Batteries ? What are Batteries ?

[funflair]

I can't tell everyone accurately Lenny.......but I know a man that can.

Cheers,

Jock.

I reckon two would be more than 10 years old two were a mere 6 years old, we used the inverter with them quite a bit and they were good other than Lithium I would have had Gel again

 

[JockandRita]

I reckon two would be more than 10 years old two were a mere 6 years old, we used the inverter with them quite a bit and they were good other than Lithium I would have had Gel again

The two over 10 years old were the originals at 15 x years old Martin, so they did extremely well considering.
I would have kept them all but for the time they took to recharge, ie, a 7 x hour drive to the Mosel, plus solar, plus EHU, and they were still taking a charge after 24 x hours. That was prior to the B2B being installed, and my cue to change them all. The 80A Gels were double the cost of the 90A Varta SLAs, but if I only get 4-5 years out of them, I'll be happy.
Hopefully by that time LiFEP04s will be more affordable.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Neckender]

In my VW T6.1 Transporter I’ve fitted two 110AH Gel batteries,Sterling B to B 30amp charger, a Victron 30 amp charger, a Victron 75/15 solar charger and 200 watt of portable solar panels, also as back up I have a Jackery 1000 explorer portable power station.
These run our portable Alpicool TWW35 fridge freezer, 35 litre outwell cool box, lighting and my CPAP machine.

John.

 

[cyberyacht]

2x120Ah Lithiums. They can cope with heavy discharge when using an inverter and power kettle, toaster and microwave (not all used at the same time though). Substantial weight saving over comparable lead batteries of any type.

 

[Marauder]

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So if all these battery types have different capability to accept speed of charge,
do slow ones need a lower rated B2B, and batts which charge faster need a higher rated charger ?

Or is it ok to just batter all types with 60 amps ?
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[funflair]

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So if all these battery types have different capability to accept speed of charge,
do slow ones need a lower rated B2B, and batts which charge faster need a higher rated charger ?

Or is it ok to just batter all types with 60 amps ?
.
_

Each battery type will have a different charge rate as you say so this needs to be matched to the charging source although a lot of lead acid technology will be self limiting by it’s own internal resistance, lithium has very low resistance so is the fastest and will often accept 1C but it might not be good to do that all the time.

 

[Marauder]

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So what's drawbacks of LifePo4 batts, and are they compatible with EBL99 / AD01 setup pls ?
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[paddymcc]

My 2 x90Ah lead acid were about 8 years old when I replaced them this year. I had anticipated that they would fail eventually so had upgraded to a solar controller and B2B that was okay with lithium. Fitted a 230Ah lithium and it's been great. No need for EHU since I fitted it although have stayed on sites with EHU a couple of times. Rather than charge using the EBL 101 I have disconnected the fuse for battery charging. All othe EBL functions work. The EBL 101 doesn't have a lithium profile so I have chosen not to use it. The EBL 99 is the same. You can charge on the gel setting in an emergency.
To get the best form lithium off grid a decent B2B makes sense. Mine is up to 50A but I run it at 40A As Martin says the lithium's will take all the current you throw at them but they probably don't last as long if charged very fast ( same as electric vehicles)
PS don't know what a AD01 is?

 

[funflair]

.
So what's drawbacks of LifePo4 batts, and are they compatible with EBL99 / AD01 setup pls ?
_

Some people say that the fact that most LiFePO4 don't like being charged when they are below 5 deg C is a drawback, well not for me as I won't be in the van if it's less than 5 degrees inside, the other much quoted drawback being the price but I am sure that is coming down over time.

 

[Marauder]

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http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/resources/Schaudt AD 01.pdf (AD01)

also, Lifepo are available down to minus 20 now !

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Wet Lead Acid starter battery and same for leisure.
Mostly on EHU and I ain’t confident mucking with things I dont understand.
Like simple and uncomplicated things, just like me!

 

[paddymcc]

.
http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/resources/Schaudt AD 01.pdf (AD01)

also, Lifepo are available down to minus 20 now !

Seems the AD01 is an additional split charging system? It doesn't have a lithium charging profile but as far as I can see it's not designed for charging the hab battery but for additional heating and fog lights controlled by ignition on/ D+ so is irrelevant.