Information - LifePO4 Lithium

Features

Motobatt Lithium batteries are around 3 times lighter than lead acid batteries
Designed to produce higher cranking performance for competition environments
Strong Starting Current, Reliable repeated start opportunities over a wide variety of conditions
Very Low “self-discharge” while in storage
Fast Recharge time, 6 minutes for up to 90% charge

Cell Balancing Circuit (CBC)

This is a key feature of Motobatt Lithium batteries over competition. Dynamic cell balancing provides the ultimate in cell control giving superior performance, life span and safety.

Each Motobatt Lithium battery contains a unique CBC which controls the charge and discharge of the cells at all times, especially when currents can be unreliable when in actual use on the machine. Many competitors require you to buy their specific charger at a high cost because the CBC is in the charger, not the battery itself. This is inferior cell control since the only time the cells are properly controlled and balanced is when connected to a wall socket.

Protection Circuit Board (PCB)

Motobatt has developed the safest Lithium battery on the market today. Designed to reduce the threat of thermal runaway, premature battery failure, and unnecessary consumer warranty.

Special Features

Over charge Protection: Prevents the machine, charger or consumer applying damaging voltages to the battery.
Over discharger Protection: Prevents the machine or consumer draining the battery to failure point by parasitic drain or battery application incompatibility. At 8V battery will shut down to protect the cells from being discharged to failure. Simply recharge to full voltage and use again!
Reverse Polarity Protected: A common cause of warranty when battery is short circuited on install
Prevents damages by non: Lithium chargers using de-sulphating mode or boost mode
Thermal Protection: Built in temperature sensor activates shut down process before the battery can overheat
Note competitor batteries or standard P series Lithium Batteries may not recover from being drawn down under 8V. This is the leading cause of nuisance warranty for Lithium batteries.

Motobatt Pro Lithium batteries are a high performance racing battery designed to produce high cranking currents for short burst periods. Lithium starting batteries generally lack Amp Hour capacity and are not suitable for applications where high power loads are placed on the battery. Stereo systems, Grip and clothing heaters, winches, light bars etc. all draw excess loads and lithium starting batteries are not designed to cope with these loads. Always thoroughly assess the power requirements of your machine with all loads on with an experienced technician before making a decision to use a Lithium battery.

Any implied Warranty will be voided if incorrect application is the cause of failure.

Battery Care

Lithium LifePO4 Powersports batteries are a relatively new technology being introduced to the market. They have completely different characteristics to Lead Acid batteries and as such care must be taken to preserve the operational longevity of the battery, and to make the correct choice.

It is not enough to simply have a battery that fits in the battery compartment, you must be sure of the starting current requirements of your machine prior to making a choice on using a lithium battery. You should check to see that the battery you are buying has enough constant Amperage to get the job done.

Some of the advantages of some LifePO4 batteries are that they have a long shelf life without the need for recharge. They can be charged from flat to operational within 10 minutes, and fully charged in around 2 hours. They are lighter in weight, and can save space for custom applications. They generally also have improved CCA per physical size Vs Lead Acid. But they do require different care.

FAQs

Always make sure that you read the instructions on how to use and store your Motobatt Lithium HP series battery. When unpacking your battery for the first time, place on charge prior to fitting as Lithium Batteries are not shipped at full capacity. Disconnect the battery from the machine when not in use to prevent any parasitic drain.

Q. When should I charge my Pro Lithium battery?

A. Motobatt Lithium Pro HP Series batteries should be recharged whenever voltage is found at 13.1 Volts or less.The ideal rate to charge at is around 2 amps.At no time exceed this limit.

Q. What should my fully charged Voltage be?

A. A fully charged Pro Lithium will have a resting voltage of around 14.4 volts. Monitor the battery once shown as fully charged. If voltage drops you may need to put it back on the charger again if it has been deeply discharged prior. You will see faster voltage drop if connected to a machine with a parasitic draw, so it is best to bench test the battery out of the vehicle if you are in doubt. Once under 2V (per cell) the battery pack can be permanently damaged so any battery found under 8V should be charged immediately. Such is the chemistry of the lithium cells. Motobatt HP series batteries contain a 2V battery cut off, (per cell) to protect the pack from being damaged from parasitic drain or over discharge. Simply recharge with your Motobatt PDC Fatboy charger and you are good to go.

