Jewel wrote:

---

Hi all, at the risk of starting a Holden vs Ford debate I am looking for advice about Lithium Ion batteries.

In particular the Goal Zero lithium portable power stations that are just being made available in Aus.

Let me explain my situation...

I am converting my new Hyundai IMAX van into a "Mobile home" of sorts. 

I am NOT electrically minded and am looking for an idiot proof system to power a fridge etc.

I currently have a 100w flexible, folding suit case type of solar panel and will be adding extra panels to the roof of the van once my Pop top is fitted.

Does anyone know much about the Goal Zero products? Of have any other advice for me?

Cheers,

Jewel

 

---

 The link didn't work, but Google found this https://www.goalzero.com.au/shop/rechargers/yeti-400-solar-generator-230v/ and $699 for claimed 33Ah battery makes it  $21.20Ah @ 12v ..... but even the 33Ah is questionable as the specs show 396w yet no mention of the lithium chemistry used (all lithium batteries are classed as lithium ion, that is the ION exchange that all chemistry lithium batteries use to function). LFP/LYP, the safest of a lithium chemistries have a nom. 3.2v per cell so the capacity is 3.2v x the number of cells x the capacity of each cell, or by dividing the watts (396w) by 4 and dividing that by 3.2v the capacity comes out as 30Ah. Now, if they are using LiPo or lithium polymer cells, these are the fireball cell the model plane people talk about and are 3.7v nom. so 396w divided by 4 divided by 3.7v = 26.75Ah.

The next eye opener is the 13 hrs to recharge via the vehicle, lithium is well known for its fast recharging ability so.......????

What is missing from the spec sheet but is the all important part, what chemistry lithium batteries are they

 The next worry is this in the Yeti 1400 listing

High-Quality, Replaceable Lithium Pack  Lightweight lithium batteries yield long runtimes and extended 18-month shelf-life. High quality cells feature additional monitoring electronics for superior management and ultimate safety. The lithium pack is also easily replaceable and is easily swapped out at the end of the product lifecycle.

So the 18mth shelf life suggests LiPo cells, you don't want to be putting them inside any where you plan to live or sleep.

The other bits you get are an unknown, but it they tell porkies in their spec sheet you have to wonder don't you, is the inverter modified sine wave or pure sine wave? What is the inverter capacity? .... the list of questions go on and on.....

T1 Terry

Peter, thanks for your reply.

My current dilemma is that I need to be able to power a small fridge and a fan when I drive up from Melbourne to Brisbane to get the pop top fitted.

Because I dont know what Im doing Im scared of waking up one morning and having a flat battery.

My current thinking was to buy a battery system that will do for now and also for when I get a proper solar system up and running.

Rob, thanks for the tip. Ill be sure to check with the roof supplier.

Cheers,

Jewel 

Jewel wrote:

---

Peter, thanks for your reply.

My current dilemma is that I need to be able to power a small fridge and a fan when I drive up from Melbourne to Brisbane to get the pop top fitted.

Because I dont know what Im doing Im scared of waking up one morning and having a flat battery.

My current thinking was to buy a battery system that will do for now and also for when I get a proper solar system up and running.

Rob, thanks for the tip. Ill be sure to check with the roof supplier.

Cheers, Jewel 

---

 Hi Jewel

My thoughts !

If you want to get a system running in the future and not double up on the purchases, then I do not think a combo unit like that is good. It has various good features that are useful, but the basic battery capacity to support all those things is a too small and the price is a bit large. Only  10.8V, 39.6Ah @ $699.

I am still of the opinion that an AGM will give you what you want for a reasonable cost, at half that price and 2.5x the Ahrs (some unusable).  But you will need some other stuff too depending on what you want to do.  Basically though you need to plan a bit on the use first then see how to achieve it.

What is the small fridge and fan and what is their current draw ? While driving all that way the car will provide power to them probably and if you switch the fridge off when stopped it will hold its cold if it has some bottles of water in there. Stop in a c/park or ? and plug into power. I carry a jump starter always but have never used it on my vehicle, but helped plenty of others  I guess the new style small ones would be my choice today. 

Jaahn

PS your car alternator can be the best charger you have for the auxilary battery if correctly setup. If you drive a lot then it can fully support you.

-- Edited by Jaahn on Wednesday 13th of December 2017 11:59:57 AM

Thanks again for all your replies.

At this stage I have decided NOT to buy the GoalZero unit.

daffyfrancis... The LI jump starter kit sounds good. Thanks for the suggestion, Ill have to have a look into it. Any ideas on a particular brand? 

Jaahn... Lots of good advice there, thanks. The fridge will be a Waeco 28ltr. My thinking about not buying an AGM battery mostly has to do with the weight. The weight and size vs limited capacity of my van, but more to the point my own limited capacity to handle heavy weights.

Aus-Kiwi... Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. I was looking at a Jcar catalogue and they had cables and joining things. Maybe I could manage to alter cables, not sure.

All in all I want to say I appreciate all and any replies and am always pleased to see that people have taken the time to give advice.

Cheers,

Jewel