LiFePO4 recommendation?

oztrackdays · Postby **oztrackdays** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:47 pm

I used the 8400 mah version of those RC style batteries cranked no problem but if you let the voltage drop you can't charge them quickly. Short version is spectacular fire on a cold track day stressing the battery.

Replace with this size working fine.

https://www.lithiumax.com.au/product-page/lithiumax-new-450cca-black-lcd-series-battery

CTEK make a set and forget Lithium Charger now it works great nice and idiot proof.

https://www.ctek.com/products/vehicle/lithium-xs

ianoz · Postby **ianoz** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 8:20 pm

Fitted one of these SSB lithium motorbike batteries for the track car and so far all is good. Cranking is great, but probably not enough storage capacity for a road car with drain. Has the circuitry inside to control charging.

LH-9B. Under $190 delivered. 320cca. Around 900g - feels like an empty case :lol:

Mounted for testing in the boot, but will be moving it into the dash area now that i’m happy it will do a track day no worries.

775295B7-0205-49EB-AC52-AF95B6FACC94.jpeg

shirtz · Postby **shirtz** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 9:33 am

wow that's small!

I like the Beavis battery holder, but what about a location on a road car inside the cabin? is there room behind the tombstone? trickle charging may be a pain. under the seats perhaps? even in the engine bay as they are so small..

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 12:03 pm

I am now running the SPLFP-30L. Handles the start of the 2 SPAL fans which draw 55 amps (for 0.5 seconds) and start ease...

Super PS Sport (SPLFP-30L) 165 x 86 x 130 (400 CCA) - 1.614 kg
SSB Power sport (LH16C-B) 175 x 87 x 130 (600 CCA) - 1.844 kg
Odessey (PC545) 178 x 86 x 131 (150 CCA) - 5.2 kg

Current draw of the SPAL fans

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 12:49 pm

Why does the Odyssey have such a low CCA especially when it is a physically larger battery?

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:10 pm

bruce wrote:Why does the Odyssey have such a low CCA especially when it is a physically larger battery?

Chemical makeup would explain the difference. The Odyssey is an AGM where as the others are Lithium.

Even with a low CCA my car never had an issue with starting. The decision to change was a weight one.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 1:19 pm

Cheers for that.

shirtz · Postby **shirtz** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 10:15 am

shirtz wrote:wow that's small!

I like the Beavis battery holder, but what about a location on a road car inside the cabin? is there room behind the tombstone? trickle charging may be a pain. under the seats perhaps? even in the engine bay as they are so small..

to quote myself, anyone have any good solutions to relocate these little batteries?

RS2000 · Postby **RS2000** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 11:31 am

Why do you want to relocate it? I wouldn't think a battery in the cabin of a road car would be legal.

shirtz · Postby **shirtz** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 2:56 pm

just pondering. if cabin is a bad idea, why not under the bonnet. probably better than in the rear for weight distribution.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 4:14 pm

shirtz wrote:just pondering. if cabin is a bad idea, why not under the bonnet. probably better than in the rear for weight distribution.

You do not want to expose these small batteries to excessive amounts of heat.

RS2000 · Postby **RS2000** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 5:37 pm

shirtz wrote:just pondering. if cabin is a bad idea, why not under the bonnet. probably better than in the rear for weight distribution.

The battery is in the boot from the factory to improve weight distribution.

shirtz · Postby **shirtz** » Thu Nov 21, 2019 8:30 am

thanks magpie, I didn't think about the heat.

RS2000 - weight distribution would change significantly if the new battery only weighs 1kg though..

apsilon · Postby **apsilon** » Thu Nov 21, 2019 12:40 pm

shirtz wrote:thanks magpie, I didn't think about the heat.

RS2000 - weight distribution would change significantly if the new battery only weighs 1kg though..

it would change but moving that 1kg further forward would change it again.

Lithium batteries require a different charger than more traditional choices don't they? Does that also mean changes to the vehicles charging system is required?

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:04 am

apsilon wrote:Lithium batteries require a different charger than more traditional choices don't they? Does that also mean changes to the vehicles charging system is required?

No changes required if buying the correct type of lithium. You can buy special charges for when they are not on the car, however if not using for a while the safest bet is to disconnect them from the car. They will last for ages when not connected to the car.

There is also no problem jump starting them, I have an Anderson plug in the cabin of the car that is wired into the battery. If I need to jump start or run the car for a while without starting it I plug this in.