What about NiMH batteries or NiCad

Anything electric, AC or DC

What about NiMH batteries or NiCad

Postby facethewolf » Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:43 pm

Right now, there's a lot of Hooplah (so to speak) over lithium Ion Batteries. You certainly pay a lot of pennies for it.
Other than Lithium Ion, most people use car batteries or deep cycle batteries and AGM (not as expensive as lithium Ion, but still a pretty penny)
The whole point of using big heavy batteries like lead acid was for the cold-cranking amps. And then I assume when you need other batteries for other uses in your vehicle, why not stick with batteries with a similar form factor.

If you don't need all the cold-cranking amps to run a teardrop, then it's possible to not need lead-acid at all.
Has anyone ever thought of revisiting NiMH batteries or even NiCad for building a 12V house battery for cheaper than a Lithium Ion battery? Apparently the technology has come a long way since the 80's and 90's.
I haven't done the math yet, but I think that price/amp-hour comes out comparable to lead acid, better-than considering, realistically, you can only use half the amp-hours of lead acid, anyways.
I think it also might have a better amp-hour:weight ratio.
http://www.mpoweruk.com/nimh.htm
http://www.mpoweruk.com/nicad.htm

I was just wondering if anybody's investigated this? Perhaps a whole home-built bank of them in series and parallel to get 12V and high current.
Sincerely, Sean
User avatar
facethewolf
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:53 pm

Re: What about NiMH batteries or NiCad

Postby Tigris99 » Sun Apr 30, 2017 4:08 pm

Look at AH and voltage versus Lithium ion. NiMH isn't so "cost saving" anymore when you start comparing watt hours.

The batteries aren't the real problem, it's the control needed to use then for our purpose.

I've been considering building a lithium battery pack and control system but saving that till my trailer is close to done. The battery pack and protection system for it is EASY as I deal with them daily in 4.2 and 8.4v lighting. But going to take some work to design the system at a friendly cost for 12v regulated system and solar recharging.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
Tigris99
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 252
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:42 pm

Re: What about NiMH batteries or NiCad

Postby Shadow Catcher » Sun Apr 30, 2017 7:49 pm

I have been looking for a replacement for our AGM and checked Alibaba

https://lithpower.en.alibaba.com/product/60523874656-222743565/rechargeable_lifepo4_12v_200ah_lithium_ion_marine_battery_modules_with_2000cycles.html?spm=a2700.8304367.0.0.286ZYL

This one appears to have the protection built in
https://dmdinverter.en.alibaba.com/prod ... 0.0.bJQ9DU

Progressive Dymanics makes a suitable charger and my Morningstar MPPT controller can be programed for lithium batteries
I am still a year or two off from needing one.
User avatar
Shadow Catcher
Donating Member
 
Posts: 5993
Images: 234
Joined: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:26 pm
Location: Metamora, OH
Top

Re: What about NiMH batteries or NiCad

Postby facethewolf » Sun Apr 30, 2017 10:36 pm

https://lithpower.en.alibaba.com/produc ... 0.0.286ZYL
Wow! 200Ah for 50 bucks. That's way too good to be accurate.
Either it's inaccurate OR it's so cheaply made it could go Galaxy Note 7 on you on a 200Ah scale.
Galaxy Note 7's problem was that they crammed too many mAh's into too small a package with minimal quality control
User avatar
facethewolf
Teardrop Builder
 
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:53 pm
Top

Re: What about NiMH batteries or NiCad

Postby Tigris99 » Mon May 01, 2017 12:22 am

Won't be an explosive issue, be that the capacity and cell life span are about 50% of what they state.

Red flag is 800+ suppliers offering same battery. Gotta look for more reputable suppliers vs 1 idiot working out of a 1 room apartment and making himself look like some brand on Alibaba.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
Tigris99
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 252
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:42 pm
Top

Re: What about NiMH batteries or NiCad

Postby H.A. » Tue May 02, 2017 4:23 pm

Noad.
Last edited by H.A. on Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
H.A.
The 300 Club
 
Posts: 461
Images: 0
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:16 pm
Top

Re: What about NiMH batteries or NiCad

Postby MtnDon » Tue May 02, 2017 5:49 pm

IMO, NiCad are totally outclassed by the newer technologies. Nicads still have the problem of developing a low capacity memory if they are not discharged to low states often enough. I don't use them in anything any more. The latest NiMh have licked their previous big problem, which was a high self discharge rate. The latest cells by Panasonic / Sanyo have extremely low self discharge. It is still hard to neat the LiFePo4 lithiums for low self discharge, no memory, and long life when treated properly. All that said FLA are not yet obsolete when pricing is an important factor. Just an opinion.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
User avatar
MtnDon
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2199
Images: 24
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:57 pm
Location: New Mexico
Top


Return to Electrical Secrets

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests