Abstract: A device for electrically connecting a plurality of batteries includes a member including a handle and two arms extending from the handle. The handle includes a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a connector extending between the first portion and the second portion. The member also includes a contact coupled to a first of the two arms for contacting at least a portion of a battery terminal when the device is secured to a battery. The first of the two arms is configured for securing the device to a first side of a battery and a second of the two arms is configured for securing the device to a second side of the battery.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a battery system for a vehicle utilizes a hierarchy to disconnect electrical loads from the battery system. One embodiment of the method includes receiving an input signal representative of a condition of one of the components of one of the systems provided in a vehicle. The method also includes comparing the input signal with at least one parameter to determine whether the condition indicates that at least one of the plurality of electrical loads should be disconnected from the battery. The method also includes disconnecting at least one of the plurality of electrical loads from the at least one battery according to a predetermined hierarchy if the input signal when compared to the parameter indicates that at least one of the plurality of electrical loads should be disconnected from the at least one battery.

Abstract: A lithium battery for use in a vehicle includes a container, a plurality of positive terminals extending from a first end of the lithium battery, and a plurality of negative terminals extending from a second end of the lithium battery. The plurality of positive terminals are provided in a first configuration and the plurality of negative terminals are provided in a second configuration, the first configuration differing from the second configuration. A battery system for use in a vehicle may include a plurality of electrically connected lithium cells or batteries.

Abstract: A method of selecting a battery for a vehicle includes identifying a plurality of batteries and obtaining ratings for a plurality of characteristics for each of the plurality of batteries. The method also includes obtaining information relating to the usage of the vehicle and identifying a battery for use with the vehicle based on the ratings and the information relating to the usage of the vehicle. The method may also include weighting a plurality of the ratings and utilizing the weighted ratings to identify an optimal battery.