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#1 |
Sponsor
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 92
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Most of the lithium batteries sold by this "Brand" in question do not have a BMS (Battery Management System)
The BMS protects the battery!!!! Myself and Pat McCue (MLE racecars) have been in talks with the NHRA for a couple of years now trying to establish a requirement for all lithium batteries used at NHRA events have the correct protection built in. Hopefully, this will get finalized soon. It is unfortunate that there are several companies that are selling lithium batteries in the performance market without a BMS or any other protection. Note: Internal battery "Balancers" are a BMS and are NOT protection! It is much less expensive to build a lithium battery without a BMS. The BMS can double the price of the battery. Many batteries will also advertise using Lithium Iron Phosphate - LiFePo4 "Safe" cells, and although they are the Safest lithium cell, they still can go into thermal runaway without a BMS. I have 30 years engineering experience developing electronics. When Lithium batteries first started being used in the automotive aftermarket there were no BMS systems that could handle the power required to crank high compression racing engines. I spent many years developing the first BMS that could work is this application. The BMS used in our PowerLite PRO series batteries fully protects the battery from you and you from the battery. Our BMS protects from under/over voltage, cell imbalance, over/under temperature, cranking time limit, over current, and short circuit. Here is a link for more basic info on a BMS-> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_management_system Lithium batteries are great when built and used properly. We have PowerLite batteries that are 10 years old and still going strong and of course, at about 10 pounds, it is hard to beat the cost per weight savings. Remember: 1) Balancers are NOT protection 2) There are no such thing as matched cells that do not require a BMS 3) There are no lithium battery chemistries that do not require a BMS 4) A Lithium battery without a BMS is not a good idea Do your homework before purchasing a lithium battery. Make sure it has a Full BMS protection!!! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions! |
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#2 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 872
Likes: 1
Liked 502 Times in 130 Posts
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__________________
Eric Merryfield 1883 STK |
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#3 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 437
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Whoever they were, I'll try to be polite and just say they were totally incorrect. Even the best cells in a batch from the best manufacturers are subject to the laws of thermodynamics and physics. If they are abused as described above, they will fail the same as any other. |
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#4 |
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Jeff Gillette and I talked a while back about building a Steel transport vessel for lithium batteries. Maybe it’s time now.
I think it was 2021, the Lanes heading to Pomona had a battery fire in the trailer. Vette I believe and I think it was Lithium? Maybe they can confirm? Lithium’s aren’t in a great environment…. Last edited by Barry Polley; 03-05-2024 at 04:30 PM. |
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#5 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Posts: 3,043
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I addressed the risks and use of Lithium batteries with NHRA in October 2016. Had a long phone conversation with Bruce Bachelder on the subject and he asked me to provide some technical information so he could share with others at NHRA, which I did a few days later. Of course, nothing came about it.
While still working at Boeing, I was part of the industry team as regards to the Lithium battery fires that took place on the Boeing 787 airplanes. As an outcome of the investigation, there were a lot of changes not only on the battery designs, but also on the provisions and installation. As an example, we ended designing, manufacturing, and installing a stainless steel box enclosure with a vent to the exterior of the fuselage for venting the fumes on all the 787 airplanes. SInce at the time there were already fires that had taken place at various tracks with Lithium batteries, especially people buying Chinese made cells on eBay and building their own, at the time I suggested consideration to requiring a metal enclosure for Lithium batteries. Unknown to me at the time was the number of events by various types of Lithium powered devices that had taken place since 1991 through 2016 on commercial flights, with Li-ion, Lithium-ion, Lithium Metal, Lithium Ion/Polymer, and Lithium Sulphur Dioxide batteries. Let's not forget the number of fires we see all the time on social media of EV's, including a cargo ship fire due to an EV. If I am going to err, I will err towards safety, especially when you have batteries sitting next to a fuel cell in most cars. Therefore, when I am asked about batteries, I recommend the LifeLine AGM racing batteries, or their Lithium Iron Phosphate battery that also has the BMS protection system. |
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#6 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 85
Likes: 4
Liked 72 Times in 15 Posts
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I have personnaly seen the aftermath of a old school lead acid battery that exploded when someone was trying to jump start a car in a gas station parking lot. I was a few feet away when it happened. I was not involved. I suspect the guy hooked up the cables wrong or the battery was defective.
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 214
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I have also exploded a lead acid battery when an alternator died on my work truck and the clerk sold me an internal regulated alternator on a truck that had an exterior voltage regulator from the factory.....had to replace the fender on the truck and paint the other! big mess!
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#8 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 45
Likes: 14
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We actually put lithium batteries into the Corvette after the fire, a new Comp car we are building, and all of the electric race cars we've built. For those interested, check out Altronics Powerlite lithium batteries as they are incredibly light and reliable; the Battery Management System ensures they cannot overcharge or ignite. As for transporting lithium batteries.... that's a whole other issue when done in high volume, so I like where your head is at! Cody Lane |
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 262
Likes: 48
Liked 54 Times in 25 Posts
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They are very sensitive to temperature hot or cold.. and vibration, if voltage drops too low they can combust.. I feel like the risk outways the benefit...
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