Motobatt Pro Lithium. Proprietary technologies backed up by real world use
Adding to our specialized Powersports offering is the new generation Motobatt Pro Lithium range.
Specifically designed and tested in our own high performance machines, Motobatt has again surpassed all others in capacity and engineering to develop the safest and most interchangeable Lithium battery in the Powersports Industry.
The Motobatt Mantra is always to build the best battery capable of giving superior performance.
1. A battery that matches OEM sizing with any modification or shims
2. Must perform in every size application the part number catalogs
3. Required to start in all conditions from high heat to freezing cold
4. Able to start high powered Stage 4 Harley Builds repeatedly without hesitation
5. IP67 Waterproof for Watercraft, UTV and ATV applications
6. Simple sturdy terminal attachment, for strong connectivity and multiple accessories
7. Exceed all OEM specifications for both Capacity and Cranking Amps
8. UL Certification not just on cells, but each and every individual battery-SAFE
In earlier years and indeed still today, Lithium batteries were hit and miss in performance and left many riders disappointed with an expensive purchase with less than expected performance. It is not a matter of the correct sized case alone. In many models of the same physical size the battery design will not start or perform as intended when fitting the nominated part. This is due entirely to what is inside that mystery plastic case!
Manufacturers took a one size fits all approach to design assuming that all engines of a certain size or battery type would work well with the same “off the rack” BMS and cell pack. This is a mistake. There are large variations in Amp draw on Start-up, between different brands, temperatures and tune level, even if engine size is identical. This can create havoc with the battery, some customers bikes will start well, and some wont start at all without triggering the over discharge function. Why? Because Amp draw at start up can exceed the battery parameters.
What is important? Knowing how to construct the battery for its intended application.
BMS- The battery maintenance system is part of the key. With many off the shelf designs manufacturers take what will work for a price, rather than design and build a bespoke design.
At Motobatt our Engineering department designs and produces our own BMS specific to our AA Grade cells and capacity. This ensures that no matter what model we say our battery fits, it will work. If the machine has big cams, high compression, a tuner or a stroker crank, our BMS has the parameters built in to ensure repeated strong starts. Our Harley models are capable of repeated 800A bursts without going into protection mode.
Our BMS are the safest in the industry and provide the following protections:
Voltage Optimization: Ensures each cell is charged to the same voltage, which prevents over and undercharging. It results in maximum power output and longer battery life. Each cell is optimized for 3.65v for optimal condition.
Enhanced Performance Control: Helps prevent voltage spikes and drops. This is important for hot and cold weather starting and when under heavy load.
Enhanced Safety Circuit: Prevents thermal runaway, a potentially dangerous situation that can occur in Lithium batteries.
Overcharge Protection: Stops the battery from being overcharged by faulty voltage regulator. If the voltage exceeds 15.4v, the battery will go into limp mode. Charging protection will activate if any one cell gets to 3.9v and after a 1 second delay, the protection circuit will start protecting the cell from overcharging. Once the cell drops to 3.8v or below, the protection will deactivate and the battery will function as normal.
Discharge Protection: This feature protects the battery from being discharged too deeply, this will damage the battery. If the voltage of the battery reaches 8v on discharge, the battery will go into limp mode. To resume using the battery, simply recharge to full capacity. If any individual cell drops below 2v, after 7 seconds delay, the discharging protection will start protecting the cell from over discharge and damage. Once the cell raises back to 2.3v the protection will deactivate and the battery will work again as normal.
Temperature Protection: This feature stops the battery pack from overheating. If the battery pack reaches 55.C during charging, or 75.C during discharging, the battery will shut down. The battery will need to be cooled down and recharged before reuse. An overall temperature protection of 85.C and above will shut down the battery.
Capacity- In Lithium cell technology many lesser capacity cells will achieve Cranking Amp numbers that will seem like they are suitable for your machine. However, they fail to address overall Capacity or (Amp Hours). Modern Powersports vehicles have large cycling demands and constant power draw. Much higher than older bikes where the battery only operated headlight, taillight and indicators. Now with Thermo fans, ECU, Piggyback tuners, Fuel injectors, ABS braking, power steering, electronic suspension and Stereo Systems just to name a few, the battery must have the correct capacity. Capacity is the only way to product sustainable cranking amps while the battery is under heavy electrical loads. A battery with less actual capacity than the OEM requires, will let you down and cause gremlin issues.
Many manufacturers and sellers will market products showing a “Lead equivalent”. For example, well-known brands claim that an 8AH lithium pack is equivalent to a 30 Amp hour lead battery. This is plainly unsubstantiated. These batteries are built to maximize profits not performance.
At best lithium may perform at a 2/1 ratio. That is a 15AH lithium may provide the same useable capacity as a 30AH lead acid. An 8AH pack may provide cranking amp performance initially, but as the capacity is drained quickly, performance drops sharply, further it leaves no headspace for maintaining various power draws from modern electronics. So, we can say an 8AH Lithium equals a 16AH lead. Would you put that in your bike that comes with a 30 Amp Hour lead battery? Clearly it is already under cooked. What can go wrong? Lots.
The common claim is that Lithium will provide more cycle life before failure. And like for like this is completely true. However, an 8AH lithium pack being utilized for a 30AH application will cycle much faster as it has much less capacity to draw from. Like a mouse on a wheel, it will cycle. Practically this burns up the cycle life battery as it is like driving on an empty tank under wide open throttle. Eventually you are going to run lean and fail. If you ask more of it than ideal conditions like cold start, hot start, repeated start, it will trigger the safety board and leave you stranded. It is not fun sitting on the I95 with your 700lb Road Glide in the Florida sun because your battery died while you were listening to your favorite tunes.
