rechargeable battery tech

[cfz2882]

All of my off-grid systems are running flooded "deep cycle"lead-acid batts,all my small EVs running AGM,Most cordless tools including Stihl mower running Li-ion.Thining about trying Li-ion for next E-trike project,but also wondering about LiFe batts too, but not seeing these LiFe batteries used for vehicle propulsion much-mostly just stationary off-grid storage.

 

[kb0nes]

LiFePO4

You absolutely need to change over to LiFePO4 batteries from lead-acid. I have used Gel/AGM lead acid batteries for portable power for years and my experience is that they are OK for a short while but they have lots of shortcomings.

So two years ago I opened my wallet WIDE and bought a 100ah 12v SOK. I paid $650 at the time and after using the battery for 2 years I would absolutely buy it again AT that price, zero buyers remorse. Good news is that these batteries are currently only $299 (!!!) on Current Connected's website.

The battery is about 2/3 the weight of a lead acid, non-spillable with no gassing and best of all it stays at 12.6v constantly until it is fully depleted. I have about 50 charge cycles on it and it has performed perfectly for me. Self Discharge is quite low also. I use it for portable power for amateur radio uses and backup power.

I will NEVER again buy a lead acid battery for any deep discharge application. I even got a LiFePO4 battery for my motorcycle, nice to have zero maintance. The only issue is the battery management electronics in the battery limit the maximum discharge so they can't really serve as autiomotive starting batteries at this time. They do have issues with chargning when very cold also.

 

[cfz2882]

Thanks for that info-did find out LiFePO4 batteries are sometimes used as traction battery in some types of EVs-especially golf carts.looked into Li-ion batteries for small EV use and did find out these are not easy to (properly) parallel because of the monitering electronics built into many Li-ion batteries will not work properly.I have had great service from all my Li-ion batts.One trike i have been running runs 48v with 8x 12v,12AH AGMs that weigh 68 lbs all together.

 

[kb0nes]

LiFePO4 batteries have the big advantage of safety compared to other Lithium chemistries. They won't overheat or catch fire if you puncture them. That they are available in common voltage configurations in a fully managed package makes them ideal of home or portable power storage.

I can no longer accept the cost to operate of any form of a lead acid battery. I've been nothing but disappointed with AGM and Gel batteries with their limited lifespans and capacity issues. Granted I tend to be an infrequent user of battery power so sulfation happens, lead acid chemistry needs to be used constantly to last. Lead acid batteries have gotten quite expensive too. My days of buying lead acid (and Alkaline) batteries are over!

 

[qsd-dan]

LiFePO4

LiFePO4 are nice but they don't like to be charged around freezing temps or below without permanent damage.

Lithium Titanate can handle the extreme temperatures and has an insane charging/ discharging rate but they only come in a cylindrical package at the moment. Give it a few more years and lead acid batteries will be long gone. The only problem is getting a 99-100% recycling rate out of the materials that lead acid currently achieves.