The M1 batteries from
A123 Systems are revolutionary Lithium batteries with a long cycle life (over 1000) and are as safe to use as NiCd and NiMh. They also have unbelievable peak current capabilities.
The only problem to date, is that the manufacturer of these cells chooses to market the batteries only directly via the web or to big OEM users. Their direct price to the public is somewhat costly. However, by taking advantage of the mass marketing of DeWalt power tools, a cheeper alternative source of these cells is as close as your local home inprovement store ( Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) These Dewalt cells are so popular now that super bargains can be found on
eBay bringing the cost per cell to as little as $9
Lucien Miller, one of our beta testers of the Xtrema, has written a great "how to" on dissasembling the Dewalt packs. Check out
this link to his discussion.
