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How is that any different than adding a fuel cell to an ice which has similar constraints? Couldn't an aftermarket battery pack be made that has all the requisi

How is that any different than adding a fuel cell to an ice which has similar constraints? Couldn't an aftermarket battery pack be made that has all the requisite fire protection built into the case (again, similar to fuel cells)?

therealx 7y ago
Or have a battery that's shaped like a fuel tank? Maybe you won't get the same range as battery all over but it's prob enough for most people?
- Hamuko 7y ago
  You're probably get an awful range out of a fuel tank shaped and sized battery pack.
- newnewpdro 7y ago
  Not sure why you're being downvoted. In the future when battery energy densities are a multiple of current gen we'll definitely have gas tank form factor batteries for restomods. Today the range would be pretty bad though, but probably fine for a classic car grocery getter or trailer/show queen.
- deelowe 7y ago
  I think the bigger concern is fire protection, which is already a solved problem with fuel cells. Shouldn't be too different for batteries.
- phs318u 7y ago
  I suspect the aversion to a more blocky shape (higher volume/surface-area ratio), has to do with heat dissipation, which if I recall correctly, improves with surface-area. EDIT: hence the flatter/thinner batteries we see in EVs.
  - chipsa 7y ago
    That actually mostly doesn't matter for most batteries. Most EV batteries are actively cooled/heated with fluid moving inside. So the heat dissipation occurs in the radiator for the battery, not at the surface of the battery. We see flat batteries because sticking the battery at the bottom of the car helps with weight distribution and handling.
- elihu 7y ago
  That's actually something I'm working on right now. I'm trying to convert a Mazda RX-8, which has a weird gas tank that goes up and over the drive shaft. I think I can get about half my battery back where the gas tank was (which is right under the back seats). I'm not sure where all the rest are going to go, but probably most will be in the engine compartment somewhere. I could also use the space where the muffler was, but I'd have to make sure there's enough weight in the front of the car to offset it.
p1mrx 7y ago
> adding a fuel cell to an ice For anyone as confused as I was: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_tank#Racing_fuel_cell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_tank#Racing_fuel_cell
- SturgeonsLaw 7y ago
  It's one of my pet peeves that in the racing world "fuel cell" means "hardened fuel tank" instead of "solid state fuel oxidising power generator". Particularly as fuel cell engines have been researched.
elihu 7y ago
For electric conversions, Lithium iron phosphate batteries are popular in part because they're less likely to catch on fire if you puncture them, short them, overcharge them, or otherwise abuse them.

therealx 7y ago

Or have a battery that's shaped like a fuel tank? Maybe you won't get the same range as battery all over but it's prob enough for most people?

Hamuko 7y ago
You're probably get an awful range out of a fuel tank shaped and sized battery pack.
newnewpdro 7y ago
Not sure why you're being downvoted. In the future when battery energy densities are a multiple of current gen we'll definitely have gas tank form factor batteries for restomods. Today the range would be pretty bad though, but probably fine for a classic car grocery getter or trailer/show queen.
deelowe 7y ago
I think the bigger concern is fire protection, which is already a solved problem with fuel cells. Shouldn't be too different for batteries.
phs318u 7y ago
I suspect the aversion to a more blocky shape (higher volume/surface-area ratio), has to do with heat dissipation, which if I recall correctly, improves with surface-area. EDIT: hence the flatter/thinner batteries we see in EVs.
- chipsa 7y ago
  That actually mostly doesn't matter for most batteries. Most EV batteries are actively cooled/heated with fluid moving inside. So the heat dissipation occurs in the radiator for the battery, not at the surface of the battery. We see flat batteries because sticking the battery at the bottom of the car helps with weight distribution and handling.
elihu 7y ago
That's actually something I'm working on right now. I'm trying to convert a Mazda RX-8, which has a weird gas tank that goes up and over the drive shaft. I think I can get about half my battery back where the gas tank was (which is right under the back seats). I'm not sure where all the rest are going to go, but probably most will be in the engine compartment somewhere. I could also use the space where the muffler was, but I'd have to make sure there's enough weight in the front of the car to offset it.

p1mrx 7y ago

> adding a fuel cell to an ice For anyone as confused as I was: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_tank#Racing_fuel_cell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_tank#Racing_fuel_cell

SturgeonsLaw 7y ago
It's one of my pet peeves that in the racing world "fuel cell" means "hardened fuel tank" instead of "solid state fuel oxidising power generator". Particularly as fuel cell engines have been researched.

elihu 7y ago

For electric conversions, Lithium iron phosphate batteries are popular in part because they're less likely to catch on fire if you puncture them, short them, overcharge them, or otherwise abuse them.