Solar charging LiFePO4
What is a good OCV panel voltage to look for? For lead acid I know you want at least 17ocv and 18ocv is better.
Whats a good or an adjustable charge controller that is 4 cell LiFePO4 compatable? (cuts off some where around 14.8v)
Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.
Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.
Comments
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Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
There are no solar - LiFePO4 compatible chargers that I know of. You could look for one of the more sophisticated chargers that allow you to tweak the voltage settings, and come close.Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister , -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
Thanks,
That is what I was worried about after I searched around and didn't find any.Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.
Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.
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Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
I sent off a few emails asking about solar controllers for LiFePO4 banks.
I will post results when I get them.Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.
Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.
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Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
Morning star didn't have anything.Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.
Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.
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Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
There's a guy on another forum who's using a morningstar controller to charge his 400Ah 24V LiFePO4 bank: http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8368.msg187946.html#msg187946
His blog: http://solarbodge.blogspot.com/2012/02/more-settings-tinkering.html -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4There's a guy on another forum who's using a morningstar controller to charge his 400Ah 24V LiFePO4 bank: http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8368.msg187946.html#msg187946
His blog: http://solarbodge.blogspot.com/2012/02/more-settings-tinkering.html
Thanks a lot for that.
Interesting he did what I have been considering, using a lead acid charger with a time delay that cuts off the whole system.Solar hybrid gasoline generator, 7kw gas, 180 watts of solar, Morningstar 15 amp MPPT, group 31 AGM, 900 watt kisae inverter.
Solar roof top GMC suburban, a normal 3/4 ton suburban with 180 watts of panels on the roof and 10 amp genasun MPPT, 2000w samlex pure sine wave inverter, 12v gast and ARB air compressors.
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Re: Solar charging LiFePO4There are no solar - LiFePO4 compatible chargers that I know of. You could look for one of the more sophisticated chargers that allow you to tweak the voltage settings, and come close.
At genasun.com I know of gv-5, gv-10, and gv-boost exist.The efficiencies for these LiFePO4 MPPT charge controllers look great to me, but certainly not low cost.
http://genasun.com/products-store/mppt-solar-charge-controllers/mppt-for-lithium-batteries/ -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
We have had a few posts here about Genasun:
Google Search for Genasun on site:wind-sun.com forum
I am not sure anyone has used them yet here and posted a review.
-BillNear San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
http://forums.energymatters.com.au/solar-wind-gear/topic3936-60.html#p30990
http://www.outbackpower.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=7087
Maby these post would fit here?
gww -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
Does anyone have recommended settings for the Sunsaver MPPT to charge the following battery?
Model No. SP-12V100-EP
Voltage: 12V
Capacity: 100Ah, 1280Wh
Chemistry: LiFePO Life Cycles: 2,000 @ 80% DOD
BMS YES (Internal)
Max Charge Voltage: 14.6V
Discharge Cut-off Voltage: 8.2V
Max Charge Current: 50A
Max Discharge Current: 100A
Max Starter Current: 300A
Operating Temperature: -22°F to +140°F, (-30°C to +60°C)
thanks! -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
Find what the BATTERY charging profile is, then look for a charger that matches it. Most solar chargers are designed only for lead acid chemistrys.Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister , -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
ECS has developted a solar charge controller for LiFePo4. The charge controller can work with a BMS System called LiPro1-1
See http://www.ecs-online.org/Charge-controller:::1.html?language=en
Regards
Tom -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
Tom,
This link to the BMS (Battery Management module) is probably of most interest regarding Li chemistry folks:
http://www.ecs-online.org/BMS:::2.html?MODsid=262l8cjvp66t299crmuc0q07r0
It looks like you have software that you can put on a PC and communicate with the BMS units?
www.ecs-online.org/media/content/DATENBLATT_LiPro1-1_EN_REV0_3.pdf
Interesting.
-BillNear San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
Another link to a BMS system for LiFePo:
http://www.ev-power.com.au/-EV-Powerpak-Custom-LFP-Batteries-.html -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
Any solar cc that allows you to program a LiFePO4 compatible charging profile will work. I know that the Midnite Classic will work and I've read about people using Outback and Morningstar as well. Since solar ccs are generally designed for 12,24 or 48 volt battery banks, your LiFePO4 pack will need to have a nominal voltage near to that (as yours does).
As others have mentioned, you will need a BMS to ensure individual cell balancing. -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
Solar charging Li-ion?.... easy....
Just grab one of these: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6478__IMAX_B6_AC_Charger_Discharger_1_6_Cells_GENUINE_.html
... and feed it 11-18vdc from any source. This example accommodates from 1 to 6 cells. Many others to chose from so look around. -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4Solar charging Li-ion?.... easy....
Just grab one of these: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6478__IMAX_B6_AC_Charger_Discharger_1_6_Cells_GENUINE_.html
... and feed it 11-18vdc from any source. This example accommodates from 1 to 6 cells. Many others to chose from so look around.
i have one of this, it is a very good, very versatile and precise charger, but i use it for charge lipos for RC helicopter. but i thing we are speaking about other scale of batteries...;-) -
Re: Solar charging LiFePO4
After reading the battery's description this time, it appears that this model has an on-board BMS. They also claim that it's a "drop-in" FLA replacement that needs the typical 14.6v charge voltage. Reads to me that the OP can use nearly any CC that accommodates FLA.
At 900 bucks a pop, and blessed with only a 1 year warranty, I wouldn't even consider it.
http://store.starkpower.com/12V-100AhStarkPower-UltraEnergy-Lithium-Ion-Battery-LiFePO-Energy-Storage-Battery_p_24.html
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