Ducati Monster Forum

my man-skills are so low i had to read instruction on how to get the fuel tank off. and then getting it back on took me about 10 minutes  [bang] so if i can do it, anybody can  ;D

1. first, make sure you are under half a tank of fuel. hwy 9 is in my backyard so i went and did some zoom-zoom and then let the motor sit for 10 minutes to cool down.

2. if you have a top mounted steering damper the tank probably won't clear. undo the two screws and move it out of the way.

(http://i30.tinypic.com/2cyl8px.jpg)

3. unlatch and then support the uplifted tank with the holder that comes from under the seat. ducati is replacing my tank under warranty so it's precarious perch wasn't totally nerve-racking.

(http://i26.tinypic.com/214yqdz.jpg)

4. i unscrewed the positive and then the negative (don't know if it matters which is first). wow! i read that these batteries were a lot lighter but comparing them is shocking.

(http://i25.tinypic.com/2s0zuiq.jpg)

5. there is no mounting hardware so i just used the original screws and square bolts that came with the stock battery; snugged them up good. the stretchy stock battery strap is probably enough to hold the speedcell in place but i had extra zip ties laying around so i ran a strip sideways as a bonus.

(http://i31.tinypic.com/2evw17p.jpg)

6. [popcorn] test start (http://tinypic.com/m/5b2s0w/4)

no problems. cool. man-skills 101 passed with flying colors. so is it worth it? well, i am sure i had more life in my stock battery but the weight reduction all adds up, er down: full termi, speedcell, bst (soon), yea it's all going to be nice  [moto]

For future reference, always disconnect the negative first.

doh  [bang] thanks mate

No problem. Didn't want you possibly having a "shocking" discovery next time you fiddle with the battery.

I wouldn't make a habit of leaning your tank back that far, no matter how much fuel is in it.  The hinge won't like it.

i figured yesterday was a cheat day since the engine was warm already. went to the bike this am and zoom zoom. starts better than before  [thumbsup]

probably placebo effect but i swear i could tell my bike had lost 7lb  [moto] and no popo so i was letting it all hang out  [leo]

Looks very good.

Don't forget to wrap up the exposed hot lead...

-M

Can someone tell me more about such a speedcell
How much is it and where can i buy one

OK there is no way to not embarrass myself, so... is red the hot lead??

Yikes.....Yes red = hot lead.  Get yourself a voltmeter and double check yourself. [thumbsup]


My install, sometime last year
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y54/TheoAftonomos/Fabrication/speedcell.jpg)

ha ha. well, i am embarrassed  :'(  but at least i know now  ;D

and, hey, you didn't cover your connections either. are we supposed to stick some black e-tape on it?

i got mine from motowheels: basically it weighs nothing (holding them in my hands was impressive!!!) and starts your bike without a problem.

my stock was 2 years old and my bike would always start up pretty good, although i have never used a tender -- living in california, the bike never sat for more than a month without running. this battery is reported to holds it's charge even better than the stock battery so i won't be buying a tender as long as i continue commuting with my monster.

http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myProducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=915%7CBatteries%20and%20Battery%20Accessories&productID=6814&showDetail=1&categoryID=915 (http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myProducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=915%7CBatteries%20and%20Battery%20Accessories&productID=6814&showDetail=1&categoryID=915)|Batteries%20and%20Battery%20Accessories&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=&collection=

you can also get the speedcell with a quick disconnect fitting.   Then you can swap between trackbike and streetbike, or just take the battery out sooo easliy for winter.   

Dang, I wish I'd have know about these before I just replaced my battery.  I did get a smaller SS AGM though. 6 lbs vs 13 lbs for the OEM YUASA wet cell.

Now to embarrass myself, what is a speedcell?? their website is nothing.

So slightly off topic but I checked the pricing on the Speedcells. They're pretty expensive!

From what I see its just looks like an 8 pack of lithium nanophosphate like batteries. Whats stopping us from making these ourselves? I'm wondering if anyone has tried? I saw some batteries on the site below. Anyone know why these couldnt be substituted? I'm sure shrink wrap could be found for relatively cheap.

A123systems.com (http://A123systems.com)

So after doing a quick google search, I found this link. This guy made 3 different cells and packed them together but realistically, I dont see why we couldnt just modify his bus connections to increase the voltage to approx 12V.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=599316 (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=599316)

Somebody should do this and write us a tutorial  [thumbsup]

I think the hardest part will be controlling the re-charge and discharge rates. I'm thinking there must be a PCB avaialable to control them.

lots of info here
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=51537 (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=51537)

I really like the SpeedCell concept, I just don't have the spare jingle lying around to replace a perfectly good battery. So I have to wait a few more years till this one craps out.

I'm thinking it's a LI battery to reduce weight and size.

how do they compare CCA wise to a regular battery?

i seem to remember the LIs are not good for repeated cranking.

Lithium Ferrous, not Lithium Ion

Not sure what the exact different is...but they are specific in pointing that out.

i assumed the ion was ferrous.  interesting.

Just be carefull.

We worked with a few others that have tried to build their own. An improperly assembled, in correct application or defective A123 battery pack  can overheat, vent and cause a fire.
That is not a good thing for a bike that has the battery under the fuel tank.

If they are done right, these Speedcells last a long time. There are some that are on their 5th year that are still going strong. So far we have not seen the same level of success with the do-it-yourself batteries. Not to say it can't be done.

Just be carefull. Saving some money is one thing. On typical lead acid batteries, an incorrect application or defective one will just drain and die. An improperly assembled, incorrect application or defective A123 cell can overheat, vent and cause a fire.

-M

Totally agree. You need to get an overcharging shutoff to make sure you dont damage the cells. These are available out there.

Also important to buy geniune A123 cells. The Nanophosphate technology used by A123 actually makes them more flame proof than their competitors. Tests show flame protection up to 80C.

Better to not buy the chinese knockoffs.

I love DIY electronics.

But I wouldn't contemplate trying to make one of these myself.

There's a lot of power stored in these, and by extension, a lot of potential for mayhem.

oooh! Mayhem! The forceful removal of defense-related appendages from an opponent's body!

(Original definition dealt with the crime of wilful maiming or dismemberment of another, the more commonly used 'disturbance' synonym is a substitution for 'havoc')