New Product: Aliant Ultralight Lithium Batteries: 7 lb. 5 inch square!

[jritt@essex]

Happy New Year Gents,
Many of you have probably seen my AP Racing brake thread, but Essex Parts Services does more than just brakes. We are now the exclusive importer and distributor of a great new lightweight battery solution, Aliant Ultralight Lithium Batteries. These batteries are manufactured in Italy and use lithium iron phosphate technology. They offer a wide range of benefits...huge weight savings, high cranking power, tiny footprint, 30 minute full recharge time, can be mounted in any position, not subject to fire, corrosion, etc. Pictures, specs, and frequently asked questions are all below, and feel free to check out our site for more details. You can also feel free to call us, PM me, or email me at any time. Thanks for looking.

The most appropriate model for the E90/92 M3 is the Aliant X8. The X8 weighs only 7 lbs., and is under 6 inches square! That means it will drop a huge amount of weight from your car, and you can mount it just about anywhere.
You can read all about it on our site.


Aliant X8

Full Specs
Model= X8
Nominal voltage=13,2 V
Pb Equivalent Capacity=18.4 Ah
Pulse discharge current=960 A (10 s)
Cold crank amps CCA @ -20°C=800 A
Max. discharge current=560 A
Recommended charge current=24 A @ 77°F
Max. charge current=40 A @ 77°F
Life cycle=1000 cicli @ 100% D.o.d.2000 cicli @ 80% D.o.d.
Life expectancy=up to 5-7 years
Charging voltage=14,4 V
Max. charging voltage=14,6 V
Weight≈ 3.24 Kg or 7.14 lbs.
Dimensions [mm]=L 5.83" x 5.28W " x H 5.51"
Ambient temperature=-22°F / +140°F [ operation and storage ]
Max. operational altitude=16,404 feet

How Do I Mount It?
We know that it can be tough to find an appropriate mounting solution for aftermarket batteries, so we came up with an awesome one of our own. We made it as light as possible, strong, versatile, attractive, and affordable. You can see full details on our site.

Features:
Billet Aluminum Construction- 6061-T1 billet aluminum= strong, compact, and extremely lightweight
Anodized Coating- Black Type 2 anodizing ensures that your mount will look great at install, and for many years to come.
Compact Footprint- Every ounce of unnecessary material has been removed, leaving you with a mount that presents a small footprint and weighs next to nothing.
Secure Mounting- The aluminum retaining strap secures firmly to the base and is lined with a super-resilient, quick recovery foam lining to ensure the battery will not move around on the base.
Wide Array of Mounting Options- With over a dozen potential contact points, you will have no problem finding a hardware configuration to secure your mounting base to the vehicle. All hardware required to properly install your mount is included with the kit, as well as some extras, just in case.




Aliant X8 Battery Mounted


Aliant X8 Battery Mount


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please read the FAQ carefully, as it is very important to be aware of the Pro's and Con's of the technology in Aliant Batteries. Even a premium product such as this can disappoint an owner if the technology isn't used properly. Even though Aliant lithium batteries are made with best-in-class materials, contain UL certified cells, and are based on safe Lithium Iron Phosphate chemistry, that does not mean that they can be misused, abused, or shorted.

