LiFePO4 Batteries for race bikes.

**GSVR** · 18th September 2009, 12:14

Been a while since I had a look at whats on the market but it seems all the stuff that you couldn't get a year ago is now freely available and the older cells and packs have got alot cheaper. You can get a pack for similar price to a high quality MC battery now and save a massive amount of weight on your bike.

http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo42...ongerlife.aspx

Can't see these being made illegal any time soon as its only a matter of time before they start appearing as OEM fitment.

http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo4cellspacks.aspx

Theres even a guy selling single 2400mAH genuine A123 cells on Trademe. But the true automotive cells would be much more preferable as they are higher capacity etc.

**codgyoleracer** · 18th September 2009, 12:35

Originally Posted by GSVR

Been a while since I had a look at whats on the market but it seems all the stuff that you couldn't get a year ago is now freely available and the older cells and packs have got alot cheaper. You can get a pack for similar price to a high quality MC battery now and save a massive amount of weight on your bike.

http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo42...ongerlife.aspx

Can't see these being made illegal any time soon as its only a matter of time before they start appearing as OEM fitment.

http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo4cellspacks.aspx

Theres even a guy selling single 2400mAH genuine A123 cells on Trademe. But the true automotive cells would be much more preferable as they are higher capacity etc.

They look cool, wonder if they can handle the heat & vibration ?, any idea on how fast they can be charged ?

**dhunt** · 18th September 2009, 13:49

Originally Posted by codgyoleracer

They look cool, wonder if they can handle the heat & vibration ?, any idea on how fast they can be charged ?

It depends on the brand etc how they handle the heat.

For example this project http://www.killacycle.com/ is running the A123 batteries at something like 70degrees if I remember right to get the maximum current output.

Also these batteries are uses lots in model RC planes/helicopters etc so should handle the vibrations ok. The biggest issues is they sometimes have the tendency to explode sometimes for no reason but an impact could set them off as well.

But judging from the killacycle bike the A123 batteries seem very robust.

**bogan** · 18th September 2009, 14:01

Originally Posted by dhunt

It depends on the brand etc how they handle the heat.

For example this project http://www.killacycle.com/ is running the A123 batteries at something like 70degrees if I remember right to get the maximum current output.

Also these batteries are uses lots in model RC planes/helicopters etc so should handle the vibrations ok. The biggest issues is they sometimes have the tendency to explode sometimes for no reason but an impact could set them off as well.

But judging from the killacycle bike the A123 batteries seem very robust.

The LiFePo4 batteries use different chemicals than the exploding ones, Lithium polymers are the ones that explode i think.

Typical charge/discharge rates are 3C/3C continuous, and 20C/3C for burst. Depending on what sort they are.

I wouldnt mind getting some of these Thundersky 40Ahr LiFePo4

I notice this is in the racing section, I heard mutterings of an electric bike racing series in NZ, anyone know more?

**johan** · 18th September 2009, 15:07

These batteries cells are supposed to work very well on bikes:

http://shop.durbahn.de/shop/en/produ...ePower-Durbahn

With the right charger they will recharge in ~15 minutes

**Peter Smith** · 18th September 2009, 15:40

Originally Posted by johan

These batteries cells are supposed to work very well on bikes:

http://shop.durbahn.de/shop/en/produ...ePower-Durbahn

With the right charger they will recharge in ~15 minutes

Very nice, but bloody expensive. I supose you've got a few, aye Johan.

**slowpoke** · 18th September 2009, 16:23

Originally Posted by johan

These batteries cells are supposed to work very well on bikes:

http://shop.durbahn.de/shop/en/produ...ePower-Durbahn

With the right charger they will recharge in ~15 minutes

Gawd, I love that Durbahn stuff! I check in every now and then and never fail to leave gobsmacked.