LiFePO Batteries ???

airshot

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Thank's for posting all this good LifePO4 battery info.....mine is on its way, getting all my information ready to go when it arrives.
 

airshot

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Ok....have my new 140ah battery, charger and ready to go. Trying to think ahead to be ready when the season opens up here in the next month or two. There might be periods of time that I can't use my boat, weather, life etc....and these new smart batteries don't like being stored at a full charge. All recommendations come down to a 50-60% charge for storage. All the info I have uncovered so far has said to attach a " device" to draw the battery down, so....what " devices" are folks using ? Looking around I am finding a small blower/ heater used in cars and trucks that run on 12v. Thinking one if these might be the ticket to draw down my battery to storage capacity. Any other suggestion or recommendations from those that have been there and done that ?? Thanks in advance,........
 

tpenfield

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My understanding is that the recommendation to store at mid-level charge (50-60%) is more for long term storage. Not sure if not using the boat for a few weeks or more is really going to break anything.

I'd just see how things go . . . maybe run your blowers while you are closing up the boat to draw the batteries down a bit. If the battery is sitting at around 13.2 volts, it is probably fine.

I have a set-up where the solar charging brings the batteries up during the day and the parasitic loads draw things down a bit at night. Overall the batteries stay at well above 50% capacity during boating season.

My problem seems to be more over the winter is that the charging to the battery shuts off (via LTCP) as the temperature gets to 32˚F, but the parasitic drains continue until around 4˚F (IIRC), thus draining the battery to a low voltage shut off point.

I'm concerned if you have something to drain the battery down it might be too much, or require some sophisticated regulation process (timer). :unsure:
 

airshot

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My understanding is that the recommendation to store at mid-level charge (50-60%) is more for long term storage. Not sure if not using the boat for a few weeks or more is really going to break anything.

I'd just see how things go . . . maybe run your blowers while you are closing up the boat to draw the batteries down a bit. If the battery is sitting at around 13.2 volts, it is probably fine.

I have a set-up where the solar charging brings the batteries up during the day and the parasitic loads draw things down a bit at night. Overall the batteries stay at well above 50% capacity during boating season.

My problem seems to be more over the winter is that the charging to the battery shuts off (via LTCP) as the temperature gets to 32˚F, but the parasitic drains continue until around 4˚F (IIRC), thus draining the battery to a low voltage shut off point.

I'm concerned if you have something to drain the battery down it might be too much, or require some sophisticated regulation process (timer). :unsure:
Have similar thoughts, but want to do what is best for the battery. My boat is trailered and stores in my barn. LifePo4 battery is only for my trolling motor, nothing else. There are periods of time maby a month or so where the fishing slows down and more joy riding takes place where the electric motor is not used. Lots of articles on keeping the battery at a storage charge when not using for a period of time. No mfgr has actually stated how long that period of time is ! Folks often mention putting a load on the battery to drop it down to a storage charge, but no one mentions what they use as a load to drop the charge. Battery does have a fancy built in battery monitor that sends info to my phone, so monitoring it is not a big problem.
 

bruceb58

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I use LiFePO4 batteries in my travel trailer. I store them at between 50% to 70% when they won't be used for a month. If you are using the boat everyday, just keep them at 100%.
 

bruceb58

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Anyone have experiences with Battle Born battles? Been thinking of switching my batteries over but trying to justify the prices and they are even high on Amazon haha

Battle Born Batteries
I used to have a couple when LiFePO4 batteries were relatively new to market. They are great batteries but not really worth the price premium these days. Many other good options.
 

airshot

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I use LiFePO4 batteries in my travel trailer. I store them at between 50% to 70% when they won't be used for a month. If you are using the boat everyday, just keep them at 100%.
Using the boat everyday is a dream we all have...lol...at best a couple times a week is more accurate. There have been periods of time when it sits for weeks and that is my concern. There are days when you go out with a fully charged batter but due to conditions it doesn't get used then might sit for weeks before getting out again. Just looking for a way to drop the charge down while it sits for a period of time and wondered what others use.
 

bruceb58

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Using the boat everyday is a dream we all have...lol...at best a couple times a week is more accurate. There have been periods of time when it sits for weeks and that is my concern. There are days when you go out with a fully charged batter but due to conditions it doesn't get used then might sit for weeks before getting out again. Just looking for a way to drop the charge down while it sits for a period of time and wondered what others use.
For weeks I would not be concerned. Just don't charge them up right away until you are going to use it again. Typically, the only thing that would happen is that you might only get 2000 charge cycles vs 3000 charge cycles...probably more than you would do in your lifetime anyway.
 
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