Victron, Battleborn, Renogy or ?????

[bisonthecruiser]

Boywonder, what did you use to separate the cells from each other/space them? Are you running heating mats under the cells? I have 600ah I'm going to build in the next few weeks and would love to hear any lessons learned you have.

[boywonder]

Are you building 2 300ah packs? CATL 300ah cells?

Are you planning on compression?

How do you plan on top balancing?

...assuming that you have been hanging out at the diysolarforum?

Another great resource is Andy/Off grid garage on youtube; he's done lots of BMS testing and Victron testing.

I started out with 1/8" acrylic for separators but if you are using rigid buss bars that's a bit too much space between cells. I ended up cutting up a few thin plastic 3 ring binders and using that thin vinyl.... I think the separators are .040" thick each. If you are not length constrained, you can use most any insulator.

I ended up fabricating flexible buss bars from 2AWG cable and cable ends.

No heater pads; my battery is inside the van and I don't do much winter camping....

Here is my build thread on diysolarforum:

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/co...k-cells.44811/

Perhaps we should start a new thread on LiFeP04 DIY batteries....

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by boywonder

Perhaps we should start a new thread on LiFeP04 DIY batteries....

I think a lot of us would follow that thread FWIW

[bisonthecruiser]

Yeah, I shouldn't hijack this thread. Your build is just too good to pass on asking about. I went with CATL 300ah cells and am buliding two 300AH packs. Also going with the JBD 12v BMS. Seems like a good build for me with adequate power for working on the road. Will look at your build on DIY. So far I've been building and buying just based on my own understanding, so will be smart to see what others are doing.

[boywonder]

I'll start a new thread called "post your DIY Lithium battery projects" or something like that. I can put my battery project over there and you can post yours......I know there have been a few others here with DIY batteries, so hopefully they will jump in.......

[bigriver]

Originally Posted by boywonder

Here is my build thread on diysolarforum:

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/co...k-cells.44811/

Read your post here BW... excellent write up. Thnx

[bitman]

I converted to Lithium from AGM about 15 months ago. Mostly Victron stuff as the backbone (solar MPPT, Orion DC-DC charger, 3000w Inverter Charger, BMV display, dongle, shunt), with generic 210w solar panels and …

Three 12V OWL MAX 2 - LiFePO4 - 228Ah batteries wired in parallel, individual fuses. These are great units, and cost per watt hour beats much of the competition. Self-contained in stainless boxes, BMS, built in fire suppression, over and under temp charging protection. Well made, no issues, smallish form factor, and I have mine mounted over my wheel well in my Nissan NV3500 conversion.

No issues at all; highly recommend. Not affiliated with the company, and they frequently go on sale. On sale now (22 Dec) for $1290 per battery. www.bigbattery.com. Many YouTube videos, also.

[dave0718]

I replaced AGM batteries 2 and 1/2 years ago for Relion LiFePO4 and then a few settings on my inverter/charger per the info Relion provided for chargers and all has been great -- no problems -- good short time dry camping, etc.

[bhamBaker]

bitman, thanks for the suggestion... hadn't come across The BigBattery brand till you suggested. Price is good for a 228Ah at $1290.

Do you know if they can be mounted in any position? They're a bit taller than my space allows due to the seat they're mounting under.

[BCam]

Check out Will Prowse's Youtube channel for some LiFePO4 battery teardowns/evaluations, along with some recommended lower cost batteries:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...DwE0k40bpXZBQs

Personally, I wouldn't buy an LifePO4 battery, especially a lower cost one, that he hasn't given a good review. The teardowns show so much that can be wrong inside.