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  1. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    In other news . . . In isolating the '1 volt' problem of the electrical system that I have noticed a couple of years ago my attention has been drawn to the starboard side electrical box, which has the appearance of a 100 year old electrical station. :unsure: . . . With all of the rain we've...
  2. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    Tough break for your friend. The BMS within (Lithium) batteries are what manages and protects the battery. That is what needs to be buffered by external components like DC-DC chargers, etc. Direct connecting and forgoing the external components as you suggested would result in a whole host...
  3. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    About half of that stuff is independent of the LiFePO4 swap. What battery are your referring to that has "all the charging system buried inside of it"?
  4. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    Quick Update . . . Things look OK today . . . The sun finally came out, and I have been running stuff on the boat, so the solar controller has work to do. Here is a short video of the status loop of the EVEver controller. First . . . the panel status, . . . . then the LiFePO4, . . . ...
  5. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    Wow, you might be the most senior member of the forum. (y)
  6. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    What about the "No No" rules of solar cells and chargers ? :unsure:
  7. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    This controller (EPEver DuoRacer) is designed for this purpose (solar charging) and it does the 3-stages of charging (Bulk, Absorption, Float). There does not seem to be a way to turn off the float charging, which would be nice, as the LiFePO4 batteries really do not need to float. Tell me...
  8. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    I'm not in love with the EPEver Duoracer . . . charging the LFP bank, the voltage seems to wander up and down, going from 13.5 volts to 14.5 volts and even slightly higher. I'm not sure what it is doing, but I check the voltage at the batteries and sure enough . . . it is wandering. It seems...
  9. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    The solar controller does that. It reduces its output as needed . . . basically creating resistance. The problem is that the solar strength varies, as clouds pass by, so it is constantly varying its output. But the solar controller attempts to go through the bulk, absorption, and float stages...
  10. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    All Set . . . (I hope) I added a 100 Ohm resistor and a 14 volt Zener diode to the FET activation circuit to regulate the activation voltage. It seems to be working as intended. I installed the remote display panel for the EPEver. It is mounted to the wet bar, as that was about the 'best'...
  11. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    Update . . . Still messing with the Victron ArgoFET isolator . . . It looks like the activation voltage/current is what is charging/maintaining the starter batteries. As such, it is over charging them. The internal aspects of the ArgoFET are a bit of a mystery, as it is not well documented...
  12. tpenfield

    Any tips to release fuel tank stuck by floatation foam

    I have used a variety of methods, including a strap underneath the edge as well as wedges made of 1x3 lumber pounded in underneath. It all depends on how much space you have to work with. Those were on metal fuel tanks. I am not sure poly will hold up to the forces need to break the tank...
  13. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    I got the remote monitor today . . . hooked it up. Just got to find a place to install it. . In other news, I have figured out that the starter batteries were charging via the voltage from the FET isolator 'activation' feed. I've experimented with a few resistors to get a voltage drop. 220...
  14. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    Quick Update . . . The ArgoFET isolator is being the source of some frustrations . . . essentially the solar system is overcharging the starter batteries and I believe the FET isolator is the source of the issue. The documentation on the innerds of the ArgoFET is very light, but possibly it...
  15. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    I've only had the system up and running for 1 day and I am already tired of opening the engine hatch to look at the solar charging status. So, I ordered the remote panel for the EPEver.
  16. tpenfield

    Coolant Disappearing, need help

    In order to find the leak, you can do another pressure test and listen for the air escaping. You may need a mechanics stethoscope in order to locate it.
  17. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    An interesting thing happened this morning as I was running the engines to purge some de-scaler solution (an annual ritual for many of us salt water folks). The starboard alternator started putting out voltage. It happened when I rev'ed the engine up to around 800-1,000 RPM . . . it basically...
  18. tpenfield

    Wealth preservation,....

    Over the past few years my Admiral has wanted to purge a lot of the 'junk' that we have accumulated. I recently threw away my college engineering books. They had been in a box untouched for over 40 years and moved from place to place.:oops: I think every generation has to deal with purging...
  19. tpenfield

    LiFePO Batteries ???

    OMG . . . it's working !!! :D I re-installed the off-grid panel and got it all wired up. Installed my cable splice thingy on the port engine key switch and gave it a test. . . The charger was in bulk mode for a while, then shifted to absorption mode. In bulk mode, the alternator was...
  20. tpenfield

    Wealth preservation,....

    When my FIL passed, one of the family members asked when "the reading of the will" would be. I got a good laugh out of that one . . . they've been watching too much television. :rolleyes: Getting back on-topic . . . When you get to a point where you are beyond your working years, you do get...
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