DIY a better (and cheaper) long life motorcycle battery

In this video I am using LiFePO4 18650 cells to build a better battery for my motorcycle. These batteries last 7-8 years compared to the 2-3 of lead acid. I will be replacing all of my motorcycle batteries with these since the performance has been exceptional.
If you want to make one for a car, I suggest 40 cells (4S/10P) and 48 cells (4S/12P) for a truck or large SUV.

[@MrAntonioTech]

Great video! One thing that would really help the project and save everyone who builds such battery time is checking each battery BEFORE you solder them into one pack.

[@highervoltage5430]

Very true.

[@MisterJDee]

@@highervoltage5430 Thanks for your video.. still relevant even after all these years. Question... I am going to build a battery using 8x 26650 cells for my bike... I was thinking of using an active BMS to protect the cells from over and undercharge as well as balancing. I'm trying to choose the right max current capacity for the BMS, but I don't know how much current a starter motor usually draws when starting a cold engine. Is it more than 100A or less? Have you used any active BMS's before that you could recommend? Many thanks! Dean

[@eivis13]

Normaly you disconnect the negative lead first, not the red one. This is because you can accidentaly touch the body of the car/bike with the loose lead and short the electronics with charge left inside the capacitors. It's like mixing drinks - you can mix vodka with vodka all the time, but don't mix it with whiskey, rum or anything else (though a pint of beer after a bottle of vodka never did me any harm).

[@edwardrharevichjr.8490]

Sweet upgrade Alex. Just shared this to a bike forum I lurk on.

[@MoswenMedia]

Respect for wearing your riding gear, even just to demo a diy battery video.

[@ErnieScavinckyVideo]

Ironically I was looking at doing this on my bike last week! Great tutorial Alex!

[@hectormelendez968]

Yes.... thinking just to add starting power to my Hayabusa, not completely replacing it. When my motor hot up, it hesitate for starting. I'm thinking to add some amps to fixing this inconvenience. How do I design it extra cells?

[@mamun2a]

@@hectormelendez968 replacing led acid battery is good decision

[@jaromor8808]

_"Ironically"_ maybe use such words only when you know their meaning...?

[@roynexus6]

It looks like you are drawing power directly from the battery (not via BMS)and charging battery directly as well (not via BMS). The BMS you are using will only balance the cells, but not protect against overcharging / over dis-charging. If this is true, you'll destroy this battery pretty fast. Potentially you are dealing with a Li-Ion battery that can catch on fire right under your seat and next to your fuel tank. Good luck.

[@chuckdickey3250]

He is using LiFePO4 batteries that are more forgiving and do not generally combust upon failure like Lithium Ion.

[@allsafe1]

If that is the case what is the solution ?

[@Artemis_xe]

@@allsafe1 get a different BMS?

[@starktynt4103]

@@Artemis_xe yes , get a bms with high amps

[@samuels9489]

Very good video. I would consider hooking up one single set of batteries (4x18650 in series) in parallel with a super capacitor pack - 6x500F 2.7V with balance board to provide 16v(max) 83F capacitor pack. The capacitor provides a large amount of cranking amps. I would use on Yamaha XT250 enduro.

[@alaricace8118]

Hi, Did you yet made this battery pack?

[@jvinsnes]

I am very interested in this. Where can I find more info about such battery?

[@alejandrovegarodriguez6422]

What a beautiful bike you have there! Good project, I will do it.

[@moronanticriss]

So no bike this day :-) Looking to buid small one for my 2t ktm, not for weight but power. I run added 40w led light for night riding. Thanks for video.

[@turbofan67]

I'll probably never do it, but that was really interesting. I didn't think you were supposed to apply that much heat to an 18650 cell.

[@blimpdude]

Just found this video. Looking to make a battery for my rzr sxs but I have that exact same motorcycle. Mine is painted Black diamond. Just thought I would share. Nice video.

[@willacewallace5905]

As much as you know about this stuff.... You really should be wearing PPE gear. Like when you hose out the battery box without eye protection. Next time just dump baking soda to neutralize the acid, then rinse with low pressure.

