Hello, my campervan with 3 330ah lithium batteries, lynx Smart BMS will be parked in the cold for a few months. Average lows in the 20’s (Fahrenheit) with dips well into the single digits or lower. It will be plugged into shore power. How should I store the battery during these few months? Any particular mode that I should put it in? Is there any benefit of keeping it warmed (e.g. using the heater to try to keep the cabin a little warm?)
Lithium Ferro Phosphate have a minimum charging temperature (typically 32°F), minimum discharge/storage temperature (around -4°F).
In order to leave the battery in circuit in the vehicle, the temperature constraints must be accomodated.
Most heated battery systems target a temperature maintenance for the battery at an ambient around 45°F.
If there is to be no draw on the battery while in storage (all loads disconnected), then there will be no need for charging. The temperature tolerance extends to the -4°F limit.
LFP has low self-discharge so can be left in storage for many months, if at 50 - 100% charge when stored, without the need for recharging during that time.
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I’d take out the lithiums and store them at home, put in one agm as replacement.
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As these are the Victron Lithium Smart batteries they have a minimum charge of 5degC (41degF?). They will sit unable to charge, the shore power may keep the system running if you have a DC loads shunt to allow DVCC to keep chargers running rather than being shut down and batteries in an idle state. But if your setup is basic, low temp may completely stop any charger operation and if shore power fails they will drain until they shut down empty.
Thanks for the replies everyone. Is there a way to monitor the temperature or alarm if cold? I saw some alarm settings, but they appear to be only for high temp.
These batteries do not send the temperature to the GX device so no way to set an alarm, you only know when CCL (charge current limit) in DVCC is zero. I suggest fitting a Ruuvi Bluetooth or wired temperature sensor to your GX device assuming you have one. Then set alarms on this.
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Any thoughts on using something like this BN-LINK Durable Seedling Heat Mat Warm Hydroponic Heating Pad Waterproof 10" x 20.75" - 2 Pack for Seed Starting Greenhouse and Germination : Amazon.ca: Patio, Lawn & Garden (say on one or two sides of the battery)? I could control them with something like Inkbird Temperature Controller ITC-306T Digital Thermostat Smart Day Night Cycle Dual Heating Outlet : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific and set it to turn on when below -10C or something/
Here’s what I decided to do:
Purchases:
- Two of these (4 Pads): MET Certified 2 Pack Seedling Heat Mat, Seedfactor Waterproof Durable Germination Station Heat Mat, Warm Hydroponic Heating Pad for Indoor Home Gardening Seed Starter (2 Pack-10" X 20") : Amazon.ca: Patio, Lawn & Garden
- Two of these: Inkbird ITC-306T-WIFI Heating Temperature Controller, 24 Hours Digital Cycle Timer Thermostat for Greenhouse, Germination, Reptiles, Incubation, Heating Only, Android&iOS : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific (for redundancy)
Each thermostat controls one side
Where do you get the energy for those pads ?
At the moment it’s shore power with the batteries disconnected.
I’m considering keeping the batteries at operating temperature and connected to the system so they’ll handle the load in the event of a power failure. Connecting the batteries when connected to shore power does seem to cause micro draining and charging. Not sure if that’s a consideration.