What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

[stephenkirsh]

Lol I can feel the love!

Thinking about DIYing a lithium pack for the ZHP. It'll be about 15 lbs when completed. I'm scared....

Is it a track car...?

[DeathTrap]

Is it a track car...?

Tis a daily

[az3579]

What is the purpose of the battery packs?

[DeathTrap]

Hopefully to replace the lead-acid lump in the back.

It's a test run since I had a few of these laying around.

A few benefits of running a Li-Ion pack:
More reliable. The configuration that I'll be running them in allows them to pretty much rest at their nominal rated voltage (around 3.6-3.7 volts per cell). This reduces stress on the internals of the cells. They will never be discharged below 3.0V and can last almost indefinitely.

Higher starting voltage. I have 4 of these in series. 4 times 3.7 = 14.8 which is roughly the alternator charging voltage. The battery will maintain that voltage level vs the lead acid which drops to about 12-13 volts.

Less voltage drop during high-current delivery. Reduces work for the alternator since the Li-Ion pack has "stiffer" voltage.

Less weight. Obvious benefits here.

These are all theory of course, but hey it shouldn't hurt to try once or twice.

[704sw]

These are all theory of course, but hey it shouldn't hurt to try once or twice.

One of the rare circumstances where “bringing your work home” isn’t necessarily a bad thing lol.

[stephenkirsh]

I guess you’re getting a good deal on the batteries?

[Rovert]

Can we expect some EV motor development and bigger batteries for our car next year?

[DeathTrap]

Lol exactly. I consider it extra credit.

Yeah I bought these dirt cheap from some old medical carts that were being scrapped.

I'm already making plans for revision 2.0 using Nissan Leaf batteries. First I have to get these working.

Some of today's cars use the alternator as mild hybrid motor. It's supposed to add an extra 50-100 ish ft-lbs to the low end. THAT would be nice for the daily grind.

[stephenkirsh]

Some of today's cars use the alternator as mild hybrid motor. It's supposed to add an extra 50-100 ish ft-lbs to the low end. THAT would be nice for the daily grind.

Wait what? What car does that? 100 ft lbs...?!

[DeathTrap]

These use "physics" to inflate the numbers, but torque at the crankshaft/wheels is what matters anyway.

Dodge (alternator made by Magneti Marelli):
"The two engine's eTorque systems are similar but different. For starters, the V-6's liquid-cooled eTorque motor is supplied by Continental and reverse-mounted on the front of the engine, adding length to the DOHC mill. The 5.7-liter Hemi's air-cooled electric helper is mounted on the top of the pushrod V-8, adding height, and it is supplied by Magneti Marelli. Output for the V-6's eTorque unit is 12 horsepower and 39 lb-ft, although the torque is multiplied by the belt drive to create a 90-lb-ft assist. The Hemi's eTorque motor is good for 16 horses and 49 lb-ft and, again, multiplied through a slightly different ratio for an assist of 130 lb-ft. Both systems use the same 48-volt, 0.4-kWh lithium-ion battery and DC-DC converter, which is used to charge and run the truck's 12-volt electrical system. The air-cooled battery doesn't impinge on interior space as it is mounted behind the rear seat."

GM (This is nice, but the voltage is really high, almost house mains voltage):
At the LA Auto Show, on November 15, 2010, General Motors announced that it would be releasing an all-new version of the BAS system available in the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.[8] While still a Belted Alternator Starter system, the system is named eAssist and includes a larger more powerful Hitachi-supplied[citation needed] 115 Volt Lithium Ion battery and a 105 kW (141 hp) motor-generator that delivers 279 lb⋅ft (378 N⋅m) of torque. The additional power provided by the more powerful battery and motor provides the ability to contribute more power, and more often able to electrically start and assist the 2.4L engine. The eAssist system also includes a specially modified GM 6T40 6-speed automatic FWD transaxle.[9][10]