HarleyTechTalk

I'm up for another battery in my 2016 FLSS, I am entertaining the idea of a lithium LiFe type, my concern for this application is the temperatures these batteries can take in service, I've never put the heat gun on my battery so I don't really know how hot it gets sitting so close to the oil tank, the typical upper range limit on the lithium batteries I see advertised is 50-60°c, does anyone have any experience in this situation?
Cheers.

I have read that lead acid batteries are more sensitive to heat than lithium iRon batteries, but the internet can't always be trusted. I have a Antigravity LI in my 113" FXR, its location is in close proximity to the oil tank but have had no problems thus far. The battery is 4+ years old.

My lithium-iron battery is 7 years old. Not a softail,but I've been in vey hot NYC Traffic jams numerous times times.sofar so good.iwas told not to put it on a tender when the bike is hot or under 20*F.

Gday Hilly,
I wouldn't, but that's me. I'm very risk averse and a battery fire (though rare), worries the bejesus out of me!
When I wanted new Softail batteries, I found Dekka to be the best, but they sure are fat (heavy) compared to those slim little Lithium batteries.

Thanks
Pauly

I have installed several NOCO's in fat boys and softails.  Have had one (different brands) in my horse shoe tank on my hard tail since 05.

I am aware of a softail turbo drag bike with no charging system running the NOCO w/out any issue.

I am planning on running the NOCO softail batt in my 09 FL set to 15:1 and turning 1.7 starter.  It does have stock ARC's.

Thanks for the replies fella's, I did some temp testing yesterday, ambient temperature was a blistering 26°c(sarcasm) and after half an hour I checked the battery temp immediately after shut down at the bowser and it was 36°c, when I got home I left it idling for a couple of minutes so I could check the oil level properly when I turned it off and the temp was 35-40°c depending where I pointed the temp gun, I sat the seat back on and let it heat soak for a few minutes and the battery temp was 53°c at its warmest spot, oil temp at shutdown was 107°c.
I'm going to give the Predator PRL-12 a go, got one for $380 delivered, it has built in temperature protection as well as undercharge and overcharge, its upper temp is 60°c, being a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery it is much safer than the Lithium Ion types or so the story goes.

I've had a Shorai Lithium Iron battery in my heritage for almost 3 years. Never any issues and it spins the motor over like there are no spark plugs in it no matter how hot the weather.

G'day Hilly,

Please keep us posted on any differences you notice!

Thanks
Pauly

Quote from: Hilly13 on March 10, 2025, 02:25:08 PMThanks for the replies fella's, I did some temp testing yesterday, ambient temperature was a blistering 26°c(sarcasm) and after half an hour I checked the battery temp immediately after shut down at the bowser and it was 36°c, when I got home I left it idling for a couple of minutes so I could check the oil level properly when I turned it off and the temp was 35-40°c depending where I pointed the temp gun, I sat the seat back on and let it heat soak for a few minutes and the battery temp was 53°c at its warmest spot, oil temp at shutdown was 107°c.
I'm going to give the Predator PRL-12 a go, got one for $380 delivered, it has built in temperature protection as well as undercharge and overcharge, its upper temp is 60°c, being a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery it is much safer than the Lithium Ion types or so the story goes.

Quote from: IronButt70 on March 11, 2025, 06:58:35 PMI've had a Shorai Lithium Iron battery in my heritage for almost 3 years. Never any issues and it spins the motor over like there are no spark plugs in it no matter how hot the weather.

Thanks Mr Iron, that heartens me greatly 😁

Using a SSB lithium in my 01 for 8 years now

I did look at them as well JSD, they are up to 800CCA now, the one in my bike now is their HVT-1, my second one of that particular battery in 3.5 years, I was a little shy of trusting them on their promises of the lithium variety longevity based on my experience with them, happy to hear they work well and last, the one I got is only 360CCA but that is more than the bike really needs to start, see how it goes, hopefully won't need to buy another battery for this bike for many years.

I replaced the SSb mate as no kicker on late bikes. I fitted the old one To my ride on mower. LOL . It's still spinning engine over after.6 weeks holiday. They don't like battery tenders as 12.8 . I purchased a proper Charger. Because the battery likes 13.8 . Can post a picture of charger if interested. As beer and forgot brand. Au purchased. Best sent Mate 

Yes, lithiums require a special charger. They do not like the de-sulfate feature of standard Tenders.

Thx fella's, yep aware of the charger situation, thinking I will get the CTEK Lithium XS, various places here have it on special under 200 at times, will grab the best deal I can find shortly.

CTEK is good gear, I've a couple of CTEK-D250SE for my Solar stuff

  I too have been using CTEC for 4 years for my 970 CCA Lithium battery on the advise of AntiGravity.  They get quite hot when working but my research indicates it's normal due to the high output required for a proper charge.

Yes that's the brand I have .