LiFePO4 replacement battery

[UtahPete]

My Yuasa is dead even though it was on a charger/maintainer over the winter. I'd like to try the LithiumIron one recommended by Hypurone on a different thread....

I am a HUGE fan of LiFePo batteries!... I yanked my OE unit after a couple of years when it started having inconsistent starting (ALWAYS on a Battery Tender) and replaced it with a Shorai LFX36 unit...The WEIGHT savings is HUGE! 4.55lbs (less if you don't get the 36 series like I did) vs the OE at 14lbs(IIRC)...

But, that battery has very different dimensions than the OEM Yuasa. Can someone verify this is the correct replacement, or suggest another LiFePO battery that is a direct replacement. Thanks.

 

[UtahPete]

I found this earlier thread which answers my questions. Thanks.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...Acid-AGM-Gel&p=1610997&viewfull=1#post1610997

 

[Joel The Biker]

The lithium batteries are much smaller and you need to add the foam spacers that come with the battery for fitment. The lithium battery I have has an internal computer and can be charged using an ordinary battery tender. They do suck in the cold weather and your bike may not start until you warm up the battery. That is the only negative I have found. Thought about adding a second one since there seems to be room now for 2 of them.

 

[UtahPete]

This is the Shorai battery I got to replace my dead Yuasa. The specs are quite good. It is smaller than the original and Shorai provides foam pads to make up for the difference if needed. Lithium batteries have specific requirements for minimum and maximum charging voltage and I've verified the Spyder's system easily meets those requirements.

I've also been able to determine that battery maintainers such as the Battery Tender Junior and my onboard NOCO Genius 2D are safe to use with the Shorai because they do not have a high-voltage desulfation mode; this is true for the Shorai because of its Battery Maintenance System (BMS); it may not be true for other brands of lithium.

Also, the Shorai is specifically designed for powersports applications and provides a greater cranking amps than the Yuasa (many lithium batteries are made for deep-cycle applications such as RV and are not suitable for powersports applications)

 

[UtahPete]

The Spyder battery hold-down clamp

As anyone who has replaced a Spyder RT battery can attest, fiddling around with the hold-down clamp is one of the greatest challenges when re-installing the battery. Also, the clamp is designed for the Yuasa OEM battery, which has a different configuration than the Shorai battery. As BikerJoel pointed out in his earlier post, the clamp needs to be modified somewhat for the lithium battery. I had to trim a little off the tangs of the hold-down plate to make it fit. The good news is that the smaller lithium battery provides more room in the tight battery compartment for finagling the clamp and the cables.

This is the bracket on the Yuasa

This is the bracket on the Shorai, before modifying the tangs

Yuasa

Shorai

Plasti-dip

Showing the slots at the top rear of compartment where the bracket fits in

Showing how I held up the bracket temporarily with tie-wire before inserting battery

 

[UtahPete]

I was a little concerned about protecting the positive battery post so came up with the idea of slipping a modified 3/4" pvc cap over it. I had to cut holes for the front of the post and where the hold-down plate 'tang' came down, and my SAE cord. I think it worked out pretty well. I also, as an added precaution, used Plasti-dip to coat the terminal post and the tang on the hold-down bracket.











Plasti-dip on bracket tangs

Plasti-dip on terminal

 

[UtahPete]

Installing the new battery

I used some wire ties to hold back the cables and hold up the hold-down plate while I put the new battery back into the compartment. This is much easier than before, if only because the light weight lithium battery can easily be grasped and maneuvered by one hand. The old SAE connector fits easily in the space, for when I might want to power some accessory directly from the battery, or use a different battery maintainer.

 

[dguisinger]

Any particular reason you went with the LFX36L3-BS12 and not the LFX24L3-BS12?

Shorai seems to indicate the LFX36 is the recommended battery, but Motosport.com says the LFX24 is the direct replacement for the YTX24HL
Based on numbering, measurements and CCA, it would seem like the LFX24 is the direct replacement.

 

[UtahPete]

Any particular reason you went with the LFX36L3-BS12 and not the LFX24L3-BS12?

Shorai seems to indicate the LFX36 is the recommended battery, but Motosport.com says the LFX24 is the direct replacement for the YTX24HL
Based on numbering, measurements and CCA, it would seem like the LFX24 is the direct replacement.

I like the greater power storage. They're both pretty small.

 

[UtahPete]

As anyone who has replaced a Spyder RT battery can attest, fiddling around with the hold-down clamp is one of the greatest challenges when re-installing the battery. Also, the clamp is designed for the Yuasa OEM battery, which has a different configuration than the Shorai battery. As BikerJoel pointed out in his earlier post, the clamp needs to be modified somewhat for the lithium battery. I had to trim a little off the tangs of the hold-down plate to make it fit. The good news is that the smaller lithium battery provides more room in the tight battery compartment for finagling the clamp and the cables.

View attachment 196726 This is the bracket on the Yuasa

View attachment 196727 This is the bracket on the Shorai, before modifying the tangs

View attachment 196728 Yuasa

View attachment 196729 Shorai

View attachment 196730 Plasti-dip

View attachment 196731 Showing the slots at the top rear of compartment where the bracket fits in

View attachment 196732 Showing how I held up the bracket temporarily with tie-wire before inserting battery

The last 2 pics may be helpful to anyone trying to replace a battery, regardless of type. The hold-down bracket is a tricky bugger to get back unless you have some idea of where the tang slots are located.