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Author Topic: LiFePO4 Alternative 6.5V Battery for Grace V3  (Read 8277 times)

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Offline Eight_Tit_Chicken

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LiFePO4 Alternative 6.5V Battery for Grace V3
« on: May 03, 2011, 11:09:23 PM »
Hi everyone,

I'm TaperBruce.  I am NOT affiliated with any of these buisnesses.  I am NOT knowledgeable about batteries.  I am not responsible for any mayhem that may occur by using these products.

LiFePO4
I just got this delivered today: 
http://www.batteryspace.com/customizelifepo4battery64v10ah64wh10aratewithpcb.aspx

Batteryspace confirmed that this is the recommended charger:
http://www.batteryspace.com/smartfastcharger12aforany64v2cells76vcut-offlifepo4batterypack.aspx



Voltage:  6.4 V (working),   Min voltage: 4.5V, Max voltage: 7.6V
Capacity 10 Ah ( 64Wh)
Dimensions (LxWxH)  88mm (3.5") x 46mm (1.81") x 129mm (5.0")
Weight  820g (1.8lb)
Prewired   6.0"  14 AWG   with Standard Male Tamiya Connector:
http://www.batteryspace.com/prod-specs/tamiya.pdf

Cycle life > 2000 cycles (80% of initial capacity @ 0.2C rate, IEC Standard) 

One 10A Printed Circuit Board installed with the battery pack, that protects the battery from:
◦Overcharge (> 7.6 V)
◦Over discharge  (<4.5 V)
◦Over drain ( >10 Amp)
◦Short circuits
http://www.batteryspace.com/prod-specs/4870.pdf

The Grace V3's LOW BATT indicator flashes if the battery voltage drops below 5.75V (Red arrow in Discharge Curve below).    Preamp Shut Off is @5V. 
Shut Off @5V compliments LiFePO4 Min voltage @4.5V     Run Time during LOW BATT flashing to be determined.  Should be useable.

LifePO4 Discharge Curve (double V for two cells).  Red arrow @2.87V (5.75 LOW BATT FLASH):


Cost is 147$   plus shipping, plus make you own cable to preamp.

Battery:    98$
Charger:   24$
Hazard Material special handling fee:  25$
http://www.batteryspace.com/hazardmaterialspecialhandlingfeeperpackagetoshipviaupsfedexground.aspx

Always Google for coupon codes.  I found a 5% discount code that helped offset shipping.

Check out the Wiki for LiFePO4:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery


For me the main benefits are:

CLEAN DC to my preamp.  Just like a SLA.  No DC-DC voltage regulator.

High capacity    10Ah

Huge increase in lifetime with over 2000 cylces.  This really offsets the cost alot.  I'm looking forward to powering the Grace trouble free for 5~6 years ?

Four times lighter then SLA batts.

Some of the Cons are:

May not be allowed on planes ?
Heavier then other Li-ion formulations.
Sticker shock  $
25$ additional hazard material handling cost for UPS.
Non selectable voltage   ;)
No fuel gauge.
Shrink wrap construction.
Just "safer" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrUYJCdW4yw   
Educate yourself on the hazards of Li-ion batteries !   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ypUVpwgcAA&feature=related
Tamiya connector.  Altering connector VOIDS warranty


The usual suspects can easily fab a V3 power cable w/Tamiya.  I'm not interested thanks.

I may still buy a Tekkeon.  This LiFePO4 is a nice dedicated alternative.
« Last Edit: June 24, 2011, 06:00:26 AM by Eight_Tit_Chicken »
TaperBruce

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Offline ArchivalAudio

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Re: LiFePO4 Alternative 6.5V Battery for Grace V3
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2011, 03:03:22 AM »
Hi Bruce!
welcome  long time no see!
not much advice from me here but the LiFePO4 are excellent light weight batteries and the next generation - where we likely will all go in the future!

hope to see you soon
--Ian
~ Archival Audio ~
Archiving Worthy Music
since 1986 & digitally since 1995

https://www.facebook.com/ArchivalAudio/

Main Mics: Milab VM-44 Links • Milab DC-196's (Matched  Pair)  • MBHO KA500 or KA300 •
PreAmps:  BaybNbox  • Naiant LittleBox • Naiant [Milab VM44] TinyBox • Naiant PIPsqueak
Recorders: MixPre 10T •  Tascam DR-100 mkIII • Sony A-10 • Sony M-10 

macMini 3Ghz i7 16GB Ram 500GB SSD • MOTU UltraLite
Naiant MSH-2's •   TOA K1's • Beyer TG 153c's •  AT 853 (4.7kmod darktrain) • Countryman B3's (1 k mod)  + other assorted mics

Offline Eight_Tit_Chicken

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Re: LiFePO4 Alternative 6.5V Battery for Grace V3
« Reply #2 on: May 10, 2011, 08:58:25 PM »
Update:   (edit- see my next reply.  Non issue)

The charger is getting too hot ?  I've just sent an email off to the company about the issue.  I'll let everyone know what I turn up.

The battery itself is roughly the weight of two "Wally" batteries.  [or two Tekkeons]


Ian-  It'd be good to do some taping with you this summer !
« Last Edit: June 24, 2011, 06:01:00 AM by Eight_Tit_Chicken »
TaperBruce

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Offline Eight_Tit_Chicken

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Re: LiFePO4 Alternative 6.5V Battery for Grace V3
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2011, 03:08:44 PM »
Charger Update:

So glad I contacted Batteryspace before I tried to "fix" it (I fully intended to hack the cable).  What I thought was a poor splice heating up, turns out to be :

"The location shown from your picture is with a diode there, it step down the voltage for charging, it will get hot as the battery will take full rating from the charger."

Here's a new pic of what I'm talking about:


The Alligator Clips are awkward to use on the battery.  I'll probably get a Tamiya connector with "leads" for the clips to bite onto.

So far... happy  ;D
« Last Edit: June 24, 2011, 06:01:59 AM by Eight_Tit_Chicken »
TaperBruce

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Offline it-goes-to-eleven

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Re: LiFePO4 Alternative 6.5V Battery for Grace V3
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2011, 04:13:54 PM »
It sounds like they may be selling a cheap charger, and not a true smart charger.  Maybe something like this would work better and be safer?

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=145002.msg1866903

Offline Eight_Tit_Chicken

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Re: LiFePO4 Alternative 6.5V Battery for Grace V3
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2011, 06:02:41 PM »
It sounds like they may be selling a cheap charger, and not a true smart charger.  Maybe something like this would work better and be safer?

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=145002.msg1866903


That other charger does have a LiFe setting (crucial).  It is designed to charge individual cells in a pack.  I don't think it would work?

The battery pack in this thread is just two large cells in series (with circuit protection=PCB).  It's not set up for individual cell monitoring.

Batteryspace was the only distributer of this particular cell I could find.  I refer all charger compatability options to them.  They've been very responsive to my questions.  They carry similar higher end smart chargers that are for "Battery pack without PCB".  http://www.batteryspace.com/smartchargerfor32v-96v1-3cellslifepo4batterypackscells.aspx

I'm currently satisfied with the charger I got.  pun
« Last Edit: June 24, 2011, 06:03:21 AM by Eight_Tit_Chicken »
TaperBruce

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