Hi thinking of fitting a lightweight Shorai battery to my Hyper 1100s as my original battery is on its was out. Read the charge on the Shorai battery last longer and as the bike is in a non powered garage so hard to use a trickle charger . Has anyone used one of these batteries and if so what are your thoughts. Thanks.
I used a Shido LifePo4 battery on my last bike (a Triupmh Daytona 675) because had exactly the same issue as you have, no way to hook up a trickle charger. It always started first try and it started faster than with the original Yuasa battery (something to do with higher Cold Cranking Amps if my googling is correct). The only time I had to hook up a trickle charger was the first charge and I used my normal trickle charger. After that I never had to top it up again, even after a longer period of standing still and low temps. Sadly I needed a stronger one for my 848 so I couldn't take it with me from the Triumph. The next battery for the 848 will however be another LifePo4. My dealer uses it on his race bikes to (first 1199 in superstock spec, now 899 in endurance spec).
I'm about to install one in a 1098. The thing to remember is although they will keep a charge longer than a conventional battery they will run down just as quick if there is a parasitic load from the electronics, like an immobilizer. They have a narrower Voltage window and need to be kept within that, on the one I have from about 14.3 to 9.2 Volts. If run flat they will almost certainly be toast. I also had trouble with the first of the batteries I got failing to balance charge properly. They are made up of lower voltage cell packs in a series parallel combination. More series cells up the voltage, more parallel up the capacity. A conventional charger can be used (providing it doesn't have a de-sulphating cycle), or the bike charging system, but it is advisable probably twice a year or so to use a specialist balance charger that charges the internal cell packs individually. This ensures that the cells are all at the same voltage internally and are not over or undercharged inside the battery thereby prolonging the battery life. If going Shorai I'd get their own charger (what I have) as although you can use aero modeller chargers Shorai have a different pin config for balance charging. Carrot cycles stock them and the batteries. I also have a bigger battery than Shorai recommended for the 1098, its LFX21A6-BS12 which slots right in to the 1098 compartment with only one bit of foam get the height right. Its worth checking the models to see which one fits best and not just take the manufacturer's word on recommendations.
Funny thing is that the 1199 can use a smaller capacity than the 1*98 and even the 848. Something to do with the valves being slightly open when starting to lower the compression to make starting easier.
