EVOLUTION POWERSPORTS Lighweight LiFEPo4 Batteries

[Evolution Powersports]

We have been testing LiFePO4 batteries for 3 years. This is great technology that has had mixed reviews because the correct battery capacity for snowmobiles has not been widely available and the prices for these snowmobile sized batteries has been too expensive. The problem has been that most companies have been selling batteries designed for motorcycles to the snowmobile market. Motorcycles are rarely used at temperatures below 40 Deg F. At these modest temperatures, even an 8 cell LiFePO4 battery will start a fairly large four stroke engine because the amp output of these batteries is amazing. As the temperature decreases, so does the effectiveness of the LiFePO4 chemistry, so a larger capacity battery is necessary.

Both 16 Cell (9.9 Ah) and 20 Cell (12 Ah) are enough to start and run both Cat 1100Ts & Supercharged Yamaha Nytros down to -25 Deg F (tested). At this temperature, the battery must be warmed by cranking a few times, but they will start.

Our 20 cell only weighs 3.5 lbs. Right now we have in stock both 12 and 20 cell, but 16 cell batteries are coming soon. The 20 Cell is roughly the same width and thickness as the stock battery.

Lightweight Lithium Start Batteries : PARTS & ACCESSORIES : Evolution Powersports

 

[Jeff C]

Question: When you install the 20 cell model in the 1100T, is there any modifications necessary to get the stock cables hooked up?

On some of the batteries offered by others, you need to cut the "Hold-down" strap back so the terminal(s) does not ground out.

In other words, is this battery plug and play?

 

[Evolution Powersports]

Question: When you install the 20 cell model in the 1100T, is there any modifications necessary to get the stock cables hooked up?

On some of the batteries offered by others, you need to cut the "Hold-down" strap back so the terminal(s) does not ground out.

In other words, is this battery plug and play?

You will need a piece of foam 1.5" foam to put underneath the battery. This will slide the batter up to the correct placement so the stock wires work in the stock locations.

 

[joe_f7]

what's the stock battery weigh?

 

[christopher]

Here is a good example of what was available last season, and an honest review of it.

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=284250

Would be VERY interested to see how your's performed differently in VERY cold temps....

 

[Turbo11T]

what's the stock battery weigh?

12-13lbs. These batteries do work as evo said. I have been running a 12 cell of another brand for a two years now and started my 11t in -25 below in west yellowstone. The 12 will definately not start the sled the first try at that temp though. There is a procedure to starting a cold sled that that been sitting overnight at -0 temps. At first it will seem as though it will hardly even engage the starter. Attempt to start the sled about 3-4times with 5 seconds each. Walk away from the sled for 4 min. Then try Again. The second time you will notice that the battery seems to have more charge but likely will still not start the sled. Usually the 3rd time it is very close to starting the sled and likely at -10 it will but at -25 the 4th time is typically the charm.

I suppose the 20 cell is fairly better than the 12 that I have been running.

The reality of these as they are a great deal of weight lose but do create a small amount of hassle on super cold mornings. To me it is not a huge deal the weight savings is worth the hassle.

Others have done battery bags with warmers in them. MTDream on here has a bag around the battery with a handlebar heater in it. With a small switch on the back of the seat. Flip it on for 10 min before starting. Does two things provides a draw on the battery(heats battery internally) and the heating element provides more heat to the outside of battery.

There is my 2 cents on these lightweight batteries. I am all about cutting weight and this was a couple hundred bucks to save 12 lbs on my sled. That is good weight to cost ratio.

 

[Sage Crusher]

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