LiFePO4 Batteries: Discussion Thread for Those Using Them as House Banks

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by offpist

Then one you have in the link will also work, but I recommend this one:
REC d.o.o.

Its ACTIVE, meaning it does not only drain the highest cell like passive BMS.

It will take power from the highest cell, and convert to the lowest. More efficient and produces almost no heat.

They are located in Slovenia, but are very quick to answer any questions and very service minded. Shipping to Norway was only 2-3 days.

I know they are working on an interface to NMEA2000. And then you can convert NMEA2000 to both Masterbus and Victron bus.

The CAN interface is already there, so all it needs is an FW update, and this you can do yourself.

How much was the complete system?

[offpist]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

How much was the complete system?

-The BMS is 205,00 EUR (incl 1 temp sensor)

-Then you might want it with custom wire lengths, that's 25 EUR. (recommended)

-Shunt, comes in 100A, 200A,300A or 500A , 30,00 EUR

-Additional temp sensor (max 2) 6,30 EUR

-Precharge resistor (not mandatory) 22,10 EUR

-Software for PC, and RS-485 cable 55,00 EUR

-LCD touch display 130,00 EUR

-Then you will need two relays, one for Charge, one for Discharge but these you can get cheaper on eBay. Rec-BMS sells them in the pictures at 121,00 EUR each.

I recommend getting both the software package and the display.

[offpist]

REC-BMS makes every BMS by order.
So you specify how you want it, what batteries you use etc, then they build it to your specifications. You need cable lugs for M12 or M8, they will fit the correct fittings. So everything is plug and play when you receive it.

Even the manual is customized to be correct for your setup, in English of course.

The High and Low Cutoff settings are by default by the battery recommendations, but you can change it yourself with the software if you want. (have to enter password etc, so it does not change accidentally)


If you live in the boat, and you don't want the relays, you can just connect it to an alarm to warn you when it reaches high or low voltage.

[Arthur Garfield]

Originally Posted by OTTCT

Arthur

I was just doing some "sifern" if I spelled that right. Now I paid around $300 per KWH For my 1,250ah - 16kw Winston bank, lots of folks are paying $500 a KWH & your saying they are predicting that by 2025 the price would be down to $100 a KWH ?

If that were possible or true - then gov would have to find a way to tax it back up to $300 -$500 per KWH- those kinda dream prices for consumers would be a nightmare for the car and the oil & the utility industry and who knows what else would crash. The oil industry alone is worth over $20 trillion dollars. While I would love to see it, don't think it will happen in our lifetime.

At least not on the consumer level , industrial storage level maybe.

Cheers OTTCT

OTTCT- Obviously the depth of your research or rather lack thereof reveals small surface understanding of energy storage industry.
"Flow energy storage" systems are available from at least 5 companies at this VERY MOMENT at "consumer level" / retail.


"Forecast 2030: stored electricity at $0.05/kWh: pv-magazine"
http://www.pv-magazine.com/.../forec...ty-at-005-kwh_...

"Will this battery change everything?" - Fortune
fortune.com/2014/09/18/sakti3-lithium-ion-battery/
(Engineer friend works with this company)

Next time before projecting your skepticism do some little researches.
Again,google wonderful devise for "flow energy storage", "$100 per KwH".....
"energy density per liter".....

[OTTCT]

Originally Posted by Arthur Garfield

OTTCT- Obviously the depth of your research or rather lack thereof reveals small surface understanding of energy storage industry.
"Flow energy storage" systems are available from at least 5 companies at this VERY MOMENT at "consumer level" / retail.


"Forecast 2030: stored electricity at $0.05/kWh: pv-magazine"
http://www.pv-magazine.com/.../forec...ty-at-005-kwh_...

"Will this battery change everything?" - Fortune
fortune.com/2014/09/18/sakti3-lithium-ion-battery/
(Engineer friend works with this company)

Next time before projecting your skepticism do some little researches.
Again,google wonderful devise for "flow energy storage", "$100 per KwH".....
"energy density per liter".....

I profess to being 100% ignorant on the topic.

Your link is dead !!

the final again a stupid question, if these are available today
then why are we disgusing outdated & overpriced lithium ?

Cheers OTTCT

[hellosailor]

From the Forbes article, Sakti indicates it is one or two (more) years away from a commercial product, and that even then, they will start off with cell phone batteries. A radically different product than a car or boat battery.

Considering all the futile investments and dead ends in solar and battery and renewable energy (waste conversion, synfuel, etc.) technology in the last decade or two, this is about as critical as a forecast for exceptional fertility at the unicorn ranch.

Really guys, if it ain't in production? Its still science fiction.

[OTTCT]

Hellosailor

I think I'm 100% with you on this one.

GE Flow Battery Aims To Break 240-Mile Range Goal

[offpist]

My 1000 AH Winston setup is up running.
Works well so far.


Attached is the display for the BMS, gives good info om the status.

[Joe Parklane]

Klaus, The Victron multiplus can be loaded (requires firmware update with assistants (actually like relay) that can be programmed to act to stop charging at a set voltage HVC. Requires voltage sense at batteries.The same with an LVC. Hopefully, your unit will permit this. Check with Victron. Newer units probably are including this feature from factory. Mine were done 2 years ago when this was new and required Victron to remote install the new firmware as the instruction at that time was wrong. Amazingly, Vader got directly involved. Of course this was after days of frustrating failure and confusing communications with Holland and a 5 hr difference.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[alctel]

CALB seem to have a couple of different battery lines - looking at the specs I can't see the difference between the lines except for the case colour, ie SE400AHA, LYP400AHA and CA400FI

Anyone have an idea?

[georgec]

This is from Keegan at CALB USA: "The CA cells have a better chemistry with higher performance. We call that the 2nd generation of CALB cell."

He told me the price is the same for the CA or the SE cells.

[SailorGerry]

Originally Posted by georgec

This is from Keegan at CALB USA: "The CA cells have a better chemistry with higher performance. We call that the 2nd generation of CALB cell."

He told me the price is the same for the CA or the SE cells.

Interesting - the manufactures in this industry are hard to figure out. US suppliers that have both, seem to charge more to the "CA' than the "SE" series. I purchased the CA 400's and was told that "The difference between SE and CA series batteries is the SE has higher energy density, and the CA has internal heat separators and 2-3% higher series/pack capacity."

Who knows! That's why this forum and its many contributors are so important to us early adopters!
Gerry

[CharlieJ]

Joe Parklane/Klaus-
I was the electrician that ended up talking to Mathias Vader to load, via remote computer operation (at 2200 Holland time!), the LFP Assistant on Joe's system. Mathias said he would fix the problem...and I am happy to report that he did. We just loaded the LFP Assistant on two Victron 8kW Quattro inverter/chargers with no problem.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by alctel

CALB seem to have a couple of different battery lines - looking at the specs I can't see the difference between the lines except for the case colour, ie SE400AHA, LYP400AHA and CA400FI

Anyone have an idea?

The LYP400AHA is a Winston cell not CALB....

I have been told the CALB CA (gray color) is replacing the SE (blue color) and the SE's are slowly being phased out...

[autumnbreeze27]

I need to replace my main battery bank and am considering a Balqon 5 kWhr pre-fab solution. Any reason not to go this route? I'm close enough that I can drive over and pick it up with my truck.