Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

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Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jon volk »

For the last 3 years Ive been running 2 full Chevy Volt packs with each module in parallel. In that time I've only taken the pack below 50% charge a handful of times. Since I have the car apart to redo the cooling system, I've been on the fence about pulling some of the modules out to drop some weight off the car and get some usable trunk space back. Im not sure whether the reduction in weight and will be negated by reduced current capability from a performance standpoint. Curious to hear others thoughts.

The options Im looking at are..

1: Just leave well enough alone.

2: Leave the 2 med sized modules up front, and keep one large one in the trunk to bring max charge to 420v.

3:Pull out one full pack and leave the other as standard 400v.

The primary upside is that I’d get this trunk space back.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by Boxster EV »

Alternatively, given the Chevy volt modules’ tech is circa 10+ years old, are there other options on the market that fulfil the range / weight / price / form factor / amperage discharge criteria, without spending mega bucks?
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by P.S.Mangelsdorf »

Boxster EV wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:16 pm Alternatively, given the Chevy volt modules’ tech is circa 10+ years old, are there other options on the market that fulfil the range / weight / price / form factor / amperage discharge criteria, without spending mega bucks?
While not cheap these from EVWest look intriguing. By my math it'd take 14 of them, but they only weigh 19.6lbs, meaning a 275lbs pack.
https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_ ... 6f308cdf7c
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jon volk »

P.S.Mangelsdorf wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:42 pm
Boxster EV wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:16 pm Alternatively, given the Chevy volt modules’ tech is circa 10+ years old, are there other options on the market that fulfil the range / weight / price / form factor / amperage discharge criteria, without spending mega bucks?
While not cheap these from EVWest look intriguing. By my math it'd take 14 of them, but they only weigh 19.6lbs, meaning a 275lbs pack.
https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_ ... 6f308cdf7c
Those are overpriced Chrysler Pacifica modules I believe. You need twice as many to really support the current as their output is quite marginal compared to the Volt stuff…despite both being LG
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by P.S.Mangelsdorf »

jon volk wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:45 pm
P.S.Mangelsdorf wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:42 pm
Boxster EV wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:16 pm Alternatively, given the Chevy volt modules’ tech is circa 10+ years old, are there other options on the market that fulfil the range / weight / price / form factor / amperage discharge criteria, without spending mega bucks?
While not cheap these from EVWest look intriguing. By my math it'd take 14 of them, but they only weigh 19.6lbs, meaning a 275lbs pack.
https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_ ... 6f308cdf7c
Those are overpriced Chrysler Pacifica modules I believe. You need twice as many to really support the current as their output is quite marginal compared to the Volt stuff…despite both being LG
I think these are different than the Pacifica, at least they are a separate listing. There was a rumor at one point that they were forced by LG to stop with the Pacifica batteries, but I don't remember the source for that. Their site says the Pacifica ones are not available.

Pacifica Listing
https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_ ... 38b31baa30
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jon volk »

Ahh they do seem to be different. I wonder what the source is since they’re probably available for 50% less elsewhere.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by P.S.Mangelsdorf »

jon volk wrote: Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:52 pm Ahh they do seem to be different. I wonder what the source is since they’re probably available for 50% less elsewhere.
They do seem run on the higher side for prices.

I'd love to find a cheaper source for those, because they look like they'd be great for some future ideas I have, as long as they aren't in any way related to the Chevy Bolt batteries. Lord knows I'd manage to burn my shop down.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by Golf_mkIII_E »

What capacity do the two Volt packs have? And at what kind of voltage drop are you looking under WOT?
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jon volk »

Golf_mkIII_E wrote: Sun Feb 13, 2022 7:14 am What capacity do the two Volt packs have? And at what kind of voltage drop are you looking under WOT?
Two volt packs is 32kwh. I'd have to see if I took any notes on voltage drop. its been a while since I paid attention.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by EV_Builder »

TayCan modules.
Pouche: LG Chem E66A

16x2.8kwh = 44.8kwh Capacity
16x11Kg = 176kg Weight

600Amps peak without cooling.
The peak current is the current the cell can deliver for 5 minutes. Consequently, the cell is discharged from 100% SOC at an ambient temperature of 25°C with a constant current until reaching either the voltage of 2.5V or the surface temperature of 60°C after 5 minutes.
The thermal boundary condition is free convection.
These operational conditions might be outside the specification of the cell manufacturer.
You do need to make a pack housing for it etc...
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by tmotion »

Have a look at the Mercedes eqc modules

LGChem 24S2P battery module.

