Saturday, January 31, 2015

[Electric Boats] Results of EBoat from outboard change at years end

 

Just for comparisons, a years conversation .  My system is 48 volt, and Golden Motor HPM 48-5000, I have two of these power systems, one in use now.  Same motor as the Venice gondolas on the site.   I order direct from Johnson Liu, and he has delivered better service and assistance than was expected.  I have full confidence that if a problem arises, I am convinced that he can help faster and better than could be expected.  I would recommend using his name to get first class warranty service as well.
 
The newer Interstate battery pack -- Lead acid batts., four marine deep cycles, Interstate srm-27 and not sealed, plus just good double caps and in outside seat boxes.  Charger is a 48 volt full auto 15 amp. -- and separate trickle battery saver for winter storage.  That is what is in place now for my ( guess ) 2000 lb cabin (loaded) semi-vee,  "High Voltage", as of last summer.   Battery pack is centered in boat under the seat boxes.  Total weight LOSS over the original installed 50 hp outboard is estimated at 200 lbs, with old power head and full gas tanks weight gone away.  Way more fun boat to drive, stripped out the shifter wiring,  no water pump, gears in forward gear, and moved weights to balance out.  Same 12 X 8 prop, with added cup and re-pitched to match hull speed needs.
 
Original batts were recycled from 3 – # 27s, and one #24 from what boats I could use to destruct test with.  About 2 and a bit hours with careful use around hull speed, applied good power to check the system.  Four coots plus me (800 lb. easy) on board ok for hour or so, but drop after that.  Last trip 2 hrs. max. JUST got back to dock with the #24 (as expected) first smaller one "Smokin", three getting warm from misuse, four breaker resets to get back to dock, ask John Kohnen about that one.   The corker was that when I replaced all four, my battery supply place –- Interstate local dealer – said the other three were still checking out good, that was a surprise.  These were ALL from their "recycled and tested OK, six month warranty" USED BATTERY BIN.  Take outs from emergency vehicles, at mandatory one year service, previous was fire or ambulance use, possibly hospital managed stand by service.  
 
Replacing them was a less than $400, total cost, and all old ones DID NOT test as needs replacing, but I considered that some might have unseen damage on the water, and balance out better if replaced.   Looks like I can expect some good years, 3 years minimum.  Why, – the trade in three (those were also recycles) had been running my other Minn Kotas for at least two to three years, and/or starting and back up battery as set up couple years, on the same power boat.  Another one yet is still the secondary battery in my truck, used for the camper power from the same year, checks out fine still.  Sorry, but I guess I just don't buy the math for a pack that can cost more that I would now consider reasonable for over four years of use, and still need to be watched and cared for.   Common sense of battery draw is available from every dealer, try to stay there, & watch the weather and current too.  I never remove the pack, don't ever turn it sideways HA! - intentionally, just trickle charge, and keep the boat dry is all it gets.  First trickle charger was under $10.00 from Harbor Freight, and one two battery pack still uses that same one -- after two years tarp covered in the back yard.   Pack those puppies inside, never happen here, just check monthly for water, could buy a heated anti freeze water line for $20. like in my home pump house for inside the battery box, trickle charge works here, eh – 6 yrs. so far.
 
I dropped my idea of the more expensive ones even briefly (as a factory rep), because they are more than I can see as a fair price for service.   I found affordable and suitable good Interstate deep cycle batteries are available without any hassle, except to call and reserve four from a group that check as a good draw and close match, and warrantied, at their shop.  The one thing is to use super spec. size wiring, as I it relieves heat and helps battery life.  For me it is getting it done, at a decent price, and I get a good week end of water time without hassles, free recharge at most docks (long and BIG 100 ft  primary size cord)  without too much battery cost or cash out at any one time.  Sure would hate to fry a real battery pack that cost as much as my whole conversion, by weather, instrument, or human error – that would hurt big time $$.   Later I plan on a small genset for real freedom, another $600. for what matches well, weighs less than a second pack, among other camp uses.
 
