|
As far as "unicorns" go, I'll add this to the thread:
The weight savings is very real. These caps weigh almost nothing, despite their size (510 grams, 1.12 pounds each according to datasheet; this is for the huge 3k Farad caps). They weigh more than the LiFePO4 cells I've had my eye on, but still, the savings over a regular sized battery is massive.
They aren't as efficient for overall energy storage (amp-hours), but everyone already knew that. If you need to run the electronics, etc in the car without the engine running, then Lithium Iron batteries will be your best bet; a 10 amp hour setup should be plenty, but it will cost for the batteries, charging controller, etc; something that small won't last as long as a cap bank will (as far as charge/discharge cycles goes).
I dug up the spec sheet on my caps as well as the lithium cells I've had my eye on; that info is as follows:
Cap cells:
Cost:
$20 (used on Woot) x 6 = $120
Cycles:
>1,000,000
Operating temps:
-40c to 65c (-49f to 149f)
Weight:
510g/each x 6 = g (6.7 lbs)
Max surge discharge rate (< 30 seconds):
210 amps (sustained until empty; peak < 1 second = 2200 amps)
LiFePO4 cells:
Cost:
$18 x 4 = $72 + charge controller/balancer (another $30 minimum; both from batteryspace.com)
Cycles:
>1,000
Operating temps:
Charging: 0c to 45c (32f - 113f)
Discharging: -10c to 60c (14f to 140f)
Weight:
340g/each x 4 = 1360g (3 lbs)
Max surge discharge rate (< 30 seconds):
100 amps
__________________
|