Advances in battery technology

[flecc]

Originally Posted by prState

With some questions about the Lithium battery peformance, I started wondering about the "big river ride" 2000 mile ride along the Mississippi (some here may be familiar with it) and whether he used a Nimh battery or a li-on? Although I read through that once, I didn't feel like re-reading to find out, it didn't seem to mention it on the bike part.

If he was using a lithium though, it seems hard to imagine he was being careful not to run the battery too low. And if so, I don't remember anything being mentioned about shortened life or anything. But then maybe had a nimh?

Anyone know off hand?

I don't know, but probably Lithium and not worrying about the battery. Fully discharging only loses capacity over time, doubling it in a year in the worst case, so it wouldn't have affected his ride. Also the range would have been maximum and the loading on the battery very low due to the terrain.

He was following the river downstream, so fractionally downhill all the way, and that river's floodplain is one of the world's largest, so not exactly hilly roads at the side when following it.
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[HarryB]

Originally Posted by flecc

The 500, 576 and 680 watts consumption peaks under load on three popular models can be a bit much for their 36 volt 10 Ah batteries. If they could have a 13 Ah battery, ironically possible in the space with the older Li-ion Cobalt batteries they'd be ok, but I upset the manufacturer so much by mentioning that fact, they haven't been in the forum ever since!
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Flecc,

Just out of interest what do you think is the peak power of the Torq when restricted - not 576 Watts surely (doesn't feel like it compare to derestricted anyway). The battery certainly copes reasonably well when restricted.

[flecc]

The maximum power derestricted is reached as the bike reaches the point of maximum torque, and on the Torq that's at 12 mph, that point mainly used when climbing of course.

I don't know, but it could be that the limiter is phasing it down gradually before the 15 mph cut-off, since that's what European law demands. That's likely considering the range gain when restricted Harry. Considering the way the battery copes then, it's likely to be around 450 watts, not much more.
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[Ian]

Originally Posted by prState

With some questions about the Lithium battery peformance, I started wondering about the "big river ride" 2000 mile ride along the Mississippi (some here may be familiar with it) and whether he used a Nimh battery or a li-on? Although I read through that once, I didn't feel like re-reading to find out, it didn't seem to mention it on the bike part.

If he was using a lithium though, it seems hard to imagine he was being careful not to run the battery too low. And if so, I don't remember anything being mentioned about shortened life or anything. But then maybe had a nimh?

Anyone know off hand?

I did follow the ride in detail at the time and don't recall any mention of battery type. There were several mentions of lunchtime recharges and obviously the battery was charged during overnight stops. It's worth considering that the rider is a very fit and experienced cyclist, having crossed Australia on a conventional bike, and would probably only be using assist on particularly difficult bits, thereby getting far greater range than most of us.

[Quicken]

Added a new one to the OP.
Cheers,
Q

[giguana]

a new technology will come which is at least as good as lithium polymer and safe and long-lasting, and judging by how many laptops are recalled, there must be a lot of research into high-power batteries. there has been a fantastic increase in technology from alkaline to cadmium to metal hydrides to polymer, battery capacity has multiplied by five in two decades. but the reason that everyone uses lead in cars is because it's a very cheap and reliable.

[flecc]

Originally Posted by giguana

but the reason that everyone uses lead in cars is because it's a very cheap and reliable.

Or put another way, it works, nowt else does it so well.

So we're still stuck two centuries ago, such is "progress".

Therefore I don't have your touching faith in the emergence of something much better than Li-ion poly anytime soon.
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