Li-ion starter batteries
- Thread starter ILIAN
- Start date
Haf-E
Expedition Leader
They are very expensive - but it makes sense on a motorcycle as the saved weight and higher performance can be significant there. Saving 20 lbs on a starting battery for a 5000 lb expo vehicle is a different thing.
As far as using them for AUX batteries - its becoming more and more feasible for expo use. I have a couple of 12V 55AH A123 batteries I've been using and they are very impressive. Care needs to taken on keeping the cells balanced and to not overcharge them - they prefer to not be "float charged" in the way lead acid need to be - so that is a challenge when used with solar or engine charging. They also need different charging voltages & profile compared to a lead acid so its hard to have them connected together with a starting battery using a standard relay or diode type isolater - the best approach is to use separate alternators or a DC-DC converter designed specifically for charging the type of Li-Ion cells being used.
As far as using them for AUX batteries - its becoming more and more feasible for expo use. I have a couple of 12V 55AH A123 batteries I've been using and they are very impressive. Care needs to taken on keeping the cells balanced and to not overcharge them - they prefer to not be "float charged" in the way lead acid need to be - so that is a challenge when used with solar or engine charging. They also need different charging voltages & profile compared to a lead acid so its hard to have them connected together with a starting battery using a standard relay or diode type isolater - the best approach is to use separate alternators or a DC-DC converter designed specifically for charging the type of Li-Ion cells being used.