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CVO Technical => Electronic Toys and Gadgets => Topic started by: navyret2001 on June 22, 2019, 04:52:44 PM

Title: HD lithium battery
Post by: navyret2001 on June 22, 2019, 04:52:44 PM
Just installed, dealer, HD lithium ion battery in my 2016 CVO limited about a week ago, today stopped by stealership to NOW be told the battery might possibly fail. Was told that a rep from the battery manufacturer is saying battery was not designed to stand up to the heat and vibration of a big Harley???!!! It's original design was for golf carts and such. Was further explained that some wire that runs from the test light on top of battery will/could possibly short making the battery "dead" and impossible to jump start. I have not seen or heard of any issues so far and that the issue is a random failure so Harley Is not going to fess up or go public....yet. Any of you good folks heard or experienced anything
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: Fired00d on June 22, 2019, 05:39:12 PM
Hadn't heard/read anything about this problem... interesting. :nixweiss:

So.... did they take the battery back and provide you with a new (non lithium) battery and refund any $$ difference in price?

 :pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 :fireman:
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: Cvostu on June 23, 2019, 06:29:31 AM
I was considering buying one of those.  I couldn't justify the price in my head, so I went for a standard battery. I hope they make it right for you.    Stuart.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: grc on June 23, 2019, 08:52:02 AM

Sadly, these days there are plenty of people who lack scruples and unfortunately many of them sell stuff of poor or worse quality as well as stuff that is not suited for the claimed purpose.  The lithium ion battery market is littered with all sorts of products that are misrepresented, counterfeit, unsafe, you name it.  I find it kind of enlightening that good old H-D was so eager to jump into the very high price battery market (as opposed to their regular overpriced batteries) that they jumped onto a product that isn't even designed to be used in a motorcycle. 

Jerry
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: Cvostu on June 23, 2019, 10:50:56 AM
I was thinking the same thing.  Are these OK for a motorcycle???    That and the cost made me go with a standard battery.     Stuart   :nixweiss:
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: CVODON on June 23, 2019, 11:17:30 AM
I really think this whole subject needs a little more investigation. "A rep from the battery manufacturer said" , well who was this guy and what company did he represent? Why was he in this particular Harley store? This may be true but it also may not.
Sounds a little generic like one of those "A buddy knows a guy who heard a.... stories"  Maybe not but so far it, to me, it has no real meaning. And I have no intention of ever buying one of those batteries for my bike, just hate to see a story get out of hand like "Fake News"
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: iski on June 23, 2019, 12:10:34 PM
I really think this whole subject needs a little more investigation. "A rep from the battery manufacturer said" , well who was this guy and what company did he represent? Why was he in this particular Harley store? This may be true but it also may not.
Sounds a little generic like one of those "A buddy knows a guy who heard a.... stories"  Maybe not but so far it, to me, it has no real meaning. And I have no intention of ever buying one of those batteries for my bike, just hate to see a story get out of hand like "Fake News"

x2.  Well said.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: navyret2001 on June 23, 2019, 01:13:24 PM
Fired00d no sir not yet guess they are waiting and also I did not request a replacement or refund...yet. CVOdon, sir I'm not going to take the time to re-tale a "story" or puke up "fake news" just to have something to post. I don't post much in the first place but have seen this site actually cares what happens with each other's Harley and most offer good advise and sources to fix issues. The rep in question was from the supplier/manufacturer and spoke directly to the owner who relayed the conversation to me... the owner was equally concerned. With that said you can chose to believe what you want and responded in kind, that is your right, but I won't play. To the rest of you ride safe and continue to help and take care of each other.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: lorenc on June 26, 2019, 09:57:28 AM
I put one in my 15 and have had no problems at all. In fact, it starts better without that little hesitation.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: chaos901 on June 26, 2019, 10:18:12 AM
FWIW..... just did a search for "Harley Lithium Ion Battery Issue" and could not find anything not related to selling the batteries or the standard reviews.  Does not mean it is not out there though.

