EV Power lithium
Submitted: Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 20:59
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Cook & Chauffeur
G'day all
Can anyone on the
forum using LiFePO4 batteries from EV Power give me some comments on how they are working out, did you do the install yourself and any pitfalls?
We are looking to changeover our agm to a 400ah powerpack from EV Power.
Cheers
Grahame
Reply By: The Hob - Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 21:18
Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 21:18
We had 400ah AGM batteries. These were replaced by BTI with 300ah lithium and have recently been on a couple of trips in rain and heavy cloud cover. We are competely happy with the system. Used TV lights etc Cpap machine all night running taps and even used a hairdrier on the inverter to end up with 80% SOC in the morning. With some light but usually not sunshine the batteries recharged back to 100% by lunch time. The lithium really do recharge quicker than the old AGM did.
Also have a DC2DC charger with an anderson plug from vehicle while travelling.
I initially was concerned if 300 or 400 should be the size but was advised that 300 would do it. 300ah has very easily replaced the 400ah AGMs
Alan
AnswerID:
605243
Reply By: Dingley Deserters - Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 22:09
Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 22:09
Hi Grahame, try contacting one of our sponsors, Retrolooms, and speak to either Darren or Paul about alternative to Lithium. They may have some interesting info for you.
Regards,
Geoff.
AnswerID:
605244
Reply By: Brutus - Friday, Oct 21, 2016 at 08:19
Reply By: Seymour & Wanda - Friday, Oct 21, 2016 at 13:22
Friday, Oct 21, 2016 at 13:22
Installed a Lithium system from EV Power in March this year and used it constantly since. Very happy.
We went from 300 ah to 200 ah.
Cheers
Brad
AnswerID:
605263
Reply By: The Hob - Friday, Oct 21, 2016 at 14:17
Friday, Oct 21, 2016 at 14:17
Lithium
The Lithium batteries
Controls for the lithium
I think this gives the SOC readout
New Charger
DC2DC connected to Vehicle
Management
Here are some shots of my installation done by BTI
Alan
AnswerID:
605265
Follow Up By: Cook & Chauffeur - Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 18:22
Saturday, Oct 22, 2016 at 18:22
G'day Alan
Many thanks for your response - the pictures have been very helpful for me.
What is the ML-RBS switch used for?
Have you tried to use your air con on the inverter?
What capacity is your Lithium setup?
Using the Blueseas safety fuse is a great idea as it pretty much allows me to utilise the original
Bushtracker wiring and makes it much neater than the original set up with all the positives leads coming off the battery positive.
I gather you would have saved some weight and gained a little more storage space.
Thanks again for your assistance.
Regards
Grahame
FollowupID:
875072
Follow Up By: The Hob - Sunday, Oct 23, 2016 at 09:18
Sunday, Oct 23, 2016 at 09:18
Grahame
It is a 300ah setup
The ML-RBS is part of the low voltage switching to protect the batteries (I think)
They also put in a large power switch to isolate the batteries if required. It is the large red knob gadget.
The 300 Lithium are a lot lighter than the 400 AGM. The area where the inverter and charger is was full of battery plus the old charger
Alan
FollowupID:
875086
Follow Up By: Freewheelers - Sunday, Oct 23, 2016 at 14:36
Sunday, Oct 23, 2016 at 14:36
hi
what was the cost from bti how long did it take??
has anybody had it costed from someone else other than bti ??
thanks
FollowupID:
875091
Follow Up By: colin c - Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 09:17
Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 09:17
Hey The Hob
Are those cells in the picture held down somehow ?
FollowupID:
875135
Follow Up By: The Hob - Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 19:09
Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 19:09
Colin
Tight fit in the box and the lid of the box as well.
I don;t think they will move far
Alan
FollowupID:
875149
Follow Up By: colin c - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 13:54
Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 13:54
Just might mention the standard industry practice is,
that hold downs are able to hold 5 times the battery weight, in case of a roll over.
FollowupID:
875217
Reply By: colin c - Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 09:14
Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 09:14
Hi
I have been using the EV Power system for 4 yrs now,
He uses Winston cells, and has control and management units to protect the cells,
The only trouble we had was early on, when the 45A charger fell apart, but he now has ruggedized them.
Your solar reg may need to be replace, depending on what it is.
Easy enough to install your self if you are half handy.
The price difference compared to BT would be enlightening.
Col
AnswerID:
605388
Follow Up By: Cook & Chauffeur - Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 20:02
Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 20:02
G'day Col
Thanks for the info, the price compared to BTI is "very enlightening".
I am considering replacing my Omegalec SCR 40 with a Victron 100/50 solar reg as well as replacing the Xantrex Truecharge2 with one of Rod's 45amp battery chargers.
