Blue Ion batteries opinion please

WaterWheel
WaterWheel Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭✭
Home Power Magazine did an article on Blue Ion batteries this month and they do look interesting.      Using Ferrous Phosphate (LiFePO4) they should be good about resisting thermal runaway and with a claimed 8000 cycle life and a 15 year warranty they should last a lot of years.

I saw that Dave mentioned them once on this forum but no other references to Blue Ion here.

Opinions and thoughts please.

Conext XW6848 with PDP, SCP, 80/600 controller, 60/150 controller and Conext battery monitor

21 SW280 panels on Schletter ground mount

48v Rolls 6CS 27P

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's hard for me to believe any Li battery is going to get 10yr, let alone 15yr.   But the warranty paper likely has so many conditions it's impossible to actually stay within warranty.  8K shallow cycles maybe, but 8k full cycles, 90-10%, not likely either.  It'd be great if it does work out.
    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 ,

  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    From wikipedia: "a protection system also needs to be implemented to ensure no cell can be discharged below a voltage of 2.5 V or severe damage will occur in most instances."

    100% DOD cycle life (number of cycles to 80% of original capacity) = 2,000–7,000

    Sony Fortelion: 74% capacity after 8,000 cycles with 100%DOD

    Other notes - these use a lot of carbon, aluminum and a number of seemingly "high tech" manufacturing techniques.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery

    This battery chemistry is extremely promising and is already in large scale use. Light and hardy are nice attributes. Not using cobalt is fantastic.

    The technology is far more important than any particular manufacturer such as Blue Ion.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • Raj174
    Raj174 Solar Expert Posts: 795 ✭✭✭✭
    Found this, I'm sure it will up the price a bit.

    PLEASE NOTE: Manufacturer's policy requires this product be installed by a certified dealer to be covered under their industry leading product warranty.  Because of this policy, this product is not available to DIY clients. If you are in Washington state please contact us for more information. Outside Washington please contact Blue Planet Energy for a certified dealer near you.
    4480W PV, MNE175DR-TR, MN Classic 150, Outback Radian GS4048A, Mate3, 51.2V 360AH nominal LiFePO4, Kohler Pro 5.2E genset.
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,730 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    I can get them and they are expensive. About 1K$ per usable KWH. If you want warranty you would have to pay me to install them and since that is not my business model to go traveling there are better choices fro DIY.  They are the old Sony LFP batteries like a tesla power wall. Sony sold their LFP business. The warranty is probably real and the cycles have been HALT tested. Their data to dealers is pretty solid. They have a new model soon that looks more industrial, which I like.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • WaterWheel
    WaterWheel Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭✭
    Dave, if they are similar to the old Sony LFP batteries what was the cycle expectancy of that type of battery?       From what I've read LPF is one of the most stable long lasting chemistries but run at a lower voltage (3.2v) per cell.

    I saw the required dealer install but I have a friend who is a solar installer an hour North of me        I have read their warranty and it seems fairly straightforward.       10 years on everything and 15 years on battery performance.      Expensive yes, but if you really can expect to get 8000 full cycles which they clearly state (two 50% discharges equals 1 cycle) then the batteries should last over 21 years.
    https://blueplanetenergy.com/blue-ion2

    If they do last over 20 years, especially in my hot climate then the high price works out.         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery        

    Conext XW6848 with PDP, SCP, 80/600 controller, 60/150 controller and Conext battery monitor

    21 SW280 panels on Schletter ground mount

    48v Rolls 6CS 27P

  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,730 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    You really can't make that comparison !  The charging BMS, its algorithm, and how Sony optimized their design are very different or at the minimum not the same. This is the basis of why LFP and NMC are such fantastic batteries for offgrid. The Grid use is also great but I have little interest in it. It bores me.....New technologies are coming also. I have read that there is little chance that prices will change lower for at least 2 or 3 years.

    On any battery and especially one that has electronics in it, the warranty is only as good as the company being there, or big enough to keep happy customers and not get negative publicity.

    My LG's count (3) 30% discharges from 99% full as one cycle. They should last around 37 years at the rate we use them. Do I expect them to last that long? I live 60 minutes from Costco and can get a set of LA easily.

