Commissioning LiFePo4 - reality check

[Wood]

I placed my first order through Alibaba in mid-January........... Got lost. Placed 2nd order early April and will be arriving soon.

I originally expected to have some time to futz around with the cells before installation. I had hoped to load test individual cells to confirm the data provided. Now I just want to get them in.... But be smart about getting them commissioned.

These are eight 280AH EVE cells. Configuration will be 2P4S. When they arrive I expect they will be ~ 3.3v. Internal resistance appeared consistent around .13.

The control equipment will be installed when they arrive. I'm using the 123BMS gen 3 with separate load / charge buses.

My thought are to charge each individual cell to 3.65v with a hard stop, pair them up and put them to work the same day.

Is it that *simple* or am I missing something?

Thanks in advance.

[two-rocks]

Top and/or bottom balance...bottom balance takes more effort and you don’t want to go below the point of no return, so you need ‘ok’ gear. Top balance is generally easier and requires less precision (in theory).

The delay you experienced is why I went with battleborn. More money, but the unknown delay would have been un-fun.

Good luck. Love our LiFePO4.

[Reefmagnet]

I'm about to set up my batteries and have found this site very useful...


https://marinehowto.com/lifepo4-batteries-on-boats/


On the subject of top or bottom balance, it's top balancing that makes the most sense for house banks

[Reefmagnet]

Originally Posted by two-rocks

Top and/or bottom balance...bottom balance takes more effort and you don’t want to go below the point of no return, so you need ‘ok’ gear. Top balance is generally easier and requires less precision (in theory).

The delay you experienced is why I went with battleborn. More money, but the unknown delay would have been un-fun.

Good luck. Love our LiFePO4.

I ordered batteries in late January from China. Bit the bullet and actually purchased one of the highest priced options. China closed down industry for a month as a result of the virus, so orders were delayed. I got mine about 4 weeks late but the supplier advised the status regularly. I guess the trick is to buy from reputable sources.

[two-rocks]

Except 4 weeks late would have been 4 weeks late. We have been using our boat since the shut down in the USA - and needed batteries. So I agree with the reputable source, but I left the source up to someone else who buys in bulk and ships a finished product.

It was not my first choice, but has worked very well.

[Cowpoos]

Originally Posted by Wood

I placed my first order through Alibaba in mid-January........... Got lost. Placed 2nd order early April and will be arriving soon.

I originally expected to have some time to futz around with the cells before installation. I had hoped to load test individual cells to confirm the data provided. Now I just want to get them in.... But be smart about getting them commissioned.

These are eight 280AH EVE cells. Configuration will be 2P4S. When they arrive I expect they will be ~ 3.3v. Internal resistance appeared consistent around .13.

The control equipment will be installed when they arrive. I'm using the 123BMS gen 3 with separate load / charge buses.

My thought are to charge each individual cell to 3.65v with a hard stop, pair them up and put them to work the same day.

Is it that *simple* or am I missing something?

Thanks in advance.

Wire them all together in series so you have one large 3.3v battery and charge to 3.65v for a top balence using a charger/power supply or adjustable battery charger like a skyRC b6ac. THe skyRC has a Lifepo4 setting and it will take a while as its only 6amps but will finish the charge automatically. You will get a much better top balance this way with series charge.

[Wood]

^^^
I think you mean wire them in parallel.

I've got a 30amp variable power supply and a BM with relay outputs for high and low voltage.

[Emmalina]

I just put some active battery balancers from ebay on mine and all is good. Thay all arrived pretty even anyway.

[Cowpoos]

Originally Posted by Wood

^^^
I think you mean wire them in parallel.

Yes... Haha 😂... Parallel! My bad

[Seman]

My 8 new Winston 300A cells arrived!
All cells were within 3 mV around 3.328V.
Was great to deal with Julia Yu from Thundersky, and at US $4/A a good price.
Correspondence before ordering and after payment was exceptional. We incurred an additional $250 local transport cost due to Corona restrictions, which Julia offered to pay!
How is that for service from a Chinese company!

[Flod]

Congratulations on your new batteries. I did what Cowpoos suggested. I put the cells in parallel and charged to 3,6ish. Then let them sit for a week (don’t know if that matters but I had the time) . After that I left them to be taken care by the bms.

[NorthernMac]

Will these 4 put together for 12v drop in as easily as a battleborn?

What have you guys been seeing for a time between order and door in the US?

[Wood]

I ordered two sets of eight - 1st January 22nd, arrived April 20th. Second April 14th and just cleared US customs 6/5. Should have them mid week.

Not drop in. But much less expensive.

[NorthernMac]

Originally Posted by Wood

I ordered two sets of eight - 1st January 22nd, arrived April 20th. Second April 14th and just cleared US customs 6/5. Should have them mid week.

Not drop in. But much less expensive.

So almost 4mo?

What else would be needed to make it the same as a BB?

[Wood]

You have a bunch of reading to do It's all here in various threads and links. You should start here:

https://marinehowto.com/about/