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I'm partial to the Fortune cells. They aren't the cheapest or lightest, but they have a design that permits constructing a solid battery in pretty much any configuration you choose using ss threaded rods and nuts.Just my two cents. YMMV

In my experience, Lifep04 batteries are far superior for thruster use as they do not have the voltage drop under load that AGMs do. This means your windlass performs better and doesn't heat up as much. The issue with off-the-shelf Lifep04 batteries is that most are limited by their bms to much...

One simple way to do this is to set your charging sources for the optimum bulk/float numbers to prolong the life of your LFPs. Get a smallish, say 15A 12v to 12v charger, and set it to the optimum profile for your starting battery. et voila! All are happy.

Personally, I would use 12 Fortune 100Ah cells in a 3p4s configuration.

@Vertigo The battery photo I posted above is of a new version LifeBlue 200Ah. The BMS for the 200Ah and above batteries has a 200A continuous rating.

It does sound like some seriously mismatched cells. Here's what I would do... Get a reasonably high current balancer, open one battery up, and attach the balancer to the cells. Leave it attached until all cells have reached the same voltage. Then remove the balancer and begin charging. Observe...

Have you reached out to Larry directly? sales@lifebluebattery.com

@flemmingdjensen I am in a similar situation wrt thruster batteries. Please report back on how your system works. I’m guessing there are a number of us who would like to hear. Cheers, Doug

I just purchased some LifeBlue 200Ah batteries for my house bank. LifeBlue sent along this picture of the BMS inside their new V3 battery. Thoughts?

@Csimmer I'm interested in the Daly 500A BMS w/BT and UART, but I'm finding their website to be quite confusing. Is this (link below) the item you ordered? Or is there another/better link? I don't see any direct reference to the comm devices/accessories at this link, but have seen them...

@FilterGuy Can you provide details on how the Optocouplers are connected to each of the Victron bits? I understand how the BMS operates the optocouplers. I'm curious about where these are connected to the Victron bits, and what settings you used in each Victron unit to accomplish enabling and...

Wendy, Your anchor windlass max draw (1700W/12V=142A) is within the specs of your current house battery bank, and should operate properly. Your thruster will require something like 4000W/(12 to 13V) = 308 to 333A max in operation. As Turd Ferguson pointed out higher up, this is likely the...

I'm happy to assist, but I'll need answers to a few questions first. 1. What is the max continuous rating of the BMS for each battery? Are they drop-ins or DIYs? Brand? 2. Your windlass draws 1700W. What does your bow thruster draw? I can't say if your relay failure is related to your current...

John, no worries about 'lecture mode'. We may be talking across one another, at least on battery topology. Yes, seven 4S1P batteries in parallel, each with their own leads to the pos and neg busses would work a treat and provide the required power within single Fortune bus bar specs. In my case...

@John Simmons I like what I've seen so far in the electrodacus bms. I'm quite certain I could get it to turn off my MultiPlus(es), MPPT Solar, and perhaps disconnect my alternator field if I wanted. I would seriously consider something like this for 'normal' house loads, even the 300A or so my...

Single engine here and, because of the uniquely mounted alternator, there are challenges getting anything of-the-shelf to fit. I've been unable to source a second alternator kit for this engine, despite the Yanmar reps saying it was in the works. The existing alternator is pad-mounted to the...

@John Simmons My engine is a Yanmar 8LV-370, which uses a serpentine belt. Moving the alternator diodes outside the case (and cooling them actively if needed) goes a long way to reducing the heat generated by the alternator when it's working hard, so 360A is not impossible in a smaller frame...

OK, I’m returning to this thread after a few months. I’ve enjoyed refreshing myself on conversations from earlier this year. Like you, @John Simmons , I’m still at distance from my boat which is now in winter storage in WI, which makes real-time modifications challenging. Despite covid...

OK, I said I'd post back with results. The Chargery BMS finally did arrive and I have been able to do some limited bench testing here. The 7713 works as expected with the Chargery BMS. It latches when it is supposed to and unlatches when it is supposed to. No issues running this combination on...

John, what @Craig said. Like you, I am replacing a large house bank of batteries with Fortune cells, most likely 60Ah cells in a 3P4S configuration of discreet 180Ah 12V batteries wired in parallel, each with their own FET based BMS and BT monitoring. I figure this will give me reasonable...

M'escuse... iOs

@OverkillSolar Hmm, I'm using the v2.0.0 version of the app...

@OverkillSolar and @Sgt Raven As far as multiple bluetooth BMS names go, I found that the name seems to be attached to the bluetooth module itself. I was programming a number of BMS units for the same parameters and, for simplicity's sake, used the same BT module I had handy on my bench...

Filter guy, I agree with you about Victron equipment. Nice to hear there is a built-in means of controlling the charge/discharge sides. And yes, seems the perfect use for a small optocoupler or two.

Yes, thanks to all! A couple of questions: 1. p18 Indicates the BMS requires an external power supply in a 4s (12V) configuration, but not in an 8s (24V) configuration. Is this true? 2. p19 Diagram of a single BMS with two batteries. Can the BMS manage two such batteries in parallel? Cheers...

This project is on hold at present awaiting a Chargery BMS to arrive for testing. (China is a black hole for shipping items just now.). Nevertheless, perhaps an update or two is in order. First, understand that my intention is indeed to replace all batteries aboard with LFPs, save the engine...

Doug, your confusion may arise from the particular situation I am seeking to resolve. I leave my boat unattended for extended periods of time, either exterior covered or in indoor winter storage for instance, during which time my batteries (and their BMSs) are turned off and no solar is...

I suspect the Chargery BMS will work well with the BlueSea 7713 latching relay, without the need for a SSR. The power to activate the latching mechanism comes from either of the two main power leads at the base of the 7713, so the 2.5A available on the Chargery's the control circuit should be...

The Blue Sea 7713 does have this behavior. I've done some brief bench testing here, and had a short conversation with Blue Sea tech support. The power for the latching actuation comes from whichever of the main power leads at one of its base terminals is active. Doesn't matter which. Now, even...

I'm going to add this post here, rather than create a new one. Hope it's appropriate here. I have one observation and a question. Well, a number of questions really, as it's a bit finicky sometimes... However, since the app is serviceable, I'll leave them for later. I'm using the iPhone version...

@jaffadog In my case, this as my first foray into LFP aboard my boat. I'm planing to try this set-up as a battery bank for operating my bow thruster and anchor windlass. The remainder of the boat is AGM for now, so I will cross the twin 7713 bridge when I migrate to more complete use of LFPs...

I’ve ordered the Chargery BMS8T from Jason, the BlueSea 7713, and a few SSRs including the optocoupler @Will Prowse recently demonstrated. When the gear arrives I’ll do some testing and post back with my observations.

@Steve_S Do you know if Jason's Chargery BMS the same one being sold at electriccarpartscompany.com? It certainly looks the part. Doug

@Steve_S Your thoughts?

Craig, these can be found for 60% of list price If one hunts around. BiduleOhm, the coil is auto-releasing. I believe it will open the circuit when the voltage on its control terminals goes to zero, so when the bms control circuit is opened. Doug