On Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 8:38:46 AM UTC-8, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
Any idea if I had a solar panel for charging would I need some sort of controller to charge these LifePO4 batteries?

If your old "Sealed Lead Acid" (SLA) needs replacing, here is an opportunity to get a 12 Volt 9 Amp hour LiFePO4 battery. I have been using these for several years and would never go back to SLA's.

Lots of RAS threads on LiFePO4 if you need more convincing.

These are a direct drop in replacement to your old 12V 7A battery but weigh only 2.6 pounds. Here's the link.

http://bioennodepot.com/bioenno-powe...lf-1209ws.html

Craggy Aero also offers the same discount.

http://www.craggyaero.com/lifepo_battery.htm

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

Jonathan,

Yes it is absolutely necessary to have a controller specific to the LiFePO4 batteries. If you charge at the higher voltage that solar panel outputs you will fry the battery.

Richard
www.craggyaero.com