LiFePO4 BATTERIES. Are they the game-changer people say they are? Overland Workshop
Vložit
- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- #Paulmarsh4x4
#LiFePO4
Join Paul Marsh, Jeramey James and Andrew St Pierre White as we challenge the claim that LiFePO4 Batteries have changed our lives.
Paul Marsh: paulmarsh4x4.com/
SUPPORT US:
/ andrew_stpierre_white .
INSTAGRAM: / 4xoverland_com
HUGE BACKLIST: 4xoverland.com/
PODCASTS: bit.ly/4XOPODCASTS
ANDREW’S 4X4 BOOK: bit.ly/Four_Whe...
ANDREW’S AWARD-WINNING MEMOIR: bit.ly/Torn_Tro...
ANDREW’S FILMMAKING VIDEO COURSES: beafilmmaker.com
4xOverland is the world's largest global 4WD adventure off-road motoring channel. Established in 1996, it is hosted by well known 4x4 writer, explorer and filmmaker, Andrew St Pierre White.
If the question is simply are they a "game changer", then no, they aren't a "game changer". If cost ISN'T a major factor and/or weight and space constraints ARE a major factor then they are a good enhancement and a cool piece of kit. Otherwise though they are not fundamentally changing overland travel or making a significant difference other than to slowly and steadily bring the level of convenience and luxury up as you would normally anticipate as time and technological advances progress.
A "game changer" would be if a company introduced a viable and economically feasible offroad tire that didn't -or couldn't - go flat and eliminated the need for spare tires while still encompassing all the necessary features a typical offroad tire has.
It is obviously preferable to buy once and pay once for any item but for many of us, if we did that, we would not have the budget to actually get out there and start doing the stuff we long to do. A game changer for many people is something that is often dismissed and that is the wide availability of entry level gear by brands like Kings and Aldi. Not everyone can afford top end gear and in order to get out there and enjoy 4x4ing, the entry level stuff gives those of us on an extremely tight budget the opportunity to put together a system that works well enough. We have one or two items that are from the better brands such as Ctek and Redarc but the majority of the gear we have comes from Supercheap, Kings, Aldi and others that are generally regarded as 'cheap' or low end. I will never be able to afford a rig full of the best gear but we still have a lot of fun using the entry level stuff. That means no lithium batteries until prices come down to something a bit more affordable by mere mortals :)
Big thumbs up from me for the older Kings 7" spotties, I genuinely can't see any reason to spend more on the big brands as there probably isn't more than $40 of components & construction in any pair on the market. Biggest marketing win out there for the coloured bezel brigade.
Nail polish remover works well on the Kings branding on the light covers btw should you wish to stealth them a bit 😉
Fully concur. Additionally, getting all caught up in 'must have' gear and vehicle appearance can also result in overloaded cars that are a burden to operate with and live out of. As said below, the 7inch spotties from kings work a treat....you wouldn't know there is a slight difference compared to 'high end' ones unless you put them together. Anyway, I do agree with the video that these Lithium batteries will be the standard soon, it just makes sense from a capacity/weight consideration. Price will come down, however cheap and cheerful is not something I would ever consider for these batteries. The quality of design, components and build have a significant effect on the risk of battery failure (including fire). Just pondering the concept of no fridge, like what was done not long ago........save a fortune in money, space and weight.........nah....I enjoy its benefits too much....too soft now.
I think it depends on what component it is somethings its ok for it to fail and you can go on and finish your trip, if it fails and you cant replace readily and your heading home and your holiday is over
Very true.
@@geckocampersslideoncampers3579 sadly no matter how much you spend, critical components can still fail. We blew the engine in our Coaster at Pardoo roadhouse so we have some unfortunate experience with that.
I think Paul has a good point, if not using your battery daily and a few trips a year, Lithium is not worth it and AGM will serve well for now,
But he gets pretty much all the accessories free anyway so why not go for lithium. As much as I enjoy these builds, it's a shame they are out of reach for most Australians.
We have lithium on the van (new install) and lead acid on the landrover (few years old now) and the difference is like night and day.
