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Topic: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration (Read 3282 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration

Reply #50 –
Quote from: jcus –
In theory yes, the alternator should put out 160 amps, but as others have pointed out, it does get pretty warm at high outputs, so the less load on it, the better.  I have removed my battery combiner, and now only rely on a upgraded [200 amp] boost solenoid to connect alternator to house bank. I figure that  if I disconnect alternator for about 20 min every hour, the batteries will not deplete too much, and the alternator can cool down.

But would the alternator get even hotter since when you put it back on line it is going to have to make up for power that was used from the batteries and continue with the online load?
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration

Reply #51 –
6 of those batteries will accept more charging amps than the alternator and solar combined can provide, at almost any SOC.  They have virtually no float mode, so the full 50 amps each for 300 total will be called for as long as they are under 100%.  And 300 is the recommended max.  It's not enforced by the BMS.  They can take much more than that.  I don't think the extra load of the ac running should matter since the charging systems are already maxed out anyway.  That's my understanding anyway, and why I added a DC-DC charger to limit the alternator load.  Frequently switching the alternator off for 20 minutes should accomplish the same goal as the LiFePO4 combiner that BattleBorn recommends.

Re: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration

Reply #52 –
Quote from: bdale –
6 of those batteries will accept more charging amps than the alternator and solar combined can provide, at almost any SOC.  They have virtually no float mode, so the full 50 amps each for 300 total will be called for as long as they are under 100%.  And 300 is the recommended max.  It's not enforced by the BMS.  I don't think the ac running or not running should matter since the charging systems are already maxed out anyway.  That's my understanding anyway, and why I added a DC-DC charger to limit the alternator load.  Frequently switching the alternator off for 20 minutes should accomplish the same goal as the LiFePO4 combiner that BattleBorn recommends.
Thanks Bob, I have my alternator set at 13.6 volts, so will be interesting to see how it loads up when batteries get to 13.6. I will monitor temps and voltages on my first trip.
Interesting interview with Battle Born president. He even had batteries UL certified, to keep a forum member happy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIr6HYwoH_E
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration

Reply #53 –
They're still not Gel...UL or no UL.

Re: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration

Reply #54 –
Quote from: jcus –
Thanks Bob, I have my alternator set at 13.6 volts, so will be interesting to see how it loads up when batteries get to 13.6. I will monitor temps and voltages on my first trip.

My Magnum charger float mode is also set to 13.6v I believe.  When the it tries to charge them at say 80% SOC it runs about 75 amps.  When I force the charger into bulk mode, it maxes out around 133 amps.  So, I suppose your alternator should be putting around 75 amps into them.  I know that my alternator was running a lot higher than that when measured at the batteries with a clamp meter.  Well over 100.  I'm not sure what the voltage is set at.  Whatever the standard Foretravel Leece-Neville alternator is.

Re: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration

Reply #55 –
Yes it's probably me on the UL. listing.  I cannot imagine a reason why I would not want every part I put in a flammable box with us in not to be independently tested for safety.

The idea the euro testing is accepted for insurance coverage and claims is nice theoretically but if the insurance company coughes on a claim do you have the money to hire legal help and engineers?

IF everything is UL on close inspection you are done.

No manufacturer installs non UL equipment.  No store sells it to my knowledge. Yes I know amazon does.  That's nice. 

I was a Foretravel factory sales manager,  no way I would take a 1%  chance with anyone's safety.

Not that there is but the UL testing positively eliminates that. 

Battle born sells both units.  Choose for yourself. 

I wanted a 3000 watt inverter made in USA with parts available versus a 2200 watt unit made in India with limited service.



"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration

Reply #56 –
Bob. You need new information sources, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but the ETL and UL listings are interchangeable and equally compliant for US NEC purposes.
As always, do what makes you happy.

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Battle Born LiFePO4 Battery Integration

Reply #57 –
I assume you are correct.  Did you read what the two actual euro tests that was shown on their spec sheet comprise?

One was a test of the power cord. The other one is a hot wire test where a 1800C heated wire is passed over the boards.

If no flames result or go out when the heat is removed it's passed.

If that has changed as far as tests that's great.

The UL test is 20? Different tests for various failures.  Easy to find it if you look.

It's not whether the  NEC accepts the ETL  standards to me but  are  these parts actually tested/designed  to our standards.

Read the two brands quoted testing. 

Lots of this stuff seems to be political.  We let let your stuff in if you let our stuff in.

The results here seem to show good quality. 







"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4