• Is it necessary to modify the vehicle in order to install this type of battery?
No, the Aliant battery is perfectly adapted to directly replace the current vehicle battery - either a lead battery, an AGM battery or any other lithium battery.
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• What happens when the Aliant battery is completely discharged?
It depends how much it has been discharged: if the voltage is well above 8 Volts, it is sufficient to use the Aliant battery charger to fully recharge the battery. If the voltage is below 8Volts, then it is better to NOT try recharging the battery as it could be irreparably damaged. While recharging, the cells inside can overheat, and this can be dangerous.
________________________________________
• Do I need to do anything with the battery while my car is sitting idle?
The battery should be disconnected from your vehicle when it is not in use (it is also possible to disconnect a cable or to install a master switch for the battery / isolator). In fact, if the battery is not disconnected from the electrical circuit of the vehicle, its life cycle will reduce considerably due to current drain from the vehicle's electrical circuit. You shouldn't forget that a vehicle is never completely turned off. Even though battery maintenance is not necessary, it is IMPORTANT to disconnect the vehicle cables from the battery terminals. Otherwise the lithium battery will be TOTALLY DISCHARGED in 3-4 weeks.
________________________________________
• How does an Aliant battery perform?
Our batteries offer superior performance to the traditional lead batteries you are replacing, i.e. the motor will start faster and in a more reliable way. In practice, the cold crank amp current (CCA) of an Aliant battery is always higher than the equivalent value of the battery you are replacing, so you shouldn't expect any problems starting your car.
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• Can I leave my car in the garage for the entire season and then hope it will start on first attempt?
We cannot guarantee that it will happen this way! We can, however, assert that there are two factors that give lithium batteries an edge in this area compared to lead batteries: Limited self-discharge - the value of self-discharge is less than 0,3% per day, so a fully charged battery has up to 11 months autonomy if disconnected from the electrical circuit. A lithium battery also has better reaction to temperature vs. lead acid. However, a compatible maintainer is always recommended to protect your lithium battery.
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• Why is the Ah performance for Aliant batteries lower than the lead batteries being replaced?
The lithium technology we use is able to produce more current with less material compared to the chemical reaction of lead acid, thus the same cold crank amp current can be reached with less ampere per hour (Ah) - and the battery is smaller and lighter.
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• Is it possible to install the battery on one side of the vehicle?
Because they do not contain any liquids, Aliant batteries can be installed in any position - even upside down. However, it is recommended to keep the battery away from exhaust and from other sources of high temperature in order to avoid overheating. Furthermore, ALIANT battery housings are of plastic material - comparable to those of traditional batteries - so the direct contact with metal parts that might reach temperatures of > 248°F can cause problems
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• How can I order a battery with inverted polarity - positive terminal on the right side?
All Aliant batteries have the positive terminal on the left side and it is not possible to order products with a different configuration. But this does NOT represent a limitation - the compact form and the reduced dimensions allow to install the battery turning it by 180° so that the positive terminal will be on the required side and the battery can be correctly connected to the electrical circuit of your vehicle.
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• Can I use any ordinary battery charger?
Generally speaking NO . Always check compatible chargers and maintainers on our website.
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• Do I need a battery maintainer for the winter period or for longer idle times?
If you disconnect the cables of your car, you do not need it. If you keep connected then YES use a maintainer.
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• Do lithium batteries work similarly to traditional batteries at low temperatures?
If "low temperature" is intended as ambient temperature, i.e. temperatures of 32°F or above, there is no problem. If "low temperature" is referred to temperatures between -22°F and 32°F, you need to consider the following: MOST BATTERIES - lithium, lead, gel,... - are temperature sensitive and an important reduction of the starting capacity occurs at low temperatures. ALIANT batteries are not an exception: during a start operation in the winter we recommend to check if the battery is in good condition and at least partially charged (>75%). Start the electrical system of the vehicle and leave the dimmed headlights on for 2-3 minutes to let the battery partially heat up, then try to start the motor.
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• What is the proper way to dispose of these batteries?
Regulations vary from country to country and state to state. Even though ALIANT batteries comply with the restrictive RoHS regulations, they are nevertheless still batteries. We recommend that you take your used up Aliant battery to your nearest battery collection and disposal center.

[warp10]

Pm pricing for battery and holder. Thx

[Groundpilot]

What is the price?

[pbonsalb]

It may be like a Rolls, if you have to ask you can't afford it.

[Groundpilot]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

It may be like a Rolls, if you have to ask you can't afford it.

Most of us can afford $1000 battery, but very few will actually buy it

[jritt@essex]

We're not supposed to post pricing in the technical discussion forum. There are many links in my post to check pricing on our website.

