[powerhouse]

Hey guys

Is there any reason this wouldnt work?

Use a small A123 pack as the vehicles primary traction pack, about ~20kwh, and then use a ~10kwh low power, high energy density pack to charge the A123 pack?

So basically the controller would be connected to the A123 pack, and the large thundersky pack would either go through
1. A dc-dc converter to the A123 pack
2. An AC inverter, which then would go to the onboard charger to charge the A123 pack

The reason for doing this would be the low cost and simplicity of the thundersky's versus the A123 packs.

Im sure there is a catch somewhere...

[dougingraham]

It is easier than that. You just have the same number of cells and parallel an A123 with a prismatic. The stiffer A123 cells provide the high current and when the acceleration load goes away recharge from the directly connected prismatic cells.

If you want 1000 amps you need at least 3 A123 cells paralleled and four would be better. That would give you a base of 60AH or 80AH and if paired with 160AH or 180AH prismatic cells should give a performance pack with some range.

However if you are going to go to that much trouble why not just make a 200AH pack of A123 cells and keep it simple. You don't really gain size or weight with the prismatic cells over the A123 pouch cells. They are just a little cheaper.

[Ziggythewiz]

If you're shooting for low cost and simplicity using TS it would make sense for that pack to be much larger than the A123. As Doug said, it's much easier than you're making it. What is the motivation behind the 20 and 10 kwh breakdown?

There's really no more energy density in TS, if anything it may be the other way around, the main difference is the ease of pack building.