[1clue]

Maybe I'm just a bit too sensitive about the BMS/charging thing.

My only direct exposure to lithium batteries is through RC models, and those are the evil exploding LiPo's. Overcharged one once on a small cell to see it happen (yes it really will explode and start a fire), but ever since I've been painstakingly careful about all things battery-related. I've seen several puffed-up batteries owned by others too, but after my initial pyrotechnic display I have not had a single cell die an ugly death. I have worn several out, but generally they last longer than they advertise if you take care of them.

I love lithium batteries, I would never go back for modeling. Not sure if I could swing them on a full-sized EV, but maybe on a motorcycle. That may be what I do first anyway.

I'm personally of the opinion that the BMS and charger should be the best of the best, and the cells should be whatever you can afford after that. I would make the balancer work any time the cells are charging or discharging, at least periodically.

All that said, the OP has actually built a full-sized EV and therefore absolutely positively has more experience with full-sized batteries than I do. I won't tell him how to live his life, it's a free country and all that.

[dimitri]

Originally Posted by dexion

According to them, no strapping is needed they don't swell. I have TS cells in my scooter (21 60 ah ones) the case material is much stronger on the BH cells I can't bend them by force without tools. With the ts cells i can poke the middle and they move so no strapping needed or I'm not poking hard enough heh. Mount them in any direction in any space that will fit them. If i decide to add 43 more to get a 100 mile range I will be doing that. Stuffing 15 or so anywhere I can find for them to be.

Boy, sounds like LFP market is getting wider, I like it. Please share your experienses with these cells, voltage drops, temp effects, internal resistance variations across the pack, etc etc.

You probably already know this since you have TS cells on the scooter, but use noalox, lock washers and max safe torque on terminal bolts to ensure long lasting low resistance connections. Also check how warm terminals get after decent discharge.

According to their specs which are identical to SE, I assume they use Aleees technology, but its nice to know they have sturdy casing as well.

I'm surprised the vendor didn't know about EV conversions market, maybe they should discover this forum and start posting here

[MN Driver]

I like the internal image of them, it appears that they have pouch cells(likely stacked) inside of the case with the bolts going through the tabs on the top, if my eyes aren't tricking me, the Sky Energy cells appear to look like what you would expect to see inside of one big pouch cell and the plastic case is the 'pouch' instead of actually having a pouch with the individual cell layers stacked inside and connected to common terminals.

I like that we are seeing more options for large format LiFePO4 cells, I'm interested in hearing your experiences. The 3 year warranty is a first as far as anything I've seen or heard of at this price. Keep us up to date on how these perform.

[JRP3]

Originally Posted by dimitri

That's the way to do it JRP3, build a pack 10 times over required range, then you don't have to worry about BMS I like this idea.... only its not practical for most people

I guess I could have built a 6 mile pack, but I do go to the store once in a while That will be a 13 mile round trip.

[Jokerzwild]

Originally Posted by JRP3

I guess I could have built a 6 mile pack, but I do go to the store once in a while That will be a 13 mile round trip.

Originally Posted by dimitri
That's the way to do it JRP3, build a pack 10 times over required range, then you don't have to worry about BMS I like this idea.... only its not practical for most people

Well there is allways the cheap bike power for 3 miles and the only BMS you need for that is gatorade

[JRP3]

Originally Posted by Jokerzwild

Well there is allways the cheap bike power for 3 miles and the only BMS you need for that is gatorade

I do that sometimes, but coming home is all uphill, plus rain, snow, can't take my dog, etc.

[DIYguy]

Looks like they have 100 Ah and 200 Ah models?

[EVComponents]

Originally Posted by JRP3

Aleees maybe? http://www.aleees.com/ That would be the same stuff Sky Energy uses.

And ThunderSky is also using aleees now.

[EVComponents]

Originally Posted by dexion

I asked the origin. I was told korea/japan (case/cathode material (elise? no real details given though so I didnt put it down until now?). I was also specifically told they werent chinese or hi power (I asked as well.) There aren't that I noticed anything markeing where it came from. The shipping boxes/lables on the cells are all in english.

I do have a link of the internal construction if anyone is interested.

http://www.powerforceusa.com/Black%2...20Interior.pdf

We looked at them closely a few months ago and inquired about reselling their products. At first we were under the impresssion that they are manufacturing cells or has some exclusive rights to these cells in the USA. Eventually we came to the conclusion that these are China Hi Power cells.
The specs seem closest to those published by China Hi Power.

This is only my experience when we inquired about buying cells from that company.
I am not claiming to know positively the source manufacturing company being used by Power Force USA.

[JRP3]

They don't look like the China Hipower cells, but I guess they could have a new case design.