Ham Radio Battery Pack DIY LiFePO4 | Vruzend kit

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  • Опубліковано 11 гру 2024

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  • @AndyWragg
    @AndyWragg 6 років тому +7

    Excellent tutorial Julian. I've shared this with both the clubs I interact with. I've also been asked to do a talk at my primary club at some point on this subject. I wouldn't be here without your pioneering and sharing.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +2

      Thanks Andy. It seems someone can be happy some of the time :-)
      I've got another build coming up, it's the 384 watt-hours solar generator. That is designed to be a field station power supply. While I'm waiting for all those parts perhaps I'll do a presentation on grid down comms and power.
      Anyway sorry I haven't been so engaging lately. Trying to keep my and misery to a minimum 😀

    • @AndyWragg
      @AndyWragg 6 років тому

      @@OH8STN You may have seen my Headway 38140 12Ah pack is now complete. Will be giving it a run out tomorrow night in the UKAC 2m contest 8.00 -10.30pm GMT. I'll be using my Yaesu FT-290Rii operating from the car at a local high point. I managed over 400km from the same spot yesterday.

  • @nonokodog622
    @nonokodog622 2 роки тому

    I'm a big fan of the 18650 cell since they can be salvaged from many sources. I did buy the Vruzend kit and like it. However, the kit is reliably not re-usable in my experience.
    I took apart a pack I had created and only 2/3 of the end caps were still usable. They split along the thin straight walls. I ended up buying a $35 spot welder which works fine with .2 mm bus strips and the over all size of the pack is smaller.
    I use Daly BMS boards and love them. I charge from my electronics bench power supply and a 1.5 A thin film solar panel. I'm trying to recreate your work on a smaller scale and budget.
    Love your work, thanks for all you do.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  2 роки тому

      There's a red flag in your comment. Recharging from the Bench power supply is okay on the bench. What about charging with the thin film solar panel in the field? There needs to be a charge controller between the solar panel and the battery pack. How do you manage voltage regulation, stability overcharging without a charge controller?
      The vruzend csps are nice if you want to re--use the cells in some other project. I haven't had the same trouble as you mentioned. Admittedly I also use a spot welder these days. It's better to get some more reliable build long-term, than more convenient to build pack at the price of reliability.

  • @hrdknox2000
    @hrdknox2000 4 роки тому

    I'm very new to this stuff and I did my best to hang in there with you.

  • @donaldsmith3048
    @donaldsmith3048 4 роки тому

    I have a set of 25 AH Lifepo4 cells and 2 sets of 60AH Lifepo4 cells. I hope that will give me the power I need. I need to work on solar panels to change and I way to get a good read out on the state of the batteries. THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION! 73. W4DES

  • @TheSmokinApe
    @TheSmokinApe 6 років тому +1

    I like the idea of putting the bms in a separate bag.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      It will be. Just ran out of supplies

  • @julianwhite1077
    @julianwhite1077 6 років тому +1

    I love the idea. I just wish they were available in multiples of 6 or so.

  • @spldrong
    @spldrong 6 років тому

    I like it. After my Rpi gets sorted out and the holiday season is over i am looking forward to doing one of these battery builds.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +1

      Don't be too much in a hurry. 👍 I've also got the solar generator build coming up in the next weeks.

    • @spldrong
      @spldrong 6 років тому

      @@OH8STN im in more of a hurry for the DRAWs videos... i want the radio and computer to be at 90% solution before I move to batteries

  • @-sickfast434
    @-sickfast434 4 роки тому

    Nice build

  • @hardlife3844
    @hardlife3844 6 років тому +1

    Awesome video as always Julian. Gonna have to save some funds for a new pack to power my fridge as I gave my last one to a couple in need and am now killing my jeeps battery.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +1

      Thanks hard life, it's very much appreciated. Make sure to measure that refrigerator before you design your pack. 👍👍👍

  • @rossbassette7518
    @rossbassette7518 6 років тому +1

    For ease of construction, its winner winner chicken dinner!!!!!!!!

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Yeah it reminded me of building Legos

  • @atrujillo7836
    @atrujillo7836 5 років тому +1

    I bought this kit for a unrelated product a 10s 3p battery pack for a scooter that was defective one of the tabs broke off and it ruined the whole pack. Instead of buying a pulse spot welder I decided to rebuild it with the kit will update if I succeed or fail.