    I just look out the window for power. It is pretty easy these days compared to what many of us did offgrid in the past. The efficiency and not worrying about Soc is just hard to describe. Talk about not needing a generator :)

    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    Lets hope the increasingly zealous government doesn't feel the need to regulate this technology. Market forces ought to make the price bearable in a few years. 

    Then again....why did US manufacturers phase out the Iron Edison battery? With todays cheap panels, that battery chemistry ought to be revisited. Something odd going on...as always.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    softdown said:  .........Then again....why did US manufacturers phase out the Iron Edison battery? With todays cheap panels, that battery chemistry ought to be revisited. Something odd going on...as always.
    Mr T. Edison called his battery an Alkaline Battery.    Iron Edison is a re-branded Chinese battery.

    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 ,

  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭




    mike95490 said:
    softdown said:  .........Then again....why did US manufacturers phase out the Iron Edison battery? With todays cheap panels, that battery chemistry ought to be revisited. Something odd going on...as always.
    Mr T. Edison called his battery an Alkaline Battery.    Iron Edison is a re-branded Chinese battery.

    Called alkaline because they use alkalinity rather than acid. I wonder if they were nickel plated back then. 

    I still feel that these would make fantastic off grid batteries but they really should cost less than lead acid batteries if mass produced. Iron is much, much cheaper than lead. Nickel plating costs very little. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,730 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Iron Edison is still in business and sells an LFP battery also. I talked with the sales guy and have a client with them. They do connect into the comms of Schneider and Outback. They are expensive also but Waterwheel should take a look at them also. I will post a picture here later. One of the drawbacks of the Blue ion is that they do not connect into your Schneider coms. It may not matter to you as you can use their monitor. 

    Since I monitor/commision alot of customer systems I need cloud monitoring. The sales rep told me to compare their chinese LFP with the chinese alkaline is like using a computer compared to a slide-rule. They are cheaper is about all I can see good about them compared to LFP. I do not think they will last as someone will screw up the maintenance over time and the LFP will just keep going, I think....

    Also look at Discover by AES. They communicate into Schneider and Outback very soon.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    At this point in time, it still seems like lead acid makes sense for most people. Perhaps used lithium car batteries with ~50% life in them according to Horsefly.

    Cobalt presents the threat of thermal runaway. A house fire is the worst thing possible.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,730 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Used Li car batteries are mostly cobalt based and anyone who is concerned with fire would not be playing around with used batteries.
    Tesla powerwalls and LG home batteries have quite bit of experience with NMC and I have never heard of house fires in their applications.
    They are BMS designed to be as safe as possible. People are the biggest risk in my opinion.

    So did you get tired of roofing in Florida?
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    Used Li car batteries are mostly cobalt based and anyone who is concerned with fire would not be playing around with used batteries.
    Tesla powerwalls and LG home batteries have quite bit of experience with NMC and I have never heard of house fires in their applications.
    They are BMS designed to be as safe as possible. People are the biggest risk in my opinion.