[@Oberyn_Martell]

"Don't worry about overheating it". wow.. really. have you heard of a spot welder.

[@sunny_froyo]

Bruhh, why wouldn't he just use copper instead of nickel if he's gonna solder everything. So much about this is wrong lol

[@sanchikrr]

@@sunny_froyo nickel plates is better on lithium based batteries as they dont oxidise the way copper does.. This is one benefit of not having short circuits in the long run..

[@sanchikrr]

Electrical wise, i do not recommend to have a solder on battery more than 3 secs as it will damage and discharge the battery..

[@DrifterDc]

@@sunny_froyo maybe he doesn't have the spot welder, just want to use once it's not worth it to buy one for, just used what he already had 👍

[@dieselscience]

My 1972 Triumph has a kick starter AND a battery... originally a LEAD ACID battery... oh, I forgot to mention I'm wrapping up my Master's in engineering. I have an unused, never filled, still sealed lead acid battery on the shelf waiting for a project.

[@ggtr0nic]

cool ...excellent DiY video !

[@LilDefuseKit]

Such a high quality video! Your channel is underrated

[@wolfe1970]

Full of bullshit you mean, since when does a bike battery only last a few years.....

[@junkvista61]

Thanks, I plan to build one. I know this video is few years old so the links may be no longer good but if you just give them out as reference then help a lot of us.

[@triadwarfare]

Thanks, I was looking for this instruction specifically, as I only found instructions for cars or e-bikes. I'll definitely try this once my maintenance free battery goes to sh*t. However, I'll also try to apply some lessons from other channels like using a spot welder.

[@doctordev97]

as for those ring terminals. crimping is actually better for vehicles because vibration can cause solder to crack over time

[@antonycarter8628]

Devin May 100% agree....

[@PhilNelson_internet_fossil]

If my memory is good, it's been known for a long time (since around WWII) that crimp connectors, properly done, are superior. For speed (that helped us win the war, because the Germans were soldering their field phones, which takes longer) and resistance to flexing and vibration (because the spot where solder stop wicking up the wire is a transition from stranded wire to effectively solid wire, the strands break, one by one, at that point, from flexing).

[@PhilNelson_internet_fossil]

I'm sure I remember reading that crimp type connectors help win the war. Wikipedia says 1953, but, that could be when they went commercial, I guess. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimp_(electrical)

[@PaulSmithGsy]

NASA found the same on spacecraft. Solder joints crack. Crimped ones don't, so they solder AND crimped all the connections!

[@badhonebrahim7707]

So we'll explained just wouldve been gr8 if u could zoom in a little bit when u were soldering the bms.

[@ytundefined]

Nice one! Thanks!

[@cruiser97eric1]

A battery balancer is not a complete BMS. The balancer has no way of cutting off the battery from the outside world like a complete BMS is able to. Because of that it does not keep the battery from over charging or over discharging and it does not protect against excessive charging current or excessive discharging current.

[@diavolescaCZ]

@@electricalfive2248 And the solenoid will prottect he LiFePo cells against over/under discharge? No it won't... And the starter isn't the only thing drawing power. And that balancer he used has minimal balancing current. Better to use one of the cheap ACTIVE balancers.

[@electricalfive2248]

@@diavolescaCZ you're right, sorry

[@diavolescaCZ]

@@electricalfive2248 no problem. You didn't call me stupid. I agree that a BMS for car starting currents would be very expensive. For a motorcycle it might not be a big problem

[@OlperKeleman]

Active balancers often take more quiescent current vs passive. This can make a difference when storing rhe battery over winter.

[@FancyAnimal]

These LiFEPO4 70 amp batteries are 7.50 each x 24 = $180 just for the batteries. You can buy a complete LiFEPO motorcycle battery from Shorai for $150.

[@SergeyPRKL]

It's like me, that gets cells for free. ALso, with this you can hide entire battery inside a 1" frametube.

[@herenow2895]

You can knacker an 18650 by applying heat to the middle of the negative end. Try and keep it the outside and use a spot welder to keep the heat to a minimum. You can make a good spot welder with a12v car battery, a momentary switch and a solenoid.

