Hi 😃 Just an idea - 1.Put your new battery bank on an on/off high amp switch so if needed you can switch the battery bank off. 2. Keep your old good batteries running as a back up system, as you already all the needed equipment. It could also be on a separate switch or left on to run some low demand items. lights, fans ...
Another beautiful aspect of LiFePo4 batreries is that you can run them down to 10% SOC w/o damaging the batrery. Lead acid are good to only 50% before they sustain damage. So, in effect, one 100AH LiFePo4 battery is equivalent to two 100AH lead acid. My 100AH lithium weighs 24lbs compared to almost 70lbs for the lead acid. The weight is important when batteries are used in RV applications. Good choice, Gbear.
Lead-Acid battery converted to Lead-Alum will extend the battery and the charge/discharge curve is more like lithium. it does not make 12 volts more like 10 volts, but it can run lights for a long time. if you series three 6 volt batteries you should get 15 volts. and can be used with 12 volt inverters.
This is certainly a time to relish... out with the old, in with the new. Do you think you have a large enough solar array to charge up those monsters? It will be great to see the new batteries in the power room in their rightful place! Even better will be knowing that now you'll have a more resilient power plant - and can indulge in those creature comforts like running the A/C for longer periods of time! Way to go, GBear! 👍
@2hotscottpro Nice. I'll be buying 4 server rack batteries and a 1048 all in one package from SungoldPower when my money gets here. That will be a 400ah system, then I will add these 4 in series for another 230ah.
Congrats again g bear. Save a 12v battery back for the what if. As I found out if they get too low they shut down the bms. Then sun comes up but controller doesn't see the batteries so it doesn't turn on charging mosfets. I'm saving 4 12v leads for this reason. 48v system
You cannot reliable know state of charge of a lithium battery by voltage alone due to the more flat voltage curve of lithium you will need a shunt and amp meter that can track amp in and out . Good luck lead is simple and more reliable.
@teddycunningham7568 True, the voltage only give an estimate of the SOC. After 9 years with lead acid, I can say that I should be able to make an accurate statement of which is better.
Lifepo4 likes mppt. The trickle charge of PWM controllers can mess with the BMS. Once lithium is full it doesn’t need a trickle charge. 13.2-13.3 is the shipping charge rate approx 50% 13.6-13.7 is the resting 90% range. It’s interesting they go from 100 to 90 once the charge is stopped and a load is applied but slowly discharge after that.
Yep, I'm learning more and more about lithium. Interesting stuff. The new kid on the block is super capacitors. Gonna replace all batteries, because they don't wear out, less bulk, lighter weight, and no electrolyte hassles.
Greetings, I've been working with Li-ion batteries (18650's) for many years. I found some little known information about Lithium batteries. The max charge for the 18650 cell is 4.2 volts and the max discharge is 2.8 volts. with an average life of 500 cycles. The interesting thing is that if you only charge them to 4.0 volts the life cycles will increase to well over 1000. Also, if the only discharge them to 3.0 volts the life cycles will again increase to well over 2000 cycles. I can only conclude that the LIFEPO4 should react the same way. The batteries I've been looking at using, in future installations, indicate a max charge voltage of 14.4 to 14.6 and a max discharge of 10 volts. Utilizing the same logic, if I only charge to 14 volts and never discharge below 12 volts, the life cycles should increase from the advertised 4,000 - 15,000 to 12,000 - 30,000 cycles. At that rate I won't have to worry about replacing the batteries on the future buildings. The 3 existing buildings on my North Eastern, Nevada ranch will need replacing in 5 to 8 years.
@mis-fit-acres-granny Sounds like a plan. Yes I just finished reading about SOC and SOD extending the life cycles. Even at extremes, these LiTime batteries are rated for 4000 cycles, and I'm hoping to extend that to 6000 through proper treatment.
Welcome aboard. Yes on having them parallel to charge. I couldn't find any reason not to, so thought I would give it a shot. Seems to be OK, just taking longer.
