@peterloren238

11 years ago

I'm leary of these Ballistic Lithium Batteries. I emailed Ballistic asking if these batteries had a built in Power Circuit board or PCB as the first generation didn't have the balance port jack and the second generation has a balance port jack. I got no response. These batteries are different than Laptop batteries but still require a different charging system. Correct me if I am wrong but I have yet to see a motorcycle or Car other than an electric car such as an example the Volt or the Tesla that can properly charge these batteries. The problem lies in that the balance charge jack is USELESS if its not used CONTINUOUSLY for charging the battery with the special charger. The balance port jack is an indication that these batteries do not have a built in PCB. The PCB not only regulates the charging of these batteries cell by cell but also regulates the current draw. The PCB charges each cell individually and shuts down each one when it reaches its top voltage, preventing overcharging damaging the cells and or fire. Your cars or bikes charging system doesn't do that. When the PCB does this, your battery won't act like a regular lead acid car battery. Also,when you start a bike, a big bike or car it pulls a lot of amps. To manufacture a PCB that can handle such a load isn't easy in a small footprint (size). So these LifePo4 cells are connected directly to the batteries terminal posts (dangerous) and charged by the bikes regular charging system. That's probably ok on a small scooter that charges at maybe an amp, ok on a race bike or car that doesn't have a charging system and runs off the battery or isn't used on a daily basis, but not ok on todays big bike or car that come with 130 plus amp alternators to power all of todays hi tech auto add on's. Furthermore, todays cars and I will guess new bikes with fuel injected engines won't run without a battery. Disconnect your cars battery terminal while your engine is running, it will shut off after a few minutes. The battery acts as a capacitor. It needs a battery weather its dead or alive to absorb the loads, I don't see how a LifePO4 can do this with a PCB after its been fully charged and the PCB stops all charging to the battery.
Furthermore, I called Ballistics and asked about the problem some have had when tilting the battery and getting no power but tilted back power resumes and he claims he never heard of any such problems but there are video's on YouTube showing just that. Seems these cells are not soldered together? So, I wouldn't advise running these on anything that can charge it at over 3 or 4 amps, unless you want to risk it possibly catching fire and damaging your bike. Until a battery comes out with a built in PCB that is designed around todays vehicles charging system or a vehicle is designed to operate on a lithium battery you are running a risk. Yes LifePO4 are less dangerous than the lithium batteries in your laptop but they STILL require sophisticated charging systems and monitoring. There are several video's here on Youtube showing LifePo4 batteries catching on fire when overcharged. Just FYI, we use these in our model airplanes, we charge them via the charge balance jack or directly. The planes motor controller regulates the batteries output. We have had these go up in smoke when someone has charged them to quickly and every time it has been when it was charged directly and not thru the PCB. The PCB takes longer to charge as its current is controlled. Your Laptops battery and even your cell phones battery has a mini PCB circuit, your lithium power tools do to. They disconnect your charger once the battery reaches 100%.  Ballistics sites claim their batteries are not just a bunch of cells soldered together and sealed in shrink wrap, no, they are a bunch of LifePO4 cells in a fancy plastic case obviously not soldered together as some have found. You will be better off and safer by getting a new dry shipped AGM (absorbed glass material) battery that comes with its acid pack, and fill it yourself that way you know its fresh and hasn't sat on the shelf for 6 months or a year. Just a word of caution!

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