Fogstar Drift lithium battery charging - comments please

Brianmor

Brianmor

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Aug 8, 2019
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Please see below email questions and answers to Fogstar regarding keeping the battery at 100% SOC :-

Message:
I've recently bought a 105AH Drift, is it possible to adjust the bms to ensure a max charge of 80% or is this not necessary.

Many thanks

Brian


Hi Brian,
This isn't necessary as the BMS will cut off the charging when the battery is at 100%.


Hi

Thanks for the reply, I'm of the understanding that it's better for battery life of a lithium battery if it is charged to no more than 80%. For the vast majority of time since I've installed the battery it has stood at 100%, won't this be detrimental to battery life?

thanks

Brian

Hi Brian,
This is not an issue for Lithium Iron Phosphate, as it is designed to be able to accommodate and hold charge up to 100%.
kind regards,






 
For long term storage less than 100% may be slightly better. Relion suggest this for storage periods of 3-12 months but I never bother. I have been keeping my LiFePO4 at 100% for over 5 years and it isn’t showing any signs of suffering. My advice is do what Fogstar suggest.
 
Not sure of the logic of only charging to 80% as it defeats the object of having lithium that you can use down to 10% or so, May as well stick to cheaper alternatives?
 
My van is rarely parked up out of use unusual for it to not be used for more than a few days. Mine will be 100% most of the time for 7 months of the year but the 5(ish) poor solar months they can get down to 20% SOC before I get the genny out if not moving. Mine have been in over four and a half years and everything the same as when first fitted.

Nice to see FogStar giving sensible advice
 
MichaelT said:
Not sure of the logic of only charging to 80% as it defeats the object of having lithium that you can use down to 10% or so, May as well stick to cheaper alternatives?
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The perceived wisdom on this and other forums has been to keep the SOC at 80% or below to preserve battery life, but it's great to hear from Fogstar that they are happy at 100%

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I think some Funsters and the way they study their batteries, the discharge and charge profiles, this state, then that one, at this temp opposed to that, must give themselves headaches. Then, given that personality they display and with that blinding headache, they likely spend an hour reading about the side effects, ingredients and storage temperatures of the aspirin they need to take for it. :D

I installed my lithiums 4 years ago and then promptly forgot about them. Lights still work, all good (y)
 
Jim said:
I think some Funsters and the way they study their batteries, the discharge and charge profiles, this state, then that one, at this temp opposed to that, must give themselves headaches. Then, given that personality they display and with that blinding headache, they likely spend an hour reading about the side effects, ingredients and storage temperatures of the aspirin they need to take for it. :D

I installed my lithiums 4 years ago and then promptly forgot about them. Lights still work, all good (y)
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Same here though it was nearly 2 years ago.
 
My only concern is that my Sterling Lithium gets the maximum charge possible so I can use it to it's full extent. If it isn't full, I want to know why.

Lots of places, with lithium ,including e-bikes, seem to suggest 60%, 80% for storage. I take that as long term not being used. I generally want it ready to use, as the whole idea of having these toys is you don't spend hours getting ready to go, you just go.
 
Brianmor said:
The perceived wisdom on this and other forums has been to keep the SOC at 80% or below to preserve battery life, but it's great to hear from Fogstar that they are happy at 100%
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The perceived wisdom is correct but it relates to longer term storage, not for normal daily usage.

Kannon Fodda said:
Lots of places, with lithium ,including e-bikes, seem to suggest 60%, 80% for storage.
Click to expand...

The key word there is ‘storage’.👍

Ian

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The important thing with lithium is to make sure they are never over-charged. A proper lithium charger won't overcharge them, but a bodged setup with a legacy lead-acid charger set to the wrong profile could easily overcharge them. In that case it's better to choose a profile that only charges to 90% rather than one that overcharges. Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithiums don't degrade if left for months or years in a partially charged state. If you know you are going to put the motorhome into storage for several months, it's better to get the battery to about 50% rather than trying to get it to 100% like you would a lead-acid battery.
 
autorouter said:
The important thing with lithium is to make sure they are never over-charged. A proper lithium charger won't overcharge them, but a bodged setup with a legacy lead-acid charger set to the wrong profile could easily overcharge them. In that case it's better to choose a profile that only charges to 90% rather than one that overcharges. Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithiums don't degrade if left for months or years in a partially charged state. If you know you are going to put the motorhome into storage for several months, it's better to get the battery to about 50% rather than trying to get it to 100% like you would a lead-acid battery.
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BMS should protect the battery.
 
grasscutter said:
MH parked outside on drive. Extension lead into house from inverter. 900w kettle boiled umpteen times a day so presume all is ok 👍
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Is that the smoke I can see rising above the houses between us?
 
But if you don't get your balance right, then you could fall over
 
Lenny HB said:
H

BMS should only be relied on as a last resort.
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Perhaps, but the BMS also has ‘layers of protection’ so which last line of protection should we only rely on as a last resort?

Ian
 

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