LiFePO4 - The future for off-grid battery banks?

[Living Large]

The whole reason Im considering lithium, 1/4 of the time to recharge them.

This was a big factor in my choosing LFP. My location has poor insolation, and I didn't want to have excessive gen run time and the maintenance that comes with it to fully charge my batteries. I believe the run time difference in my case was a factor of two to three to one.

[jedics]

Estimations are costly. You don't want to "wing it" with solar, no matter what chemistry you choose.

but if you walk into a sales-office or forum without knowing your actual power needs - you become an easy target.
Thats why Im on the net researching and learning

What I'd do in this case is in fact go ahead and use high-quality pure-lead AGM's, armed with the knowledge that most people UNDERcharge them.
What has my knowledge have to do with which technology I go with? Its not as if I need to buy them tmrw, I can learn, as for not undercharging AGM, most people under charge because it take so long to get them up to their last 20% of charge which means they arent full the next day giving you only about 30% of their capacity if you dont drain them under 50%, which is the whole reason Im considering lithium, 1/4 of the time to recharge them.

The most important thing now beyond chemistry, is to get an accurate measurement of your real power needs. You just might find that a high-quality agm that can be found 10-minutes away fits the bill.

Im sure I can get a hold of a power bill, but if I toss out my electric heater for a gas one, build an evap aircon instead of using an electric Im going to be heading to the vicinity of 400ah surely? Yes Im sure I can get some AGM's near by but with the kind of money Im going to be spending for my long term home Im wondering how I might feel about them in 3 years time when they dont hold a charge like they used to.

By the way how long have you had yours? Have they lost any capacity in 'that' time?

[PNjunction]

I dont have easy access to my exact billing (long story) to give exact usage but I am only after estimations atm just to start getting an idea of the costs involved and maybe some directions on kits people may have bought.

Estimations are costly. You don't want to "wing it" with solar, no matter what chemistry you choose.

Winging it with LiFePo4's additional up-front cost makes it even harder for the wallet to swallow. Don't get me wrong, I use and LOVE LiFePo4, but if you walk into a sales-office or forum without knowing your actual power needs - you become an easy target.

What I'd do in this case is in fact go ahead and use high-quality pure-lead AGM's, armed with the knowledge that most people UNDERcharge them, and take steps not to do that. Accept the fact that in solar, we will never get it perfect due to the variable power supply in the sky, and just do the best we can.

The most important thing now beyond chemistry, is to get an accurate measurement of your real power needs. You just might find that a high-quality agm that can be found 10-minutes away fits the bill.

[jedics]

new but keen

Hi all, I came across this thread while researching an off grid system to go on a 12 meter refrigerated semi trailer. After reading about AGM batteries and how long they take to charge to 100% together with the fact they shouldnt be discharged bellow 50% I quickly started to prefer lithium.

Ive been in contact with a seller installer briefly(lithium batteries Australia site), he likes the victron stuff and has a 3 year warranty on his batteries but my rough calculations say it will take me about 5 years to break even on the batteries alone. eg. approx 400ah of LifePO4 will be 6 to 7 grand and my bills are currently about $1200 a year.

Im still getting a handle on the basics and I was hoping to get an overview firstly of what size system makes sense, Im in South Australia, if my bills average $1200 a year with the appliances I have currently, would a 400ah system with say 6x 250watt panels and a 3000watt inverter and being sensible be enough for me to live off grid?

I dont have easy access to my exact billing (long story) to give exact usage but I am only after estimations atm just to start getting an idea of the costs involved and maybe some directions on kits people may have bought.

cheers.

[Sunking]

Most people don't want the criticism and ridicule from the posters that inhabit the site. Potential Advertisers / Sponsors would see it as a net loss to be on here.

Especially a shyster like Iron Bran. Username alone is a rip-off and plagiarism

Meet the real and only Iron Byron.

[Willy T]

Lots of chatter, very few photos. Anyone have actual install photos to share???

Most people don't want the criticism and ridicule from the posters that inhabit the site. Potential Advertisers / Sponsors would see it as a net loss to be on here.

[discovery5]

A Picture is worth a thousand words

here is the floor plan layout for my battery shed. I replaced a 600ah Pb-H2So4 bank, with an 800ah NiFe bank. Took a lot more floor space, and if I'd not had it in mind beforehand, it would not fit.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]6415[/ATTACH]
More photos in my .sig links

Thanks for the Pics

[russ]

Lots of chatter, very few photos. Anyone have actual install photos to share???

You are asking this as a lead in so you can post about what you are trying to sell?

[Mike90250]

Interested in this thread for LiFePO4 for replacement of Lead Acid Battery Bank and would like to see the pictures.

here is the floor plan layout for my battery shed. I replaced a 600ah Pb-H2So4 bank, with an 800ah NiFe bank. Took a lot more floor space, and if I'd not had it in mind beforehand, it would not fit.
BatteryShedLayout_2_NiFe2.jpg
More photos in my .sig links

[Iron Bran]

So, do any of you have photos to share?

Lots of chatter, very few photos. Anyone have actual install photos to share???

Not as far as I am concerned - if he wants to sign up with Solar Pete for paid advertising then fine - until then there is no reason we should allow an advertising of an different system. We have no idea what is being sold, the quality or any thing else about it.

[russ]

Maybe not but he shouldn't have been selling his hardware or providing pictures of his hardware for people to see and maybe go purchase.

We have discussed numerous types of batteries and PV hardware on this site. Most provide good data but are not trying to actually sell anything. Although there is a "line" that some posters cross.

I was just pointing out that I felt Iron Bran was using this thread to advertise his hardware which may have been ok with the Moderators or maybe not.

Not as far as I am concerned - if he wants to sign up with Solar Pete for paid advertising then fine - until then there is no reason we should allow an advertising of an different system. We have no idea what is being sold, the quality or any thing else about it.

[SunEagle]

Iron Bran is hardly a first time user.

Maybe not but he shouldn't have been selling his hardware or providing pictures of his hardware for people to see and maybe go purchase.

We have discussed numerous types of batteries and PV hardware on this site. Most provide good data but are not trying to actually sell anything. Although there is a "line" that some posters cross.

I was just pointing out that I felt Iron Bran was using this thread to advertise his hardware which may have been ok with the Moderators or maybe not.

[discovery5]

No. I was not referring to you but to Iron Bran who provided 4 pictures of a battery system that I believe he is trying to sell.

I have no issues with someone providing information or a place to look at specific hardware but I believe anyone that posts hardware that they sell should first get approval of the Solar Panel Talk forum owners.

Iron Bran is hardly a first time user.

[SunEagle]

From Russ's answer I take it this is for me but tell this first time user how would I know that that 184 Post is for me?

No. I was not referring to you but to Iron Bran who provided 4 pictures of a battery system that I believe he is trying to sell.

I have no issues with someone providing information or a place to look at specific hardware but I believe anyone that posts hardware that they sell should first get approval of the Solar Panel Talk forum owners.

[discovery5]

Are you replying to me ?

Interesting way of using this forum for your advertising.

From Russ's answer I take it this is for me but tell this first time user how would I know that that 184 Post is for me?