Mixing battery types??

[Mmaxed]

I want to add more battery capacity to our hauler. They will have to go in the pass through. Would just stay with lead acid, but venting will be a pain. Can I add Lifepo 4 or sealed lead acid and be OK?

[pianotuna]

Mmaxed wrote:
OK, since I am asking stupid questions instead of searching and sorting through a bunch of ****. If I go to Lifepo4 bateries, do I need to change my charging system?

Li are fussy. https://www.solacity.com/how-to-keep-lifepo4-lithium-ion-batteries-happy/

Li don't enjoy cold

[Microlite_Mike]

Mmaxed wrote:
OK, since I am asking stupid questions instead of searching and sorting through a bunch of ****. If I go to Lifepo4 bateries, do I need to change my charging system?

The answer is "yes and no". If you do not have solar charging then then you will need to change the converter/charger if it doesn't have a Lithium profile setting.

If you have solar charging then no, most controllers have a setting for Lithium/LiFePo4 batteries. The conventional converter will charge the LiFePo4 batteries to ~90% SOC and the Solar Controller will top them off and handle cell balancing, to a SOC of 100%.

Many are doing this unless they absolutely need a 100% charge right away or have no solar panels mounted.

[corvettekent]

Mmaxed wrote:
OK, since I am asking stupid questions instead of searching and sorting through a bunch of ****. If I go to Lifepo4 bateries, do I need to change my charging system?

I am going through the change to Lifepo4 now. It is not just a simple exchange, plan on spending more money. I had four 6 volt flooded lead acid batteries, 470 AH. I bought one 206 AH Lifepo4 thinking that it would have plenty of power but it would not power my microwave, so I had to buy a second 206 AH Lifepo4. The issue is with the BMS. I have 860 watts of solar on the roof and my MPPT charge controllers will work with the new batteries but my PD converter will not.

[Mmaxed]

OK, since I am asking stupid questions instead of searching and sorting through a bunch of ****. If I go to Lifepo4 bateries, do I need to change my charging system?

[Mmaxed]

Thanks Don, that is what I thought I knew, if you know what I mean? Have to decide which way to go. 400 amp hours of Lifepo4 isn't cheap.

[Lwiddis]

Bite the bullet and buy a Lithium battery of sufficient capacity…200, 300, 400 amps. Issue and concerns over.

[pianotuna]

Mmaxed,

You can do it if you have switches to isolate the batteries from each other.

You could do it with agm or sio2.

using sealed lead acid would require the wiring to be balanced. (or use switches).

It is really best to keep to the same type of battery.

[Lwiddis]

You shouldn’t “add” Lithium to any other battery type but most say you can add a different brand Lithium battery provided it’s the same chemistry.