Maintenance and replacement of a lithium-ion motorcycle battery
Motorcyclebatterie.shop is the best battery supplier for consumers. We are located in Nieuwkuijk, Noord-Brabant. We supply motorcycle batteries and service to all users, both in our physical store and online. In addition to batteries, we also have a diverse range of trickle chargers and battery testers.
On this page we would like to explain to you how a lithium ion motorcycle battery works, how to maintain it and how you can possibly replace it. If you would like more explanation/ information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Which motorcycle battery do I need?
On the Motorstroom website you can easily see which battery is suitable for your motorcycle. By selecting your make, model and year of construction of your motorcycle, all batteries that fit in your motorcycle will be revealed. These batteries have the correct dimensions, capacities and voltage. This way you can be sure that you are buying the right battery.
Maintaining a lithium motorcycle battery
A lithium-ion motorcycle battery is a high end battery. These sealed batteries don't require any maintenance in the field of filling/ topping up. This makes it a really good battery in comparison with the traditional conventional motorcycle battery.
How does a lithium-ion motorcycle work?
The lithium ion motorcycle battery combines a very low weight with particularly good performance. This battery is also easy to maintain. Lithium is a very light metal that reacts to the electrons in the battery. An ‘ion’ is an electrically charged particle, in this case a lithium part, that passes through the battery. This creates a chemical reaction, which is then stored in the battery. This is converted into electricity when the engine asks for it.
How do you maintain a lithium-ion battery?
Basically, the maintenance of a lithium-ion motorcycle battery works the same as with all other batteries. The only thing you have to take extra into account with a lithium ion motorcycle battery is cold temperatures. Cold temperatures make it more difficult for electrons to flow from one contact point to another. The battery can therefore deteriorate faster in the cold. When the temperature gets below 10 C degrees your battery will discharge faster.
In addition, it is always good to check the fuses of your motorcycle and to free them from condensation / deposits of moisture and dirt. The battery terminals are also better when they are clean and dry. So you can also check this and maybe brush it up a bit.
How to test the status of a lithium battery?
There are some easy things to check if your lithium-ion motorcycle battery still functions correctly. In this way you will find out fast if your battery needs replacement.
- Check whether the engine has a good cold start, if the starter motor does not receive enough power, the battery may not provide enough starting capacity
- If the lighting of your motorcycle lights up brighter when you accelerate while driving, the voltage of the battery is probably too low
- The battery no longer charges properly on the trickle charger, the charging voltage is then no longer in order
It is also possible to check all these values with a battery tester. With a battery tester you can measure all capacities and voltages of your lithium motorcycle battery. This allows you to clearly see what is wrong with your battery or alternator and whether you may need a new battery.
Using a trickle charger
A lithium ion battery is not great in the field discharging. A lithium battery does not discharge quickly in warm temperatures, but when it discharges, it often breaks. It is therefore wise to regularly connect this more expensive battery to a trickle charger.
For a lithium ion battery you need a specific battery tender. This charger gives a higher voltage per cell and a tighter tolerance. So make sure your charger is compatible with your battery. A lithium ion trickle charger can also be used for conventional and maintenance-free lead-acid/AGM and SLA batteries. However, the correct program is then not used for charging, the battery charger is no longer intelligent and needs supervision.
How do you replace a lithium-ion motorcycle battery?
Replacing a lithium-ion battery starts with caring for a new battery. As mentioned earlier, these are easy to find on our website. If you look for a cheaper option, an AGM/ SLA or gel battery might be the one for you.
How do you disassemble a lithium-ion battery?
Disassembling a lithium battery starts with reaching it. The manual for your motorcycle describes where the battery is and how to remove it. We will also go through the steps on this page.
When you have arrived at the battery, it is important to first disconnect the negative (-) terminal and keep it free of contact with metals. Then you can disconnect the positive terminal (+) without any worries. Remove the battery clamp and mounting screws. The battery is now ready to be taken out and recycled. The lithium-ion battery may be tilted, as it is leak-free.
Recycling a lithium battery
A lithium-ion battery may not be disposed of with household waste. There are a number of options for handing in a battery. Most landfills have a battery section, otherwise you can search the internet for a local battery disposal site. However, there is another option, because you can always return your lithium ion battery to the company that bought it.
How do I mount a lithium battery?
Installing a lithium ion battery is easy. The lithium battery comes ready for use out of the factory, only the foil has to be removed when it is on. Then place the battery in the battery box. The battery can be mounted in any direction, even upside down. This is because there is no liquid acid in it. Connect the positive terminal (+). After this, connect the negative terminal (-) and attach the previously disconnected battery clamp(s). The battery is now properly connected and secured.
Putting the new battery into use
It is best to fully charge a new lithium-ion battery before using it. You can also drive it right away, then make sure you will make a longer distance so the alternator gets enough time to charge the battery. You can then do/test the aforementioned tests with a battery tester to see if the battery functions as it should. After that, it is important to continue to follow the mentioned maintenance steps
Tips and tricks
- With the parts finder you can easily find a battery that is suitable for your motorcycle
- When you have bought a battery from us, you can also return it to us for recycling
- In the Netherlands, there are many joint collection points to recycle used batteries
- Connect Motorcyclebattery.shop if you want to hand in any kind of (motorcycle) battery, we have some possibilities