Battery Vehicle Society

Hi people,

A whole new slew set of specs for the CALB. With comparisons to the older cells. These really are a game changer!
Data and blog linked to here with no shame:-

http://jackrickard.blogspot.co.uk/2012/ ... shift.html

Here he compares the old SE series with the new CA series cells.
A very definite improvement on what is possibly the best type of EV cell there is. I wish I never purchased those A123's now.

Shiny! Thanks Beemer. Are these cells available? Where can we buy them from?

Hi Tim,
I suppose we can import from:-
CALB.cn...., http://en.calb.cn/product/?id-116.html
Jack Rickard (http://evtvshop.projectooc.com/)....,
GWL power.eu.... http://www.ev-power.eu/

A host of other US based places but they say many other US based places tend to buy and sell on the "take from Peter to pay Paul" basis; a few have been stung. Jack Rickard was to the tune of $10k+$3K legal and still not got them. So he's doing it because he can afford up front before selling on. He got into the marketing business because of his video costs and lack of advertisers.
The profits might might even go part way to fund his projects.

Here's his Youtube about it:-
http://youtu.be/k_xg0XukRCk

In 720p quality:-
http://media3.ev-tv.me/news062212-1280.mov

And of course the link to his blog with the original images and descriptions is on my opening post.

A bit of an update on the performance of these things:
Look to 53:30 in on this Youtube video.

http://youtu.be/4o6TTbnwvxk

He shows the upper and lower Voltage lips are very sharp and the specs show not only far better C to voltage power but unrivalled cold weather performance!
That test will be next week.

I have been in contact with Calb in Europe, Hannover, and they will be having stock in the next couple of weeks. Currently at about $1.24 / AH with carriage to the UK for 55 of 180AH of about e250. VAT in Germany is quoted as 19%. I dont know if you get stung for the extra 1% when they come in. Something else to find out. I had considered driving over to collect them, but it would cost substantially more than they have quoted. Not sure yet how payment would be made, or what the company is that seems to represent CALB.
They must be used with the connectors in the vertical, and should still be strapped in packs if possible.
I like the Idea of the flexible power connection straps that EVTV have been promoting. If the cells are packed tightly, a ridgid linking strap will have a load of expansion and contraction issues. I really like the idea of these. So im looking into getting them make in the UK. No point in importing from Australia or the US.
These CA cells look really good, with a hugely flat discharge from 3.25 to about 3.1, but very little after that.

Grumpy-b

Copper braided earth Straps:-
A few UK mfr's..

(Liverpool) url]http://www.copperbraid.co.uk/earth_strap.php[/url]
http://www.tranect.co.uk/

(Somerset) http://www.applegate.co.uk/all-industry/emc-screening-braid-0005772.htm
(Ellesmere Port) http://www.alcoltd.com/
(Yorkshire shop) http://www.thetoolboxshop.com/battery-leads-and-earth-straps-651-c.asp

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Automotive-Ele ... 2834029011

http://www.cablejoints.co.uk/sub-product-details/earth-braids-flexible-busbars-power-shunts
(Forum) http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?21118-Flat-braided-earth-strap-supplier

Yay, I'd find a nice local company that is interested and state what you want and get the price per Qty.. Lets us know

I'm at the design stage of upgrading a small car (already-converted to electric) from lead acid to lithium, and from Beemers OP these batteries look ideal. However, as a relative newcomer to EV's, I've never made such a high investment (probably 36 x CA180FI) before and am very concerned about the potential for losing my money .

So my question then is: given the risks, how might other more experienced members go about such a purchase? Is there already a list of trustworthy suppliers who I can just email for price and availability?

I see Beemer has already answered this question, but these (i.e. the manufacturer, plus one US and one EU potential suppliers) are just 3 very geographically diverse sources. It may well be that these are the best or only sensible options, but I'd welcome any further pointers!

Many thanks!

Mike

I was put in contact with Fahrzeugtechnik Jürgens, by Calb, and these people seem to be acting as their EU agent.
calb-europe@hotmail.de
Very helpful people.

Grumpy-b

Thanks for that Grumpy

I've got a reply from Peter of Fahrzeugtechnik Jürgens already and it's exactly what you said, $1.24/Ah, making a total of 36 x 180 x 1.24 x 1.19 = $9561.88 + $360 for carriage (=~£6,369.77 according to xe.com) for my 36 cells. This equates to ~£177 per cell and Peter reckons they'll have stock by the end of this month, with delivery possible week 1 of August. Presumably the only other costs would be the possible additional 1% for UK VAT and currency exchanges, $ to € and € to £.

This is a scary total, although the specs are excellent and should enable my Seicento to increase its maximum range from ~20 miles on LA to (realistically) 50 miles on lithium. This would cover us for all our local travel, and with 2000 cycles to 80% that should keep us running for several years if the batteries are treated with care.

However, a simplistic comparison indicates that this equates to 2000 (cycles) x 40 (conservative range) = a total of ~80000 miles + costs of charging. My old Polo 1.9sdi does about 60 miles/gallon, 13 miles/litre, so for 80000 miles would cost in fuel alone ~80000/13 litres x £1.37/litre (at present) = ~£8430.

Of course there are many other factors to consider, but does this seem reasonable or would it be worth looking for other quotes too?

Thanks again

Mike