A123 super battery
 

I have an older motor home that has a big Ford V8 motor.
When I last put it in storage I left the A/C blower on and ruined the battery.
I made several attempts to start it with jumper cables from my car with no luck even after I hooked it up and let it run for 1/2 hour.
I had heard of using A123 batteries to jump start a motor. Since I had several batteries that I have pulled from an airplane I decided to try them. I made up a 5s2p pack. I used 5s since A123's drop to 2.7 V/cell under a heavy load for a total of 13.5 V.
It started the motor right up.
So far I have started that motor 4 times with that pack. The battery in the mh won't come up to voltage even after 1/2 hour run.
I think a 5s1p pack would do it.
Since A123's can be stored fully charged and have very little self discharge they make a very good back up for a car battery.

RE: A123 super battery
 

Nah, I don't think so. The charging system on a car engine is designed to keep a lead acid battery in proper working order. An A123 would be ruined in short order in that application. With the push to make cars lighter these days, if there was a usable substitute for the lead acid battery it would be in use by now. You killed your lead battery because you left something on. A123's or just about anything else would have been ruined that way too, so going with a different battery technology wouldn't help. What would help is a battery tender for your RV to keep the battery up while you're not using it.

RE: A123 super battery
 

I think he means that one could keep a pack of A123's in the car for an emergency starter battery, not as a replacement, but something to jump start the car. I could be wrong, but I think that is what he means.

Jon

RE: A123 super battery
 

I've never taken one apart but given the charge and holding a charge charachteristics, I wouldn't be shocked if thats whats in those little portable jumper cable kits.

RE: A123 super battery
 

You are correct. Go to the head of the class!
You could keep it in your glove compartment.

RE: A123 super battery
 

A car or a MH doesn t need a battery to run,,, just for starting,,, thats what the Alternator is for. Vehicle batteries are an accessory to the electrical system,,,


BV

RE: A123 super battery
 

It makes perfect sense for an emergency unit. Sorry to have misunderstood.

RE: A123 super battery
 

Some, not all. Some alternators are not self-exciting, so they won't keep the motor running without a 12V source.