Lightweight battery alternative

[Nugs]

Better tell BMW as full fat M-cars come with Lithium batteries from the factory.

I think that's what is in my Supra (and my M3).

I don't know exactly which one, my workshop just said they had a BMW lithium battery lying around and it was 13.5kg lighter so they threw it in.

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[FLtrackdays]

I haven't installed mine yet. Hopefully today if I have time.

I did hook it up to the CTEK lithium specific charger which I purchased last week on Amazon and it did indicate only the first 2 LED lights meaning it had to go through some maintenance charging (1st photo). But after a few hours, it was fully charged (2nd photo).

I do know I'll have to code it in Bimmercode's Expert Mode (Front Electronic Module -> Battery Class, etc...) then register it in Bimmerlink before passing any judgement on it.

Finding out I need to do the same for mine. Despite sitting in my air conditioned home and on a basic Lithium charger (not one with enough juice ? for this LiFePO4), the BMS was activated - “protecting” the battery. It wouldn’t start my car & I put my old one back in.

PowerTex sent me the following email:

”You will need a charger like the one linked below. It includes a wake/recondition mode designed to charge the battery beyond the BMS cut-off point. The charger you purchased is a standard model and lacks this feature. Chargers, such as the one you have, won’t output current if they don’t detect voltage at the terminal level.”

So I bought one of their “newly recommended” advanced chargers. Especially since I own two of their batteries. The one in my Mazda is working perfectly. But I did install it as soon as it came in. Will let you know how this wake mode/ BMS friendly charger does.

https://powertexbatteries.com/collections/chargers-and-inverters

 

[painpals]

Not 100% sure, but this should also have BMS wake functionality. I'll know for sure whenI scoop up an LFP battery

 

[BA9092]

Finding out I need to do the same for mine. Despite sitting in my air conditioned home and on a basic LiPO4 charger, the BMS was activated - “protecting” the battery. It wouldn’t start my car & I put my old one back in.

PowerTex sent me the following email:

”You will need a charger like the one linked below. It includes a wake/recondition mode designed to charge the battery beyond the BMS cut-off point. The charger you purchased is a standard model and lacks this feature. Chargers, such as the one you have, won’t output current if they don’t detect voltage at the terminal level.”

So I bought one of their “newly recommended” advanced chargers. Especially since I own two of their batteries. The one in my Mazda is working perfectly. But I did install it as soon as it came in. Will let you know how this wake mode/ BMS friendly charger does.

https://powertexbatteries.com/collections/chargers-and-inverters

Interesting. I have the CTEK Lithium US tender/charger and it's been working fine.

I can see why and how PowerTex would want you to buy a charger/tender from them. However, the CTEK Lithium US is specifically made for LiFePO4 batteries.

"The operation is simple and charging will commence upon connection. With no need to disconnect the battery from the vehicle, at charge start the LITHIUM US will automatically reset any low voltage protection electronics (Battery Management System) fitted. Charging can be restarted manually at any time using the 'Reset' button."

https://smartercharger.com/products/ctek-lithium-us

 

[zackarybyrd]

I can't post pricing here but I am a direct dealer of anti-gravity and I'll do better on pricing than anywhere else

I tried to DM you on this but the forum says DM to your name is not permitted. Can you get ahold of me? I am interested in talking to you about this.

 

[zackarybyrd]

I know quiet a few people who can very easily save 60+ lbs by simply not stuffing their face with food for a few months
Even saves you money ?

Me too!

 

[FLtrackdays]

Interesting. I have the CTEK Lithium US tender/charger and it's been working fine.

I can see why and how PowerTex would want you to buy a charger/tender from them. However, the CTEK Lithium US is specifically made for LiFePO4 batteries.

"The operation is simple and charging will commence upon connection. With no need to disconnect the battery from the vehicle, at charge start the LITHIUM US will automatically reset any low voltage protection electronics (Battery Management System) fitted. Charging can be restarted manually at any time using the 'Reset' button."

https://smartercharger.com/products/ctek-lithium-us

Smart on your part with that charger. I got the one PowerTex recommended on Amazon, only because it claimed to have some other idiot proof functions. Gave it a full juicing ? after it slapped it out of ”woke” function from BMS mode. I’ll look to install it next week. Hoping it should be fine now.

