Looking to the future. We presently have 3 x 130ah AGM batteries and will replace with Lithium. Will I need 3? We have 2x 200w panels and run a small 600 inverter for the wifi. We dont have any problems of supply but of course 4 weeks of overcast and rain stretches the system. We have a 3.6kw Cummins genny as back up.
Help and advice is appreciated.
Hi Ba + Eve; How do you charge your batteries from the generator. Do you use the 12 volt from the generator or the 240 volt side and use some form of battery charger running from the generator ?? A good 12 volt smart charger of around 30 + Amps. I have a Victron smart charger and it has been a game changer for me. It can also charge lithium as well once the settings are changed. Blue toothed to my phone makes looking at the settings very easy.
As I understand it:
The generator produces the AC power needed by the battery charger, and the battery charger then converts the AC power to DC power to charge the batteries.
I recently replaced 3 house batteries with AGM again due to problem with paralleling lithium batteries. The normal limit is two, even some companies do not even recommend paralleling of lithium batteries without extra BMS.
I run a 3000 watt inverter for microwave and need to draw over 150 amps
Regards
I recently replaced 3 house batteries with AGM again due to problem with paralleling lithium batteries. The normal limit is two, even some companies do not even recommend paralleling of lithium batteries without extra BMS. I run a 3000 watt inverter for microwave and need to draw over 150 amps Regards
Hi Roger, there are many brands of LiFePO4 batteries that can be connected in parallel, up to four batteries. Even many cheaper brands will connect up to four batteries either in parallel, or series (48V).
I have three lower cost Voltax batteries in parallel and by using a 3000/6000W inverter have no difficulty running the aircon and all other van appliances. My battery documentation stipulates that four batteries can be connected parallel or in series.
I believe it depends upon the BMS type fitted to the batteries. Care must be taken to ascertain in advance the battery configuration as documented by the manufacturer/distributor. Some do not recommend connecting batteries and others may recommend connecting two or four maximum. Buyer beware!
-- Edited by Dick0 on Monday 23rd of May 2022 11:12:08 PM
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Cheers, Richard (Dick0)
"Home is where the Den is parked, Designer Orchid Special towed by Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited"
"4x250W solar panels, Epever 80A charger and 3x135Ah Voltax Prismatic LiFePO4 Batteries".
Hi Dicko, Just for reference how long have you had your VoltX batteries? I don't need any as I have built my own but it is always good to know how the lower price point of the market are going.
Looking to the future. We presently have 3 x 130ah AGM batteries and will replace with Lithium. Will I need 3? We have 2x 200w panels and run a small 600 inverter for the wifi. We dont have any problems of supply but of course 4 weeks of overcast and rain stretches the system. We have a 3.6kw Cummins genny as back up. Help and advice is appreciated.
Two 100Ah LifePO4 or qone 200Ah will give you just under the available Ah you have now and 3 will give you a good bit more. DickO's post has raised some of the issues that need to be considered so when you are ready to buy come back on here with the specifications of the batteries you are considering.
-- Edited by TimTim on Wednesday 25th of May 2022 12:31:06 AM
Hi Dicko, Just for reference how long have you had your VoltX batteries? I don't need any as I have built my own but it is always good to know how the lower price point of the market are going.
Hi TimTim, the batteries I have are VOLTAX as opposed to VoltX. There is a teardown review of my batteries on Youtube. I got them for under $500ea and two I have had for over one year and the third for three months. I added a third so I could do away with my gennie when camping and not worry about extended inclement weather. The batteries have performed admirably in all respects to date. I ran my aircon (rooftop Dometic) for a test of 5 hours, the solar controller and panels had no problem with power input and charging. As much as the criticism that I received about these batteries being "cheap arse Chinese", I cannot fault their performance.
Yes, I have seen the YouTube breakdown and read plenty of reviews, all just out of interest. Good to hear that they are running well for you. Im not sure why folks get so upset at peoples choice of equipment they buy as it has no affect on them. As for cheap arse Chinese, I remember the days of cheap arse Japanese.
-- Edited by TimTim on Wednesday 25th of May 2022 10:32:17 PM
-- Edited by TimTim on Wednesday 25th of May 2022 10:33:30 PM
-- Edited by TimTim on Wednesday 25th of May 2022 10:34:12 PM
As I understand it: The generator produces the AC power needed by the battery charger, and the battery charger then converts the AC power to DC power to charge the batteries.
What size battery charger do you have ?? Is it just a old analog charger or a smart charger ( multi stage ). What charge maximum current your charger can charge at and lastly can the setting of the charger be charge to a lithium setting ??
Hi Dicko, Just for reference how long have you had your VoltX batteries? I don't need any as I have built my own but it is always good to know how the lower price point of the market are going.
Hi TimTim, the batteries I have are VOLTAX as opposed to VoltX. There is a teardown review of my batteries on Youtube. I got them for under $500ea and two I have had for over one year and the third for three months. I added a third so I could do away with my gennie when camping and not worry about extended inclement weather. The batteries have performed admirably in all respects to date. I ran my aircon (rooftop Dometic) for a test of 5 hours, the solar controller and panels had no problem with power input and charging. As much as the criticism that I received about these batteries being "cheap arse Chinese", I cannot fault their performance.
X2 for the Voltax! I've had 2 100AH for about 18 months, and make life so much easier...
