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Old 11-22-2015, 07:59 AM   #1
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LFP maintenance 101

LFP batteries should not be charged if below 32 F (0C). We have put a remote thermometer ($20 or so from Lowe's or Home Depot) in the compartment in which the battery suite is installed. It got below 24 last night but it remained above 40 in the compartment which is well insulated. All of the peripherals for the electrical system are in the same compartment and these may add heat. If the temperature gets below 35, we shall just put in an inspection lamp with 30 W bulb. There have been discussions on similar topic previously; just wanted to share what we found out last night.

The other worry is getting the battery suite to hot when we are in Yucatan next month. We have three 12 V fans (1 amp at 12 V or 12 W). We can put one or two in the compartment to move air as well as opening the front panel and both side panels. TJust glad we will not have nesting Carolina Wrens down there. These beautiful and charming little birds will investigate every nook and cranny looking for a nesting site.
Reed and Elaine
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Old 11-24-2015, 10:16 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Reed Cundiff View Post
LFP batteries should not be charged if below 32 F (0C). If the temperature gets below 35, we shall just put in an inspection lamp with 30 W bulb. There have been discussions on similar topic previously; just wanted to share what we found out last night.
Reed,

Here is a link to another possible (albeit more expensive) battery heating solution. This type of heater could be built right into the pack and would be much more efficient than the incandescent lamp in an open space approach, especially if you added an insulating blanket of some sort around the battery pack. Also, these might be an option.
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Old 11-24-2015, 02:44 PM   #3
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Thanks

There are a number of options that might be required for extreme cold. We are only getting down to 25 F and the inverter is keeping it above 40 in the compartment. We got down to 10 F a few years ago when we had glass mats but the worry was freezing pipes. The basement (main luggage compartment) has two x 30 W incandescent bulbs. We left one on and it kept the compartment above 40.

Went over the link. Probably need less than 30 W total to keep the place warm. We do not tie into line power and so the only thing heating the batteries is the battery suite itself.

Reed and Elaine
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Old 11-24-2015, 03:51 PM   #4
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Thanks

Went over the link. Probably need less than 30 W total to keep the place warm. We do not tie into line power and so the only thing heating the batteries is the battery suite itself.

Reed and Elaine
I did the calculations and the 120V units operated on 48V will consume only 16% of their original wattage rating. The 240V units will use only 4%. That means that the 320W 120V or 240V units will essentially be either 57.6W or 14.4W heaters when run at 48V. If you're getting by with a 30W lamp now, the 14.4W units would probably do fine if they're in direct contact with the battery bank as the heat transfer would be more efficient.

Just a thought...
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Old 11-26-2015, 07:58 AM   #5
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Not always up on things. Thought the 12 V 30 amp light our grandson put in the front bay (battery bay) was not working. He showed me the "ON BUTTON" yesterday.

Reed and Elaine
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