bought it they recommended the 12 cell and now i see they recommend the 16 cell [mad] i think i should get a credit.
ill have to try that
ill have to try that
Ya, the 12 cell Alien Motion battery I bought is rated at 360 cca. I think Ballistic changed their recommended battery for the Buells since the 16 cell would probably be less temperamental at cooler temperatures than the 12 cell, and the 16 cell is still smaller than the stock battery.
I'm also looking at making a small battery warming blanket for these winter months. Since I have limited space, the 12 cell is about as big as I can go without major changes. I'm not sure that battery warming pads could warm the battery up very quickly without getting too hot for other things under the seat. Here is a shot of my current battery setup:
I'm also looking at making a small battery warming blanket for these winter months. Since I have limited space, the 12 cell is about as big as I can go without major changes. I'm not sure that battery warming pads could warm the battery up very quickly without getting too hot for other things under the seat. Here is a shot of my current battery setup:
brock
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2011
- Messages
- 194
i have the 12 cell and i have no issues, i also spent the money on the charger. its important that the cells are balanced during charging. plus i dident want to hear any BS if i had a issue with the battery and they tryed to tell me its because i did not have the proper charger. they do say you can use a reg batt tender.
It,s not the actual battery temp. so much as getting the electrons moving when the battery is cold. I would just be concerned that I would foul the plugs if it did not start on the first try.The size of the 16 cell are 4.5"L x4.5 W x 4.25 H and the 12 cell is 4.5 x 3.5 x4.25 if this helps anyone
Raven, why do you say it's not the battery temp? Just looking at the basic V=IR, if internal resistance of the battery goes up as the temperature goes down and the voltage stays the same, the current through the battery goes down. I experimented with my battery earlier today and after just one quick starting attempt the battery is noticeably warmer to the touch than ambient.
I'd pass on the ballistic... I just took my 12cell ballistic out an went back to the genuine HD battery and couldnt be happier. I was tired of having to press the starter twice to get it to warm up an crank over, clock would reset and my starter was getting beat up from my impatience of not wanting to wait.
Eric you a probably right , that is why they sell battery warmers, as you said it won,t start on the first try and this wakes up the battery and it starts on the second try.Getting the current moving warms up the battery lowering the resistance and it starts. Lithium are more prone to this than lead acid batteries when cold.But I think when you "wake" them up first the higher cca will give better starts.
