48v Battery Bank (got a deal, I think)

[ColdSun]

I'm acquiring "stuff" for my first build, and I got a impossible-to-resist deal from a friend who has backed out of one of his own projects: four identical, new, 12v 100ah LiFePo batteries....I don't recall the exact brand right now, but I'm able to hook in series, according to their own specs I looked up.

But I read some people saying it's way better just have one big 48V battery.

I was gonna get this "Eco-Worthy" battery balancer of Amazon to avoid the problems I've been reading about with uneven charge and discharge and such.

Am I on track?

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

It is better to have a single 48V bank instead of four 12V packs. Easier, less issues with balancing, less components that can go wrong... of course, you should define what "a impossible-to-resist deal" really means. Can you put a number on it (and the name/brand of the battery as well).

 

[ColdSun]

It is better to have a single 48V bank instead of four 12V packs. Easier, less issues with balancing, less components that can go wrong... of course, you should define what "a impossible-to-resist deal" really means. Can you put a number on it (and the name/brand of the battery as well).

HayaEnergy 12.8 V, 100ah, 1280Wh, model YX-12100LF four pack $400, unused, new.

--I guess that's half price from what they'd be on Amazon.

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

As long as you know that there are issues putting them in series with balancing, go for it - as long as that is what you need capacity/current wise. If you plan to expand later on, I'd recommend planning for that now and only buy things you know will be suitable longer term.

 

[OTRwSolar]

If your friend will let you load test these in a 48v configuration prior to purchase, then $400 might be a decent deal.

Otherwise, I could see these 4 batteries potentially being more hassle than they're worth in a 48v configuration. One weak battery or reluctant BMS will bring down the performance of the entire pack.

Used in a 12v config, the potential value of these 4 batteries goes up considerably.

Good luck!

 

[hwy17]

I wouldn't do it. It's such a disadvantage to run separate batteries in series.

 

[42OhmsPA]

HayaEnergy 12.8 V, 100ah, 1280Wh, model YX-12100LF four pack $400, unused, new.

--I guess that's half price from what they'd be on Amazon.

For that price I'd buy them, cut the tops off and reconfigure them with a 16s BMS... It is a DIY forum after all.

 

[Q-Dog]

That is approx. 5kWh, seems a little small for a 48 volt system. What is the plan for this system? Perhaps a lower voltage setup would be a better fit for these?

 

[Siamac]

Just run it in series. It's fine. You paid about a third of the price, so if they go bad in 5 years, you're still ahead