Maybe Lithium batteries in gliders not quite such a good idea yet?

Here is an article regarding LiFePO4 batteries from Soaring Cafe. It's a couple years old and I didn't see anything else more recent. However, pretty informative.

http://soaringcafe.com/2011/01/new-t...der-batteries/




Boeing is said (by a Boeing engineer) to be using LiPo batteries. Any RC guy would tell you that's crazy. So I wonder if there is more to the story or if the info is just wrong. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) is what's being used successfully as a SLA replacement in sailplanes. They have a pretty good track record so far as I know (similar to PB SLA -- the big hazard is accidental short circuit, not auto ignition. As long as the internal construction is robust and there is an external fuse at the battery, they should be fine). I plan on replacing my Pb SLA batteries with LiFePO4 when they warrant it. The lithium batteries are still improving in performance and cost.



T8