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  #1  
Old 11-29-2011, 12:47 PM
longez360 longez360 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 23
Default Aerovoltz Lithium-ion battery

Hi All, I am interested in the application of lithiun-ion battery technology to my aircraft to reduce weight. The availability of the Aerovoltz 16 cell (available from from Aircraft Spruce and other aviation suppliers - link below) would cut my 15.4lbs Odyssey PC680 battery weight to 3lbs total.................
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...aerovoltz4.php

A supplier (Leading Edge Airfoils) has stated:
"Yes. The battery is a drop in replacement and will work well with the aircraft charging system.* I would strongly recommend purchasing the Aerovoltz battery charger for ground charging. It is quite different than that of a lead acid battery charger and will greatly extend the life of the bettery."

Does anyone have any experience with this specific battery system in an aircraft? I cannot find any specification or contact information on the Aerovoltz website to quiz their engineers.

I have read most of the non-specific/unrelated lithium ion battery horror stories on the net and would prefer to avoid descending into that discussion, but rather keep this thread more specific.

Cheers

Wayne Blackler
Long EZ O-360
AUSTRALIA

Last edited by longez360 : 11-29-2011 at 12:50 PM.
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  #2  
Old 11-29-2011, 01:26 PM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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This looks suspicously like the Lithium Iron batteries that I have been looking at:

http://www.ballisticparts.com/index.php

I am guessing that there are a number of companies marketing the same product at the retail level. They look quite promising!
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  #3  
Old 11-29-2011, 01:35 PM
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DCat22 DCat22 is offline
 
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Exact same price and the same marketing bullets....I'd say we have a match.

It is interesting stuff. I was considering trying a small one out for another project...haven't heard any feedback elsewhere yet.

One thing I saw on another site:

"Does the BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE COMPONENT Battery work well with a constant draw?
The current product has been designed and developed as a starter battery in a powersports application. If there is a parasitic draw on your powersports vehicle (such as an alarm) we recommend that you disconnect the battery when not in use. If the battery is completely drained the cells can be damaged.
"

And looks like a little more fall off in below freezing weather: http://www.ballisticparts.com/tech/faq.php

Not nay-saying...just looking for things to be aware of.

PS. Amazon has them for $239 and free shipping. http://www.amazon.com/PERFORMANCE-16.../dp/B005C5XS2U (Not the aviation branded one...no idea if there is any difference.)
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Last edited by DCat22 : 11-29-2011 at 01:43 PM.
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  #4  
Old 11-29-2011, 02:17 PM
RVadmirer RVadmirer is offline
 
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Location: Kalifornia
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The canard forums are discussing too. Seems there have been some fires in commercial applications.....? One battery guru suggested waiting a couple years, may have been an old comment. Hope so, they seem to be very light.

http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation...eign-batteries

Wish this was dated:
http://www.mpoweruk.com/lithium_failures.htm

Last edited by RVadmirer : 11-29-2011 at 02:33 PM.
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  #5  
Old 11-29-2011, 05:07 PM
longez360 longez360 is offline
 
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Some more info:

Wayne, thank you for the call yesterday, our lithium iron phosphate batteries are compatible with the 12 volt charging systems. *We do not currently have a BMS system in the battery due to cranking amp restrictions and cost to build a custom one. Our larger 1000cca batteries have them but sell for around 1000.00 us.

I have several of the larger plane builders now offering our battery as an OEM upgrade with the Kitfox brand, Titan, mosquito helicopters, and a long list of folks out field testing like Cub Crafters, Pipistrel and a few others.

We have ceramic heat shields built into the cases and we have passed all of the UNDOT testing standards for safety.

I do offer a balance charger and the batteries have a balance port built in for optimum charging and service life. *

Please let me know if you have any questions or need specific information.

Kind regards
Steve Johnson
Everything Aero
Sent from my iPad
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  #6  
Old 11-29-2011, 07:33 PM
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kevinh kevinh is offline
 
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Exclamation

At my 'day job' I work as a software engineer at an electric vehicle company. Li-ion packs could eventually be great for airplanes, but until vendor X has integrated BMS (a little computer that constantly monitors battery health and performs needed balancing) I would stay away.

Li-ion packs can generate big fires very quickly (I've seen it first hand).
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  #7  
Old 11-29-2011, 07:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinh View Post
At my 'day job' I work as a software engineer at an electric vehicle company...
The breadth of knowledge on this forum is continually astounding to me.
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  #8  
Old 11-29-2011, 07:56 PM
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DCat22 DCat22 is offline
 
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Are these "Lithium Iron Phosphate" and "Lithium Ion" the same thing?
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  #9  
Old 11-29-2011, 08:03 PM
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Ron Lee Ron Lee is offline
 
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http://electronics.howstuffworks.com...n-battery2.htm

If the short lifetime and death if they are discharged apply to this battery I would not use it even if the fire issue is not an issue.
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  #10  
Old 11-29-2011, 08:16 PM
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kevinh kevinh is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCat22 View Post
Are these "Lithium Iron Phosphate" and "Lithium Ion" the same thing?
I don't know what chemistry these packs are using but LFPs (lithium iron phosphate) batteries are different from lithium ion batteries (typically involving cobalt).

LFP cells are safer than most Li-ion (or Li-po) batteries, but I still wouldn't want to use them without a BMS.

Besides preventing fires, BMSes also keep you from draining your battery too low or overcharging.
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Last edited by kevinh : 11-29-2011 at 08:19 PM.
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