Topic: Even more 78' cb550 battery woes....can you help me diagnose??

[bookah]

So, many of you commented back when my Antigravity brand 4-cell lipo battery exploded under my seat. I've had the bike in the garage for the past few weeks doing some upgrades, so I haven't ridden it since that event.

Yesterday I put a new Antigravity 4 cell lipo in and took the bike out for a 45 min test ride. Everything worked as expected and I was stoked. After the ride I checked my new lipo, AND IT WAS SWOLLEN! I am SO GLAD I had the instinct to look it over after the test ride. This battery would have exploded as well with more riding.

SO, now I'm thinking I have an over charging issue...right? I have had a new reg/rec combo unit in the bike since last oct/nov. Could that be the only culprit here? What other components should I check?

I AM PULLING MY HAIR OUT OVER THIS!!!       

[Bankerdanny]

Sounds like you are on the right track in terms of your basic diagnosis. What does a voltmeter tell you the output is at cruising RPM's?

I would also wire in an ammeter (it just gets wired in series between the alternator and the positive terminal of the battery) to get an idea of the amps being pushed into the battery.

[bookah]

Sounds like you are on the right track in terms of your basic diagnosis. What does a voltmeter tell you the output is at cruising RPM's?

I would also wire in an ammeter (it just gets wired in series between the alternator and the positive terminal of the battery) to get an idea of the amps being pushed into the battery.

My voltmeter is out on loan to a buddy, I'll get it back tomorrow.  I was so mad all I did was disconnect the battery and move it a safe distance from the bike (outside, just in case it explodes), and put the bike cover on. Went inside and had a few beers to think over the possibilities.

This is the first I've heard of wiring in an ammeter. Is there a youtube video or  previous post I should look into?

Also, let's pretend my reg/rec unit is totally fine, what then? I'm not sure where to look next.

[calj737]

Remind us, which Reg/Rec do you have, and can you please explain how you have it wired?

[bookah]

Remind us, which Reg/Rec do you have, and can you please explain how you have it wired?

I have this unit : http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronics-parts-honda-cb350f-cb400f-cb500-cb550-cb750-rectifier-864218.html

I'm not sure what you mean re: the wiring - I just simply replaced the previous reg and rec with this. No other mods needed. The bike ran perfect for 8+ months. Then my  lipo battery exploded. I put the exact same type of battery in again and after a 45 min ride it swelled up like a ballon, ready to pop.

[Bodi]

These batteries have a slightly different float voltage from lead-acid batteries. And they are not very tolerant of overvoltage. Lead-acid batteries take overcharge fairly peacefully, by just turning their acid electrolyte's water into hydrogen and oxygen. Explosive mixture, yes... but the gas rarely explodes in normal conditions because there's no spark to ignite it.
Some electronic reg/rect units have adjustable float voltage. I think li-po batteries need that.
The ammeter is simple to connect. You connect it so all battery power EXCEPT the starter motor goes through the meter. You should read negative amps when discharging and positive amps when charging. I have one on a length of lamp cord so I can connect it and duct tape it to the tank when I'm doing charging diagnostics. The 400F has a fat wire from battery "+" to the starter and a thinner one to the harness, pretty easy to connect. Some models take the harness feed from the solenoid, with one fat wire from the battery to there.

[Lostboy Steve]

I have nothing to offer other than what has already been said, but I will say this... I am very happy with my original charging system and deltran lithium battery. I hope the day never comes that I have to replace any of the components. Do you still have the original stuff? Funny that usually here we discuss the anemic system of the 550. Maybe if we can figure out what yours is doing wrong, it can help people looking for more amperage out of their small 4.

[Pat_at_APE]

I am not a battery expert!  I know this from flying model airplanes:

Lithium Polymer batteries swell when they have been over discharged, upon recharge.  This is because the internal resistance goes up to the point the battery overheats, swells, and explodes!  Very dangerous when they explode as the contents comes out like napalm. 

They must be paired with special circuits/logic that cuts off the device (like a cell phone) before over discharge happens.   This is why phones just shut off when the battery gets low, vs fading away.   The phone senses the voltage drop and shuts down.

The CB550 has a crappy charging system (at least mine did).  Maybe your issue is too much draw on the battery pulling it down too far.

Pat at APE