[NoobWithARanger]

Hi, I am a serious noob. A noob that likes to read, is learning fast, but is still in the weeds on the differences between batteries. I have read all of the threads on this forum about converting to LI. It seems like most things in the recreational vehicle world, it borders on being prohibitively expensive. Lead acid batteries are only getting 2 miles on a full charge. I got a great deal on the EV knowing that the batteries were just about toasted. It seems like the flagship upgrade is between 5000-7000 bucks. There has got to be another way!

I have access to a good friend who works on all kinds of golf carts, electric bikes, mopeds. This person is also a top level coder, so he can help me program the controller, computer, what have you.

I don't need a ton of amp hours, anywhere from 150-200 ah would be fine. I am assuming I can do 8 12v batteries, 4 24v batteries, or 2 48v batteries?

Are these batteries crappy?

360 Wh 12V 30Ah 12Volt Battery Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 Battery Deep Cycle 699932524021 | eBay

Battery Capacity：30AH. Why Choose LiFePO4 Battery. Actual life expectancy is dependent on several variables based on your specific application. Q:What is the expected life of a LiFePO4 battery?. Fish Flasher.

www.ebay.com

LFP27-2455 Lithium 24V 55AH Deep Cycle Battery for Trolling Motors Backup System | eBay

LFP27 -2455. VMAXTANKS LFP27-2455 24V 55AH. Weighing only 25 LBS, the lightweight LFP27-2455 24 Volt 55Ah Lithium battery is compatible with 24 Volt trolling motors. VMAX 24V 55AH HIGH PERFORMANCE DEEP CYCLE LIFEPO4 BATTERY.

www.ebay.com

LIFEPO4 24V 25AH LITHIUM PHOSPHATE LFP DEEP CYCLE BATTERY (Lead AGM Replacement) | eBay

FuelZero 24V 25AH (Amp-Hour) DEEP CYCLE. LIFEPO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) BATTERY. These batteries are made SPECIFICALLY for FuelZero by one of the leading LIFEPO4 Battery manufacturers in China. Benefits of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LIFEPO4) over Lead Acid Batteries.

www.ebay.com

48V Lithium LiFePO4 Ebike Battery 10Ah 20Ah 25Ah 30Ah 50Ah Electric Bike Battery | eBay

48V 25Ah 40V 51.2V 58.4V 50A/100A 275x180x135mm/10.8x7.1x5.3in 12.76kg 5A. 48V 20Ah 40V 51.2V 58.4V 50A/100A 255x160x120mm/10x6.3x4.7in 8.16kg 5A. 48V 50Ah 40V 51.2V 58.4V 50A/100A 270x200x165mm/10.6x7.9x6.5in 16.26kg 5A.

www.ebay.com

Refurb Nissan Leaf batteries seem Pro/con?

Same question for other refurb EV car batteries.

If anyone can help me with the answers to any of this, I would be forever grateful!

Thanks,

Noob

 

[boilermkr]

Yep pretty much. You get what u pay for, sometimes less.

 

[NoobWithARanger]

Yep pretty much. You get what u pay for, sometimes less.

Thanks for the reply! I definitely understand getting what you pay for. My uses for the Ranger are probably different than most. I live in a small town suburb so this is like my golf cart for 4 mile radius. Also, I sell land and large acreage residential real estate. I use it to survey/show properties. Is there any benefit(besides the money and weight savings) or disadvantage in getting two good 48v 200AH batteries in parallel versus the standard 8 12v 30Ah batteries?

 

[NoobWithARanger]

Update:
I was only getting 2 miles before charge indicator was blinking. I tested w multimeter and still had 90 percent juice. I drove for 3 miles after until it got sluggish. So battery indicator is way off. Tested after that, still had 70 percent charge? I dont understand lol

 

[boilermkr]

Reset the meter or replace the meter. Charge fully, unplug charger and let batteries rest, with key on disconnect the meter at the white disconnect for 20 seconds and reconnect. If VoltronixUSA to expensive consider AGM batteries. No watering and no corrosion. I have installed 4 sets of Full River 12v 150ah batteries and owners really like them even say they get more range definitely little longer life.

 

[Grumpyb]

The point of the original lead acid, and any lead version is having enough Ah capacity to deliver current . They cannot discharge at the same rate as a Li battery. And they can only really deliver less than half or the stored power as the voltage drop at about 11v is in effect the lowest point to discharge (yes thats a variable value between makes and 1v is just an incdication) and at that point the pack still has around half its Ah left. You just cant access it.WIth Li the discharge curve is considerably flatter and you can access well over 75% of the stored power. A good Li battery can also discharge at higher rates, so you dont need to have a huge Ah just to deliver the rquired power under load. But be careful. Many cheap Li especially cheap Lifepo4 are really bouncy, ie they sag a lot under load and really cant deliver the expected current. Buy cheap cells and you cant expect good performance. You really also need to re programme the Sevcon top reflect the new battery voltages, ie whereas the sevcon is set for close down at around 30v on lead, you shouldnt look to take Lifepo4 down below 2.7v/ cell or on a 16cell series pack 43v. And preferably start that cut back at a higher voltage.Protect your investment, no need to push the pack further that is needs to go and you will have it for longer. Leave the Sevcon as it is, thrash it, empty it out and your investment wont last long.The BMS may shut the pack down, but thats a final stage. You shouldnt look to force the BMS in the battery pack to turn off the battery. Actually doing that will also probably end in tears, as most of the contactors used are not designed to be made and broken under load. But to turn on and off at rest.

 

[NoobWithARanger]

Thank you both, I have read many of your posts and appreciate your expertise. I really want the lithium batteries and now I'm thinking it may be worth the money. Voltronix web site seems like it might have been abandoned. Dead links, and when I call the number, I get some guy's cell phone and different company name.
Serious questions on lithium batteries:
1. If I keep it at 48v, and between 200-240 AH, do I still need to reprogram the Sevcon?
2. If I go with 48 volt batteries, do I need 2 of them, ran in parallel? Or would one be ok?
3. I assume these( 360 Wh 12V 30Ah 12Volt Battery Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 Battery Deep Cycle 699932524021 | eBay ) are crap batteries, but 8(12v 30AH) of them deliver equivalent 48v 240AH power specifications, so are they essentially compatible with sevcon also?

 

[Xfaxman]

On my computer the Voltronics website is active under the new ownership, Advanced Powering Services Inc.

ATV/UTV Conversions for Polaris EVs and More!

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