Reading up some on the topic and charging a bank seems to be an issue. Is anyone familiar with this application in the RV world? and or sail boats?A bit of backstory...my S-I-L is planning to build a bank for his sailboat...to power his electric motor. He is offering to build me a bank for my RV and I have been 'encouraged' by one of our members, to do a bunch of research. So..doing that as well as asking here.Gary Haupt

Mine charge just fine.Lithium in subject posts

2oldman wrote:Mine charge just fine.Lithium in subject postsThanks...can you tell me what kind of charging system you have? I am reading about them and there seems to be quite a bit of concern...https://community.particle.io/t/how-to-get-a-li-ion-battery-to-charge-faster/10178/3?fbclid=IwAR30RHR8Kb1lF-ff8jyIWBylQQUlypYasPgUzbPWBDl3NeZOugtvpjS5cFUGary

Your link appears to be talking about very small batteries, not what we use in RVs.Solar, Outback controller. 2 Schauer chargers in parallel, modified to charge Li. In case you don't know, I have a 48v 100ah Li pack.Li's will take a monster charge and don't need absorbtion. The only caveat I'm aware of is the BMS will not allow charging if the batteries are too cold.

Are you interested in charging 'lithium-ion' batteries (ie 18650 cylindrical cells, lithium polymer cells or laptop/cellphone batteries) or are you interested in charging LiFePO4 batteries (what most folks are using to power their RVs)? While they both have lithium in their name, they are different chemistries and have very different charging and use requirements.garyhaupt wrote:Thanks...can you tell me what kind of charging system you have? I am reading about them and there seems to be quite a bit of concern...https://community.particle.io/t/how-to-get-a-li-ion-battery-to-charge-faster/10178/3?fbclid=IwAR30RHR8Kb1lF-ff8jyIWBylQQUlypYasPgUzbPWBDl3NeZOugtvpjS5cFUGary

I'm looking forward to seeing what Gary and his SIL are planning to do.

Charging Li-Ions batteries | Good Sam Community

pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 01, 2021
2oldman wrote:
StirCrazy wrote:
with Li but with a discharge rate of around 1%/month I would just unhook them for the winter.
Yeah. Li's can be safely stored at less than full charge, and really don't like being constantly charged. And most won't allow to be charged if too cold.

The storage information I've been able to glean suggest storing below 90% and not lower than 40% state of charge.

I think Li are great when cold weather is not involved.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 01, 2021
StirCrazy wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Steve,

Gary doesn't full time. Therefore heating the batteries during storage may be a serious negative.

not at all, during storage just disconect them. Li are very light compared to the othes so no issues in moving them. I store in my driveway pluged in, I would probably have the same issue with Li but with a discharge rate of around 1%/month I would just unhook them for the winter.

Steve

So you expect me to move 9 batteries in and out of my home every time I wish to go on a winter trip???
2oldman
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2021
StirCrazy wrote:
with Li but with a discharge rate of around 1%/month I would just unhook them for the winter.
Yeah. Li's can be safely stored at less than full charge, and really don't like being constantly charged. And most won't allow to be charged if too cold.
StirCrazy
Moderator
Jan 01, 2021
pianotuna wrote:
Steve,

Gary doesn't full time. Therefore heating the batteries during storage may be a serious negative.

not at all, during storage just disconect them. Li are very light compared to the othes so no issues in moving them. I store in my driveway pluged in, I would probably have the same issue with Li but with a discharge rate of around 1%/month I would just unhook them for the winter.

Steve
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2020
pianotuna wrote:
What an amazing piece of kit! Ty.
Thanks.. yeah, weighs more than a Honda 2k generator. I already have a couple 48v chargers in parallel to pump 35amps into my battery, which is a whopping charge. Not sure if the Outback is configurable for Li... it may be.

The only complaint I have is that they still sell a separate controller. I suggested they create an app for it so the controller is on your phone, like the Victron bmv- 700
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 31, 2020
2Oldman,

What an amazing piece of kit! Ty.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2020
Inverter/charger
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 31, 2020
2oldman I can find a 3500 and 3600 watt outback--but no 48 volt 3400 watt.

Is yours an inverter/charger or just inverter?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 31, 2020
Steve,

Gary doesn't full time. Therefore heating the batteries during storage may be a serious negative.
StirCrazy
Moderator
Dec 30, 2020
garyhaupt wrote:
"A way to keep the li from freezing or relying on a heating pad." and for me..there-in lies the weak spot. I live in BC and right now, as I type it is -3, feels like -10 and has a good bit of overnight snow.

I prefer the KISS way of doing things and having to add a heating element, that must in turn be powered for "2 hours prior to beginning charging" is just trouble looking to happen.

Thanks for your input folks.

Gary

put them in side the unit where running the furnace in the winter will keep them warm, at 1/3 the weight and 1/2 the size and absolutly no off gassing it should be hard to find a spot.

Steve

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