I need a battery for one of my bikes now but I also believe these are too expensive.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: CHH_Badkarma on June 26, 2019, 10:39:22 AM
I am very sceptical of these batteries. You are paying a premuim for the HD branding when for the same price or close to it you can get one from other manufactures in either the 600 or 700+ amp range.

Personally if, and that is a huge "if" I was going to spend that much green on a battery it would be from one of the companies whos bread and butter is making these types of batteries. Not just to get one because it comes in black and orange
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: Cat Eye on June 26, 2019, 07:54:23 PM
A couple of things that I learned about lithium ion batteries.
-The battery will drain down faster than the AMG type.  Your alarm could drain the battery in 5-10 day.  Battery tender is required or you must remove all parasite drain (if parasite drain is eliminated, the battery will keep its charge for over a year) while storing.
-If the lithium battery is allowed to drain to low....it might not take a charge again. This happened to me and the lithium approved battery tender would not bring it back. Luckily, my old 10 amp charger did wake it up. Just a couple 5 sec hits with the charger then the battery would take the charge from the tender.
-NOCO who makes the harley’s booster/jump starter says that their model is not to be used on lithium battery. I have asked Harley if their jump starter could be used on their lithium battery and the reply I got was “I see no reason why not.”
-When I was in colorado last month, it got down in the 30s and it took few tries to start the bike. Each time I tried the battery got stronger.  Just turning on the ignition does not have enough amp draw to warm the battery up.

I’ve had mine for a year and would have probably purchased the harley brand if it was available. I ended with WPS Western Power Sports Featherweight.

Puts and takes on both types....do your research with a battery manufacturer. Lithium battery are to new to rely on HD.

Jim
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: chaos901 on June 27, 2019, 09:29:29 AM
Taking into account what CAT EYE wrote, even if priced the same I would not get one, but that is just me.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: bigchuck on June 27, 2019, 12:19:04 PM
Taking into account what CAT EYE wrote, even if priced the same I would not get one, but that is just me.

X2. It seems that the cons out weigh the pros.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: CVODON on June 27, 2019, 04:12:16 PM
So apparently the OP knows who the supplier/manufacturer is? Why not share that with us? That way we could do further research into why this company is manufacturing/packaging and selling to a company as large as HD something they think doesn't work? A situation like this could ruin the battery company if this is true. Because if a problem does exist, HD will not be the one taking the fall. It would be this ghost battery manufacturing company.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: SDCVO on June 27, 2019, 11:54:29 PM
I have used a Anti Gravity LI battery for years on my 12 RG with a 124 motor and it works amazing. No issues what so ever including starting in around 25 degrees after sitting for a week. Bike stats like a Honda it turns over so fast. Will always replace stock batteries with LI when needed.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: CHH_Badkarma on June 28, 2019, 09:24:03 AM
If I was to go this route I would go with an Anti gravity batt. Those things are solid.


I am still curious who the motor company contracted to make the battery for then.
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: J.D. on December 17, 2019, 12:56:32 PM
Old thread I know but will probably replace my battery this off season.  TC88, starts with no issues on moco agm.  Is the oe agm, deka agm, li ion, other? the way to go?
Title: Re: HD lithium battery
Post by: ghost183 on December 18, 2019, 04:25:01 AM
I have used a Anti Gravity LI battery for years on my 12 RG with a 124 motor and it works amazing. No issues what so ever including starting in around 25 degrees after sitting for a week. Bike stats like a Honda it turns over so fast. Will always replace stock batteries with LI when needed.


+1
  im waiting for my AGM to die out to replace mine with an anti gravity cause we have several in our group and they are awesome batteries, spin over 96/103/110 twins lat almost double the rotation speed of my AGM with no starter drain(slow down)..


oldest one is dated 2012 and is still fighting!! friend swears by it, no hint of capacity or CCA depletion


awesome battery!!!