Replacing with a smaller battery

[pete]

Sure do...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190529686660&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

One tip with eBay, don't just search ebay.com.au, search ebay.com as well, especially when looking for stuff like this. This one won't show up on ebay.com.au.

[pete]

Actually this is eBay store of where GSRyder got his from, probably a little more reputable I would think:

http://stores.ebay.com.au/voltmanbatteries?_trksid=p4340.l2563

[oohsam]

Ah yes I see.

I wouldn't be comfortable making my own, but given I had the knowledge, why not hey..
I'm acutally quite excited to get this into the bike once its all running good. Happy to get rid of the battery and hide this away (which should be fairly easy)

[gsryder]

Actually this is eBay store of where GSRyder got his from, probably a little more reputable I would think:

http://stores.ebay.com.au/voltmanbat...id=p4340.l2563

I can say nothing but great things about Pete at Voltman batteries.

He had never heard of using A123 cells for motorcycles before, so we did some experimenting

He first made me a 4 cell - didnt work and got hot, I sent it back he had a 8 cell in the mail to me the next day...NO CHARGE!!

I had a problem with the 8 cell a few days later not sure if it was on my end of a faulty cell or what it was exactly but it wouldnt hold a charge.

Called Pete told him what happened he mailed out another completely new one, again the next day.....NO CHARGE!!!!

He told me if I had another problem it probably just wont work and he would refund my money.

I have had this one in now for two or three weeks I dont remember exactly but it has been working flawless multiple rides short long in the rain no problems.

Again I cant say enough about their service especially since we were trying something kinda new.

If you call them ask for Pete tell him you heard about him on a motorcycle forum, I told him I would recommend him. I figure its the least I can do for all the help he gave me.

[gsryder]

Ah yes I see.

I wouldn't be comfortable making my own, but given I had the knowledge, why not hey..
I'm acutally quite excited to get this into the bike once its all running good. Happy to get rid of the battery and hide this away (which should be fairly easy)

Whatever you do DONT use the A123 battery to diagnose and trouble shoot problems they do not have the cranking capacity/longevity of a lead acid battery and you cannot use a standard trickle charger to charge them. I dont remember exactly but I think you need something like a 6amp charger or something bigger cant find where I put that info.
They take a little more to charge then a standard lead acid battery I am having some electrical issues on my bike but that is a whole other can of worms.
Standard bike with standard electrics should have no problem.

Just use your old lead acid battery or a car battery to get everything sorted first then install the mini battery

[oohsam]

Yeah, I definitely wont be using it to diagnose any issues. I've flushed out all electrical issues anyway and built a brand new wiring harness from scratch with a new fusebox and all. So thats all good.

I'll be hooking up the bike to the lead battery that I have at home, and getting everything running, in which case I will then do the switcheroo.

The guys from testscyle said that my battery can just be replaced with the lead one, and the charging system currently on the bike will be fine for the battery. So I dont have to modify anything....

[gsryder]

Sounds like your ready to go!!!!

[pete]

Cool, that all sounds great!

I've been using my wife's car battery for all my testing so far and will keep doing that until it's ready for rego which is when I'll buy a battery.

By that point, I expect I'll be right to go for a A123 style which should fit neatly inside the duck tail I'm hoping to make this week. I really don't think I'll fit even a small lead acid or maintenance free in there so I'm really counting on the A123 working.

[oohsam]

Hey Pete,
The size of the standard battery is way too big for my liking.
My cafe racer project just wont allow it to fit in there without it dominating 80% of the space under the seat where the electrics normally go. I have totally opened that area up and want it empty for that nice open frame look.

This battery should work nicely if it all comes together. Pics will come later of course!
I too use a car battery for all testing.

[pete]

Cool, totally agreed on all of the above... I do want to use the area where the battery is normally located, but I want that for a little secure area for tools and whatnot... not a battery. Given my exhaust will run up alongside the left there, that area won't be as empty as having the standard style low exhaust.