Compact Batteries

[TheCoffeeGuy]

I am looking for information about where to buy a compact battery in the Toronto Ontario Canada area. I am thinking of either an Antigravity battery or a Ballistic battery. as well I am open to recommendations and/or reviews of these or any other compact battery. I will be using it on my Suzuki 1980 GS850 Street Brat.

 

[Tim]

Google Flying Squirrel Motorcycles and check in with Glenn there - he has Shorai batteries (have the tiny one in my XS650 and the biggest one in my BMW). Shorai are at the top of the pack when it comes to technology I think. I have a tiny Ballistic for my other XS650 rigid because of the size (it's TINY)

http://www.fsmotorcycle.com/

If you're keeping the electric start, you'll need something with the same cranking amps as the stock battery or better, which should be easy with a Shorai. Glenn has them on the shelf in Toronto.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

thanx Tim! I will be there this week!

 

[Rich Ard]

I don't know if he ships to Canada, but motydesign.com sells an even smaller one (no plastic box around the A123 cells) and I'm happy enough with his service and product that I just bought another from him.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Got into Flying Squirrel. Picked up a Shorai. Started up right away. Lots of crank and tiny! Thanks to everyone.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

a few more pics

 

[Toast]

I would upgrade your regulator rectifier asap if you haven't already. The lithium Shorais are very sensitive to overcharging and running one on the stock charging system will kill it quick.

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

So where would I get one of those?

 

[Rich Ard]

Re: Re: Compact Batteries

Lots of crank and tiny!

Sounds like my ex-wife! Hey!

 

[TheCoffeeGuy]

Too funny Rich Ard

 

[Tim]

Before you rush to update your regulator/rectifier, measure the voltage at the battery terminals with the bike idling and revving. At idle it should be hovering right around 12v. When revving it should go to 13.5v or so. So long as it's not shooting much higher, you're likely fine.

The 1980 GS850 already has a solid state regulator/rectifier I believe, so you're fine. It's the older bikes with hokey black-magic electrical components that can cause problems.

 

[Toast]

Before you rush to update your regulator/rectifier, measure the voltage at the battery terminals with the bike idling and revving. At idle it should be hovering right around 12v. When revving it should go to 13.5v or so. So long as it's not shooting much higher, you're likely fine.

The 1980 GS850 already has a solid state regulator/rectifier I believe, so you're fine. It's the older bikes with hokey black-magic electrical components that can cause problems.

13.5V when revving is a bit low, it should be around 14.3V at redline. The original 850 stuff is okay but still iffy... For as much as those batteries cost I would at least upgrade to a compatible Shindengen unit from a newer Honda. Ideally a Mosfet unit or a Compufire series R/R, but those cost quite a bit more.

Mosfet

Compufire