Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2018 04:29:29 +0000
Reply-To: Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@YAHOO.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Poppie Jagersand <poppie.jagersand@YAHOO.CA>
Subject: Re: Is there anybody out there?/LiFePO4 battery
In-Reply-To: <343f772d-f490-4cdd-c368-d1de8650cf76@westyventures.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Agree that a regular deep cycle battery is easiest for most people.
LiFePO4 batteries can become DIY hobby - just like our vans. It is useful to check individual cell voltages and making sure the Battery Management System keeps it balanced and ideally catch any problems early. If a cell goes bad it is much cheaper to diagnose and replace that one cell than to ditch the whole battery.
I have used LiFePO4 batteries for over a decade in electric bikes. Most work well, but some develop quirks. With one I have to periodically up the charge on a particular cell - seems to happen at temps around freezing. Not cold nor warm temps. I use an RC charger to top up the particular cell every month or two in the fall and winter. Inbetween I can use the battery with its charger as usual.
I have a number of A123 prismatic LiFePO4 cells (same as used in some Chevy Spark cars) on my workbench to make a battery for the Westy this summer.
Martin (82 Westy in Canada, 85 in Europe)
On Monday, February 12, 2018 4:34 PM, Karl <tdiguru@WESTYVENTURES.COM> wrote:
You're working with Mike H, I found out, we're following the
conversation over of the Book of Faces now. The friend I mentioned is
west-coast and a roaming installer, https://www.offthegridcamper.com/
IMO at the price point for 50Ah + extras, 45Ah usable, you're at almost
4X the cost of a quality proven AGM 100Ah with 50Ah usable, that
requires little in the way of extras. The cost vs Ah in Lithium systems
becomes much more attractive as the size goes up, but may I suggest
starting with 100Ah to get more Ah/$.
Karl
On 2/12/2018 3:04 PM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) wrote:
> I have been talking to him, I am pretty sure.� One of the big issues is
> that the batteries are considered Hazardous Materials and this really
> limits who can ship them and shipping them around the country, etc.� We
> have that covered with the company we are working with.� Also the
> charging system from the alternator is tricky.� Got that covered as
> well.� I am almost ready to pump out a kit that would allow you to
> install one of these in just a few minutes with very little electrical
> knowledge, etc.� The price for the battery (50amp hour) and the charger
> is going to be around a thousand.� This should be find for most people.
> I am also working on a 100amp hour version.
>
> Ken
|