    So did you get tired of roofing in Florida?
    The Florida roofing adventure is a very long story. The tenants were supposed to do it and never set foot on the roof to help me in my six days of hard labor. I am trying to get them out so I can move back in. He is threatening lawyers, code enforcement, and condemnation. Says he has a TV station on the way. He never paid a dime in rent so I'm not sure how he will fair with that. Claims I will "have to suck the shit out of his ass." Classy guy.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • MrM1
    MrM1 Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭✭✭
    softdown said:
     He never paid a dime in rent so I'm not sure how he will fair with that. Claims I will "have to suck the shit out of his ass." Classy guy.
    All the more reason I have never found renting property a desirable proposition.  I know you used to could (and still can) make money at it.  And my friend in Jax keeps telling me to join him in property fix-er-upping and renting instead of IRA's and 401ks,  But I just don't want to have to deal with the likes of a "Classy Guy" like this.  And unfortunately,  people like this seem to be getting more and more common.
    REC TwinPeak 2 285W 3S-3P 2.6kW-STC / 1.9kW-NMOT Array / MN Solar Classic 150 / 2017 Conext SW 4024 Inverter latest firmware / OB PSX-240 Autotransfomer for load balancing / Trojan L16H-AC 435Ah bank 4S connected to Inverter with 7' of 4/0 cable / 24 volt system / Grid-Assist or Backup Solar Generator System Powering 3200Whs Daily / System went Online Oct 2017 / System, Pics and Discussion
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    MrM1 said:
    softdown said:
     He never paid a dime in rent so I'm not sure how he will fair with that. Claims I will "have to suck the shit out of his ass." Classy guy.
    All the more reason I have never found renting property a desirable proposition.  I know you used to could (and still can) make money at it.  And my friend in Jax keeps telling me to join him in property fix-er-upping and renting instead of IRA's and 401ks,  But I just don't want to have to deal with the likes of a "Classy Guy" like this.  And unfortunately,  people like this seem to be getting more and more common.
    It can be a nerve wracking way to attempt to make money. It is pretty easy to lose money some years. Government services always side with the tenant. Two years there were seven people living in my two bedroom. They liked to toss polyester baby wipes and kitchen grease down the septic field line. So I paid for a lot of pump outs. Sometimes we even found the baby wipes and kitchen grease that caused the pump out fees.

    Didn't matter. They got the Dept of Health after me and I paid about $8000 as a result. We are still getting clogs from baby wipes 1/2 year after they moved out.

    You may learn to really not want to mingle with strangers. Yet many happy landlords report years of making vast sums with no troubles at all. Not sure if I believe them.

    Some areas are notorious for shady people. Florida for example, a sunny state with shady people. Ten bad experiences for every good one it seems. The good ones seem to come from people who recently moved there. Could be "anecdotal" experience though. 

    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • Horsefly
    Horsefly Registered Users Posts: 470 ✭✭✭✭
    softdown said:
    At this point in time, it still seems like lead acid makes sense for most people. Perhaps used lithium car batteries with ~50% life in them according to Horsefly.

    Cobalt presents the threat of thermal runaway. A house fire is the worst thing possible.
    "according to Horsefly"?  Me?  I don't think I've expressed an opinion on used lithium car batteries. Or maybe better said: I know nothing about them, so I hope I never expressed an opinion on them!
    Off-grid cabin: 6 x Canadian Solar CSK-280M PV panels, Schneider XW-MPPT60-150 Charge Controller, Schneider CSW4024 Inverter/Charger, Schneider SCP, 8S (25.6V), 230Ah Eve LiFePO4 battery in a custom insulated and heated case.
  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #18
    Horsefly said:
    softdown said:
    At this point in time, it still seems like lead acid makes sense for most people. Perhaps used lithium car batteries with ~50% life in them according to Horsefly.

    Cobalt presents the threat of thermal runaway. A house fire is the worst thing possible.
    "according to Horsefly"?  Me?  I don't think I've expressed an opinion on used lithium car batteries. Or maybe better said: I know nothing about them, so I hope I never expressed an opinion on them!
    Pretty sure you have referred to a widespread availability, either now or in the near future, of used Volt lithium batteries. Indicating that even at 50% life, they would have plenty of juice for many applications. Either that or I had a remarkably vivid dream.

    EDIT: Did a search. Turns out that the word *volt* is pretty common here. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,730 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    I am pretty sure Horsefly has not expressed that but it does not matter. Let us keep the thread Waterwheel started on topic. 
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • WaterWheel
    WaterWheel Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭✭
    edited May 2018 #20
    The point Dave made about the company being around to provide replacement BMS parts ect is something I hadn't considered.       How many panel companies have we seen come and go?       Plus I'd like to maintain the ability to monitor the batteries from my Combox in the living room.

    Dave, what do you mean by LGs?      I know you're testing a Schneider battery set; is that what you mean by LGs?

    Bottom line either from newbie battery mistakes (I thought I was fairly good at keeping the batteries maintained) or the excessive heat in the garage where the batteries are, or for whatever reason; my 32 month old battery SGs are down to about 1.247 average SG (post EQ spread runs about .012 so no bad cells) after a solid 4 hr absorb and EQ.         Had numerous calls and emails with battery tech guys the last 18 months along with following the battery discussions here.      I figure by this fall or winter the batteries will average below 1.238 SG and ready for retirement.      

