Chris Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 As some of you know, we have had new lithium batteries installed in the van, but so far we have not had time to take the van away to test the new system. Obviously we have tried it out here at home by using the toaster and coffee machine (gosh that was handy during the extensive blackouts we have had) but the system needs a good workout to see how it responds to daily use. It will also be handy to see how long the batteries take to re-charge. The new system includes 520ah of lithium, and we already had 520 watts of solar panels (as well as a portable 100 watt panel) and a 1800 watt inverter. Our very good fortune was in having one of Australia's foremost experts and installers of lithium now living close to where we live. Terry Covill is over at Mannum (SA) and goes by the business name of T1 Lithium. I will report back on how the system goes when we get back from four days of camping, which is going to be at Deep Creek Conservation Park near Victor Harbor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John and Jo Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 Hi Chris , I am sure you will be a happy with your new set up . Terry also installed our system last June. We have 600ah and 580 w solar and a dc to dc charger in the van . It all works a treat and can now leave the generator home . interested to hear how you yours went . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted January 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 We are comfortably ensconced down at Deep Creek. Internet working, sat TV up, fridge going into overdrive....but it is not unduly warm. A cool change has come up. And the lithium batteries seem to be performing brilliantly. We now have approx 450 ah of available power from a total capacity of 520 ah. This is because the system stops us from overcharging and undercharging. I can't recall at which point of SOC it stops charging but stops discharging at 10% ( I think!). The wonderful Victron monitor tells us the current % of available power, then the amount coming in from the solar panels in both ah and watts, then how many ah's to fill to full, then a voltage reading. Whew, so much information! There is more info in different settings, including which specific cells are playing up if that is happening. it is amazing. And our installer was thorough and professional. He has even checked back with us to make sure it is all going well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John and Jo Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 You sound like us when we first left Terry's workshop but now just check soc every now and then,best part about it all we have plenty of ah spare at all times . John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted January 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 John and Jo, when did you get yours put in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sandy Gemmell Posted January 18, 2017 Report Share Posted January 18, 2017 I will be in south australia in march and would like to contact Terry Covill could you please send me his contact details. My email address is stephen.sandra@bigpond.com. Regards Steve Gemmell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted January 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2017 Will do Steve. he gets pretty busy so contact him earlier rather than later, LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John and Jo Posted January 21, 2017 Report Share Posted January 21, 2017 (edited) On 08/01/2017 at 4:07 AM, Chris said: John and Jo, when did you get yours put in? Hi Chris sorry about the delay , Terry installed our system July last year. John Edited January 21, 2017 by John and Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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