NexPower V2.5 Lithium-ion Pack 6 Month Review.

I wanted to try this pack out with half the weight and 2x the range. It sure does both after owning it now. I pulled my good original battery of 12 years and 130k miles out to give to my Nephew who bought a Prius C with 200k miles from a family friend but needed a battery. It was still in very good shape showing 78% capacity. A lot having to do with me running the batt fan at speed 6 full time and pointing the AC down to keep cool air going to the batt intake.

Anyhow, very noticeable improvement. Drains much slower with the AC for one thing. Also, gets better regen. I did upgrade the bus bars to copper to make sure I get the lower resistance. Before once the bat heated up, it would take in less energy and not regen as strong. I can see it in the Dr Prius app also. The other nice benefits is that the new batt runs cooler. 10-15F on average. It also gives full power almost all the time unless you really drain the batt compared to the NiMH. For MPG was getting 50 mpg on the last tank before changing hand calculated. Now I see 54mpg or more. Mainly due being able to take in more energy but the better regen. Possible also the lower resistance.

Now NexPower is doing Sodium-ion. While they will be heaver and less energy dense. They are cheaper and work better in the cold and are reliable in chemistry. They are also releasing at GT higher performing version which they say will beat the old lithium packs in MPG. Id like to see what others say on that. In the mean time at least this pack is very light and more energy dense.

Anyhow, Im happy I did the swap. I will report back if I have issues or at my 20 year anniversary in 8 years @ 2032 for another update.

 

Sodium is about 3x heavier then lithium. "The energy density of sodium ion batteries is lower. It is only 100-150Wh/kg, while the energy density of lithium energy is 120-180Wh/kg. This means that for batteries of the same size, sodium-ion batteries can store much less energy than lithium-ion batteries."

These are the fundamentals. There are pros to Sodium though in cost and reliability. If it weigh less and has 2x the range like the lithium does that would be awesome. It also says better MPG then the lithium. Once more people use it they will post on it

 

It's good to hear but here is a chart from NexPower. Also, no claims are made that the Sodium-ion is lighter then the Lithium.-ion on Nexpower site.

Notice the recognizable capacity is much higher on the Lithium-ion then the V3GT. NexPower says the GT gives better MPG just like your saying due to lower IR on the GT but here it shows 10 milli-ohm for Lithium and 15 for the GT?

Anyhow overall I think the Durability is better for the consumer and issues in the cold. For me I don't see temps at 32F or less and I run my bat fan on full speed 6 to keep things cool so I rather go with the Lithium if it lasts 10 years to 80% capacity. I would be happy.

 

Thats

Relax take a deep breath lol I said that's good to hear but they don't mention it. They should add that it's light or show the weight different. I suspect the non GT to be heavier.

I found it after going threw the site more.

Weight Advantage

"The typical hybrid NiMH battery weighs roughly 80 lbs. NexPower's sodium-ion pack, on average, weighs closer to half of your OEM pack, presenting a significantly lighter alternative."

 

The old casing looked 3d printed and a type of plastic. The new ones are also plastic? If so they would be a little lighter due to honeycomb vs non but sodium is heaver then lithium.

 

Here are the challenges before for the broad user. From Nexpower site

"Q: no more lithium-ion? what happened to the Project Lithium ?

A: The lithium project failed due to price fluctuations and a lack of durability. Several methods were discovered that could accelerate the degradation of the lithium battery. These methods include:

1. Extreme heat and cold environment (over 140F, under 30F degree)

2. Keeping the gear in neutral for long periods, which drains the battery completely and damage the lithium cells.

3. Corrosion in the wire harness or a loose nut at the terminal, leading to an imbalance in voltage readings and triggering the computer to overcharge the battery in an attempt to balance the pack.

All the above issues have been solved with the new sodium-ion technology."

Me personal 1. Is a none issue. I don't see 32F and so far in the 110F temp outside with AC running I saw 90F bat temp. As mentioned I run the battery fan at speed 6 and I point the AC or Air down and forward so that the duct below the seat is flowing cold air for the bat fan intake to take in. I also have the rear shock cover off because I found that more heat comes out that way since it is a shorter path.

2. I never would keep it neutral for a long period but I can see how some people would kill the bat like that. The Sodium-ion according to Nexpower doesn't get hurt.

3. None issue because I put new copper bus bars. When I told Jack which ones I was buying, he said those were the good ones.


These can be big issues in the mass scale with many variables. That is great that sodium-ion will make this more reliable.

About #3 loose but at the terminal. With the GT this can still be issue since you need to connect the wiring harness. I did torque mine to factory I think it was 6 ft/lbs but don't remember but it was the one listed in the OEM manual page I found. .

 

Oh shut up you stupid idiot. What are you even talking about spelling mistakes troll and nonsense bullshit.

This is open discussion and EVERTHING will be talked about.

 

Found this for those interested. https://priusapp.com/images/document/LexusCT200h_V2.5_vs_stockNiMH.pdf lots of info.

 

I absolute can. If anyone calls me names Ill respond in kind it's a simple as that.

Now back to the important things. Ok for the honeycomb I understand it's light due to honeycomb holes but that would think that would make a few lbs of difference because its plastic. Sodium is heavier then lithium. Curious to know how else it is able to keep weight down.

 

I absolute will respond anyone in kind if anyone does ANY name calling towards me or any smearing or BS around. Especially unprovoked false accusations towards me.

Now let's continue the discussion. I would need to talk to Jack about it then and see. I know the image is from Jack but still curious on how it is possible just from lighter housings alone when sodium is 3x more weight then lithium in its mineral state.

Also since the GT has less effective capacity over lithium, It fills quick and drains quick. The only draw back to that would be as Nexpower mentions longer dissent can filling the pack quicker. So no space to store under that circumstance and energy goes to waste. Not common I know but something to note.

 

It's

Its fine little man. Life goes on regardless were going to be fine.

5.6 AH for Lithium-ion pack vs 2.1AH for the Sodium-ion effective capacity. It's a big difference I would say but your seeing more MPG over the Lithium so there is that no matter the numbers. Once more users get there hands on the GT and talk about, it will be interesting to see heavy AC users are getting like in Las Vegas heat.