Community Forums

Smitty77 · 03-30-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwcid

Here is an update.

I ended up with 6 AGM.

I got the system half installed last week, will be finishing it this week.

Here is an early image of the start of the battery box with batteries in place.

Looks like a clean install going

! Vmax is a great bang for the buck in the AGM landscape. (We use a small one for our Kayak's trolling motor.). One thing I could never locate on Vmax - is their expected number of Life Cycles? Did you by any chance run across that spec?

Good luck with the rest of the install,
Smitty

Brecklundin · 03-30-2019, 10:10 AM

Right on...Well explained...

There is no one size fits all in power storage. I'm at place where it's time to get new in the next year or less. I've made the decision to go lithium. Not sure if a Tesla or Battle Born (more I read about them the more they move into a finalist).

I boondock, a lot and use a lot of fuel, about $400 a month to run generator. Adding more solar in the next month or so which helps.

I am going with a Tesla and see how it goes. I have access to folks who understand the precautions to assist. Even if I decide a no on Tesla after a few months I can sell it and buy Battle Born or any competitor that emerges. It's my guess that this is the year we see real progress in consumer accessible lithium that is affordable and safer. Safety is the single compelling reason I could go Life or instead.

Nwcid · 03-30-2019, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty77

Looks like a clean install going

! Vmax is a great bang for the buck in the AGM landscape. (We use a small one for our Kayak's trolling motor.). One thing I could never locate on Vmax - is their expected number of Life Cycles? Did you by any chance run across that spec?

Good luck with the rest of the install,
Smitty

I will post images when I get it finished up this week. I got all of the 12v wiring done short of hooking up the main connections.

I will be working on the 120v system this week when I get home. I have it prepped so hopefully it should only take a day. Of course I will post images when the project it complete. I will probably actually do a whole post on how, why and some tricks I learned in the process. Working with 4/0 wire can be a challenge.

I did not see a lifecycle. They do come highly rated. Even if these hold up a minimum as long as my previous FLA batteries that I abused I will be happy.

theoldwizard · 03-30-2019, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brecklundin

Haven't read entire thread but it's worth considering a salvaged Tesla battery from a model S.

The chemistry is different so proper precautions are required but simple to implement.

There is a video on YouTube somewhere about a guy who built his only battery bank from reclaimed lithium cobalt oxide batteries (same chemistry Tesla uses). For an unknown reason, one battery shorted out and started to overheat, even though the bank was not in use at the time.

Luckily he was able to remove that battery bank from his homemade Class B before it burst into flames. The way the bank was designed/built that one cell could not be isolated. Only careful individual cell temperature and/or voltage/current might have caught it.

LiFePO4 for me or nothing.

theoldwizard · 03-30-2019, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwcid

Here is an update.

I ended up with 6 AGM.

Clearly AGMs were high on your priority list. Six 6V golf cart batteries would supply a similar amount of power for less than $600.

Nwcid · 03-30-2019, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

Clearly AGMs were high on your priority list. Six 6V golf cart batteries would supply a similar amount of power for less than $600.

I am not sure what you mean by "high on your priority list". The original question was between AGM and Lithium so there were only 2 choices.

FLA was not even a consideration. I used them in my last 2 RV's, moved from one to the other. The only positive side for FLA is cost but I am not willing to deal with all of the negatives of them. It is unlikely that I will ever use FLA for this type of application again.

unyalli · 03-30-2019, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwcid

not willing to deal with all of the negatives of them. It is unlikely that I will ever use FLA for this type of application again.

X2 Benefits of AGM FLA over liquid FLA are worth it. AGM lower internal resistance allowing charging/discharging at C/5 vs C/20 etc... Lithium is still too expensive.

- Jeff

Brecklundin · 03-30-2019, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

There is a video on YouTube somewhere about a guy who built his only battery bank from reclaimed lithium cobalt oxide batteries (same chemistry Tesla uses). For an unknown reason, one battery shorted out and started to overheat, even though the bank was not in use at the time.

Luckily he was able to remove that battery bank from his homemade Class B before it burst into flames. The way the bank was designed/built that one cell could not be isolated. Only careful individual cell temperature and/or voltage/current might have caught it.

LiFePO4 for me or nothing.

Wow... completely agree. That's my single biggest concern going that way. Duh, right? Hahaha....I haven't stumbled across stories of LiFeO4 blowing up...yet.

That potential of the LiCo2, if i recall my freshman chem at all, to blow up is a real thing for a chain reaction to occur. My info so far suggests as long as i pay attention to temps and charge conservatively all "should" be fine. guess to cones down to just good was Tesla's QA/QC that day.

My sense is i can easily live with 3-4 100AHr LiFeO4 batteries...its just so fun to with a big auto battery.

I'm still in the planning stages so nothing set in stone. Part of my decision is based on the charge efficiency for all lithium batteries. That allows daytime battery depletion with recover via Solar or even generator. To me the cost of lithium is greatly offset by the far more efficient charging. plus we can use the majority if capacity without significantly reducing lifetimes.

I'm researching and learning. To me that's a big part of the fun.

Last i bought this to enjoy not do without... life is far too short to not be comfy.

Brecklundin · 03-30-2019, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

There is a video on YouTube somewhere about a guy who built his only battery bank from reclaimed lithium cobalt oxide batteries (same chemistry Tesla uses). For an unknown reason, one battery shorted out and started to overheat, even though the bank was not in use at the time.

Luckily he was able to remove that battery bank from his homemade Class B before it burst into flames. The way the bank was designed/built that one cell could not be isolated. Only careful individual cell temperature and/or voltage/current might have caught it.

LiFePO4 for me or nothing.

i wonder if that guy used the individual cells to cobble together his own DIY battery? That im not sure i would ever entertain.

Sure would be quite interesting to learn what went sideways for Tesla's that flame-on.

festrvl · 03-31-2019, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty77

Looks like a clean install going

! Vmax is a great bang for the buck in the AGM landscape. (We use a small one for our Kayak's trolling motor.). One thing I could never locate on Vmax - is their expected number of Life Cycles? Did you by any chance run across that spec?

Good luck with the rest of the install,
Smitty

https://www.vmaxtanks.com/FAQ_ep_42.html