LiFePO4 recommendations for UK?

[demonboy]

Hi all,

It's been a while but for the first time I am posting regarding the UK, not the tropics. I'm looking for recommended brands of LiFePO4 for domestic use on a boat in the UK.

We've been running with lithium for some years now but our system predates the newer models with built-in BMS (they're a lot less expensive these days too!), so while I have experience managing lithium for domestic, I am completely out of the loop with these newer generation batteries and am looking for some pointers. I haven't lived in the UK for 20 years either, so I am unfamiliar with many battery brands (we've been using CalB with great success).

I suspect we'll be looking for around 600aH, running a 3kw Victron inverter/charger, which is what we use currently use.

What brands, available in the UK, are a popular choice these days? I guess I'm looking for brands with a proven track record of reliability in the UK climate (ie really cold!). Bluetooth would be a nice to have too. Eco Tree keeps popping up. Any others worth considering?

TIA

 

[fredrussell]

Fogstar have a good rep. I’ve had some Eco-worthy for a year or two now in the campervan, but they’re a bit bargain basement- no Bluetooth or heating.

 

[demonboy]

Thanks, Fred. I know Fogstar for their 18650/21700 batteries, but not their larger units. You mentioned heating - is that a thing?

 

[Neeves]

I know little about Lithium but am on Battle Born Battery's mailing. I recall them mentioning heated batteries and smiled at the idea as generally here we want everything cooled not heated (except our cars now come with heated steering wheels and seats, it all seems a bit daft). Its presumably cheaper to have all the bells and whistles than make cars for specific, small, markets

If you check this link there is minor mentioning of heated batteries. Heating is a thing (in general). My sister lived in Prince George for some time and they plugged their car into the mains inside the garage to stop (presumably the radiator) from freezing (so much for antifreeze).

Heated LiFePO4 Batteries Archives

Jonathan

 

[wingcommander]

Don't forget to bring the Indonesian sunshine also . Please !!!

 

[CrikeyChris]

I have a Renogy 100ah LiFe PO4 battery - no heating but it is a few years old and most of their current batteries seem to have built in heating and possibly bluetooth. The battery is used in a very undemanding situation but quality looks good and the bluetooth module and phone app works well. They seem competitive price wise. They are a global brand with distribution centres in the UK.
‘Trident’ speaks highly of their products.

 

[demonboy]

I have a Renogy 100ah LiFe PO4 battery - no heating but it is a few years old and most of their current batteries seem to have built in heating and possibly bluetooth. The battery is used in a very undemanding situation but quality looks good and the bluetooth module and phone app works well. They seem competitive price wise. They are a global brand with distribution centres in the UK.
‘Trident’ speaks highly of their products.

I know the brand from solar accessories but haven't come across their batteries. 100aH at £339 inc BMS, Bluetooth and heating is very competitively priced.

 

[demonboy]

I know little about Lithium but am on Battle Born Battery's mailing. I recall them mentioning heated batteries and smiled at the idea as generally here we want everything cooled not heated (except our cars now come with heated steering wheels and seats, it all seems a bit daft). Its presumably cheaper to have all the bells and whistles than make cars for specific, small, markets

If you check this link there is minor mentioning of heated batteries. Heating is a thing (in general). My sister lived in Prince George for some time and they plugged their car into the mains inside the garage to stop (presumably the radiator) from freezing (so much for antifreeze).

Heated LiFePO4 Batteries Archives

Jonathan

Thanks, Jonathan. These seem pretty pricey and I'm not sure they're available in the UK. I'll dig around some more.

 

[stranded]

I know little about Lithium but am on Battle Born Battery's mailing. I recall them mentioning heated batteries and smiled at the idea as generally here we want everything cooled not heated (except our cars now come with heated steering wheels and seats, it all seems a bit daft). Its presumably cheaper to have all the bells and whistles than make cars for specific, small, markets

If you check this link there is minor mentioning of heated batteries. Heating is a thing (in general). My sister lived in Prince George for some time and they plugged their car into the mains inside the garage to stop (presumably the radiator) from freezing (so much for antifreeze).

