Lithium Iron/Ion Batteries - Any good for a Caterham?

[tomwoodis]

So now that battery technology is moving on at a fair old pace, I was wondering whether we were at a point yet where considering one in place of the Lead Acid type was worthwhile?

I haven't heard of anyone fitting one as yet so I presume there are Pros and Cons to fitting one so.....

What's the current perceived wisdom on fitting one? What are the Pros and Cons?

Thanks

Tom

[DCL]

It's high on my wish list too. My thoughts . . .

I think they are becoming more common in track and race cars. For a road car the cost and perhaps the higher risk, particularly in an accident, of serious fire or even an explosion may make them less attractive.

On the plus side is the reduced weight, longer life (perhaps) and higher performance in a smaller package. Also worth noting that an alternator, designed with lead acid charging in mind, may not be that kind to them - still early days for the technology in an automotive environment.

[DVandrews]

Charging Lion and Lipoly batteries is a complex business and the cells need to be a carefully balanced, if you over deplete a lithium battery it is likely to fail and/or catch fire so they are not ideal. I wouldn't use one in that environment. I use them heavily in portable drills where I have replaced Nicad and Nimh cells with Lipoy batteries. They are inexpensive and very light but need handling with care and require careful monitoring to prevent over discharge and careful chaegin with a dedicated charger,


Dave

[le57erw]

Take a look at Super B

http://www.super-b.com/en/automotive-1

I use them A LOT ! in many applications where traditionally i'd have used lead acid, sealed lead acid or Ni-Cad

http://www.super-b.com/en/technology

You can drop them directly into your vehicle with NO changes to the charging system.

"The main advantages are that the battery weighs up to 80% less and that lithium’s mobility within the material is very rapid, which permits the battery to be charged and discharged at high currents. Charging times of less than 5 minutes have been reached.

Super B lithium ion batteries offer phenomenal starting power and massive deep cycle reserve power. They are capable of providing engine cranking pulses in excess of 2250 amps for 5 seconds.

Operating temperatures vary from -30 Degrees Centigrade to 60 Degrees Centigrade for all models. "

[BertBert]

2250 Amps at what voltage? My K-r500 proved a very poor starter with one of the race gel batteries which was down to cranking voltage being too low to keep the ecu happy. Back to a trusty Banner and all was good again.
Bert

[BBL-Sean]

In the U.S., I know of at least three 7 owners who have been using a LiFePO4 battery without issue for at least the last two years now. These are different than the early versions of Li-ion laptop battery or Boeing 787 battery; the LiFePO4 type do not burst into flames. The common one used in 7s here has been the Ballistic EVO2 16 cell model, which is a 4.5" cube weighing 3.5 lbs. for under 300 USD, but I see they now have a line called EVO3.

I believe these have some restrictions, such as they cannot be jump-started in the traditional manner, but those who run them have done so successfully by learning the ins and out specific to them and getting on with it.