Put a 48v Battery into Use

[pcole314]

Hello,

I have little idea what I am doing. I do know enough that I realize that I am doing things in an inefficient way.

I have a large 48v battery. What I would like to do is put it into use but as simple as possible.

I would like a way to charge it via an ac outlet and would like to have ac plug output. And if the battery is charged then just have it passthrough.

The point is to have it as a server rack battery backup but without a bunch of complicated wiring if possible.

Hoping the forum can help me.

 

[robbob2112]

Sounds like you are looking for an inverter/charger.

In that case you just need the battery, fuse, disconnect switch, inverter/charger, and outlets to plug into it.

First
Energy audit -
What do you want to power, watts and how long at what voltage.
I.e do you need 240vac or just 120vac?

Second is the rule to buy nothing unless you have a plan... broke that already it sounds like.

Do you just want power you charge from an outlet? Do you want to do solar panels later?

Those answers and a general budget would help with suggesting something that works for you.

 

[pcole314]

Sounds like you are looking for an inverter/charger.

In that case you just need the battery, fuse, disconnect switch, inverter/charger, and outlets to plug into it.

First
Energy audit -
What do you want to power, watts and how long at what voltage.
I.e do you need 240vac or just 120vac?

Second is the rule to buy nothing unless you have a plan... broke that already it sounds like.

Do you just want power you charge from an outlet? Do you want to do solar panels later?

Those answers and a general budget would help with suggesting something that works for you.

Thanks for the reply. Here are some details:

1. No plan broken. The battery was purchased for something else in which I was trying to shoehorn it into an early released but never made Unifi network appliance.

2. The battery is a Litime 48V (51.2V) 30Ah 1.54KWh LiFePO4

3. The load would be no more than 1500 watts

4. Yes, I would want to just charge it from an 120 outlet, no solar later.

5. Inverter/charger is what I have been looking around for however I have not found anything that is mostly plug and play.

Appreciate you taking a look at this.

 

[robbob2112]

Something like this would work. I like all the LiTime products I have so I wouldn't hesitate on it.

https://www.litime.com/products/48v-3500w-solar-converter-charger

Otherwise you would look for a generic inverter/charger like is used in a RV. The ones without a built in MPPT are getting scarce these days.

https://www.amazon.com/Ampinvt-Inverter-Battery-Charger-Frequency/dp/B0CZ898BJJ/

 

[pcole314]

Something like this would work. I like all the LiTime products I have so I wouldn't hesitate on it.

https://www.litime.com/products/48v-3500w-solar-converter-charger

Otherwise you would look for a generic inverter/charger like is used in a RV. The ones without a built in MPPT are getting scarce these days.

https://www.amazon.com/Ampinvt-Inverter-Battery-Charger-Frequency/dp/B0CZ898BJJ/

Two things here:

1. What is MPPT?
2. In my searches I have seen both of these. I don’t see how either, or any I have looked up, just plug into a wall outlet.

 

[robbob2112]

You would just add a power cord to the AC input screws to plug it into the wall. I have one like the second listed, except 12v.

If you don't have a spare computer power cord to sacrifice hit the local hardware store for a short 3 prong extension cord used for a freezer and cut an end off. They also sell cords without an and on them for hooking up kitchen appliances or garbage disposals.

Something like this would work

https://www.amazon.com/VSEER-Universal-Appliance-Replacement-Conductor/dp/B0CW33J23J

A MPPT is what you hook a solar panel to that converts the voltage and current to battery charging current and voltage. Since you don't want all the complicated bits I figured skip it.

They both have outlets on them to plug into for power. Just need the power cord added.

 

[Q-Dog]

Thanks for the reply. Here are some details:

1. No plan broken. The battery was purchased for something else in which I was trying to shoehorn it into an early released but never made Unifi network appliance.

2. The battery is a Litime 48V (51.2V) 30Ah 1.54KWh LiFePO4

3. The load would be no more than 1500 watts

4. Yes, I would want to just charge it from an 120 outlet, no solar later.

5. Inverter/charger is what I have been looking around for however I have not found anything that is mostly plug and play.

Appreciate you taking a look at this.

What are you trying to do?? A 30ah battery is pretty small.

 

[pcole314]

What are you trying to do?? A 30ah battery is pretty small.

Use it as a backup for some network stuff. I have the battery and thought why not. Not to mention in theory I could get a larger battery later.