GoldenMotor.com Forum

General Category => General Discussions => Topic started by: Anko on October 08, 2009, 09:09:32 PM

Title: GM Battery
Post by: Anko on October 08, 2009, 09:09:32 PM
Hi,

I'm lost in what type of battery the 3612s is, it says
li-iron ? and I see Li-ion and all kind of names, but
what type is the LFP-3612s and how many kg will this
battery be ?

hope you can help out.

Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Bikemad on October 09, 2009, 12:19:10 AM
I'm lost in what type of battery the 3612s is, it says
li-iron ? and I see Li-ion and all kind of names, but
what type is the LFP-3612s and how many kg will this
battery be ?

Anko,

The "iron" must be a typing error as it's actually a lithium manganese battery, made up of 30*3.8V 4AH 26650 size cells.

As the 40 cell LFP3616s weighs 5.5Kg, I'm guessing the 30 cell LFP-3612s will weigh around 4.5kg.

Perhaps Yao will confirm this. (Or correct me if I've got it wrong.)

Alan
 
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: e-lmer on October 14, 2009, 08:47:48 AM

Actually the Fe in LiFePO4 is Iron.
The whole name is "Lithium Ferro Permanganate"

My guess is that he saw Lithium ION.  LiFePO4 is
a Lithium Ion battery.  Golden Motor Lithium Ion
battery packs are LiFePO4.

Other Lithium Ion batteries include Lithum Polimer,
Lithium Cobalt Oxide, or even Lithium Titanium disulfide.

I am guessing, but I think the 3612S means (36)Volt and (12)Amp Hour.
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Bikemad on October 14, 2009, 10:05:37 AM
Golden Motor Lithium Ion battery packs are LiFePO4.

These Golden Motor Lithium Ion battery packs are not LiFePO4:                                          

(http://goldenmotor.com/JDbike/Golden%20Motor%20Battery%20Pack.jpg)

It uses these LiMn cells:  

(http://goldenmotor.com/batterycell%20small.jpg)

Quote from: Golden Motor
Lithium ion rechargeable battery, 26650 size, LiPF6 electrolyte, Manganese Spinel structure cathode.
High energy density lithium ion battery cell.
Cell capacity: 3.8V 4AH
Cell diameter: 26.24 ± 0.16 mm (top end), 26.16 ± 0.10 mm (bottom end)
Cell height: 65.05 + 0.10/-0.15 mm
Cell weight: 92g

Cell specifications
1a Rated charge(4A) Limiting 4.0 A, 120 min and constant 4.2V charge at 23±2°C.
1b Recommended charge Reference 1a
 
2 Rated discharge Constant 0.8 A discharge until 2.5V at 23±2°C.
 
3 Rated capacity 4.0Ah Minimum of rated discharge capacity after recommended
charge.
 
4 Nominal voltage 3.8V Mean voltage during rated discharge after rated charge.
 
5 Shipping voltage 4.03±0.01V Nominal. Approximate state of charge = 80%.
 
6 Internal resistance at shipping 23±1 m? By AC 1 kHz.
 
7 End of charge voltage 4.20 ± 0.05V
 
8 End of discharge voltage 2.5V Discharge voltage used for determination of rated
capacity.
 
9 Charging time 120min Rated charge.
 
10 Maximum continuous charging current 6.5A
Maximum continuous discharging current 10A
Maximum pulse discharging current 40A
 
11 Operating temperature
Charging 0 ~ 45°C
Discharging -20 ~ 60°C
12 Storage temperature
-20 ~ 60°C
Recommended temperature for long term storage is
23±2°C
 
13 Shelf life 6 months Typical value at 23±2°C, from ship state.
 
14 Self-discharge rate /month ?0.5%

GM state the number of Charging Cycles for these packs is >800 times, whereas the LiFePO4 packs are >1000 times.

Alan

P.S. LiFePO4 = Lithium Iron Phosphate.

Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: GoldenMotor on October 15, 2009, 01:42:12 AM
Yes they are Lithium Manganese
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: neptune on October 15, 2009, 09:04:07 AM
well,I'm glad you people didn't make it confusing!Also I was under the impression that li-ion (li-mn)as used in tool packs and refered to as konion,were 3.6 v.maybe some one who does know the specs should post with the manufacturer's test results.Oh yeah,and erase these "expert" statements.My batts are made from makita 18v,5s2p  tool pks limn konion ( sony).There are hundreds of differ
ent lithium battery  chemistries,if not thousands.K.I.S.S.
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: GM Brazil on January 13, 2010, 10:38:10 PM
I thought they were of LiFePO4, since the code is LFP! GM says, in the comparative table at the end of the web page on batteries, the life cycle of batteries Mn is unacceptable!

