Warning Over Heat Issue - 2009 Ducati 1098r Lithium Battery Failure

Just removed a dead Lithium battery from a 1098R and sent it back to its owner (so I can no longer do any further tests).

Looks like it got pretty hot.... enough to melt the case of the Lipo battery.

Apologies for the poor picture, as you can see the middle of the case is swollen.

Stu when you get the bike can you also advise if there is any signs of over heating on the stator (especially this) and/or rectifier/regulator set.

Battery voltage upon arrival was 0.0003Vdc on a Bench Fluke multimeter.
Added a 12V battery in parallel, via 20 Watt 12 Ohm resistors, minimal (micro) current to start with, left it three days. Eventually got to 5.91Vdc, so this suggests that some of the cells are faulty.

For comment or discussion.
Race bike, no road going electrics...lights, indicators etc.

 

Ducati statement says they only recommend the fitment of the standard specification battery to these bikes as I mentioned on the other thread, but none of the 'decenter's to good advice' answered

 

Yes, but that's the accountants saying that - my question was specific and answered by their technical department and I also asked about fitting Ducati supplied Lithium batteries from a main dealer - it's a 'No' from them I'm afraid

 

To prevent burning Ducati's so we don't have to buy new ones as the recalls cost too much

 

Hi Ash,
I didn't name anyone, as there is no blame, just facts.

What follows is an educated opinion.
I've not done any active checks and the bike is now on it's way.
It appears that the LiPo battery has severely over heated, since I put on a AGM battery and that started the bike this morning (after 5 days?) I'd suggest that it wasn't drain that caused the battery to overheat, but instead charging. More than likely the 1098R own "generator set".
Did you ever put this bike on any battery tender?

 

You are a silly billy at times
You have read all the threads
some bikes have been designed with Lithium in mind.
Ducati say only fit 'standard fitment batteries' so that's exactly what they are saying regarding a 1098 or any other model that wasn't fitted with a Lithium battery as a standard / option.
Thanks for asking for clarity if you were genuinely that silly

 

That bike has a Lithium as an option FFS - grow up

 

Unless the bike was designed for Lipo.... Exige can you post the letter in this thread.

 

As soon as we get Ash to answer the tender question we can state that this make/model of battery was unsuitable for this actual bike, as configured for the track.
The battery may have behaved differently if all the normal electrics / loads where present, but I wouldn't guarantee that the same would not have happened anyway.
The battery melted.... and once the new owner opens the battery (it's in the bag, make sure you unload it off the van), we will be able to see what happened in this particular incident.

Exige what was the other model / year that caught fire?

 

It's in the other thread wherever that was but some people didn't want to comment or even read it perhaps. bless their little cotton socks (although they probably wear nylon ones )

 

Ask the dealership where you are buying the battery if they can confirm it is acceptable.
By that I mean can they check the stator, regulator/rectifier (in fact all the components in the charge/generator circuit) has the same part numbers for your bike and the Lithium models?
I assume the hot components are in the exact same place on both bikes?

If your bike had a fire and you had replaced the battery with Lipo if the insurance assessor picked up on this and thought he could blame this I wouldn't expect a payout. The above research could be used to ensure any such claim was paid.

Just so you know this isn't scare mongering (as some very ungenerous people have alleged), but instead a genuine attempt to let people know we have seen at least two Ducati's that have melted batteries or charge components while doing this "upgrade".
Where I sit on the risk scale for my Ducati's is fit an AGM battery; unless you are 100% sure that Lipo is acceptable. And by that I mean you have the skill set to assess the risks.

 

The question a dealer should be asked is if fitting a Lithium Battery to an older model will they warranty it (and your bike) if it causes your Reg Rec to set a light if so make sure they put it in writing

 

This same subject has been discussed ad nauseum and some not very useful input has muddied the message.

 

Please can you guys play in the other threads
Lets just try to keep this to the issue raised.