JCG
100 W
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
- Messages
- 174
I was making a few purchases online today at McMaster - they are erecting a statue of me in front of the New Jersey warehouse. I am their best customer. Anyway, I saw two things I have never seen there before: rechargeable "lithium" batteries and ultracapacitors. It really got my attention!
Now, since McMaster is a supply company rather than a manufacturer, they will not tell you who makes a given item. They stick to their guns even if you bother the hell out of them. BUT, the pictures/sketches in the catalog are sometimes a giveaway, depending on what experience you have with that type of item.
You can see them categorized together here, as "Ultracapacitors" and "Lightweight Quick-Charging Lithium Batteries."
I'm positive that the ultracaps are Maxwell. Not really a huge deduction; considering that not many people make them, McMaster tries to stick to US-produced items, and they match all of Maxwell's specs in terms of dimensions, volts and farads. There seems to be quite a price markup though, they charge $177 for the 2.7 V, 3000 F model from which I made the EV1 storage buffer. The Tecate Group (where I bought mine) is only charging $110.
So, my question is, does anyone recognize those lithium batteries? Finding the manufacturer would give access to spec sheets. I'm not even sure about the cathode chemistry used. At least for now, it seems like not much bang for the buck at all. Low capacities and voltages, and super expensive per watt-hour - around twice the effective cost of Turnigy nano-core LiPo, and probably with a much worse discharge rating.
Now, since McMaster is a supply company rather than a manufacturer, they will not tell you who makes a given item. They stick to their guns even if you bother the hell out of them. BUT, the pictures/sketches in the catalog are sometimes a giveaway, depending on what experience you have with that type of item.
You can see them categorized together here, as "Ultracapacitors" and "Lightweight Quick-Charging Lithium Batteries."
I'm positive that the ultracaps are Maxwell. Not really a huge deduction; considering that not many people make them, McMaster tries to stick to US-produced items, and they match all of Maxwell's specs in terms of dimensions, volts and farads. There seems to be quite a price markup though, they charge $177 for the 2.7 V, 3000 F model from which I made the EV1 storage buffer. The Tecate Group (where I bought mine) is only charging $110.
So, my question is, does anyone recognize those lithium batteries? Finding the manufacturer would give access to spec sheets. I'm not even sure about the cathode chemistry used. At least for now, it seems like not much bang for the buck at all. Low capacities and voltages, and super expensive per watt-hour - around twice the effective cost of Turnigy nano-core LiPo, and probably with a much worse discharge rating.
