We'll excuse his typo as long as he's not doing that to important specs like voltage and capacity
Seriously though, my brain is already ticking over thinking about what I can do with them.
I was doing some investigative work into LiFePO4 type cells for use in the ROP 2C, however the A123 cells are too long - they need a 3C ROP.
Conventional lithium ion cells sag very heavily under high discharge rates too, plus I am currently running 2x18650 unprotected LG Chem cells in mine. This was the original design when I first dreamed up the ROP in 2C.
I'm aware there are now protected C size lithium ions, but why bother with protecting a potentially unstable chemistry when I can simply switch to an inherently-safe chemistry?
(actually there is one good reason: compatibility with existing Li-ion 4.2V charger equipment).
So I think there is a continued market for conventional 4.2V Li technology, but for those who have A123/LiFePO4 capable chargers, the new Li-Fe cells are a great substitute for ROPs. One of the things that has always bugged me is the goal of a 'safer ROP'. The original NiMH based ROP design was very safe due to its use of NiMH cells, and I have always hoped to find a way to make the lithium ROP safer.
Li-ion drops to 6.5-7V under a 4A draw from the ROP, even from a fresh charge (8.4V). The voltage drop surprised me, I knew it would drop, but not THIS much.
A123 cells can deliver 3.25V at a TEN amp draw according to their datasheets. That's 6.5V right there - so no
effective output loss despite reduction in maximum voltage. This would apply, assuming Kai's Li-Fe cells perform in a similar way.
I'd be interested in trying some of these cells, unfortunately life is making things difficult for me and I'll only be able to start playing with my lights again in December. But keep me informed.. I am definitely interested. Depending on the price of course, I'd want 2-4 cells.
