2009Batteries/Power forum
Lithium iron phosphate battery technology and feasibility of retrofitting professional battery packs
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Sony developed a cylindrical lithium iron phosphate battery with 1800W/kg power density, 2000+ charge cycle life, and 30-minute rapid charging capability in 2009
- Lithium iron phosphate cells offer longer cycle life and faster recharge times compared to existing nickel-cadmium chemistry
- Retrofitting professional battery packs with different cell chemistry than original design creates serious safety risks because the battery's microprocessor and charging electronics are calibrated for the original chemistry
- Overcharging lithium ion cells beyond 16.8V can cause fire, whereas nickel-cadmium cells tolerate overcharging
- Rapid charging of lithium ion cells requires chargers with significantly higher power supply capacity than existing chargers
- Competing lithium ion technology using Toshiba SCiB cells offered 20-minute charge times but had lower energy density at 65Wh per cell
Depends on
- Information about Sony cells from 2009 press release; commercial availability and current specifications unknown
- Retrofit safety assessment based on theoretical risk analysis rather than documented failure cases
- Competing battery technologies mentioned are from early-stage development and specifications may have changed
- Discussion focuses on professional camera battery packs; applicability to other battery types unclear