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Old 19-01-2013, 02:19   #31
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Quote:
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ebaugh, have you had bad/good/great experience with your LifePO4 bank?

Do you use a BMS system? What charger do you use?
Deep,

I posted a link on page 1 of this thread that completely details my installation, including chargers, batteries and BMS.

So far Im satisfied, and have no reason to believe I won't stay that way. We use a lot of power and the holy grail for us is cycle life which needs another 6 months or so of use at anchor to draw any final conclusions.

A couple of side benefits, but not enough to justify the investment alone are saving a 2-4 generator hours a week, mostly the weekly full charge we tried to accomplish with the previous lead acid bank to bring it to 100% SOC. The DC watermaker makes 10-15% more per hour since the voltage is higher.
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Old 19-01-2013, 02:58   #32
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

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Originally Posted by Maine Sail View Post
Please can someone lead me to some proof of LiFePO4 fires. I would like to read how they happened or even if they exist.
Here is some preliminary information about the Boeing 787 fire:
Japan: Over-charging preceded ANA 787 battery malfunction
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Old 19-01-2013, 03:17   #33
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

No fire, smoke or gases to cause a problem when this cell ruptured.
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Old 19-01-2013, 03:25   #34
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

More pics here, interesting as it shows structure. Having experienced an exploding 12 volt Lead Acid throwing casing shrapnel and acid 20 feet i think these pics show a somewhat tamer BANG!

https://picasaweb.google.com/Lithium...9/LP12V40AH02#
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Old 19-01-2013, 03:31   #35
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

lithium & solar power LiFePO4

Some very interesting pic's of misadventure with both cells and monolithic batteries, all Lithium.
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Old 19-01-2013, 03:34   #36
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

Thundersky Battery Experiments - a set on Flickr

Some real dumb stuff!

1) Put copper wire into the cell WTF? BUT it shows the limited fire that resulted from total stupidity!

2) Another adding water into cell thinking same as a wet cell???

3) And cleaning terminals with a Dremel = short = bang!

Check out the Ally angles holding battery in Golf Kart, it runs along side the terminals?

Cheers
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Old 19-01-2013, 03:43   #37
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

The set of photos posted by Lagoon4us in reply #34 seem to show four ordinary LiFePO4 cells, a padded bag for each, bus bars, and a plastic outer package. I don't see any evidence of internal electronics for managing charge on a cell by cell basis.
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Old 19-01-2013, 13:43   #38
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

My battery is from LiFeTech. It has onboard electronics to manage balancing and provides a data connection to allow you to monitor cell status on a PC. It also has an optional circuit that prevents very high amperage charge or discharge. I got this option but then had to bypass it as it turned out I had a need for higher current draw.

Cells are in a plastic rack in an aluminium case which is very strong and designed to be stackable. That is good but I like plastic - you can't short the internal connections on a plastic case!
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Old 19-01-2013, 13:56   #39
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

What does LiFeTech say about cycling the battery at temperatures below 0 degrees C? I have read some places that it isn't good for LiFeP04 to do that.
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Old 19-01-2013, 14:02   #40
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

I am afraid I can't help there. Did not cross my mind to investigate as I would not be in that sort of low temperature environment.
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Old 19-01-2013, 14:32   #41
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What does LiFeTech say about cycling the battery at temperatures below 0 degrees C? I have read some places that it isn't good for LiFeP04 to do that.
I think I read somewhere that my LiFeMnPO4 variation has a low temperature advantage. As I recall, maybe more for discharge? Give Elite Power in AZ a call or the GBS factory in China a call if its an issuer for you.
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Old 19-01-2013, 14:33   #42
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

Charging, even low amperage can cause issues if the pack isn't suitably contained.

The example of a large-scale cell damage caused by overcharge
The damage was caused by using a high-speed charger (30A) designed for charging 16 cells with a pack of just 15 cells without proper balancing and management. The voltage of some of the cells reached high above the max voltage level. The result was the swelling of the cells and partial damage of the cells.
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Old 19-01-2013, 14:41   #43
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

Low temp may not be as good.
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Old 19-01-2013, 16:07   #44
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

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Originally Posted by Lagoon4us View Post
Charging, even low amperage can cause issues if the pack isn't suitably contained.

The example of a large-scale cell damage caused by overcharge
The damage was caused by using a high-speed charger (30A) designed for charging 16 cells with a pack of just 15 cells without proper balancing and management. The voltage of some of the cells reached high above the max voltage level. The result was the swelling of the cells and partial damage of the cells.
30 amps isn't much. Are you sure about that number?
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Old 19-01-2013, 16:11   #45
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Re: Basic Designs for LiFePO4 Battery Systems

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30 amps isn't much. Are you sure about that number?
The attached said due to no BMS and badly balanced, i guess any charger can cause high voltage but with no alarm or cut-out it cooks?
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