Lithium Battery charging

Shori strongly recommends using one of there chargers because of the unique manner in which lithium batteries need to be charged. With the Norton having a very primitive charging system have any of you with these new modern batteries experienced any issues with the Lucas charging system keeping them fully charged? Just wondering if they are staying charged by the on board system why wouldn't a normal battery charge be adequate?

Short answer is you're ignorant of vendor disclaimers or of electromotive series of elements involved in Lewis acid non pH based electron redox obbitals EMF swelling described in solid state condensed mater quantum physics on electrode construction = so another easy money fad buyer that best not over night travel and expect to start next day w/o grid power supply or easy push off to re start. Ya can't charge your lap top or phone off Lucas alternator nor a li chemistry battery properly so you ignorantly answered your own question, stick with lead chemistry or keep external thermal sensor computer monitor regulated charger on it between short rides. Vibration is also a known Li short curcuting killer diller sometimes causing combustion with loss of much more than a small battery. But forum wisdom implies worth it for .5 hp less mass to accelerate for perspective of whose advice to follow. Simple solution is just buy big over rated enough LI to almost equal mass and size of lead battery and carry spare if at a rally w/o grid back up.

Is there a hobot translator available? Not too sure what he said.

Something about sticking with lead. My E-Bike uses Lithium with a special charger that cycles , rests , charges low level and regular levels , all controlled by the charger computer. It all weighs 1/20 th of the previous lead system used and goes further too. Can't say if Norton charging system would be detrimental to Lithium or not but interesting.

Stick with lead liguid or gel cell, or become a geek knowing requirements and limits of Li bat - which means dedicated plug in chargers to preserve Li life. Lucas either over or under charges but many get away with Li - till over night in chily weather away from grid after some idle interval around camp sites. Don't know if can push start through a dead Li battery. Fine for Cafe civilization keeping in mind the impressive ratings only relate to short brusts of energy for starters and drills not long moderate loads like say a small stereo. City rush hour stop go or road hazard delays could stall out on brake light use sooner than lead. Easy to discharge to harmful levels on obsolete cycle unless battery has internal safety shut off but still dead on the road. Only E starts need much a battery, kickers can get by with 2.4 in city or rural 1.2 amp hr lead, small light enough to slip in back pocket, in case need a charge away from camp site.

Hi, it was related before , and it's more a question of rec/reg here is the previous post
https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/voltage-regulators.19023/

Lithium batteries do not cope very well with the crude charging sytem of our Nortons.
A small overvoltage will cause damage these batteries, personally I see no point in fitting Li batteries to my bikes , and rather stick to old fashioned lead-acid.

Some light reading here: http://advrider.com/index.php?threa...el-wet-lithium-iron-phosphate-lifepo4.757934/


"Ya can't charge your lap top or phone off Lucas alternator nor a li chemistry battery properly "

I charge my phone as I ride all the time

I don’t understand all the technical stuff about electrickery...

All I know is that I fitted a high output 3 phase alternator, along with the regulator and a Shorai battery from cNw on my Norton 3.5 years ago.

I don’t do high mileage, and the bike occasionally spends long periods stood, the worst environment for a battery.

It has never given me a moments bother. I charged it once during this time, just coz I thought I should.

No one is charging a li battery phone directly off Lucas charger output - only off the static buffering of a fairly large in comparison cycle battery voltage - AFTER its gone through electronic voltage stabilizing device. Do note > every single happy Li cycle battery user, also states fairly short ride uses before plugged back into a grid charger, preferably puterized dedicated Li only type. Not nearly as many fires reported last few years from Li batteries d/t internal protection devices becoming more common. Hi end Li bat's have ports built in for phones ect. Commandos tend to protect from vibration but off roaders and water craft shorten life. In lots of ways Li better than lead, just be aware of details covered here.
http://www.fastbikegear.co.nz/index.php?main_page=page&id=18&chapter=1

I have been running the same Shorai for about 5 years on my Commando w/Alton Estart. Never had any issue. HOWEVER, the OEM system (or any system designed for lead acid) will not fully charge a lithium iron battery (like the Shorai) because the full charge voltage on a Li batt is considerably higher than the full charge voltage of a lead acid batt. So basically, what happens is that the bike's regulator will not allow the Li to get above 80-85% charged. From an operational point of view, that has never mattered at all as far as I can tell. But I did purchase a dedicated outboard Shorai charger a couple of years ago because I felt that at least occasionally, the batt should be correctly and fully charged.

The Li down sides only apply to un civilized conditions, rough off road, low long drains and delays to cold start till Li bat warms itself up inside. For those that can't call for assistance on long cold adventure size bikes, Lead gel cell better. Yet seems Lucas vintage chargers are a good thing to preserve them by only charging 80's%.

http://batteryuniversity.com/en/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries/subscribe_thx

Peel has 3 wire voltage sensing modern car alternator so Li ready but has pocket size 2.4 ah gel cell for daily use but holding out for supercapascitors for special events to remove lead and alternator mass.