Well worth the investment if either a) cost is irrelevant or b) cost is justifiable.
Yes Andrew, I have to agree fully with you. LiFePO4 was a game changer for me too. I wanted something portable and has a longer life span than lead acid and give me enough backup power for at least 3 days without any recharging on my setup so I built my own battery box consisting of 8x 120AH LiFePO4 cells with a 120A BMS. Also in the box is a DC to DC converter to manage charging while I am driving and a MTTP solar charge regulator with 2x 100 Watt solar panels to take care of charging when I am standing. It also has Bluetooth communication to the box so I can look at battery levels and charging rates on a app on my phone. It also has low temperature charge protection. The biggest advantages are it will last much longer and weighs and is about the same size as a 105AH deep cycle battery. Yes it was expensive even having to put everything together myself, but I am very happy with the outcome. For those interested here in South Africa to also self built I got the DIY kit to start with from here: lithiumbatteriessa.co.za/collections/diy-kit/products/12v-240ah-120a-lifepo4-lithium-ion-phosphate-diy-kit
Just purchased a DCS 200Ah lithium looking forward to see how it goes
Switched to Lithium 6 months ago and did a segment on my channel. Best thing I ever did! Only problem is the limit on peak from what can be output from your inverter (if you have one as I do)
Adventure boat is right up my alley. Being in Western Canada there is more ruff country you are able to see by boats than you'll ever be able to see in a 4x4.
I have been a lithium (LiFePo4) fan for a few years now, but it’s essential you have the correct charging system. It’s good to see you have finally come aboard, and given up on lead crystal.
Paul's got a really good level headed approach to explaining things. Excellent delivery. 👍🏽
True!
What about lead crystal? You were all hyped up about them a year ago.
Lead Crystal died in Australia due to IP legal issues.
I always find Paul Marsh authoritative, knowledgeable, and calming. I love episodes that Paul appears in.
They have been for me. I can now work 100% from wherever my vehicle happens to be while also keeping my Engel fridge and Propex heater running indefinitely. I've been so happy with a 100AH Battle Born battery the last three years I'm picking up the new heated Battle Born 100AH as an upgrade on Monday :)
Im actually having the electrical system designed by Jeff Cote for my 30 footer. brilliant guy, highly recomend his presentations on YT. i can see him crossing over to overland in the coming years as the systems share so much.
9 months ago I started looking for a dual battery solution with budget in mind. I mostly do WE overlanding and the occasional week vacation where I stay stationary for at most 2 days. After all consideration, and this video helped me choosing, I'm going to go with a smaller Lithium battery. I could buy a 100ah AGM for 300€ or a 60ah Lithum for 400€; same usable current output but I'm 100% sure that the 60Ah it's fully charged after a couple of hours of driving which is the norm while overlanding in Italy
Just ordered a Overlanding teardrop, and decided for the AGM Batteries just because they are easier to source in God's Country, and I have plenty of room for 2 to start and probably 3 when I figure everything out. Can go to Walmart, Auto Zone, and get a AGM off the shelf, these higher tech more expensive options are not often kept in stock, so a failure, means a failure for the trip, and you are without power. I will be charging from the truck between boondocking sites, and will be running a generator for the AC in the Summer. Winter power consumption is less of an issue, my Fridge will be used to keep my food from freezing, so not even turned on, the AC will not be used, and 2 dogs makes for a better heater than those buddy heater jobs and I only have to worry about farts and not CO poisoning.
I was hoping you’d mention lead crystal and how they fit into the hierarchy as it were - didn’t you fit them in your last troopy?
What i see i the writings, reviews, Lead crystal didnt come out as good as it was hoped for. Lithium beats them so far. Still, I wait for 5-years reviews of high used Lifepo4-batteries.
My deep cycle is a yellow top. It is connected to the starter with proper sized cable, and it will accept in excess of 45amp charge averaged across the first hour. There is no voltage drop of any significance because it's wired correctly. It does very nearly fully charge off the alternator and solar finishes off the last 5 percent. I have no need for DC to DC and in fact unless I had an expensive 50amp DCdc charger I would be worse off charging slower. My setup is very modest in comparison to what Andrew has engineered but I also see blokes wasting money on lithium when they simply didn't need it.