  • @ekbanjosworld4926
    @ekbanjosworld4926 Рік тому

    Everytime I checked with Vruzen they are out of stock!?!?

  • @djryder2002
    @djryder2002 6 років тому

    Shared to a Ham radio groupd on facebook. Great Job.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Very much appreciated 👍

  • @ekoms108
    @ekoms108 5 років тому +2

    I have a question... Most pack builds I have seen make the series connections between as many parallel cells as possible. In this build you arranged the cells so that you only made one series connection between parallel cells. Does it matter?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому

      Do you mean the physical connections (busbars) between them? If so, we can always use more busbars. If I were experiencing some voltage drop, or couldn't reach the packs current potential, I would certainly add more busbars.

  • @USNERDOC
    @USNERDOC 6 років тому +1

    Awesome tutorial Julian. I really enjoy and look forward to these videos. 🙏73

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Awesome coming from you. I don't usually give two cents about opinions but yours matters to me. I was afraid this one was "too much".👍👍👍
      73
      Julian oh8stn

  • @W4TRI_Ronny
    @W4TRI_Ronny 6 років тому +1

    Hi Julian. Can I use 40 cells and the kit parts and use the same BMS with appropriate fuses to go say 4x10 cells or is that pushing things? Thanks!

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +2

      Hi Ronny
      I don't think that's pushing it. The Vruzend FAQ says the v2 kit can output 3A per cell. From experience I know you need to do some meticulous work making sure each connection is perfect. You also have to double or triple up on the bus bars on each connection.
      I haven't built such a big pack yet so I really can't say. If you try please come back and share your experience with the rest of us.
      Here's the Vruzend FAQ.
      vruzend.com/faq/#how-much-current

  • @2kMario
    @2kMario 5 років тому +1

    Can you pleas give us exact size of this 4s4p package ,I can see that using Vruzend kit there is a gap 3-4mm between in my ebike frame size does matter
    I am trying to figure out how many cells fit in my frame.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому

      sure, later when i get home

  • @Taketheride23
    @Taketheride23 6 років тому

    Very awesome, thank you for the great walkthrough!

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Thank you for taking the time to watch and letting me know. It's very much appreciated.👍👍👍

  • @philipchandler330
    @philipchandler330 6 років тому

    Great information as always Merry Christmas

  • @AlGritzmacher
    @AlGritzmacher 5 років тому

    I have been unable to find the Headway cells at any kind of reasonable price. Where do you get them? Also, what's your source for the very large clear heat shrink you use on your packs?

  • @TheStevenhull
    @TheStevenhull 6 років тому

    I have the kit and have been using it for months now. The connections are not that tight, I'm lucky to get a few amps thru it.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Hi Steve. The version 2 kit is quite tight on my cells. I was actually surprised the kit could power the 891.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      By the way Steven.
      One of the things I figured out was adding additional busbars in parallel. I'm not sure which kick you have the version 1 or the version 2, but diversion to allows you to use I think it's 5 or 6 bus bars in parallel. I think I'll do a follow-up video sometime on this topic, showing the amp meter versus Power output with the radio.

    • @tomstdenis
      @tomstdenis 6 років тому +1

      Thin nickle strips aren't the best conductor either. You may want to double up the bus bar (or switch to copper).

    • @TheStevenhull
      @TheStevenhull 6 років тому

      OH8STN good idea I’ll try it

  • @AZZapper11
    @AZZapper11 5 років тому

    Nice clean install. One stupid question. I want to buy a mobile radio for my Mobil Home. What can you recommend for a "no idea" user like me. Thanks.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому

      Awesome question but it's impossible to answer without a bit more context. BHF/UHF? HF?
      I have used Kenwood and Yaesu radios for mobile. Unfortunately you'll have to decide if you're going to be using repeaters, if you want to operate Simplex, or if you want to do some aprs. There's also the questions of a DMR radio, a system Fusion radio, where D star radio just to name a couple. If we are talking about a mobile HF radio, the question is a little easier. You need to decide if it's going to be a radio you use while driving, or a radio in a fixed location inside your RV. Icom makes excellent radios for fixed and mobile portable like boats and RV. Yaesu is good with traditional mobile HF rigs. If it's your only rig in the RV, and you will only use it while parked, I would go with a Icom 7300 for HF

