Looking at mixing LiFePO4 batteries

[BobinICT]

So, what could go wrong? Current battery setup. Two Lion 1300 batteries on the A-frame. All wiring including inverter is on the front wall. Just upgraded to the Renogy 3000 and it is working as designed. Installed the micro-air soft start and can now run the air conditioner on the system, for a short time. Have 600 on the roof with 200 solar addon via foldable panel going into a Victron 100/15, main solar on a Victron 100/50.

Looking at the Litime 280 and mounting it inside the passthrough next to the water center thing up against the wall. All additional from there will be mounted on the rear wall with 2/0 running to the Victron shunt and then to the positive busbar in the same system with a shutoff and it's own 250 AMP breaker in place and to it's own busbar. With the 3000 installation I ran very short 4/0 to the inverter with the positive going from the positive busbar to a BlueSea 40 AMP fuse block then to the inverter.

The LiTime uses the same charging profile as the Lion's. I believe this will work, until, I decide to add a second LiTime 280 and if it fits, could go into the A-frame box.

My question is. Am I very far off base in my thinking. Is this be doable?

[Country Campers]

Doable but use some caution. I have heard that one should not add new batteries when the original battery is older than 6 months. Using different makes of batteries is usually a no no as their BMS might not agree with the charging or discharging parameters of each other. I think if you are considering adding a second LiTime in the near future try to sell the Lion brand ones and make the move to 2 Litimes now.

Brian

[TucsonJim]

On my last rig, I had three Battle Born batteries and I was considering adding another a couple of years later. I called Battle Born customer service and they advised against doing this. They told me that the batteries should be within two years of each other, and added that you should never mix battery manufacturers.

But there may be a simple solution for what you're trying to do. Purchase a battery switch that will allow you to switch between the different battery banks. If the LION bank starts to run low, switch to the LiTime and vice Versa. Of course if you do this, you'll need to figure out how to charge each bank separately, but I'm sure it could be done.

Jim

[BobinICT]

On my last rig, I had three Battle Born batteries and I was considering adding another a couple of years later. I called Battle Born customer service and they advised against doing this. They told me that the batteries should be within two years of each other, and added that you should never mix battery manufacturers.

But there may be a simple solution for what you're trying to do. Purchase a battery switch that will allow you to switch between the different battery banks. If the LION bank starts to run low, switch to the LiTime and vice Versa. Of course if you do this, you'll need to figure out how to charge each bank separately, but I'm sure it could be done.

Jim

I will have both battery banks on their own circuit up to the main feed with each having their own switch. So yes, shutting one down or isolating each one without be easy if needed.

[Mitchell & Kitty]

I have 2 different LiFePh batteries in my setup. One's a Renogy and the other is a LiTime. I did a little research before buying the LiTime and came to the conclusion that mixing it with the Renogy would be OK as long as I installed a 3 way shutoff between each battery and the busbar. The 3 way enables me to have both running or just one of them running (or all off). Every so often I will just have one battery on to allow it to fully charge and equalize on its own. I also make sure the charge states of both batteries are equal before turning both of them on. This minimizes any in-rush of a high voltage battery to a low voltage battery.

[BobinICT]

I have 2 different LiFePh batteries in my setup. One's a Renogy and the other is a LiTime. I did a little research before buying the LiTime and came to the conclusion that mixing it with the Renogy would be OK as long as I installed a 3 way shutoff between each battery and the busbar. The 3 way enables me to have both running or just one of them running (or all off). Every so often I will just have one battery on to allow it to fully charge and equalize on its own. I also make sure the charge states of both batteries are equal before turning both of them on. This minimizes any in-rush of a high voltage battery to a low voltage battery.

Good to hear. I'll stay with each battery on its own circuit so to speak. That way I can energize each as needed or wanted by turning the cutoff switch off or on. Good point on the voltage slam. I'll incorporate a regime where if I do turn on one or the other I'll make sure I turn off the solar controller, turn on the bank and then turn the solar back on.

[ncitro]

I agree to keep them on separate circuits, unfortunately that means will not have the benefit of multiple batteries in parallel for larger loads (parallel batteries sums the BMS allowed amps out and in). I still think its the right decision but thought I should point it out.

[BobinICT]

I have decided not to mix batteries. I have gone a different direction and I'll post on a new thread in a day or so. Came out real well with one slight hiccup bit that was overcome.

[rtrainer]

What are the issues with mixing battery brands and sizes?

[ncitro]

What are the issues with mixing battery brands and sizes?

The main issue is if charge profiles differ, as well as other specific characteristics that might vary from one battery (usually in the internal BMS) to another.

[BobinICT]

The main issue is if charge profiles differ, as well as other specific characteristics that might vary from one battery (usually in the internal BMS) to another.

That was my main concern, along with cost to go forward. The cost, turned out to be a nothing burger for me anyway. I'll post the results in a day or so.