Tesla battery

[Delfini]

Being I have very little current draw but want lots of capacity why not an old Tesla battery?

Tesla Model S X 100kWh 6.4kWh Battery Module Cell 24V 287Ah 1086755-00-D

 

[SteveK]

Is that the one being replaced by Tesla because they catch on fire?

 

[tiltrider1]

What is the chemistry? While LiFePo4 is very stable, most the other chemistries have the potential for thermal runaway which can result in a fire.

 

[Cargile]

First I look at the purse. What does it cost?

 

[luna]

Google says that Model S batteries are mostly, if not all Nickel Cobalt Aluminum made by Panasonic.
You would need to very careful with selecting the charging equipment.

I would not put that in my boat as easier, safer and likely cheaper options exist.

 

[Delfini]

the price , starting at 500-1000
Don’t know how many Teslas have burnt but , mitigating a fire sure sounds good.
A tech friend runs electric cars, jets, helicopters and houses. He suggested it.
Thought I run it by

 

[Delfini]

This is from ChatGPT AI

“Using an older Tesla Model S battery for your boat could have several downsides. First, there’s the issue of cooling; Tesla batteries are liquid-cooled, and adapting that system for marine use could be challenging. Second, saltwater exposure could corrode the battery or its components, posing safety risks. Third, there’s the matter of weight and space, as these batteries are quite heavy and large. Finally, older batteries may have reduced capacity and efficiency, affecting performance and range. It might be worthwhile to consult a marine electrician or engineer for tailored advice.

Enough said!

 

[Mako]

Unless you can grab a unit for nearly-free and like to experiment, it sounds lose-lose. Perhaps goto Eve's website and buy some Li batteries, but better do it before January!

 

[Jeff F]

I wouldn't try it, and I consider myself to be pretty handy with batteries and energy storage.

See Two bodies recovered on Sable Island - Cruisers & Sailing Forums for a loss of life event that could plausibly be attributed to a battery fire.

New lifpo batteries seem to me to be a much safer alternative at about the same price.

 

[Benthic2]

I believe there were multiple houses that burned down in Florida recently when rising floodwaters/storm surge (ie: salt water) caused Tesla's batteries to ignite. I would want to fully understand that phenomenon before putting Tesla batteries in my boat.

 

[Delta Riverat]

I wouldn't do it. I did the LiFePO4 and it works great!

It's hard enough to do that upgrade and make sure things are properly isolated with lots of available and inexpensive known and proven technology. Why poke the bear?

 

[Mambo42]

I think the only question is: 'what is the value of your life ?'
If you think your life is worth 500 euro, then by all means go for lithium ion.
If you think that your life is more valuable you will never ever put a lithium ion battery on your boat.
There are enough tests and videos out there where you can see what happens with lithium ion batteries when they get overcharged, damaged, not cooled enough or are exposed to flames.
Yes, a lithium ion battery is cheap (compared to LiFePO4) and packs a lot more Kw than a LiFePO4 or AGM battery, but at what risk ? Is that additional risk worth the financial gains and do you want to put the boat and your life on the line in order to save a couple of hundred dollars ?

Here are some quotes from an article about safety of LIB's (lithium ion batteries).

The operating or storage temperature affects the battery's performance [15], [16], [17]. Typically LiBs operate in a temperature range between 15 °C and 35 °C to perform optimally and secure a long cycle life [18], [19], [20], [21], [22]. However, during operation, a considerable amount of heat, especially at high rates, can be generated from the cell. This can significantly speed up the temperature elevation [22], [23] and accentuate the temperature non-uniformity when batteries are stacked in modules or packs [24], [25] or cooled inefficiently [26]. If the heat is not successfully evacuated or if the temperature is not optimally controlled via a battery thermal management system (BTMS) [27], [28], [29], this can lead to the battery’s temperature exceeding the safety temperature range, above which the cell’s components decompose and result in exothermic reactions, ultimately leading to safety accidents involving thermal runaway (TR), smoke and even fire [30], [31].
TR occurs when a LiB is in an internal failure state caused by uncontrolled electrochemical reactions [32]. These exothermic electrochemical reactions are influenced by two main factors: temperature and voltage [33], [34]. They can be triggered when a cell is used outside its normal operating range and is exposed to extreme abuse conditions. These conditions can be classified into three categories: electrical [35], [36], thermal [37], [38] and mechanical abuse

and

Safety issues​

Generally, when a LiB operates a considerable amount of heat is generated from three main sources: the polarization heat, the reversible heat and the joule heat [61]. The higher charging or discharging rate, the more heat the battery generates [85] which leads to an increase in the internal temperature of the cell. This can be detrimental since fast charging has become a very important factor to be considered for battery development and safety

You can read the full article here

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359431123010438

Since boats are used to 'slamming' into waves (pitching and rolling) the chance Lithium Ion batteries getting damaged is well above average.
LiFePO4 does not have these problems and that is the reason I chose for LiFePO4.