Senior Member
Posted 14 June 2016 - 09:55 PM
Pretty stoked....I just pulled the trigger on the SBMS60 and a LiFePO4 100AH battery, I will be replacing a 55AH AGM ( 27.5 net ) that is fed by 350W of solar so this ought to really make fantastic use of the AH that this array produces as a primary system. I'm losing 17 lbs of battery weight too.
Edited by Kodachrome, 14 June 2016 - 09:57 PM.
Senior Member
Posted 14 June 2016 - 10:08 PM
I am so glad for you pioneers in the lithium game. I would like to go that way with the camper as I can attest to how unwieldly agm's are and I am toting smallish ones compared to what the camper would need.....
2018 Ford F-250. Customized Bundutec Sable 
Riley's Human
Posted 14 June 2016 - 10:31 PM
Me too. By the time my agm's need replacing I'll know exactly what to do. Thanks guys!
Craig K6JGV_________________________ 2004 2500 CTD 4X4 FWC HAWK 1960 CJ5
Senior Member
Posted 14 June 2016 - 10:48 PM
Me too. By the time my agm's need replacing I'll know exactly what to do. Thanks guys!
I was going to wait but then I realized my 55AH AGM was at least 4 years old.
I'll do the other bank next year possibly, my Die hard group 31M seems to be living up to it's namesake...:-)
PhotoHC, is there any battery orientation to consider or can these LiFePO4 batteries be placed in any direction?
Edited by Kodachrome, 14 June 2016 - 11:47 PM.
Senior Member
Posted 15 June 2016 - 03:45 AM
I was going to wait but then I realized my 55AH AGM was at least 4 years old.
I'll do the other bank next year possibly, my Die hard group 31M seems to be living up to it's namesake...:-)
PhotoHC, is there any battery orientation to consider or can these LiFePO4 batteries be placed in any direction?
It can be placed in any orientation. Harv
Ford 2018 F250 FX4,Lariat, Gasser. FWC 2013 Hawk W6QN (formerly KH6FBU)
Senior Member
Posted 15 June 2016 - 03:47 AM
Pretty stoked....I just pulled the trigger on the SBMS60 and a LiFePO4 100AH battery, I will be replacing a 55AH AGM ( 27.5 net ) that is fed by 350W of solar so this ought to really make fantastic use of the AH that this array produces as a primary system. I'm losing 17 lbs of battery weight too.
Congratulations. You'll like it! PM if you need any help. Harv
Ford 2018 F250 FX4,Lariat, Gasser. FWC 2013 Hawk W6QN (formerly KH6FBU)
Senior Member
Posted 15 June 2016 - 06:53 PM
I had to cancel the orders for the battery and charge controller due to the following:
I live and work at 8,000 feet in a ski town, the camper is on full time and is exposed to temps below freezing quite often, maybe more than half the year. It has been confirmed by both the seller of the battery and the maker of the SBMS60 charge controller that I should not apply a charge to a LiFePO4 battery when the temperature is below freezing. One can discharge a Lithium Ion battery when it is cold with some "Voltage Sag" but not charge them without the risk of damage to the cells. The cells in electric cars use low and high temp cut outs that allow safe use of them not to mention battery heaters.
I found this out today while reading the manual for the SBMS60. There are things I *could* do in order to overcome this but I feel in the long run it is just not worth it.
So to anyone considering a move to what is a very attractive net power to weight ratio gain of LiFePO4 batteries, at this stage in the technology, they are best used in either off grid home or RV environments where the ambient temps are above freezing most of the time.
Bummed it did not work out for me but I am glad I got it figured out well before I started tearing into the revision of an excellent existing system that uses proven AGM batteries.
Edited by Kodachrome, 15 June 2016 - 09:01 PM.
Senior Member
Posted 16 June 2016 - 02:24 AM
That is correct. It is encouraged that the batteries be within the living quarters as most likely they will be in ambient temperatures. The batteries are most affected during charging and need to be above freezing. I live in SoCal and spend most of my time in the Southwest. When camping and with cold weather, we usually keep the interior at 62 so that is not a problem.
Sorry to hear that it will not work for you.
Ford 2018 F250 FX4,Lariat, Gasser. FWC 2013 Hawk W6QN (formerly KH6FBU)
Member
Posted 16 June 2016 - 04:09 AM
Thanks for the info on this new solar controller combo unit.
Can you explain the photo of your whole system? What components does one need for a complete system? What are the turning knobs on the wall? Is there a "Shunt" ?
Grumpy Old Man
Posted 16 June 2016 - 05:11 PM
How do Prius, et. al. handle battery charging in the cold? I have seen a number of them running around in below zero temperatures.
jim
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