Forums

Forums
Sustainable Sidetra...
Energy Storage
Anyone want to shar...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Anyone want to share costs on batteries?

 
Page 16 / 20
Energy Storage
Last Post by Transparent 3 years ago
233 Posts
20 Users
170 Reactions
76.5 K Views
RSS
Transparent
 Transparent
(@transparent)
Illustrious Member Moderator
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3029
18/09/2022 9:53 am  

I wonder if I should change my advice on top-balancing.

Should I recommend connecting the cells to the power-supply via an external/visible fuse?

To keep resistance low it would need to be a fuse in a holder with relatively large connection posts. And preferably the fuse itself should be bolted in place - not merely clipped into the holder.


Save energy... recycle electrons!


   
ReplyQuote
 batalto
(@batalto)
Famed Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1092
Topic starter 18/09/2022 10:00 am  

I don't think it matters too much. As long as they can charge it doesn't really matter. I'm not sure who is in a major rush. I just wasn't thinking when I connected the wires. 


12kW Midea ASHP - 8.4kw solar - 29kWh batteries
262m2 house in Hampshire
Current weather compensation: 47@-2 and 31@17
My current performance can be found - HERE
Heat pump calculator spreadsheet - HERE


   
ReplyQuote
 batalto
(@batalto)
Famed Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1092
Topic starter 19/09/2022 9:13 am  

@transparent still going at 4 and a bit amps. So tiny amounts of power trickling in


12kW Midea ASHP - 8.4kw solar - 29kWh batteries
262m2 house in Hampshire
Current weather compensation: 47@-2 and 31@17
My current performance can be found - HERE
Heat pump calculator spreadsheet - HERE


   
ReplyQuote



Transparent
 Transparent
(@transparent)
Illustrious Member Moderator
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3029
19/09/2022 9:32 am  

1. Is the power supply genuinely capable of delivering 10A? Or is it possibly a broad allusion to 10A, based on the rating of the components used inside?

2.Is the current measurement accurate? Check with an external multimeter,

3. I must emphasise - the quality of connections is extremely important. All wires need to be tightened onto terminals. Thus if you were to use crocodile clips to attach the power supply to the battery busbars, then you see a dramatic reduction in current. Tarnished copper also presents a higher resistance - ensure it's clean!


Save energy... recycle electrons!


   
ReplyQuote
 Derek M
(@derek-m)
Illustrious Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 4425
19/09/2022 12:28 pm  

@batalto

On power supply units it is often possible to limit the output current. What make is it and what control knobs are on the unit?



   
ReplyQuote
 batalto
(@batalto)
Famed Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1092
Topic starter 19/09/2022 2:03 pm  

@derek-m @transparent

Annoyingly I can't measure the current. I have two multimeters, one only measures AC current and the other measures DC but only on mA and doesn't have a suitable setting for that measurement. It does have a current adjustment, but I don't think I can use it as it's voltage controlled Vs current controlled. It's still charging and the voltage on the cells is increasing, it's just a slow game at the moment. My case isn't here, so no rush (yet)


12kW Midea ASHP - 8.4kw solar - 29kWh batteries
262m2 house in Hampshire
Current weather compensation: 47@-2 and 31@17
My current performance can be found - HERE
Heat pump calculator spreadsheet - HERE


   
ReplyQuote



 batalto
(@batalto)
Famed Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1092
Topic starter 19/09/2022 3:37 pm  

Made some new connectors using left over wire connectors and some very thick cable. Now charging at 10a continuous current, aiming for 3.6v

Let's see how we get on!

16636017199835179086333655390970

12kW Midea ASHP - 8.4kw solar - 29kWh batteries
262m2 house in Hampshire
Current weather compensation: 47@-2 and 31@17
My current performance can be found - HERE
Heat pump calculator spreadsheet - HERE


   
ReplyQuote
 batalto
(@batalto)
Famed Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1092
Topic starter 20/09/2022 8:18 am  

@transparent by my calcs I have roughly another 29 hours of charging left to top balance.

