Wander bus build

[HazMatt]

Glad you tried again. Looks great! [emoji106]

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Thanks. I got the cells for $8 each. My math was off yesterday. That's 128ah of power at 200 amps for $256. The only equivalent on the market for LiFePo4 is Battleborn for $950. This is a great option for Skoolie solar builds. Requires a little time, and tinkering and a few parts.


32 LiFePo4 38120HP 8Ah 200amp calls $256 Ebay
100ft 10ga braided copper wire $16 HD or Lowes
140 open end connectors $26 HD or Lowes
Tenergy 5-in-1 Battery Meter $14.99 Amazon
Allytech 10Pcs 8Pin 7S JST-XH Cable $8.99

$322 all in.

[Native]

Originally Posted by CMORGANSKOOL

Just got 32 3.2v 8ah LiFePo4 cells. I’m putting 8 in parallel per cell. 4 cells total in series producing 12v and 256ah potential. Each cell can produce 200amp continuous output per battery. Total battery cost $256

Hey CMorganSchool,
You are going to run the cells 8 wide per cell [i.e. 8 of the roughly 3 volt cells (at 8Ah each) to make one cell] which is effectively a 3 volt cell/battery with a capacity of 64ah. Then you will connect these four groups of cells in series to make a 12V battery bank, also with a capacity of 64Ah. Is this what you have figured?


I saw your later post with pictures of the cells, nice and compact! I might have to look into LiFePO4 in the future.


By the way, how much does the assembly weigh?

[CMORGANSKOOL]

I’m connecting 64 cells. 2s 16p
4 parallel groups of 16 wired in series for a 12v bank

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Wired an inline 100amp breaker to the panels pre charge controller so I can turn the panel array off to work on it. Added an a/b switch to the battery cable so I can add a second battery bank. Need one more for the ground. Added a 200 amp fuse to the inverter positive cable and added a Drok Digital Tester DC 10~90 V/100A Multifunction Voltage/Current/Capacity/Power/Coulometry/Time Display Panel Meter Monitor Meter and am connecting it to the remote switch on the inverter so it will automatically turn off the inverter when it reaches a set voltage to prevent over discharge. It’s also really functional.
DC Ammeter, DROK Digital DC Multimeter 0-90V 100A Voltmeter Ammeter 12v 24v 30v 48v 60v 80v Voltage Volt Current Amp Power Watt Capacity Time Meter Battery Tester Monitor with LCD Screen Hall Sensor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZIAJI0..._1OjtDbZEP2JYZ

Ampper 1-2-Both-Off Battery Disconnect Switch, 12-48 V Battery Master Cut Shut Off Isolator Switch (1-2-Both-Off) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PN9CT9H..._kRjtDbXZBP1F0

ZOOKOTO 5 Pack ANL Fuses 200Amp... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07989FRQV...p_mob_ap_share

Podoy 12V 100A Car Audio Circuit... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BQQ7414...p_mob_ap_share

SoundBox Connected 4 Gauge Red /... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6YNIS9...p_mob_ap_share

InstallGear 4 Gauge AWG Tinned Pure Copper Lugs Ring Terminals Connectors with Heat Shrink - 10-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WKXFKR..._CSjtDb36XGDPM

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Here’s two of the 4 packs for the second bank.
These are 3.2v 8ah LiFePo4 38120hp cells rated at 200 amp or 25c discharge and 10c charge rate. It’s 128ah 12v

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Here’s a closeup if the monitor

[CMORGANSKOOL]

38120 battery pack complete

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Here’s the basic layout. 120Ac/Dc 12v trickle charger for shore power. Inverter. 64 headway LiFePo4 38120hp 8ah cells 4s 16p.

Headway 38120HP 8Ah LiFePO4 cell - LiFePO4 battery cells - EV Components

[Native]

Originally Posted by CMORGANSKOOL

38120 battery pack complete

The battery array does look sharp!


How much does it weigh?


Are the metal plates aluminum, steel, other?


Did you fabricate the plates or did they come in a kit?

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Originally Posted by Native

The battery array does look sharp!


How much does it weigh?


Are the metal plates aluminum, steel, other?


Did you fabricate the plates or did they come in a kit?

I have to weigh them but I think they’re about 10lbs each. The plates are aluminum. I’m charging it up to do a load test. The trickle charger is a joke though. Charged all night from 40-60%. These can charge from about 20% in an hour or two with the proper charger or solar.

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Originally Posted by native

the battery array does look sharp!


How much does it weigh?


Are the metal plates aluminum, steel, other?


Did you fabricate the plates or did they come in a kit?

19200 grams or 42.3 lbs

Here's a link to the plates from Jehu Garcia
https://kit.com/jehu/headway-12v-battery-build-project

Got the batteries for $8 each from battery hookup.
https://batteryhookup.com/products/4...28616328413263

[Native]

Originally Posted by CMORGANSKOOL

I have to weigh them but I think they’re about 10lbs each. The plates are aluminum. I’m charging it up to do a load test. The trickle charger is a joke though. Charged all night from 40-60%. These can charge from about 20% in an hour or two with the proper charger or solar.

However, for a test, the trickle charger does the job.


40+ pounds for a 128Ah battery is decent enough.

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Originally Posted by Native

However, for a test, the trickle charger does the job.


40+ pounds for a 128Ah battery is decent enough.

30 hours and it’s not charged yet. It’s rated 5a charge minimum. It’s going to take all week at this rate. I bought a much bigger one.

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Test one.
Entertainment center
55 inch tv
Router
Apple TV
Verizon dvr receiver
Apple base station router.

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Two hours into the test.

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Ran 4 hours now I’m going to bed.
Start voltage 12.93
End voltage 12.74
527 watt hours consumed of 1500
10 amp continuous load at 133 watts

No noticeable heat discharge.
The inverter is about 110 degrees.

I’m going to call this a success.

My Drok hall sensor had a fuse blow on the relay circuit.
Not sure what caused that.

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Walmart had a clearance on 6” memory foam mattresses.
$94 twin xl
$97 full

[CMORGANSKOOL]

Got the full size mattress in yesterday.
Now just have to do plumbing and floors and cosmetics and I’m done.

[Native]

About all that is left is a coat of paint, right?