New High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery From Mastervolt

by Andrew Wilson on 10 Feb 2009
New High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery From Mastervolt -Smaller, Lighter, and Better Value Than Lead Acid.

Mastervolt has developed the World’s first practical high capacity Lithium-ion battery that can be used as a direct replacement for big lead-acid battery banks on boats. This innovative new product is smaller, lighter, more efficient and has three times longer life cycle expectancy than its lead-acid equivalent.

Popular in consumer products such as mobile phones, cameras and laptop computers, the Li-Ion battery has an un-matched energy-to-weight ratio but until now has only been available, in a useable format, in small capacities.

Mastervolt’s engineers have developed a much larger capacity battery that can be used to replace engine-starting or deep-cycle domestic supply batteries aboard a boat or in other mobile applications. It features a unique Battery Management System that ensures the battery can be safely and correctly charged. The system includes Bi-directional Active Cell balancing which works during charging and discharging to adjust the energy levels in each cell to remain within safe parameters.

The battery also has more obvious practical features for easy installation, such as integrated carrying handles, shielded connection posts and ducting within the top cover to neatly stow the connection cabling.

Commenting on the introduction of the innovative new battery, John de Rijk, Technical Director, Mastervolt International BV commented, 'This is a dramatic technological breakthrough. With boats being fitted with more and more electrical items, the size and weight of the required large banks of lead-acid batteries has become more difficult to accommodate. Lithium-Ion offers an alternative that is suitable for so many boats - from racing yachts trying to keep unwanted weight to a minimum, to the emerging market of hybrid boats.'

The Mastervolt Li-Ion battery also offers excellent value for money. Although three times more expensive than an equivalent lead-acid gel battery, the Li-Ion could have a cycle life three times greater and therefore should work out to be no more expensive in the long run.

What’s more, Li-Ion is more efficient. It has 15% higher efficiency, which means it doesn’t take as long to charge as its lead-acid cousin – saving fuel and time and maybe even allowing to use a smaller generator!

To achieve specified cycle life, a lead/acid battery should be designed at a 50% discharge rate, whereas a Li-Ion battery can safely use up to 80% of its capacity before needing recharging. What this means in practice is that Mastervolt’s new 24V/160Ah Lithium-Ion battery, weighing only 40kg, is a suitable replacement for two 12V/200Ah (in series to provide 24V) lead-acid gel batteries weighing 140kg!

Smaller, lighter, and better value for money – Mastervolt’s Li-Ion is the new battery technology that makes sense.

Specification:
Capacity: 160Ah/24V
Weight: 40kg
Size: 200 (D) x 600 (L) x 340 (H) mm
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Australian Distributor:
Power Protection Solutions P/L
30 Beach St, Kippa-Ring QLD 4021
Telephone: 07 3283-7800. Fax: 07 3283-7811
Email: office(at)powersolutions.com.au
Web: www.powersolutions.com.au