OSU Solar vehicle battery pack

This is one of four cell modules that powers the solar vehicle when the passing through a shaded area for example.  This photo was taken prior to the installation of the BMS and the packaging.  No longer just a "battery pack".   Now it's a battery pack AND Battery Management System(BMS) integrated into each and every package/module.

The BMS is absoulutely critical to the long term health of the cells. Unlike the traditional batteries(Lead Acid or Nikel Cadmium), these are never used without the constant monitoring of every cell group in the series string and managing the charging and discharging processes continiously.  When the cells are discharged to a certain level, the controller will begin reducing the current that can be drawn from the pack.  Likewise with charging, the electronic management system controls that process in a very explicit way.

When these are treated properly, they will last for more than a decade with regular use.

I will post more pictures of this package and installation soon. Consider this the warmup.

Right after the packs were delivered and istalled, they left for a cross country race, of 2400 miles, and managed to cover over 1000 miles using one initial charge and only solar input to go the distance. 

See the team and vehicle at their site: http://oregonstate.edu/groups/solar

They competed in the American Solar Challenge that raced from Plano Texas to Calgary Canada in July 2008.

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