Most of us can afford $1000 battery, but very few will actually buy it

Shaving weight becomes a game of diminishing returns. After you've gone through the low hanging fruit places to save weight (wheels, exhaust, etc.), each pound becomes more expensive to shed. Some people may not like the price, but we've been selling them at steady clip, so others do see the value.


Here's a pic next to an iPhone to show how small the X8 is.

[Richbot]

If weight savings is the goal this is some of the best bang for the buck ever.

Same with the Voltphreaks deal.

Do these have internal electronics to prevent UV/OV conditions?

[wrecklessfool]

For those just interested in pricing, these figures were pulled from their site and includes the battery at $999.00 and custom mounting bracket at $145.00 for a total of $1,144.

[Groundpilot]

Originally Posted by Richbot

If weight savings is the goal this is some of the best bang for the buck ever.

If weight savings is the goal, taking so much weight out of the rear of the car, along with exhaust, rear seats, ect. may upset the balance of the car, especially when nothing really can be taken out of the front. In my case, about 50 pounds was added to the front, and thats with only stage one SC kit. Intercooled kits add about 80 pounds. So, what i am trying to say here is, we have to be carefull about weight reduction mostly coming from the back, especially for SCed cars.

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

If weight savings is the goal, taking so much weight out of the rear of the car, along with exhaust, rear seats, ect. may upset the balance of the car, especially when nothing really can be taken out of the front. In my case, about 50 pounds was added to the front, and thats with only stage one SC kit. Intercooled kits add about 80 pounds. So, what i am trying to say here is, we have to be carefull about weight reduction mostly coming from the back, especially for SCed cars.

I see this posted every time. Losing ~50lb from outside the wheelbase isn't going to ruin the balance of the car. Weight outside the wheelbase has a big impact on the moment around the center of gravity which is not good for handling, picture a pendulum. Based on my own corner weights this would change cross weights less than 0.3% and front/rear bias less than 2%. This is an easy thing to tune around with ride height and cross weights. Put it this way; if a mustang with 56% front bias and a stick axle can be made to handle well, so can an M3.

[surlynkid]

Add rear wing. Rear downforce solved.

[jritt@essex]

Originally Posted by Richbot

If weight savings is the goal this is some of the best bang for the buck ever.

Same with the Voltphreaks deal.

Do these have internal electronics to prevent UV/OV conditions?

Thanks. It's nice to see the 'Miata mindset' applied elsewhere! I have a '92 myself, and I'm always looking at simple ways to save weight. They aren't cheap, but most high-quality, cutting-edge, and convenient tech isn't.

Yes they do. There is a microprocessor controlled BMS (battery management system) built into every battery to extend cell life and make the use of the most common chargers and maintainers possible. Very nice and reliable technology.

[italyix]

Nice to see other companies providing light weight battery solutions to the market. My 7lb Voltphreaks is holding up quite nicely albeit it does not come with a mounting bracket.

[Groundpilot]

OP, Voltphreaks has this feature: LVC (low voltage cutoff) to prevent overdischarge. This turns off the battery before it is over-discharged to prevent damage to the battery.
Does this battery have the same feature?

[italyix]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

OP, Voltphreaks has this feature: LVC (low voltage cutoff) to prevent overdischarge. This turns off the battery before it is over-discharged to prevent damage to the battery.
Does this battery have the same feature?

I should add, Voltphreaks also has a shut off button where you can shut the battery down. I use this all the time when I park for more than 3 days. Its kinda neat, total theft deterrent...

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by jritt@essex

Thanks. It's nice to see the 'Miata mindset' applied elsewhere! I have a '92 myself, and I'm always looking at simple ways to save weight. They aren't cheap, but most high-quality, cutting-edge, and convenient tech isn't.

Yes they do. There is a microprocessor controlled BMS (battery management system) built into every battery to extend cell life and make the use of the most common chargers and maintainers possible. Very nice and reliable technology.

