Alltrikes

My current battery is about 4 years old.  Being in the trike, it is not a daily driver so it gets left for periods of time.  It's about at the end of it's useful life and needs replacement.  Having weighed everything that goes into the trike, I was REALLY surprised to see how fast it all adds up.  So, now I am pretty particular about weight in the trike, and try to keep it to a minimum where I can.  Of course losing 20lbs myself would be a great way to help!!! ;)  But, let's be realistic ; )    The BioniX 15M fortunately carries a net additional 50lbs- which is quite a lot of XC equipment, or extra oomph for big passengers and high density altitudes.

Most of this data / quotes are from other sites:

In motorcycles, mathematically they say every 5-6 lbs of weight savings = 1 HP Gain.  At least that seems to be the rule of thumb.

Per one dealer, AntiGravity SuperLight,   and    Full Spectrum Power Pulse Batteries (P1, P2, P3), are excellent and the dominant brands.

Full Spectrum Batteries Dominate 2010 AMA Pro Racing
    163 Top 10's
    106 Top 5's
    68 Podiums
    25 Wins
     8 Pole Positions
     1 Championship

(No fires were mentioned  ;)   contrary to the 787 Dreamliner -- but, as seen below, these batteries have internal circuitry to stop excessive drain causing heat-- perhaps that was too expensive / complicated for the 787's ?! )

This is what I have currently:  ODYSSEY DRY CELL BATTERY SBS J-16

• The battery weighs less than 15.4 pounds.  (per the website, "weighs less than" ... probably means 15.39)
• 5 second 80°F (27°C) cranking amps to 7.2V: 680 amps
• CCA @ 0°F (-17.8°C): 220 amps
• CA @ 32°F (0°C): 300 amps
• HCA @ 80°F (27°C): 370 amps
• Reserve Capacity: 25 minutes @25amps
• Terminals: Brass female for M6 stainless steel bolt

This is what I'm considering:  Pulse 3 Battery

• Save 7 lbs. on a 1200cc bike
• 390 cranking amps / 7.5 amp hour capacity
• Weight: 2.2 lbs.
• Common Applications include: 1300cc inline 4-cylinder sportbikes; 1200cc twins; Drag racers using total-loss ignition systems
• Fully compatible with your motorcycle's stock charging system. We recommend using the Pacemaker or CV Charger with all Pulse and Genesis battery systems, which are designed for lithium cells. Standard chargers will not work properly with lithium cells. We also recommend disconnecting your Pulse or Genesis battery when the motorcycle will not be used for an extended period of time (more than 3 days) to prevent self-discharging which may permanently harm your battery.
• The Pulse P2 features the finest A123 Systems cells for consistent performance and balanced power. Each set of cells is enclosed in a Valox composite case (stronger than ABS plastic, with heat and fire resistance). This case is super tough, yet light weight and compact to meet the demands of motorsports. Pure brass terminals are specially machined for the case, and connect to an Integrated Protection Circuit. This provides automatic current shut off if a short circuit is detected, or a forced discharge is detected. This protects you, the battery, any your machine from a potential hazard. No other battery offers this combination of lightweight, power, and safety
• All Full Spectrum Power Pulse batteries include a 2 year warranty.

      Lithium-Fe                 Lead                           Difference       

• 390 ~CCA             220 CCA               =     170 CCA in favor of Lithium (CCA are approx for Li-Fe)
• 2.2 lbs                 < 15.4 lbs             =     13.2 lbs in favor of Lithium
• $269                   $190 + ship          =      $79  in favor of Lead  (but lead shipping will be a bit higher)

       + $49   for special balancing charger for Li-Fe

        (may only be good for specific manufacturer brand)

        So, about $130  more for the Li-Fe     ($49 charger +$79 price)

Additional Pluses for the Lithium-Fe are:

1. Store better in cold than in heat. Recommend leaving in the garage all winter.
2. Have very low discharge rates when no parasitic drain present
3. Potentially have high(er) CCAs
4. Lighter weight
5. Smaller space
6. Can actually recover for a second chance when over-cranked and used.
7. Contrary to OP's advise, they have no negative points if used with GPS, radar, stereos, or other accessories. That's what the charging system is for. Just make sure accessories are shut off when the engine isn't running. See first negative below for what the real problem is.

Negatives:

1. Unlike AGM or other lead acid batteries, they do not recover at all if let drop below 11.2v. They don't chemically have the equivalent of "de-sulfiding" like a traditional lead acid battery has.
2. Due to design, they need balancing chargers periodically, to make sure individual cells are fully recharged. Some are expensive, and some are cheaper. Plain old Battery Tenders work up to a point, but can't do the job of a balancer once or twice a year.
3. See above, requires higher attention. Can't be neglected. If you do, you lose a much more expensive battery and possibly the balancing charger you should have bought with it.
4. Lastly, my experience is there is no standard balancing charger plug in, from brand to brand so once you choose a brand, you may be locked in to that brand unless you don't mind losing the charger as well.

============

So, my thoughts are:

1. Extra Maintenance-  if there are no drains, this battery should last longer than the lead.  It does require a special charger (extra $70 ) to balance the cells twice per year-- I can do that.
2. Fire !!!  My battery sits right in front of my ABS gas tank- behind my back / between passenger's legs.

          This risk is tempered by the internal circuitry.  I didn't see any motorcycle reports of fires.  I could put some aluminum / flame retard material between the battery and tank.

Do we have any continuous / vampire electrical drains in the trike?  When the key is shut off, there is no power drain right?  No maintenance power to the Enigma (it has little internal watch batteries) right?

They are sold by Aircraft Spruce  and  CPS (California Power Systems) (now under same company, but formerly an independent California Rotax Specialist).

Additional Links:

• http://www.hardracing.com/LightweightMotorcycleBatteries.htm
• http://www.sportrider.com/gear/146_1108_full_spectrum_lithium_iron_battery/viewall.html
• http://www.orientexpress.com/p-14829-full-spectrum-power-pulse-p2-battery-780-gramsscrew-in-terminals.aspx
• http://www.oppracing.com/product_display/30336-full-spectrum-power-pulse-p2-battery/
• http://www.s1000rrforum.com/forum/hardracing-com/5893-ultra-light-weight-lithium-batteries.html

What do you guys think?  Make comments below and vote in the Poll HERE also