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Topic: Silicone Batteries (Read 1728 times) previous topic - next topic

Silicone Batteries

The batteries came in last week and I just got them into day. The batteries on there web site were 240 mm long and actually were
298 mm long (I let them know so they can fix it). I had to take off one of the hinge arms for the door and modify it to make room.
I took  out the old battery brackets and the drain valves for the Aqua Hot so I could lower the batteries with just a sheet of plywood
under them. I didn't like where the valves were as they might freeze in really cold weather. I will replace them where there is heat.
Tomorrow I will finish making up the cables and hook them up. I am taking pictures which I will  post. 
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #1
Are they silicon gel batteries, silicon AGM batteries, or silicon lithium batteries?  I look forward to your pictures and a link to your source.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #2
As Jack says, inquiring minds want to know.  Looking forward to more info and pictures. 
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2008 Roadtrek Adventurous RS Sprinter
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #3
Lithium Ion batteries with Silicon anodes.  I just had to look, because all I had in my mind was silicone oil.

Enevate's Silicon Anodes Could Yield EV Batteries That Run 400 km on a 5-Minute Charge

Art
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #4
siliconebatteries.ca  Type in this and you should get it. I don't know how to put up a link, my computer skills are lacking.

Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #5
siliconebatteries.ca  Type in this and you should get it. I don't know how to put up a link, my computer skills are lacking.
OldGuy,

You were there! Just type in www. and it will show up as a link. Silicone Batteries  They are not lacking now.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #6
Wonder how the prices compare to Lithium and Gel batts?  With Lithiums still in the $900 range, buying 6 to give one 600 amps is a pricey decision!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #7
I see dr Goodenough is on their  board.  I mentioned this a while ago.  He won the Nobel chemistry prize in 2019 and invented li-ion batteries 38 years ago.

Any idea on pricing?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #8
Wonder how the prices compare to Lithium and Gel batts?  With Lithiums still in the $900 range, buying 6 to give one 600 amps is a pricey decision!
The prices are coming down now. Here is an example from Amazon Amazon.com: ExpertPower 12V 100Ah Lithium LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable.... I have seen some 100ah advertised on Craigslist in the $500 range and even DIY kits that look as good as anything on the market now.

Here is the article on the team of Goodenough and Braga. The batteries sound as if they will be much less expensive and have much faster charging capabilities making them perfect for electric cars. Lithium-Ion Battery Inventor Introduces New Technology for Fast-Charging,...

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)


Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #10
Only interested in the silicone ones personally.  -20C to 70C.  6 times faster recharge.  Non flammable.  I passed 7 years ago on li-ion.  This is the fix.  Where and how much?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #11
Bob that's why I went with them because of the cold. If I ever have trouble starting the engine in the cold I could use heavier cables and put in a high boost solenoid. I was talking with the person I got the batteries from yesterday and told him they should make 8 D
size batteries as that is probably the most common size battery made at least in North America and then it my start battery went
I could use it. I finished putting in the cables today and secured the batteries, could be over kill but the won't move. Now time will
tell how they work.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #12
The blue seas auto combiner has a manual/auto/off  switch that was an easy install where the boost switch was. 1400 amp for 30 seconds
My li-ion Shorai dirt bike batteries require pre warming up by turning on the headlight for a minute or more before trying to start my engines in cold weather. 

The silicone li-ions should eliminate that scenario hopefully. 

I have one undersized Shorai li-ion I have been torturing on my bike bench for 5 years?  or more that I use to bench turn over completed oiled engines to prime the engines and verify no bad noises.

The dedicated BMS/charger says I have over discharged the little battery.  Blinking lights. Sometimes it takes twice but it has recharged this poor battery a hundred times.  Little engine that could stuff
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #13
Ok, one more time.  LiFePO4 is NOT flammable.  The electrolyte WILL NOT burn.  It will smoke and stink but will not burn.
When I built my 1000 amphour system out of 4 Winston cells one of them came in leaking.  My supplier replaced it with no problem but I collected some in a cup.  I tried to ignite it with a butane torch and it just smoked.  No flash, no flame.
The MSDS says in case of a spill to flood the electrolyte with water.  That alone says that the Lithium in the electrolyte is not reactive as is pure Lithium.
But please post more info and results on your silicone cells.  I'm curious.  Are these LiFePO4 with silicone added?
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #14
But please post more info and results on your silicone cells.  I'm curious.  Are these LiFePO4 with silicone added?

Any chance all of you can drop the "e" from silicon?  This battery technology uses a lithium cathode and a silicon anode.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #15
If you can wait for shipped from China here are 200ah for the same price.