When I retired, and just in time for health issues as it turned out.  The last cost in my book, including motor, the earlier control box, motor shell set up and newly repainted, a bolt on outboard conversion like mine installed was ball parked $2,250.  from my stripped power head for easier shop dis assembly.   Some power variables could make it cheaper, depends on what you need.  I'm doing another one myself, but not the same project.  The above are my observations, and I hope maybe show better numbers for some to make it more affordable.  Under $5 K for the whole project, including the pack, wiring, donor motor, controls, etc. seems a lot more reasonable, to never buy boat gas again, or care about altitude, or gassie problems.   This from the guy who now owns three small electric boats, cruiser, sail auxiliary, and inflatable with two types of Minn Kota --  Thanks for reading this, kinda long but I hope it is a bit more detail than previously said.   Retired jewelers are not engineers, so I rely on  ----- " fogger it out, get 'er done, see what happens" eh ??
 
best of luck,  Cal
 
 
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2015 6:06 AM
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Charging batteries in series?
 
 

Lithiums cost about the same as agm/lead acid for the usable power.
About three times nominal cost for three times usable power / setup.

On 31/01/2015 14:50, Jason Taylor jt.yahoo@jtaylor.ca [electricboats] wrote:
> My pack is 4 banks of 4 cells, each weighing 30lbs. Installed behind
> the engine, it's a simple affair to pick them up with one hand and
> remove them for the winter. They are currently sitting their shipping
> crate in my basement, waiting for our < -20C winter temps to go away.
>
> Lithiums are the way to go.
>
> Cheers,
>
> /Jason

--
-hanermo (cnc designs)

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Posted by: "cal" <h20dragon@centurytel.net>
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Re: [Electric Boats] 2015... where to buy batteries?

 

Correction:
NSB100, 100aH at a 2 hour rate. 

Arby

On Jan 31, 2015, at 3:31 PM, "Arby Bernt arbybernt@yahoo.com [electricboats]" <electricboats@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

You might ask around to find a cell phone tower service tech with a stack of used batteries. They get swapped out every two years, with many batteries only slightly diminished. I bought 30pcs of Northstar FSB100's at a fraction of new cost, as they were past their "use by" date. 

Be Well,
Arby

On Jan 30, 2015, at 6:31 PM, "Owner hallospaceboy93@yahoo.com [electricboats]" <electricboats@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 



I am having my new electric motor installed and need to buy batteries.
The thought is 4 of 12v 8d batteries by Lifeline or Odyssey(unless one
of you have a magic lithium fairy I should talk to who wont claim my
right arm.) :) I'm running dry on my funds for this re-fit soon and
hoping someone knows a place I can order batteries from that is solid:
great track record and good price. I'm also open to other brands and
types I may not know of, thanks!!

__._,_.___

Posted by: Arby Bernt <arbybernt@yahoo.com>
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Re: [Electric Boats] 2015... where to buy batteries?

 

You might ask around to find a cell phone tower service tech with a stack of used batteries. They get swapped out every two years, with many batteries only slightly diminished. I bought 30pcs of Northstar FSB100's at a fraction of new cost, as they were past their "use by" date. 

Be Well,
Arby

On Jan 30, 2015, at 6:31 PM, "Owner hallospaceboy93@yahoo.com [electricboats]" <electricboats@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 



I am having my new electric motor installed and need to buy batteries.
The thought is 4 of 12v 8d batteries by Lifeline or Odyssey(unless one
of you have a magic lithium fairy I should talk to who wont claim my
right arm.) :) I'm running dry on my funds for this re-fit soon and
hoping someone knows a place I can order batteries from that is solid:
great track record and good price. I'm also open to other brands and
types I may not know of, thanks!!

__._,_.___

Posted by: Arby Bernt <arbybernt@yahoo.com>
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Re: [Electric Boats] Different size battery wiring

 

I suppose if each pack has a BMS, it has some means of opening a relay. This could be used to work a contactor Ye would take that pack out of the parallel string. 

So for three packs, you would have three contactors. 
Each contactor would be controlled by the BMS low voltage alarm pins. 

Same thing for the high voltage alarms and charging. 

/Jason



On Jan 31, 2015, at 10:15, luke.wolbrink@gmail.com [electricboats] <electricboats@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

I could use a bit of adult supervision on my wiring. 


I have 4 lifepo4 battery packs all 48v but at different capacities to makeup a 102AH bank. Each pack has it's own BMS and charger. I am concerned that in the event a larger pack is drained before a larger one that it will end up charging from the larger. I've posted my wiring diagram for just two batteries in parallel. The others would be similarly attached. Also, can I run just one charger instead of 4 individual ones? I would appreciate input on how to improve if something is wrong.


thanks in advance

~luke

Tartan 27 #478 On The Brink

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Posted by: Jason Taylor <jt.yahoo@jtaylor.ca>
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[Electric Boats] Shopping For new battery bank help requested!!