Capacity: 92Ah, 8,1kWh
Height: 11.2 cm
Width: 41.5 cm
Length: 64.5 cm
Weight: 53 kg
Bolt Size: M5
Voltage nominal: 3.65V/Cell, 87.5V/Module
Charge voltage cut-off: 4.2V/Cell, 100.8V/Module
Discharging cut-off: 2.8V/Cell, 67.2/Module
Maximum Discharging Current (10 sec.): 400 Amps
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jon volk »

EV_Builder wrote: Mon Mar 14, 2022 9:10 pm TayCan modules.
Pouche: LG Chem E66A

16x2.8kwh = 44.8kwh Capacity
16x11Kg = 176kg Weight

600Amps peak without cooling.
That's reasonably interesting apart from dealing with Porsche tax. Have the module dimension by any chance?
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by SuperV8 »

jon volk wrote: Thu Mar 17, 2022 3:47 pm
EV_Builder wrote: Mon Mar 14, 2022 9:10 pm TayCan modules.
Pouche: LG Chem E66A

16x2.8kwh = 44.8kwh Capacity
16x11Kg = 176kg Weight

600Amps peak without cooling.
That's reasonably interesting apart from dealing with Porsche tax. Have the module dimension by any chance?
Can't see dimensions but some example module part numbers - all priced the same!
9J1915592C unit 17 = priced £664.98
9J1915592G unit 17 = priced £664.98
9J1915592H unit 17 = priced £664.98
9J1915591C unit 16 = priced £664.98
9J1915591G unit 16 = priced £664.98
9J1915591H unit 16 = priced £664.98

Also unit 14 comment. Not sure what this unit number is?

Whole new packs are either £27,000 or £32,000! Reman small pack is 25,000.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jon volk »

Are those dealer costs or retail list prices? Those part numbers seem to show as $1000-1500usd which is well beyond exchange rates. However, the US prices could have incoming dealer freight costs baked in.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by EV_Builder »

There 17 type 2's and 16 type 1's. Difference is the polarity position.
Together 33 modules which equals the total pack.

The unit 14 pack is the smaller Taycan pack.

Those prices are new dealer. I can deliver cheaper second hand but offcourse shipment is a thing...

I will place dimensions tomorrow.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by SuperV8 »

EV_Builder wrote: Thu Mar 17, 2022 10:12 pm There 17 type 2's and 16 type 1's. Difference is the polarity position.
Together 33 modules which equals the total pack.

The unit 14 pack is the smaller Taycan pack.

Those prices are new dealer. I can deliver cheaper second hand but offcourse shipment is a thing...

I will place dimensions tomorrow.
Ah yes, makes sense, thanks.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by SuperV8 »

jon volk wrote: Thu Mar 17, 2022 5:39 pm Are those dealer costs or retail list prices? Those part numbers seem to show as $1000-1500usd which is well beyond exchange rates. However, the US prices could have incoming dealer freight costs baked in.
those are the official recommended retail prices that have been published. I presume if some dealers are feeling greedy they could charge more?

This link has $878.65 price which is circa £668,73
https://parts.porschechandler.com/oem-p ... 9j1915592c
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by EV_Builder »

Dimensions:
150mm wide
390mm long
109mm high
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jon volk »

Thanks for the data. Ill need to ping some dealer connections here in the states and see how much they could shave off cost. Threw 16 of the above dimensions overlaid on my current battery tray setup and it looks feasible to build a sealed box containing all of my high voltage connections up front and gain 100% of my trunk back.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by EV_Builder »

Found some more specs.:

LG Chem E66A Pouche

Nominal Capacity: 65 Ah
Minimum Capacity: 63,5 Ah
Nominal Voltage: 3,657 V
Nominal energy: 237,7 Wh
Minimum energy: 232,2 Wh
Thickness: 11,7 mm
Width: 104 mm
Height: 350 mm
Volume: 0,425880 L
Weight: 897 g
Volumetric Energy Density: 648 Wh/L
Gravimetric Energy Density: 259 Wh/kg
Chemistry: NCM 712 / NCM622
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jnsaff »

Also found current ratings for the E66A:
con­tin­u­ous 121 A ( about 1.9C)
peak 297 A (about 4.6C)
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by EV_Builder »

jnsaff wrote: Thu Mar 24, 2022 10:53 am Also found current ratings for the E66A:
con­tin­u­ous 121 A ( about 1.9C)
peak 297 A (about 4.6C)
Yes; per pouch. So in a Taycan module 6S2P we got double that on module level.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by jon volk »

I believe that data came from here.
https://www.batemo.de/products/batemo-c ... port-popup

Note that peak current is defined as current the cell can provide for 5 minutes. I would be more interested in peak current/voltage drop in 10-20 second bursts. Just thinking in terms of the Gen1 Volt pack has a peak 10 second power rating of a measly 100kw according to the document I have saved. Real world demonstrates significantly more.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by EV_Builder »

Yes Jon; you are right. They measure the current per pouch, non cooled and either 5min or surface temp > 50degrees C.

I'm building my first pack as we speak so no experience yet. But I guess it will be enough grunt for two SDU's.
16S2P module wise is what I plan for.
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Re: Battery opinions while I have the car apart?

Post by Gregski »

I know I am late to the party, but one of the reasons I steered clear of the Volt pack was because of the different sized cell modules (yes I know that's super dumb, please talk to my OCD side, I'll hold) anyway having two packs gives you at least two of the same size, so I would hodge podge something symmetrical and allow the car to dictate what fits where, so not so much range or performance based, as fitment and weight distribution maybe, just sharing my thoughts, that's al

hewk, maybe you could buy a third pack, so you have three of each size, lOl
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