Like yours, the one in my MX5 is working perfectly. I’m hoping that’s all the bigger Supra one needed.

 

[zackarybyrd]

you guys think this would work? Seems like it can be had for $499 or so, to me it seems pretty similar… and VERY lightweight. Am I missing something?

https://4xspower.com/products/xv4900

 

[zackarybyrd]

Or this one?

https://4xspower.com/products/pwr-s5-4900?_pos=2&_sid=2ba910b01&_ss=r

 

[i3igpete]

Am I missing something?

so far, razorlab has had 3 lithium battery failures, so it depends how tolerant you are of downtime

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/3-...nd-rear-differential-fluid.24203/#post-384749

also check the Amp hour ratings of the ones you linked.

Ah Pb Eq - 20

Ah Pb Eq is the equivalent amp-hour when compared directly to AGM

 

[MyCorolla]

Or this one?

https://4xspower.com/products/pwr-s5-4900?_pos=2&_sid=2ba910b01&_ss=r

It is good to understand the difference in technologies:

https://www.takomabattery.com/lto-vs-lifepo4/

 

[zackarybyrd]

so far, razorlab has had 3 lithium battery failures, so it depends how tolerant you are of downtime

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/3-...nd-rear-differential-fluid.24203/#post-384749

also check the Amp hour ratings of the ones you linked.

Any ideas about why they’re failing? Is anyone else who is running a lithium battery having issues with battery failure?

It is good to understand the difference in technologies:

https://www.takomabattery.com/lto-vs-lifepo4/

this was a great read, thank

 

[FLtrackdays]

It is good to understand the difference in technologies:

https://www.takomabattery.com/lto-vs-lifepo4/

Great link! More on the BMS system I didn’t understand before I purchased below.

https://www.takomabattery.com/top-10-battery-management-system-suppliers-in-china

I let mine go into sleep mode by sitting around for a year (waiting to be installed) w/out the proper charger. For some reason, this isn’t an issue in an older car like my Mazda MX5 that I drive occasionally.

Curious if Christian (@BA9092 ) keeps his Supra locked when stored. Many guys have posted a notice from Toyota recommending to do so. Perhaps to improve battery life or instances such as this (wishful thinking)?

Or this one?

https://4xspower.com/products/pwr-s5-4900?_pos=2&_sid=2ba910b01&_ss=r

Any ideas about why they’re failing? Is anyone else who is running a lithium battery having issues with battery failure?

I’d call them & ask. I will say PowerTex said they will fully support (replace mine) if it doesn’t do as advertised.
And not sure of anyone else.… but Razorlab is a really good & reliable source.

so far, razorlab has had 3 lithium battery failures, so it depends how tolerant you are of downtime

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/3-...nd-rear-differential-fluid.24203/#post-384749

also check the Amp hour ratings of the ones you linked.

Great point. If Bryan couldn’t get it to work, that’s mega disappointing. I’m hoping if I use it like I do in my MX5 & keep the doors locked, I’ll be able to get similar results as Christian. I’ve got the mac daddy charger now that can smack (wake) it out of BMS mode. But that would be a pain in the ass to do on a regular basis. Fingers crossed ?I don’t ?

 

[Rocksandblues]

My lithium battery has worked well all this season. Fwiw I did NOT program the car or battery.

 

[BA9092]

Curious if Christian (@BA9092 ) keeps his Supra locked when stored. Many guys have posted a notice from Toyota recommending to do so. Perhaps to improve battery life or instances such as this (wishful thinking)?

I do but only sometimes. Sometimes I forget to lock it in the garage, but I do try to keep my key fob as far away from the car as I can as I heard that if it's too close or left inside the car, the key fob and vehicle keep sending signals constantly to each other. I know that vastly deteriorates the key fob battery, but not sure about the in-vehicle battery.

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