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Old 04-24-2023, 01:00 PM   #21
rames14
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Tony, high temp isn’t a problem. Here is a link to several solutions. https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...Battery+heater
 
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Old 04-24-2023, 01:04 PM   #22
Carl n Susan
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Turning off the breaker to the converter is half of the solution. You also need to stop the Victron solar from trying to charge. How you do that is beyond me.
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Old 04-24-2023, 01:58 PM   #23
Foldbak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl n Susan View Post
Turning off the breaker to the converter is half of the solution. You also need to stop the Victron solar from trying to charge. How you do that is beyond me.
I could just shut it off in the Victron app.
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Old 04-24-2023, 06:00 PM   #24
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I just discovered that my Victron Controller battery type is set to rotary switch and I can't see what setting it's on. Can someone tell me what manual setting should be for flooded batteries? I'm wondering if the rotary switch is incorrectly set? Maybe the reason I lost a battery?


I also assume that changing the Victron to lithium is the only setting I have to change in the app once I upgrade?
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Old 04-25-2023, 04:31 AM   #25
Jay Merritt
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My Victron MPPT has a bluetooth connection and an app. You can override the rotating knob in the app
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Old 04-25-2023, 12:31 PM   #26
Lee-CI
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak View Post
I just discovered that my Victron Controller battery type is set to rotary switch and I can't see what setting it's on. Can someone tell me what manual setting should be for flooded batteries? I'm wondering if the rotary switch is incorrectly set? Maybe the reason I lost a battery?


I also assume that changing the Victron to lithium is the only setting I have to change in the app once I upgrade?
Tony there are numerous parameters for your Victron MPPT that will need to be tailored to the specific LIFEPO4 batteries you decided upon. I'm pasting the parameters for our SOK batteries only as an example of the information you'll need to gather before updating new parameters for your specific batteries. Ron Ames has a SolarFlex FB page where one can learn a lot as well.
Example:
Battery Voltage: Set depending on system, normally 12v.
Max Charge Current: OK to set as high as desired, but no more than 50a per battery
Charger: Enabled
Battery Preset: User Defined
Expert Mode: ON
Absorption Voltage: 14.6v
Float Voltage: 13.8v
Equalization Voltage: 14.6v
Rebulk Voltage Offset: 0.40v
Absorption Duration: Fixed
Absorption Time: 15 Minutes (This allows for proper cell balancing)
Tail Current: Disabled
Equalize Current: 0% (For safety we don’t want equalization at all.)
Automatic Equalization: Disabled
Equalize Stop Mode: Automatic (On voltage)
Maximum Equalize duration: 0 Minutes
Manual equalization: DO NOT CLICK START
Temperature Compensation: Disabled
Low Temperature Cutoff: Disabled (unless you add a temp sensor, the BMS has this protection built in)

I'm learning as well, but PM me if you want to kick around ideas.
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Old 04-25-2023, 01:17 PM   #27
Foldbak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee-CI View Post
Tony there are numerous parameters for your Victron MPPT that will need to be tailored to the specific LIFEPO4 batteries you decided upon. I'm pasting the parameters for our SOK batteries only as an example of the information you'll need to gather before updating new parameters for your specific batteries. Ron Ames has a SolarFlex FB page where one can learn a lot as well.
Example:
Battery Voltage: Set depending on system, normally 12v.
Max Charge Current: OK to set as high as desired, but no more than 50a per battery
Charger: Enabled
Battery Preset: User Defined
Expert Mode: ON
Absorption Voltage: 14.6v
Float Voltage: 13.8v
Equalization Voltage: 14.6v
Rebulk Voltage Offset: 0.40v
Absorption Duration: Fixed
Absorption Time: 15 Minutes (This allows for proper cell balancing)
Tail Current: Disabled
Equalize Current: 0% (For safety we don’t want equalization at all.)
Automatic Equalization: Disabled
Equalize Stop Mode: Automatic (On voltage)
Maximum Equalize duration: 0 Minutes
Manual equalization: DO NOT CLICK START
Temperature Compensation: Disabled
Low Temperature Cutoff: Disabled (unless you add a temp sensor, the BMS has this protection built in)

I'm learning as well, but PM me if you want to kick around ideas.
Thanks for this Lee! Appreciate it!
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Old 04-26-2023, 01:48 PM   #28
Speck56
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Lithium

Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak View Post
Ok I just pulled the trigger on batteries. Used my air miles and cost me nothing but grief from DW. I ordered these. Thoughts?
Battleborn was my choice. 10 year warranty. Absolutely recommend. Double the price but they are great. I have three, recovery time is fast. Boondockers dream
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Old 04-26-2023, 03:00 PM   #29
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Lithium Batteries

I don't know about you but I'm best buds with the local dealership service manager and I pester him with questions but do most of the work myself. Not so with my lithium batteries but we discussed the subject a few times before pulling the trigger.

1. Had 4 - 6v batteries that we replaced by 2 - 12v lithium batteries = approx 200 lb weight savings plus 10 year warranty.

