LIFEPO4 Battery Setup
#1
LIFEPO4 Battery Setup
I have a few questions if someone can help me understand.
First, is it normal that in the picture with the yellow tester, OPEN GROUND is lit instead of CORRECT? Keep in mind it is a LIFEPO4 battery connected to an inverter. I guess this would make sense because there is no ground wire in the battery. Still, just want to run this by the experts.
Second, If I buy a few more of these LIFEPO4 batteries and Parallel connect them to the inverter, what is the best connectors to do this as well as FAST and SECURE? Right now, I am using SPADEs for the battery terminals and I am using RINGs for the inverter terminals. I prefer not to use Alligator clips. I really don't like the RINGs either. Anything else I can use for FAST and SECURE connections?
Third, any thoughts on how I have used the 5.5mm connectors? Should I avoid using them and maybe stick something like EC5?
Fourth, the wires/cables are 18 AWG.
A few reasons for the sudden interest in this setup:
Last time when I traveled for vacation, TSA was not going to let me proceed forward with my car battery jumper since it is more than 100Wh. My alternative is to buy a LIFEPO4 6-8 Ah.
**I want to run my hedge trimmer but it has been a hassle to run the extension cords. So setting this up with an inverter has helped me make my current electric hedger into a portable one. LOL, "the poor man portable".
**I want a backup battery system for my cameras, routers and a bunch of other stuffs in the case if the power goes out at my house.
NOTE:
**This maybe ignored since the LIFEPO4 Power Station that I bought on Black Friday may have resolved this interest.
First, is it normal that in the picture with the yellow tester, OPEN GROUND is lit instead of CORRECT? Keep in mind it is a LIFEPO4 battery connected to an inverter. I guess this would make sense because there is no ground wire in the battery. Still, just want to run this by the experts.
Second, If I buy a few more of these LIFEPO4 batteries and Parallel connect them to the inverter, what is the best connectors to do this as well as FAST and SECURE? Right now, I am using SPADEs for the battery terminals and I am using RINGs for the inverter terminals. I prefer not to use Alligator clips. I really don't like the RINGs either. Anything else I can use for FAST and SECURE connections?
Third, any thoughts on how I have used the 5.5mm connectors? Should I avoid using them and maybe stick something like EC5?
Fourth, the wires/cables are 18 AWG.
A few reasons for the sudden interest in this setup:
Last time when I traveled for vacation, TSA was not going to let me proceed forward with my car battery jumper since it is more than 100Wh. My alternative is to buy a LIFEPO4 6-8 Ah.
**I want to run my hedge trimmer but it has been a hassle to run the extension cords. So setting this up with an inverter has helped me make my current electric hedger into a portable one. LOL, "the poor man portable".
**I want a backup battery system for my cameras, routers and a bunch of other stuffs in the case if the power goes out at my house.
NOTE:
**This maybe ignored since the LIFEPO4 Power Station that I bought on Black Friday may have resolved this interest.
Last edited by PJmax; 12-02-22 at 03:58 PM. Reason: labeled first pic
#2
Member
is it normal that in the picture with the yellow tester, OPEN GROUND is lit
The tester is right, there is no ground. Unless there is a place on the inverter to connect a ground, you're not going to get a ground.
WRDIY
voted this post useful.
#3
Member
The yellow tester No Ground indication means the inverter outlet it is plugged into does not have ground and neutral terminations connected as you would see in a household outlet wired to NEC standards where the ground termination is physically tied to earth ground. You should follow any grounding instructions that came with the inverter.
WRDIY
voted this post useful.
#4
Thanks ThisOldMan and Beelzebob for the explanation about the ground.
Anyway, I found these for the quick connector solution. I think this is what I am looking for so that I can add more batteries as needed, at most probably 2-3 more. It also allows me to go higher than 18 AWG since I think the 5.5mm connectors only go up to 18 AWG and cannot handle 12-16 AWG. I think these are called lever wire connectors. Feel free to share your opinions and thoughts on these as an alternative solution for quick connecting.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09G34TMBR
Anyway, I found these for the quick connector solution. I think this is what I am looking for so that I can add more batteries as needed, at most probably 2-3 more. It also allows me to go higher than 18 AWG since I think the 5.5mm connectors only go up to 18 AWG and cannot handle 12-16 AWG. I think these are called lever wire connectors. Feel free to share your opinions and thoughts on these as an alternative solution for quick connecting.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09G34TMBR
Last edited by WRDIY; 12-02-22 at 01:14 PM.
#5
There is no ground with an inverter.
Those batteries will need to be checked in your luggage.
Large Li Ion batteries are under scrutiny.... especially on airlines where their reputation is less than stellar.
Why are using coaxial power connectors between the battery and the inverter ?
Is that for charging ?
Those do not carry heavy current and are high loss connectors.
Those batteries will need to be checked in your luggage.
Large Li Ion batteries are under scrutiny.... especially on airlines where their reputation is less than stellar.
Why are using coaxial power connectors between the battery and the inverter ?
Is that for charging ?
Those do not carry heavy current and are high loss connectors.
#6
Pete, lithium batteries cannot be in checked luggage. They can only be in carry-on luggage.
As for the question about coaxial power connectors, it is also the reason why i started this thread because not sure if that is the best way of connecting the battery, including and seeking for a quick connector. You just confirmed it that it is not a good carry of heavy current.
Therefore, I will switch over using these connectors and 16 AWG.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09G34TMBR
As for the question about coaxial power connectors, it is also the reason why i started this thread because not sure if that is the best way of connecting the battery, including and seeking for a quick connector. You just confirmed it that it is not a good carry of heavy current.
Therefore, I will switch over using these connectors and 16 AWG.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09G34TMBR
#7
Actually, you are right, lithium battery can be in checked luggage but needs special instructions.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-...or-less-device
But then I found this: Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage.
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/lithium-batteries-baggage
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-...or-less-device
But then I found this: Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage.
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/lithium-batteries-baggage
#8
I've been hearing conflicting reports on airlines and lithium batteries.
Internal batteries are one thing.
External, large, bulk are different.
Internal batteries are one thing.
External, large, bulk are different.