Motobatt Lithium batteries can provide up to 1000 cycles vs around 500 for quality lead acid types. But this is in laboratory conditions where discharging and charging is done to specification. Like anything if you don’t treat your battery to the same treatment you will get a poorer result in terms of lifespan and performance. It is also true that while Lithium batteries can cycle many more times, they do cycle more often as their capacity is less.

Important Note:Before using a Motobatt Lithium Pro HP battery it is important to understand the Amp draw on start-up of your vehicle in all conditions, then match that to the correct battery. If the machine is pulling 80-90 Amps when it’s cold and the battery max Amp draw is only 66A, then you are in for problems when things get chilly. The correct battery is listed in our fitment look up tool for your convenience. New machines are being introduced all the time, and we constantly update our specifications to suit. If you have a custom built machine, or a highly modified machine, call us and we can suggest the best battery for your needs.

Q. What CCA should I be looking for when choosing my Lithium battery?

A. CCA (Cold cranking Amps) has little to do with how good a battery is for a given application contrary to popular belief. It’s the combination of Voltage (the force in which the power is delivered and Amperage (how much current) to create enough Watts (the end energy result) to start engines that is key. So very basically when dealing in DC, Amps x Voltage = Watts

The industry Lead Acid standard load test on a carbon pile tester is 50% of “rated” CCA for 10 seconds, since 100% of CCA is never available from any battery. In the case of lead acid types pulse discharge amps drop from 12.85V to around 9.5V within around 10 seconds and to about 7.5V after 15 seconds. Motobatt Quadflex AGM line design is based around the same principles of having more Amp Hour to support a higher voltage number at start-up to produce enough Watts to start the machine for longer.

The same is true for lithium with the exception that the situation is reversed. You do not have as much voltage drop as for lead acid when under initial load, generally on a 10 second start up 10-11V is still available to provide higher short burst current, and they also can provide that current for up to 80% of their rated capacity. However, the Amp capacity is lower to begin with, so somewhere in the middle the two chemistries cross over in terms of given application.

Therefore, with less Amp Hour capacity, lithium may for its intended purpose of “short bursts”, provide higher starting currents than conventional lead. The Voltage drop is less for a longer period. It is also why the battery will not handle current loss to constant power loads like accessories because it’s all or nothing so to speak.

Q. Lithium batteries are said to have a low discharge rate, can I leave them in my bike for longer periods?

A. No, you cannot, this is marketing spin and misleading since how long you can keep the battery in storage is not relevant to a consumer, unless you have a chipmunk like fetish for storing unused batteries.

Late model Fuel Injected Powersports vehicles draw power from the battery parasitically when the ignition is off. The ECU, Alarm, Clocks, and in many cases performance ECU will drain your battery, and with lithium, FAST. As the user, it us your responsibility to keep the battery in good condition to ensure long hassle-free life. Leaving your battery unattended in this situation is damaging and does not constitute a manufacturers defect warranty. You should charge the battery every ride to ensure voltage is maintained and cells are well balanced. This extends battery life dramatically.

Older Carburetted Powersports vehicles generally have little or no draw on the battery when the key is in the OFF position, so your battery may last 6 months to a year in this situation, however it is always best to disconnect the battery from the machine if you are not sure.

Q. Do I need a special charger to charge my Lithium Battery?

A. Yes and no depending on your level of competence in monitoring the battery whilst charging. Lead-acid battery chargers may only be used if they have an automatic cut off and no Desulphating or “Pulse mode of charging. Never use a standard constant voltage battery charger! You may damage your battery and in addition cause the battery to catch fire or become unsafe. Lithium battery charging can be dangerous if done incorrectly and if you are unsure do not guess, consult a technician. Most older lead acid automatic chargers do not put out high enough voltage to charge a lithium battery fully, so this should only be a go to in an emergency.

A Motobatt PDC Fatboy Charger is the perfect choice since it has been specifically designed to charge Motobatt Lithium Batteries with closely matched Algorithms. The charger is also a maintainer and can be left on 24/7 so you are ready to ride. Other manufacturers also have Lithium type chargers available, just ensure you have an automatic one that shuts off and monitors the battery.

Q. Is a Lithium battery ideal for all conditions on my Powersports vehicle?

A. Your vehicle charging system should be working properly within manufacturer specifications, most Powersports vehicles charge at 13.6-14.7 volts at idle, some European bikes charge a little higher. Its best to use the Motobatt Parts Finder to select the correct battery for your vehicle. If you are not sure contact us.

