Messages

466

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: June 11, 2021, 01:14:29 PM »

In my quest for a LiFep04 start battery I have discovered a few hurdles, the Relion DCC30S does not regulate charging of the start battery so a simple solution is to use a AGM/ Flooded Lead acid battery as recommended by Dan Boccia. 

Sterling APD will be destroyed if a big spike happens, so you save the alternator.  Not a great option for me.  I found a alternator regulator that looks like it will work, I I welcome your opinions once again.  In talking with Balmar their MC-614 works with alternators that are externally regulated.  Most outboards have internally regulated alternators.

Wakespeed WS500 will work with either type of alternator and have programs for most popular LifePo4 Batteries!  Most will require current shunt and battery temperature sensor.

http://www.wakespeed.com/products.html 

Scroll down to "Configurations Based On Battery Or BMS Brand"
Configurations Based On Battery Or BMS Brand

http://www.wakespeed.com/CU/Victron%20SmartLithium.zip

I have send email to Wakespeed with questions and I will post answers when I receive them.

467

Boat Building Tools / Finned Aluminum Roller Cover

« on: June 09, 2021, 05:20:24 PM »

I wish I had found this in the beginning, slip it on your paint roller cover and for $12 you have a great roller, comes in 7 or 9 inch.

https://www.expresscomposites.com/roller-finned-aluminum-cover-fits-on-7-paint-roller

468

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: 140 HP on my Kodiak

« on: June 07, 2021, 08:55:41 PM »

If it does not come in you could order a couple of these:

It would be totally cool!

469

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: June 07, 2021, 07:43:06 AM »

Shrimping was great until the Saturday, wind picked up 20-25mph and 4-5ft waves made it a rodeo to pull the pots and headed in with 1/2 limits. 

Best part was spending time with my Father in-law, he is 80 and had an epic adventure.

470

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: June 06, 2021, 02:30:39 PM »

Back from shrimping and was able to post a couple videos if the LiLead battery starting my 2006 Nissan Titan.  It is in no way a scientific or complicated test, just hooked it up and started the truck with ease, you can listed to both videos and compare.

I am not set on the Lifep04 starting battery idea for my boat yet but I will look into it further because of the potential issues. 

https://youtu.be/0y-Ff2hhUS4

on edit, changed video to original battery for comparison.
https://youtu.be/HtJYWy-sOIE
 

471

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: June 01, 2021, 12:20:04 AM »

Dan,

Can you share the articles? What you say I agree with, I have a lot to learn. 

Lilead is made in China from what I can tell, Ray-tech International

http://www.lileadbattery.net/aboutus

472

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: May 31, 2021, 08:03:34 AM »

Quite a discussion going on over at diysolarforum and more data comparing to battleborn and another Lifepo4. 

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/dual-purpose-lifepo4-starting-and-deep-cycle-battery-in-stock-usa.23321/

473

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: May 30, 2021, 10:21:22 PM »

Big risk agreed,  I will be having a discussion with Renogy about the alternator protection recommendations etc.  I was aware of Kilovaults built in heater which is amazing.  I see what you mean about the charging temp being 32F that is a problem for winter temps. 

Searching  for answers tonight, Will Prowse has done a review on the Renogy and talks about low temp. Its late and my brain is turning to mush.  I will be gone  shrimping until next Saturday so wont have time look into this further.

great discussion!

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/renogy-dc-dc-charger-w-mppt.1406/

I emailed Lilead last night and received a response this morning (impressed) and these and most/all lifepo4 say not to charge if below 32f but can discharge down to -20f.  So adding a 12v t-stat controlled heating pad or similar could be a work around.

 

 

474

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: May 30, 2021, 07:59:55 PM »

Not sure if batteries shut off after charge, I know that you cannot disconnect from alternator while running so if limits were exceeded there could be a potential problem like a ruined alternator.  I was and still am concerned about a Lifepo4 being a start battery so I really hope this works out.

