FireFly Battery Long Term Users - Speakup

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by phantomracer

what brand LFP battery? the ones I was looking at were $1k-$1500 per 100a capacity, plus unknown other changes (dc/dc charger, load dumping considerations etc) . Reading Rod's well documented page, shows it is more than just swapping batteries! https://marinehowto.com/drop-in-life...ated-consumer/

My concern is my ignorance with LFP. Not knowing what I don't know. I know my FF won't last forever I want to make the jump to LFP, just nervous about designing my system myself. Contracting it out will likely be cost prohibitive.

SV/Jedi had a good diagram for an LFP installation a couple months ago in the lithium forum, where the alternator was isolated from the lithium bank. Basically the alternator charged a lead acid battery and the lithium were an isolated house bank. I thought it was a good example of a simple lithium installation/ conversion with the least amount of hassle.

[Britishsea]

This video mirrors my experience with Firefly G31 batteries. Having said that I do still have one G31 that I am using as an engine start battery...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrjV3zMKa8w

[FlyingScot]

If anyone is looking I have three great condition L15+ 4v batteries. Less than 3 years old. 450AH @ 12v nominal capacity. Located in Curacao. I have had zero problems with these since installation. We ran them with 3 other identical batteries.

[akopac]

After almost 5 years on the same 4 Firefly 31 batteries they are still going strong. I’m not sure what to say. Ticking Time Bomb maybe…
I should cycle them hard, but haven’t been…
I did request when I originally bought them not to get India batteries.
I’m solar independent currently on the poles in Whangarei, New Zealand.
Maybe sitting on a Ticking Time Bomb, maybe not…
��⛵️��

[PNWSalmon]

Lucky you !

[phantomracer]

Been a while. Figured I would give another update. On season 9 with my 2 g31 batteries. These things must be made of pixy dust or something. Still operating like new. I even shut off my fuel cell, and let the batteries get down to 11.5v or so, gets me 3 days on anchor. Usually will run the engjne to leave at some point. Only had the fuel cell on once this year when at anchor for 5 days.

Don't know if I will do another capacity test, but these puppies are still going strong. Almost a decade has not taken any hit on them at all.

I do feel they will fail sooner than later. Still haven't decided if I will go LFP or stick with FLA.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by phantomracer

Don't know if I will do another capacity test, but these puppies are still going strong. Almost a decade has not taken any hit on them at all.

If they are meeting your needs with the voltage looking good I see no reason to do a capacity test. When my FF went bad that was no doubt about it.

[kmacdonald]

Do they still sell those things?

[phantomracer]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

If they are meeting your needs with the voltage looking good I see no reason to do a capacity test. When my FF went bad that was no doubt about it.

I figure I am on bonus time so I am really beating them up. Funny they will be sitting at 13 volts as soon as I put a load on it it goes right to 12.8.. but they did that when they were new too. They surely do not owe me anything

Sad they could not keep up the quality control. Then again I don't think that they could compete with the progress lfp batteries have made in recent years.

[phantomracer]

No they don't

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by phantomracer

Sad they could not keep up the quality control. Then again I don't think that they could compete with the progress lfp batteries have made in recent years.

Definitely. My 4 G31 FF cost me $1953 for a 461ah bank 4 years ago. When they went bad only 2.5 years later I replaced with 4 "G31" LFP drop-ins batteries for $1309 for 400ah. The LFP was not only less expensive but mnore usable etc etc.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by phantomracer

Been a while. Figured I would give another update. On season 9 with my 2 g31 batteries. These things must be made of pixy dust or something. Still operating like new. I even shut off my fuel cell, and let the batteries get down to 11.5v or so, gets me 3 days on anchor. Usually will run the engjne to leave at some point. Only had the fuel cell on once this year when at anchor for 5 days.

Don't know if I will do another capacity test, but these puppies are still going strong. Almost a decade has not taken any hit on them at all.

I do feel they will fail sooner than later. Still haven't decided if I will go LFP or stick with FLA.

You must have some of the early US made Firefly's. When they move production to India is when they screwed the pooch...

[kmacdonald]

Bait and switch game.