LiFePO4 Battery Showdown!

Prices will come down when VOLUME of production goes UP! That's for sure going to happen early 2008!

Best,

Don
 
I'll tell you what, even at $55, that is a pretty good deal. That's $5.50 per Ah. If you assume $10 each for a123 cells, that's $4.35 per Ah and the LiFeBatt cells are much easier to package/connect.

Come on Bob, we need that ebike BMS... :D:D

-- Gary
 
For those interested we are now taking Pre-Orders for Raw Cells being delivered in November, 2007. We have doubled our original order of 500 Cells and will deliver on a first come first served basis. Please visit the website and Order now to reserve your cells. www.lifebatt.com
 
The I like know how closely these Lifebatts can they be packed?!

Is the "nuclear Blast survival Packaging" ( :lol: :lol: )ne cessary for the well being of the battery? does it need the protection?and if not..

some sort of screw and tabs could take the pain out of the assembly..

how about a lvc board for them ?? sure the price is right and although I am not in a big rush i don't want to miss them either.

but on the other hand I am going to let those who can use them right now get them first and i hope that i can get my required number of cells by the tearly spring unless because of the global warming maybe winter will miss us again this year. well at least half the winter..

it will be easier having some more test results by then as well probably the price too if I had my bike together now I would order them today.

I am sold on them just the details of pack construction and charger remain



efreak
 
The battery terminals appear to be solid brass rods. For DIY, it would be handy if they were threaded. It wouldn't be too hard to thread them with a die, but if you had a bunch, it would be time consuming.

Any chance they could be made threaded? Do the end posts unscrew from the battery? (they have hex flats on them like they might)
 
I second the idea about having these come pre-threaded. I plan on making 10-cell packs with the cells in a 5x2 arrangement by using heavy-duty PCBs as "end plates", bolted to the cells. These PCBs would include the LVC circuit, for sure, and maybe some sort of balancing logic as well, if I can get that figured out. That way there will be no need to bring out external balancing plugs/wires. I'll then use encase each 10-cell pack in the same heavy-duty, rubberized shrink wrap I use on my a123 packs.

-- Gary
 
fechter said:
The battery terminals appear to be solid brass rods. For DIY, it would be handy if they were threaded. It wouldn't be too hard to thread them with a die, but if you had a bunch, it would be time consuming.

Any chance they could be made threaded? Do the end posts unscrew from the battery? (they have hex flats on them like they might)

The studs ARE pre-threaded and the cells themselves are 40mm x 140mm and have studs that extend another 22mm at each end. They weigh 1 lb. each and are rated 3.3V/10Ah each. Chargers will also be available - but the VMS may (or may not be) by November. The prototype has been finished and is being tested now. If it passes all our tests, we will manufacture the boards in about 3 weeks, so I expect the VMS to ship by early December at the latest. They will likely be shipped separately and you will have to install them yourself, which is not a problem since you are obviously building your own pack, or having Bob Mc Cree do it for you?

Cheers!

Don Harmon
 
the cells themselves are 40mm x 140mm and have studs that extend another 22mm at each end.

So the overall length of the cells is 184 mm? I just want to check as I've ordered some cells through Ian (ChopperMan) and the length shown in the pdf on your website is 171 mm.
 
In english measurement: Cell body = 5-1/2", Tip of Threaded Rod to Tip of Threaded Rod = 6-1/2". Most likely Threaded rods could be cut down without voiding the Warranty - but I would have to verify that!

Cell diam. = 1-1/2"+(a few hairs)

Don Harmon
 
Tip of Threaded Rod to Tip of Threaded Rod = 6-1/2
So 165 mm overall length, including 12 mm (1/2") studs at each end.

Want to make sure I get my facts straight as I'm looking at options for packaging them.

(We switched to the metric system about three decades ago, but there are still plenty of diehards around :D)
 
Good day all,

this exciting if the ends do not unscrew which ( I hope they do)

I like Gary's idea of using that extra space for mounting the little boards on - plus the hard pvc board support structure (guenius!) I guess shrink wrap crossways as to not cover the circuitary.

I would like them exactly like that modular expandable and enterchangable . Has to be like that for reliability and ease of use three subpacks for me to start thank you@

this the supplier's website. They also say that they have ebike packs 24 and 36volts of these cells

http://www.phet.com.tw/Products/Products_Intro.aspx

quite a selection

good times
very nice

thanks for all the posts


efreak
 
NO, I don't think that would be a good idea. I believe it would void the Warranty - but we are now coming out with a smaller Cell that has no screw posts. It is made for Notebook Computer packs!

