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09-10-2013, 17:53
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#2956
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia
Boat: Avon Rib, 65hp
Posts: 283
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
Bob & Bob,
Nice, very useful pix, I liked Bob E's method of holding cells in compression for banding/rebanding so much I copied it a while ago for my 'great ideas' folder. LOL
More [LiFe] power to you all, LOL
Mac
__________________
NEW SCIENCE: You fund the research and we provide the desired facts.
NEW ECONOMICS:See Above, obfuscation extra.
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09-10-2013, 17:56
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#2957
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Northern and Southern California
Boat: too many
Posts: 3,731
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
Yep, lead is dead.
A play on your More [LiFe] power to you...
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09-10-2013, 18:21
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#2958
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: On the boat
Boat: DeFever 44
Posts: 292
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wraith_Mac
Bob & Bob, Nice, very useful pix, I liked Bob E's method of holding cells in compression for banding/rebanding so much I copied it a while ago for my 'great ideas' folder. LOL More [LiFe] power to you all, LOL Mac
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Mac, When you are in Grenada without access to a proper press, you improvise a solution. Elite Power told me it could not be done, until I sent them the pics. Bob
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09-10-2013, 18:44
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#2959
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia
Boat: Avon Rib, 65hp
Posts: 283
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
A lot of us 'oldies' here know that "if it can't be done outside of the factory" ask a farmer, sailor or good amateur mechanic. They'll usually have a way.
That seems to apply everywhere doesn't it?
I've used a reversal of that method to pull a recalcitrant rear axle out of a landcruiser 100s of miles from anywhere.
Come a longs, trees, snatch trap, wire rope...won't use the snatch strap again, thing came out like a torpedo..LOL BUT it came out!
I like elegant solutions [with a touch of McGuyver] and your press idea is just that.
Cheers,
Mac
__________________
NEW SCIENCE: You fund the research and we provide the desired facts.
NEW ECONOMICS:See Above, obfuscation extra.
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09-10-2013, 19:08
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#2960
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia
Boat: Avon Rib, 65hp
Posts: 283
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
Quote:
Originally Posted by deckofficer
Yep, lead is dead.
A play on your More [LiFe] power to you...
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Bob,
We will need a new battery for the Avon this summer, so I'm altering the fittings to take a LiFePo4 battery, LED lights and a small arch with a solar panel.
Even for such a small application [compared to a house bank] I'm sold on the advantages Li provides for night fishing and overnight camping and believe it will be cost effective.
No more than 100ah @ 12v because I'm limited by the Suzuki's charging ability and regulation, hence the solar panel.
The Avon is kept light, no fancy fittings just fuel, engine and steering wheel, so I think adding a panel to provide shade as well as power will be easily pushed along by the DT65.
Li's lot less to worry about when a breaker fills the boat, it's self draining but keeping the enclosed LA away from salt water is a concern.
So yes mate, though I certainly agree with you that while "lead is dead", it's still economical for some uses but that is changing quickly isn't it.
Cheers mate,
Mac
__________________
NEW SCIENCE: You fund the research and we provide the desired facts.
NEW ECONOMICS:See Above, obfuscation extra.
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09-10-2013, 20:30
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#2961
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,141
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
Quote:
Originally Posted by deckofficer
Is that 3.12 volts for all in parallel?
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The meter is well calibrated and it's 3.72 volts after about 16 hours.
I ran them up to 4.00 according to the first charge instructions.
Normally, I'll not go above 3.4 v per cell.
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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09-10-2013, 20:33
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#2962
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia
Boat: Avon Rib, 65hp
Posts: 283
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
Quote:
Originally Posted by senormechanico
The meter is well calibrated and it's 3.72 volts after about 16 hours.
I ran them up to 4.00 according to the first charge instructions.
Normally, I'll not go above 3.4 v per cell.
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Mac
__________________
NEW SCIENCE: You fund the research and we provide the desired facts.
