Lithium-ion batteries are becoming more common as more manufacturers fit them as standard from new. They have higher cranking amps than regular AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries, so they can be smaller and lighter. That’s ideal for both motorbikes and smaller capacity machines such as scooters. The trade-off to this weight and size saving is that Li-ions are typically one-third or one-quarter the Amp-hour capacity of the equivalent lead-acid. This means when connected to a bike, particularly one with lots of on-board electronics, they’ll drain three to four times faster. And if they do end up going ‘dead’ flat, they’re more difficult to recover.
Most high-end lithium batteries will be protected by a Battery Management System, which needs to be reset when the voltage drops to a low level, otherwise it will refuse to recharge. They are significantly more expensive than regular batteries too. This means that if your bike is fitted with a Lithium-ion, you need to get used to caring for it, because they need a lot more love and attention than the AGM equivalent.
The best way to do this is to connect it to a charger/maintainer whenever your bike’s not in use, and that should always be a Lithium-specific design, so it’s being charged in the correct way. A surefire way to damage a Lithium battery is by overcharging it – if it is subjected to a voltage above 14.6V, rapid cell damage will occur. Excessive overcharging can even cause a Li-ion battery to heat up and eventually self-destruct, burning from the inside out.
Standard 12V battery chargers/optimisers are designed to deliver high current at low voltage and then taper off, whereas a lithium battery at low voltage needs a controlled low current charge until it reaches 12.8V. Go for something like OptiMate’s Lithium series which will test, assess, monitor and maintain a Lithium battery within its safe range, without the need for your input. All OptiMate Lithium chargers feature BMS reset technology, so they can recover deeply discharged lithium batteries too.
Get into the habit of connecting it every time your bike is parked up and from the day you get the bike/battery – this way it will get to work keeping your battery in top condition from the word go, avoiding any potential problems or failures altogether. Oh, and if it’s too late and your Li-ion is flat, don’t reach for the jump leads! A deeply discharged lithium battery needs to be recharged very carefully. A high voltage shock, like you get with a jump start, can cause irreparable damage.
Visit our shop to view a range of Lithium and AGM battery chargers, from big brands such as NOCO, Motobatt and Optimate.
