I don't understand - a large pack wouldn't need to be as large as a split pack, because the C/ rate would be lower, hence the peukert effect wouldn't be as severe. Also, the batteries would be longer lived, since they'd live a less stressful existance.
However, there comes the question of how to haul that much lead around - the debate goes on as to what the exact number is, but I've always used 650 lbs of lead = 1 gallon of gasoline. So if you've got a car that gets 22 mpg (typical of a pickup truck), you'd need 3 x 650 = 1950 lbs of lead, almost a ton! Plus balancing, battery heaters, racks, charger you're looking at 2500 lbs _before you add in the car_. You might want to look into the following alternate battery technologies (in no particular order) NiZn [my personal choice.. cheap, but short lived at 500 cycles, approx 3X the energy density of lead but can't deal with long high-current draws] www.evercel.com NiCad [a perennial favorite. Long lived at 3000 cycles, deals with high current well. 2X the energy density of lead] (don't remember SAFT's homepage, maybe some other lister can provide it) NiMH [don't know of many people running this yet, but hey, you can be one of the pioneers! 3X the energy density of lead, cycle life varies] LiON [Always popular with the big-bucks crowd.. expect to pay $50k+ for your battery pack, but wow, will it be light. 4-5X the energy density of lead, 500+ cycle life, requires *very* advanced charging system] NaNiCL [Difficult to get, expect very long lead times, expect to pay $30k+ for your battery pack. 5X the energy density of lead, 2000+ cycle life] http://www.betard.co.uk/ NiFe [Difficult to get, 2X the energy density of lead, not sure of the cycle life] Did I miss any or misquote any of those numbers? feel free to add your favorite battery chemistry here.. ;-) S.
