Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted February 11, 2009 09:59 AM
 Edited By: Shane661 on 11 Feb 2009 17:59
Speedcell Battery = Vaporware?
I'm sure that some of you have heard about the 1.7 lb. Speedcell battery. Well, I just got off of the phone with Motowheels.
They "might" be able to get one out in two weeks if I order today. But they aren't going to promise two weeks. They have a waiting list....
That is all fine and good. But I was also told that they only have "about 20" being used in the field. With all of the effort to promote the product, you would hope that they actually had some available for sale!
It looks like I will be using my Odyssey 310 after all...
Shane
  
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted February 11, 2009 10:20 AM
Can you tell me what the Speedcell Battery is? I have not heard of it.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted February 11, 2009 10:35 AM
It is a small lightweight battery pack to replace the oem part.
Shane
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Juice McGoose
Novice Class
Posts: 73
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posted February 11, 2009 10:58 AM
After using various new style small batteries in my 5 RC cars and at work I am going to have to see proven results by bike riders before I buy one for my bike. I spent about 3 hours last week searching Speedcell and I am not convinced yet. Some say the DeWalt 36v battery is the same technology and some say it isn't. My questions are do they produce enough amps to crank over a 14 on a cold morning, how long do they last in real world use and do their charging characteristics sync with the 14's charging output. Most of these small batteries have narrow charge rates were they function at capacity.
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3000psi and falling
Zone Head
Posts: 848
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posted February 11, 2009 11:40 AM
Edited By: 3000psi and falling on 11 Feb 2009 19:50
A123 cells, Same as some Dewalt packs.. They are safe, but they wont last long in the high heat environment of the ZX-14's battery bay.. The a123's need to be below 120 degrees for good life. And there is not much capacity in these little things, there website says just 4.6 Ah , my laptop has more power.. The oem zx battery is 14 Ah and that only gives you minutes of key on power at best.. Might be good for the track, but I really dont think it would be a good choice for the street.. And a123 cells dont like more than 4.2v per cell. If you send more than that you will decrees the life of the cell. I would think the +-14 volt charge would be sending to much voltage to pack.. JMO
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08 ZX14, 2010 Persimmon Red bodywork.
Flies pulled, 16-42, BMC street, 8" extensions, drag shock, cut pan, Cycle Concepts Drag Pack and springs, muzzy m14 w/ oval can, lowered, Shinco usoft rear, pcv with autotune, leightweight Shori 18ah battery, throttle meister. 500lbs at bandimeres scales with half tank of juice.
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dubious
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posted February 11, 2009 11:44 AM
Edited By: dubious on 11 Feb 2009 19:45
LOL
Funny . I have been working this in the background for a couple weeks now, but was waiting till I had one in my hand and had tested it for myself.
I bought 4 speedcells last week. Should arrive here in Canada before the end of the month.
1 for the KTM, and 4 of the superbike speedcells for our fullsize bikes.
I have been on the phone with him several times as I have been inquiring about business opportunities.
Jonathan has been extremely busy working with Yamaha road race tems in Canada and the US the past 2 weeks.
He stated he primarilly supplies lithium batteries to the armed forces and nasa.
His other business is suppling batteries for medical purposes, such as the new lightweight defibrilators.
He also gave me more technical details such as the ability for the battery to take a charge:
- Unlike lead acid batteries these can take a high amperage charge and recover in minutes whereas a lead acid battery would be ruined.
-Optimaly they work with 14 v charging systems which all of the injected bikes run.
-They do not have the ability to discharge of feed full amperage below freezing temperatures. This can be overcome wih an oversized battery which still is only 2 lbs instead of 10 lbs, and also still less than 1/4 the size of the conventional lead acid battery.
The other way to overcome the freezing temperature issue is with a heating system built in, but that is prohibitively expensive.
However, these batteries will only lose 10% charge over 1 year. The days of battery tenders are done with his battery.
When I get the information package and the batteries I will provide more detailed information.
Unless you ride in sub freezing temperatures there are no down falls except the expense.
How else can you remove 8 lbs from your bike when it has already been trimmed down to the essentials for less than $300 , with only 4 bolts in 5 minutes?
Very cheap compared to carbon fiber or titanium parts, simple to install, easy to maintain, and take up less space allowing more room for other components or staorage.
Bottom line is the die hard enthusiast who has already trimmed all the unnecessary parts off their bike can not go wrong.
The touring dood or the guy who uses their bike for commuting in cold climates wher temps can drop below zero overnight and doesn't care about weight would be better off with the stock battery, or an odyssey.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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Shane661
Needs a life
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posted February 11, 2009 12:03 PM
Wow, I wish he would have told me all of those details...I may have ordered one. 
As you know, mine is primarily for a racing app...
Shane
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dubious
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posted February 11, 2009 12:13 PM
I will be doing street and racing, but I never ride it below freezing.... low temp operation is moot point for me.
Even the days where it gets cold at night... the bike is ALWAYS stored inside.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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FlatoutBu
Pro
Posts: 1054
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posted February 11, 2009 12:52 PM
quote:
After using various new style small batteries in my 5 RC cars and at work I am going to have to see proven results by bike riders before I buy one for my bike. I spent about 3 hours last week searching Speedcell and I am not convinced yet. Some say the DeWalt 36v battery is the same technology and some say it isn't. My questions are do they produce enough amps to crank over a 14 on a cold morning, how long do they last in real world use and do their charging characteristics sync with the 14's charging output. Most of these small batteries have narrow charge rates were they function at capacity.
I wonder if the older Ni-Cad batterys can be used instead? I'm not sure if the charging system can charge a Ni-cad battery. I know of several places that make battery packs for fighting robots, they will make you any size pack, any voltage you want....I'm thinking a 14v pack wouldn't weigh more than a couple pounds.
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06 Blue 14
9.008 at 153mph @ 195 suited
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted February 11, 2009 02:22 PM
The speed cell are military spec lithium cells, made specific for 14v, and a higher discharge capacity, which allows the battery to be so small.
Your alternator does most the work once its running.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 11, 2009 02:27 PM
Speedcell Battery <---very popular on the smaller road race bikes as well, high performance/low weight 
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted February 11, 2009 02:34 PM
quote:
Speedcell Battery <---very popular on the smaller road race bikes as well, high performance/low weight
Steve, when you say they are "very popular"...how so?
From what he told me there are only 20 people total using them.
Shane
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 11, 2009 02:43 PM
maybe I'm thinking of a competitor, I'll find out. your uber-light weight battery is what I responded too I could be wrong on your brand....I'll find out
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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dubious
Needs a life
Needs more time to ride!
Posts: 8442
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posted February 11, 2009 05:19 PM
quote:
quote:
Speedcell Battery <---very popular on the smaller road race bikes as well, high performance/low weight
Steve, when you say they are "very popular"...how so?
From what he told me there are only 20 people total using them.
Shane
I didn't get a number of units , but he has been selling them in Europe, and done extensive testing with total loss systems and Ducati's as well.
____________
natural selection.....
destiny will overcome intervention.
Some are not worthy of the effort.
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