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Originally Posted by paulgato
The trouble is I kind of DO want to go for cross-country mpg records on occasion (he-he!) because it's only on longer journies that the highest possible mpg is achieveable, ...but I'll resist the temptation.
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Ecomodding is a legitimate hobby, and as long as it brings joy, I see no need to rationalize the time and expense that goes into a project. I'm experimenting with supercaps and LiFePO4 batteries knowing full well that I'll never recoup the cost. Learning and discovering answers to questions that haven't yet been answered on the net is rewarding. It's like being a pioneer on the frontier of technology.
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I didn't know about fully-charged lead acid batteries being less efficient than partially charged ones. (Did I understand that right?). Are you saying they are also less efficient on discharge when full?
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You understood me correctly. A lead acid battery at near full charge wastes more energy than it accepts. I read somewhere that the same goes for discharge.
Charging and Discharging Lead Acid Batteries
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The state of charge of the battery will also affect charge efficiency. With the battery at half charge or less, the charge efficiency may be over 90%, dropping to nearer 60% when the battery is above 80% charged.
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http://windandsunpower.com/Download/...Efficiency.pdf
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these tests indicate that from zero SOC to 84% SOC the
average overall battery charging efficiency is 91%, and
that the incremental battery charging efficiency from 79%
to 84% is only 55%... Charge efficiencies at 90% SOC and greater were
measured at less than 50%
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Lead acid batteries need to be kept at full charge to maintain longevity, but charge efficiency at near full charge is abysmal.
For lead acid batteries, efficiency and longevity are at odds.
For this reason, I have become interested in exploring alternatives to lead acid batteries.