GI: Possible GB of LiFeMgPO4 batteries - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Ryland · 05-06-2009, 02:39 AM

It would be really nice to know more about these as everyone claims "great for electric vehicles" but unless you know the discharge rate they can handle, the cut off of the BMS and all those other specs it's hard to tell and even with that there is no saying if they are going to turn out to be any good, for example FoxPower has been around for years and I've read a number of forums where people said their batteries failed right away, so I figure if they are still around they must have gotten better, right? a few months back a friend of mine spends $1000 for a FoxPower battery for his electric bike, right out of the box it's not charging right, a hand full of phone calls later he gets a response back form them, sends the battery back, gets a new replacement in the mail, it fails, sends it back again, gets a whole new battery and at this point has spent another $100 or so on shipping batteries back and this is dealing with a company that is talking up their batteries being in EV's in big auto shows, this is not dealing with someone over seas that is not returning phone calls about bad batteries.
So what was your guess on a price for these again?

Electric Frenzy · 05-06-2009, 05:36 AM

The company is Valence and they're based out of Texas. I'm in Birmingham, AL and could take a weekend and drive out to see them personally but would rather ask questions on the phone first.

I have NO idea of price yet. They could be $120/each. They could be $300 each. I have NO clue until someone will call me back.

The reason I'm so interested in this battery type and company is because of the big scale work they're doing with manufacturers and have already done with smaller ev's like the Brammo EV motorcycle. IT's running 72v and it's FAST at a weight of around 350lbs for the whole bike.

I suggest reading this entire .pdf. I'ts been VERY helpful in educating me.
http://www.valence.com/sites/all/the...ta%20Sheet.pdf

Ryland · 05-06-2009, 07:27 PM

Do they make any that can handle a higher discharge rate? my EV pulls just over 200 amps on a flat road and can pull over 300 amps while going up hills and over 600 amps if I'm starting from a dead stop, and it's light at at 1,400 pound curb weight.

Electric Frenzy · 05-07-2009, 12:27 AM

Im sure their 18v batteries would be plenty of power for you. they are stringable up to 1000amps

Electric Frenzy · 05-12-2009, 07:01 PM

UPDATE*

Valence called me back today and they're sending me over the initial paperwork to get started on this. In a few days we should have an idea on price and quantity needed.

If anyone has any questions on the batteries themselves I posted a link to their spec sheet. They are the XP series of batteries. I'll also get pricing for the BMSs and they say any standard 12V charger for auto batteries will work but I'll see what they recommend and go from there.

Let's try to drum up some interest. I have a feeling we'll need to purchase some quantity of this to even be allowed to buy them.

Electric Frenzy · 06-07-2009, 05:18 PM

Valence is NOT interested in selling batteries in ANY quantity under 500 units at a time. I couldn't even get BASE pricing without committing to purchasing 500 units. I would probably be interested in purchasing 20 units for myself. You think someone else wants to pick up the 480 units we'd be short??

sheesh, this company is asking for gov't money and they won't sell me their product. INSANITY.

psychicjoker · 12-20-2010, 05:25 AM

I am interested, and I agree that this battery chemistry is among the few elite battery technologies viable for electric vehicles. Please let me know asap when you have some sort of quote from Valence. You can count this as 2 individuals interested, as my brother is also interested in purchasing batteries in bulk with people like this.

psychicjoker · 12-20-2010, 05:49 AM

Looking at the Valence's financial statement, I can tell that the company seems to deal in a lot of lot of transactions that are not particularly high volume. This gives me hope that they are more likely to be able to extend a fair price at a reasonably attainable volume. If they are continually slow to respond, you might try again after mid January, and hope for the best.

Bigswampthing · 03-02-2011, 03:42 PM

I recently received a call from Valence. They actually got back to me the very next day! They were perfectly willing to give me a quote over the phone for a specific battery system that would suit may needs and indeed sell me just one. They must be getting enough interest.

Example I had quoted:
72 volt 1000 ah, capable of 1200 amps was $2500

They offered quantity discounts and several reasonably priced battery management and diagnostic units.

Battery management $345
Diagnostic kit for installers $360

Contact was: Jonnie Hefty (512)527-2909

rmay635703 · 03-02-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigswampthing

I recently received a call from Valence. They actually got back to me the very next day! They were perfectly willing to give me a quote over the phone for a specific battery system that would suit may needs and indeed sell me just one. They must be getting enough interest.

Example I had quoted:
72 volt 1000 ah, capable of 1200 amps was $2500

Battery management $345
Diagnostic kit for installers $360

Contact was: Jonnie Hefty (512)527-2909

$0.034 a Watt/hr? That is INSANE! 1/10 of Thundersky's price