    Since the ground is sloped outside the garage I plan to have the next set of batteries outside the hot garage slightly sunk in the ground with the battery box mostly in shade.       This should help but make monthly SG checks a little less comfortable.

    I'd willing willing to conceder the expense of Lithium if the longer life (not to mention minimal maintance) made Lithiums an economically smart choice by lasting 20+ years.      But if Lithiums only last 12-15 years before either dying or the BMS system needs replacement then LAs in a somewhat cooler location may be the way to go.

    Conext XW6848 with PDP, SCP, 80/600 controller, 60/150 controller and Conext battery monitor

    21 SW280 panels on Schletter ground mount

    48v Rolls 6CS 27P

  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,730 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    I wish I knew your name but forget LG as the current models are for hi voltage inverters.
    I am done testing them! They are fantastic batteries but were marketed wrong in my opinion for 48V nominal.
    Tesla has a similar battery but it is a challenge to use it offgrid. The others I mentioned are worth due diligence in research.
    You can become a client and leave it to me....
    There are no guarantees but death and taxes ;)

    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,812 ✭✭✭✭
    Horsefly said:
    softdown said:
    At this point in time, it still seems like lead acid makes sense for most people. Perhaps used lithium car batteries with ~50% life in them according to Horsefly.

    Cobalt presents the threat of thermal runaway. A house fire is the worst thing possible.
    "according to Horsefly"?  Me?  I don't think I've expressed an opinion on used lithium car batteries. Or maybe better said: I know nothing about them, so I hope I never expressed an opinion on them!
    Must have been B Novak....sorry. For some reason, I somehow integrate your posts with BN. Enough on that anyway...
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    @ Water Wheel said

    Bottom line either from newbie battery mistakes (I thought I was fairly good at keeping the batteries maintained) or the excessive heat in the garage where the batteries are, or for whatever reason; my 32 month old battery SGs are down to about 1.247 average SG (post EQ spread runs about .012 so no bad cells) after a solid 4 hr absorb and EQ  Had numerous calls and emails with battery tech guys the last 18 months along with following the battery discussions here I figure by this fall or winter the batteries will average below 1.238 SG and ready for retirement.      

    The phenomenon of of dropping SG is mainly due to undercharging which manifests over time, if the cells are all equal, plus or minus a few points SG, leaving them on charge, without loads for a period of time will likely bring the SG back to more acceptable levels. Naturally this is difficult if they are relied upon, my experience was a bank which displayed almost identical SG issues, once relieved of its discharge responsibility, rebounded to normal, they are assigned to light duty and have exceeded their life expectan and often transition to float, something that never happened during previous discharge cycles.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • WaterWheel
    WaterWheel Registered Users Posts: 375 ✭✭✭
    mcgivor said:
    @ Water Wheel said

    The phenomenon of of dropping SG is mainly due to undercharging which manifests over time, if the cells are all equal, plus or minus a few points SG, leaving them on charge, without loads for a period of time will likely bring the SG back to more acceptable levels. Naturally this is difficult if they are relied upon, my experience was a bank which displayed almost identical SG issues, once relieved of its discharge responsibility, rebounded to normal, they are assigned to light duty and have exceeded their life expectan and often transition to float, something that never happened during previous discharge cycles.
    By chance the house has been empty the last 5 days with the absorb time cut in half to keep from overcharging the batteries with little load on them and average SG is up to 1.258.      Adsorb was set to cut off at 2% of capacity.       Normally I leave it set to cut off at 1.5% capacity but with no one home I changed it to help keep from cooking the batteries.     Better SG so maybe I can make them last a little longer.

    Conext XW6848 with PDP, SCP, 80/600 controller, 60/150 controller and Conext battery monitor

    21 SW280 panels on Schletter ground mount

    48v Rolls 6CS 27P

  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    Left longer with regular settings  the SG  would probably probably go even higher,  but I've already  derailed the topic so won't propagate my thoughts further, perhaps a new string would be better to discuss details. 

    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.