Being a kiwi... very cool to see Jeramey with a NZ invented Stabicraft!
After lots of research, the specs of DCS lithium is the best I could find. That will make up my next setup.
A redarc 1225 only charges @ 25a. A AGM can charge at 25a+ direct from the alternator. For a basic Lithium that needs a BCDC the 1240D would charge faster (40a) but you could even run 2 of them for 80a charge. Or other brands out there can run direct alternator currents @ 200a with no BCDC.
Would love to see Andrew test out a product like the Engel smart battery box S2. I’m very close to getting one for Christmas and considering putting a lithium battery in it. They are great for people like me who don’t want to put in a permanent auxiliary battery system in their car, but still want to run a fridge and other electronics on the occasional 2-5 day trip (even longer if you get some solar panels etc). Plus, with a lithium battery, they are really quite light and portable. Anyone here have experience with one?
Lithium batteries are fine for warm conditions but in really cold conditions(-10°C or colder) it would be a nightmare to keep then charged. The problem with battery management is keeping them charged so discharging a lithium down to 10% makes the task a lot more difficult than a lead acid that only needs to gain half the charge to be fully charged again.
Lithium is DEFINITELY a game changer! It is a game changer in automotive and marine use, and has been in the radio controlled hobby of cars, aircraft etc. Much faster charging. lighter, more power delivery. That's it. I believe cost and how often you use it has absolutely nothing to do with it. You either buy something or you don't. How often do you use your first aid kit? Is it important? Absolutely! Frequency of use is irrelevant, but what is important is when you DO use it, how does it perform for you? I just bought a 120AH lithium battery box and charger for my 79 series dual cab and i can tell you, instead of my AGM setup where i'm sitting in my deck chair always checking my battery voltage via a bluetooth app, to buying a lithium battery and not even thinking about it! That's the difference, no matter how often i use it. And it will last much longer than an AGM anyway, so in the long run it's actually cheaper. And AGM technology is now getting long in the tooth, like cassette tapes and CD's. I've been flying model aircraft for over 10 years and the electric ones use Lithium Polymer batteries. Highly unstable but the most powerful lithium battery available. Gone are the brushed motor and Nickel Cadmium days. Just as AGM is having its turn now. Embrace new technology and keep moving forward. Lithium is, and has been a game changer for me for over a decade in multiple applications. All your devices like phones, tablets etc use Li Ion batteries. No memory effect like Ni Cad and have long cycle life etc. You don't have to completely flatten the batteries before charging them like the old NiCads. Would anyone go back to using NiCads? I don't think so! Especially with the 15 hour charge times. AGM is in the same boat here (pardon the pun). One of the cost premiums of modern devices is the use of Lithium batteries, but we still buy them without thinking. But when faced with the option to use a lithium battery for our camping/touring setup, we don't importantly justify this same premium cost. But i guess technology takes time to be adopted by all. Lithium or nothing. The end.
That boat is sweet
There is another battery with the recharge speed similar to Lypo but cost of Lead acid. I bough a Lead carbon battery and has worked great as a house battery on my boat for 12 months so far.
Does Jeramey have a channel? would love to watch!
Andrew, my opinion of a ‘game changer’ is one that gives you more assuming everything else remained constant. However, while capacity of the batteries may be the same, LifePo definitely cost more. Usable power ( ah ) requirements would precede the sizing of one’s selection ( whether AGM or LifePo ) before we can meaningfully compare the power that can be derived from the two. Basing on usable power that suits one’s power requirement, where cost difference is much less, would make a better comparison. Otherwise, just basing on same power ( not usable power ) one can obviously use more power for LifePo thus its much higher cost. I would rather think it’s an ‘upgrade’ rather than a ‘game changer’.
Grade A 3.2v 100Ah LiFePo4 batteries cost about USD50 here. x4 in series is around USD200. 12v 100Ah AGM batteries also cost about USD200... So what am I missing here?
