Hi, I need a new battery for the 916, any advice on options and choices? such as race/smaller/lighter ones that give as good if not better performance.
Optimate, or similar, is a must. I have a 998s and it goes through batteries and can be a mare to start if it doesn't catch in the first one or two shots. if you are after better starting, upgrade the cables (maybe just do it anyway), and go for most Ah you can, if weight saving, eat a few less pies. just my 2p worth. pete
Defo right on the pies.... Just thought if I have to get a new one, what are the options... Seen a few gel ones on searches, so might try one of them, see how it goes.
Would be interested to hear how you get on with a gel battery (and what is the Ah and cranking A). Always been a tight arse and tried to just get best Ah for my £s.
Don't know the 916 that well, The things I look at are the 3 obvious physical, Dimensions Weight Terminal positioning Electrically Ah rating, the capacity in Amp Hours CCA, Cold Crank Amps, the amount of Ooomph available when you hit the start button (the conditions for this test can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, although its not meant to) Batteries generally you usually have 4 choices Lead acid, liquid, sealed or unsealed, been around forever, usually the cheapest option by a mile. Make sure the breather is routed properly and they don't leak or your in a world of pain. Don't produce acid gas as often stated, its hydrogen that's given off when they charge. Gel, A lead acid where the acid is in a gel form and battery sealed. Usually higher Ah and CCA than standard lead acid, bit dearer and apparently the most sensitive to abuse when charging Gel Matt or AGM, Higher CCAs than Gel usually, can stand deeper discharge cycles and abuse, keep their charge longer during storage. More expensive and heavier and usually need higher current to charge back if deep discharged. Odyssey are the best known, so you can have a look at their website. They produce a lot of literature telling you all about them Finally LiFe Higher CCA and Ah for size, very small and light. Ridiculously expensive (usually). Can last longer than conventional batteries and can hold their charge under storage better too. Can have charge issues with conventional charging systems, can be dangerous if over charged, do not perform well in very cold temperatures. Will be toast if undercharged under a threshold voltage. To get the best from them you will need to balance charge the pack (at least twice a year) and when not using them they prefer to be stored at under their optimum charge value. IF you want the best out them you will need a special charger...........look at aero modelling sites for the chargers and more gen on how the pros and cons, modelers have been using the technology for a good while. Ballistic and Shorai are the well known names so you can check their sites for gen but there are a lot of other manufacturers who offer cheaper packs. Sorry its not more specific but if you want to do some digging these are the options I know of John
http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f4/ss-carby-battery-5856/ Waiting at home for delivery of this: Ballistic EVO 2 8 Cell Performance Battery | eBay Tiny little Ballistic 8-cell, 4.5 kilos less than the standard lead-acid & 275 Cold Cranking Amps! :biggrin: This would have been my second choice: Ballistic EVO 2 8 Cell Performance Battery | eBay Motobatt MB16AU, 230CCA, quite heavy but a gel/saturated type so no maintenence or leaks?
Been using this for the last year. no problems yet. CARROT CYCLES - SHORAI LFX18A1-BS12 (18AH 12V) (CASE SIZE 1)