    • @AZZapper11
      @AZZapper11 5 років тому +1

      @@OH8STN Great. At least now I know how much I don't know. I will research. It will be used while on the road and while parked at camp sites. Much like truckers use it, I suppose.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому +1

      We all start someplace 👍👍👍

  • @stevefrank353
    @stevefrank353 6 років тому +1

    Thanks for your videos. I enjoy them both for the content and their style. I've been considering using self made Lithium base battery packs for portable communications but have two concerns. First, is it necessary to match the cells for charge and discharge compatibility so the pack functions safely? If so, do you know if matched cells can be purchased?
    Second, when using Lithium based batteries in parallel should I use a fuse or fuse wire between each cell and the bus wire connecting each of the parallel cells? Doing so would prevent the other paralleled cells from discharging through a shorted cell creating a catastrophic failure. The blown fuse would also remove the shorted cell from the circuit allowing continued use of the complete battery pack. (Although at a lower capacity)
    73, KB9SF

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      He thanks for the comments. I find it is usually close enough to use quality cells, all from the same manufacturer, from the same lot, all having a very similar internal resistance, and manufactured at the same time. Matching the cells is something that was usually necessary when using recovered cells. If one buys a box of brand new cells from a good manufacturer, all of this cells are usually within spec.
      Cell level fusing is not a bad idea but it is a personal choice. If I were using lithium-ion cells to construct a larger pack, I would definitely go for it. Since I'm using lithium iron phosphate cells and not pushing them anywhere near there discharge capacity, I'm not too worried.

  • @michaelstarling4553
    @michaelstarling4553 5 років тому

    Julian, Is there a BMS for a pack built with 2 groups of 4 serial wired 18650s with the groups wired in parallel yielding 16.4v with twice the capacity of a single group of 4 serial wired batteries? Would such a configuration be called an 8S4P?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому

      Hi Michael. You left out some critical information but let's assume we're talking about lithium ion battery chemistry. With eight cells for in series, and another identical set in parallel. This is called 4S4P. It will output ~16.4-.8 volts when fully charged. If we're talking about lithium iron phosphate as we normally work with them this channel, that same configuration would also be 4S4P, but output ~14.4-.6 volts fully charged.

    • @michaelstarling4553
      @michaelstarling4553 5 років тому

      @@OH8STN Will be using Li ion batteries as they are in the box. So how what do I use for a BMS for such an experiment? Am in the US so Amazon is a decent supplier.
      Thank you for your reply!!!

  • @williamwitt911
    @williamwitt911 6 років тому

    Great video. One small question. Where did you get shrink wrap that large?

  • @kevinmaxson7304
    @kevinmaxson7304 6 років тому

    Nice work!

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Thanks Kevin

  • @timk7749
    @timk7749 6 років тому +1

    Great video as always. As a total noob to this, I would like to ask how you charge these cells at home. What kind of special charger?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +1

      Thanks Tim.
      Standard hobby charger set to ~14.6v 0.5A, or through a solar charge controller for LiFePO4 4S batteries. It's very standard stuff these days.

    • @timk7749
      @timk7749 6 років тому

      @@OH8STN RR thanks!

  • @in3rpe
    @in3rpe 6 років тому +1

    Thanks, 73 from the alps

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      You're very welcome 👍👍👍

  • @guiterman6263
    @guiterman6263 5 років тому +1

    Where can I find laptop batteries I live in lenoir hard to find here

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому

      Here you go.
      ebay.to/2so1tbj

  • @hamtechoutdoor
    @hamtechoutdoor 6 років тому

    Hi Julian, just a quick questison, does the BMS prevent automatically batteries' over-discharge below 3.0 or 2.7 V for LifePO4 cells ? If yes, Can you set a custom value (i.e. 3.0 or 2.7V)?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Excellent question Fabio. You can't do it with the BMS without changing out some resistors. However you can do it with your BMS for example the Victron BMS. It's programmable allows you to set high and low voltage values. I'll have one here for the channel pretty soon

  • @Hondacber
    @Hondacber 6 років тому

    I'm ready to purchase some batteries the Headway LiFePO4 40152S but I'm in the USA and I'm not sure who to order them from. I'm very cautious on who I'm buying from. I only order through AUTHORIZED dealers with FULL WARRANTY and I'm covered if anything goes wrong I want FAST SERVICE. I have decided to build a 4S 3P pack.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Try batteryspace