We have a Hino 4wd truck with a small, converted, pop top caravan on the back. Lithium batteries and solar power (installed by the excellent Klarmann Automotive Solutions) complete the package and really make such a difference. Sure, not cheap but once you have them there is no going back.
AGM really has only one main disadvantage as far as overlanding is concerned. That is the weight per useable amp hour. They're heavy. In every other respect they are perfectly fine. Also voltage drop is only part of the issue and it isn't an issue if your conductors are specified correctly.
Paul is spot on though. Understand the systems and the limits of the technology and work within that. Not knocking lithium either. I think they're ideal. Just don't fall into the trap that good old lead acid/agm technology doesn't deliver. It does. It can. If specced right. You will pay a little extra in weight and space. That's all.
As usual Andrew, great content. It’s amazing how battery technology is advancing at the moment.
On another note, where’s the Rolex? That looks like a Tag link that you have on.
No, it is his Rolex.
One of the primary problems lots of us face, especially with daily drivers, is where to put another big battery. My challenge to you, maybe to Will Prowse as well, is to find out if you can literally remove the cells and BMS from the traditional plastic battery case, and turn their fat, wide configuration into a long skinny configuration that will fit behind a rear seat. I've been looking at LifePo4 set-ups for years, and that simple boxy battery geometry is what has stopped me time and again. I've seen one battery maker who has addressed this, but they only sell in Australia, and I'm in the US.
Did it. My Liopo battery fits behind the lc backseat. 490x190x120mm.
check out Baintech 110amp slimline with inbuilt 20 or 40amp dcdc. Surely USA has an agent for them. Work mate love his in his 4wd dualcab ute
@@mattwalker6305 I contacted them, but they don't sell in the USA.:-(
@@erikhy That is a shame. Quality build not a price. I drop in every few months on way to work to see what new they are developing.
In Australia Dual cabs are very popular and smaller than use vehicles. In the cab behind the rear suit there is a few Li battery options to choose from
The shape of Lifepo4 utility batteries should not be an issue. It is rather the Power requirement. I build batteries specific to the requirements of the customer. Built in dc-dc charger......not an issue. All batteries have a bms. I am currently testing a device that comes at a lower cost than DC- DC chargers. You will have to order from Namibia :).
Converted my van to Lithium 200ah from EV power in Margaret River. Took out 70kg replaced with 25kg. Run 3 fridges and all lighting. A few cheap flexible solar panels and haven’t put the generator on once this year to charge battery.
If I need to run the aircon I have that on it’s own 15a circuit, then I will kick in the genny.
I can’t wait for the two AGMs in the Ute to die so I can replace them with one 100ah lifpo4.
EV Power battery’s are very high quality.
Thanks Gold Fools. A question though... you now have 200ah lithium, how many 'ah' and number of batteries did you replace? Doing research on same and being a newbie wondered if you had more ( eg. 300 ah from AGM batteries) being replaced with the 200ah LiFePO batteries since we can use more from the LiFePo's?
@@camvansteel3779 I had 3 105ah agm batteries.
The one 200ah lifpo4 is more than enough for what we do.
It will replenish to 98% by 10am on a good sunny day.
I always seem to have one of the three fridges cycling.
I don’t even have to think about it any more.
I still use my old tracer AN on the solar. I only have a few flexible panels on the roof of the van and I throw up a couple of kings 120w fold up blankets up on top as well.
Gold Fools, I have done similar to my Hilux. Previously 2-110amp agm and now single 200amp Btec Lipo4.
Saved 40kg(90lb) weight and 200mm(8") by battery width in my style side ute.
I charge every 5days via Victron 100/20mppt and have 330watts of 45.0volt household solar panel fitted to roof racks. It can take 200amp lipo4 from 30% soc to over 95% plus run fridge and all other power needs for the day.
Do yourself a favour and ditch all your 12volt (21voc) panels and chargers and price single Victron 100/20mppt and fit 270-330watt 45.0volt household PV panel. Should be able to buy both and cable for under Au$400.
Decent battery deserves decent quality charging.
Been 14months since I installed and over 20weeks away from home with this setup. I so far is a proven setup and not having to worry if battery has enough charge is worth it.
