Aftermarket iMiEV battery upgrade project

[Pierantoine]

Thanks but what is your 60Ah ?
They also have a NCM 3.68v 78Ah ( 150mm X W40mm X H98mm) , that fits in the LEV dimensions.

[Pierantoine]

First work should be adapting the temperature sensor to another cell.

[mark_hetho]

I can't find the 78Ah model you refer to, but those dimensions seem ideal, and 78Ah would be a good step up without wasting too much if the BMS only recognises 60ah.

[jonescg]

3.6V60Ah-NMC.pdf

(190.09 KiB) Downloaded 160 times

[Pierantoine]

I can't find the 78Ah model you refer to, but those dimensions seem ideal, and 78Ah would be a good step up without wasting too much if the BMS only recognises 60ah.

You are right, everything doesn't seem to be on their website but they have it ! It is made by LiYuan.

[Pierantoine]

And what do you think of that https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/ ... abb1m2ubNA

No.  Items                    Specifications
1    Nominal Voltage          3.7V
2    Nominal Capacity         72Ah
3    Standard Charge Current  0.2C
4    Max. Charge Current      1C
5    Continuous Discharge Current 2C
6    Peak Discharge Current   4C
7    Charge Cut-off Voltage   4.2V
8    Discharge Cut-off Voltage 2.75V
9    Inner Resistance         0.5mΩ-1mΩ
10   Weight                   1.25kg
11   Dimension                Length: 91mm
                              Width: 149mm
                              Thickness:  38mm
12   Operating Temperature    Charging: 0°C ~ 45°C
                              Discharging: -20°C ~ 55°C
13   Storage Temperature      optimal store temperature of 23 ± 5°C for long term storage
14   Life Cycle               >2500 times

[ Edited Coulomb: formatting for readability ]

[Pierantoine]

3.6V60Ah-NMC.pdf

Thanks for the datasheet...
Size : (L148x H133x W27mm)

The height is about 20mm more than the original, Does it fit ?
What are the real maximum dimensions we can accept ?

[jonescg]

That should only matter for the ones sitting right-way-up in the middle of the battery pack. All others are normally on their sides, but these can be made to work standing upright.

[Pierantoine]

Chinese batteries always charge max to 1C...
The BMS of the miev charge at 125A for several minutes.
Hard to find a battery that takes this in the bev2 format.

[Pierantoine]

If the miev could be the first open source car it would be easier to make the right firmware and update and upgrade it every day !

[elamigo]

Hello,
I doing similar mod with 18650 cells. Did you finished it?

[jonescg]

No, but I am about to start fitting these cells to the iMiEV battery tray. How did your cells work out?

[tonyw]

Chris,
Seriously looking forward to hearing how you get on with this project. The battery in my 2010 car is now down to about 80 km range and I will need a rework plan soon. Pity we are so far apart or else I could help.

[nuggetgalore]

Chris,
Seriously looking forward to hearing how you get on with this project. The battery in my 2010 car is now down to about 80 km range and I will need a rework plan soon. Pity we are so far apart or else I could help.

Same here, just today I did a few errands (84 km) and ended up with 6 km on the guessometer from full charge .But it was all in slowish traffic,pleasant warm day.
I get probably 20 or so km less with a bit of freeway at 100 km/h and even less on a cold miserable day (yes we get those in Melbourne,lol).
Very keen to learn how those cells fit and perform.
Maybe have to offer Chris a free trip to the eastern states to do a few retro fits.....
there is always a spare room here.

[jonescg]

I'm still yet to really clear a space and get started, and at some point I won't be able to proceed unless I have a working pack in front of me, but I plan on using the 60 Ah cells like so:

20191123_141528.jpg (212.41 KiB) Viewed 3285 times

The difficulty will be making sure the BMS sits neatly on top, and all the main conductors can link together without a fuss.

[tonyw]

Will they fit into the plastic baskets, or will you have to support them with a bespoke container?
Is that an empty basket sitting on top in that picture?
[Replace "Basket" with your preferred description]

[jonescg]

No, its going to need a custom basket. I might just ust threaded rods and aluminum extrusion.

[dracekvo]

Whot mean about this solution?
https://elektroauto-forum.de/kleinanzei ... werden.93/

One LEV50 = 25pcs 18650. On DC charging 5A on one cell. How long will be works?

Any way how to hack DC chademo and limit him to 30kW?

My battery have 30.9Ah after 74 kkm. Year 2012. I mean, battery replace solution is close for me. My range is now about 70-80 km. I install petrol heater for winter driving.

[Pierantoine]

Congratulations I really want to see next steps and first tests !

[nuggetgalore]

Happy New Year all round.
I'm hoping the first of the cell replacement iMiEVs gets off the *assembly line* this year.
Very much interested in how it performs and then decide if I go ahead with mine.
Wished I still lived in Perth (although wonder if it is still the best capital city in Oz as it was in the late sixties early seventies) and could contribute to the refurbishing job.
Cheer,good health and good luck.

[jonescg]

Well it's gets rolling in the next few weeks. The Prelude has left my shed so there's room to start work now.
I'll be sure to keep you all informed.
Chris

[Sattva Ram]

https://youtu.be/9iEJBpOfoI4

According to the uploader in this vid the Imiev is even trickier than the leaf. It very well may be that the cells need to be paired. I am not familiar with the miev's bms but when you replace the cells make sure to never disconnect the old cell before the new is connected so the whole thing remains under voltage during the process cause when the bms senses cells being disconnected with zero voltage it might go berserk. Good luck. I am looking forward to the results.

[AstroTim]

I also have an iMiev (2010) with about 75km of real world range left. I am following this thread with interest, and also exploring other options to upgrade through a local EV conversion company. I'm going to find out if there's any benefit to upgrading multiple iMievs at the same time . . .

[nuggetgalore]

Welcome AstroTim to the 2010 iMiEV 75 km club.
Your suggestion makes sense.
Where are you located? I am in Melbourne, some times wished I was in Perth,have very fond memories.
Cheers

[jonescg]

Well only 5 pages in and I can finally say I'm starting work on Roger Groom's car. Sadly, Roger passed away last September, but his wife Pauline is still driving it and is keen to upgrade to the new high energy density cells. Car is delivered on Saturday and I've set myself a month to get it repacked with these LiYuan 60 Ah NMC cells. Expect lots of questions. From me.