Shorai battery issues

bigdog_mike

bigdog_mike

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Replaced my 2006 Apex battery in December with a Shorai Li-ion battery which was 7 pounds lighter than a Yuasa stock Yamaha battery, but it not a cheap fix as it run $185 as apposed to $85 for a stock battery. It was a true 7 pounds lighter than stock, but the problem is when its cold it will not start the sled, only after several attempts does the battery warm up enough to spin the motor fast enough to start the Apex. This means I have to run the starter multiple short starting bursts of a second or so till the Shorai battery warms up, then it will spin the engine fast enough to start the Apex. This happens every day when the sled is first started, which over time I believe will DAMAGE the starter. Not Good, as a starter is not cheap or easy to replace. So has anybody else had similar problems with the Shorai Battery? I feel that having to use a charger to keep the battery warm is stupid and not a reliable method when your sled is out in the cold...which is everyday during the snowmobile season. Do I ditch the Shorai battery for the stock Yuasa which I got only one year of life...purchased it Nov 15, 2010 and had it on a battery tender all during off-season only to attempt to start it in Dec 2011 and its deader than a door nail, so then I purchased the Shorai battery this December to then find that I needs to be WARMED up to start the sled and in the process burn years of life out of my starter :o|
 
A new Yuasa battery is far cheaper than a new starter which could fail at a very inconvenient time. I went thru that battery only lasting one year, next was has been good but I put in a 20 series battery instead of a 14 series.
 
Shorai battery issues possible fix

Just went to there website and found this answer on their FAQ, so I will test out this fix tonight and see if it works and let everybody know the results before I contact the Shorai.



Q. I hear that lithium crank poorly when it gets cold, is that right?
A.Lithium do increase in resistance more as temperature drops, compared to lead-acid. However, they also react to cranking under cold conditions in a much better way. Lead-acid will increase resistance on each subsequent cranking attempt, until it won’t turn over. If your LFX fails to start the engine on first crank, that first crank has warmed the battery, and the second attempt will be much stronger, and so on until you get a good start.

Shorai LFX are much better in cold-weather conditions than other-brand lithium starter batteries, due to our eXtreme-rate formulation with low resistance. Down to about 20 degrees fahrenheit (-7C) most users find that they can start normally on first crank. If your headlight comes on at key-ON, it is good for the batteries to flow some current before cranking in cold weather. The suggested headlight-on time before cranking depends on the temperature. If starting at 40f (5C), 30 seconds will help wake the battery and increase cranking performance. If at 0f (-17C), leave the lights on for 4~5 minutes before cranking. The result will be a better first crank, and longer battery life. Any other accessories that can be turned on before cranking can also be used for this purpose, such as heated gear, radio, etc... :o|
 
Four years now and my original factory battery is still like new. I never put it on a battery tender, I only check it in August and December with my 2 amp charger and after two minutes of charging, the FULL light comes on. I would not give up so fast on the OEM batteries. Why charge it if it doesn't need it.
 
I knew those new lithium batteries were too good to be true.

Ditch the battery, use it for an atv instead or sell it. Get an Odyssey battery. Lose the 7 pounds off your body instead.
 
I also heard Interstate batteries were good, anyone run of those for a few years trouble free?
 
Irv said:
I also heard Interstate batteries were good, anyone run of those for a few years trouble free?
Click to expand...

I had one for two years, and it was steadily dying. Changed back to my Yuasa and perfect! I have a smaller one in my Honda TRX350 and its the original and still perfect shape, even after 17500kms!
 
As for the factory Yuasa battery I said that I replaced it in 2010 and it only lasted one season so I tried the Shorai battery for 2011-2012 sled season. As for the weight issue, my bio pic shows me as 450# and I now weight 215# so yeah I think the weight issue has been address, but the under lying issue of battery life from factory Yuasa batteries are not good, atleast for me and I made sure to maintain the battery year round yet it failed in December.
 
TBay Sledhead said:
A new Yuasa battery is far cheaper than a new starter which could fail at a very inconvenient time. I went thru that battery only lasting one year, next was has been good but I put in a 20 series battery instead of a 14 series.
Click to expand...

I want to do this due to having a Warn winch I carry. What do I need to fit this 20 series?
 

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Leave the gray foam out and hook up the battery, the terminals at the back of the battery instead of the front so you have to pull the ground cable a bit but it will fit no problem. Put the cover on and you are done.
 
TBay Sledhead said:
Leave the gray foam out and hook up the battery, the terminals at the back of the battery instead of the front so you have to pull the ground cable a bit but it will fit no problem. Put the cover on and you are done.
Click to expand...

Thanks..any specific 20 series you recommend?
 
TBay Sledhead said:
http://www.apexbattery.com/power-source-wpx20l-bs-01-352-battery-motorcycle-batteries-power-source-motorcycle-batteries.html
This is the battery I used. Trans Canada Batteries WPX20L-BS Made in China. Bought it locally aftermarket dealer. Listing will give you the dimensions of battery.
Click to expand...

How about YTX20H-BS ? Yusa? Same except terminals are reversed?

thanks I'll check yours out as well. Don't need it today but is something I am going to do.
 
That's just what I bought aftermarket, didn't want to go to the stealership. It seems to be holding out alright, going on 3 yerars.
 
Most of the time these batteries are not prepped right is why they don't last. They come dry and need to be filled with acid and then charged for a day at 2 amps then they should last if maintained during off season. Many peaple will just add acid and they will work but never get fully charged so the plates start to sulfate which shortens life. Also if they get charged at a higher rate they can warp the plates and then the vibration will cause them to short
 
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