Only once at 5'c or less does charging become an issue. Please be aware of that shortfall. It will still run my 12v gear but charging is limited to 5amps or less until battery temp gets closer to 10'c in my observations.
From Alpine National Park Victoria to Qld western summer heat I used Lithium.
Charge time is a game changer for me when compared it to the agm setups still use
@@mattwalker6305 good advice.
I will update as I go along.
The $1700 plus $200 for the BUK was the most money I have ever spent on my van. Well worth it though.
@@goldfools5445 I was due to replace 2 110amp agm batteries when 1st shown the 200amp Li. Price was 1st a shock to me but still had 8weeks before 3week trip away. Researched the Lipo4 and sounded like suited my usage so paid the extra $1000 compared to 2 agm new of quality brand plus added dcdc lithium compatible as did not run Dcdc before with Agm setup just PV charging.
I do not use the dcdc these days as have 5day usage out of the 200amp.
If I had known how quickly they charged I would go 100amp next time, and turn on my dcdc if require during high usage if my 600watt inverter using 240volt power tools and pumps.
10ft popup camper now has 100amp Li portable battery setup. So can be used in camper or in the 2wd family car or in son's CRV. Get 2days running small compressor fridge with no charging and still safely above 30% SOC.
2wd family car has removable 300watt 45.0watt PV panel that charges the 100amp Li portable battery. Easily replaces what Cpap and fridge uses overnight. Can produce 1.25kw charge in a Australian September day during trails at home punishing the whole setup.
Yes the 45.0volt panel is slightly over clocking the 20amp(280watts of input) mppt. It is days of heavy fog, heavy overcast or rain that being 45.0v and overclocked that we still get enough charge that only after 2days of solid rain does SOC of 100amp Li become an issue. In the brief periods of sunshine the Li just sucks in the up to 20amps thanks to no absorption charge cycle.
I use or maintain several 12volt systems from traditional wet deep cycle to agm to my own Li setups.
All work well now that running Victon mppt and househould panels to charge.
My hunting group has 3 huts and 1 house fully off grid. When I first joined each place was only getting 2yrs out of battery bank before replacing as had PWM and 12 pv panels to charge with. Been 4years since I install 75/15mppt with 200watt panel and house is feed with 1.2kw of panels into 600amp of wet deep cycle. I am not aligned with any companies or contractor so need to spend on gear that works properly and reliably.
The charging and float maintenance makes huge difference so if investment of Li deserves investment in how it is charged for best long term cycle life.
Just remember it is Li and do not have it on float charge if not drawing off or working the battery as it is not an AGM. Turn off all charging if it us going to sit and not used.
All the horror stories seem to be from not using the Li often and leaving it on float charge when not in use or paralleling Li batteries destroying the BMS on one or all batteries. They are not AGM so do not treat it as such.
Excellent episode. Great stuff from Jeramey and Paul (and you). Thank you guys.
There is a cut off point with cost where you should consider a small generator such as a 2kw honda.
I have the Dometic Lithium Iron battery for my cooler and LED light. Light (16 pounds), charges quickly, holds its charge for months, and has lots of connection flexibility.
100% the best thing I did was go to lithium. Weight reduction, Constant voltage and quick charging! These are three main things for me and can’t believe I only did this last year! It’s seriously the best mod I have done
How does it fare in the cold? -20 to _50C.. Canada 🙂
Thanks for the video
Big fan of the auxiliary DCS lithium matched with Redarc BCDC in my Jeep. A great combination thats very simple to install and maximise the benefit from. Steve 🇦🇺
After watching countless vids on your channel about lithium batteries and all the positives and the redarc dcdc charger I went to Perthpro and met a very knowledgeable fellow named Frank and man he helped me for hours to understand the benefits of lithium....👍so as I only go camping every now and then I bought the National Luna portable box and installed it myself just to power the fridge and some lights and man I couldn’t be happier kind regards Phil
Redarc are set too high with there lifepo4 charging profile imo. They are charging to absolute 100% 3.65V per cell (14.6V). Where as companies like Victron charge to 3.55V per cell (14.2V) or approx 95% full. You can do your own research on the longevity benefits of not pushing them that high just to gain a couple of %.