The Mn batteries are dangerous about explosions and etc?

I thought I had bought a LiFePO4 ....
Title: Re: GM Battery is safe!
Post by: Bikemad on January 13, 2010, 11:34:10 PM
The Mn batteries are dangerous about explosions and etc?

The Lithium Manganese batteries that GM use are not dangerous like Lithium Polymer:

Quote
The Lithium Manganese battery chemistry is different to that used in standard Lithium ion and Lithium polymer batteries, which usually come with a Cobalt cathode and are prone to thermal runaway - ie explosion and fire.
Manganese, unlike Cobalt, is a safe and more environmentally benign cathode material.
If you're buying a Lithium powered electric bike from someone else, ask the retailer about battery safety and life expectancy - if they cannot guarantee that they use Lithium Manganese and don't understand the importance of a reliable, well-engineered battery management system, our advice is simple: don't buy!

Quote from: Golden Motor
Lithium ion rechargeable battery, 26650 size, LiPF6 electrolyte, Manganese Spinel structure cathode.

Hopefully that's put your mind at ease.

Alan
 
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: GM Brazil on January 13, 2010, 11:41:48 PM
Thanks BikeMad!

I thought I had bought a LiFePO4.... I found the place that created all the confusion, on the DIY page there is "lithium iron" under one of the photos, I think they mean to write "ion"  ;)

Mine is almost here, the shipment company called me to ask some information about the address. So the pie with the LiMn battery should be here soon!
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Leslie on January 15, 2010, 05:19:37 AM
The GM batteries are still priced fairly IMO.  

Here is some good reading from ther site below.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=211891 (http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=211891)

Quote
LiMn li-ion cells are a new breed of safe chemistry cell, available commercially as loose cells only in 16340 (RCR123) size from AW, but coming soon in 18650 size, with 18650 and 26670 sizes already available to li-ion powered tool manufactures. (they can be torn down to get at the cells, which many of us have done) This cell chemistry is similar to LiCo in that it shares the same charging requirements and has the same nominal voltage rating of 3.7V. The similarities end there. I would consider these cells to be a notch safer than the LiCo cells based purely on chemistry, as they can not generate their own oxygen during an out-gassing and therefor are incapable of accelerating their own burn in an oxygen deprived environment. (regular lithium CR123s and LiCo chemistry both share this trait of fueling their own fire when something does go wrong, with the potential to become a full blown metal fire). LiMn chemistry cells are good for responsible adult users who know to shut the light off before the battery is over-discharged, as over-discharge will reduce the cycle life of these cells. While this cell chemistry is safer, I would not consider it to be an ideal option for use in a flashlight that is given to a child to play with for fear that the cells may be ruined if the flashlight is left "on" and unattended to completely deplete the cells. Energy density on LiMn cells is about 30% less than LiCo cells, however, in the smaller RCR123 size, since they do not have a PCB consuming a large piece of real-estate (as compared with the overall size of the cell) these cells actually come surprisingly closer to the capacity of the protected RCR123 LiCo cells than do the larger LiMn cells when compared against equivalent size LiCo cells.

LiFeP04 li-ion cells are also a relatively new breed of safe chemistry cell. Commercially they are popping up in many sizes, with RCR123s being the most popular. These are a very safe cell, but suffer from the problem of not being nearly as tolerant to over-discharge as a NIMH cell would be. Since these are "safe chemistry" cells, they, Like LiMn cells, are not sold with PCB circuits to prevent over-discharge. They really do require the user to actively participate in the prevention of over-discharge to prolong the cycle life of the cells, just like the LiMn cells. I would be perfectly comfortable handing a child a light with these cells in it as far as safety is concerned, but the issue of whether or not the cells would survive the attempts to keep the light on long after the battery has gone dead is another issue all-together. As for energy density, combine these cells lower nominal voltage rating (3.2V) with roughly HALF the AH storage as compared with LiCo cells, and these have only about 1/3rd (give or take) the energy density as compared with CR123 primaries or LiCo cells.

It seems that the LiMn cells have slightly higher energy density than LiFePo4 and do not evolve o2 from the oxide chemistry of the Cobalt and others, they do not feed their own destruction.

Good luck with the new pack.  
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Leslie on January 15, 2010, 06:00:28 AM
The loss of capacity over usage is inevitable.

800 cycles is worst case scenario and an honest advertisment.  With my SLA 300 cycles is worst case scenario, but I still manage to get 600~700 cycles from them before I consider them useless. Because I only discharge them to 50% they last twice as long.

If I rode once a day these SLA's could last me 2 years.

