LiFePo battery?

[grayforge]

No venting needed for Lithium, I imagine.

[digidocs]

...except for when it's on fire!

FYI, Kathy, the firewall is made of .018" stainless steel. It would be nice to have the battery completely enclosed (as improbable as a fire might be).

For comparison purposes, here's a battery box for the Odyssey series and also a certified aircraft battery box.





David

[grayforge]

Why would you need a LiFePO battery totally enclosed, and vented?

[digidocs]

When a lithium battery overheats it can release fire, smoke, flammable gasses, and toxic chemicals. The LiFePO4 battery chemistry is more stable than others, but there still exists the possibility of all of these conditions. A battery management system (BMS) can help to further minimize the probability of a failure, but still some risk remains.

Having a fireproof stainless steel enclosure vented outside the aircraft would provide a degree of containment in event of a battery failure.

There are lots of opinions out there on whether or not using one of these batteries in your aircraft is a good idea. Up to the builder to make the call.

David

[Low Pass]

Kathy, as I mentioned on the RV-10 thread, the audience is very polarized. Some believe the risk is worth the benefit. Others have made up their mind that LiFePO4 batteries will cause spontaneous death if used in an aircraft and are not shy about interjecting their opinion, even when not asked. But it is an Interweb BB.

I recommend you seek the opinions of people open to the concept of using this product who have actual and practical knowledge of materials, risk management, manufacturing methods, etc. There's a lot of BS & misinformation floating around. But some info is good. I believe enclosing and venting the battery overboard is the best means for dealing with the catastrophic failure. (Like David has shown you above.)

Materials for your new box/enclosure? Likely some 300 series stainless steel. Powder coated steel may be good too! May be some composite/non metallic that would work. Not sure honestly. Would require a little research and testing.

This isn't brain surgery. But it does require a little "what if" thinking and knowledge of manufacturing & materials. You're trying to brainstorm design of a critical item (to your business and to the users) on a sidewalk in front of a grocery store. Might try to seek out some knowledgeable customers or others friendly to your mission for a little more controlled effort.

2 cents

[EarthX Lithium]

Hi All! Sorry it has been so long since I have been on here but I wanted to put it out there that we will be at Sun N Fun in Florida in April, Hangar A booth 89 and would love for you to stop by and say hi if you are going.

We are also going to The Great Alaskan Aviation show in Anchorage, Alaska May 2-3.

And of course, we are set to be at OSHKOSH in July as well!

Many things have been progressing since our last communications and we are proud to say that we have many OEM manufacturers that we have partnered with and have their stamp of approval. We are working with Glasair Aviation, Fox Aerosport, US Sport Aircraft, Viking Aircraft, Powrachute LLC, Wild West Aircraft and EuroFox Aviation to name a few.

As always, we love to hear from you and based on your input, we do have some new products that builders/pilots like you suggested. Check out our new Quick connect cables at www.earthxmotorsports.com.

Kathy

[grayforge]

How about partnering with Vans Aircraft? :-)

[EarthX Lithium]

That would be a wonderful idea and the Van's aircraft and the Supercub builders/pilots are the two most common purchasers of our batteries. I will reach out again to them and see what happens. :0) If any one has a direct contact, that would be helpful in getting the information in front of the right people.

Kathy

[rdrcrmatt]

I feel it is worth reiterating that these batteries don't like to be charged like the traditional lead-acid or AGM batteries.

a BMS is critical to keeping any lithium battery happy for a longer time.

I ran through a few of them in my race motorcycle before realizing they weren't worth it. Draining them is extremely damaging to them and it's bound to happen once in a while.

Someday when I get started and get to the firewall forward bits, I plan to use a current day technology lithium battery with a proper BMS to manage how it is charged and to keep an eye on the capacity.

[grayforge]

The EarthX batteries have a built-in BMS.