[@junkvista61]

I saw a you tuber posted a video for this idea. Thank for remind me and I searching for it

[@josh_ari]

Yeah but he's gotta build the battery first before he can use one as a spot welder. 😆

[@herenow2895]

@@josh_ari - A "car" battery for a spot welder. Not an 18650 battery.🤐

[@josh_ari]

@@herenow2895 you can't use a motorcycle battery?

[@herenow2895]

@@josh_ari - Any 12v lead acid battery. The bigger it is, the more spot welds you can do.

[@quartzii_uwu]

I have an 3s 5p 16ah battery pack in my 50ccm scooter can also start an car :D bms with cutoff for safety and a modified charge limiter to 12.3v for not stressing the cells works perfect since last year

[@abdodarwish3334]

Did you try it on a motorcycle and it worked ??How is the delivery

[@quartzii_uwu]

@@abdodarwish3334 it still work well

[@abdodarwish3334]

@@quartzii_uwu Possible pictures of the installation method, the board used, and whether the startup works on it directly. Thank you for your interest in responding

[@quartzii_uwu]

@@abdodarwish3334 hey , it would be a mess to reach the charge controller you can also use normal 12.6v charge controller with a little bit of wiring theyill work also

[@abdodarwish3334]

@@quartzii_uwu If a drawing or illustration is available for practical implementation

[@fokkerschrauber]

normaly u connect Plus first, then Ground, because of the possibility to make short with the Wrench to GND.

[@mingonmongo1]

Straightforward and nicely explained... well-done, thx! Would be curious re: the total cost, especially compared to say, a similar capacity conventional LI battery?

[@sanchikrr]

You can buy lithium batts from ebay or chinese store.. And they sell super cheap for the battery cells... An average good Lead acid batts are sold around USD 100 (E.g: YTX10) And a branded Lithium batts (E.g: Skyrich) USD220. DIY Lithium should cost ard USD 80 max...

[@siewchong]

Hello Alex, the fpv cloverleaf antenna maker 😄

[@supercomtesse5050]

Merci super vidéo

[@daand12]

Rather don't solder on them, few of mine vented during soldering. Ordered a spotwelder on AliExpress two weeks ago because of this. But the LifePO4 cells were a few years old already and holding between 1000-1200mah out of 1400.

[@jarikinnunen1718]

TX90 connectors are good for connect battery . It is very easy take along or use two separed battery. No any good reason use lead acid battery parts to make new.

[@Denver1976Man]

I made one for my 1500 cc bike. it is 7 yrs now and still strong. I.m thinking of capacitors next. they have gotten so much stronger.

[@stighenningjohansen]

My new MC came with i Li battery., and it died after one year. The battery in my Honda SH-50 1986 is still working.. It started the moped in a pile of snow at -20C, so, I will by a lead acid battery for the MC

[@3536satyam]

Excellent 👍

[@the1spyderryder]

Great Video, and Great project! Question, shouldn't each cell be managed? Not sure how that would be done on parallel packs. Ok it seems that you are using 3X8 cell pack, is that right? How long has it been since you built this pack, and is it still working and have you had to charge it? Wont the BMS also protect the battery pack from discharging below a point that will damage the cells? Thanks

[@dushk0]

3x8 or 8x3? Not hard to figure out which...

[@changchung]

Nice. Old but good video. I wondering about the solder iron? How many watts it is? Where you get it?

[@themonkeydrunken]

This is a great list of what NOT to do when building a pack out of 18650s. Geez.

[@CAGreve1231]

Lithium Phosphate is much different than Lithium Ion. Much safer, and not flammable.

[@mastermaximoo969]

Can you list what he did wrong?

[@krlenjuska]

@@mastermaximoo969 soldering is first thing.

[@dogdipstick]

@@mastermaximoo969 Solder, wrong tape, cheap bms weak connections and just about everything else. Never build a batt like this.

[@SuperGrover]

Horror movie. At least neutralize the old batter acid with some baking soda. Imagine someone trying to copy this???