Great video Question- If one or more of these batteries fails during the warranty period Don't you need to return them in the original packing? Seriously I want to know as I have 4 - 100 amp 12 volt LIP04 batteries. Thanks
Well, since I don't see that requirement anywhere on the warranty, and who would save the packing for 5 years, "just in case" sounds like it wouldn't hold water in court.
@poolsidedreamer I just checked the packaging, nothing in there. I haven't registered the warrantee online yet though. Waiting until charging and balancing is done.
Make sure your charger is specifically for lithium iron phosphate batteries the others won't work that's what I was told a year ago I had to buy one off eBay
I have been thinking 2 100aphr batteries would run my Wynter dual control refer freezer laptop and phone. How long do you think it would take to charge with 100watt solar panel.
The freezer alone would need about 200w to start, then lower to about half that to run. Again, I don't know your inverter idle draw, your controller efficiency, mppt or pwm, etc. Wire sizes, distance from panels, number of hours of direct sun on the panels, etc. Get yourself a "Kil-O-Watt" meter for about $10-$15, and check your watts usage for each item you plan to power. Those numbers help decide your panel array size, battery bank size, controller size, and inverter size. Note that if you plan to run modern appliances and computers, you need Pure Sine Wave inverter. Modified sine will damage them.
1280watts times two equals 2560 25 hours for one 100 watt panel to charge two empty lifepo4 100ah batteries. That is if you get exactly 100 watts the whole time. A general rule (confirmed by UA-camrs) is it takes one 100ah lifepo4 to run the average fridge for 24hrs. That is without any charging.
I have a 58 qt 12 volt compressor fridge that I used for camping. The compressor draws 45 watts at start up and drops to ~30 watts running. I have one 100 AH LiFePo4, and it would easily run the fridge for at least 2 days, if not more. I use a Renogy folding 200 watt solar panel to charge the battery every day. Normally, the battery is fully charged by nightfall and is at 13.3 in the morning. My day usage includes running a 12 volt water pump and some lights and a TV at night. The TV and lights are draws that obviously occur after the solar is done charging, so they add to the discharge along with the fridge. I really enjoy the lithium battery.
Hi 😃 Just an idea - 1.Put your new battery bank on an on/off high amp switch so if needed you can switch the battery bank off.
2. Keep your old good batteries running as a back up system, as you already all the needed equipment. It could also be on a separate switch or left on to run some low demand items. lights, fans ...
The old batteries will be disconnected because I'll be using the Midnite controller and the AIMS inverter for the new LiFePO4's.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! 🙏🏼🫡
You're welcome.
I am happy you are getting an upgrade to your power!
Yeah, they put me so much deeper in debt that I think I can feel hell fire nearby.
@@GBear Nah, that's desert heat! Just think cool thoughts. 🐻❄
@desertrestnv Winds again, and forecast for the next 3 days too.
Great video
Thanks, and welcome aboard!
Another beautiful aspect of LiFePo4 batreries is that you can run them down to 10% SOC w/o damaging the batrery. Lead acid are good to only 50% before they sustain damage. So, in effect, one 100AH LiFePo4 battery is equivalent to two 100AH lead acid. My 100AH lithium weighs 24lbs compared to almost 70lbs for the lead acid. The weight is important when batteries are used in RV applications. Good choice, Gbear.
Yep! Thanks.
Lead-Acid battery converted to Lead-Alum will extend the battery and the charge/discharge curve is more like lithium. it does not make 12 volts more like 10 volts, but it can run lights for a long time. if you series three 6 volt batteries you should get 15 volts. and can be used with 12 volt inverters.
Interesting. Good survival info.
This is certainly a time to relish... out with the old, in with the new. Do you think you have a large enough solar array to charge up those monsters? It will be great to see the new batteries in the power room in their rightful place! Even better will be knowing that now you'll have a more resilient power plant - and can indulge in those creature comforts like running the A/C for longer periods of time! Way to go, GBear! 👍
Thanks Sam. Yes, I have 3450w of panels here.
Appreciate your videos, from Australia.
Welcome aboard John from Australia! How's your winter going down there?
Those 230ah look cool!
Welcome aboard! Yeah. They sure do!
Good luck with the batteries.
Thanks!
Thanks for all the information.