 


Wow, I learned a lot from your timely post Jason! Wasn't aware of issues with lithium across borders (though not surprised.)  I need to get a whole new 48v bank for my new electric motor going in and I've been only looking at AGM: Lifeline 8d [GPL-8DL (255 Ah)] and Odyssey PC1800 in my narrowed search. 

I'm surprised how hard it has been to even web search places to find info and prices on lithium/Lifepo4. I looked up that company and they also had a link over to a FL based one (where my boat is far closer to).  A copy/paste of "SP-LFP100AHA" brought up shopping sites! There, I found 12v versions and some are actually CHEAPER than the AGMs I've seen! I'm soooo new at this and would love the reduced weight load of Lithium if the AGM price difference is minimal.

Any suggested shopping sites for obtaining my batteries? Either local to Fl or shipping to? Thanks to all of you who've gone EV before me!
-w


On 01/31/2015 08:50 AM, Jason Taylor jt.yahoo@jtaylor.ca [electricboats] wrote:
 
It's 16x SP-LFP100AHA cells with the miniBMS and EV Display SOC meter from CleanPowerAuto. 
Everything was purchased from Canadian Electric Vehicles in BC. 
Including taxes and shipping to Quebec, it came in at about $3000 Canadian. 

The cells themselves were $135cdn each. 

I wanted to deal with a Canadian company for the cells, so that I could avoid any hassles with importing an shipping lithiums across borders. I think I did well to go that route. Shipping was under $200 (Victoria,BC to Montreal,QC!) with pick-up at the trucking depot. Randy at CanEV was great to deal with. I recommend him wholeheartedly. 

More than lead acid? Yup. 
More than quality AGMs? Not by much. 
My pack is 4 banks of 4 cells, each weighing 30lbs. Installed behind the engine, it's a simple affair to pick them up with one hand and remove them for the winter. They are currently sitting their shipping crate in my basement, waiting for our < -20C winter temps to go away. 

Lithiums are the way to go. 

Cheers,

/Jason

On Jan 29, 2015, at 09:39, 'Richard Sanders' rsandersemail@gmail.com [electricboats] <electricboats@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Jason,

If I do the math correctly that would be around 104 Amp hours at 48 volts. If I may ask, how much do you think you have into that pack in cost?

Thanks,

Ric Sanders

 

From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto:electricboats@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2015 8:02 AM
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Charging batteries in series?

 

 

NiFe chemistry is ideal for fixed off-grid situations. In a zombie apocalypse, I would love the ever-loving snot out of a NiFe battery pack. Lye for the electrolyte can be made onsite from filtering water through wood ash. So these cells can be terminal shorted, or charged until they boil dry, then rebuilt and be good to go. But for a sailboat? I'll keep my 125lb 5kwh lithium pack, thanks. It will be good for more cycles than I'll have my boat, even though I hope to keep her a very long time. 

 

In an off-grid house at resale, the state of the battery pack is a big unknown and will therefore impact the price, like a roof at the end of its life... NiFe iron batteries can just be topped up or have the electrolyte replaced and be good to go. So I doubt they would lose their value with time. 

 

/Jason

 


On Jan 29, 2015, at 01:14, 'Myles Twete' matwete@comcast.net [electricboats] <electricboats@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Regarding NiFe batteries, Jeff indicated:

"Wow, this *is* interesting.  I'm looking at the spec sheet for the 300Ah cell at 1.2v.  So for 48v I would need 40 of them, and at 23.1 lbs per cell, that is close to 900lbs of battery :)  Using their pricing page it looks like that pack would cost $11,400.  Has anyone used these for EV applications yet?  I do love the idea that you can abuse the crap out of them.  They claim 11,000 cycles."

 

Jeff- Such a pack would yield just shy of 15kwh and cost almost 1.5x what my 30kwh of ex-THINK EnerDel lithium modules cost (3x kwh/$).  My pack weighs about 650# (3x kwh/#).  If you have $11k for batteries, there are lots of options available to you.

 

As for cycle life, for pleasure boat use, more than a thousand cycles seems like a multi-lifetime concern and value.  I mean, how many of us charge our packs more than 3x per month on average?  I'd guess that with PbA, I was at about 30 charge cycle per year usage.  Now with a larger lithium pack, I probably am looking at 15-20 charge cycles per year.  My pack is likely good to 2000 cycles with still 80% capacity after that---i.e. these lithium batteries' won't be seeing that cycle life for the next 100 years and will more likely die from some other fate before then.

