Making the change from lead acid to lithium - a thread with pictures

[Googlebot]

First battery, decided to weigh it.

It is lighter than advertised, or my scales are out a bit. 12.9kg.

 

[Raul]

13kg is pretty much average for a 100ah er. Varies a bit o components padding strapping and the case.

 

[Googlebot]

First one is in. Just need to shorten the cables now I know the layout of the battery terminals and where they are.

Fits perfectly!

 

[Lenny HB]

First one is in. Just need to shorten the cables now I know the layout of the battery terminals and where they are.

Fits perfectly!

View attachment 464554

I would use something better than camlock straps they always work loose under vibration. I use them to hold my bikes in place in the garage they are always working loose.

 

[Googlebot]

I would use something better than camlock straps they always work loose under vibration. I use them to hold my bikes in place in the garage they are always working loose.

I did wonder if they were the right answer.

I have used them to carry kayaks for years and some of them do come loose. These seemed to be okay, I will cable tie them as well through the fabric so I know for sure and a quick snip will release them.

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[Googlebot]

Second one is in, just need to connect up now.

 

[Googlebot]

It’s all in and working.

Inverter is happily powering a 1200watt vacuum and the cables aren’t even warm, just staying at ambient temperature.

 

[Googlebot]

The temperature sensors are connected up and on the negative of the battery I think will get coldest.

 

[Googlebot]

Tested the B2B, with the fridge on and the sun on the panels, getting a nice 35 amps into the batteries.

 

[Googlebot]

Will post an update when I have had chance to use it.

A huge thanks to all those who have helped. I really couldn’t have done it without your help.

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[TCG]

Well done Googlebot great job, do you want to come and do mine

 

[Googlebot]

Well done Googlebot great job, do you want to come and do mine

Only if you want really light cheap jump leads for wiring.

 

[TCG]

Only if you want really light cheap jump leads for wiring.

Oh.. i will put up with that. small price to pay for such a good job when are you free

 

[Lenny HB]

Nice neat job.

 

[Old Rascal]

Good job and very informative.

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[fullfat]

I've lost count on the number of times I've warned people about cheap jump leads.

I’ve told you a thousand times
Stop exaggerating

 

[JockandRita]

Googlebot. I know I've not been able to contribute to your excellent install, (apart from the ally jump leads bit ), but I have thoroughly enjoyed your detailed blog, complete with images.
Great stuff thanks.

Hopefully, (having also installed a B2B in November time), we'll both be able to test out our installs properly in the Spring.
We have 4 x 80A Gels, which I would hope to replace with 2 x 100A - 150A Lithium's, so will be keen to know how you get on with yours over time.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[BDM]

Good job, thanks for sharing. Could I ask whether you grounded the Phoenix inverter?

 

[jongood]

I did wonder if they were the right answer.

I have used them to carry kayaks for years and some of them do come loose. These seemed to be okay, I will cable tie them as well through the fabric so I know for sure and a quick snip will release them.

I've used them for years on my Mower battery without an issue. I think the difference is that bikes move and kayaks flex whereas a battery is a brick.

 

[jongood]

Only if you want really light cheap jump leads for wiring.

IMO you should stop beating yourself up about it. Its a nice neat job and should be a big improvement. Extend your right arm, reach over your shoulder and pat yourself on the back for a job well done

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[Googlebot]

Googlebot. I know I've not been able to contribute to your excellent install, (apart from the ally jump leads bit ), but I have thoroughly enjoyed your detailed blog, complete with images.
Great stuff thanks.

Hopefully, (having also installed a B2B in November time), we'll both be able to test out our installs properly in the Spring.
We have 4 x 80A Gels, which I would hope to replace with 2 x 100A - 150A Lithium's, so will be keen to know how you get on with yours over time.

Cheers,

Jock.

I know, roll on spring and hope the vaccines work!

Good job, thanks for sharing. Could I ask whether you grounded the Phoenix inverter?

I haven’t as it is purely to plug stuff in where it sits. I was thinking of putting a changeover in but that would involve changing the consumer unit and an auto changeover. I can’t justify the hassle and cost.

 

[Grim the Viking]

Well done, very informative thanks for sharing.

 

[Googlebot]

Inverter is fantastic!

Does not get hot and cables stay cool too, chalk and cheese compared to the old one. Decided to try it with 1500 watt to see what would happen. The old one just shut down.

The Victron is more robust and just drew more amps to match it, though I am sure it would eventually shut down.

Alas the 100amp mega fuse went with a pop!

Will change it for a 125amp one, I don’t really want to be drawing any more than 100 amps as the cable is only rated for just above that so I am happy to see how I get on.

The lithium are sucking up the electricity too, been on the full 18amps from the EBL for 6 hours now, never seen the lead acids do that.

 

[Lenny HB]

The lithium are sucking up the electricity too, been on the full 18amps from the EBL for 6 hours now, never seen the lead acids do that.

EBL may not last long, you could buy the additional unit that plugs in to the EBL doubling it to 36 amps. But for that much money you could buy a decent charger with a Lithium profile.

 

[JockandRita]

Alas the 100amp mega fuse went with a pop!

Good grief, what were you running to blow a 100A mega fuse?

Cheers,

Jock.

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[Googlebot]

EBL may not last long.

I was worried about that, given even a repair is more than a dedicated charger, do you think it’s worth biting the bullet?

How would I disable the charging on the EBL, is there an easy fuse to pull?

Good grief, what were you running to blow a 100A mega fuse?

Cheers,

Jock.

Fan heater, I wanted to see what current it would draw at 1500 watts. More than 100 was the answer.......

 

[Lenny HB]

How would I disable the charging on the EBL, is there an easy fuse to pull?

Yep, a 20amp fuse on the front panel.

 

[Lenny HB]

Fan heater, I wanted to see what current it would draw at 1500 watts. More than 100 was the answer.......

About 135 to 140 amps. 125 for the heater plus inefficencies.

 

[Googlebot]

Yep, a 20amp fuse on the front panel.

Thanks Lenny, will see what happens when they are full.

I don’t tend to be on hookup all that often so I am hoping it will have an easy life. Ecotree did warn me they would be fairly discharged, they were quite right!

 

[royw]

Well, that's all too technical for me, another reason to stick with my original lead battery, which has always been quite adequate, but then we're not in the "take heaps of electrical kit with us" bracket. Manage quite well without mains toaster, microwave, electric kettle and TV.

Also, some lithium mining done by children, would want to ensure any battery I bought was from a reputable source.

Have you seen the countries that have their ecology damaged by taking the wests waste include lead batteries, you will find the odd shrimp or prawn farms have tonnes of lead dumped on their doorstep, hence some real concerns a few years ago with produce from Vietnam, Lithium is not good but neither is holier than though. Everyone is different and free to make life choices.

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