LiFePo4 Matching

[camelracer]

I know it is not a good idea to mix and match lead acid batteries but does this rule also apply to LiFePo4? My system now consists of a 100ah Starkpower battery, Victron controller and 300w of solar power. The system works great for desert camping but lacks storage capacity for multiple days in the forest.

I would like to add another 100ah of battery but since Starkpower is out of business I would have to go to a different manufacturer with a newer battery. I asked Battleborn this question but never received a response. I'm sure the pros at WTW will be more responsive.

 

[Vic Harder]

Have you compared the recommended charge and float settings? if they are identical, i’d imagine that their respective internal BMS would handle any remaining differences.

rando might have a different (and more informed) view on this.

Question: why are you adding more AH? I have similar setup now, except that i am already using the Batlleborn battery. loving it.

 

[rando]

I agree with Vic, as long as the specs are somewhat close, then there shouldn't be an issue putting two batteries in parallel.

The capacity is the most important - if they are both ~100ah you should be OK.

 

[camelracer]

Have you compared the recommended charge and float settings? if they are identical, i’d imagine that their respective internal BMS would handle any remaining differences.

rando might have a different (and more informed) view on this.

Question: why are you adding more AH? I have similar setup now, except that i am already using the Batlleborn battery. loving it.

As I said in the original post most of my camping is in the desert or Baja where there is plenty of sun. This summer I've made several trips to the mountains where those pesky trees get in the way. Nice for lounging in the shade but not so good for my solar system.

This last weekend with a couple hours of sun each day the battery was down to 20% after 2 days with just the fridge and minimal lighting being used. It was colder on that trip and running the heater would have been nice but I was being stingy with the power. I normally don't stay in one spot more than a couple of days so the battery gets charged by the truck. My thinking is that increased storage capacity will allow me to stay longer and not worry about what I turn on.

That being said today I decided to check the Truckfridge which seems to be a power hog. What I found was that neither the Truckfridge condenser fan not the FWC exhaust fan were working. I've got new ones on order and hope the power consumption will be greatly reduced with some air blowing over the condenser coils. This will be a cheap fix compared to a 2nd battery if it works.

 

[Stokeme]

Hello, Camelracer.
We met at the Anza-Borrego FWC Rally last Fall. We chatted a bit. You had LenSun panels up top, (jealous) nice ...
From what info I have gleaned, over the last 2 years, it would not be “advisable” to mix & match LFP4 Batteries. One, or the other, likely the new one, would be parasitic over the long term. I recently had cause to want another LFP4 Battery, a smaller 50AH, to build a portable power box. I wanted Bluetooth like my StarkPower. I searched & found TorquePower. It turned out the same lead Tech, Max, in the same State, N.C., formally with SP, now works at TP. I inquired about compatibility, & was told in a pinch, I could hook up my new battery purchase, in parallel, to my existing system. BUT, Max qualified, this new Battery is a different generation & should not be used in conjunction, for the long term, as there would be issues with uneven voltage & drainage. TP link below ... Give a holler ... get some info.
With less than complete understanding, I am being overly cautious with my $$$ Batteries. I am following the company recommendations. I understand the logic in the above posts just not the future ramifications. I would caution that none of us (I think) have owned LiFePo4 for more than a few years. In other words not much historical data to pull from for reference.
https://buylithium.com
Do you have a vertical or horizontal Fridge? Well Vented? As mentioned, it should not be a hog, unless it is a huge upright.

 

[camelracer]

Stokeme

I remember meeting you last year and you telling me the bad news that StarkPower was out of business as was my warranty. Even worse when I had to replace my iPhone I found that Apple no longer supported the StarkPower battery monitor app and I lost one of the best features for that battery. The battery seems to be working well so far but now I'm a bit nervous about dealing with these companies that repackage Chinese parts to make a battery.

My fridge is a 130L Truckfridge that draws about 3.5a. It seems to run more than it should and I hope getting more airflow over the condenser coils will reduce the run time. If I still have a problem I'll have to do more research on a second battery.

 

[Stokeme]

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/torque-power-connect/id1468424746

This link, on your browser, should prompt you to the Torque Power app, which you can use interchangeably with your StarkPower Battery. TorquePower uses the same interior Bluetooth module as StarkPower. The app is set up a little differently. It enables most of what the SP app detailed. It does not however allow viewing of each individual cell like SP. It should have that capability. I will bring it up to TP as it is a cool feature. My 100aH & 50aH SP Batteries, set up in parallel, have been great for me so far after ~18 months of use.
For me, my SP app, on my iPhone 8, still works fine. I have not upgraded to 13.1.1 & probably will not as, it seems after a few upgrades, efficiency gets compromised. I agree it appears the SP Apple app has been removed.
These Batteries (TP) overall have come down in price. They are made in China with a 5 year warranty not 10.
A key takeaway here is how long will the company be around to honor their warranty (& apps). SP, an early company, ~7 years. As I noted in another post (I am very open to learn) aren’t all the internal Battery components imported from China? Batteries are either “made” there or “assembled” in the USA with imported internals. I would like to know the perceived differences, related to design & assembly, for my own edification.
P.S .....
My wife updated to IOS 13.1.1 on her IPhone 10. The TP app, now also loaded on her phone, is good with this update.

 

[camelracer]

Stokeme,

Thanks a lot. I just downloaded the app to my phone and will try it tomorrow.