Chatterbox xbi battery life project

[CGHEMWICK]

Due to the chatterbox's sucky mp3/xm broadcasting to pillion battery life, I decided to take on a new project of upgrading its battery. I discovered that dimensional size is it's limiting factor.

For me to get out of the Upper Peninsula is 5hrs+ and is annoying to pay for XM and only get its use for 5hrs.

The XBI has a 520mah Li-PO battery in it with dimensions of 44mmx24mmx4mm.
I found a 2000mah LI-PO terminated with the xbi's jst connector. I am going to use this battery and an external case from sparkfun.com. This has the potential of 15hrs+ of battery life during continuous pillion xm radio use and is only going to cost around $50. The limiting factor will now be the wirevo.

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8483.

Let the drilling and hot gluing begin!

[CGHEMWICK]

Here's the case.


http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8601

[CGHEMWICK]

Instead of using an external case, I placed the battery at the back of the helmet. I used RC car JST connectors as a quick disconnect and Velcro to place the battery. The XBI seems to work. I am currently charging it with the existing unit. The battery has a PCB, so I am hoping all is well.

I have a wedding to attend in Livonia. I have a 2000mah battery installed vs a 520mah stock battery. I should be able to easily get 15-20hrs of around the clock xm music and passenger streaming. We'll see how long the wirevo lasts.

[Fergie]

Good luck and let us know how it works.

[CGHEMWICK]

It lasted for the 11hr trip and an extra day. It even survived a crash, too bad I wasn't able to test it on the way back(I do have a war story though).