EarthX lithium battery

[BWC]

Thought I would give one of these a try as the OEM battery seemed to be loosing some of its punch last fall. Went with the ETX24C which is a direct drop in replacement for the Tenere. The EarthX site specs. the ETX18C, but I chose to move up a model to hopefully help a bit regarding any potential loss of cranking ability in cold weather (below freezing). One of the changes I noted was 13.3 Volts vs 12.6 Volts (have a voltmeter on the dash)in resting voltage (key off) over the stock battery. And 12.2 Volts vs 10.9 Volts when the engine is cranking.
Its been installed now about a month and 2000 km. so will update in the future how it performs, be it good or bad.

 

[maddog5150]

Keep us posted. I have been debating between one of those or a Shorai when the OEM starts to head south......

 

[ballisticexchris]

I can comment on the EarthX since I've had mine for just over 2 years since my bike was new. It has never failed to start. The one thing to remember with this or any lithium battery is it will take a few stabs at the starter button to fire up your bike in cold weather. By trying to start the bike, it actually "warms up" the battery.

The real advantage is being able to let the bike set for months at a time without discharging. You can't go wrong with your choice. Enjoy!!

 

[Chuck B]

I spent 10yrs in the battery business (specifically 2way radio) but sold the business (retired) nearly 18 months ago. We manufactured our own batteries. While LiFePo's are now considered old technology they are relatively new to the motorsports arena. There are advantages but also some disadvantages. Long story short I've installed these batteries in all my motorcycles...advantages out weight the disadvantages imho. My brand preference is alienmotion.com While nearly all use the same cells its the time/effort that each manufacturer takes to match each cell when loading a battery case that can really make a difference. As for cold weather....todays cells are far better than just 3yrs ago. While you can simply stab the starter button a few times to get the juices flowing I found it better/easier to simply head down to the garage and turn the key to "on" then head back inside and finish getting dressed (riding gear). The 3 min or so was enough time to get the electrons movng to give full start amperage. I'd highly suggest a LiFePo specific charger though old school auto 10amp basic charger will work as well. I like/use Optimate.

 

[Karson]

Do the earthx's have an onboard charging controller on the battery?

 

[Rubberbaby]

Was curious I have a super T (2012) and also a warn motorcycle winch. How would these lithium batteries hold up to winching operations? ( withe motor running of course) anyone know if the high demand would work in these batteries favor? Thanks..

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Checkswrecks]

Do the earthx's have an onboard charging controller on the battery?

Yes.
EarthX's claim to difference is in their BMS.
http://earthxmotorsports.com/our-batteries/

 

[Checkswrecks]

Was curious I have a super T (2012) and also a warn motorcycle winch. How would these lithium batteries hold up to winching operations? ( withe motor running of course) anyone know if the high demand would work in these batteries favor? Thanks..

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

With the motor running, the alternator will not give you much, as the electric output will be limited to the very little that can produced at idle rpm. Rev the engine to more than a few thousand rpm and the alternator probably would support most or all of the load.


As for the batteries, yes they would be excellent for a winch. See the Ragone plot, about 2/3 the way down this page. The type of discharge you are talking about would be toward the right, so you can see how the flatter slope of the lithium battery would be beneficial for this type of use.
http://www.mpoweruk.com/performance.htm


EarthX claims to be based in Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 chemistry, which is one of the least likely to go into thermal runaway. Not using liquid electrolyte gives them a wider temp range, at the cost of reducing energy density (vertical axis) on that Ragone plot. For how I read their advertising, and to get the temp range they are, my guess is that they are installing more cell capacity than really needed and cutting charge when it is cold. Those are really good features. I've seen such problems in cold Li cells that I'll wait for them to show me life performance plots for -30C before believing that part of the ad. But then, I won't be using my bike at -22F.

 

[Chuck B]

I'd caution using a LiFePo for operating a winch. I'd want to closely watch battery voltages and would not want to run one down much at/below 13.1vdc. While they are energy 'rich' they are typically short on capacity and susceptible to greatly reduced life and/or permanent damage with large voltage drop. 13.1vdc is about a 60% discharge to the cells.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'd caution using a LiFePo for operating a winch. I'd want to closely watch battery voltages and would not want to run one down much at/below 13.1vdc. While they are energy 'rich' they are typically short on capacity and susceptible to greatly reduced life and/or permanent damage with large voltage drop. 13.1vdc is about a 60% discharge to the cells.

Really good point, and for any lithium battery, not just LiFePo.
Over discharge causes internal copper plating, which shorts the battery internally. Not a hazard, but you will need to buy another battery.

 

[Rubberbaby]

Thanks for the reply so awhile good using a lithium battery for most things.. but not robust enough if heavy discharge occurs..
Thnaks ::015::

 

[kenbike]

I had one in my KTM 990 and it went into melt down and damaged some parts around the battery. The gray smoke was streaming out of the battery compartment and I was hoping it would catch the bike on fire and I would get a insurance payoff. That was the worst bike as far as break downs it have ever owned!