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Over the last decade or so I have been using a small (35 Amp Hour) Sealed Lead Acid (SLA), absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery to light the tent while camping and it has given me good service.
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/...s-the-big-deal
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/..._glass_mat_agm
However, as times change additional power consuming wants and need have come up. Accordingly research into light weight Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries has shown them to be likely candidates for replacing the old wheel chair battery for portable power while camping.
Some LiFeP04 general info (I too am just learning but here are some things that I believe);
The amp hour range on these batteries can get as large as anyone wants to pay for.
They are typically lighter in weight than lead acid batteries typically 1/2 to 1/3 of the weight; the case makes a difference here.
LiFePo4 batteries can be sensitive to temperatures when charging and discharging;... Read the temperature range specifications for your prospective battery VERY carefully!... they should include high and low temperature protection/cut offs.
They require a BMS (battery management system) to protect the battery from attempted charging at too low & high temperatures, shorts, over charging, over discharging, over current and to help keep the cells charged to the same level (equalized); drop in/stand alone batteries typically include the BMS inside their case.... the quality of the BMS directly affects the quality of the battery. and if the protection features are not there, are improperly set up, or fail your battery my not function well, or possibly at all.
They are relatively expensive (first cost), however the cost when averaged over the increased life (if treated well) of the battery can make the long term cost lower.
12 volt 100 amp hour (AH) batteries in a drop in package can run as much as $1000 for a high quality (i.e. Battleborn) drop in LiFePo4 battery. More reasonably priced made in chnia 100 amp hour versions are currently available in the $500 to $575 range.
Do it/assemble yourself can bring the costs as low as the high $300 range for basic 12 volt 100 AH batteries... (find your own case to put the cells and Battery Management System (BMS) into).
LiFePo4 batteries are not directly compatible with vehicles for charging. Even though rated at 12 volts The LiFePo4 chemistry needs a higher charging voltage than most vehicles supply to reach peak charge. (this typically means they need a DC to DC charger to be fully charged by vehicles (an extra moderately expensive piece). High charge rates can also be hard on vehicle charging systems (something to be aware of).
Solar charging depends on the setting of the solar charge controller to achieve the higher voltage; so get a charge controller compatible with LiFePo4 batteries.
There are a lot of new battery assemblers (some fly by night) opening shop in the U.S.A. these sometimes assemble their own batteries but mostly just order their batteries assembled or rebadged to their specifications in china price and quality vary; Luck is operational here; since costs can be cut by using lower quality cases, assembly, cells, internal wiring and of course the BMS.
In order to help prevent dissatisfaction I looked hard at various disassembly videos on the web and My number one resource has been the DIY Solar power Forum;
https://diysolarforum.com/
I changed my initial battery purchase because no BMS and internal construction information was available.
As I learn more I will try to post information here;
should receive my new 100 AH today!...
Next project looking for a charger...
Enjoy!
EDIT: here is a white paper from BattleBorn batteries on low temperature use
https://battlebornbatteries.com/lead...e-paper-study/
https://www.interstatebatteries.com/...s-the-big-deal
https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/..._glass_mat_agm
However, as times change additional power consuming wants and need have come up. Accordingly research into light weight Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries has shown them to be likely candidates for replacing the old wheel chair battery for portable power while camping.
Some LiFeP04 general info (I too am just learning but here are some things that I believe);
The amp hour range on these batteries can get as large as anyone wants to pay for.
They are typically lighter in weight than lead acid batteries typically 1/2 to 1/3 of the weight; the case makes a difference here.
LiFePo4 batteries can be sensitive to temperatures when charging and discharging;... Read the temperature range specifications for your prospective battery VERY carefully!... they should include high and low temperature protection/cut offs.
They require a BMS (battery management system) to protect the battery from attempted charging at too low & high temperatures, shorts, over charging, over discharging, over current and to help keep the cells charged to the same level (equalized); drop in/stand alone batteries typically include the BMS inside their case.... the quality of the BMS directly affects the quality of the battery. and if the protection features are not there, are improperly set up, or fail your battery my not function well, or possibly at all.
They are relatively expensive (first cost), however the cost when averaged over the increased life (if treated well) of the battery can make the long term cost lower.
12 volt 100 amp hour (AH) batteries in a drop in package can run as much as $1000 for a high quality (i.e. Battleborn) drop in LiFePo4 battery. More reasonably priced made in chnia 100 amp hour versions are currently available in the $500 to $575 range.
Do it/assemble yourself can bring the costs as low as the high $300 range for basic 12 volt 100 AH batteries... (find your own case to put the cells and Battery Management System (BMS) into).
LiFePo4 batteries are not directly compatible with vehicles for charging. Even though rated at 12 volts The LiFePo4 chemistry needs a higher charging voltage than most vehicles supply to reach peak charge. (this typically means they need a DC to DC charger to be fully charged by vehicles (an extra moderately expensive piece). High charge rates can also be hard on vehicle charging systems (something to be aware of).
Solar charging depends on the setting of the solar charge controller to achieve the higher voltage; so get a charge controller compatible with LiFePo4 batteries.
There are a lot of new battery assemblers (some fly by night) opening shop in the U.S.A. these sometimes assemble their own batteries but mostly just order their batteries assembled or rebadged to their specifications in china price and quality vary; Luck is operational here; since costs can be cut by using lower quality cases, assembly, cells, internal wiring and of course the BMS.
In order to help prevent dissatisfaction I looked hard at various disassembly videos on the web and My number one resource has been the DIY Solar power Forum;
https://diysolarforum.com/
I changed my initial battery purchase because no BMS and internal construction information was available.
As I learn more I will try to post information here;
should receive my new 100 AH today!...
Next project looking for a charger...
Enjoy!
EDIT: here is a white paper from BattleBorn batteries on low temperature use
https://battlebornbatteries.com/lead...e-paper-study/
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