It appears I wasn't watching Valence as closely as I should of. There now producing full sized Phoshate Li-ion batteries in the same basic sizes that lead acid are produced. I've been waiting for this for years.
http://www.valence.com/products/ucharge_overview.html
"Providing Greater Performance, Safety and Reliability
Traditionally, the motive industry has relied on Lead-acid batteries to power devices such as wheelchairs, scooters, electric bikes, marine vehicles and more because Lead-acid was the only choice. The Valence Lithium Phosphate U-Charge® Power System Family is changing that! Today, the U-Charge® system is conveniently packaged in standard Lead-acid sizes ideally suited for a variety of motive applications. Valence Lithium Phosphate U-Charge® systems combine superior performance, safety and reliability offering consumers advanced technology over current Lead-acid battery solutions.Superior Performance Over Lead-Acid Batteries:
- 33% lighter with twice the run-time
- Longer shelf life and faster recharge time
- Smart battery monitoring and internal cell balancing
- No Lead-acid leaks
Lower Overall Cost Of Ownership
- Intrinsic phosphate safety that protects against abusive situations.
- Environmentally friendly, no heavy metals or disposal issues.
- High energy efficiency with no memory effect.
- Lower lifetime costs due to low maintenance and high cycle life.
Technology Comparison
| U24 U-Charge® System Performance | Standard Lead-acid | Technology Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Voltage | 12.8V | 12V | 6% higher |
| Capacity (Ah@ C/2) | 100 | 45.6 | 2.2X |
| Nominal Energy (Wh) | 1280 | 528 | 2.4X |
| Dimensions | Group 24 | Group 24 | Equivalent |
| Nominal Weight (kg) | 15.8 | 24.5 | 35% lighter" |
Regards,
Brent Hartwig