The battery info card shows standard charging at 22amps and rapid charge at 100amps, the 10amp charger is all I have right now so I used it, probably not optimal so maybe I should look into a 25amp charger for home use.

I ended up going with Renogy b2b charger, it looks easier to hook up and better specs than what I looked up prior.

https://www.renogy.com/dcc30s-12v-30a-dual-input-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt/

If the Lifepo4 does not work for a starting battery I will go with a lead acid / agm type.

I could not find a post of someone else using a Lifepo4 as a start battery for outboard, it would have ben nice to hear about it before I committed but I am taking a chance..

I need to do some research about protecting the alternator if the Lifepo4 disconnects.  on edit here is some info:

https://livsailing.com/2019/11/04/protecting-your-alternator-when-switching-to-lithium/

Looks like Sterling makes an alternator protection device:

https://www.sterling-power-usa.com/SterlingPower12voltalternatorprotectiondevice.aspx

475

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: May 29, 2021, 08:00:13 PM »

I ordered on the 26th, received 2 batteries today! Very excited, did I tell you these batteries come with a 10 Year Warranty?

Charging them up and cant wait to test them out.  Funny, a box with 2 batteries is less than 50lbs. 

476

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: May 29, 2021, 08:07:41 AM »

Here is the link, same as above.  I contacted Lilead thru pm.

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/dual-12v-110ah-lifepo4-marine-battery-engerine-starting-storage.22061/

BTW, that is a great forum with tons of info anything lithium and more.  its seems the BMS is a key factor in the performance of these batteries which is why different batteries have different discharge rates etc.

I have seen lots of videos by Will Prowse and is a great source of information also, he is a Moderator on DIYSolarForum.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buNxclZixuU

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/recommended-charge-profile-for-diy-lifepo4-batteries-sticky-post.5101/

477

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: May 28, 2021, 12:42:47 PM »

That is a huge battery, two of them would have an amazing amount of reserve and probably a great option for a bow thruster or big windlass/anchor puller.

One thing I noticed is Kilovault has a higher discharge rate at 150 amp continuous vs LiLead's 100 amp continuous, although Kilovault has a peak discharge current of 500amps  >3 secs where LiLead has 300A surge current for 60 seconds.

There is a lot of factors to think about when choosing these batteries for sure.

I am not sure how to go about charging 2 house batteries but I am sure there are ways.

The main reason I choose LiLead was its dual purpose start/deep cycle, and the price point at $1k for 2 batteries I could not pass it up.

The Windlass and Pot Puller will draw a fair amount of power but the engine will be running while using either of these.  I plan on a 12v 45-50 Liter portable refrigerator, I just looked up an ICECO VL45 and  a review stated 5 days on a 60amp lithium!  I dont see an issue running 110amp Lithium as a house battery.

478

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: House Battery

« on: May 27, 2021, 06:55:32 PM »

After more research on the b2b charger I have went with the Renogy, it is a very simple install and have more capacity for Solar charge, maybe later I will add solar.


Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeATWMksWLA

479

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / LiFePO4 Marine battery

« on: May 27, 2021, 12:20:46 AM »

In researching this type of battery, finding one that is designed as a starting battery is challenging to say the least.  I came across a newly released battery that looks amazing, it is dual purpose.  I discovered this battery on DIY Solor Forum.

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/dual-12v-110ah-lifepo4-marine-battery-engerine-starting-storage.22061/

http://www.lileadbattery.com/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093SZSNRC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I purchased 2 of them (nice discount) , one for the house battery and one for starting. 

If you are in the market I highly suggest looking into this battery.

480

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / Re: Stern eyes, bow chalks and cleats

« on: May 14, 2021, 07:52:23 AM »

Rbob - what kind of hardware did you use for your cleats? I would like to use your method to overdrill/epoxy fill to protect the core, but I can't really find any countersunk head bolts.. only screws. Do you have a link to what you used?

I pretty sure I went to Tacoma Screw and got oval head stainless steel that fit the cleats.