3 Ways to Wire Off-Grid Batteries (Add Lithium to your System)

Today Clark discusses how to wire up a multi-bank / hybrid battery system for off-grid use. This is a question that comes up a lot for people who are installing a BankManager™ Battery Bank Management Device, but it should prove helpful to anyone setting up an off-grid battery-based power system.

We start with a simple one-bank system [01:27] ,
...then grow it into a hybrid LiFePO4/lead system [05:35] ,
...then then add a dedicated, protected lead starter bank [14:27].

You can also jump to the summary, and other videos you might like: [18:32]

If you're interested in learning more about the BankManager™, the best place to go is here

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[kevinmcmanaman]

Mine has been operating perfectly at my off grid cabin a couple years now. I have an early version of the Bank Manager, and use a big bistable relay with it to join my Lifepo4 200Ah to my 330 Ah lead acid at 24v. Works fantastic. I have 4 charging sources to my lead bus: 1kw solar on mppt, 1kw solar on a pwm (since panels face east and west on shed roof), a 600w wind turbine, and a small generator Ive frankly never had to use. The Lifepo4 is connected with Bank Manager in parallel with my lead, but doing the vast majority of the work. The Lifepo4 gets fully charged and drops off, typically mid morning, allowing the lead to do absorbtion and float till nightfall, when it reconnects and carries the load till morning. My lead acids were pretty new when i decided to add Lifepo4. Now, the lead protects my wind turbine (always have lead connection, avoiding danger of Lifepo4 only system - no load when bms shuts off), and it keeps lots of power ready when needed. Also, the Lifepo4 charges very quickly with low resistance, so it makes my wind turbine more efficient and effective, collecting more power rather than burning off excess when voltage rises due to lead's resistance (a constant problem with lead only systems). All has operated flawlessly.

[scottkrebs]

Yup, one of those that when I get questions I can just link over here and say, "Let Clark tell you how that works." You're making life easier that way lol

[TrotterDel]

Another happy bunny. Thanks to Dave (Wildebus) my hybrid works brilliantly. That's 200ah lithium and 345 lead carbon, in a Fiat Ducato ( Ram Promaster in the US ) 500w solar + 200w when required, which in an English summer, is very often. regards Trotter

[joshuahayes]

Informative, understandable, clearly communicated, relatable content. Thank you for making time to create and edit real-life, sustainable, educational content.

[engineroomdiaries-dl]

It´s really nice having the bus separate just like you do it, I´ve seen a lot of boats with everything connected direct to the battery poles 😅😅😅

[stuartroberts]

So helpful, we have just bought a new to us boat, where the previous owner had a ‘yard’ install a hybrid battery system (3 batteries) that he did not understand. Just looking at the setup didn’t shed any light on it until I watched this video which replicates the system in place and we now have an explanation - thank you!

[sailingsidequest]

Excellent Clark! Just the video we needed. Honestly I know you probably feel like you've made a version of this video 3 times but you could make 10 more and people will still get something else out of it. Thanks for doing this looking forward to getting our Bank Manager hooked up!

[benkanobe]

Just to show how this works in the real world, I ordered the isolator/relay for my dual-battery pickup truck that has a winch connected to the aux battery. I am now (as soon as I wire it in) comfortable that I can abuse my winch battery in an emergency without fear of hurting my start/run battery. Thanks!!

[davefrye]

Excellent Clark. This has given me thought about the ACRs I have on my start batteries that a BBMS tied to my Lithium

[alanblyde]

Clark I can see Emily saying “hope your not scratching our nice table with that battery are you” 😄

[langstonholland]

In about a year from now I'm planning to replace my sailboat's house and start 12V AGM batteries with LiFePO4. There are a handful of LiFePO4 advertised to work for engine starting. I'm sure there will be a lot more in the next year or so. It seems to me that an all LiFePO4 system would simplify some of this charge/discharge juggling required in hybrid systems. Love these videos - thanks!

[djinniferstonecastle]

Thanks for the video! I am just starting to study this. So helpful to watch over several times until my brain lightbulb clicks on and I've got it.😂

[virginislandssailingadvent]

Excellent demonstration/explanation. You are a true pioneer in battery management. One possible addition you may wish to include, is the alternator considerations if "switchology" and circumstance allow the starter battery (whether dedicated or integrated with house-bank) alternator charging circuit to attempt charging a large bank of seriously depleted batteries.

[wojtekbratek]

For the hell of it! Less telling about what you will be showing and more specifics. We have the only one Life!

[aledwilliams]

Adding a dedicated starter battery - that's the exact info I've been looking for, now it all makes sense, and I can see how 'easy' adding lithium via the BankManager would work for me on a small sailboat - thank you!

[stevecurran]

Paraphrasing, "If you are not a little afraid of electrical work maybe you shouldn't be doing this." Every electric tech class should start out with that statement.

[malcolmdavid]

Excellent with clarity for a novice like me !

[mikeg]

Another great video! Grateful for good people like you Clark.

[kenmix]

I'm getting a boat soon and I plan on putting this system in. I like your explanations. You keep it simple.

[bigbones]

Great information, I was able to follow along and understand you, which was a big feat because I don't know anything about electric systems. Thank you for making it easy.