Solar charging batteries

redneck joe

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Side note to all, I don't mind a bit of thread derivation as long as semi close to topic or in fun but if yall want to have a pissing contest start your own thread.
 

bruceb58

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More than likely what is happening...

Cells are imbalanced. As you charge, one or more of the cells reaches maximum voltage which is usually 3.65 which turns off all charging. The total pack doesn't get high enough to start balancing because you have one or more very low cells.

If you can't take the pack apart to charge the low cells individually, you might want to discharge down to around 10.5V and then start charging again. This is essence is trying to perform a low balance.

This is why LiFePO4 batteries are not good for usage where batteries tend to sit around a long time not used. It's also why EVs with LiFePO4 want to be charged to 100% all the time...so they can get their cells top balanced regularly.

A friend of mine did exactly what you did...let his LiFePO4 batteries sit along time. I was able to recover one of them for him but the other was beyond recovery. I was able to take apart the battery and charge each cell with a power supply set to 3.5V. You need to set the power supple to 3.5V and then hook up the supply. The voltage will gradually come up to 3.5V.
 

redneck joe

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Cool, good info. I'll go break them down after I roast off my tomatoes. Soup tonight with my world famous grilled cheese.
 

bruceb58

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Cool, good info. I'll go break them down after I roast off my tomatoes. Soup tonight with my world famous grilled cheese.
This may have been asked but how long have you owned these and what brand? Most have at least a 5 year warranty.
 

redneck joe

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Two years, warranty is ambigously 3 years and many online complaints however since it is completly my fault I would not submit a warranty claim.
 

redneck joe

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11.75 and charging at 14.48 instead of 14.46 as it has been. Yesterday was at 14.47 yesterday.
 

redneck joe

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Looked up how to take apart, gonna wait for another day. Too much fun cooking, watching vrabel win and same with my chiefs.
 

redneck joe

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I think I've hit the wall. 11.78 this morning so almost nothing in 12 hours.

I will pop open soon and switch over to the other battery and play the same game.
 

tpenfield

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I have a question for clarity purposes.

You have stated the battery voltage slowly increasing to the high 11 volt range. You have also stated the charger in the 14.4-14.5 volt range.

Are the readings of the battery being taken while that charger is disconnected?

Are the readings of the charger taken with the battery connected or not connected?
 

redneck joe

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Charging status, connected @ 14ish.

Readings of charged status, disconnected.

Hit 12.0 yesterday afternoon, eating local volunteer fire dept ham breakfast atm will check in a bit.
 

redneck joe

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OK so overnight about 10 hours went from 12.00 to 12.05. Last three or so hours jumped to 12.35.

I have pulled off charger and will watch it next few days to see how it drops.
 

redneck joe

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OK, battery #1 started at essentially 0 v.


Im starting battery #2 now, it reads 9.65 and is charging at 14.45.

Prepare to be bored for a few more weeks.
 
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