I have one that was a brand new replacement I got from them about a month ago. I'm picking up a new stocker this afternoon so I don't think I'm keeping the shorai. If I lived in a warm climate I would have no hesitation. PM me and I can send you the specs later when I get home I think it is the 18AMP. I put in in the bike and started it but still have trouble cranking in cold temps so I took it out. I did not even run it on the bike yet. It isn't worth the trouble to have to cycle it multiple times, I don't have a 30 year old motorcycle and am not going to put up with that BS to save a few pounds. I need my bike to start without drama.
I think I'll keep it and put it in my 625 sxc. I used to move the old battery back and forth between the bikes There is just enough room in the sxc when you pull out the stock battery rubber bottom and move things around a little. They have good customer service.
Something to consider. My bike had a problem that led to the Shorai battery having problems. It turned out that I had a bad voltage regulator and the bike was not charging the battery. When I was stopped and idling there was enough voltage to charge but when I was riding at higher RPM the voltage regulator failure was causing the voltage to drop (not go up). I'd ride around with my aux lights, GPS and grip heaters on making the problem worse. Finally the bike would not start on cold mornings. Is your voltage regulator working? I talked to Shorai about the battery before I knew of the voltage regulator problem and they replaced the battery and were very helpful. That led me to testing and determining the voltage regulator was bad. I've had a couple of cold mornings with temps in the mid to low 30's and it has started fine. Cold temperatures are still a problem with the battery chemistry. Growing up in Labrador we used to plug the car in so the block wouldn't freeze. I think what someone needs to develop is an electric heater to surround the battery. Then plug the charger into the heater into the battery. When the battery is charged the current would be used to keep the battery warm. Maybe part of a grip heater element and some thin aluminum strips to transfer heat around the battery.
^They already have battery heaters for cars so can only imagine they have them for the smaller form factor of these size of batteries. Google search, first thing that came up for me. http://www.padheaters.com/battery_heater.html
Poor mans battery heater. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/F-hmezF0_vFsIpdhM6JTnoe5yFGTo6Jk7dt1E5SHQV4?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RLTXL8UBs-A/T3DAD3N3NVI/AAAAAAAAAeo/2NHp7GZwYtc/s400/P1080071.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">Lähettäjä <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/wakaik/Akkulampo?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJLwgcLpkdGUdQ&feat=embedwebsite">Akkulämpö</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3F-w2ckbCm07np4KDt3Bkoe5yFGTo6Jk7dt1E5SHQV4?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nWKbrmzzFZQ/T3DAEnYVQtI/AAAAAAAAAes/IpcbEiWYVRI/s400/P1080074.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">Lähettäjä <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/wakaik/Akkulampo?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJLwgcLpkdGUdQ&feat=embedwebsite">Akkulämpö</a></td></tr></table>
I'd be quite interested to hear how that battery heater pad can make much of a difference, unless of course it's powered up for at least a couple of hours, until the battery core reaches a more reasonable temperature. I somehow prefer to use the battery own energy to quickly heat the internals (with some substantial current draw form heavy loaders), as long as capacity hovers around some safe levels (>90%). There's also another interesting thread where another inmate has taken the LiFePo4 battery investigation to the next level, and the findings regarding capacity and some regulators/rectifiers shortcomings might be of interest to some of you following the Shorai subject. And one last item that I found useful, although a bit expensive, is a high precision (micro-processor based) digital voltage real-time monitor for Shorai battery charging. I'll report on its capabilities as soon as it arrives and gets installed.
I'm also interested if it make any difference at all. I'm hoping that this heating system could rise the battery temp faster than just keeping your lights etc. on. Usually when outside temperature has been above 10 C it has always started fine. Few degrees less and its a no-go without 15 min start-relay exercise. It's not that big of a difference but of course it's difficult to transfer that heat to the battery internals and it may take some time like you said.
I agree with EdGear. IF your Charging System is workin properly, I don't see how you could go wrong the Shorai 18ah Mine has worked Amazing for well over a year in All Temps I wouldn't dare buy anything else
Just installed one into my 950 here in sunny Perth (aust) and it spins the twin much quicker than the OEM. Have to say I have no idea how old the OEM is cos it's been there since I purchased the bike about 3 years ago
Okay now some experiences and closure to my shorai story. If you could switch the heating on 1 hour before starting it might help slightly. Less than that and it didn't make any noticeable difference. But now my shorai has made its last starts. After a night of -5 C it could not start at 0 C. After few tries it slowly died completely. Voltage is still good, 13,3 V but it can't even turn the bike on. I mean when I turn the key, bike might blink dash lights and then just shut down. Now with new lead acid battery it starts like it was "under a palm tree" at sub-zero temperatures.
There is a very good thread on these batteries in the F800 forum by our own battery expert JoelWiseman.. Long story short, if an RR charges at less than 14.4 volts = big problem. If it charges at more than that, then less of a problem, but still there is one.
I have a 3 month Ballistic EVO 18 cell and last Sunday after a 32 degree F night I had to let the bike site with lights and heated grips on for 3 60 second counts a with a 30 second rest in between before it would crank over. Have a new Ricks voltage regulator cranking out 14.9 v from idol to 5000 rpm. I might run it for the summer then it is going and a Deka lead acid is back in the bike. It is a pain trying to heat the battery up in the cool or cold days.
Hi! Can anyone measure the size of the BMS connector on a Shorai? I'm planning to make a cable and the battery is behind sw crashbar. If someone can reach the battery any better than me, than I don't have to take my bike to pieces :) Thanks
That's what they call a 4S (JST-XH male) connector and you could find the wire extension at any RC store. I got mine here, but you'd need to make a wire extension with 2 female ends (out of 2 male-female wire extensions) in order to connect to any balancing recharger or monitoring voltmeter. I'm not sure if you can find wire extensions with female-female connectors, but you surely can find the connectors and cables separately in the same RC stores (like this).
My Shorai Died after a year of service :ddog I charged it & it was still dead. I replaced it with a East Penn Deka AGM Battery Longevity is what I'm seeking