Further Shorai votage check info

Yesterday I was out on my Commando with Alton E-start alternator, Podtronics regulator, and Shorai 18 battery.

The ride was what I'd call "normal' - good bit on the road at speeds from 40-80mph, in town from idling along up to maybe 25 mph. I was interested to see how the system actually functioned/charged in the real world as opposed to doing voltage checks at various RPM in the garage.

To start with, 900 RPM idle speed produces about 12.85 volts with the headlight on, which is below the recommended Shorai voltage for idle. But who operates the bike only at idle? Frankly, I don't understand why Shorai even mentions it.

Here's the important figure - after my "normal" ride yesterday the bike sat in the garage overnight. I waited overnight to ensure the battery "settled" voltage-wise before doing a voltage check. Battery voltage is 14.38 which is, per Shorai, 100% charged.

Since the Alton/Podtronics and the 3Phase Lucas/rectifier/zeners produced very close to the same voltages in the garage RPM tests, I think it's reasonable to again conclude that either of these systems will easily keep the Shorai at 100% charge. Whether the original single phase alternator on a commando will do that, I cannot say.

I, for one, think that is very good and useful info Mike, thanks.
I had the small Shorei on a R3 engined cafe racer special kinda thing, and that battery just died, without fuss, in the winter one year.
I found this a tad annoying, and later, read some of the negative stuff and basically discounted them.
But they are so light, I still like the idea.
And your testing and comments give good assurance that they are ok. I may well fit one on the Commando, but this time, go for the 18 and not the smallest option as I did last time.
Are you really sure you don't work for Shorei....?
Rgds,
Nigel.

"Are you really sure you don't work for Shorei....?"

I know it sounds that way but no. I never even heard of Shorai until one day a while back I was ordering some stuff from Old Britts and I saw their (then) new listing stating that they were carrying the battery. "What the heck is that?" I wondered. So based on the fact that they were recommending it and after doing more research about it, including the utube videos that were not very complimentary for cold wx use, I bought one.

FWIW, just about everyone I ride with here in Mexico is either now using one or has one on the way. These are bikes from as old as my Commando to a 2010 KLR. We have all said the same thing when first handling one based on its size/weight..."This thing can't possibly work!" One is going on a friends T160 Triumph in the next couple of days when he finishes the other work.