Which battery can I pair 32 amp reg/rectifier/stator. Shovelhead

[cyclespun]

Hey guys,

Been searching but can’t find a direct answer. I understand run the battery to your system from what I read. So get a 32ah battery if my understanding is correct.

However, size matters.

I ran the “SHORAI LFX Lithium-Iron Powersports battery, 14Ah PbEq 12V eq, "A" polarity, Case Type 2 Length 4.45" Width 2.28" Height 3.50" Shorai Batteries require a charging system output of 13.1 Volts or higher at idle, and must not exceed 15.2 volts at maximum output”

For years I ran it and it always treated me well. It’s time for a new charging system as mine went out and I was told bump up to a 32 amp system.

So, If I do get the 32 amp stator and regulator will the Shorai battery handle. Idk what my old system was…

My bike is a 74 hardtail, kick only, electronic ignition, in a horseshoe tank and that shorai battery fits with plenty of room. Hard to beat.

Thanks

What other batteries of this size could I run?

[cyclespun]

My main question to clear that up is can I run that shorai battery, and also what are some other battery options of similar size that might be a good fit with that system. . .

[JBinNC]

You do not need a 32A charging system. The 32A stator and rotor are really too wide for a shovel case and can cause primary drive alignment problems. And bigger is not better. The 18A or 22A systems are plenty, unless you have 100 lights on your bike, or a heated riding suit. The 18A system is for '76 - '80 shovels and would be more than adequate for a chopper or even an FLH with a radio. The 22A system is for '81 - '87 or '88 (I forget).

I do recommend the Cycle Electric alternator components. All American made and top shelf stuff.

Jim

[cyclespun]

You do not need a 32A charging system. The 32A stator and rotor are really too wide for a shovel case and can cause primary drive alignment problems. And bigger is not better. The 18A or 22A systems are plenty, unless you have 100 lights on your bike, or a heated riding suit. The 18A system is for '76 - '80 shovels and would be more than adequate for a chopper or even an FLH with a radio. The 22A system is for '81 - '87 or '88 (I forget).

I do recommend the Cycle Electric alternator components. All American made and top shelf stuff.

Jim

Okay got it. If I did the run the 32 amp and shimmed to align, would that battery work? Can I pair that Shorai battery with the 18 or 22amp systems that I mentioned above? Or do you recommend any good small batteries that are compact to fit nicely in the horseshoe tank to power those specific amp systems...

Thanks Jim

[tzienlee]

I wouldnt use a litium battery on a bike at all or ever,... many reasons NOT to use Litium, but mainly because there are far too many meltdown fires from them on older bikes Harleys included,... & they don't like Harley charging systems,.. AGM for me with a decent sized battery box........if yours is a kick only bike & size is a limitation you can use quite small AGM or regular lead/acid batteries

[cyclespun]

I wouldnt use a litium battery on a bike at all or ever,... many reasons NOT to use Litium, but mainly because there are far too many meltdown fires from them on older bikes Harleys included,... & they don't like Harley charging systems,.. AGM for me with a decent sized battery box........if yours is a kick only bike & size is a limitation you can use quite small AGM or regular lead/acid batteries

Tzienlee,

If I go with 18-22 amp system which AGM battery do you recommend as far as cell wise. Or a 32 amp system. I see a lot of talk on 4 cell, 6 cell, 12, even 16 cell AGM batteries...

I don't neccesarliy wanna know what will work and be done with it. I want to know why it will work as I get older/wiser/dumber.

Thank you

[tzienlee]

you don't need the high output altenator unless you run a shed load of electrical componants, loads of extra lights, radio, heated grips & as said by someone, heated suits etc,
if you have just the basics , front & rear lights, starter, turn signals horn & idiot lights & ignition, the 18a-22a is more than fine,
I may be wrong, but beleive they first came out for Policebikes fitted with all sorts of electrical extras including radios that used to need a lot more power than they do today, & then used by the dresser lads who wanted 1000+ lights to 'LookCool' with.
I dont know what bike your wanting it for other than it'sa kick only hardtail with a horseshoe tank, I dont know the size of the battery area of the oil tank, but if it uses a stock size battery tray on an FX/FXS/FXE I use a MOTOBATT MBTX20U
& if on a FL/FLH I'd use one of their MBHD12H, all depends on available space,
but If I guess right & it's a minimalist chop, you could use a much smaller than stok battery
measure your available space & go to the MOTOBATT site & look up the dimensions of batteries they make & personally I'd go for the largest that will fit, small ones dont seem to last as long

[jannies]

Yeah , My experience with lithium battery is really fine.