Our previous AGM 4D batteries started dying this summer time (August 2015). They symptom is that they'd overheat. The Victron inverter system has a temperature sensor. It warned us of the pending catastrophe in time to disconnect the dying cell from the battery financial institution. After some investigation, we decided that a Lithium battery financial institution would be about 1/3 the load of the AGM battery bank and that it would supply more usable capacity and final longer. AGMs are good for 100%-50% state of cost whereas LiFePO4 is nice for 100%-20% state of charge. The AGMs can handle about 500 cycles whereas the LiFePO4 cells are supposedly good for 3000 cycles. So, whereas the Lithium bank is extra (less than 3X the price of Lifeline AGMs), they final for much longer and supply extra power whereas doing it with a lighter weight financial institution.
We checked out several types of lithium iron phosphate battery batteries and chosen LiFePO4 cells, that are a lot safer than so-known as lithium iron phosphate battery-Ion cells that you just hear about with airplane and hoverboard fires. We acquired twelve 180AH Lithium cells from CALB, viaTroy Bethel, rechargeable battery who was doing an order for several battery banks. He additionally did the initial top balancing. Bottom balancing as effectively as the aluminum plates to carry the batteries. The cells are connected in a 3P4S association, which means that three cells are paralleled to create a "tremendous-cell". Do this four instances to create 4 tremendous-cells, then join them in collection utilizing 2/0 cables that are the identical length so that the wire resistance is the same. Our ensuing battery financial institution is 3*180AH = 540AH at 12.8-13.2v. Most people report their LiFePO4 batteries running very flat voltages around 13.2v over a variety of discharge capacities. These batteries can source a whole lot of present, around 10X their AH capacity (540AH * 10 = 5400A). But when consumed at a decrease amperage, they can run a very long time. LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged to 20% of their capability. Our system charges them to 14.2v (the CALB cells have a max voltage of 3.65v per cell, or 14.6v for the assembled house financial institution). We might have gotten by with a 400AH financial institution, however determined that having the extra capacity was value the extra expense. We will have over 400AH of usable capability. So we cannot must recharge on daily basis if we don't wish to. Speaking of charging, these batteries will take all the present we will generate, which means that we'd like to look at our alternators to make sure they do not overheat. To date the batteries have been down solely about 130-140AH and one among our alternators will convey that again up over the course of a day's motoring (which we did yesterday to cowl a lot of miles quickly). We would normally use the genset. Victron charger for vital charging at anchor.

Here's a photograph comparison of the batteries.

Lithium Batteries vs Lead Acid 4D batteries

Wrap the wrench in tape to forestall unintentional shorts

We had bought an affordable 12v 4D flooded lead acid battery to exchange the dead AGM. In the event you loved this informative article and you would like to receive more info with regards to lithium iron phosphate battery review i implore you to visit the site. But on our journey to Georgia, another AGM died, so we had been all the way down to 2 batteries. The Lithiums hadn't been put in yet. The final AGM died on the winter journey from Georgia to Florida, so we were all the way down to the one flooded wet cell battery. That's when the Lithiums were finished and we were ready to select them up in central Flordia and get them to LUX at Titusville, FL.
It took over half the day to put in them. They fit into the old slots where the AGM 4D batteries had been installed. The Titusville marina took the previous AGM cells. Here's what they look like installed. When working with Lithiums, we must watch out - tools will vaporize if they bridge a battery's terminals. We used a box-finish wrench wrapped in tape. We additionally positioned some plastic sheets over the terminals while we worked on the connections. The photograph below show plexiglass covers over the terminals.

LIthium Batteries Installed

HousePower BMS with Alarm

It is nice to use a Battery Monitoring System (BMS) to observe the individual cells to ensure they don't seem to be out of steadiness. A few days later, we had a possibility to mount it and get the whole lot connected the way in which it must be.
Everything is now installed and lithium polymer battery working. It is good to not fear a lot about vitality consumption whereas anchored out. Last night we left all the devices on, some additional lights, lithium iron phosphate battery review and the VHF on whereas anchored on the great Bahamas Bank. We needed to be visible, monitor AIS, and to listen to anyone hailing us on VHF. With every part operating, we used 135AH, which one engine's alternator changed after we had been motor sailing immediately.

This morning (Feb 3), we used 145AH since we anchored final evening and the battery voltage is 13.2v. We'll use about twice that for 24 hours. We plan on utilizing the genset. Victron 150A charger to cost them later in the present day.