I am looking for answers, thoughts and comments on my RV battery project.
Summary:
I have a metal battery box welded on the front frames of my travel trailer. It has a hinged cover and though not water proof, water would not splash directly on the enclosed components. The size of the box is 15”W x 13”L x 11 ¾”H.
My Planning:
Put two rows of 4 cells side by side on top of a cushioned rubber mat. Put something (???) between the rows and between each battery. That something is currently an unknown and I am looking for suggestions on this…?
I will then mount two each surface mount battery terminals (+ and -) on the side of the metal enclosure for connecting the BMS’s and wires to the RV.
I will try and find a flat plastic box to fit one each or both of the BMS’s and mount them on top of the two rows of cells. Provided I find a decent box, I can make it very water resistant.
Questions?:
I have seen it said, cells should be “compressed” together to prevent bulging. Should I do so and is it really needed? If so, thinking of using some closed cell foam tape around each group of 4 cells and stainless steel hose clamps all the way around to hold them together. Thoughts on this?
What should I put between the cells and the rows of cells? I will not have much room between the rows of cells, since cells are just under 7” wide for each row and my enclosure is 15”. I am planning to put something on the outer sides of the cell rows to help keep them in place and insulate them from vibration and such.
BMS mounting… maybe just use double sided sticky tape in the plastic box and the same for plastic box to the top of the batteries? Or just leave it loose on top of the batteries?
Thoughts, comments and whatever… ? Are most welcome. Thank you
Summary:
I have a metal battery box welded on the front frames of my travel trailer. It has a hinged cover and though not water proof, water would not splash directly on the enclosed components. The size of the box is 15”W x 13”L x 11 ¾”H.
I have looked for a plastic box/enclosure for trying to make two new 12v 200+ Ah LiFePO4 batteries to place into my metal RV battery box. I have found nothing suitable. I was considering just getting 2 SOK batteries and putting them in there…. BUT, they just will NOT fit. So, now I am in the planning stage for making my RV metal battery box be my battery enclosure for 8 cells and 2 BMS.
My Planning:
Put two rows of 4 cells side by side on top of a cushioned rubber mat. Put something (???) between the rows and between each battery. That something is currently an unknown and I am looking for suggestions on this…?
I will then mount two each surface mount battery terminals (+ and -) on the side of the metal enclosure for connecting the BMS’s and wires to the RV.
I will try and find a flat plastic box to fit one each or both of the BMS’s and mount them on top of the two rows of cells. Provided I find a decent box, I can make it very water resistant.
Questions?:
I have seen it said, cells should be “compressed” together to prevent bulging. Should I do so and is it really needed? If so, thinking of using some closed cell foam tape around each group of 4 cells and stainless steel hose clamps all the way around to hold them together. Thoughts on this?
What should I put between the cells and the rows of cells? I will not have much room between the rows of cells, since cells are just under 7” wide for each row and my enclosure is 15”. I am planning to put something on the outer sides of the cell rows to help keep them in place and insulate them from vibration and such.
BMS mounting… maybe just use double sided sticky tape in the plastic box and the same for plastic box to the top of the batteries? Or just leave it loose on top of the batteries?
Thoughts, comments and whatever… ? Are most welcome. Thank you