[Buckster]

Are there any restrictions on how you can stack LiFePO batteries? Has anyone had any issues with laying them on their sides?

Also with heat management I have seen plenty of comments about keeping them warm enough for optimal operation but are there any times that they get too warm? If so how is this addressed? I imagine the centre batteries in a stack are likely to run hotter than the outer ones.

[Woodsmith]

Have a look at this thread on the orientation of the cells. It will answer some of your questions.

I don't know about the heating and cooling aspects though.

[MN Driver]

Originally Posted by jondoh

I have a 24 cell pack of 100 ah (72 volt system) thundersky. i've been using daily since about the end of august so about 3 months so far. I have 1650 miles. So far so good.

The controller is alltrax 450 amp. This means i can put 4.5c load on the batteries. I try not to do this often and when i do, it's only a few seconds. It might put me at risk for a premature death of a few cells, we'll see.

I don't think i've run the pack below 80% dod. I charge every chance i can get.

I figure if things are ok for about 6 months to a year, i'll be in the clear. I realize the pack is a little undersized but for my needs, it works pretty well. At just 24 cells, i have only about $3000 wrapped up in my battery pack.

see here:
http://www.evalbum.com/2975

This quote is from the how many "'real life' cycles on LiFePO4 ?" thread

If you are looking for an example of where it has been successful for 1650 miles with an occasional short 4.5C acceleration discharge from them mounted on the side, it at least shows that if there was an issue, it sure isn't immediate. Thunder Sky cells are being used in the Enginer plug-in hybrid systems too and it appears their system on ebay still shows Thunder Sky 40Ah cell spec sheets(the old version of the specsheet with 3000 cycles at 70%). They are mounted sideways. Although I'd have to note that their site now shows images of Shenzhen Mottcell batteries even though they are still selling the kits with Thunder Sky images on ebay.