You may only discharge your batteries to only 50% too, just because of the weight of lead my bike uses a lot of power on take offs.  So the GM battery could well hold up to 1600 cycles.

If you rode once a day, the GM battery could well last you nearly 4+ years.  Now thats good in terms of pricing especially when you put the cool accessories into the mix like the aluminium housing and BMS..
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Bikemad on January 15, 2010, 09:44:54 AM
If you rode once a day, the GM battery could well last you nearly 4+ years.  Now thats good in terms of pricing especially when you put the cool accessories into the mix like the aluminium housing and BMS..

.. and not forgetting the charger, key switch/lock, charging socket,  plug in power cable and the added convenience of a built in carrying handle.

All it needs now is a built in light sensitive LED rear light and reflector unit.

Alan
 
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: GM Brazil on January 15, 2010, 12:29:10 PM
Thanks you all!!

It is a fact that the LiFePO4 have less energy density then the LiMn, looks for the e-bikekit LiFePO4's, they use the same convenient aluminium casing, but as they are LFP's the maximum you can find is the 36v 10Ah, and the package inside is tight!

Do you recommend installing a fuse in the power line? In my case is a LFP4812s working with an MP, a 30 A fuse would be ideal?

Thanks again!
Title: Re: GM Battery is safe!
Post by: GM Canada on January 16, 2010, 01:47:27 AM
The Mn batteries are dangerous about explosions and etc?

The Lithium Manganese batteries that GM use are not dangerous like Lithium Polymer:

Quote
The Lithium Manganese battery chemistry is different to that used in standard Lithium ion and Lithium polymer batteries, which usually come with a Cobalt cathode and are prone to thermal runaway - ie explosion and fire.
Manganese, unlike Cobalt, is a safe and more environmentally benign cathode material.
If you're buying a Lithium powered electric bike from someone else, ask the retailer about battery safety and life expectancy - if they cannot guarantee that they use Lithium Manganese and don't understand the importance of a reliable, well-engineered battery management system, our advice is simple: don't buy!

Quote from: Golden Motor
Lithium ion rechargeable battery, 26650 size, LiPF6 electrolyte, Manganese Spinel structure cathode.

Hopefully that's put your mind at ease.

Alan
 

Can I quote you on that, Seems like the best easy to understand description I have heard so far. Check the link..

http://www.goldenmotor.ca/index.php?pr=Lithium_Maganese&nosessionkill=1
 
Gary
Title: Re: GM Battery (max continuous C Rating confusion)
Post by: Wheels on April 23, 2010, 07:40:01 PM
Can anyone confirm the max continuous C ratings for the GM batteries.  the website says max cont C of 20 amps for the 48v 12 ah, but the posting above indicates the pack is built with a max cont C of 2.5  (built with 4 ah cells and a max cont of 10amps).  And I can't quite figure the weight of these.  There are reports of anywhere from 5.23 kg to 5.5 kg, but is that for the 36v 10ah or the larger watthours packs like the 48V 12ah or 36V 16 ah?.
Maybe someone has some realworld experience out there that can shed some light?
Thanks
Trevor
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Leslie on April 24, 2010, 12:35:05 AM
With the old SLA it was easy, every amp you draw 1 amp hour is needed.  So if you draw 20 amps cont max a 20 amp hour pack would hold up.  This worked well for me with SLA's and when I buy a lithium battery I will try to keep to the same.

The lithium's are better obviously.  Just like the lithium can last over 3 to 3.5 times longer you can get way with 1 amp hour per 3 to 3.5 amp draw. SO a 16amp hour battery I would estimate 48amps to 56 amps cont max, and 12ah could do 35 and 28 amps cont max at 800/100 cycles it will lose 20%.


GM specs are close enough to my best guess.

Max Discharge Current: 35A(12AH)

Max Discharge Current:  60A(16AH)


The way I work it out is nothing official, Its a lose fool proof guide, I want to make sure my pack would survive carting 150 kgs of shopping and little passengers and what not for the long haul.

Here yar.

The 16 ah will do between 58 amps max new and at 800-1000 full cycles will do 46 amps cont max.  It will lose 20%


The 12ah being a smaller capacity pack this spec is GM being careful and calculates to 3 amps times per amp hour.

The 12 ah battery will do 36+ amps new and 28 amps after 8000~1000 cycles.  The GM specs I feel are a good enough guide for most uses.

The GM specs are well within what GM motors require so expect the battery to live longer than 800 cycles as 800 cycles is worst case scenario.

Edit:

Max Continuous Discharge Current: 20A(12AH)

Max Continuous Discharge Current:30A(16AH)


Max continuous seems to work on a 1.66 amps x ah.

