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Best practice for long periods of idle

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CedarRidge

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Jun 24, 2024
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neenah,wi
What is the best practice for LiFePO4 batteries when they are sitting idle for long periods between use? Would it be best to let the PV and MPPT in to keep them charged or it is better to shut they system down and turn everything back on when the cabin is in use? The cabin goes unused for months at a time. A few times a year it is used for a full week or maybe a weekend here or there but most of the time it is empty.
 
For maximum life, LiFePo4 batteries should not sit for extended periods at 100 percent charge, only 80 to 90 percent, say. So try not to top them up until you're going to use them.
Also, they may be used but Not Charged if the temp is below freezing, something to keep in mind if you use the cabin in winter in Wisconsin.
 
Not sure if you have internet connectivity out there, if you had a cerbo or venus os device could control the chargers remotely, so maybe store at 50%, then enable the sccs a day or two before you head up there so it's at 100% and ready for use. Have a temperature sensor connected to avoid charging below freezing.
 
45North said:
For maximum life, LiFePo4 batteries should not sit for extended periods at 100 percent charge, only 80 to 90 percent, say. So try not to top them up until you're going to use them.
Also, they may be used but Not Charged if the temp is below freezing, something to keep in mind if you use the cabin in winter in Wisconsin.
Click to expand...
Built an I insulated box for winter
 
Brucey said:
Not sure if you have internet connectivity out there, if you had a cerbo or venus os device could control the chargers remotely, so maybe store at 50%, then enable the sccs a day or two before you head up there so it's at 100% and ready for use. Have a temperature sensor connected to avoid charging below freezing.
Click to expand...
No. No internet
 
For my 24v (230ah) weekend cabin, SCC absorption is set for 27.4v. 3.425v per cell, very conservative.

I left the inverter on so that’s 13-15w constant load. I may add some of those rodent deterrent night lights.

So far we’ve been 3 weeks before visits so it daily cycles 360whr, hardly anything.

I feel fine with a nice low charge voltage and having a 100% charged battery when we arrive.
 
740GLE said:
For my 24v (230ah) weekend cabin, SCC absorption is set for 27.4v. 3.425v per cell, very conservative.

I left the inverter on so that’s 13-15w constant load. I may add some of those rodent deterrent night lights.

So far we’ve been 3 weeks before visits so it daily cycles 360whr, hardly anything.

I feel fine with a nice low charge voltage and having a 100% charged battery when we arrive.
Click to expand...
Similar to my camper when in storage except i shut down the inverter. 6-7 watts load in the camper for whatever reason and i drop the mppt to 27 volts and float at 26.5. Shunts get all wonky but sort themselves out after a charge cycle.
 
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