Test results LiFePO4 glider batteries after 6 years

I guess this is the weekend to test batteries.

I have four seasons on my Bioenno 12AH LFP battery. It's down to 11.48 AH now, down from 12.05 last year and 12.1 when new. All measurements from an el cheapo imax B6 battery charger. For testing purposes I discharge to 11 volts. There is very little capacity remaining at that point.

With few exceptions, this battery has been stored with full charge.

best,
Evan Ludeman / T8

T8, you're the reason I went with the Bioenno batteries. After reading the docs you posted, it seemed like the best value for money. Glad to hear that they're holding up for you. Do you know roughly how many charge cycles you have on them?

-John, Q3

On Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 4:50:54 PM UTC-5, John Carlyle wrote:
T8, you're the reason I went with the Bioenno batteries. After reading the docs you posted, it seemed like the best value for money. Glad to hear that they're holding up for you. Do you know roughly how many charge cycles you have on them?

-John, Q3

Call it 150 cycles to 1/2 charge on average.

T8

Thanks, T8. I've got about the same usage to the same level. Guess I should check my remaining capacity, too.

-John, Q3

On Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 5:06:00 PM UTC-5, Tango Eight wrote:
Call it 150 cycles to 1/2 charge on average.

T8

On Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 4:42:57 PM UTC-5, Tango Eight wrote:
I guess this is the weekend to test batteries.

I have four seasons on my Bioenno 12AH LFP battery. It's down to 11.48 AH now, down from 12.05 last year and 12.1 when new. ...


T8-

Your battery seems to be holding up well. I also have a K2 battery that after 2 seasons is showing similar loss of capacity as SF and Steve Koerner describe. Its down to about 60% capacity. I am currently trying the extended charge cycle Steve described. I charge it with a 14.6V 2A switching charger made by Fuyuan - model FY1502000; bought it with the battery. Not sure that the charger would make that much difference if the voltage is adequate, but what type of charger do you routinely use to charge your Bioenno LFP battery? Perhaps the Bioenno has better cell balancing algorithm/hardware? I stored it at approximately half charge in the off season and always took it home for recharging when not flying.
Since I am in the market for a second LFP, trying to decide which brand to go with.

Thanks

On Monday, February 6, 2017 at 5:30:52 PM UTC-8, wrote:
On Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 4:42:57 PM UTC-5, Tango Eight wrote:
I guess this is the weekend to test batteries.

I have four seasons on my Bioenno 12AH LFP battery. It's down to 11.48 AH now, down from 12.05 last year and 12.1 when new. ...


T8-

Your battery seems to be holding up well. I also have a K2 battery that after 2 seasons is showing similar loss of capacity as SF and Steve Koerner describe. Its down to about 60% capacity. I am currently trying the extended charge cycle Steve described. I charge it with a 14.6V 2A switching charger made by Fuyuan - model FY1502000; bought it with the battery. Not sure that the charger would make that much difference if the voltage is adequate, but what type of charger do you routinely use to charge your Bioenno LFP battery? Perhaps the Bioenno has better cell balancing algorithm/hardware? I stored it at approximately half charge in the off season and always took it home for recharging when not flying.
Since I am in the market for a second LFP, trying to decide which brand to go with.

Thanks

I think you guys have a large dose of Hopeful.

All the batteries mentioned in this post including the BMS are made and sealed as a unit in China.

Just because you pay extra does not mean you get a better battery.

I got a batch of one of the above mentioned batteries that advertised 9 aH but only got 5 or 6 aH. They company did replace the low specification batteries when I complained.

The other issue you have is if power is reversed when charging or using the battery you will likely damage the battery or the BMS even if fused.

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

At 01:55 07 February 2017, Richard wrote:

I think you guys have a large dose of Hopeful.

All the batteries mentioned in this post including the BMS are made and
sea=
led as a unit in China. =20

Is that true od A123? The manufacturer claims that the design (and original
build) is American, the chemistry is failsafe, and that the BMS balances
each cell individually without needing to be on a charger.

The downside is that they also claim 5AH. I have been using these with
great results for 2 seasons now.

I also like the internal fuse feature.

Jim

I got the West Mountain Radio tester and ran my three K2 Energy 9.6 AH (two years old) One tested at 8.7 AH, the next at 8.5 AH, and the final one 7.3 AH. They are all charged using a dedicated LIFEPO4 charger. Not sure why the one should have so much less capacity. I will be giving K2 a call.

David
ASG29E BV

On Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 1:35:42 PM UTC-7, wrote:
I got the West Mountain Radio tester and ran my three K2 Energy 9.6 AH (two years old) One tested at 8.7 AH, the next at 8.5 AH, and the final one 7..3 AH. They are all charged using a dedicated LIFEPO4 charger. Not sure why the one should have so much less capacity. I will be giving K2 a call.

David
ASG29E BV

What voltage are they showing when they come off these chargers?

Best. Tom.

I set the tester to cut off at 11 volts. At that point the voltage is dropping rapidly as is normal with the LIFEPO4's.

David
ASG29E BV