Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 32

Thread: Fitted LIPO4 Starter Batteries

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Wollongong
    Posts
    282
    Total Downloaded
    0

    Fitted LIPO4 Starter Batteries

    Well as I tow a van thought it would be good to rid 50 kgs of lead batteries. So fitted two of these and the fit was easy as.

    My OME batteries were nearly 7 years old so the option was replace with same of save weight. As I tow a van weight saving was an option the suited.

    iTECH1420CA Lithium Car Battery 12V Stop Start 1420amp 60Ah– iTechworld

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    7,768
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Hi Bails and you will find they will get a reasonable charge while you are driving around town, with lots of short runs and plenty of starts.

    But the first time you go on a long run and park for the night, don't be surprised if they are flat in the morning.

    You can never filly charge lithium batteries directly off an alternator with SMART operation, and this applies to all makes of vehicles, not just modern Land Rovers.

    Unless you can deactivate the SMART alternator function, which you can not do on any modern Land Rover, once the vehicle is being driven for more than about 10 to 15 minutes, your RRS's electrics will actually be powered by the lithium batteries and not by you alternator.

    As the RRS draws about 40 amps for its own electrical needs, if your two batteries are fully charged at the start of your drive, and this is highly unlikely, after about 2.5 hours of driving, the two batteries will be near flat.

    NOTE, for those who may remember the D4 that was fitted out with two lithiums under the bonnet, the above scenario was exactly what was happening on long drives. And at least one of the batteries has had to be replaced after just a few years.

    Anyway, Bails, keep us informed!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Wollongong
    Posts
    282
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by drivesafe View Post
    Hi Bails and you will find they will get a reasonable charge while you are driving around town, with lots of short runs and plenty of starts.

    But the first time you go on a long run and park for the night, don't be surprised if they are flat in the morning.

    You can never filly charge lithium batteries directly off an alternator with SMART operation, and this applies to all makes of vehicles, not just modern Land Rovers.

    Unless you can deactivate the SMART alternator function, which you can not do on any modern Land Rover, once the vehicle is being driven for more than about 10 to 15 minutes, your RRS's electrics will actually be powered by the lithium batteries and not by you alternator.

    As the RRS draws about 40 amps for its own electrical needs, if your two batteries are fully charged at the start of your drive, and this is highly unlikely, after about 2.5 hours of driving, the two batteries will be near flat.

    NOTE, for those who may remember the D4 that was fitted out with two lithiums under the bonnet, the above scenario was exactly what was happening on long drives. And at least one of the batteries has had to be replaced after just a few years.

    Anyway, Bails, keep us informed!
    Not the case , have already done some 3 hr drives. Have fitted two battery monitors and batteries go to fully charged.

    Was also assured the BMS in these starter batteries made the batteries a strate drop in. I put both batteries the same to insure proper charge even though the auxiliary battery does not draw on cranking.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    7,768
    Total Downloaded
    0

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Wollongong
    Posts
    282
    Total Downloaded
    0
    14.58 v.on 14.63 the other.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    7,768
    Total Downloaded
    0
    BTW The lithium battery’s BMS is there to protect the lithium battery from over voltage and over discharging.

    It is your RRS’s BMS that sets the operating voltage.

    Lithium batteries require at least 13.6v to charge but your RRS’s alternator can run as low as 12.5v ( and lower )

    Again, your lithium batteries will have a constant discharge VOLTAGE of 13.2v across 80% of its discharge cycle.

    This is where the problem comes in. A fully charged lead acid battery will have an operating voltage of 12.7v and this is the voltage your RRS’s BMS monitors.

    When your RRS’s BMS sees a constant voltage of 13+v, it will assume the “Lead Acid” battery is fully charged and will lower the alternators operating voltage to reduce emissions.

    When ever the alternators voltage is reduced below 13.0v, your RRS’s electrics will be running on the lithium batteries.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Wollongong
    Posts
    282
    Total Downloaded
    0
    14.4 v on idle 14.8 v above .

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    7,768
    Total Downloaded
    0
    You are saying your voltage does not vary, even over a long trip.

    It is commonplace for the voltage to sit at up to that level for the first 30 minutes of a drive but your RRS's BMS should have reduced the voltage to below 13.6v ( and lower ) on longer trips.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Wollongong
    Posts
    282
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by drivesafe View Post
    You are saying your voltage does not vary, even over a long trip.

    It is commonplace for the voltage to sit at up to that level for the first 30 minutes of a drive but your RRS's BMS should have reduced the voltage to below 13.6v ( and lower ) on longer trips.
    I have the oricon battery app which displays battery condition as voltage. I have had the batteries in for over a week. Have done over 500 k's in a day and no issues. I haven't looked at voltage after a long trip but will do so. The voltages I showed was what the app shows on idle and the when revs are increased. I think the Voltage will go as high as 14.8 but not sure. I used to get over 14 v with the AGM batteries . I am going to put a shunt in on my power supply to van and set cut off to 13v as Dc2Dc cut off will be to low for LIPO4 battery.

    As stated the fitting was a piece of cake , better than I expected , I did ask iTech for some advice , but was aware they were trying to sell 2 batteries , but decided to take a chance as I wanted to get rid of 50 kgs .

    Happy in the interest of research to supply any info as I think this is a great setup for those that have a RRS with two AGM batteries.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    7,768
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Hi again Bails and thanks for the additional info.

    First off, an apology as I gave you the wrong info on your RRS’s operating voltages.

    You have a later version and your voltages will initially go as high as 14.8v but can drop to below 12.7v after just a few minutes. It all depends on the state of charge of your cranking battery when you first start your motor.

    If your alternators voltage does not drop, there is something wrong with the RRS’s BMS.

    I suggest you try monitoring your operating voltages with something like a BM2 battery monitor. This will give you graphs of you whole trip. You will see, with the lithium batteries fitted, your alternator voltage will still drop, but never below 13.2v.

    SPECIAL NOTE, with lithium batteries, battery voltage is no indicator of the capacity of a lithium battery.

    Next, I would suggest you set the DC/DC device in your van to IGNITION mode, not voltage.

    Then use the FRIDGE output circuit in the rear of your RRS, to control the ignition input on your DC/DC device.

    The FRIDGE output on your RRS is only on while your motor is running. Not while the ignition is on. So even if the voltage drops at the alternator, your DC/DC device will keep charging, as long as the motor is running.

    Again, keep us informed.

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!