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      www.batteryspace.com/lifepo438120pmsizecell32v10ah100asurgerate32whwith6mscrewterminal-unapproved.aspx

    • @Hondacber
      @Hondacber 6 років тому +1

      @@OH8STN They already have a prebuilt pack I don't have to assemble anything. Here is the pack I got www.batteryspace.com/LiFePO4-40152SE-Battery-12.8V-45Ah-576Wh-100A-rate-with-PCM.aspx

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      @@Hondacber that's a monster 👍👍👍 Publishing a very similar build on the channel in a few weeks.

  • @touchthesun2448
    @touchthesun2448 6 років тому

    very nice job....I like it!

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Thanks. It was a fun kit to work with.
      73
      Julian oh8stn

  • @robertfandel9442
    @robertfandel9442 5 років тому

    So what is the advantage compared to AGM as far as cost and weight a 20ah 12v AGM is around 70$

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому

      The price at the cash register is a deception. We need to look at the cycle life of the battery. The typical AGM battery has about 500 Cycles. LifePO4 has 2000 cycles. You would have bought 4 AGM batteries before the LiFePO4 started to degrade. Another point is the AGM battery having only 50% usable capacity. So if you want 20 amp hours oh, you need 40 amp hours batteries to achieve it. If I want 20 amp hours out of my lithium iron phosphate cells I simply by 20 amp hours of lithium iron phosphate cells.
      Here's a comparison we put together on my website. It Compares this or generator, with a Goal Zero Yeti lithium, and a Goal Zero Yeti let acid. It also explains very well the cycle life. I hope this helps. Thanks for the question oh, it's very much appreciated.
      oh8stn.org/blog/2019/02/23/the-real-cost-of-a-solar-generator/

    • @austinanthony4016
      @austinanthony4016 5 років тому

      But that's a difference of 20 amp-hours vs. 4.4 amp-hours....so I guess the argument youre making is this is still a better solution for low powered solutions over longer periods of time vs. High amp applications? Pricing is still a bit high for 18650 based solutions but I can definitely see the argument for weight/portability vs. AGM batteries

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому

      My only arguments are the 500 cycles lifespan and 50% useable capacity of AGM or lead-acid batteries, versus 2000 cycles 95% usable capacity of Lithium Iron phosphate. So not only is lithium iron phosphate lighter, and has a much great cyclic lifespan, we would have bought four AGM or lead-acid batteries before the lithium iron phosphate would have reached the beginning of its end of life. If we're concerned about performance under load and capacity, we should also consider Peukerts law which states "as the rate of discharge increases, the batterys available capacity decreases". Peukert's law is much less relevant with lithium based cells.
      So really, certainly lithium iron phosphate packs are more expensive at the cash register. Thankfully their increased performance, longer cyclic life, and increased performance are all reasons to invest in them.

  • @jamesr.9239
    @jamesr.9239 6 років тому

    Hi, noob here and was wondering why you chose LiFeP04 cells as opposed to 18650 Lion cells. Was it due to the voltage output being closer to 12 volt than the 3.7 volt Lion cells would produce or was it something else?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Excellent observation. Yeah the lithium-ion cells will Top out around 16.8 volts. That voltage makes it difficult to charge with a portable solar panel in the field, and require some voltage regulation if you use them in 4S. You can use them in 3S, but then you have to run parallel cells to maintain the capacity.
      Great question, and excellent observations

  • @JoseA-Divergent
    @JoseA-Divergent 6 років тому

    Good work! :- )

  • @steveposson544
    @steveposson544 6 років тому

    Julian, what is the recommendation for torque on the nuts? 73 KM6OND

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Hi Steve. I don't remember it off hand you'll have to check the documentation, or one of the e-bike/ev websites.

    • @steveposson544
      @steveposson544 6 років тому

      RRR will do.

  • @809castro
    @809castro 6 років тому

    Do you need a bms if you using a solar controller?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +2

      Sure. The bms offers cell balancing, short circuit protection, high and low voltage protection, ...

    • @809castro
      @809castro 6 років тому

      @@OH8STN thanks God bless..