Li batteries are amazing and I would loooooove to have it but Drycell AGM’s gets you 80% there and cost at least half the price.
I have 2x115Ah Drycell AGM batteries on 20Amp DC-DC charger
Until Li becomes better priced it will remain a niche market
96 watt hours to boil the water. Why is that an issue for your system an extra 20w of solar would easily allow this.
I think I go for the Bluetti portable lithium and build it in my overland vehicle!
JJ summed it up very well. Why is Li Po4 a ripp off though. Are we being taken for a ride?
LiFeP04 all the way, they make you feel strong when you are not. - Andrew maybe you could talk about 12volt lithium jump starter batteries in near future...
To expensive for what they bring to a normal user. Not all of us have 5 cameras and an espresso machine to power. For most use cases they are overkill. My AGM goes from 75 % to full in 20 min of driving. Lets go to weight.Deep cycle 100 AH AGM where you can use safely 50 amps ~ 27 kg, a 60 amp LiFePO4 10 kg. Is it worth the 600 euro price difference ? I don't think so. I can think of many other things I can get that can save the same weight. You need 200 amp available.. you do this for a living, you are already over the GVM and you need to shave off weight no matter the cost ? Than yes, it might worth it. Also it might worth to change the plan or get a more suitable vehicle, instead of putting lipstick on a pig and hope for the best.
Are there any safety risks with Lithium baterries?
whatever model battery or battery set up you end up choosing, make sure it is NOT a Chinese brand. Chinese batteries can catch fire or mysteriously die on you.
Andrew, good format. Keep it!!
great video Andrew, will they work in the british weather, many thanks.
Hi Andrew, what do you think about Lithium Titanate batteries ? It seems that they are even better than Lithium ion batteries.
Jeremy - I am in full agreement with your analysis. My question is why did you go with the Redarc 1225 instead of the 1240? Wouldn’t that allow even faster charging? Thanks.
Size of the alternator was a big factor in that choice.
A game changing moment for me was meeting you at the recent perth 4wd show when you showed me the slim and small lithium amptron battery for my hilux extra cab, and of course meet you ahahaha
Interesting video Andrew.
I really do hope LiFePo4 batteries are a game changer.
I do a lot of bush camping where I'm parked for weeks with little daily driving.
I find in the summer I can keep my 100ah deep cycle battery charged with a 250w solar panel.
In the winter my fridge starts cutting out after a week or so and then the only way I can get the battery recharged properly is to spend 24 hours in a van park with the fridge on 240v and the battery on a 10 amp mains charger and I find that really frustrating.
It was a little confusing at first because my solar was pushing in a lot more than I was using and it took a while for my tired old brain to understand that deep cycle batteries are reluctant to accept the charge they get.
Anyway, I'll have LiFePo4 before the next trip and live in hope that it's the solution I need.
They surely are. I built and tested a lifepo4 120Ah battery to fit behind the backseat of my LC79. Best ever. I use a normal dc-dc charger. Advantage, it only charges the bat to 95%. Else it passed all the load tests, freezer open, 2 freezers, normal freezer usage, car closed in the sun with freezers running full power, battery in freezer, rattle test on bad gravel roads etc etc.. It just goes.
@@IDesertcrawler Thanks Claus, that's reassuring. I've measured a 100Ah battery and it will fit neatly beside the drawers and behind the wheel arch in my LC105. I will be using a DC-DC with solar input. My power needs are fairly basic. Just 1 fridge and charging phone, gps, metal detector and 1 rechargeable LED light.
I replaced two deep cycle batteries with one lithium battery, couldn’t be happier
I got one for my xr 250 ae, tooks away 1.5kg that is a fair amount for a little adventure motorbike
just some info worth knowing. The current draw limitations with Lifepo4 are a limitation of the BMS systems the manufactures are using within, not the cell lifepo4 chemistry.
Sort of, most of the high capacity LiFePO4 batteries have a lower limit to their current output for example a high capacity 18650 can put out about 10A fully charged.
