spinningmagnets
Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2017
- Messages
- 123
I'm just starting this thread to park info I find for this project. I am open to suggestion for better options, but...
I have a 14V / 100w solar panel kit from harbor freight Tool / HFT. A couple years ago when I bought this, my plan was to buy a deep-cycle lead-acid 12V battery from Walmart. Never got around to it, and in the meantime I have spent a LOT of time researching 18650 lithium cells. I recently wondered what the best components would be for a power-suitcase that could keep my cell-phones, laptop,18650-flashlights, and TV running in a temporary power outage (no refrigerator, no A/C). I hope to share the info I find, and in exchange I hope to get free advice about the best components.
My work is nearby and has a large V12 diesel generator, so I want a charge ability for 110V AC input. I have a 14V solar panel which includes a simple and crude 12V charger.
HFT now has Apache brand plastic cases, (Pelican clones), and the 2800 model is $30, and looks to be useful (interior face is 12 X 9 inches, when opened like a laptop, five inches thick).
The optimal full charge for 4S LiFePO4 is 3.65V per cell (14.6V for 4S), but they can take up to 4.2V without damage (do not store long-term at 4.2V, for 4S this would be 16.8V). This means that a common and cheap lead-acid 12V charger will only provide a 70% charge at 13.8V, however...this also means that a common car alternator can provide a 70% charge (with no damage) in an emergency.
There is no useful range below 2.8V per cell, but...LiFePO4 can be taken down to 2.0Vwithout damage, and...this wide range of SOC is atthe heart of the perceived safety of the LiFePO4 chemistry. By that I mean...your charger and LVC can go off by 10%, and the battery will still not be damaged, or go into a thermal runaway...
What is a reliable and compact 110V AC pure sinewave inverter that would be appropriate for...a little less than 1000W using a 12V battery?
What is a reliable and compact LiFePO4 charger for 4S / 14.6V...110V AC input?
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edit: Harbor Freight "Apache" case interior dimensions, in inches
1800__8.2 x 5.7 x 3.0 (additional 0.5 of height is available inside lid)
2800__12.0 x 9.0 x 4.5 (additional 1.0 inside lid)
3800__14.5 x 10.3 x 4.5 (additional 1.5 inside lid)
In Le Metric
1800__208 x 145 x 76 (plus 13mm inside lid)
2800__305 x 228 x 114 (plus 25mm inside lid)
3800__370 x 262 x 115 (plus 40mm inside lid)
I have a 14V / 100w solar panel kit from harbor freight Tool / HFT. A couple years ago when I bought this, my plan was to buy a deep-cycle lead-acid 12V battery from Walmart. Never got around to it, and in the meantime I have spent a LOT of time researching 18650 lithium cells. I recently wondered what the best components would be for a power-suitcase that could keep my cell-phones, laptop,18650-flashlights, and TV running in a temporary power outage (no refrigerator, no A/C). I hope to share the info I find, and in exchange I hope to get free advice about the best components.
My work is nearby and has a large V12 diesel generator, so I want a charge ability for 110V AC input. I have a 14V solar panel which includes a simple and crude 12V charger.
HFT now has Apache brand plastic cases, (Pelican clones), and the 2800 model is $30, and looks to be useful (interior face is 12 X 9 inches, when opened like a laptop, five inches thick).
The optimal full charge for 4S LiFePO4 is 3.65V per cell (14.6V for 4S), but they can take up to 4.2V without damage (do not store long-term at 4.2V, for 4S this would be 16.8V). This means that a common and cheap lead-acid 12V charger will only provide a 70% charge at 13.8V, however...this also means that a common car alternator can provide a 70% charge (with no damage) in an emergency.
There is no useful range below 2.8V per cell, but...LiFePO4 can be taken down to 2.0Vwithout damage, and...this wide range of SOC is atthe heart of the perceived safety of the LiFePO4 chemistry. By that I mean...your charger and LVC can go off by 10%, and the battery will still not be damaged, or go into a thermal runaway...
What is a reliable and compact 110V AC pure sinewave inverter that would be appropriate for...a little less than 1000W using a 12V battery?
What is a reliable and compact LiFePO4 charger for 4S / 14.6V...110V AC input?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
edit: Harbor Freight "Apache" case interior dimensions, in inches
1800__8.2 x 5.7 x 3.0 (additional 0.5 of height is available inside lid)
2800__12.0 x 9.0 x 4.5 (additional 1.0 inside lid)
3800__14.5 x 10.3 x 4.5 (additional 1.5 inside lid)
In Le Metric
1800__208 x 145 x 76 (plus 13mm inside lid)
2800__305 x 228 x 114 (plus 25mm inside lid)
3800__370 x 262 x 115 (plus 40mm inside lid)