These are the settings I'm using initially. Bear in mind I've only ran the engine on high idle and haven't gotten it on the road yet. So I may make some adjustments later. These settings were suggested by "Maine Sail" who is on
www.cruisersforum.com
""Balmar 614 settings as per Maine Sail:
Gel Program
Belt Manager = 4 (this current limits the 160A alt to 120-130A)
Then into advanced settings:
dLc/Start Delay = 45 Seconds
AHL/ High Voltage Regulator Limit = 14.4V
CL/Temp Compensation Limit = 14.3V
bv/Bulk Voltage = 13.9V
b1c/Bulk Time = 1 Hour
Av/Absorption Voltage = 13.8V
A1c/Absorption Time = 2 Hours
Fv/Float Voltage = 13.2V (this essentially turns the reg off)
F1C/Float Time = 12 Hours
AL1/Alt Temp Compensation = 220F
BL1/Batt Temp Threshold = NO BATTERY TEMP COMPENSATION
I also have a dash mounted switch for killing the alt reg when the bank reaches 13.8V / 5A current. We discharge to 80% DOD then recharge...
Please note that an HVC relay for the regulator should cut the B+ / Red wire to the reg NOT the field wire. My dash switch also cuts regulator B+... ""
Ok guys I'm not real smart and even less technical savvy, if you had to spend 3-4k on new batteries why would this be a better way to go? I don't understand the technical jargon so any stupid guy simple language would help
Marc, these are rated at 2000+ cycles. Agm's are typically rated at about 500+- cycles. So they should last 4 times as long. They weigh about 1/2 as much and take up less than 1/2 as much room. You can recharge them as fast as you want with as big a charger as you can get. And to make it even better you can typically get 80% usable capacity, where AGMs only get 50% at most.
So I replaced my 1500 amp hours of lead acids with 1000 amp hours of LiFeO4s and am getting almost twice the usable capacity! Another benefit is they have very little voltage sag under heavy loads. Like running your microwave, watch your battery voltage start dropping on AGMS. On these the voltage will only drop a few tenths of a volt. That's one reason the usable capacity is much more.
Plus I like to play with stuff like this.
Now all this said I wouldn't recommend someone installing these unless they want to do a lot of tweaking and reading.
Is there an app for that? Lolol
Ok so a little more money, 4 times the cycles, and a faster recharge.. For someone like me who very rarely boondocks.. Is it worth it?
Marc,
For me the attraction is not the higher performance. It is the lighter weight and longer life. What if you could reduce your coach weight by 1000 lbs? It might be worth it. In better coach performance and better economy. Finally, the projected life of these things is (from what I hear) is significantly longer.
There are some downsides regarding complexity as Forest is showing us...but the prospect is really interesting.
Thanks again Forest for sharing!
Remember that I'm trying to use an older Freedom 25 inverter for my charging and it doesn't allow much changes to the charge profile. With a newer inverter it would probably be much simpler. I'm trying to decide which way to go: either a new inverter or a separate charger. Either way offers different advantages. A separate charger could be set up to shut off after charge without floating (which is not recommended for these) but not sure how to automate the turn on since voltage changes so little during usage. The inverter would float so I'd have to decide at what voltage floating wouldn't cause problems.
Now Marc if you want a drop in replacement Lithionics makes one. But they are about $5000 for each 450 amp hour battery. According to my conversations with them they think 1 battery would be equivalent to 6 8D agms. I think you should try that with your new coach
Think of the weight and space you'd save!
Well I appreciate that now I just need a new coach
.
Jimmy I was looking for a domestic supplier for convenience and in case of warranty issues.
For simplicity I was looking for a 4 cell system, less balancing issues, less wiring, easier to assemble.
I also wanted a battery size that would fit with as little wasted space as possible, not really necessary but gives me more recovered storage space and looks neater.
And price was important since I wanted to spend no more than a comparable AGM system would cost.
Some of the other cells size factor would have been more complicated to install. For proper balancing the inter-connecting cables should all be the same length.
If I decide to change out the inverter it will be one of these: Victron or Magnum.