Motobatt Pro Lithium is “overmatched” to OEM specifications. We provide the correct amount of Amp Hour capacity, along with additional head room to deal with modern accessory demands.
For Example, our MPLX30UHD-HP replaces an EOM battery of 28 Amp hours correctly with a 20 Amp hour Lithium. On an 2/1 ratio our Lithium battery is equivalent to a 40 Amp Hour lead battery. This guarantees the battery performs as intended, and will give long service life with plenty of head room for engine modifications and additional accessories. Further with a more powerful BMS it ensures all the electronic functions are perfectly controlled. Providing repeated full capacity starting power over and over without triggering the BMS shut down due to lack of capacity and associated voltage drops. It optimizes charging in your machine to protect the charging system.
Cost vs Value: The BMS becomes more costly as power control demands go up. Along with AA Grade cells of more than twice the capacity of other brands, that are selling for the same price...
There are many gimmicks in the Lithium space that seek to cover their lower performance. Like restart buttons and emergency start functions. This is a crutch for weak performance in the beginning. If you build the battery right it will not shut down on you in the first place. We prefer to do the job properly first time and build the battery correctly.
What should you look for when buying a quality Lithium battery?
What is the Amp Hour capacity of the battery? Will it provide your OEM coverage based on a 2/1 ratio? Will it provide any additional power demands you require?
What is the CCA requirement of your OE battery? Remembering that CCA is the Cold Cranking Amps available at -18C, not ambient temperature. All Lithium batteries are only measured in CA or Cranking Amps. That is to state that they will supply vastly reduced Cranking Amp performance when temperatures are at -18C. This is just a scientific fact. Lithium batteries do not work well in cold temperatures unless they are pre heated (the lesser the pack capacity the larger the performance drop in cold temperatures)
Motobatt Pro Lithium WILL provide OEM Cranking Amps at -18C is they produce far higher Cranking Amps at ambient, and while there is associated performance loss at cold temperature the OEM CCA ratings are still attained.
What is the maximum peak Amp rating of your BMS? How many pulse discharge amps can it handle without activating the over discharge feature? Repeated fast starting attempts will trigger lesser quality BMS.
Does the BMS have all the safety features or does it just contain a balance board? Without a full safety board and control you and your machine may be at risk.
Does it require a special charger to “balance the cells”. This is a big flag. The battery is only controlled and balanced when it is returned to the wall charger. What is controlling the battery when it is in your powersport vehicle? Subjected to an antiquated Stator and Regulator rectifier control. The components are prone to failure and can create problems in a battery with sub optimal BMS.
Motobatt batteries are always in control
Is the battery IP67 Certified for water ingress? If you plan on using in a PWC or Bog vehicle you do not want a leaker. It’s a long swim home.
Motobatt Pro Lithium are IP67 rated
Is the battery UL certified SAFE? Many assemblers claim UL certification, yet only the cell packs are certified. Not the battery assembly! You may have decent cells but a bad battery design may never be safe for any cell.
All Motobatt Lithium batteries are individually UL certified designs
Here at Motobatt we hear many horror stories from customers who purchased that cheap lithium battery only to find they are replacing their $850 stator and $400 regulator rectifier a year later when the lithium battery burns up the electrical system. This is a big ouch!! These machines were never designed for a Lithium battery and cannot cope with the faster charging rates available. The wiring looms are not up to spec. Machines that come with Lithium as standard factory part have heavier gauge wiring looms and components to handle greater current. If the BMS is not tightly controlled you will get a bad experience.
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”
Should you buy a lithium battery?
Here at Motobatt we build many different chemistries of battery. They all have their strong points and use cases. Though we love our Lithium batteries, a well-maintained lead acid battery will provide 5+ years for performance and that is completely acceptable.
Now let’s compare:
Lead Acid
The battery is less expensive
99% of the battery can and is recycled.
Core discounts given when handed in
Works in all weather conditions
Ambient temperature starts are 80-90% as strong as Lithium
Safe and no chance of thermal runaway
Can be push started when flat
Designed for the charging system of the machine
Provides long life when correctly maintained
Generally higher Amp Hour capacity in the marketplace
Lithium
Lighter in weight (but when correctly matched for capacity weight increases)
May provide stronger starting performance in ideal temperature conditions
Will provide more capacity than OEM providing capacity is correctly matched
Lower self-discharge rates, store longer on shelf without boosting
Cost is higher especially for larger applications
More points of failure. Reliant on cells and BMS electronics which may be subject to failure in certain conditions
Cannot be used on vehicles without a solid-state regulator
Costly for recycling. No apparent use other than stored black mass…
Costs money to dispose of the battery
No core discount when handed in due to no recycling value
Operates within a tighter voltage limit
Will shut down completely if safety board has an event, requiring board reset
Here at Motobatt we are all about selling the customer what they need for the job at hand. We can sell you anything you want, so we hope that this blog gives you a good understanding to make a decision.
Overall, we believe that AGM is a very robust battery and is a great all-rounder.
Lithium also has its place in high performance applications, racing, and a slight reduction in weight. But it can be more fickle. We think they are great, but once the bike starts I don’t think about it anymore. And my AGM battery starts my bike also..
Often times I can buy 2 lead acid batteries for the price of one Lithium, will I keep my bike long enough for the return on investment? If I neglect my lithium battery, it will not last any longer than a lead one.
Is my bike worth spending the extra money on?
These are some of the things you should think about before parting with your hard-earned greenbacks.
Ultimately battery longevity is all about how the customer looks after their battery.