Help with several battery questions please

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding battery technology, specifically in the context of powering a small tractor. Participants explore the size and weight of batteries required for different power outputs, environmental concerns related to batteries, and the implications of battery density on performance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a lack of understanding about how batteries work and their composition.
  • One participant proposes that a 300-pound tractor would require a battery with a capacity of 30 kWh to operate for 4 hours, leading to a total weight of about 400 pounds for the battery.
  • Another participant highlights the issue of battery weight impacting the overall weight of the tractor, suggesting that this creates a cycle of increasing weight and power requirements.
  • There is a discussion about the need for a battery with high power density versus energy density, with some participants questioning the implications of each choice.
  • Concerns are raised about the cost of batteries, particularly referencing Tesla batteries and the feasibility of a budget for the project.
  • One participant mentions the specific example of a Ryobi lawn mower's battery setup, providing details on capacity, weight, and cost.
  • Another participant inquires whether reducing horsepower would extend battery life, to which a later reply confirms that it would.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the optimal battery solution for the tractor, with multiple competing views on battery size, weight, cost, and power requirements remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions of power density and energy density, and there are unresolved questions about the implications of battery weight on tractor performance and operational efficiency.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in battery technology, electric vehicle design, and the environmental impact of batteries, particularly in practical applications like small machinery.

nduka-san
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TL;DR
i dont understand batterys that well and would like to know how they work other
i know that batterys are made of a compination of chemicals since i took honors physics but i never really learned how they are made just what theyre made of

2 how large of a battery would be needed for a small tractor with a weight of 300 pounds in this hypotheical scenarior its related to another topic

3 how bad are batterys for the envionment with their chemical cocktails
 
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nduka-san said:
Summary:: i don't understand batterys that well and would like to know how they work other

i know that batterys are made of a compination of chemicals since i took honors physics but i never really learned how they are made just what theyre made of

2 how large of a battery would be needed for a small tractor with a weight of 300 pounds in this hypotheical scenarior its related to another topic

3 how bad are batterys for the envionment with their chemical cocktails
Numbers 1 and 3 you hould be able to Google and learn about the different types of batteries. Let's take #2. It's all about how much power you want it to have and how long you want it to operate between charges. A typical small garden tractor weighs about 600 pounds, and has a 25 HP gasoline engine. So let's say your 300 pound tractor would need at least 10 HP. 1 HP = 746 Watts, so you would need an electric motor capable of producing about 7500 Watts, or 7.5 Kilowatts. Now how long do you want it to run between charges? Let's say 4 hours, but you can decide that. Then you need a battery with a capacity of 7.5 * 4 = 30 kWh. How much would that weigh? A Tesla 85 kWh battery weighs 1200 pounds, so a 30 kWh battery will weigh about 400 pounds. Do you see the problem? To run your tractor on a battery, you will either need less power or less time between charges.
 
phyzguy said:
A Tesla 85 kWh battery weighs 1200 pounds, so a 30 kWh battery will weigh about 400 pounds. Do you see the problem? To run your tractor on a battery, you will either need less power or less time between charges.
and since it will weight more it will need more time between charges for driving it because of the battery weight.

also what about if it was a tractor but it weighed a lot less for example let's say it weighed 200 pounds because rn that's the average estimation for my project also would u have any recemendations for motors? that are ood at saving electricity
 
nduka-san said:
also what about if it was a tractor but it weighed a lot less for example let's say it weighed 200 pounds because rn that's the average estimation for my project also would u have any recemendations for motors? that are ood at saving electricity

Will you please write in sentences? You've been asked nicely at least six times.

If a 300 pound tractor needs a 400 pound battery, it is no longer a 300 pound tractor. It's a 700 pound tractor. But that needs a 900 pound battery, so now it's a 1600 pound tractor. Now do you see the problem?
 
I do understand ill try to use complete sentences from now on.
I'll have to settle for a small weight on the original build and will have to get a battery with a high power density. Therefore it doesn't weigh too much.
 
"and will have to get a battery with a high power density "

How exactly? And do you want power density or energy density? Do your homework.

Let me also suggest that you find out what the Tesla battery costs. Your $1000 budget, if used 100% for batteries, will buy you less energy than @phyzguy showed you needed. You need to address this. An imaginary super-cheap and super-powerful battery is not a solution.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
"and will have to get a battery with a high power density "

How exactly? And do you want power density or energy density? Do your homework.

Let me also suggest that you find out what the Tesla battery costs. Your $1000 budget, if used 100% for batteries, will buy you less energy than @phyzguy showed you needed. You need to address this. An imaginary super-cheap and super-powerful battery is not a solution.
i know that tesla batterys are expensive also i meant energy density i was mistaken
 
nduka-san said:
I do understand ill try to use complete sentences from now on.

That is a run-on.
That also lasted all of 31 minutes.

You're not being serious, You're on your own now,
 
thank you for your previous help.
 
  • #10
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: Tom.G
  • #11
Just tracked down the batteries for that Ryobi lawn mower thet @Keith_McClary found.

4 batteries, each 12V, 75AH = 3600Wh total
2 hour run time, 12 hour charge time
Weight 575lbs + rider = about 740lbs total
Battery cost $172 each = USD $688 (Ouch!)

A rough estimate based on battery power and run time yields about 2 to 2.5hp maximum; probably less for 'typical' operation.

Cheers,
Tom
 
  • #12
thank you that's really helpful,but if i reduced the hp would the battery last longer?
 
Last edited:
  • #13
Yes.
 

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