is this a lipo batt

[BACAMICK]

the reading im doing on here tells me i need 4x 3.2 to make one 12v batt ? wat is this , diff type
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300778833960 ... 2955wt_960

[T1 Terry]

Yes, no it's not what you want and it is incredibly expensive. A basic 4 cell Winston 100Ah battery will cost around $560, there are other bits that are needed to monitor it's cell voltages but those bits add up to under $50 and that is the same for a 1000Ah battery, you only need the one. that battery has no provision for cell monitoring, it would die an early death and at that price you would not be a happy camper.
I'm off to bed now but I will explain more tomorrow.

T1 Terry

[dapope]

it looks to me as though its being sold as a drop in 12v replacement battery......for about 3 times the home-brew price. I will be spending around $2200 for 400 AH
I would be using a barge-pole on it, preferably a 40 ft one. Potential buyers will be disappointed in my view, but Terry will be more able to answer any other questions (edit...beat me he did)

[Craig]

Holy hell Martin, What are you going to use 400amp for? I thought one of the main benefits of these batteries was you only needed half the amount of AMP hr as a lead battery to run the same equipment. Or do I have this wrong?

[dapope]

I want to be ABLE to run the air con as needed Craig. I am only setting up once, and I don't expect to have to replace the batteries!.

[BACAMICK]

it looks to me as though its being sold as a drop in 12v replacement battery......for about 3 times the home-brew price. I will be spending around $2200 for 400 AH
I would be using a barge-pole on it, preferably a 40 ft one. Potential buyers will be disappointed in my view, but Terry will be more able to answer any other questions (edit...beat me he did)

ok guys yer i thought it was dear but was unsure , $2200 for 400ah spounds good

Yes, no it's not what you want and it is incredibly expensive. A basic 4 cell Winston 100Ah battery will cost around $560, there are other bits that are needed to monitor it's cell voltages but those bits add up to under $50 and that is the same for a 1000Ah battery, you only need the one. that battery has no provision for cell monitoring, it would die an early death and at that price you would not be a happy camper.
I'm off to bed now but I will explain more tomorrow.

T1 Terry

are u saying terry i could buy 1 of these 100ah @ $560 and it would be a bank of 12v ?

if i bought 4 of i could put them in series to get 400ah @ 12v ?

i was reading a post on here somwhere, and yes i can find it:)
that one of u guys are gunna run big ah with it conected to a 9000w inverter

[T1 Terry]

It is better to run one 12v battery but the cells can be built up from many smaller capacity cells linked in parallel and then these groups linked in series. If you try to link 12v batteries together each battery must have it's own monitoring system to ensure all the cells remain working together but then you also have to make sure all the 12v batteries are working together as well, a nightmare of control gear would be required.
This is a 12v 720Ah battery built up from 90Ah cells, it has powered all my fridges, solar hot water pumps and controls, patio lighting and a battery charger for the bus 24/7 for the last 18 mths recharged each day from solar. It stays perfectly balance connected this way, if I trying to connect them as 8 x 90Ah batteries it would be like trying to herd cats into working cat sled team

720Ah at 12v nom2.JPG

T1 Terry

[dapope]

I have bought a 3000/9000w inverter/charger to go onto my bank of 400ah batteries...should be all go by mid-Feb at the latest

[homeless]

Craig Said
"Holy hell Martin, What are you going to use 400amp for? I thought one of the main benefits of these batteries was you only needed half the amount of AMP hr as a lead battery to run the same equipment. Or do I have this wrong?"
That's not a lot when you get to understand that you now have the option to install the batteries power you need to do what you want, to enjoy your travels.
If you want the tent style of life then Ok but if you want to be comfortable and use the cheap 240v appliances then you now have the option.
Due to the size and weight advantages you can remove your old batteries and add a LOT more usable AH in that same spot and also save some weight in the process.
In my 7 mtr Hino I have 180Ah @24v and have 90Ah @24v for the crank batteries. I would have put in 180Ah @24v in the crank, but the battery bay was JUST that little bit too small and did not consider it was worth making such a big change for a bit more.
That means I have 270Ah @ 24v which is 540AH @12v and then I can use 80% of that so about 430AH usable. To get that you need at least 900AH of AGM.
So consider the weight difference 100Ah of lithium weighing about 15KG giving 80Ah or 100AH of AGM weighing 35Kg giving 50AH at best.
Consider the usable AH of both types and then work out the cost per usable AH and then there is the usable life expectancy to consider as well.
There are a lot of other advantages that we know of and do but that is enough to make you think a bit.
Regards
Brian

[Craig]

Thanks Brian,

sounds like you have had to defend your decision to fit them a few times . I have heard all this before. I have seen Terry's set up and agree it has its' merits . Space and weight are not an issue for everyone so it comes down to just what you want to run. The only thing I would possibly want to run is the A/C, that in itself is not a big enough draw card to outlay that sort of money. To compare your 430 AH usable to 900 AH AGM is not comparing Apples with apples as you still could not run high draw items with AGM's (not for extended periods anyway). So my poorly articulated question was "Or do I have this wrong?". I was referring to battery size requirements. What I am saying is say I have 400 AH (AGM) battery bank at present, that is at least 200 AH usable. Of that I run all I need to, but if they were Lithium I would only need half that (100 AH) to run the same equipment. And that is what I meant with the "Or do I have this wrong?".

Can I ask just how much additional outlay of the hard earned is spent on chargers, monitors and an inverter that is big enough to operate all this gear? Also once they are set up, is it pretty much a set and forget type system (like I have now) or does it require ongoing monitoring and input from you.

Saying that, I certainly would consider using this system if my batteries and combo unit all blew up and I needed to change them out regardless .

regards
Craig