How to Top Balance Your LiFePO4 cells

In this video I top balance my new 3.2V LiFePO4 cells before wiring them into the system. The first of many videos showing the upgrades in detail.
#offgrid #offgridcabin #solarsystem #diybattery #frugalgunnie

[@Tjensen999]

WOO HOO!!!! A Reloading Press!! 🥰

[@frugalgunnie]

Good eye lol, yes, RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme

[@defjamsgreen]

You are getting up there with the lipofe4 cells upgrade . Top balancing them with the generator will be what every prepper need when running a great system at an optimal voltage rate needed to run the cable successfully .🤙🤗🔋🔋🔋🔋

[@frugalgunnie]

Thanks Cedric, it's getting there!

[@PhilippeCJR]

you can also permanent connect a 4A Neey programmable balancer. Set it to balance as from 3.45volt for example. And with every charge, you have a perfect balanced pack. You can then also skip this first initial topbalance proces

[@frugalgunnie]

Thanks Philippe! I will look that one up!

[@trevortrevortsr2]

I've built a few systems now and always done the same top ballancing - Recently I bought a 5amp capacitor type active cell ballancer and it does such a good job down to 0.005v that provided the cells are within 0.2 v I think next time I would just assemble them and let it do its job and charge up on to the knee at a fast rate (40 a) then through the knee at a more modest rate (10a) - when the first cell hits 3.65v just leave it rest overnight and by morning it would be perfect = subesquent charges I would only charge to 3.45v no point in stressing the battery for that last 2%

[@frugalgunnie]

Good point, dropping the charge rate in the last few percent of charge is a good practice!

[@timmathewson9111]

Can you please show more of your solar system and how your did your upgrade with batteries

[@frugalgunnie]

Check out my latest video, I swap out the old batteries for 8 cells. The next video release will show me wiring in the BMS into the batteries and how it is all connected. Let me know what you think!

[@samaur1460]

what do you think about this flexible copper Bus Bars ? works properly ?

[@frugalgunnie]

They seem to work very well, not sure how they would hold up to multiple bend cycles, but so far they have done a good job!

[@rikujkoivisto]

Hi! They say that one charging cable goes to first battery, abd other cable goes to the last battery..?!? 🤔

[@frugalgunnie]

Yes, they designate the batteries in the series by their position in the series. Important to wire each cell's positive lead in the proper sequence!

[@KoiAquaponics]

I thought you can just parallel them and leave it alone for a few days?

[@frugalgunnie]

I suppose that depends on your situation. You could certainly do that if you are able to.
In my case the variable power supply I am using is AC, and I have no other power generation other than solar and my gas/propane generator for times when there isn't enough sun to keep the batteries charged, so I ran the genny to charge them. November and December are very low light months in my area, lots of clouds and precipitation.
If you have access to a power supply that can provide your cell's required charging voltage level (typically 3.6V or so for a LiFePO4 cell, mine 3.65V max) from any reliable power source, whether AC or DC, then you are good to go. So if you have a huge battery bank to charge your new cells with, you could use any DC to DC charger, in theory. If you are on shore power, then any AC to DC variable power supply would do the job, as long as it it providing enough current(amps) to do it in a reasonable time. My little Drok can deliver 10A DC max between 0 and 48V from any 110V AC outlet, so that's how I used it.