You can make 18650s that can output 30A but they hold about 1/2 the Amp hours and cost more because they have a lot of copper in them.
If you build a 12V 100Ah battery with 18650s you can get ok output with the cheaper and higher capacity 10A output batteries and you have to worry less about them setting stuff on fire.
Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide batteries for example can really output some power and that makes them pretty dangerous in poorly engineered systems. But brilliant if well engineered. An 18650 can keep up 20A until they are almost flat if you can keep them cool
@@glenecollins Yes there are limits of the chemistry of course. Just have to set the record straight when reviewer's bag out the discharge limits of there all in one lifepo4 battery thinking its a lifepo4 limit, not realising its the cheap BMS inside. As you heard Andrew mention his lifepo4 battery is rated to 200a of discharge on a 150ah battery, what's that about 1.33C? Thats the BMS Winston lifepo4 prismatic cells you can buy to make your own lifepo4 pack are rated at continuos 3C and short bursts to 10C from memory. And CALB higher again.
Yes some of those18650s pack a real punch some of the newer ones seem to of achieved high output and capacity. I think it was LG or Sony from memory, very impressive. Wouldn't use them for off grid tho unless going to waste aka super cheap diy Powerwall in 7S 24v configuration.
thank you for great detail video
Hi Andrew,
We run a small Auto electrical business in Brisbane and have been telling our costumers this for years. What you have a problem if we placed a link to this publication to our website
Great and informativ video Andrew 👍
Lake powel is nice. Was there a few years ago.
31 min to answer a question.... I'd have thought 3 min was ample
As long as you get the charging system sorted & can take the associated financial hit, they are the best out there at the minute. Lightweight, incredible discharge capacity & fast recharge is pretty much the ideal for an auxiliary battery & good Lithium Phosphate batteries deliver it. The key is getting good quality batteries to begin with as there's a load of rubbish out there now & an efficient charging system & you'll be sorted for years 👍
time to break-off 12V into 48V for power source
Great insight from Jeramy
Jeff and Will are great !
indeed... 1. charge time is a main decider . 2 taking the stress away has no price... and come on ... its 200-400 $ difference on a 50-100K project? its a no brainer ... :) don't forget that one day , you will have to sell the unit as well... having a "can do" unit will not only increase the value but also make sure many interested parties will show up ... that 400$ difference may well add 2K when selling?
There’s something that people are missing with lithium battery’s, since they love a fast charge so much why not use a 50amp dc to dc ? Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t think so . Anyway I love your work Andrew
@Kelvin Weeding yep makes sense to me . Every one puts in a 25 amp dc or if their got the bucks a manager 30 , well that’s ok but for such a serious expense and exercise why not spend the extra $100 and treat the technology to it’s fullest
Short answer is his 150hp Honda outboard has 51amp alternator. He stated can use 9amp of electronics at times operating when engine is running. Plus going to add extra 12volt equipment in future. Alternator produces 30amp at 1000rpm and needs 2000rpm to produce over 40amps. If ran the 40amp dcdc charger will either flatten the cranking battery at low revs or over work alternator and cause its failure and possible fire.
Yes. Yes they are the game changer.
Its a shame you are missing out on much of the new tech. YES you can run lithiums under bonnet (that are designed for it), you CAN charge direct from alternator with NO BCDC at upto 200a not slowly at 40-50a like the older tech. You CAN crank off them, you CAN winch off them, you can run 3000w+ invertors. You can even WELD off them if you wanted. Basic lithiums have a 50-100a constant discharge but the good ones will do 200-250a constant EACH. with 2 underbonnet you have 500a available to winch from and that's with the engine OFF. Performance is far better than you have seen with the basic lithiums you currently use. IM happy to show you these and no, im not trying to sell you them, purely educate.
Good stuff but needs a follow on in more depth. Don’t be afraid to make it a long video. It’s a complex topic. Cheers
Hi Andrew ! I’m O.G subscriber and big fan of yours from Pakistan.
Where in south africa can you buy redarc products
You cannot when last i checked. I went the Victron route and not sorry.