Cells are currently at 3.36v, so 16 cells x 280ah = 15,053w of power stored currently

Desired state is 3.6v so that is 16,128w target

Its charging at 3.6v and 10amps = 36 watts per hour

(16128 - 15053) / 36 = 29.87 hours


12kW Midea ASHP - 8.4kw solar - 29kWh batteries
262m2 house in Hampshire
Current weather compensation: 47@-2 and 31@17
My current performance can be found - HERE
Heat pump calculator spreadsheet - HERE


   
ReplyQuote
Transparent
 Transparent
(@transparent)
Illustrious Member Moderator
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3029
20/09/2022 9:11 am  

Do I assume that you're reading that 3.36v from the meter on front of the psu?

That's not the cell voltage. The PSU voltage reading is defined such that it causes 10A to flow into the cells.

ChargeCurrentDiag

Based on the approximate State of Charge (SoC) of the EVE cells I've received from China this year, I'll predict the time taken for your cells to reach 3.6v is more like 15-18 days. 🙂 

 

Background information for others who come across this topic later:

Lithium cells are not charged by the manufacturer before sale.

A typical post-assembly electrical test in the factory would include measurement of the internal resistance and the ability of each cell to receive a charge current of around 2C for about a minute. C is the Ah rating of the cell. So a 280Ah cell would be tested at 2 x 280 = 560A

The voltage of the cell is dictated by its chemistry, according to the universal electro-chemical series:

ElectrochemSeries

In our case, the Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (LiFePO4) is the cathode, whilst the anode is graphite (carbon) with a metallic backing. If you put those two materials together as thin films on a laboratory bench with an electrolyte liquid between them, electrons will flow, and you can measure a potential difference of 3.2v - which tells you nothing about the amount of charge held by those two plates.

A manufacturer will develop a method of assembly which gives them a predictable cell capacity. Thus EVE have designed a manufacturing process which yields cells of around 280-290Ah capacity. They then offer those for sale with a 280Ah specification.

The only way to find out the actual capacity of a cell you've bought is to charge it fully (to around 3.65v) and then discharge it at a current less than C to about 2.8v. (Outside those voltages risks damaging the cell).

You then verify that capacity by charging it back up again, which will obviously take a slightly greater amount of electricity due to internal losses.

If you intend doing capacity tests on cells more than a couple of times, then consider investing in a proper Capacity Load-tester. This takes a constant-current through a heating element whilst measuring the discharge characteristics. The data is streamed to a PC via a USB lead, enabling you to see the resulting graph.


This post was modified 3 years ago 2 times by Transparent

Save energy... recycle electrons!


   
ReplyQuote



 batalto
(@batalto)
Famed Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1092
Topic starter 20/09/2022 9:33 am  

@transparent no that's the reading on the cells from my multimeter


12kW Midea ASHP - 8.4kw solar - 29kWh batteries
262m2 house in Hampshire
Current weather compensation: 47@-2 and 31@17
My current performance can be found - HERE
Heat pump calculator spreadsheet - HERE


   
ReplyQuote
Transparent
 Transparent
(@transparent)
Illustrious Member Moderator
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3029
20/09/2022 10:05 am  

So are you measuring that voltage with the cells still charging?

Even if the PSU is disconnected, you will need to allow the cells to 'rest' for about 20 mins, and then connect a small load. You need something drawing between 1-10A. That will then allow you to obtain a reasonable measurement of the real cell voltage.


Save energy... recycle electrons!


   
ReplyQuote
 batalto
(@batalto)
Famed Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 1092
Topic starter 21/09/2022 7:57 pm  

@transparent still charging lol. No idea how long it's going to take


12kW Midea ASHP - 8.4kw solar - 29kWh batteries
262m2 house in Hampshire
Current weather compensation: 47@-2 and 31@17
My current performance can be found - HERE
Heat pump calculator spreadsheet - HERE


   
ReplyQuote



Page 16 / 20
Forum Jump:
  Previous Topic
Next Topic  



Share:

Join Us!

Worth Watching

Latest Posts

Click to access the login or register cheese
x Powerful Protection for WordPress, from Shield Security PRO
This Site Is Protected By
Shield Security PRO →