The current electric and hybrid car batteries, whilst they are fit for purpose, they do not last as long as they should. It is thought that a Lithium-Ion Battery would last twice as long. No figures have been released as of yet, but plans are being pursued to manufacture electronic chips that may serve to help these new batteries work for longer.
Linear’s LTC6802 is it’s name, and it will be able to accurately monitor the power output of up to 12 individual Lithium-Ion battery cells when installed in electric and hybrid cars. The production of the chips is going to be expensive, however work has already commenced, with prototypes nearing completion.
The system has already been purchased by Toyota, to use with it’s third generation hybrid cars which are going to run on Lithium-Ion batteries. More and more companies are placing bids each week, but no other information has been released as of yet. Lithium-Ion batteries are prone to ‘catastrophic failure’, as stated by the company that produces these new technologies. The new chips will eliminate over charging and over discharging damage, making the driving safer and keeping the car in good ‘health’ for longer.
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October 18th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Once many years ago, around 1972, I met a man who had an electric car in West Miami. On top of this car was a jet cowl looking housing that he said stored back then a generator and that the wind would drive that generator enough to charge a set of batteries that he would switch over to once the set he was using ran low.
I always thought that was a workable idea but as of yet have not seen anyone take on the charging system issue. Now with lithium batteries I would think that it is feasible to have dual batteries, one set charging while using the other.
Cordially,
David Pressler, President
DRD Enterprises a CCR registered company
954 370 7944
http://WWW.HURRICANESURVIVAL.NET
October 18th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
You would be surprised by the amount of ideas I get from people interested in converting their cars to electric. I had one idea to place a windmill type item in the grate in front of the car to convert the air pushing against the car into workable energy for the vehicle to recharge the batteries. He also wanted solar panels on top of the car to create a car to recharge while you drove never running out of energy.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Lipo’s do have controller chips in them, well model cars etc do, they are used most certainly in the charging and they stop them exsploding (probaly why they are not currently used in EV’s)
George, I would think that anyone who has style in mind would stick a wind generator on the roof of their car; but I am wondering why people are trying the over-unity generators that are coming onto the market ( though slighty higher capacity than required) to pre/re charge the cells. it would make good sence to run a +150% generator pre drive so that you can get 50% more travel from the power used, that with regen from braking may add a little more lenght to the life of the batteries.
Also using brushless motors rather than the much used brushed motors would also give an extended battery life.
Lipos charge faster last longer and could be a good replacement to the commonly used LA batteries, they are lighter so they seem to be ideal, if they could make them safer.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:01 am
The alternative power and energy association at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee had a meeting this evening assembling a group to apply for a grant to construct an electric car.
I am a member of this group and am currently working on designs. I am an electrical engineering student, the others are mechanical and industrial engineering majors.
This project is in its infancy, so I am looking for advice for financial support for the project, and for materials on the project.
Any comments/support would greatly be appreciated,
Eric Zastrow
UWM 2009