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Post by Mike Harding on Sept 10, 2024 14:29:16 GMT 10
Just bought one of these for my 5kWh LiFePO4 system: Victron Smart Shunt
Endless hours of twiddling lie ahead :) |
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Post by arewelost on Sept 10, 2024 16:16:05 GMT 10
Interesting. Never knew they existed. If you are interested in expanding your battery bank there are a couple of great LiFePO4 deals going. I just bought a 100AH Lithium for effectively about $159. Deal for Voltx 100AH Lithium Priced at $289 delivered. Gets good reviews. Cashback deal (expires midnight) and rewards points drops it to $159.
Another deal via ebay for 100AH and 200AH also listed.
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Post by Mike Harding on Sept 10, 2024 19:52:18 GMT 10
Thanks for that info.
As I have created my battery from 8 x 3V6, 200Ah cells and an external battery management system (BMS) it can only be enlarged by putting 8 similar cells in parallel and that would have its issues! :)
Be aware that not all 12V lithium batteries (as opposed to cells) can be put in series to create 24V and even putting two in parallel may have issues due to conflict between the BMS' - check *very* carefully with the suppliers if this is what you wish to do.
My 5kWh capability should be adequate for me in all reasonable circumstances and, if necessary, I do have a Honda EU22i generator.
I'll do a write-up about my system shortly, it's a little unconventional but would suit many I think and is much more flexible than simply staying with 12V but changing to lithium batteries.
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Post by arewelost on Sept 10, 2024 21:28:15 GMT 10
Be aware that not all 12V lithium batteries (as opposed to cells) can be put in series to create 24V and even putting two in parallel may have issues due to conflict between the BMS' - check *very* carefully with the suppliers if this is what you wish to do. Thanks, the VoltX website says up to 6 in parallel or serial. Really quite surprising.
I have bought two. I am thinking of using one with an old inflatable dinghy and Watersnake. If I get bored with that it will go into the van as a parallel connection. I have managed fine with a single 120AH AGM, but 200 AH would give peace of mind. Hmmm where to get my bum wet on the next trip ....
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Post by arewelost on Sept 21, 2024 17:12:12 GMT 10
I have been fiddling with my new acquisitions over the last couple of days ... a 100AH VoltX battery and the Victron smart shunt. Just on the bench in the garage.
So far the battery seems good. I connected a 12v electric blanket with the intention of running the battery down to near the low voltage cutoff. I did not keep a close enough eye on it so got to test a couple of features I was not expecting. The low voltage cutout worked at 10.8 volts (the manual says 10 volts while the website says 11.2 volts). My charger would not revive it but a second battery in parallel with a charger worked immediately.
While at home I have been using my cheap battery charger. It does not say Lithium nor specify any charge algorithms or even the voltage. So I will keep a closer eye on it to avoid testing the overcharge protection (the manual does not specify when this activates, website says 14.4 volts).
While I think the Victron shunt itself is great I am peeved with the Victron app (on Android). First, it's the only Bluetooth device I have that requires Location on every time I start the app. My phone chews battery with Location on so I rarely have it on. The Victron status page showing current info looks good, but the Trend page to show information graphically is poor.
Because I have down to 10.8 volts in history, it keeps resetting the range to display 10.8 - 13.6 volts (current charging voltage is 13.5 volts). So the graph is useless due to no granularity. If I set the period to say an hour, close the app, then reopen it, the range is quite small and the granularity is fine. But if I use the phone for anything else (e.g. look at an SMS), then go back, the app reconnects but with that huge range again. Close the app and reopen (it reconnects automatically) then the display is fine again.
If I close the app and come back say an hour later, reopen the app, there will be a gap in the display for that hour. Close the app and reopen, and the data is there. Frustrating.
Once I install the batrery and shunt, I will clear all the history and that should help.... a little.
I am now regretting that I did not buy the BMV-712 (a bundle with shunt (different one), plus LCD display with long enough cable to position anywhere). Unfortunately the display, if available by itself, is not compatible with the shunt I have anyway.
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Post by Mike Harding on Sept 23, 2024 14:32:56 GMT 10
After a week of use of the Victron SmartShunt:
It lacks the ability to export data - this must be a commercial decision = bad.
Its Bluetooth range is very poor, 2m or 3m is about it.
As AWL discusses in a previous post: the ability of the Victron app. to present data is limited - which is a good reason it *should* have an export facility.
Its measurement capability seems competent and accurate.
I'd buy another, but with less enthusiasm.
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