Shorai LFX18A1-BS12 and Water Exposure?

[DARKRYDER]

I just installed a Shorai LFX18A1-BS12 ultra lightweight high performance battery in my 990 Adventure R and it's working fine, but I just learned that this battery is not waterproof and I do 2-3 week rides through tons of mud, dirt and sand including deep water crossings. I'm concerned that this battery is going to shit the bed on me in the middle of nowhere hundreds of miles from the nearest motorcycle shop. Is there any way to waterproof this thing by sealing it with silicone or has anyone else used this battery on their adventure and beat the snot out of it through many water crossings? I'm thinking of putting the OEM Yuasa battery back in and selling this. Any thoughts?

[SCflyer]

J,
You may want to give Craig from CJ a call for his exp. He's had one in his for 2yrs or so and sure he doesn't shy away from water up there.

Also maybe give Shorai a call, they've always been helpful with questions.

[It'sNotTheBike]

Originally Posted by DARKRYDER

I just installed a Shorai LFX18A1-BS12 ultra lightweight high performance battery in my 990 Adventure R and it's working fine, but I just learned that this battery is not waterproof and I do 2-3 week rides through tons of mud, dirt and sand including deep water crossings. I'm concerned that this battery is going to shit the bed on me in the middle of nowhere hundreds of miles from the nearest motorcycle shop.

If water enters the battery you will have problems.


The best solution is to buy a battery which doesn't have
such a vulnerability. Rather than suggest a particular brand
( this might imply bias on my part ) I will just say that if you
are riding off the beaten path you owe it to yourself to use a
different battery which is not going to be damaged if you
submerge it in water.


And then there is the issue of Shorai batteries not having
internal electronics which allow for balanced charging via
the bike's charging system. This is a design deficiency of the
first order. Other batteries have better designs.


I bought one Shorai but I'll never buy another, for the reasons I
outlined above. Shorai is ( like the BMW GS ) a triumph of
marketing BS over substance, but sooner or later the truth
comes out. And that is why some of us ride a KTM and some
of us use a battery which is not a Shorai.


.

[It'sNotTheBike]

Originally Posted by SCflyer

J,
You may want to give Craig from CJ a call for his exp. He's had one in his for 2yrs or so and sure he doesn't shy away from water up there.

Also maybe give Shorai a call, they've always been helpful with questions.

Yeah, those two sources could not possibly be biased
or have an agenda which has something to do with selling
Shorai batteries. Surely they will give you only accurate
info on whether a Shorai is going to be reliable, after all
they don't have anything to lose by telling you that a Shorai
will have problems, right ?






.

[The Griz]

Where did you hear that Shorai batteries aren't waterproof? Just wondering. I have used a shorai battery in my dirt bike for over a year. Rain, mud, dust, whatever.... I've never had an issue.

[DARKRYDER]

Thanks guys. I'm going to put the factory Yuasa YTZ14S battery back in the bike as I can't afford to get stranded on a long adventure ride in BFE and ruin a trip over a battery that is susceptible to water damage. My fault for not doing the research first. I do like the idea of saving 7 lbs. and I would run this battery in a sportbike all day long, but not feeling optimistic about it on the 990, especially where the battery sits down low behind the front tire. I read in a few forum threads that it is not waterproof and you can tell just by looking at it that it won't keep water out. there's an electronic interface on the side to plug in the Shorai charger which I cannot imagine is waterproof. Will post the battery and charger up for sale soon. Thanks.

[Qwik]

Ive never heard of one failing due to water intrusion. Have You?

[DARKRYDER]

Not firsthand, but I don't want to find out the hard way. Maybe I'll ask Craig to see what he thinks. I could seal the thing with silicone, but then the warranty would be void. Decisions...

[ABuck99]

Bias? Please point us to the technical information that illustrates the design deficiencies you are describing. I'm interested to learn more.

Originally Posted by It'sNotTheBike

If water enters the battery you will have problems.


The best solution is to buy a battery which doesn't have
such a vulnerability. Rather than suggest a particular brand
( this might imply bias on my part ) I will just say that if you
are riding off the beaten path you owe it to yourself to use a
different battery which is not going to be damaged if you
submerge it in water.


And then there is the issue of Shorai batteries not having
internal electronics which allow for balanced charging via
the bike's charging system. This is a design deficiency of the
first order. Other batteries have better designs.


I bought one Shorai but I'll never buy another, for the reasons I
outlined above. Shorai is ( like the BMW GS ) a triumph of
marketing BS over substance, but sooner or later the truth
comes out. And that is why some of us ride a KTM and some
of us use a battery which is not a Shorai.


.

[DARKRYDER]

I pulled the Shorai battery out of the 990 tonight and sealed all of the seams with clear silicone including around the terminals and interface connector port. It should be essentially water tight now. I didn't want to sacrifice the weight savings. Will see how long it lasts...

[Zombie025]

Aren't only LiPo-Batteries, not LiFe-s.thing like the Shorai vulnerable. I have two in my 250EXc and my 990 and never (1 year) experienced any problems, the 990 surely got water in the box (River crossing), while the 250 only got wet from sprayed water.

[Orangecicle]

The Shorai just won't start my 950 in the cold. Period. For a long time, it would work on the third try, but that became harder and harder over time. Now the battery won't take a charge, so it's done. I was planning on charging the Shorai and carrying it in luggage as a backup because they are supposed to hold a charge forever. But now, it's headed for the landfill. I'm going to try the Interstate battery for a change, and I don't think I'll go down this path again until the technology is better.

[zeegman]

Originally Posted by DARKRYDER

I pulled the Shorai battery out of the 990 tonight and sealed all of the seams with clear silicone including around the terminals and interface connector port. It should be essentially water tight now. I didn't want to sacrifice the weight savings. Will see how long it lasts...

Darkryder,

I had my Shorai in when we went across deep water crossing in Wyoming (remember forever west 2011) with no issues. Was in torrential downpours in Pacific Northwest when we thought the bikes were going to float away.
Battery has been completely soaked or underwater (since it sits so low on the 950) many times with no issues so far.

MZ

[MTN roads]

I have a pair of them and have never had an issue with them at all. There is the quirk about not liking the cold after they have been sitting but after powering the headlight or the starter for 20 seconds they come to life. I am a believer in them

[Mikehusa]

I have one as well and have had no issues. Actually, I killed one by leaving the key on all night then charging it with the wrong charger. I spoke to Shoria and told them what I did and they sent me a new and improved model free as long as I sent the bad battery back in the per paid box they sent. Outstanding service. Do actual research instead of spreading rumors on the Internet.