Sony Camcorder Li-ion batteries

[dozentrio]

I have the opportunity to buy some of these batteries for cheap cheap cheap. They are either the
HITACHI BP-L90A http://www.digi163.com/battery/HITACHI-camcorder-battery/HITACHI-BP-L90A-battery.htm or the BP-90 http://www.digi163.com/battery/sony-camcorder-battery/Sony-BP-90-battery.htm.

I want a battery pack for my 36V 800 watt motor controller (450 watt my1018 motor) setup.

Can I simply take three of the 14.4V Li-ion packs, run them in series, and hook it up? I am woefully inexperienced at this. My plan of action is to try to open up the case while hoping nothing explodes, look at what is inside, and try to figure out what I need and don't need, then wire things together, wrap it up all nice, and hope I get something to work.

 

[Anonymous]

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[dozentrio]

Yes you're right. The person who I talked to about these mentioned that they have a current limiting function. Is there any way I can just tear out the cells and start from there?

 

[Anonymous]

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[pwbset]

You could build your own tab welder and use the raw cells... if you parallel enough of them I suppose they would work, but it'll be a hell of a lotta cells. Let us know if you do and how it goes. I'm loving my tab welder right now and wishing I had tons more cells to play with.

 

[liveforphysics]

Cells for packs like that always use maximum energy, minimum power cells. Lots of electronics packs for cameras and laptops and things use groups of 18650 cells that are not even 0.5C capable.

Basically, you would end up needing a ton of packs to get any useful power. If you could get the packs for under $20/each with a large quantity of available supply, and you don't mind having a heavy bike and building your own pack, then it would be worth while. You would need at least 10-20 of those packs to get a useful power level for a decent E-bike.

 

[dozentrio]

Oh, that is disappointing. I am glad that I asked though, or else I'd have bought them. One day, I will build the tab welder and put together my own pack. But not yet. Thanks for the information, guys

 

[patrickza]

Firstly how cheap is cheap? If it's very cheap and you don't mind taking a risk on one buy it, crack it open and see what cells are inside.

If they're super super cheap and 1 or 2c then you can still work with them by paralelling enough, otherwise just skip it.

 

[tomv]

I'll just make a case for those batteries. Unfortunately I didn't try this setup myself yet, but looking for good deal and will do so. Tesla car uses such cells (high energy, low power). The idea is that they are cheaper and have double the capacity than similar tool pack cells. So assume you need 1kw of power. Your options are:

10 x 50Wh tool packs. Cost about $500, range about 20 miles. More than 1kw of power
20 x 100Wh camcorder batteries. Cost about $500. Range 80 miles. 1kW should be no problem

Weight will also be similar. Tool packs last 2000 charges, camcorder 500, but you'll be discharging them less, so durability will be about the same.