Not sure of Spec. or Pricing on these yet but here's a picture of what they look like.

Cheer!

Don Harmon
 

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Looks like a standard 18650-sized cell, so I'm guessing it will have a capacity in the 1500-1800 mAh range. The larger cells are definitely what will work better for ebike apps, in my opinion, as they are easier to mount and connect.

-- Gary
 
The 24v 10a phet battery looks great! For a low speed bike one battery is alls you would need.

http://www.phet.com.tw/Products/Image/Product_Intro.gif
 
Wow! That's a terrific selection of cell sizes. :D

And if the longevity is as good as claimed, we can build a pack now for our bike that can be part of a pack for our electric car, home power system, etc later. :)

Product_Intro.gif
 
GGoodrum said:
The larger cells are definitely what will work better for ebike apps, in my opinion, as they are easier to mount and connect.

Absolutely, that's my view also.

Nice size, (40mm x 140mm) good connectivity options with threaded ends (Lifebatt), definately good times for us ebikers. :) 8)



edit: for proper size
 
Guys, the PHET Cells are still smaller format cells than LiFeBATT. You will find out when you inquire that there is no 40138 Large Format PHET cell. Our cells will be available in November for individual boxed sets. The VMS boards are passing all tests and will be available shortly @ $50.00 ea.

Once the VMS is available our Chargers will also be available because they have to match the new VMS boards.

Cheers! 8)

Don Harmon
 
GGoodrum said:
Don Harmon said:
Once the VMS is available our Chargers will also be available because they have to match the new VMS boards...

How many cells are these being setup for?


The VMS can allow dumb charger to charge the battery, but the charger must be CC/CV charger and its voltage shall be around 46V for the 3610 configuration.

We have designed the VMS as a module board, and it is for each group of 4 cells. Available in late November, we will need some more time to test and confirm all functions.

We will make some connection instruction sheet for users to upgrade by themselves.

Cheers!

Don Harmon
 
Don Harmon said:
GGoodrum said:
Don Harmon said:
Once the VMS is available our Chargers will also be available because they have to match the new VMS boards...

How many cells are these being setup for?


The VMS can allow dumb charger to charge the battery, but the charger must be CC/CV charger and its voltage shall be around 46V for the 3610 configuration.

We have designed the VMS as a module board, and it is for each group of 4 cells. Available in late November, we will need some more time to test and confirm all functions.

We will make some connection instruction sheet for users to upgrade by themselves.

Cheers!

Don Harmon


Don,

I have a Mastech PSU that is CC/CV Here's the link: http://shop.vendio.com/evan2002/item/818330695/index.html This what I use for my A123 packs. The only gripe I have is that I got to carefully monitor the charger and stop the charge myself when the current hits a certain point, or else I'll damage the PSU and even the packs. So if I use this for the Lifebatts, what does the VMS do during charging?

So it's 1 VMS per 4 cells? That's like $200 in VMS' if I get 16 cells?

Is there some soldering required to connect the VMS to the cells or is it direct plug-in?
 
I have a Mastech PSU that is CC/CV Here's the link: http://shop.vendio.com/evan2002/item/818330695/index.html This what I use for my A123 packs. The only gripe I have is that I got to carefully monitor the charger and stop the charge myself when the current hits a certain point, or else I'll damage the PSU and even the packs. So if I use this for the Lifebatts, what does the VMS do during charging?

So it's 1 VMS per 4 cells? That's like $200 in VMS' if I get 16 cells?

Is there some soldering required to connect the VMS to the cells or is it direct plug-in?[/quote]

The warning signal of every VMS can series connect to an external board which have the Bee Buzzle and LED to indicate if some OLV (Under 2V of single cell while dischrging) or OHV (Above 4V of single cell while chrging) problem has occured.

No soldering that I am aware of right now.

Best,

Don Harmon
 
Malcolm said:
Bee Buzzle? Is that an American cultural reference that hasn't made it over here yet :)

I've never heard it -- maybe it's a Taiwanese phrase. Or perhaps it's a little muzzle for bees that's removed in response to the low-voltage comparator signal, which leads the bees to start to buzz...bee buzzle...that's funny. :D

Throw another shrimp on the barbie, mate!
 
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