LEAF Battery Modules arrived from the US !

Ordered 10 days ago, 2 of the 4 LEAF Battery Modules arrived from the US, and I am very exited and happy to share this :-)

If you recall, Jack Rickard, on his EVtv January10th, 2014 show, unveiled a purchase of these same modules from a US based company, selling individual modules, used or new

The key figures of these modules compared to CALB LiFePO4 cells: 

 - Half price 

- 1/3 more Energy Density (= more energy in less weight and space)

So I immediately thought that they could be an interesting evolution for my Energy Storage System, the DIY ESS 

At the time I ordered, there were no more used ones, so I go the new ones  

I went to the post office to get these two packets, with my daughter

USPS Flat rate box holds two modules


Well packed with dense foam, here the are


Unfortunately, some corners got damaged and I was a bit concerned at first seeing this


Oops ..


Very first voltage check: 7.6V = 3.8V + 3.8V (4 pouch cells: 2 in Series, 2 in Parallel)


Others damages, to the back of the module also, but not much













There I started looking at how the pouch cells are arranged inside the modules, and if the impacts could have damaged the pouches ...














So, are these going to be a good fit inside the DIY ESS ?



Well, this looks good to me





And I should be able, if it all works out, to arrange two stacks of modules, side by side, in the battery section of the ESS, to the right



Finally I found this cutaway picture of the module, provided by Nissan, showing that at least the rear impacts into the module metal corners should not touch the pouches



The front one, should be fine too, because there is a hard black plastic protective shell




another back view








Front terminals: 7.6V between the two main ones, 3.8V between each main terminal and the center one; I also found out that only the copper part is conductive, not the the internal thread

Here they are now, downstairs, away from the kids ...

Stay tuned ... there are two more coming monday or tuesday, and I hope they will be fine ...

Vectrix or T-Max ?

I often hear people say that 8,000 EUR for the Vectrix is a very high price ! I am not that sure this is a good point because I see a lot of T-Max around and their price is even higher than this ....

I wanted to write a post about the Vectrix VX1 and the Yamaha T-Max few months ago, as my boss owns one, and we often discuss about our bikes ...
Here are pictures taken in the undergound parking at work as I was parked next to his for once  

This morning as I was parking at work, another T-Max owner came to ask me questions: "Is it electric ? How much time to charge ? Range ?" : all the questions I get all the time

But what surprised me is that, later on, as we were in line for an orange juice and chocolate croissant, we talked a lot more and he was really taken by this all electric change -he was willing to convert to electric scooter !- told me that the price of the T-Max was more than the Vectrix (8,000 EUR here for the NiMH version & 10,000 EUR for the Li-ion one) -I already knew that and that is a point of comparison between the two machines- and that all his gas expenses are becoming crazy (1,5 to 1,70 EUR / liter here !)

We can compare the Vectrix with the T-Max because they are both very powerfull maxi scooters, high-end machines made with quality in mind and using top components, also in the same price range. 

The thing is, once you paid your Vectrix, you do not have to spend anything else than electricity which is 10 times cheaper than gas; You do not have to go to a gas station anymore, to the a garage to have your oil & filter changed, etc; So in the end the Vectrix is a lot cheaper than the T-Max

But for me, the most important is that I do not rely on oil anymore, and I do no pollute, to me this is number one, and number two, I get a lot of pleasure riding this Vectrix, and I am always looking forward to use it ... it has been two years like this :-)

More pictures of the 2 machines side by side following this link

Nissan LEAF In-Depth | Upgrades & Environmental Impact

Nissan North America's Director of Product Planning, Mark Perry, answers questions from members of the Nissan LEAF Facebook Page. Join the conversation on the Nissan LEAF Facebook 

Page: http://www.facebook.com/NissanLEAF