I am planning to do the changeover to a 400ah EV Powerpack myself after a bit more research.
I may be contacting you in the near future fof some more info if that is OK.
Regards
Grahame
FollowupID:
875156
Reply By: Rob & Glen - Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 11:14
Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 at 11:14
Grahame
We have a 400ah EV Power system in place for 2+ years and now it is like the power gods have spoken. EV power helped install the battery (60kg) and BCU ect and checked the system. We have CLAB cells witch I belive are no longer made in 400ah. The battery charger and battery moneter were self install. Solar controler unchagened (set at 14v max) If you wish to talk phone 0427531147
Rob
AnswerID:
605393
Follow Up By: Cook & Chauffeur - Wednesday, Oct 26, 2016 at 21:44
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2016 at 21:44
Rob
Which solar controller are you using - we still have the Omegalec SCR40 and are looking at replacing it with a Victron mppt 100/50, but if we don't have to that is a bonus.
I don't suppose it is possible for you to have any pictures of your lithium setup.
Last question - do you have the latching relay attached to your battery control unit and what is connected to it?
Regards
Grahame
FollowupID:
875190
Follow Up By: Bobrovin - Wednesday, Oct 26, 2016 at 22:38
Wednesday, Oct 26, 2016 at 22:38
Grahame
We have had our Winston cells in for 4 1/2 years running with the Omegalec controller without a problem. Using the Gel setting which on mine is 13.9v is a little over the ideal of 13.8v but close enough.
FollowupID:
875191
Follow Up By: Rob & Glen - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 08:05
Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 08:05
Grahame
Still useing the original omegalec scr40 set on agm (14V) with no issues. We have a 240amp latching relay controled by the BCU that shuts off all power except the BCU itself if a problem presents itself.(never hapened). Also have cell balencing on each cell, all fitted on recomendation by EVPower (Rod Dikes) , give them an email found them more than helpfull. Sorry but not savey enough for picks.
Rob
FollowupID:
875204
Follow Up By: colin c - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 08:29
Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 08:29
Hey Grahame, if you give me your Email,
I can send you a heap of EV Power installation and product detail.
Col
FollowupID:
875206
Follow Up By: Cook & Chauffeur - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 08:40
Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 08:40
Col
Thanks for that my email is:
greidnreid@gmail.com
Mainly trying to get my head around the latching relay and how that works as against the original bt setup of all the pos leads coming off the pos terminal (see pic attached)
Original bt
FollowupID:
875207
Follow Up By: colin c - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 09:19
Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 09:19
Sent mate
It's pretty straight forward, don't over think it.. LOL
FollowupID:
875210
Follow Up By: Theywent Thataway - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 12:17
Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 12:17
Colin,
Would it be worthwhile adding the EV Power installation and details to the document library so all can see them.
DAve
FollowupID:
875214
Follow Up By: Bobrovin - Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 13:11
Thursday, Oct 27, 2016 at 13:11
Graham
With the leads, just add in a couple of bus bars to connect all the leads to with single heavy leads to the battery posts
battery bus bars
FollowupID:
875216
Reply By: grumpyolephartz - Friday, Oct 28, 2016 at 22:53
Friday, Oct 28, 2016 at 22:53
G'day Grahame,
I installed a 400a/h EVPower LiFePO4 system last year. I previously had a 200a/h LiFePO4 - the original BTi install which is now in the tug as an additional backup and fridge power. We haven't done much travelling since. I have found Rod Dilkes pretty good to deal with. I know others who have bought from him from about 2009 for other vans and always well supported.
Cheers, John
AnswerID:
605490
Reply By: Cook & Chauffeur - Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at 13:52
Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at 13:52
Thanks to all who have commented on this post it is very much appreciated.
We have placed an order with Rod from EV Power for a 400ah powerpack and 45amp charger including cell management, hoping to install early in 2017.
AnswerID:
605874
Follow Up By: colin c - Thursday, Dec 08, 2016 at 08:06
Thursday, Dec 08, 2016 at 08:06
Rod is a pleasure to deal with.
Are you doing a self install ?
Is there a delay on supply or is that your choice for 2017 install ?
Were you happy with the price compared to others ?
You won't regret the upgrade
Chees Col
FollowupID:
876229
Reply By: Cook & Chauffeur - Thursday, Dec 08, 2016 at 20:49
Thursday, Dec 08, 2016 at 20:49
G'day Colin
Yes, I am self installing the upgrade.
I was planning in doing the install early 2017 but a little communication issue meant the batteries turned up a little early.
So I am working through the install bit by bit when I have some spare time. Luckily we are not living in the van at the moment.
It looks like it is all going to plan (touch wood????)
Regards
Grahame
AnswerID:
606511