I couldn't place a value on 11,000 cycles for a pleasure boat battery pack unless it were also my commute boat or I otherwise got it out every day of the year for 35 years and had to recharge it daily.

 

-Myles


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Posted by: Owner <hallospaceboy93@yahoo.com>
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[Electric Boats] Different size battery wiring [1 Attachment]

 
[Attachment(s) from luke.wolbrink@gmail.com [electricboats] included below]

I could use a bit of adult supervision on my wiring. 


I have 4 lifepo4 battery packs all 48v but at different capacities to makeup a 102AH bank. Each pack has it's own BMS and charger. I am concerned that in the event a larger pack is drained before a larger one that it will end up charging from the larger. I've posted my wiring diagram for just two batteries in parallel. The others would be similarly attached. Also, can I run just one charger instead of 4 individual ones? I would appreciate input on how to improve if something is wrong.


thanks in advance

~luke

Tartan 27 #478 On The Brink

__._,_.___

Attachment(s) from luke.wolbrink@gmail.com [electricboats] | View attachments on the web

1 of 1 Photo(s)


Posted by: luke.wolbrink@gmail.com
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OTB Wiring.png


.

__,_._,___

Re: [Electric Boats] Charging batteries in series?

 

Lithiums cost about the same as agm/lead acid for the usable power.
About three times nominal cost for three times usable power / setup.

On 31/01/2015 14:50, Jason Taylor jt.yahoo@jtaylor.ca [electricboats] wrote:
> My pack is 4 banks of 4 cells, each weighing 30lbs. Installed behind
> the engine, it's a simple affair to pick them up with one hand and
> remove them for the winter. They are currently sitting their shipping
> crate in my basement, waiting for our < -20C winter temps to go away.
>
> Lithiums are the way to go.
>
> Cheers,
>
> /Jason

--
-hanermo (cnc designs)

__._,_.___

Posted by: Hannu Venermo <gcode.fi@gmail.com>
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Re: [Electric Boats] Charging batteries in series?

 

It's 16x SP-LFP100AHA cells with the miniBMS and EV Display SOC meter from CleanPowerAuto. 
Everything was purchased from Canadian Electric Vehicles in BC. 
Including taxes and shipping to Quebec, it came in at about $3000 Canadian. 

The cells themselves were $135cdn each. 

I wanted to deal with a Canadian company for the cells, so that I could avoid any hassles with importing an shipping lithiums across borders. I think I did well to go that route. Shipping was under $200 (Victoria,BC to Montreal,QC!) with pick-up at the trucking depot. Randy at CanEV was great to deal with. I recommend him wholeheartedly. 

More than lead acid? Yup. 
More than quality AGMs? Not by much. 
My pack is 4 banks of 4 cells, each weighing 30lbs. Installed behind the engine, it's a simple affair to pick them up with one hand and remove them for the winter. They are currently sitting their shipping crate in my basement, waiting for our < -20C winter temps to go away. 

Lithiums are the way to go. 

Cheers,

/Jason

On Jan 29, 2015, at 09:39, 'Richard Sanders' rsandersemail@gmail.com [electricboats] <electricboats@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Jason,

If I do the math correctly that would be around 104 Amp hours at 48 volts. If I may ask, how much do you think you have into that pack in cost?

Thanks,

Ric Sanders

 

From: electricboats@yahoogroups.com [mailto:electricboats@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2015 8:02 AM
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Charging batteries in series?

 

 

NiFe chemistry is ideal for fixed off-grid situations. In a zombie apocalypse, I would love the ever-loving snot out of a NiFe battery pack. Lye for the electrolyte can be made onsite from filtering water through wood ash. So these cells can be terminal shorted, or charged until they boil dry, then rebuilt and be good to go. But for a sailboat? I'll keep my 125lb 5kwh lithium pack, thanks. It will be good for more cycles than I'll have my boat, even though I hope to keep her a very long time. 

 

In an off-grid house at resale, the state of the battery pack is a big unknown and will therefore impact the price, like a roof at the end of its life... NiFe iron batteries can just be topped up or have the electrolyte replaced and be good to go. So I doubt they would lose their value with time. 

 

/Jason

 


On Jan 29, 2015, at 01:14, 'Myles Twete' matwete@comcast.net [electricboats] <electricboats@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Regarding NiFe batteries, Jeff indicated:

"Wow, this *is* interesting.  I'm looking at the spec sheet for the 300Ah cell at 1.2v.  So for 48v I would need 40 of them, and at 23.1 lbs per cell, that is close to 900lbs of battery :)  Using their pricing page it looks like that pack would cost $11,400.  Has anyone used these for EV applications yet?  I do love the idea that you can abuse the crap out of them.  They claim 11,000 cycles."