Thanks, but this didn't really answer my question, and sounds like the battery manufacturer's marketing-gobbledigook. Does this system prevent undervoltage and overvoltage, overdischarge, and overcharge, and if so, how? LiFePo batteries are safe used properly, but a retrofit like this into a system not originally designed for them needs to have self-contained preventive measures to prevent catastrophic failures, the high power density of these batteries means when things go wrong they go wrong faster and more intensely.

Voltphreaks lists overcharge, overdischarge protection, and UV cutoff as part of its feature list. I suspect this is the same thing the Alliant battery does, but I'm sure you can understand we need more information than "don't worry, there's a microchip in it!" before making a $1,000 purchase

[oldmanstyle]

How long is this battery expected to last with good care? I don't mind the price if it can last 5+ years. Just concerned about it becoming a paper weight in 2-3 years.

[pbonsalb]

The info you seek can be found through the Essex website alliant battery link. 5 year life expectancy, 2 year warranty. This is similar to the current regular battery life and warranty, but the risk/cost is greater if it fails since it costs 5-6 times as much.

[ortho281]

Originally Posted by surlynkid

Add rear wing. Rear downforce solved.

+1
Scott, why do I get the feeling this will be your next purchase?

[italyix]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The info you seek can be found through the Essex website alliant battery link. 5 year life expectancy, 2 year warranty. This is similar to the current regular battery life and warranty, but the risk/cost is greater if it fails since it costs 5-6 times as much.

Life expectancy seems a bit low, the battery I have says 5-10+ years and is rebuildable and upgradable.

Also wanted to add, the Pb equivalent capacity of 18.4Ah seems a bit low when my VPH900 is rated for 33Ah, same price of $1,199. Not trying to knock the product, just providing information on other equipment. I understand the company might be new, in Europe so we have to pay whatever shipping and taxes are factored in.

[jritt@essex]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Thanks, but this didn't really answer my question, and sounds like the battery manufacturer's marketing-gobbledigook. Does this system prevent undervoltage and overvoltage, overdischarge, and overcharge, and if so, how? LiFePo batteries are safe used properly, but a retrofit like this into a system not originally designed for them needs to have self-contained preventive measures to prevent catastrophic failures, the high power density of these batteries means when things go wrong they go wrong faster and more intensely.

Voltphreaks lists overcharge, overdischarge protection, and UV cutoff as part of its feature list. I suspect this is the same thing the Alliant battery does, but I'm sure you can understand we need more information than "don't worry, there's a microchip in it!" before making a $1,000 purchase

10-4...totally understood, and you are correct on the preventative measures! When the battery is operating, a microprocessor in the BMS monitors each cell individually, making sure that no single cell voltage is any more or less than the rest of the cells. Distributing the load extends the battery life and helps prevent short-circuiting. The BMS also allows you to mate it to any standard 12V system without any modifications to that system, while ensuring that the cells stay balanced. Finally, the BMS allows for the use of a wide array of 3rd party chargers, so you’re not tethered to Aliant’s charger offerings.

Aliant batteries do not have a function for automatic cut off.

As for catastrophic failure, the type of cells that Aliant uses are UL 1642 certified. That is not something that is common in most lithium batteries. What this means is that in testing, the cells are put through overcharge, over-discharge, crash tested, penetration tested, and nail tested (literally a nail was driven through the cell)…all without any incident of fire or explosion. The particular chemistry for these cells is extremely stable and not subject to thermal runaway. The worst case scenario in a short circuit situation would be some swelling of the case and some smoking.

Along the lines of safety…last summer the Leavine Racing #95 NASCAR Sprint Cup car had a nasty crash at Watkins Glen. The car supposedly took a 79 G whack, and it ripped the rear end out of the car. There was an Aliant X8 sitting right in front of the driver side rear wheel. We got the battery back for evaluation, and it fired one of our employee’s cars right up (a project Ford GT). These batteries were specifically designed with motorsports safety in mind.

Oh yah...and don't worry, there's a microchip in it...just like my dog!

[OM VT3]

Are these any good for everyday