  • @tomstdenis
    @tomstdenis 6 років тому +1

    Why not make it a cube? Or it is because the BMS is longer than a string of 4 cells?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +1

      I can buy any Cube shaped battery from the shop. I needed this shape for the available space in the rucksack. It's a portable battery. I might even take it apart then make it flat. 👍

    • @tomstdenis
      @tomstdenis 6 років тому

      @@OH8STN That answers that :-) Cheers.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Yeah I know it seems a little crazy :-)

  • @QRP_Practical
    @QRP_Practical 6 років тому +1

    Thanks very much Julian. VK3DEK.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      No problem. It was a fun experience.
      73
      Julian oh8stn

  • @pNoid2k1
    @pNoid2k1 6 років тому

    What is the total cost of the 4S4P battery build?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +1

      Built the 4S4P & 4S2P packs for ~78$ total cost including 20A BMS for each.

    • @pNoid2k1
      @pNoid2k1 6 років тому

      OH8STN awesome.. Been wanting to build a 15aH pack for a yaesu ftm400 that I just picked up. I don’t really have a reason to build a 15aH battery.. just kind of want one for when I go camping on weekends. Are all the required parts linked in the description ? Sorry I did not check all of them.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      I didn't include the cells in the description, but everything else is there.

    • @pNoid2k1
      @pNoid2k1 6 років тому +1

      OH8STN all right cool thanks for getting back at me!. subd

  • @Andi-Maringer
    @Andi-Maringer 6 років тому

    Very nice Julian!!!
    Thank you!
    73 de Andi OE3APM

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +1

      Thanks Andi 👍👍👍
      73
      Julian oh8stn

  • @brianogram5194
    @brianogram5194 6 років тому

    Thank you Julian! //K6OGR

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      No problem
      73
      Julian oh8stn

  • @davidm1635
    @davidm1635 5 років тому

    Nice but about 2 min of TX without ID

  • @mrgcav
    @mrgcav 2 роки тому

    Only an armature would put use fuses in a battery pack. then put in two of them to double the resistance. Use on and only one circuit breaker.

  • @rustyb78
    @rustyb78 5 років тому

    Great videos but DAMN, do you have to include ads in the middle of the video? PIA!

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  5 років тому

      Unless I'm mistaken ads are also added multiple times in the middle of football and baseball games. I know it sucks but it's the only way to recoup what I invest in the channel in time and equipment. Just another point. If you had a UA-cam premium subscription, you would never have to see ads on UA-cam ever again. It's only 9 bucks in a month. On the flip side thanks for the kindness

  • @Hondacber
    @Hondacber 6 років тому

    Those are 4S batteries that means your running that radio at 14.8 VOLTS at full charge your giving that radio 16.8 VOLTS BAD IDEA your going to burn that radio up. You need a 3S pack.

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому

      Sorry Roger you're wrong! The build uses LiFePO4 cells, not Lithium ion. A 4S LiFePO4 pack is 12.8 volts nominal, 14.6v max. These cells are identical to the cells used inside Bioenno batteries.

    • @Hondacber
      @Hondacber 6 років тому

      @@OH8STN O OK sorry. I didn't know there was a difference. THANK YOU for telling me. I have put together a lot of 18650 packs and all of my 3S packs at full charge was 12.6. I have a lot of 18650's but none of them are LifePO4. Where do I get those ? Also are they better ?

    • @OH8STN
      @OH8STN  6 років тому +1

      No problem. I expected this question a little sooner to be honest. No harm done. Lithium ion have a greater cell density than lithium iron phosphate. So you can get the greater amp hours with fewer li-iin cells lithium iron phosphate have lower cell density, are much safer to work with, and have a good return on investment with 1500-2000 charge discharge cycles.
      There isn't a big variety of lithium iron phosphate 18650 cells, but they are becoming more popular. Check out your e bike shops.

    • @Hondacber
      @Hondacber 6 років тому +1

      I found some of the LiFePo4 18650's but there not as common as the LI ON ones. I'm wondering why that is ? That is why I have never came across them yet.

    • @Hondacber
      @Hondacber 6 років тому +1

      @@OH8STN I have The BOSE Acoustic Wave Music System II Radio and I build a TWO 3S 5P packs for that. I'm thinking of taking the 2 pack's apart and making a 3S 10P one instead. I like long run times. I'm using the Samsung INR18650-30Q ones.