T-Pain Is On A Boat: Re: [Electric Boats] Re: Electric Kayak

Friday, March 14, 2014

Re: [Electric Boats] Re: Electric Kayak

From: Robert Lemke <robert-lemke@att.net>
To: "electricboats@yahoogroups.com" <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Re: Electric Kayak [1 Attachment]

[Attachment(s) from Robert Lemke included below]

I used to use AGM (Odyssey) batteries before the LiFePO4 price drop 2 years ago. Used them in both EVs and classic cars that aren't run much. Compared to flooded lead acid, they have a very low self discharge rate, plus as you mentioned no spills or corrosion. Since the LiFePO4 price drop, lithium is all I've used since. In a deep cycle application they are cheaper in the long run than any other battery available today. If treated well, not cycled deeper than 50% DOD, I would get 400 cycles from the expensive Odyssey batteries. The Winston LiFePO4 cells I'm using now have almost 400 cycles to 80% DOD and still have 17% more than their rated capacity. I expect a minimum of 2000 cycles.

Here is a link for these cells that is not Balqon. I purchased my from Balqon, but they are a bit flakey on delivery for any cell that isn't the 700 and 1000 a-hr cells. http://www.electriccarpartscompany.com/Batteries--Lithium-Prismatic_c_1.html

This picture is (2) 12 volt 100 a-hr banks I put together for the kayak, total of 8 cells.

Bob

From: oak <oak_box@yahoo.com>
To: "electricboats@yahoogroups.com" <electricboats@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 1:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Re: Electric Kayak

I'd be very curious about this too!

From the Balqon web site, they seem to be Out of stock on a bunch of stuff at any period in time.

They seem to be a LOT cheaper than other sources I've seen, and it's nice to be able to get a 12V package instead of having to bolt together a bunch of smaller cells. But.... if you can't easily and effectively access them (the company), or if they're out of stock for months at a time, it would make me reluctant to send a lot of $$ that way.

At the urging of someone else in this group, I took another look at AGM batteries.

They're HEAVY, but for the $$ seem to work out to be more cost effective than Li. They won't spill, and they take common, easy to find (and relatively inexpensive) chargers.

I bought a set of Deka AGM batteries for my boat, and am very anxious to get some data on how well they do!!!

From: William Branan <kayakbiker@gmail.com>
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 2:34 PM
Subject: [Electric Boats] Re: Electric Kayak

Is there a best most cost effective brand for a 12 volt lifepo4 battery the size of a group 24 or 27. I know of but have not seen Balqon.