Doctorot's '78 KZ1000 build

Very cool !!!

Hi Doc, I've been checking out these new lithium batteries from Ultrabatt, they are insanely small, I've held a single one in my hand and it is about 80% lighter than a regular battery at 430 grams !, They have an integrated circuit board that apparently stops both over and under discharging, they also piggyback together to make a bigger battery and charge in minutes. Still looking into them as they are new but so far, I know one guy racing with these in a total loss setup, amazingly small and light.... My mate knows the Australian importer ...
Just thought something like this may interest you..

www.ultrabatt.com/ultrabatt/wp-content/u..._Flyer_2014_EN-2.jpg

 

I know Im super late to the party,But WOW!. Awesome bike/build.I will have a hard time getting this bike off my mind.I have always loved the gaudy choppers, but a clean machine like this is enough to influence my thoughts on future work I do.Thank you for raising the bar on quality.Its seems,damn near everyone of you are  an engineer with a machinists background. Be well

Uber cool use of CAD and 3D printing!!!

 

wrote:

Hi Doc, I've been checking out these new lithium batteries from Ultrabatt, they are insanely small, I've held a single one in my hand and it is about 80% lighter than a regular battery at 430 grams !, They have an integrated circuit board that apparently stops both over and under discharging, they also piggyback together to make a bigger battery and charge in minutes. Still looking into them as they are new but so far, I know one guy racing with these in a total loss setup, amazingly small and light.... My mate knows the Australian importer ...
Just thought something like this may interest you..

www.ultrabatt.com/ultrabatt/wp-content/u..._Flyer_2014_EN-2.jpg



 

The modular nature of those batteries are cool, you will need at least 2, perhaps 3 to get enough cranking amps for a liter engine. This EarthX battery weighs 1kg/2.2lbs - 230 CCA

What is the top amount of CCA would you recommend? is 360CCA to much?

Sounds to be stupid but have to ask about CCA = (C)old (C)ranking (A)mpere???

RIGHT, COLD CRABKING AMPS

wrote:

What is the top amount of CCA would you recommend? is 360CCA to much?

This is the battery that EarthX is recommending for this application. I don't know much about batteries so I cant tell you if there is an upper limit, but there definitely a lower limit or the bike will struggle to turn over.
 

wrote:

wrote:

Hi Doc, I've been checking out these new lithium batteries from Ultrabatt, they are insanely small, I've held a single one in my hand and it is about 80% lighter than a regular battery at 430 grams !, They have an integrated circuit board that apparently stops both over and under discharging, they also piggyback together to make a bigger battery and charge in minutes. Still looking into them as they are new but so far, I know one guy racing with these in a total loss setup, amazingly small and light.... My mate knows the Australian importer ...
Just thought something like this may interest you..

www.ultrabatt.com/ultrabatt/wp-content/u..._Flyer_2014_EN-2.jpg




 

The modular nature of those batteries are cool, you will need at least 2, perhaps 3 to get enough cranking amps for a liter engine. This EarthX battery weighs 1kg/2.2lbs - 230 CCA


 

Yes, two for a road bike, one for the race bike, One has 300CCA, so Two is plenty for any bike, they also have a no question asked 2 year replacement warranty and say they should last for at least 8-10 years... 

wrote:

I went with an EarthX battery because they have a 3 year warranty and are some of the only batteries for power-sports that have an integrated battery management system. 

I'm still a bit skeptical of the lithium battery replacements.  At least they come with built in BMS and protection circuits now, which is a big improvement.

Also, there is this statement in the FAQ:

Can I use a lithium battery in an older vehicle (before 1986)?
NO. Unless you have replaced the charging system with a new modern permanent magnet generator and rectifier regulator. It is very important to only use a lithium battery in a vehicle that has a modern charging system that will regulate the voltage between 13.8-14.6V. Older bikes/vehicles that have not been updated are not advised to use a lithium battery as the voltage will swing too high and too low at times and damage the battery.

I wish they were more clear about the requirements so someone could figure out if their bike qualifies.  This page sort of suggests that the KZ 3-phase system might be fine, but I don't see anything with specific requirements for the regulator. 
earthxbatteries.com/engine-charging-syst...se-lithium-batteries

But here is a question that I've always wondered about.  What happens when the battery is fully charged?  I'm assuming it stops accepting current, which would seem to me to suggest that the BMS removes the battery from the circuit with the regulator/rectifier.  In that case, is the output of the regulator stable?  Wouldn't that be the same as running the bike with no battery installed?  I had the impression that the regulator doesn't really work without a battery to smooth and dampen the output.  

Maybe this is why they say a "modern" regulator is required?  Can you run modern vehicles with the battery disconnected?

I switched to a lithium battery specific Regulator/rectifier, after looking at that link it seems if you have 3 phase and a lithium specific R/R you are good.