Thundersky battery failure in Bob Siebert's AC150 conversion

So what's the bottom line liveoilfree; if buying a new pack today, which would you pick?

The newer Li-Fe-PO version apparently works much better. But don't expect it to last much past 20K miles -- these are all short-term, niche non-solutions to the big issue: when are they going to RESUME producing EVs which last more than 100K miles on a battery pack.

BTW, the battery experts in L.A. recommend Enersys lead-acid; while it won't last 100K miles, it's cheap and easily recycled. Exide Orbitals might be good, too, for high-performance EVs. Who knows, long-lasting Li might be made available some day.

i wont be buying any batterys from them.thanks for the info!its good we have people out there like you who can help everyone.we can try what your doing or we can blow over 40 grand on a goverment motors(GM)chevy volt.i think id like a volt about as much as a pinto station wagon.

neil young is working on converting a lincoln.you can check it out on youtube type in lincvolt.

we need to support people like you and neil this is the only way research is going to be done.

many thanks

TS seem to have improved their quality since this video was made, at least with their LiFePO4 cells. Judging by other EV converters using them, at least.

I'm still in the planning stages so it'll be a while before I by my own pack. Hopefully I won't have to wait 'till 2014 to get a decent pack. LiFePO4 seems good, if expensive.

Yes, you're correct; in fact, Bob has replaced the Peak batteries with the newer TS batteries, and, thanks to some help from ACP, is up and running!!

EV-95 is only one format (and an old one at that), and only Toyota has been banned from using it. GM still takes orders for Chevron-patented NiMH batteries (over 2000 packs per month based on their weak hybrid sales). And there are a few large format NiMH manufacturers that sell their own format outside of Chevron influence. There is no patent suppression of NiMH. If the industry is going to spend money, the would rather spend it on a newer technology with more promise.

You're completely and utterly WRONG, proveably IGNORANT. The settlement allows Toyota to make Pius packs but not "large format" EV-95. THERE IS NO EV-95 OR SIMILAR BATTERY FOR SALE!!!

You're completely and utterly an ASS, proveably using a STRAWMAN argument.

There is nothing incorrect or ignorant about my previous comment. Toyota is banned from using EV-95 until mid-2010, and other companies like GM still use Chevron-patented NiMH batteries (Cobasys NiMHax is used in the Saturn Vue Green line hybrid). And Nilar is an example of just one company that sells large format NiMH batteries (bi-polar design is outside of the Chevron patent). They even sell modules to individuals.

Actually, until 2014; you need to study. You can't use NiMH in plug-in cars!! Don't you understand that?? Nilar's "bipolar" battery has had problems in at least one plug-in application.