Lithium 12 volt battery Is there a clear leader?
Stick the battery in Connect the wires And the battery has a management system built in Is there a favorite?
Forum Discussion
The BMS System is not the same as a charge controller - in most cases it is designed to balance (or cut-out) individual cells, prevent (via disconnect) a damaging over or under voltage condition, over amperage condition, over temp, and in some cases preventing charging below say, 32dF (some mfgs, slightly less).
I’ve yet to find a charge controller with parameters to my liking, since the charge controller must be matched with a particular Lifepo4 manufacturer’s specs. Progressive Dynamics Li charger remains at maximum voltage even after the battery is fully charged (??), while Iota’s charge voltage is a tenth a volt higher than some BMS will even allow entry...If using an existing charger, the equalization feature must be defeated...Then there’s the solar controllers!
In my mind, the ideal Lifepo4 charger would offer adjustable charge voltage (Like the PowerMax - but with a higher limit), and be a two stage design (though float is not necessary, nor harmful) so that the battery does not sit for an extended period while being held at maximum voltage...
Cheaper Lifepo4’s can be found on Amazon, et al, but the ‘down in the dirt’ specs will vary, particularly the surge amps and duration which can be a limitation on electric motor inrush needs...Some BMS’s are more conservative this way, while a few others are a bit more tolerant. Some batteries of ’like kind’ (i.e. 12v, 100 a/hr) are of cylindrical cell design, some prismatic, while the lower end offerings tend to be of a layered pillow design where cell consistency may not be as uniform...
Warranties vary widely as well... Just my 0.2 cents...
I’ve yet to find a charge controller with parameters to my liking, since the charge controller must be matched with a particular Lifepo4 manufacturer’s specs. Progressive Dynamics Li charger remains at maximum voltage even after the battery is fully charged (??), while Iota’s charge voltage is a tenth a volt higher than some BMS will even allow entry...If using an existing charger, the equalization feature must be defeated...Then there’s the solar controllers!
In my mind, the ideal Lifepo4 charger would offer adjustable charge voltage (Like the PowerMax - but with a higher limit), and be a two stage design (though float is not necessary, nor harmful) so that the battery does not sit for an extended period while being held at maximum voltage...
Cheaper Lifepo4’s can be found on Amazon, et al, but the ‘down in the dirt’ specs will vary, particularly the surge amps and duration which can be a limitation on electric motor inrush needs...Some BMS’s are more conservative this way, while a few others are a bit more tolerant. Some batteries of ’like kind’ (i.e. 12v, 100 a/hr) are of cylindrical cell design, some prismatic, while the lower end offerings tend to be of a layered pillow design where cell consistency may not be as uniform...
Warranties vary widely as well... Just my 0.2 cents...