 

Jeff- Such a pack would yield just shy of 15kwh and cost almost 1.5x what my 30kwh of ex-THINK EnerDel lithium modules cost (3x kwh/$).  My pack weighs about 650# (3x kwh/#).  If you have $11k for batteries, there are lots of options available to you.

 

As for cycle life, for pleasure boat use, more than a thousand cycles seems like a multi-lifetime concern and value.  I mean, how many of us charge our packs more than 3x per month on average?  I'd guess that with PbA, I was at about 30 charge cycle per year usage.  Now with a larger lithium pack, I probably am looking at 15-20 charge cycles per year.  My pack is likely good to 2000 cycles with still 80% capacity after that---i.e. these lithium batteries' won't be seeing that cycle life for the next 100 years and will more likely die from some other fate before then.

I couldn't place a value on 11,000 cycles for a pleasure boat battery pack unless it were also my commute boat or I otherwise got it out every day of the year for 35 years and had to recharge it daily.

 

-Myles

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Posted by: Jason Taylor <jt.yahoo@jtaylor.ca>
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Friday, January 30, 2015

[Electric Boats] 2015... where to buy batteries?

 



I am having my new electric motor installed and need to buy batteries.
The thought is 4 of 12v 8d batteries by Lifeline or Odyssey(unless one
of you have a magic lithium fairy I should talk to who wont claim my
right arm.) :) I'm running dry on my funds for this re-fit soon and
hoping someone knows a place I can order batteries from that is solid:
great track record and good price. I'm also open to other brands and
types I may not know of, thanks!!

__._,_.___

Posted by: Owner <hallospaceboy93@yahoo.com>
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.

__,_._,___

Re: [Electric Boats] Charging batteries in series?

 

Sure Kevin...and tens of thousands of miles and thousands of issue less charge cycles with a modern EV using lithium and it's BMS speaks volumes for reliability of that option.  Most EV drivers today are neither tinkered nor early adopters.


Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: "Kevin Pemberton pembertonkevin@gmail.com [electricboats]"
Date:01/30/2015 11:34 AM (GMT-08:00)
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Electric Boats] Charging batteries in series?

 

Myles,

The point I was making was the BMS system you need that is not needed with
NiFe. One system failure can cost you big time with LiPo. If we are going to
go trouble free in a harsh enviroment there is no better than NiFe chemistry.

The thread is more about saving your batteries the way I see it. If that is
the case and you are going to spend on batteries one should at least look into
NiFe and remember high tech fails more often than we want to admit.

Kevin Pemberton

On Wednesday, January 28, 2015 10:14:45 PM you wrote:
> Regarding NiFe batteries, Jeff indicated:
>
>
> "Wow, this *is* interesting. I'm looking at the spec sheet for the 300Ah
> cell at 1.2v. So for 48v I would need 40 of them, and at 23.1 lbs per cell,
> that is close to 900lbs of battery :) Using their pricing page it looks
> like that pack would cost $11,400. Has anyone used these for EV
> applications yet? I do love the idea that you can abuse the crap out of
> them. They claim 11,000 cycles."
>
>
>
>
>
> Jeff- Such a pack would yield just shy of 15kwh and cost almost 1.5x what my
> 30kwh of ex-THINK EnerDel lithium modules cost (3x kwh/$). My pack weighs
> about 650# (3x kwh/#). If you have $11k for batteries, there are lots of
> options available to you.
>
>
>
>
>
> As for cycle life, for pleasure boat use, more than a thousand cycles seems
> like a multi-lifetime concern and value. I mean, how many of us charge our
> packs more than 3x per month on average? I'd guess that with PbA, I was at
> about 30 charge cycle per year usage. Now with a larger lithium pack, I
> probably am looking at 15-20 charge cycles per year. My pack is likely good
> to 2000 cycles with still 80% capacity after that---i.e. these lithium
> batteries' won't be seeing that cycle life for the next 100 years and will
> more likely die from some other fate before then.
>
>
> I couldn't place a value on 11,000 cycles for a pleasure boat battery pack
> unless it were also my commute boat or I otherwise got it out every day of
> the year for 35 years and had to recharge it daily.
>
>
>
>
>
> -Myles

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Posted by: Myles Twete <matwete@comcast.net>
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