[@dariusm1142]

Great video. I'd like to make this. As I try to buy 18650s I'm finding they come in different amperages (2500mAh, 3500mAh, etc.). Just wondering what was the amperages of the 18650s used in this video? Same goes for the BMS. I'm finding em for sale everywhere from 4s-2500mA to 4s-3500mA.

[@shaegrover9516]

Something I feel needs to be mentioned. This battery is MUCH LIGHTER than Lead or AGM. A similar name brand lithium motorcycle battery is $159-$225 (antigravity).

[@chrishart8548]

And the anti gravity is about 1/3 of the ah too. A 6.5ah antigravity replaces a 12-14ah lead acid. Lithium batterys love to hide AH and just boasts about CCA

[@lonniestutler313]

Sounds good. So here's the but. What about your stater, and charging in cold weather. Can these charge frozen.

[@georgezibra]

Hello, my question is about the charge that the batteries are taken from the motorbike alternator, does go through the BMS or direct to the poles of the battery? and is the bms only for balancing the pack? how much ampers is the pack receiving from the alternator, because the voltage logicaly must be from 13,8 - 14,4 if i am right!!! Thank you!

[@joesam8113]

Hi want to know for 12v 6ah 10hr to concert lithium battery how much 18650 battery do i need. and can i know what kind of bms do i need. tq

[@3613jeremy]

I'm tempted to try this in all of Yamaha wisdom they used a 14b mini-bike battery to crank over my 1900cc V-twin the highest peak output or CCA is 210 with the yuasa AGM battery at $140 if they would of allowed 1/2" more room for the battery it would of made this so much easier

[@highervoltage5430]

Be aware that lithium batteries do NOT like cold weather. The cold cranking amps drop to less than half if it is below 70 degrees outside.

[@3613jeremy]

@@highervoltage5430 unfortunately the lipo battery at half is still more then the full AGM battery it has room for

[@thamomentum]

You're a wizard

[@mrboombasticromantic]

Are there any issues with floating the charge for it? And if resistors are dissipating excess charging current in BMS module how it is exhanged out of the battery box?

[@szbalogh]

Washing lead sulphate out the garden? Great idea.

[@PkwyDrive13]

Yeah... I'll just go buy a new battery.

[@defylifeadventure]

What happens on a motorcycle when the BMS cuts the charge from the stator? With a conventional alternator that would destroy the alternator. Instead you'd do it by cutting the field wire. How does this compare the charging system on a bike?

[@TheGuruStud]

It's not since it's directly connected to the battery.

[@MWhite-dv1uu]

Cool info! Is making sure the cells aren't moving around in the old case important?

[@highervoltage5430]

Not really. I made a motorcycle battery where the cells bounced around the box and it has been ok. It is best to put a little styrofoam or other material in the battery to give it some dampening, but unless the battery gets slammed down hard, it doesn't really matter.

[@ReQuiem_2099]

Awesome! Just one thing, as a definitely-not-electrician, is there a good place to get the required battery details to match our bike specifications? I’m pretty sure that my 373cc single cylinder wouldn’t need the same Voltage/Amperage

[@gerrymcerlean8432]

I'm pretty sure it would.

[@officialmysteriousrider130]

Just use a 12v rotary tool battery does same job and cheaper you can also put it inside the original battery like he did in the video. You'll also have a charger that comes with it that way with a bit of modification

[@sonerkol]

Mey friend good for you. but my bike battery ytx12bs 12v 12ah.. buuut Cca: 180AH.. (Cold cranking amps - CCA).. Cold cranking amps (CCA) - CCA is critical to the ability to start the vehicle when the engine is cold. The number of amps a battery at 0 degrees Fahrenheit can deliver for 30 seconds until the battery voltage drops to an unusable level. And this one BMS blow up... AND in this case the BMs also blow fuses.. Even if I use a high amperage bms...What do you think I should do in this situation?

[@DiegoPocovi]

Hi Alex please questions/help 1-Why you choose LIFE instead of LI-Ion? because the voltage 3.2 vs 3.7? Are the main leads connected to the balancer ? it gives you enough amps? instead of direct to the battery? and use balancer for charge only? Thanks.

[@trondwell13]

flammability

[@DiegoPocovi]

@@trondwell13 thanks, a bit late but good. I built mine few weeks ago, thanks.