Amazon.com: Lifepo4 100ah 200ah 300ah 400ah 12V Lithium ion Battery for...

see ya
ken

.Do not throw battery into water or make it wet 2.Keep the battery away from heat source 3.Do not throw the battery into fire or heat the battery 4.Forbid to hammer to trample the battery 5.Forbid disassembling the battery in anyway

Got to love the Chinese to English translation. No trample battery. I'm about you but something about a metal battery case puts me off. Also the funny thing about those batteries if you look at the weight of the 100 amp hour versus the 200 amp power battery it's not that much of a difference not sure how they do that.
Don't think I'll be replacing my victron 300 amp hour batteries anytime soon though. While some newer Lifepo4 batteries have newer tech with built in BMS, mine are fine.
Not sure why anybody would turn their nose up to this technology other than the fact that it's expensive in the short run. Coaches, sailboats, airplanes, or vehicles of any kind, it's the perfect application for these types of batteries.
Seems like these are just a evolution of Lifepo4 battery technology. Looks interesting.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #16
Silicon article from "Wired", February 2020.

Welcome to the Era of Supercharged Lithium-Silicon Batteries | WIRED

However, nothing is easy, thus the gradual progression to Lifepo4 to solve the safety and transportation issues with lithium, and now we have silicon. Looks like silicon will be the next wave, or not.  It is more brittle.  Will it work in batteries subjected to vibration or is it just for stationery use?  The science and time will decide.

https://youtu.be/MgIDtqIyB9Q
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #17
The technology actually looks really promising. It's just another type of lithium battery really with some tweaks that make it much more efficient. But I'm not sure that the fast charging is very useful in our application. it would be very difficult to throw enough amps into it if not impossible with current charging capabilities. As far as the cold and charging goes that is very simple to correct. In my case my batteries are in the coach itself nice and warm in the winter and with the air conditioning vent blowing on them in the summer. So not an issue. Battleborn has heat pads that you can use for their batteries and I'm sure for others as well. As with all new technology early adopters beware. Sometimes it's better to let the market iron out the kinks before putting your hard-earned cash down. What time will tell and we're all anxious to see your pictures and your performance data.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #18
For those who are interested in technology and li-ion batteries watch the Munro tear down of a Tesla model Y on U tube.

The Tesla and all the other car makers he has torn down have cooling and in Tesla's case heating of the banks built in to each row of their banks.  The Tesla has 4400+ cells.

Elon is within days from his "battery day"

His latest battery patent has a strip across the rolled up battery end instead of the beginning and end tabs.

Calls it his million mile battery.  Currently the Tesla battery 2170 cells are the only ones that are NMA with nickel magnesium and aluminum.  At least that's what I remember.

Do look at Munro's tear down.  Makes the rest of the car biz look somewhat bad.

Their  octovalve HVAC/battery system is aerospace grade. As is the self driving aspect.  Car will be capable of parking itself and be self driving.  It already reads stop lights and signs. 

Tesla has patented a giant mold machine to cast the entire body in aluminum in one piece. 

The early model S's seem to have the self driving parts in them.  Software was the holdup.

My 12 year old Lexus LS can have auto park and lane keeping and adaptive cruise control and be a hybrid with all wheel drive and a continuously variable trans
 

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #19
Yeah Tesla is US engineering at its finest. It's only a matter of time before China Japan Korea etc copies it. My brother just bought or is buying a Tesla truck. He's had stock in the company now for quite some time and think he's using some of that windfall to purchase it. He's also got a Tesla car that self drives itself or so he says. Don't think I'll ever own one since I'm now retired but if I was still working for the next 6 years or so I might think about getting one. It's pretty fine engineering.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #20
Tesla has a giant plant in China now.  Plus building one in Berlin area.

Elon is selling almost all his personal possessions currently.  He said he has two things to do.

Fix the energy system of the planet and go to Mars.  Personally.

Wants and intends to build thousands of 100 people capable reuseable space ships and rockets.

And send 3 per week to Mars.

No fair that he gets to go to Mars.  Out of his own pocket.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #21
In going through the links that are above.  They are using the "E" in Silicone. 

Also one thing I did not think of is there is a drawing that shows the volts and amp being drawn by a fan over time. As the voltage goes down, with the battery being discharged,  the amps go up, speeding up the rate of discharge with the same load on the battery.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #22
Tesla has a giant plant in China now.  Plus building one in Berlin area.

Elon is selling almost all his personal possessions currently.  He said he has two things to do.

Fix the energy system of the planet and go to Mars.  Personally.

Wants and intends to build thousands of 100 people capable reuseable space ships and rockets.

And send 3 per week to Mars.

No fair that he gets to go to Mars.  Out of his own pocket.

Fear not.. it's a one way ticket.. life is short and he's looking to make his shorter!

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #23
And go out in a blaze of glory.  Versus die in your bed?  Have you done most of what you wanted to?  We have. Zero regrets
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Silicone Batteries

Reply #24
Here are the pictures I promised. The first one is the hing that I changed so the door would close.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport