I have used them on my past 2 sportsters with no issues.

 

Most AGM or lead acid smart chargers have an anti sulfate stage to restore the battery. A lithium battery doesn't need that and will probably be damaged by it. Your bike clearly doesn't do that either.

There could well be some clever electronics inside the lithium battery. A lithium battery for your bike is made of 12 or 16 smaller cells connected in parallel and series.

 

Good question - not sure I've ever seen a satisfactory reply to that. Another feature of Li batteries is that they hold their charge remarkably well, so seem to need less back-up from a tender if left unused for a while.

 

Measuring the voltage of a LiFePO4 battery for this is the chemistry used in bike batteries is not a reliable way of telling its state of charge unless you can measure in millivolts. The discharge curve is quite flat up to the point the battery is about to be flat and then the voltage drops off quite quickly.

 

What I meant is that it still works!

 

The bike doesn't know how to handle it.

Reading the electrical diagnostic manual states the regulator may output a voltage up to 15 volts. This is too much for a lead acid (AGM) battery and is probably the reason some expire after just a couple of years as the electrolyte boils away.

It is definitely too much for a lithium battery by around 0.6 volts. There has to be electronics inside the battery to take care of this. Lithium is a lot more sensitive to over voltage than lead acid.

 

I went to the Harleys Parts. Their maintenance is for both. But has a selection for it now.

 

I got the charger several years ago. If there are selections im sure the one I have isn’t the model that has both features but worth looking into.

now what everyone is saying about the bike is correct. The bike can’t handle the lith battery and will over charge it and fry all electronics on the bike. Thankfully someone on Facebook warned me about it before I took off on the bike. I have to a order a phase 3 lith ion compatible regulator/rectifier and change the stock one.

If I knew this I would not have made the switch. But I have to admit. It’s a nice trade off not having to work with and around 20 pound batteries that barely fit.

the only reason why I threw it in there cuz I had one laying around for my custom build. My battery in my 08 went bad even tho I had it charged. Has happened to me a few times with cell batteries. Which is why I went lith for the custom build. Thankfully I didn’t ride it yet. Waiting for the regulator to get here.

 

Tin man post finial came out...20 lbs WOW...
Think it's more like 10. And fittings snug helps to keep wires from getting loose.

You my man are a glutton for punishment.

 

Five years, not a problem. Have not even touched it since I installed it. What a difference from monthly removal and fluid check. That was a PITA.

Never used a tender. I have a Shorai on my 1991. The weight savings alone was a blessing to my battery tray and oil tank.

John