Charging Voltage Droop with Elevated Ambient Temps?

[dcarver]

On last ride, 2006 FJR, new Li battery, noticed voltage droop from a baseline 14.0 to 13.7, no load change initiated by me.

Being wary, I kept eagle eyeball on voltmeter and noticed at least 3 or 4 times that when outside temps dropped from 102+ F to a paltry 84 F the voltage climbed back up. Same approximate speeds, 65 - 80 mph.

Normal? Reasonable to have slight performance degradation e.g. VDC droop with elevated ambient temps?

 

[Brodie]

Don,

My bet is on the SHORAI battery being temperamental. I don’t remember that kind of behaviour with the two that I had in my last bike. The bike itself suffered from the increasing voltage drop due to age, that the Carver fix solved. With the re-routed ground connection direct from the voltage regulator to the battery, it returned a solid 14.2 volts!

I killed that second SHORAI with another deep discharge, that time while parked in my garage – no needing a jump start to get me home from several states away. If you check your warranty paperwork, it will not cover deep discharge damage. Early on too many were coming back dead because of it. My first one was replaced, my second one was not covered. 
 

You’re on the bleeding edge of technology with that thing, and so was I. I think they are too fragile for prime time, that’s why I went back to a tried & true OEM sealed battery, and haven’t looked back sense. 

Good luck with that thing.

Brodie

 

[dcarver]

The Li battery is a complete error in my judgement. And I did twice. Once on the 2013 now the 2006. Sigh. Never again. AGM for me next time.

 

[graler]

My new to me 2013 has a Shorai. I feel the dark cloud over head. Just a matter of time. I have a pigtail for a jump starter. I believe I will install that and make sure the jump pack is ready for prime time all the time. Then I can self rescue.

Joe

 

[RossKean]

I feel the dark cloud over head. Just a matter of time.

Just depends on ambient temperatures and whether you sometimes forget to switch off ignition.  A single deep discharge is likely to ruin a lithium chemistry battery whereas there is a pretty good chance your AGM will survive a couple similar events without severe damage.  (They still don't like it and lifetime will be reduced.)

Some people have had decent lifetime out of lithium batteries without major trouble.  The fact that they don't function well in a cold start means I would never consider one.  Not sure how they get away with advertizing high CCA when the test definition is specific:

"The rating refers to the number of amps a 12-volt battery can deliver at 0°F for 30 seconds while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts."

Note: Many devices that use Lithium batteries have built in circuitry to shut off when the battery discharges to a certain point and will protect the battery from deep discharge  (i.e. Cellphones).  Early automotive lithium batteries didn't have such circuitry built in but I don't know whether newer ones do.

 

[dcarver]

Well after 3 days of sitting, w/o Li charger, the battery is flat. I have one 300 mA draw (always on voltmeter). Put Li charger on it, after a minute 7.5VDC. Haven't looked after that. 

 

[RossKean]

I have one 300 mA draw (always on voltmeter).

300 milliamp draw for a voltmeter???"  That seems rather excessive.  That would draw down a battery by 7.2 ampere-hours per day.  Fully charged AGM battery would be FLAT in less than two days.

 

[dcarver]

300 milliamp draw for a voltmeter???"  That seems rather excessive.  That would draw down a battery by 7.2 ampere-hours per day.  Fully charged AGM battery would be FLAT in less than two days.

I think that's the right number..  I've been looking for an external water resistant .x resolution digital voltmeter with on/off switch.. No luck yet. 

 

[dcarver]

My total bad. 45 mA.

 

[RossKean]

One ampere hour per day is still enough to significantly draw down your battery over a few days but better than the 300 mA draw.

I have one a bit like this (below) - can't find the exact one.  On-off switch, waterproof, handlebar mount, and USB outlets.  A million similar ones on eBay for cheap.

Motorcycle Dual USB Phone GPS Charger Adapter w/ Red LED Voltmeter ON/OFF switch | eBay

Edit - just found the one I have...

Waterproof 12V Motorcycle Dual Port USB Charger LED Voltmeter + GPS Positioning | eBay