NEW ECONOMICS:See Above, obfuscation extra.
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09-10-2013, 20:45
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#2963
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,141
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
I don't know how old they are.
Serial numbers are not sequential, but they are LiFeYPo4.
The Astron RS 35 took care of running the paralleled cells up to 4.00 volts.
The voltage rose about 0.01 volt per minute while I surfed the internet.
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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09-10-2013, 20:48
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#2964
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Northern and Southern California
Boat: too many
Posts: 3,731
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
Quote:
Originally Posted by senormechanico
The meter is well calibrated and it's 3.72 volts after about 16 hours.
I ran them up to 4.00 according to the first charge instructions.
Normally, I'll not go above 3.4 v per cell.
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How many amps were you pumping in with all the cells in parallel?
Setting my variable power supply at 4.0 volts I think I only averaged about 3.5 amps, so my bottom to top parallel balance charge took about 9 days for 800 a-hr 3.2 volt parallel bank.
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09-10-2013, 21:00
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#2965
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,141
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
The power supply is rated at 25 amps with 35 max, and it took a few hours. I didn't keep exact track, but it was probably about three hours.
The supply was pretty hot by the time I got done, so it got a workout.
I rescued that supply from the metal crush pile at Island Recycling.
It didn't cost me a dime and it ran perfectly.
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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09-10-2013, 21:13
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#2966
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Northern and Southern California
Boat: too many
Posts: 3,731
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
I have an Astron 75 amp PS that I use to power a solid state HF amplifier but it is a 13.8 volt output. What is the output voltage of yours or is it variable? I received my cells at something above a 50% DOD, cycled them in series a few times and saw the cells were out of balance, so ran them down in series, connected all cells in parallel and then the slow bottom to top balance. They have been tight ever since.
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09-10-2013, 21:25
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#2967
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,141
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
My Astron RS 35 is a fixed output voltage of 13.8, but it is current limited.
I just hooked it straight up to the paralleled cells and let 'er rip.
It started at 3.8 volts and just put out max current.
When the voltage reached 4.00 I disconnected it.
It will be a few days before I can put them into service.
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"
Ayn Rand
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09-10-2013, 21:32
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#2968
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Northern and Southern California
Boat: too many
Posts: 3,731
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
I should have used my Astron 75 amp PS, it would have been so much faster if it could pull it off without overheating. When I use that supply for 600 watt output SSB duty cycle it gets warm but not hot. I use the same PS for a VHF 450 watt amp, and on FM duty cycle (100%) it gets quite hot.
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10-10-2013, 00:15
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#2969
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Montreal Canada
Boat: Bayliner , 2001 4788 Pilothouse
Posts: 16
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
Hello Steve,
I too was impressed with the ''Get it done with what you have'' in Bob's (Ebaugh) photo using the ratchet strap tie down.
I used 4 only 3/8'' threaded rod and 5/16 '' aluminum plates at each end of 14 individual 3.2 volt cell assemblies. I drilled the aluminum plates close to the cells so the rods actually touch the sides of the batteries and then tightened to form a solid block.
Each cell weights +/- 5 lbs each X 14 for a weight of some 74# .
If you do not need to move them around then threaded rod and anything as an end plate to keep them assembled so as not to have any movement at the electrical connection joints should be fine. The tight assembliy is to aid in preventing deformation should the cells become hot. Heating does not occure in my set up.
I have not figured out how to post pictures properly so picture is in members gallery under steelwrk1 titled ''84 Only 60 Amp Lifepo4 Batteries''
Hope this helps with ideas,
Best Regards,
Pete
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10-10-2013, 03:03
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#2970
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Maine
Boat: CS-36T - Cupecoy
Posts: 3,197
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Re: LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks
I used 1/4" Al end plates and 1/2" square Al tube. The square tube fits the grooves on the Winston cells perfectly. The draw rods are 5/16". I fabricated the plates then sent the parts out for annodizing.
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