Fish Freak
I fish frequently
My question will help many others, I'm sure, that are in the same boat;
Will's vids convinced me it'll be super simple to build my own LifePO4 power storage, not for solar, but for my fishing boat. I like the idea of DIY, learning, and using top quality parts compared to the 'cheap' drop-in lead-acid replacements. Found some great prismatic cells he tested, but then when I got to BMS I keep finding that they 'cannot be used in series' and no iPhone (android only) monitor app. I'm on the verge of giving up because I don't believe the Alibaba, ebay listings that say 'low temp protection' when Will proves that most don't work.
Who makes a battleborn grade BMS that also has a bluetooth app for iOS, not just android? A configurable app, not just to 'view' the SOC, Ah, etc.?
I run 4 group 27 to 31 big heavy lead agm batteries; 3 in series for 36v (or 2s for 24v) trolling motor (57 amp max draw) and one single 31 agm for starting a large boat engine (need burst, about 300 amps) and powering many electronic devices onboard all day. Going to LifePO4 represents a HUGE weight savings, and performance benefit. So what I'd like to understand is, why can't most BMS' be used in series? Why does a 12v BMS even care that it's in series? I could see if you were drawing AND charging in 36v like you would with solar, however, in our boats we use a 4 bank waterproof lithium charger that pushes say 20 amps to 4 leads, so each of the 4 batteries are recharged individually in 12v. Does charging individually in 12v negate that 'no series' warning?
My last goal would be to have one of my 4 DIY LifePO4 batteries be able to start an IC gas engine, needs roughly 300 amps for a quick burst, but then needs to power all sorts of electronics all day. So the BMS needs to be tough, right? Does one exist yet for a fair under $100 price? How about over $100?
Part of what's bugging me is there is a CHEAP $$ line of drop-in lead acid replacement batteries called Ionic, that can be used in series, can do the burst amps for starting an IC, and they have a bluetooth app for iPhone, and I'm wondering HOW they're doing all that so cheap? I'd love to see Will cut one of them open!!
BTW I found some cool waterproof cases I think would be slick for battery cases with see thru tops, by Bud Industries, many sizes in their NEMA PTQ series:
Bud Industries waterproof case with threaded stand-offs inside
Will's vids convinced me it'll be super simple to build my own LifePO4 power storage, not for solar, but for my fishing boat. I like the idea of DIY, learning, and using top quality parts compared to the 'cheap' drop-in lead-acid replacements. Found some great prismatic cells he tested, but then when I got to BMS I keep finding that they 'cannot be used in series' and no iPhone (android only) monitor app. I'm on the verge of giving up because I don't believe the Alibaba, ebay listings that say 'low temp protection' when Will proves that most don't work.
Who makes a battleborn grade BMS that also has a bluetooth app for iOS, not just android? A configurable app, not just to 'view' the SOC, Ah, etc.?
I run 4 group 27 to 31 big heavy lead agm batteries; 3 in series for 36v (or 2s for 24v) trolling motor (57 amp max draw) and one single 31 agm for starting a large boat engine (need burst, about 300 amps) and powering many electronic devices onboard all day. Going to LifePO4 represents a HUGE weight savings, and performance benefit. So what I'd like to understand is, why can't most BMS' be used in series? Why does a 12v BMS even care that it's in series? I could see if you were drawing AND charging in 36v like you would with solar, however, in our boats we use a 4 bank waterproof lithium charger that pushes say 20 amps to 4 leads, so each of the 4 batteries are recharged individually in 12v. Does charging individually in 12v negate that 'no series' warning?
My last goal would be to have one of my 4 DIY LifePO4 batteries be able to start an IC gas engine, needs roughly 300 amps for a quick burst, but then needs to power all sorts of electronics all day. So the BMS needs to be tough, right? Does one exist yet for a fair under $100 price? How about over $100?
Part of what's bugging me is there is a CHEAP $$ line of drop-in lead acid replacement batteries called Ionic, that can be used in series, can do the burst amps for starting an IC, and they have a bluetooth app for iPhone, and I'm wondering HOW they're doing all that so cheap? I'd love to see Will cut one of them open!!
BTW I found some cool waterproof cases I think would be slick for battery cases with see thru tops, by Bud Industries, many sizes in their NEMA PTQ series:
Bud Industries waterproof case with threaded stand-offs inside