Future FRC Technologies?

[pilleya]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

I'm new to LiFePO4, is this the type of battery people are thinking of?

http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo4-prismatic-battery-12-8v-20ah-256wh-10c-rate-24-0---un38-3-passed-dgr.aspx

There are two main types(most commonly used) of LiFePO4 cells 18650’s and A123’s

Laptop Batteries, cordless tool batteries(lithium ones), Tesla car’s etc.
Use 18650 cells.18650 cells look like big AA batteries.

The safety of 18650 cells is well documented, like all high capacity batteries they have the potential to be very dangerous. Most battery packs which use them, such as in laptops or cordless tools, have a lot of protection/safety measures built in to prevent problems. If FRC was to move towards LiFePO4 batteries, for safety reasons I would say that the some elements of the electrical system would have to be redesigned, to limit the potential for injury/error.

I would definitely not suggest using the battery that you linked as it is made up of 4 large single 3.2v 20a/h cells rather than conventional small cells.That battery is only capable of providing 40 amps continuously, so I believe it wouldn’t be suitable for FRC purposes.