What do you think of this Lion pack?

[kyakdiver]

It's a steal at $249 with free shipping it would seem to me. Still would need to purchase a charger, but they are pretty inexpensive.
http://www.campsolution.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=111

The reason I'm interested in this pack is weight! I figure I could have two connected for 16AH for $500 and add in $80 for chargers and it seems like a good value. I know lifepo4/A123 seems like the best so far but............................. I can not afford $1000 for 10AH! Plus the weight doesn't appeal to me. I could have 16AH pack with chargers included for under 12lbs. It say 18A max discharge so two together would be 36A max with a continuous rate of ?.... Doesn't seem to mention that and it has me wondering.

With proper care would this be an ok way to go? Charging outside in a safe place and such. making sure cells are balanced and so forth.

I'm interested in other ideas for the same kind of $$$ ...... I already run nimh so that is not the direction I want to go but will if I have to since I know it.... 36V 10AH runs me $349 in a nice case with mounting hardware and charger.

The Ebay duct tape packs seem interesting for the price but.... at this point what do we know about them?

Last but not least...... I'm putting about 500 miles a month on my ebike. Would this have about the same cycle life as Nimh? Any real life experience with these?

best and thanks in advance for your ideas.

kyakdiver

 

[Drunkskunk]

I could have bought 4 of these for what I paid for my 2 Lipo, for roughly the same power.

Lion won't last as long as LiFePO4, but at that price, who cares? Maybe LiFe will be cheaper when these finaly die.
I'd get 2 or more packs at a minimum, though.

 

[kyakdiver]

Skunk,

My plan was to purchase two of them to start.... so 36V 16AH....

kyakdiver

 

[TylerDurden]

I can not afford $1000 for 10AH! Plus the weight doesn't appeal to me.

I cannot afford to burn down my house. That pack is LiCo... overcharge or overdraw and you will have an unextinguishable fireball.

:?

 

[kyakdiver]

Is it really that simple Tyler? I'm not going to burn the house down since I would take that into consideration when charging and have an appropriate place to do so.

Is the risk high or the exception? Exploding battery packs the rule? If that was so I would think it would be much more common since aren't there examples of this stuff in the millions being used everyday? I would think that it would be unlawful to even purchase in the ligitgous US or A.

If these are used in a fireproof box and charged in a safe manner can't some of these issues be minimized?

kyakdiver

 

[Ypedal]

It would be better if the 4 parallel strings were seperate so you could maintain vigil of the packs health, but if one of the 4 cells in a string has a problem, you can really have a big problem on your hands.

4 x 10 cell strings with 4 chargers and 4 BMS would be better.

At 16ah and a 20amp controller the current will be reasonable, but it's a gamble.

I suggest saving your money and waiting a bit more. but if you need a pack right now... well... i would personally still not buy those.

 

[kyakdiver]

Ypedal,

Next best suggestion? That's what this is all about... Something lighter than Nimh and at least 15AH's x 36V's.

Idea's please.... Maybe anything other than my $349 36V 10AH Nimh pack with charger is just to much?
http://www.ativsolutions.com/products/36v-10ah-nimh-battery.htm

Any better price/performance value besides the duct tape stuff?

kyakdiver

 

[TylerDurden]

Your bike utilization is reason enough to spend the bucks for LiFePO4. You can amortize the cost over three years or more; so even with the higher price, you get a better value.

Lighter
More powerful
Longer life cycle
Cheaper in the long run.

I bought emoli drill-packs for the same reasons. I spent 1600 on them and I don't regret it a bit, even though LiFePO4 may be cheaper now. I toss the batts on the chargers and in an hour they're done. No worries. No issues with temperature. I also use them for my tools, too.

You could use Dewalt packs "native" and enjoy having power tools, power bike and more batteries anytime from home depot.

 

[kyakdiver]

Tyler,

Along that line of thinking...... If you could do it now.... Would your choice still be the Milwak packs over the Dewalt? I've seen dewalt packs for as little a $92 each without charger. I could go that route but wonder what people use to connect them inside a battery bag? On the dewalt setups with the case in tact.... What part/piece are they using to click in the battery in the battery bag?

If I could go this route and keep it simple I might do it.... I just don't want to have to screw around with single cell chargers and all that junk... I need to keep this simple since like I mentioned above..... I ride the hell out of my bikes............ both electric and human powered.

best,

kyakdiver

 

[TylerDurden]

I recall some folks using connector blocks from Dw flashlights for snap-in rigs... other members have built multi-connection rigs or even just connected female spade connectors directly to the batts.

I'm actually using Ridgid 24V packs, since they have a lifetime service agreement. I ride at 24V right now, but the FETs are good to 56V... for when I bump-up to a 2sXp setup.

LiFePO4 is tempting, but if I were running 36V, I'd just go with Dw... plug & play. If things get really cheap and reliable, I can still sell the packs and tools for good $$.

8)

 

[kyakdiver]

Anyone have a good source for the connector blocks? Someone must offer these somewhere..... I've looked all over the net and haven't been able to find them...

 

[jerryt]

I asked Jondoh and he said

I will be using milwaukee batteries again. It seems that the connector blocks are available only from milwaukee tool. You have to call them directly:

I called this number: Phone: 1-800-729-3878

and ordered: 22-56-1729

 

[kyakdiver]

Yesa,

Your the battery person... What do you offer that might make sense? 36V-10AH or 20AH delivered to Washington State with charger.... Nows your chance to shine What C rating also. Warranty? Weight?

kyakdiver

 

[sharkmobil]

For $50 more you can have a much better battery, plus 2Ah

http://www.campsolution.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=134

 

[EMF]

For $50 more you can have a much better battery, plus 2Ah

http://www.campsolution.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=134

Prewired with 18 gage?!?! That's too small in my opinion. I would have to wonder about these packs...

I think I would parallel 2 of them and then series them with another 2 in parallel, into some 10 gage for a 72 volt 20 amphour setup, that could pull 40 amps continuous for 1400 dollars. Not a bad find.

Edit: Oops! - not in stock.