Single LiFePo4 Battery or Two LiFePo4 Batteries in Hawk?

  Brad, 

 

Rando gave a really good description on what controllers are capable of what...and what their relative efficiency is at gleaning power.

 

Here is the deal...you have a '16 Fleet, right?  I have a '16 Hawk...our Zamp ZS30 controllers should be identical...

 

The Specs above I also have in a copy of a Zamp controller manual but they are not for my vintage ['16] Zamp controller...I have the '16 version of the manual and LiFePo4 or LTO are not mentioned....

 

Simple way to find out what battery types your controller is programed for....push the button "Battery Type" on the face of your controller and it will show you what battery types it is programed for...

 

Either way like Rando said your controller will handle LiFePo4 with an AGM profile...I assume that the LiFePo4 specific profile would be more accurate in matching the Li specs but I guess the difference is not a significant issue..

 

Phil

Phil...yes, Rando's info helpful as well as yours...will be checking the "Battery Type" setting soon...if the Li setting is there, good to go,..if not, an alternate setting should be ok for the Li battery when we get one...

Curious to see if my version is the older or newer ... and guess what, I  just pulled my owner's book out and checked my "official manufacture date" again-- ha ha,..it was January, 2017 (not 2016)...purchased in late 2016 but took delivery on a 2017 dated model...sooo, I more than like may have the "newer" controller that includes the Li setting... stay tuned...

Brad

Phil, 100AH of Lithium is lots for your usage.  Its the equivalent of 200AH of AGM, and you only have 150AH now.  Save money for more chocolate or a new set of skis.

          like the idea of more chocolaate and new sticks   ....hoopy!

Wallowa:  About a year ago I needed battery advice regarding Lifepo4.  I originally thought using two 100amp batteries was the way to go.  Rondo suggested I just buy one battery with more amp hours. So I did some research and decided to build one.  I bought 4 cells from Alibaba 3.2v at 280amps.  The cells cost around $560 with shipping.  I bought a BMS will cold temp shut off and a $10 additional cell balancer and total cost was about $660.  I have a 160 watt flex panel on top.  Building the battery was pretty easy using DIY Solar videos (Will Prowse).  If I can do it, anyone can.  And I believe Rondo is correct, the prices have really decreased in the last year.  Rondo, Vic and Pat's advice was right on the money.  Power to spare!  Good luck to you.   Tim

Maybe you can consider designing your system to work on on 100 Ah battery with the option to easily add a second should you decide at some point in the future that 100 Ah just is not enough. Kinda like a try it before you buy it approach. If you decide you need another then the system should permit you to easily drop in a second battery and run two wires.

Also, I recall reading that although LiFePO4 can be discharged almost fully if they are used well and not really used hard you can rest assured you will have a ten plus year battery. With two batteries you are sharing the load so if your daily use normally depletes one battery 50% then running two should only knock them down to 25% each. Just a thought.

Another consideration for me has to do with safety. I am no spring chicken any more and $1k additional is nothing compared to my health and safety. Batteries are power and that power can be used for all sorts of things, radios, starting fires, powering a signal light as a signal beacon, etc. Since folks in this group routinely venture out into the wilderness I am all in favor of the system having extra power for those one-in-a-million events that seem to pop up at the worst possible time.

My '16 Hawk FWC Zamp Controller does not support LiFePo4 batteries, sometime later they did start offering an Li compatible controller...scroll the screen to see if Li comes up..

The Zamp solar charge controller in my '17 Fleet does have a LiFePo4 setting. I'm about to pull the trigger on a 100Ah LiFePo4 battery, and am trying to figure out what all needs to be changed. It looks like I can use the current solar charge controller. 

Chet...I too have a few years on me...so, yes I also think in terms of what if and always have a "Plan B"; especially when in BFE....

Jim....I was told, no real knowledge in this, that the Zamp AGM settings will work with Li....I am switching to a Victron to take advantage of the MPPT controller and away from the Zamp PWM....again no firm understanding in this but the MPPT should make my system more efficient...

No perfection, but hopefully a stouter and longer lasting system..

But hey, I could be wrong!  Phil

I think I'll hold off on changing to a MPPT charger for now. I am going to change to a DC-DC Victron charger for the truck to house battery charging. I also want one of those Victron Smart Shunts. 

From what I understand, the Iota charger/converter that came with the FWC will work fine for charging a LiFePo4

battery from shore power. Is that correct?

From what I understand, the Iota charger/converter that came with the FWC will work fine for charging a LiFePo4

battery from shore power. Is that correct?

Depends, and yes.  If you have one of the IOTA's that has a "Dongle" that can be swapped out, then you are golden.  If not, the AGM setting will work for now.... and plan on upgrading your IOTA down the road a bit.

Wallowa,
You are wrong. My 2016 Grandby came with ZAmp 30a controller and the manual states that it does support Li battery. When all else fail, read instructions.

I just upgraded to Victron 100/30 per Vic’s suggestion.

Hey Mutt,

Glad your '16 Grandby Zamp controller has an Li setting on the display...my '16 Hawk does not have that setting; yes, AGM setting will support Li, but there isn't an Li setting that is reflected on the Zamp controller display in my Hawk.....all good....

Phil

Ps...I would read the instructions as you suggest, but I am illiterate...