Race battery

[Rene EFE]

Right, from next week forward, I'd like to get started with the build of a racebike. One of the wishes I have is having the battery where the alternator usually lives.

Important things; It needs to strong enough to start the engine a few times, it needs to be able to run for the best part of an hour, it needs to be light, and it needs to fit in the space I have in mind.

Anyone have any examples that would fit my criteria?

[Ben Slabby]

As long as you're not cranking for ages to start,  a small 12Ah sealed battery should be more than enough. What's the electrical load exactly? Just the CDI unit? 

Edited September 12, 2015 by Ben Slabby

[Rene EFE]

For the near future I will be running stock CDI, yes. Other than that, nothing (apart from the startermotor)

Currently leaning toward something like this;

http://shop.antigravitybatteries.com/antigravity-batteries-ag801/

[Ben Slabby]

Fair enough. The CTZ12-S weighs 2.8 kg,  quite a bit heavier, but will supply 3Ah more but with a cost of maybe £25-£30. 

Admittedly,I'm biased though. I dont like the Lithium battery packs, don't trust em.  

[Rene EFE]

May I ask why? I've been running one on the Slabby for about 4 years now, never needed to charge it and it starts first time every time.

Cost in this instant is no issue; it needs to be light, small and strong, cost is totally secondary.

[Ben Slabby]

Nothing concrete, I know a couple of friends who've had them burst but from memory that was down to incorrect charging or mechanical damage. If cost isn't an issue, then fine; fancy battery it is.  

[Kristjan]

Lithium needs special charger if happens to need a charge, sure you're aware of this.

I was almost buying lithium but still got Yuasa AGM as I didn't want to spend more €€€ for the charger. Yuasa had more cranking ampres than any other brand of that type. Not as powerful as lithium, but strong.

[Rene EFE]

What size is yours Kristjan?

[clivegto]

One of these maybe.

[dupersunc]

Fit an Anderson plug to the bike, and have a slave battery which plugs in to start the bike. A small lithium battery should easily last an hour or more if you don't use it for cranking the engine over.

[G-BADG]

this is my Shoria next to my slingshot batery. no special charger needed

[Kristjan]

What size is yours Kristjan?

Standard battery for a WP, YTX12-BS. 180 cold cranking amps and weight 4.2 kg, I think it doesn't help you much. I'm riding it everywhere and want it to start every time, so I need a big one. A random battery from my friend's stock 1100 didn't start mine and I was on tight budget, so I just went and bought the best I could for €50.

Varta and Exide of the same type had 30 ampres less CCA and weighed 1.8 kg more for example.

 

I would go for a lithium battery if I was you and price is secondary. They are small, light and powerful.