Lithium-ion batteries

[69_Sportsroof]

I've used lithium ion for years in hobby remote control. You cant just charge them with normal lead acid charger. They need a constant current supply until the voltage gets close to max and then they switch to constant voltage and slowly taper off the current. Overcharging them turns them into fireballs.

That being said a couple articles I've read say they have battery management built in for car applications. The one company claims 35-60 pounds weight savings but I think a typical battery we would use in a PT car are only 35 pounds. Then you are talking 20 pound weight savings.



Personally I don't think they have enough advantages to swap over for my car when you consider the price difference. If it's a Max effort race build then 20 pounds is significant, in a street car not so much.

[Alponcho]

...They need a constant current supply until the voltage gets close to max and then they switch to constant voltage and slowly taper off the current. Overcharging them turns them into fireballs.

That being said a couple articles I've read say they have battery management built in for car applications. The one company claims 35-60 pounds weight savings but I think a typical battery we would use in a PT car are only 35 pounds. Then you are talking 20 pound weight savings....

Their size and weight open up options for placement.

My question is whether one can just replace the tried and true AGM battery used in our cars with a Lithium-ION one without having to change anything else in the car's electrical system--e.g., will a conventional alternator keep it charged?