Under normal conditions and ambient temperatures, Lithium is a valid performance upgrade for your machine. However, if you have a lot of additional loads on your charging system with accessories, it is not the best choice.

Cold Weather

Q. Will my Lithium battery work in colder weather conditions?

A. Lithium batteries create a lot of CA (Cranking Amps) per size over lead acid types; however, CA is a different test to CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) which is the industry measure at 0 degrees Celsius. Because generally we are not riding in below zero temperatures, the Pulse Cranking Amps CA a lithium battery can achieve is higher than lead acid at normal ambient temperatures. But, at under minus 6 degrees Celsius and below, Lithium batteries struggle to work. This is where CCA ratings come into play. Many manufacturers spin between CCA and CA when referring to their products advantages. It is important to note that Lithium does not perform as well as lead acid in low temperatures, and these are two different measurements.

For a Lithium to wake up from its cold slumber you should put some sort of drain on the battery to warm it up such as turning on your headlight or some other load. This is all fine so long as you have enough amp hour capacity available to do that without dropping too much voltage while waiting for it to heat up, and still start the machine when the cylinder is frozen and the sump oil is like glue. Since mostly it is off road riders opting for Lithium, this is a bad day when you have no kickstart option as many late model bikes don’t. Further it’s impossible to turn on the headlight because the engine isn’t running. It’s not all bad though, generally after 5 minutes or so you will achieve a cold start with a load on. And so, it’s not ideal on a cold day…maybe stick to Lead Acid in these cases and take a Lithium along for a Jumpstart.

Water, cleaners and Corrosion

Most of us don’t like to go full submarine mode when our dirt riding, but we all have that one friend with stumpy legs…

Motobatt batteries are electronically sealed and can bear the occasional submerging for short periods. If you are prone to the forces of gravity when it comes to river crossings, you can seal around the battery with a light bead of silicone, and use a dielectric spray on the terminals.

Do not under any circumstances allow any chemical to enter the battery. Never use contact cleaners to clean your battery.

Q. Do Motobatt Pro Lithium batteries fit or do I have to modify them?

A. Motobatt offers a simple drop in exact size replacement. No shimming with bits of foam and making a mess of your battery compartment. If it’s Motobatt if fits!

Do This

Always make sure that you read the instructions on how to use and store your Motobatt Lithium HP series battery.

Always disconnect the battery from the machine when not it use if you do not have a Lithium ready Maintenance charger.

Lithium batteries can create a lot of CA per size over lead acid types; however they lack Amp Hour capacity. Left connected to the machine, your lithium battery will drain quickly under parasitic load. Once under 8V the battery can be permanently damaged. Such is the chemistry of the lithium cell. Motobatt HP series batteries contain an 8V battery cut off, to protect your cell pack from being damaged from parasitic drain. Simply recharge with your Motobatt PDC Fatboy charger and you are good to go.

Don't Do This

Never attempt to charge your lithium battery with a Non Lithium battery charger or a charger with Pulse charge mode

Lithium batteries have sophisticated electronics inside the battery to control the cells. Applying the incorrect charger can damage the cells or promote an unsafe situation. Doing so will VOID YOUR WARRANTY

Always make sure that you read the instructions on how to use and store your Motobatt Lithium HP series battery.

Read the instructions fully and understand how you battery differs from normal Lead Acid types

Never clean a Lithium battery with any chemical or any way other than wiping down with a damp cloth.

Some types of cleaners can penetrate inside the battery case and potentially do damage to the cells inside. Doing so will VOID YOUR WARRANTY

Never spray Paint or any other coating over your Lithium battery. Doing so will VOID YOUR WARRANTY

Expose your Lithium battery to a heat source or dispose of in a fire. Doing so will VOID YOUR WARRANTY

Short Circuit your battery. Doing so will VOID YOUR WARRANTY

Tamper with or open you Motobatt Lithium Battery. Doing so will VOID YOUR WARRANTY

Fit a Lithium battery to a machine that the battery has not specified

Some customers are excited about the opportunities a small powerful battery can present particularly when building custom bikes. However you must ensure that the Battery you choose has enough AH capacity to run the host machine as per manufacturer specification. CCA is not the only prerequisite of a battery. Doing so will VOID YOUR WARRANTY