So a 12ah will output 20 amps max cont and 15 amps and at 800~100 cycles will lucky to do 15 amps cont max (dead battery).  You can see why the larger packs live longer hey!

And the 16 ah will do 30 amps cont and 20 amps at 800~1000 cycles.  (Close to dead.)

I'm sure the GM battery can handle more than is put on the web site.  We haven't considered BMS rating and whether the GM specs are based on the BMS and not on the cell.  The BMS usually limits the battery from being damaged based on what the cell is capable of.
Im still work on this thing.
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Leslie on April 24, 2010, 01:21:35 AM
LFP-4820 48V/20AH

(http://goldenmotor.com/LFP-48V20AH%20Pack.jpg)

I'm particular interested in this battery.

Some questions of my own arise.


What is the cell configuration of this pack.  I notice it has the LIFEPO4 voltage specification on it.

Is this a Lifepo4 battery?

It is almost 3kg heavier than the ping packs of the same ah. This cant be put down to the nice plastic housing. It would weigh a little more than ping Duct tape, but not that much.

Is it the type of cell one being pouch cell and the other being cylidrical that adds more weight?

Ive also read the cylindrical cells have slightly better capacity than the pouches.

Can anyone give me some more info on the pack LFP-4820
48V/20AH    
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Wheels on April 24, 2010, 03:43:19 AM
I'd also be interested in  more info on this 48 V 20 ah battery.  I'm looking at buying a Ping battery or something from GM.  The package on the GM is nice, but I also need to have the ability to draw amps.  I'm thinking the max cont of 20 amps on the 12 ah pack is a typo since I they posted 20 amps as max cont for their 10 ah pack in their pdf catalogue.  maybe it wasn't updated correctly when they listed their 12 ah pack online.  If the packs are max cont 2C, then they must be limited by the BMS since the cells themselves indicate max cont C of 2.5.
And do I understand that if you use a battery at 1C all the time as apposed to 2c even though it maybe rated for that, the pack will last longer even if you used the same amount of watthours per charge?

Also Anyone know how the working voltage of their 48V 12 ah batt compares to the working voltage of a ping 48 volt (supposed to be 53 Volts).compares to the GM 48V pack. or any for or against between the battery packs.  looks like the Ping is different chem and should give more charges, but anything else? or how many more charges?
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: MasterCATZ on April 24, 2010, 05:18:51 AM
also interested in that answer
I ened up skipping past them becasue I was unsure :P
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Leslie on April 24, 2010, 09:46:02 AM

And do I understand that if you use a battery at 1C all the time as apposed to 2c even though it maybe rated for that, the pack will last longer even if you used the same amount of watthours per charge?





You lose capacity and gain resistance as they get older and the voltage slump increases into LVC faster.   Just as a smaller cell has less max C rating than a larger cell older cells do the same, loose C rating.

But a larger older cell has a larger max C rating and exhibit less voltage slump than a smaller older cell. More C rating means you're on the road for longer.

In the cell degradation world it comes down to max cycle life and how many full cycles.  At 2c that's a fast discharge,  Things like forgetting your credit card and having to ride back home, and getting places and back home faster makes the bike able over the years to complete more and deeper cycles.  

Not in everyone's situation this would happen as some use their bikes for 10 k rides bikes on weekends and stuff. The cell will die a grand father, pure old age, in this case.

I believe Packs that are rated at 800~1000 cycles are rated at full discharge at 1C not at the max C rating recommendation of 2C but this is the confusion you maybe pointing out.  The advertisement may need to indicate the cell life at C1 or C2

Given that you use the pack at 2C until it LVC and move down to one C, the pack may live its full life.
Title: Re: GM Battery
Post by: Pavelstorek on April 29, 2012, 03:52:50 PM
Golden Motor Lithium Ion battery packs are LiFePO4.


It uses these LiMn cells

(http://goldenmotor.com/batterycell%20small.jpg)

Quote from: Golden Motor
Lithium ion rechargeable battery, 26650 size, LiPF6 electrolyte, Manganese Spinel structure cathode.
High energy density lithium ion battery cell.
Cell capacity: 3.8V 4AH
Cell diameter: 26.24 ± 0.16 mm (top end), 26.16 ± 0.10 mm (bottom end)
Cell height: 65.05 + 0.10/-0.15 mm
Cell weight: 92g

Hello,

is there a source, where I could purchase 3 cells for replacement in my battery pack (48V12Ah) as one of the 13 groups shows noticeably lower voltage and it seems to degrade the performance of the whole pack.

Not sure about the repair itself, as the cells are "welded" to the connecting strips, but first I am looking at the possibility to source the cells.

Many thanks,
Pavel