Recent comments on posts in the blog:
Do you charge at all from the alternator on the engine? If so do you have a modified alternator and/or regulator?
Thanks, George
LiFePO4 chargers aren't readily available because it's a chicken-and-egg problem: Why build an LFP charger if no one is using LFP cells? And why buy LFP cells if no one makes an LFP charger?
And the reason they're not more popular? They're not popular
I think the RV manufacturers would have to take the first step, but they really want to keep costs down. Very few install even AGMs.
We have almost the same LFP cells! Mine are 260Ah ThunderSkys, manufactured in late 2010, bought used/abused from Balqon in late 2012. I noticed a disappointing 20% capacity loss after my first year, even though they were VERY gently cycled.
Hopefully your new cells will fare much better.
Please make not this statement in the lithium battery brochure.
http://www.balqon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/36_36bms_brochure_balqon.pdf Page 4.
" Operation of batteries in a relatively high SOC (State-of-Charge) percentage (between 100% and 30%), increases battery life and system reliability. This approach has two main advantages. First, the battery cycle and calendar life is significantly extended based on high SOC percentage. This follows from operating the battery away from over-discharge conditions, where side-reactions that change the internal functional structure of the cells are more likely to occur. Second, the battery is operated in a SOC region where it is capable of sustaining higher incoming or outgoing power rates. "