JeepHammer
Solar Wizard
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2019
- Messages
- 1,149
I started 30 years ago off grid, everything was lead/acid, and you fall into the mindset of getting batteries at 100% SOC and keeping them there...
That ment I was forever on the hunt for MORE PANELS. Get the Watts, get them in the batteries at all costs.
So about 10 years ago I started with Lithium, but kept the mindset. Get them charged to 100% and keep them there as much as possible.
I STILL use 20%-25% of battery capacity, but I have FINALLY figured out that 20%-25% doesn't have to start at 100% SOC since the voltage doesn't drop like a rock.
It took me a LONG TIME to connect the dots Lithium produces the actual Ah rating before voltage drops, unlike lead/acid, and you don't have to get Lithium to 100% SOC to keep them healthy. Keeping lead/acid healthy was a full time job, you pretty much can ignore Lithium if you have enough capacity and good BMS units.
Why stick with 20%-25% capacity like i did with lead acid? Longevity.
Lead/acid has a hard expiration date from the time electrolyte hits the plates. Keep them at 100% SOC their entire lives and they still have a fineite expiration date. This is before you figure in charge cycles which degrades the battery faster.
Lithium has a shelf life starting at a decade. Not hundreds of charge cycles, but thousands, with a really LONG shelf life.
Total game changer for me, and it took me a LONG time to grasp this in practical operation. I had to observe it personally before I connected the dots.
With two decades on lead/acid, and having to watch every Watt, and constant maintiance, it took me a very long time to get out of that rut.
Anyone have an experence like this where you had a hard time adapting your thinking?
That ment I was forever on the hunt for MORE PANELS. Get the Watts, get them in the batteries at all costs.
So about 10 years ago I started with Lithium, but kept the mindset. Get them charged to 100% and keep them there as much as possible.
I STILL use 20%-25% of battery capacity, but I have FINALLY figured out that 20%-25% doesn't have to start at 100% SOC since the voltage doesn't drop like a rock.
It took me a LONG TIME to connect the dots Lithium produces the actual Ah rating before voltage drops, unlike lead/acid, and you don't have to get Lithium to 100% SOC to keep them healthy. Keeping lead/acid healthy was a full time job, you pretty much can ignore Lithium if you have enough capacity and good BMS units.
Why stick with 20%-25% capacity like i did with lead acid? Longevity.
Lead/acid has a hard expiration date from the time electrolyte hits the plates. Keep them at 100% SOC their entire lives and they still have a fineite expiration date. This is before you figure in charge cycles which degrades the battery faster.
Lithium has a shelf life starting at a decade. Not hundreds of charge cycles, but thousands, with a really LONG shelf life.
Total game changer for me, and it took me a LONG time to grasp this in practical operation. I had to observe it personally before I connected the dots.
With two decades on lead/acid, and having to watch every Watt, and constant maintiance, it took me a very long time to get out of that rut.
Anyone have an experence like this where you had a hard time adapting your thinking?