Hitchcocks Forum

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The last acid trip (changing to a lithium-ion battery)



There are arguments for and against with cost being a chief 'against'. However the pro's certainly swing it for me. The increase in power of about 20% doesn't really mean a lot on a kickstart motorcycle, and the fact that it has a considerable weight saving also seems lost on a Royal Enfield, where the bike will go as fast as it wants, without any regard as to what you want it too!


My main reason for spending a heart failure on a battery, is that it contains no acid or gel. It is basically comprised of a load of salts, and after the battery's normal life expiry, can be broken open and used as plant compose (REALLY, look it up).



Another winner, is that it is much smaller for the power output and can also befitted any way up, in the same way that it does not matter which way up the Lithium-ion battery is in your mobile phone or camera!

So my main reasons in this case, is that if Kevin were to fall or be knocked over, then I would not have the added problem of battery acid leaking and damaging the various parts that it would come in contact with. With the saving in size, I even have space for a first aid kit, something I try to carry on all my vehicles.







Here we have Kevin's reasonably new and hardly used battery, already looking like it is suffering with sulphated plates in one cell, seen just above the 'R' in 'HUNTER'. Possibly due to the bike being laid up for a while.








Although not easy to gauge from the photo, this Lithium-ion battery is much smaller that the acid bath that it is about to replace.








This wood was carefully crafted to help stop the smaller battery from wandering about the toolbox. Just visible is some of the existing cushioning that was holding the old battery in. This was cut down to suit the smaller space needed.








The bottom cushion is sitting on the original battery holder. This allows the cables to be taken tidily underneath the battery, and for a couple of spare fuses to be housed there as well.








The Meteor Minor (possibly most?) RE's have most of the electrics live all the time. the ignition switch does just that, i.e. stops the engine, but the lights, horn and everything else can still be operated with the key removed. I took the opportunity to add a bullet connector into the Neutral line as well as there being a fuse in the positive (earth) line. This also allows quick removal of the battery by just removing the fuse and disconnecting the bullet connector. This was mainly done for when I am away for several weeks at a time, and wish to make sure that there is no chance of any fault in the wiring being able to start a fire on my bike. It also makes the task of charging the battery simplicity in itself, as it can be removed in seconds.








With the neutral connector connected, and the fuse pushed into the space under the battery, the original retaining clip with a slight modification is replaced, holding everything secure.








An added bonus is having room for a first aid kit. I did wonder what use this might be in an accident, but on a more practical front, there was a time a few weeks ago that I was replacing Tornado's chain and managed to catch my thumb between chain and sprocket, whilst turning the wheel.
Stupid twat is exactly what I was, but I was also glad as hell to have the cleaning wipes and other stuff in the first aid kit, so they are not just useful if you knock your head off!









And who would ever have thought that all this technology and potentially life saving equipment would be hidden under this innocent looking cover?

You can also pop the wooden spacer under the prop stand when you park on soft ground! A.

Now that's a point.



There is room for a "Motorcycle paddle" (National trust) or 'Bike puck' in there as well. Might well come in handy for the odd show. Although at the last event that was staged in a field, they were handing out bits of wood to everybody as you came in!

You realise, of course, that having seen this, our hosts will now be busy setting up to produce CNC-machined alloy spacers of the same dimensions, etched with their own logo. Look out for them in the next catalogue! A.

Hi Scalyback,

Be careful about grouping all lithium batteries into one group, there are actually many different chemistry mixes involved. Traditional Li-Ion batteries are a no-no for replacing lead-acid in motorcycles. The ones available on the market for this application are LiFePO4 - Lithium Iron Phosphate. This is a very stable configuration and very tolerant of abuse that would cause a Li-Ion battery to explode. Main benefits are weight-savings since they weigh only 20% of what a lead-acid would for the same capacity. And take up about 50% as much space.

Reference https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/r ... ry.294828/

I get the idea Caboose, but that post is about 6 years old.



As long as you get a car or bike type battery, it will slip right in with no charging ctt, problems.



You are right that not all type are the same, but I only meant to compare the fact than they can be mounted anyway up!


I have had three RE's with them in now, never had a problem, but they are still rather expensive of course!