Welcome aboard Kevin! Any else you need to know, just ask. I love sharing info and saving people from unnecessary expenses or problems.
I have 4 of those stacked in a closet in my rv wired 48v.Nailed a shelf together for separating each bat.Less room.Less wire.
Welcome aboard! Yes, nice to be able to do that. My 24 lead acid batteries will probably be close to the weight limit of my trailer.😅
It takes all day to recharge with 4 525 watt Bifacial panels.Adding 4 more panels.Then I can run AC while charging.
@@2hotscottpro I have 6, 305w mono panels and 16, 100w mono panels for 3460w total.
I’d like to have a 320 ah 48v bat next.I’ll build it from cells.Way cheaper.
@2hotscottpro Nice. I'll be buying 4 server rack batteries and a 1048 all in one package from SungoldPower when my money gets here. That will be a 400ah system, then I will add these 4 in series for another 230ah.
Congrats again g bear. Save a 12v battery back for the what if. As I found out if they get too low they shut down the bms. Then sun comes up but controller doesn't see the batteries so it doesn't turn on charging mosfets. I'm saving 4 12v leads for this reason. 48v system
Thanks. Something to consider.
You cannot reliable know state of charge of a lithium battery by voltage alone due to the more flat voltage curve of lithium you will need a shunt and amp meter that can track amp in and out . Good luck lead is simple and more reliable.
@teddycunningham7568 True, the voltage only give an estimate of the SOC. After 9 years with lead acid, I can say that I should be able to make an accurate statement of which is better.
Lifepo4 likes mppt. The trickle charge of PWM controllers can mess with the
BMS. Once lithium is full it doesn’t need a trickle charge.
13.2-13.3 is the shipping charge rate approx 50% 13.6-13.7 is the resting 90% range. It’s interesting they go from 100 to 90 once the charge is stopped and a load is applied but slowly discharge after that.
Yep, I'm learning more and more about lithium. Interesting stuff. The new kid on the block is super capacitors. Gonna replace all batteries, because they don't wear out, less bulk, lighter weight, and no electrolyte hassles.
Greetings, I've been working with Li-ion batteries (18650's) for many years. I found some little known information about Lithium batteries. The max charge for the 18650 cell is 4.2 volts and the max discharge is 2.8 volts. with an average life of 500 cycles. The interesting thing is that if you only charge them to 4.0 volts the life cycles will increase to well over 1000. Also, if the only discharge them to 3.0 volts the life cycles will again increase to well over 2000 cycles. I can only conclude that the LIFEPO4 should react the same way. The batteries I've been looking at using, in future installations, indicate a max charge voltage of 14.4 to 14.6 and a max discharge of 10 volts. Utilizing the same logic, if I only charge to 14 volts and never discharge below 12 volts, the life cycles should increase from the advertised 4,000 - 15,000 to 12,000 - 30,000 cycles. At that rate I won't have to worry about replacing the batteries on the future buildings. The 3 existing buildings on my North Eastern, Nevada ranch will need replacing in 5 to 8 years.
@mis-fit-acres-granny Sounds like a plan. Yes I just finished reading about SOC and SOD extending the life cycles. Even at extremes, these LiTime batteries are rated for 4000 cycles, and I'm hoping to extend that to 6000 through proper treatment.
Sounds like a good plan to me. My question is with all of those old batteries removed what would you use the shelves for?
Electrical component storage. Make room in my container shop.
Ore bearing rocks!
@@desertrestnv Ore not...🤣
@@GBear Au...
@@desertrestnv Who, me?
Cool.
Welcome aboard! Just posted an update. Well, almost uploaded.
Fire!
Is there an app you can connect to each bms and look at individual cell voltages?dont let the midnight mechanics steal the new batteries out there!
They would never get past my sentries. I'm pretty sure these don't have bluetooth.
Have you considered stacking them instead of all on the floor/rack?
Yes, but this in temporary until I upgrade the whole system to SunPowerGold 48v and new 48v hurricane turbine.
Those are nice looking batteries, where did you buy those...were they bought local or ordered with a delivery to your location?
I ordered them from Litime.com. They came with free delivery.
