Formula 1 Batteries
Formula 1 Batteries
(OP)
I was just looking at some of the technical specifications for the new Formula 1 cars and see that they are still using lead acid. Certainly there is a battery technology that can reliably deliver 12v 5Ah (Spec. for the 2003 BAR) in this application that is significantly lighter. Any thoughts?
Best regards,
Matthew Ian Loew
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RE: Formula 1 Batteries
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Formula 1 Batteries
What is their ignition system, what other onboard electrical draw is there, including TV cameras.
I suspect that no charging system is required, as the races only go about 2 hours.
I am still finding hard to believe that they use lead acid batteries, while my cellphone and notebook both have lithium batteries.
I run my skiboat, with a 350 Chev, no alternator, and a points type ignition, for a long weekend without charging the battery, but I have a big battery, but then again, I stop start a lot and do probably up to 15 hours running
Regards
pat
RE: Formula 1 Batteries
Best regards,
Matthew Ian Loew
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Formula 1 Batteries
I havent done any research into silver zinc, so they may be better suited for this application than lead acid.
The one thing I can't understand is why noone runs supercaps instead of batteries. supercaps currently cannot hold as much charge per unit of weight as lead acid, but can be fully recharged in a matter of a few seconds.
you could run an endurance race without an alternator, everytime you stop for fuel or tires top off the supercaps as well, and unlike battery cells caps can be run in paralell.
besides it would make the comentators taking about the pit stops more interesting.
RE: Formula 1 Batteries
If there is no starter motor, or no need to use it if it is fitted (say, by requirement of rules), then there would be no high current draw, so no need for lead acid, and therefore no posibility of sulphuric acid splashing about in a crash.
Regards
pat
RE: Formula 1 Batteries
Some race engines DO have onboard charging systems, as example, the Cosworth 'crank pully alternator'.
No on board starter is allowed on Formula 1, IRL or, CART race cars. I personally think they should be REQUIRED to self start. On the other hand, I rather liked the pneumatic starters of years past. I liked the sound.
Rod
RE: Formula 1 Batteries
http://www.technick.net/public/code/cp_dpage.php?aiocp_dp=guide_bpw2_c02_02&PHPSESSID=3d16a63ef42322771507356e203009f6
The stored energy per unit mass is low for lead-acid batteries, and high for lithium-ion. This agrees with current usage - production automobiles use inexpensive, heavy batteries while mobile computers and phones use expensive, light ones.
Regarding alternators, they are used on F1 engines. Here is one from Magneti Marelli:
http://www.marelli.it/racing/products.htm
According to the Formula 1 Technical Regulations, available at:
http://www.fia.com/homepage/selection-a.html
on-board starters are not prohibited. Teams choose not to use them to save mass.
RE: Formula 1 Batteries
You are confusing energy density with power density, they are not the same thing. Lead acid has just about the worst energy density of any commercially available battery type.
I've been arc welding with gel cells, so they can handle starter motor currents!
Typically Silver Zincs are less tolerant of high currents than lead acids, but in this application (no starter motor) they would be fine.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Formula 1 Batteries
as for gel cells that term is a bit ambiguous when refering to chemical combo's for the batteries as there are a few different types that can be set up as gel cells.
and yes I was probibly confusing the two as it has been a long time since I have been dooing any EV or HEV studies.