Cost of LiFePo4 vs Lead in Your Market

[200MPH]

When one of our existing AGM batteries died 12 months ago, this is how the price options worked out:
1) replace existing setup, 2x 260 Ah 12V agm with good quality SSB brand with 3 year warranty was AUS$1400

2) substitute with 4x300Ah cells for 12V setup cost AUS$2200.

Fortunately all the charging sources and protection systems on board could be reprogrammed to suit LFP friendly specs, so no more cost there. Well, all except the propulsion diesel alternators...so they have been left isolated from the LFP house battery and just charge the Pb starter battery unless you manually throw the parallel switch on.

So the cost was more, but the benefits and expected life of LFP more than make sound economic sense.

[john61ct]

So no BMS?

[200MPH]

Now need for active balancing individual cell monitoring BMS I think.

System is very simple. Low voltage disconnect DC and AC loads at 12V pack level. Low battery alarm at 12.8V and at 60 Ah capacity, all done via connecting a $4 buzzer to existing BEP battery monitor.

This is a shared ownership yacht, hence I've keep everything as conservative as practical, as I don't expect the other owners to fully understand the why's and how's of it all. I have printed up instructions on it all, but of course no one reads instrctions...