Lithium Blue Battery Feedback

I hope that answer doesn't sound patronizing. It is just that I have an electrical background, and know a little about batteries. I am currently building a machine that glues cells together into battery packs for electric cars. There are a helluva lot of cells in a 300V car battery.

It wasn't patronizing at all.  In fact I though it was a good simple explanation of how batteries work.

Yeah, it's a good simple explanation.  It gets way more complicated then that pretty quickly and it's hard to describe why.   

-Allen

I was looking into doing the same thing, and don't really want to wait for something from China.  Would this battery work?
http://www.amazon.com/EZOPower-High-capacity-Rechargable--10000mAh-Blackberry/dp/B005XQSN9G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360872258&sr=8-1&keywords=Li-ion+Super+Rechargeable+Battery+12+V+9800

Can't comment on that.  I bet CraigVM62 or electricianangler can.  But if I didn't want to wait I'd take the full list of things to the local Batteries Plus store.  We have a similar store here in bham called Battery City.  Between that place and the hardware store I bet you could get everything you need without having to wait or pay shipping.

Sorry,   but all I can think about now is how that picture of the sesame-crusted tuna has me drooling...     

That EZOPower unit looks like it would work fine as Sherminator stated.   The only negative thing I can see about it "from what I can make of the photo's" is along with an ON / Off Switch,  there looks to be a voltage 9 / 12 volt selector switch on the side to select the voltage for it's output connection.    The Eagle 350's I use spec to need between 10 and 17 volts.   Worst case is you just need to see if your FF will operate  on 9 volts..... that or just make certain that switch is always in the 12 volt position.

It's charge status LED's and ability to charge / power personal electronics via USB could come in handy at times. 

There are domestic sellers on ebay for the "Blue Brick" batteries, though they do charge a bit more than the overseas sellers.

Most importantly .....
Rory,
Recipe ?

I'll post in recipes. I can't claim it, it's my gf's!

Craig-My Eagle 300 will operate down into the lower 9 volt range according to the display on the FF.   I do not often like to do it. It only happens when I forget to recharge the batteries. 

Rory-  We did sesame seed crusted tuna with the tuna you gave.  It was delicious.  I love showing up to work with the left-overs and eating it in front of a guy I work with that has been eating PP&J sandwiches for lunch for the last 10 years I have worked with him. 

Oh man, does that mean you're the guy that reheats tuna in the microwave at work?   

Oh man, does that mean you're the guy that reheats tuna in the microwave at work?   

Absolutely.  Every once in a while I may even break out the kippered snacks, too.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7606.0

It's a long thread, but in there is the original and still valid info from the early adopters.  I have my blue brick mounted in the rear hatch gear bucket on my Revo13.  Perfect use for the rear hatch gear bucket on your Adventure.

I'm remodling my Adventure and part of the plan is to streamline my sounder and battery. In particular the battery mounting/wiring etc.  Really close to ordering one of the "blue" batteries.  Any feedback or advice from you early adopters.  Was it a good move?  Problems?  any advice?   lessons learned?

Mine worked fine at first, but shortly after it stopped putting out the correct voltage; it would output ~7V.  It ships from China on the slow boat so returning it for a new one really wasn't a cost effective option.  I ended up tearing off the blue shrink wrap and inspecting it closely.  I found that the individual cells are connected together with what appears to be foil tape and some very thin wire.  I found that one of those solder joints had been broken (probably when I dropped it); it was a simple repair and now it works great (minus the blue shrink wrap).

So it works great, last a long time, and is very light; however, it's not nearly as robust as the lead acid gel cell.

Thanks for the tip! I had the same problem and just ripped it apart to find the same piece broken. It had been dropped.

Am I the only one using the newest Lithium Iron Phosphate battery (LiFePo4) battery?

This is NOT the same thing as the Lithium Ion batteries that have been around.. or even the "newish" Lithium Manganese (like the Torqueedo uses).

The last think I want is a melt-down or fire in my kayak! Everything I am reading is telling me this is the way to go- (Much safer!) Definately agree that you have to include the cost of the propper charger to fit the battery.

Like from these guys?: http://lifepo4.info/lifepo4.html

I have seen a good number of "LiPo Battery catches fire" videos on YouTube.  Then there is the issue that Boeing has had.    All the issues I am aware of involved when the batteries were being charged.  Has anyone heard of an issue of when the batteries were just being utilized / discharged and completely removed from the charging source when overheating / failure took place ?

Like from these guys?: http://lifepo4.info/lifepo4.html

Yup! Those are the ones! NOT the same as the LiPo's everyone is talking about exploding or catching fire... Not that I am aware of anyway.

At the risk of a hijack on this thread, I thought I would pose the question since it seems this is the leading concern for most people, and I suspect there is much confusion that this problem lies with all Lithium batteries. I took the plunge on a 36Ah LiFePo4, and so far extreemly impressed! time will be the true test.

I believe most people are referring to Lithium Polymer when they say "Li-Po's" instead of LiFePo4's.

Yeh Jeff i think you're right..

I really don't have anything to add to this thread other than for those interested in going the light weight battery route, but do not want to deal with ordering, waiting, constructing....  Check out the Classifieds section of this forum.    It can be your chance to get one ready to go and most importantly, help the Heroes On The Water Program.