Help Please - Renogy Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate 12V100AH RBT100LRP12S

[kjmort]

I had 500 watts of solar installed on my rv and bought 4 each of the Renogy Smart Lithium batteries with the communication ports in the top of the batteries. I had done a great deal of research before purchasing these batteries and I bought them because of the communication ports and being able to monitor the charge on each cell of the batteries etc. Renogy also had me purchase the BT-2 bluetooth module to install on the communication port and use the app for monitoring the batteries. I did everything that Renogy recommended and the system was installed in December and it worked just perfect sitting next to my house. I drove the RV from Arizona to Minnesota in May and drove thru some rain. Moisture got into the communication ports on the batteries and now the monitoring system won’t read a thing because the RJ45 port wires corroded. I spoke with Renogy and they won’t warranty anything even though I did everything they recommended for monitoring these batteries and if moisture was a problem with the port the BT-2 module they sell the RJ45 connector isn’t weather proof like the end of my starlink cable is because they don’t want moisture in their connectors.

So Renogy won’t do a thing for my batteries and after watching Will’s video on the teardown of these batteries I know that the covers can be replaced because they are just bolted on and it is just a cable that snaps into the cover of these batteries for the communication ports. I asked Renogy what the part number is for the cover so I could buy new covers for these 4 batteries and then I would be back in business again and be able to monitor these batteries . Renogy won’t sell me any covers and said that they also do not repair batteries. This is nuts and I am looking for any help to get me some replacement covers for these batteries. I can’t use the cable to start these batteries if they should quit because that communication port does work on any of my batteries due to the moisture that got in the ports.

If someone can help me with my problem it would be greatly appreciated. Renogy just wants me to buy some more batteries and If I have to do that it won’t be one of their batteries but I just need 4 new tops for my batteries unless someone has another idea. This is all I can come up with since I saw in the video that it isn’t a big deal to take the top off and unplug the cable.

Thanks much for any help or advice.
Karol

 

[time2roll]

Get one of the tops off and post some pictures. Depends on how this connects to the BMS inside. Maybe the BT module can be connected and sealed inside.
Sorry for your troubles.

 

[kjmort]

Get one of the tops off and post some pictures. Depends on how this connects to the BMS inside. Maybe the BT module can be connected and sealed inside.
Sorry for your troubles.

Time 2 roll,
I can't take one apart right now because I'm using the rv but this is a link that Will Prowse did of tearing down one of these batteries.

I even sent this video to Renogy because it looks like no big deal to change the cover out. I even called a battery recycle place today but they won't sell me a top even though they tear the batteries down. Thanks for any advice or help you can give me. This is all new to me and very frustrating.
Karol

 

[time2roll]

Yes top off looks easy. Just a matter of how the communication port is attached.
Probably glued in and may need to be cut apart. Or identify the internal connector to make up your own pigtail.
And need to brainstorm how to keep the batteries dry in all conditions for the fix to work long term.

Need some close up pictures of the connectors etc. Not going to be a click & buy known replacements.

I would attempt the hack on one and see what goes. If successful, the others will be easy.

Or assuming all works fine just ignore all the monitoring and just enjoy the RV for a few years.

 

[FishHog]

Sorry this happened to you but in renogy’s Defense these batteries are clearly not waterproof or advertised as such so I wouldn’t expect warranty

But it would be nice if they would help with parts but then that opens them up for liability issues

I’ve taken mine apart as I’m curious. When you’re not using them I’m sure you can get them fixed up if you have the basic working knowledge to do that stuff. It’s just wires to a connection. I’m sure it can be replaced but might not look as nice

 

[mikefitz]

Moisture got into the communication ports on the batteries

To be fair to Renogy, these batteries are not marketed as weather proof and should be installed in a protected location . They do offer batteries that have a IP 67 rating.
If the batteries are charging and delivering power OK and you have just lost status from each battery , its still a usable system. Add a quality shunt, the Victron Smart shunt, in the negative path of the battery bank. This will give battery bank status. If this shunt is an exposed position an IP 67 version is available.
Advise you weather proof the batteries or move to a sheltered location, further degrading of internals may occur.
Do you have all the batteries in parallel for a 12v system?

If the batteries give up on you it's not too difficult or costly to add a Bluetooth type BMS, and junk the troublesome Renogy BMS.

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