Heated LiFePO4 Batteries Archives

Jonathan

Morgan’s Cloud’s ‘review’ of BattleBorn’s latest offering is somewhat short of glowing.

 

[lustyd]

I have Fogstar and highly recommend them. They have a good quality BMS that can actively balance cells properly (BMS are not all equal). Quality cells. Good quality heating to protect the batteries from charging in the cold, and they are quite cheap for what you get. I have the 300Ah which is now £600. Check dimensions as they only have 3 case sizes so more Ah isn’t always a larger unit.
Their support is fantastic and based in UK. Almost immediate responses and positive outcomes.

 

[demonboy]

I have Fogstar and highly recommend them. They have a good quality BMS that can actively balance cells properly (BMS are not all equal). Quality cells. Good quality heating to protect the batteries from charging in the cold, and they are quite cheap for what you get. I have the 300Ah which is now £600. Check dimensions as they only have 3 case sizes so more Ah isn’t always a larger unit.
Their support is fantastic and based in UK. Almost immediate responses and positive outcomes.

Thanks for that. How long have you had yours and how are they faring? Our Cal Bs have probably lost around 20% over six years, which isn't bad considering we absolutely hammer them every day, including induction cooking.

 

[Frayed Knot]

I’ve been umming and aahing for months now, frequently bothering this forum with questions (and receiving some very helpful advice)
I’ve finally made the decision and ordered a pair of Fogstar Drift models - due for delivery next week.
Respected advice was that there was no need for heated units for my usage but my eventual decision was very much based on the factors described by lustyd.
Obviously I can’t make any recommendations yet but hopefully in a couple of years…

 

[lustyd]

Thanks for that. How long have you had yours and how are they faring? Our Cal Bs have probably lost around 20% over six years, which isn't bad considering we absolutely hammer them every day, including induction cooking.

Two years and good as new with no appreciable loss at all. Ours are relatively heavily used but not every day and are kept charged higher than they should be as I don’t disconnect the solar.
I did set all chargers to a slightly lower voltage though so they never get 100% full

 

[Trident]

Fogstar and Renogy both good but Fogstar will also sell you EVE cells and a JK BMS to put your own together for much less cost - as you're familiar with cells it should be very simple and actually a better end result. Even the best built in BMS are not as versatile as using the new self balancing JK models which you can set up to your own needs

Under £400 gets you the parts to put together a 280ah pack and assembly (no soldering etc - just crimp wires) takes an hour

With the right settings and good self balancing (2 amp is the standard now) you can keep these with 100% capacity for a decade or more . As for heating - its useful if you forget to manage charge but the new BMS can be set to allow discharge at any temperature but cut charge (the damaging part sub zero) at any temperature you set - mine cut charge at 4 degrees C and the BMS comes with two temp sensors to fit to the cells to ensure accuracy. So no heating really needed . The final advantage of cells is of course if the BMS dies for any reason, unlike a drop in battery, you can bypass the BMS and have emergency get you home power direct from the cells.

 

[lustyd]

Under £400 gets you the parts to put together a 280ah pack and assembly (no soldering etc - just crimp wires) takes an hour

Not drastically cheaper than their off the shelf battery now and I think same cells and BMS.

 

[Trident]

Not drastically cheaper than their off the shelf battery now and I think same cells and BMS.

I thought they used the JD BMS but they may have changed

 

[lustyd]

I thought they used the JD BMS but they may have changed

Sorry yes you’re right

 

[noelex]

Have you considered purchasing the cells, battery management system (BMS), and if you really feel it necessary, heating pads? The DIY approach.

After all, this is the Practical Boat Owner forum .

 

[Neeves]

Morgan’s Cloud’s ‘review’ of BattleBorn’s latest offering is somewhat short of glowing.

There is no suggestion, not a single implication, that I endorse Battle Born. They simply had some information on heated batteries. You as an expert did not choose to offer any reference or answers to the obvious questions being raised. But you are so happy and quick to be critical.

Jonathan

 

[Beneteau381]

There is no suggestion, not a single implication, that I endorse Battle Born. They simply had some information on heated batteries. You as an expert did not choose to offer any reference or answers to the obvious questions being raised. But you are so happy and quick to be critical.

Jonathan

Sigh