[@dancrawford174]

Nice looking Nighthawk 650, what year is that one?

[@charlieball9569]

So, you just wire this battery up and go? Doesn't this type of battery install require an upgrade to the regulator rectifier?

[@gcgopro6912]

I have a lithium battery. This week I went to my bike and it started no problem, rode to a friend ten miles away came out and all electrics were dead as a dodo. Nothing, no lights on the display. I pressed the button on top of the battery - nothing. I tried to bump start it - no go. I thought this cannot be the battery, so it must be a circuit problem. I had to go back with a trailer. When I got home I put jump leads on the battery and it started. When in the garage I turned the key and the battery produce nothing, I pressed the button on the battery and behold it worked this time! I will never buy another lithium battery. If I had had an acid/lead battery it would not have started and then failed after the ride and caused me all this trouble and time wasted. Maybe they should supply jump leads when you buy the batteries, as you will need them!

[@yannicktherrien9084]

Hello, since your video is 2 years old, I guess it is a good time length test. Does it still work, and do you still recommand it ?

[@dieselscience]

Exactly.

[@cosamuel7182]

For those unfamiliar with these components, can you include a sample BOM or ebay links to the materials used here?

[@highervoltage5430]

The problem is I used EBAY. Those parts I used all have different links every week...

[@byshasshop2097]

what is output voltage of your batteries

[@ramargate]

Nice

[@mlgoverrated745]

Aren’t you only supposed to spot weld

[@GogogoFolowMe]

I don't know what you do when wintering your batteries, but mine held its charge since I bought the bike 5 years ago and is officially dead this spring. Of course last season it was a little weak but only 2-3 year is very underestimated...

[@highervoltage5430]

Depends on the bike, battery, and care. In a warm garage, 4-5 years is possible. However, if you have ever owned a BMW motorcycle, 2 years is the best you get from a battery. However, my lithium batteries have been going on 8 years now.

[@GogogoFolowMe]

@@highervoltage5430 Do these bikes tend to have electrical leak of some sort ? Or is the battery undersized and the high demanding cranking is what kills it ?

[@cruiser97eric1]

As you can see in the video, his battery had no little or no electrolyte when he tried emptying it on the grass. He forgot to add water to the cells and that is probably why the battery was dead. Unless it was an AGM type, in which case the electrolyte was trapped in a glass mat between the plates.

[@WSturme93]

Did you do anything to the alternator on the bike to protect the battery? Or does the bms do all the work?

[@highervoltage5430]

You don't have to do anything. a 4 cell LiFe battery is capable of 14.8 volts without damage. Most alternators have a voltage cut off between 13.2 and 13.6 volts.

[@mamun2a]

Im working to build one for my bike, but controlling rectifier volt is delaying me.. Im waiting for a circuit from aliexpress to fit it. I dont know how u manage rectifier volt??

[@AndreBezanson]

You need a lithium ion friendly regulator that you can replace your stock regulator with

[@markimark5102]

I am using 32650 lifepo4=)

[@devanpina8236]

Where e re did you get the cells

[@alaricace8118]

Hi, Do you have any update on this battery pack?

[@mitropoulosilias]

have you checked cells voltage after a year of so?

[@l213112502]

Hi Alex, great video! I'm needing to rebuild or replace my 9Ah lithium battery on my bike. Do you know what the cold cranking amps of this battery is that you made?

[@CAGreve1231]

Not really. It cranks over my BMW 4 cylinder just fine, but it has a parasitic load so I made a bigger one so that I could store it for more than 2 weeks.

[@abdodarwish3334]

How was the experience so far and what happened to the batteries??

[@parengjongs350]

why not lithion ion?

[@hakankizildag4674]

Hi what is the motorcycle ?

[@jameswyatt1304]

If you disconnect ground first and connect ground last, then a wrench/screwdriver accident between positive and chassis isn't so spectacular. You can guess how I've learned this...

[@dalesworld1308]

Yes. 'Last on, first off' is good practice.

[@andretait2817]

What I sawder?

[@zazarays]

cant find these batteries for less than 90$ now.