@@AndrewSparkfish Victron is very good.
Lol, why should it stop. Showing your age, won't boil the jug! I have a caravan and can run the aircon for an hour of lithium and love it. Caravans have the insulation of a coke can. To not embrace technology, and be a "influencer" lol, cracks me up up just typing it, is a dereliction duty. Lithium is here. Yes, not for everyone, the school holidays or annual leave warrior, yes agm or whatever cheap alternative is fine, full time travellers, forget it.
My house runs lifo4 batts only way to go ( look into it )
I respectfully disagree with Andrew. LiFePo4 batteries are not the game changer. There are two game changers: the amount of electrical kit we now want to take with us and solar panels.
In my first three long trips (each 6 months+) we had no fridge, no electrical equipment and no auxilliary battery. But that was a long time ago!
On my fourth trip, I took a small fridge, some interior lights and very little else. Less than 500 Watts per day. We got by with a 65AH auxilliary battery and a simple relay charging system.
On my new trip I am planning on a few more electrics - including a small Elgena water heater. About 1300 Watts per day in total. To be self sufficient for three days (not moving) requires a 250 Watt solar panel and about 200AH of battery - or less battery and more solar.
For me, the main advantage of LiFePo4 batteries is the weight saving: 24kg instread of 53kg for AGM. However, at GBP300 for two Leoch AGMs versus GBP1600 for two Renogy LiFePo4s, I will stick to the old technology if I can handle the weight!
I class LiFePO4 as a game changer because without its capabilities, I would not be taking this kind of electrical equipment in the first place. Before, solar recharging was necessary. Now, it no longer is.
@@niftee7628 "Seems like if something is not free, sponsored or donated then you talk it down." It's what you think should happen. But it doesn't. The proof is, you have no idea what is free to me and what I buy. So how can you know? You can only guess based on your own experience. And you are wrong. I owe these people nothing just because they want to give me stuff. (This is probably landing on deaf ears.)
@@niftee7628 I was right. Deaf ears. There is no point in trying to explain things. You've made up your mind.
You can use the footage from my video.
why is Australia white & what is the landmass in the Indian Ocean? ta.
Lithium titanate 20 year life high power out high power in bit high weight than lithium phosphate
I'm with Jeremy on this one. Being able to charge your battery quickly and efficiently is of prime importance, especially when relying on solar panels as the available number of hours for charging are quite often limited. Being able to charge quickly and draw slowly is what really matters to me. I'd rather have an excess of electrons at my disposal than a shortfall of them. I personally view coffee machines and induction cookers as gimmicks and not necessary as a camper. If I was a grey nomad, I would probably see it differently. There is definitely a place for deep cycle/agm batteries but this is attributed to lower cost. If the cost were the same, they'd be obsolete IMO.
Spending big money on new technology solves some problems and creates others. For instance....empty pockets of the buyer and more enslaved Chinese who mine the lithium.
Who told you Chinese enslave their own for mining.
Buy once. Cry once.
Paul is the only one that makes sense.
Jeremy from the USA with his boat on one hand talks about the tranquill back water and wildlife and then boasts about the big sound system, six charge points radios etc etc. He clings to all of the unnecessary electronic junk . As Andrew said do you really need it? Andrew you are also going soft with toasters, fussing about charging camera batteries as well as dragging that overside snail shell through the bush..
In reality all of the effort and energy you spend filming this and that rather just absorbing the beauty around you is sensless. Do you really think your children are going to keep ypur hours of footage. Not really it will be headed for the rubbish bin and forgotten.
It's his job, wildlife and travel photography and film. Those films will be there for generations to enjoy, stop being so negative.
Jeremy set up would benefit from Victron 100/20 with 300watt 45.0volt household panel. On our pop top camper we run 100amp Bigwei Li battery and via 240volt inverter run one CPAP machine and 75L fridge. No dcdc charger used yet.
Could install smaller PV panels in series or parallel and get close to 45.0 volts seeing space on a boat roof is at a preminum
Should help Jeremy not needing to run engine on staying in same place for more than 2 nights