Darkstar
Rain Wrangler
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2019
- Messages
- 339
I have a 1000AH flooded lead acid rolls battery that is charged by a hydroelectric generator during the rainy season (Oct-Jun). It is charged by 800 watts of Renogy panels and an honda inverter generator for the rest of the year. I was wondering if a LiFePO4 battery would be appropriate under this charging regime? Some issues I see:
1. The hydro generator is similar to a wind turbine in that it always needs to be connected to a load (Battery bank). The charge controllers that are appropriate are PWM dump load controllers that dump excess power to a heating element when the battery gets full. So a normal charge controller or BMS system that just disconnects the solar panels/charging source would not work correctly as they would cause the Hydro to overspeed and blow bearings and such if ever disconnected from the battery.
2. During most of the year our battery does not cycle at all. The hydro puts out enough power 24/7 to keep it full for 8 months out of the year. Would a LiFePO4 battery work without issue without many cycles? Would I want to keep the LiFePO4 battery at a lower than full charge state to help extend it's life?
1. The hydro generator is similar to a wind turbine in that it always needs to be connected to a load (Battery bank). The charge controllers that are appropriate are PWM dump load controllers that dump excess power to a heating element when the battery gets full. So a normal charge controller or BMS system that just disconnects the solar panels/charging source would not work correctly as they would cause the Hydro to overspeed and blow bearings and such if ever disconnected from the battery.
2. During most of the year our battery does not cycle at all. The hydro puts out enough power 24/7 to keep it full for 8 months out of the year. Would a LiFePO4 battery work without issue without many cycles? Would I want to keep the LiFePO4 battery at a lower than full charge state to help extend it's life?