@@GBear Thanks for the link. I see they are all from 47-51% off...wow, hope you got the same deal.
@camodude9224 Yep, with an added 5% off for Father's day, and free shipping. Got here in 2 days.
Did you have those 2 parallel before they were fully charged and is that ok
Welcome aboard. Yes on having them parallel to charge. I couldn't find any reason not to, so thought I would give it a shot. Seems to be OK, just taking longer.
G BEAR WHAT IS A EASEY WAY TO GET HOW MANY WATTS ON A PANEL VOLT TIMES AMPS?
Yes, outside times amps equals watts.
Great video Question- If one or more of these batteries fails during the warranty period Don't you need to return them in the original packing? Seriously I want to know as I have 4 - 100 amp 12 volt LIP04 batteries. Thanks
Well, since I don't see that requirement anywhere on the warranty, and who would save the packing for 5 years, "just in case" sounds like it wouldn't hold water in court.
Just in case. Check with your distributors, in the chance they have super small print in Chinese.
Good point though. I'll keep the tops I cut off so they can be taped back on, and the boxes with packing will be housing the batteries anyway.😁
@@GBear don't know but I thought I saw that requirement somewhere
@poolsidedreamer I just checked the packaging, nothing in there. I haven't registered the warrantee online yet though. Waiting until charging and balancing is done.
Charging at 13.9 increases battery cycle life and doesn’t take much more time.
Yep.
What was the temp outside when trying to charge. I know heat and cold they will not charge like acid.
Oh it was nice today. Only 100°F... I covered the batteries with a white towel so the stayed fairly cool.
Twas the night before the day after that the toilet flushed the opposite direction.
Yeah, crap comes up when least expected.
@@GBear - LOL! 😂
thumbs up
Thank you C M.
It's coming together brother!
Step by step, inch by inch, slowly I turned....woo woo woo woo, Moe Larry cheese....🤣
@@GBear lol I remember that episode!
@@GBear - ua-cam.com/video/MYP1OBZfFK0/v-deo.html
@@samvalentine3206 lol, I remember that skit like it was yesterday.
Make sure your charger is specifically for lithium iron phosphate batteries the others won't work that's what I was told a year ago I had to buy one off eBay
100%correct! My BateriaPower controller is compatible with LiFePo4 and mppt to boot.
😄
Welcome aboard!
I have been thinking 2 100aphr batteries would run my Wynter dual control refer freezer laptop and phone. How long do you think it would take to charge with 100watt solar panel.
The freezer alone would need about 200w to start, then lower to about half that to run. Again, I don't know your inverter idle draw, your controller efficiency, mppt or pwm, etc. Wire sizes, distance from panels, number of hours of direct sun on the panels, etc.
Get yourself a "Kil-O-Watt" meter for about $10-$15, and check your watts usage for each item you plan to power. Those numbers help decide your panel array size, battery bank size, controller size, and inverter size.
Note that if you plan to run modern appliances and computers, you need Pure Sine Wave inverter. Modified sine will damage them.
1280watts times two equals 2560
25 hours for one 100 watt panel to charge two empty lifepo4 100ah batteries. That is if you get exactly 100 watts the whole time.
A general rule (confirmed by UA-camrs) is it takes one 100ah lifepo4 to run the average fridge for 24hrs. That is without any charging.
@WattsinWattsout good info. Thanks. I may have to set up the Midnite to do the charge with 1800w coming in...
I have a 58 qt 12 volt compressor fridge that I used for camping. The compressor draws 45 watts at start up and drops to ~30 watts running. I have one 100 AH LiFePo4, and it would easily run the fridge for at least 2 days, if not more. I use a Renogy folding 200 watt solar panel to charge the battery every day. Normally, the battery is fully charged by nightfall and is at 13.3 in the morning. My day usage includes running a 12 volt water pump and some lights and a TV at night. The TV and lights are draws that obviously occur after the solar is done charging, so they add to the discharge along with the fridge. I really enjoy the lithium battery.
@larrycarlston4044 Thanks for the confirmation of what my research has informed me.
Your battery room will sure look different.
Indeed!