2. Replaced lithium ready converter to a dedicated converter for lithium batteries - otherwise lithiums won't be fully charged (as explained to me)

3. I do have 2 - 160w solar panels with residential fridge. Only limiting bondoggle items now are waste tanks and fresh water but we can go quite a while before those items come into play.

4. 40k miles in the last few years (all over US heat and cold) plus live in AZ. Heat never bothered lithium charging. Batteries are behind my propane tanks in the front so no direct heat. One could always move them up under the master bed but it'll never get hot enough to do that.

5. Best change I ever made - so far. Might go to Vroom slide if my Schwentek slide ever goes out again (one of the drive motors went out).
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Old 04-26-2023, 04:19 PM   #30
DebNJim B
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My truck is able to maintain the battery with the resifridge running. It does have a high output alternator but I don’t know the numbers offhand.
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Old 04-26-2023, 07:24 PM   #31
Foldbak
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I received the batteries today and had them installed in 45 minuets. I was disappointed that they don't fit in the battery box. Their about 1.5 inches longer. I did a temporary install until I can get a bigger box.



I shut everything off, switched the converter to LI, changed the Victron Solar to LI and turned all back on. I didn't do any custom settings in Victron. See the pictures. 1 batt was at 71% and the other was at 90% out of the box. I'll check in an hour.



Are there any other custom settings recommended? Oh ya and I just lost 100lbs! DW happy
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Old 04-26-2023, 07:41 PM   #32
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Since lithium batteries don't offgas, no need to put them inside a battery box unless that is what you prefer. Forgot to rotate my phone. It's raining here. And yes for those who are extra observant - I still need to move the ground wire for the hydraulic brake pump to the output side of the shunt.
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Old 04-26-2023, 07:58 PM   #33
Foldbak
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Oh ya and I changed the battery shunt settings. Look correct?
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Old 04-26-2023, 08:03 PM   #34
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If that isn't spot on, it should be real close Tony. Only way to me certain is to check with a manufacturer's rep for their preferred parameters. Looked like a good start to me
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Old 04-26-2023, 08:10 PM   #35
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So I'm concerned that I'm not at 14.2 - 14.6. I don't see that in the app. What am I missing?
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Old 04-26-2023, 08:18 PM   #36
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Need to go dowm the list in the example and find:
Battery Preset: User Defined
Expert Mode: ON
That will get you to the prompt set your Absorption Voltage parameter
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Old 04-27-2023, 06:07 PM   #37
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I left the inverter on with shore disconnected for 9 hours. The fridge was running. I returned to find the batteries at 28%. I checked the solar voltage vers battery voltage and solar was lower. I don't think the solar is sett correctly. Suggestions?
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Old 05-08-2023, 12:12 PM   #38
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I think I got the settings correct. The batteries are preforming well. I did realize that the Bluetooth app is redundant with Victron. I set the battery shut off at 32 degrees. As far as turning off the charging over 114 degrees, the built in BMS has a disable charging function.

I'll be dry camping this weekend at the beach. This will be the test. My understanding is 25 minuets of charging per 10% of discharge. The solar should charge to 100% during the day. We'll see how long it takes the gen to charge after the sub goes down. Already 100% better then lead acid and lost 100 lbs of tongue weight!

I'll update.
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Old 05-08-2023, 01:25 PM   #39
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Welcome to the world of LIFPO4! You may want to take the cold charge shutoff temp up a few degrees just for safety I have mine set at 41. That would give me time to address the situation before the temp drops lower. I chose to heat the battery bay and keep it at 50 degrees. I have 9 100ah Relion batteries and it is too large an investment to risk damage from low temp charging. The specs from the OEM for my batteries are below, just as an example.

Charging Temperature
LiFePO4 batteries can be safely charged between -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F). However, at temperatures below 0°C (32°F) the
charge current must be reduced, until the temperature is >0ºC (32ºF), as follows:
1. 0°C to -10°C (32°F to 14°F) charge at 0.1C (10% of the battery capacity)
2. -10°C to -20°C (14°F to -4°F) charge at 0.05C (5% of the battery capacity)
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Old 05-08-2023, 03:09 PM   #40
Foldbak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd & Mary View Post
Welcome to the world of LIFPO4! You may want to take the cold charge shutoff temp up a few degrees just for safety I have mine set at 41. That would give me time to address the situation before the temp drops lower. I chose to heat the battery bay and keep it at 50 degrees. I have 9 100ah Relion batteries and it is too large an investment to risk damage from low temp charging. The specs from the OEM for my batteries are below, just as an example.

Charging Temperature
LiFePO4 batteries can be safely charged between -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F). However, at temperatures below 0°C (32°F) the
charge current must be reduced, until the temperature is >0ºC (32ºF), as follows:
1. 0°C to -10°C (32°F to 14°F) charge at 0.1C (10% of the battery capacity)
2. -10°C to -20°C (14°F to -4°F) charge at 0.05C (5% of the battery capacity)
Thanks Todd. I think I'll raise it to 40. I do plan on getting a heating pad at some point. I live at 1500 feet and only see temps below 32 about 20 days a year.
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