Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
I'm running this in my Prius with no balancing.
LiFePO4 Prismatic Battery: 12.8V 20Ah (256Wh, 10C rate) (24.0) - UN38.3 Passed (DGR)
There are coupon codes for 5% off to basically give you free shipping. Run 2 in parallel if you need more capacity. The code I found is E7SEA
Everything I've read says not to charge below freezing. I replaced the Prius battery with a LiFePO4. The stock battery compartment is inside the cabin, so that helps it to stay warm, or cool depending on the weather. With our 26 degree days, I'm guessing the battery is getting near freezing. No issues in the past 2 years. |
This is exactly the battery to get. For a car, you need the higher C cells because at 1 or 1.5 or even 2C, you'd need a massive battery to prevent the alternator from frying it. That pack at 20Ah can absorb perhaps a 60A charge (3C charge rate, pretty normal for cells optimized for power) without hurting it too badly. On older cars with 80-90A alternators, after subtracting the amps needed for the ECU/fuel pump/relays, you'd be right around there if the engine is revved a little and a bit under at idle. I think it is a good idea to idle for a bit to bring the voltage up if the car has been sitting for a few days to reduce the rate at which the battery charges. Preventing 1 dollar worth of battery damage is worth a lot of gasoline.
On a car that comes with a bigger battery/alternator/starter, I would probably put two of those together for 40Ah.
Supposedly some LiFePO4 cells can take charging at maybe 25F but not much below that, if you have cold winters I think it is smarter to run lead acid. I would certainly skip the lithium if it snows where I live.