DIY LiFePO4 battery install under ARB drawer wing (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter sdnative
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
^ thanks for posting!
I have no exp with braided cell links but have been thinking about them for a mobile app, seems high current are not really available, I charge at 120A. Makes me wonder if sticky tape or hose clamps do just as good job as those large compression setups. Compression gives higher cycle life but the environment is harsh so I don't think compression is needed.
- Thread starter
- #25
Figure I should update this thread now that everything is installed.
Battery installed. I move the disconnect switch to the positive side and moved it to the front of the drawer. I also changed the negative wire from the BMS to Shunt to a 4awg and proper black color.
Hard to tell, but I still have access to the AC plug (barely).
Front of battery showing class T fuse and Victron Smart Shunt.
Not blocking AC vent, about 1.5" clearance.
Battery installed. I move the disconnect switch to the positive side and moved it to the front of the drawer. I also changed the negative wire from the BMS to Shunt to a 4awg and proper black color.
Hard to tell, but I still have access to the AC plug (barely).
Front of battery showing class T fuse and Victron Smart Shunt.
Not blocking AC vent, about 1.5" clearance.
- Thread starter
- #27
Barely fits. I did have to move the seat up one notch.
Schematic. MPPT charger not installed but will go where the radio is now. I doubt I will use PV at this point, the DC-DC works well.
Last edited:
How do you like the Orion? Do you find 18A max charge is enough for your use?
- Thread starter
- #31
I actually really like it so far. Easy to connect with bluetooth, easy to configure. It seems to do what it is supposed to. Used the same program to interface with the Smart Shunt, which I also like.
18A is on the small side for a 210Ah battery for sure, but hasn't been an issue yet. I generally drive some every day so the charger puts back what I used the day/night before, and more. The 30A is probably better suited for my battery capacity, but is quite a bit more expensive and I understand it may have overheating issues.
Last edited:
Super nice job on the install.
Sorry if this is a repeat question, but which cells are those and where'd you get them?
Sorry if this is a repeat question, but which cells are those and where'd you get them?
- Thread starter
- #33
This kind of Fortune 100ah LiFePO4 Battery cell has holders and plastic covers, you can connect each battery cells easily and the gap between each battery cell is well controlled to help the battery heat dissipation
The fortune cells are nice from what I've seen online, but they're considerably more expensive per cell. I built one on the cheap as an experiment and bought all 4 100ah cells for about the price of a single fortune cell. They weren't grade A, but that wasn't what I needed. I'd love to get some for my next project.
The fortune cells I used from overkill solar were $155 each. Alibaba shows EVE LF105 for about $70 each. Where and how cheap did you get your cells?
- Thread starter
- #37
Fortune cells are nice and I considered them. Unfortunately the 100Ah cells were too large for my space. The 60Ah cells would fit, but only 4 of them.
You can also get them here in the USA (in addition to overkillsolar):
They are made by Frey and you can get them cheaper direct from China.
frey.en.alibaba.com
You can also get them here in the USA (in addition to overkillsolar):
Affordable Electric Vehicle Batteries & Components from Electric Car Parts Company
We are experts in EV lithium batteries & packs, management systems, J1772 chargers & sockets, DC-DC Converters & DC inverters, solar energy storage, EV conversion kits, motors, and parts.
www.electriccarpartscompany.com
They are made by Frey and you can get them cheaper direct from China.
FREY 3.2V LiFePO4 Cells, FREY 3.2V LiFePO4 Cells direct from Jiangsu Frey Battery Technolog Co., LTD. in CN
FREY 3.2V LiFePO4 Cells from Jiangsu Frey Battery Technolog Co., LTD.. Search High Quality FREY 3.2V LiFePO4 Cells Manufacturing and Exporting supplier on Alibaba.com.
frey.en.alibaba.com
I purchased 4 100ah Littokala cells off AliExpress for $170. These were clearly not grade a cells. As I said, these were basically just an experiment for a bigger system in the future. I'll probably get some 280ah cells from a reputable distributor at some point in the future.
- Thread starter
- #39
Shipped? If so that's a great price. I paid about double that for mine, but the seller was local and I was able to test them first.
Free shipping. Batteries were $166, with tax $180.
