Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-25-2015, 01:54 PM   #1
Platinum Member
 
markopolo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Posts: 8,828
Default Interesting article re: LiFePO4 Batteries ( lithium )

Interesting article re: LiFePO4 (lithium) batteries.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/l...n_boats&page=1

It's long but shows what can happen if you don't limit the current output of the alternator or don't use top quality brand name fuses etc.

Limiting the voltage appears to be a must. It's probably good to not rely only on the BMS when designing your system in case the BMS fails.
markopolo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2015, 03:29 PM   #2
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 12,413
Default

Very interesting article. He writing style is kind of reminiscent of Handybob's solar articles, but with a bit less anger I really can relate to his issues with people who asked for advice, then argue with you about it, finally do it different than the advice, and then bitch when it doesn't work out.

Having nowhere near the background and experience that he does makes it hard to determine (for me) if he is correct or not in his ideas, but he does an excellent job of explaining and backing up his ideas. My guess would be, from his presentation, that this is quite good and accurate information.

His emphasis on the complexity, and the need for that complexity to be automatic and not manually monitored was excellent, as was the requirement to have lots of alarms to warn of issues and impending issues. Emphasis on complexity, need for parts to match application and each other--not easy to do.

I did like the charging description that he uses/recommends as that has been discussed here many times in the past. It appears the only charging source he has (or spoke of) was a constant current, variable voltage to max setting?, alternator of 120 amps. He must see the current start to taper before the voltage gets to cutoff setting, but it wasn't exactly clear. What was clear is that he ends charging based on voltage, not current, where others have said to end on the current to batteries at a fixed voltage. Ending on voltage, by tripping an ending relay to disconnect the charge actually makes it much easier to do the no float stage process as the charge source can stay active, if needed.

Has anyone looked into the Victron and other prepackaged setups he mentioned?

For us, this would be a another bit of information to add to the side of using AGM for the upcoming upgrade on our setup. Hopefully, we will have it so it would be easy to go lithium later, when it is more settled.
booster is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2015, 03:44 PM   #3
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Diego
Posts: 320
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by markopolo View Post
Interesting article re: LiFePO4 (lithium) batteries.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/l...n_boats&page=1

It's long but shows what can happen if you don't limit the current output of the alternator or don't use top quality brand name fuses etc.

Limiting the voltage appears to be a must. It's probably good to not rely only on the BMS when designing your system in case the BMS fails.
I posted this link already for Davidd to read in a previous thread. This is the best layman's guide to LiFePO4 batteries available. If you want to use these batteries all you really need is in this guide. I've been following his writings for 5+ years on Cruisersforum.com.
Jostalli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2015, 04:15 PM   #4
Platinum Member
 
wincrasher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Greer, South Carolina
Posts: 2,611
Default

http://www.powerstream.com/lithium-p...ge-voltage.htm
__________________
2019 Winnebago Travato GL
Follow my blog: https://www.wincrasher.blogspot.com
Our Facebook group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClassBCamperVans/
wincrasher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2015, 04:30 PM   #5
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Diego
Posts: 320
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wincrasher View Post
This is one test with cells we don't even use in boats or RV's. He makes assumptions that all cells will perform the same but that's just not true.
Jostalli is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 04:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.