Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

I am going to post pics of my build as it goes along. I have finally chosen all the components

14 2015 nissan leaf cells 14s2p for a total max voltage of 58.8v
a battery assembly kit from evbatterycenter.com(pics below)
the 16 cel bms with monitor from ZEVA in australia. shipping only took 4 days
tc 1800watt charger with canbus
Navitas 600Amp adjustable controller
some very large wire i got from a parted out citation jet

My guess is 40-50 mile max range , close to 30mph and standing wheelies. (just not all three at the same time)

I have attached pictures of the battery assembly kit and the way i had originally assembled the pack to test it. I plan to put the battery laying down and longitudinally to give access to the terminals and move the weight aft a little. More to follow

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

You may want to stick with a stock 235 Amp Curtis RXV controller. Once programmed for performance, it is more powerful than the "600 Amp" Navitas controller, and much more configurable.

Bob

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

Looking forward to watching your build!

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

Following your build!!

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

If you possible, could you list the total investment of the cost of conversion to switch to lithium battieries?
Thanks

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

Lithium packs 71.00 each x 14=1000
charger=270.00
bms with monitor = 515.00
battery assembly kit 180.00


1965.00 total this is for a 120ah pack you could lower it by 500 if you did the 60ah pack instead

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

You can find 14 of the 60 AH Leaf modules for about $80 each. A basic 14 cell BMS and the hardware/relays/connectors/cables can be bought for under $100. So it can be done for less if you shop right and don't mind doing the work yourself.

Once you factor in the efficiency losses of using lead/acid batteries in the RXV, a 60 A/H lithium pack is slightly better than the usable capacity of the average RXV pack.

Here is the start of a lithium conversion that I did to my 2008 RXV...

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...ml#post1505943

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

Where do you find these modules that cheap?

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

I actually meant to write 7 of those modules, which equals 14 cells, for $560. They are available from a couple of sellers on eBay for that price. You just have to verify capacity with the sellers before committing to buy. They buy Nissan Leaf packs and then split them apart and sell the modules.

Please keep in mind to avoid the newer "double 14.4V modules" that were made in recent years. Nissan recently admitted to chemistry issues that caused them to fail prematurely, giving them about a 2 year lifespan regardless of charge cycle count. That is why they went back to the original chemistry in larger capacity modules for the 2018 Leaf packs. I wrote about it in my thread about my purchase of a 2018 Leaf pack.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...quisition.html

Bob

Re: Lithium RXV build with leaf cells
 

I got mine on eBay to $80/module.