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Battery Behind Seats in Tacoma. Is this a bad idea?

TacoMeg

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Aug 24, 2021
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I placed a 100ah Battle Born and Ctek D250SE DC to DC charger behind the rear seats in my Toyota Tacoma. I'm now second guessing this idea. Does this seem like a bad idea from a safety standpoint?
 

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LifePo4 and Battle Born is a major brand - in many RVs. This seems perfectly reasonable to me from what I've read over the last several years.
But of course, I don't hold myself out as any kind of professional on safety advice and non one can speak for you/your situation specifically.
 
Just make sure you don't charge it while it's below freezing and you should be fine. Motorcycle riders use lithium iron phosphate cells right under their seats all the time.
 
I've always like the capabilities of the CTEK D250SE, and was surprised to see that they have a setting for LiFeP04!

My only concern is minor - the nominal voltage for the CTEK LFP setting is 14.2v. That's fine, although I'm not absolutely sure the internal bms of the Battle Born itself will do any balance functions if needed at that voltage (14.2v = 3.55v / cell), say on a brand new BB batt that has never seen a charger to take them up to 14.4/14.6 maybe - at least once as a one-time event just to make sure the balance bleeders in the BB tighten up any small possible out-of-the-box balance.

Not trying to make a mountain out of a molehill here. I'd have to ask BB if their bms' internal balance function will actually take place if someone uses only 14.2v as the Ctek does. Either that, or just hit it up once with an external charger that will go up to 14.6v - at least once.

See what I'm saying? Nothing crucial, but curious.
 
I pretty much agree with everything above with the exception of the electrical tape. Find something insular and then tape THAT onto the lugs, but don't put tape on the lugs, you need those to stay clean and funk free. You could zip tie something around that area, a section of garden hose, whatever.

Strap the box in so it doesn't bounce.

Follow up on the Substrate concern.


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Substrate, thanks for your comment. I see what you are saying. This is definitely not something I've considered. Would a trickle charger like a Noco Genius up to 14.4? I have had the battery on one of those chargers. Probably this is a dumb question, I'm just started to understand all of these products. Also, I can follow up with Battle Born. Any other concerns with the setup?

Boondock Saint, that makes sense. I was thinking I'd do something along those lines. Thanks
 
I have no problems with the *NEW* Noco Genius chargers for LFP. (They are the totally black-cased versions, not the older grey). It took them awhile to figure out LFP, but the new ones do the right thing if you use the Lithium setting - they charge up to 14.6v and stop, and no trickling.

I've used the 2/5/10 amp versions depending on project. What makes the new ones nice is that if you track the charge profile, it does 3-5 "ramp ups" to 14.6v, which gives bms bleeders a better chance at balancing things without spending too much time at full charge or heating.

Essentially the current and voltage drop 3 times, and rise back up again, each time the current naturally gets smaller and smaller. Seems to be a more effective way to keep bleeder resistors inside a bms cool and functioning properly. Propeller-head stuff for me. :)
 
I placed a 100ah Battle Born and Ctek D250SE DC to DC charger behind the rear seats in my Toyota Tacoma. I'm now second guessing this idea. Does this seem like a bad idea from a safety standpoint?
get a battery box to put it in, and make sure it's securely fastened. Do that and you'll be fine. If you're that concerned, reach out to battleborn. they'll tell you its fine and may make similar suggestions.
 
I placed a 100ah Battle Born and Ctek D250SE DC to DC charger behind the rear seats in my Toyota Tacoma. I'm now second guessing this idea. Does this seem like a bad idea from a safety standpoint?

Just make sure it's not going to come loose in an accident or roll over and you are fine. Also make sure nothing can short, etc.
 
His placement doesn't raise my alarms. Remember this is much less mass than a lead-acid to get any sort of momentum going.

It's also why I didn't freak out over that securing strap, but I'd be tempted to add another one.
 
I think in a collision the battery will go thru the seat and crush you .

His placement doesn't raise my alarms. Remember this is much less mass than a lead-acid to get any sort of momentum going.

It's also why I didn't freak out over that securing strap, but I'd be tempted to add another one.
Okay, I can add one the other direction or maybe I can squeeze a tray in there. Thank you
 
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