Re: Battery Technology [Was: Re: short range hybrid product idea]

[RichSJ@aol.com]

>> EVs use on the order of 300 watt-hours per mile. 10 miles thus needs
>> 3000 watt-hours or 3 KWH of energy. That's about 300 lbs of lead-acid
>> batteries, 200 lbs of nicads, or 150 lbs of nimh batteries.
>
>Wow, how the heck am I going to fit 3000lbs of battery in my 1983 Honda
>Civic conversion... (scratches head). NiCd is too tempermental and has a
>serious memory effect last I heard, and I don't know much about NiMh. What
>can I do to get 100 miles (80% dod) from my conversion without collapsing
>the frame?
>
>-Chuck

Simple...put in 1220lbs of T105 flooded batteries and  limit acceleration to 
30 amp draws and travel no faster than 25mph... or...spend $50,000 on enough 
lithium or NiMH, notebook computer batteries to run your Honda.   :^)

All kidding aside.  How fast do you want to go during that 100 miles?  65 
mph? Thats tough to do. If you want that kind of range you will have to get 
45% to 55% of the final conversion weight in batteries.  To do that, you will 
need to strengthen the frame and the suspension.  You will need heavy duty, 
load rated tires as well.  If your final conversion weight is 3400lbs, then 
we're talking 24, T145 batteries at a whopping 1704lbs.  You might be able to 
get away with 26 T105s at 1586lbs.  Stiill, I doubt you could go 100 miles 
at, say, 65mph.  

If this is a commute car, it would be better to build a car that can do 70 
miles, then, if possible, charge at work. Much easier to accomplish and have 
a car that has acceptable steering, braking and handling.  If you really want 
the very long range...convert a pick-up like the Red Beastie.

Rich Brown
San Jose, CA
Dualin'7  NEDRA multiple record holder