[@idus]

why a 4s? It seems it wont fully charge being 16.8 full and 12v dead. I suppose if it works its worth a try. my alternator only goes to about 14.5v max.

[@idus]

LiFePO4 I get it now. 14v max and 11 dead for a 4s.

[@koningbolo4700]

I have a 6v motorcycle without a starter.. What configuration of 18650's or other cells do you recommend?

[@sssxxxttt]

I also have an old 6V, no starter machine. Headlight is 35W, tail and number light 5W and I want to remember the ignition is like 25 W. The system needs to handle a bit above 10 A. I guess two 18650 cells In series would be enough? Maybe parallel that for a lite more capacity.

[@shindvs]

Why not use 32659 3.2volt 6000ma battery BMS around 49 amp

[@Reculse]

Have anyone measured the peak current draw of a 1 cylinder motorcycle?

[@tuxnoel]

Like 150 Amp for 200 cc motorcycle. Not measured only read.

[@RoopeshShah]

I can get some decent 32650 batteries. You think I can get away using just 12 of these in place of 24 18650 batteries?

[@Garciabrothers117]

Awesome!!! What soldering iron do you use?

[@jacquesb5248]

don't use solder! spot weld. they are cheap like $10 round

[@knicklicht7945]

Connecting the plus terminal first is the right way ! Minus dosent go first!

[@MrLalremruata]

how do you charge?

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

Any info on weight?

[@jeanpaulcomeau8131]

What was your total cost ?

[@highlanderoutsider5259]

Or you could just connect a battery maintainer to your battery if you know your over wintering it.

[@jithinraveendran1303]

How durable is this ?

[@maatiraouki9124]

merci

[@muhammadnaveed6837]

U r wonderful

[@josecabrera5632]

Is your bike using some kind of alternator to recharge the battery? If this is the case... is it safe?

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

The BMS is managing the charge and discharge of the cells. So it is as safe as the BMS you use and LiFe batteries are not flammable like lipo or li-ion either so really it's about as safe as the lead acid just more reliable.

[@razibuiu1]

My Bike Battery spec is 12V 5Ah. Can i use this battery in my Bike

[@mamun2a]

Yes, u can

[@DavieCalifornia]

After 10 years of living in Germany I'm absolutely horrified at the idea of just dumping battery acid on your lawn. No no no noooo.

[@armiubaidillah]

Goodday mate, is there any specific BMS Amphere for bike usage? Which BMS to chose

[@highervoltage5430]

Not really. I use the BMS as a balancer, not a charge/discharge limiter. Just about any balance current will work. smaller units just take longer.

[@MisterJDee]

@@highervoltage5430 Are you not concerned with overcharging the battery?

[@jeffmontag8155]

Bone dry standard battery? Maybe if you had added water when necessary and kept it charged, you wouldn't have to spend valuable riding time making one.

[@prashantbarde7615]

Battery blast to nahi hogi na ?

[@azimalif266]

worry about over heatig them.

[@DT-gun]

Could this be scaled up to work for a car battery?

[@highervoltage5430]

Yes. I would go 4S/10P. The battery will likely last as long as the car.

[@klinikdarajat1243]

can the battery pack placed in engine bay?

[@israrandro8919]

Why you chose lithium iron phosphate over lithium-ion battery

[@Rebel635csi]

LIFEPO4 fully charged battery voltage is 3.3V per cell vs 4.2v for li-ion. So that most 12v charging systems will fully charge a LIFEPO4 whereas Li-ion in 3S configuration will be overcharged and 4S configuration will be undercharged.

[@scottduede8134]

You built something really awesome here. I'm going to copy this, with the only difference being in battery size: I'll use 26650 instead of 18650.

[@highervoltage5430]

I use 26650's mostly now as well. They are easier to come by and have higher capacity and discharge rates.

[@mandysantos3677]

32650 is much better.

[@sped105]

@@highervoltage5430 How are they easier to come by then 18650?

[@nathanyamaha465]

Does this battery charge off of the motorcycle's stator?

[@corumkane3545]

They do, which is why lifepo4 is superior to li-ion.

[@28universe]

you can use 32650 instead.