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Concerning Bioenno LiFePO4 Connectors

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k4vd

Concerning Bioenno LiFePO4 Connectors

I asked Bioenno about the use of the connectors and pointed out their site
shows the barrel is for charging and the Powerpoles are for discharging. I
was told this is not correct and that they will fix the information on
their site. They have a process to go through with their product people so
it won't happen quickly. However, they did update their FAQ section:

*LFP: Why is there a separate DC barrel plug connector and PowerPole
Connector on my battery? Can I charge through either connector? *

On our PVC Pack LiFePO4 batteries, there are two separate connectors. The
first connector has a DC barrel plug and the second connector has an
Anderson Powerpole connector. The two connectors are indeed wired in
parallel on the PCM (protection circuit module) that is integrated in every
single battery pack. So it is perfectly okay and fine to charge through
the PowerPole connectors. Many customers requested two separate connectors
in the batteries, in order to keep the battery's charger attached to the
battery, such that the battery and charger can be stored in a portable
Go-Box. At the same time, customers can leave the PowerPole connector
attached to the radio communications equipment, without having to
repeatedly disconnect the charger from the battery, and attach the radio
communications equipment. However, we understand customers want to charge
through the Powerpole connectors and use various other third party
products. We provided the two sets of connectors, simply for convenience
purposes.

The entire FAQ is found here:

https://bioennopower.com/pages/faq-lifepo4-batteries#c

73,

Kev K4VD
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Erik Tkal

Re: Concerning Bioenno LiFePO4 Connectors

I wonder how operating a rig with the battery connected to the charger affects the charger operation? Does the charger perform the Constant Current charge and switch over to the trickle for LiFePo charging, or does the PCM manage that? Would there be any adverse effects to the charger if the radio tries to draw too much?

Thanks and 73,
Erik Tkal - W1QED

On Jul 23, 2017, at 20:19, Kevin der Kinderen <[hidden email]> wrote:

I asked Bioenno about the use of the connectors and pointed out their site
shows the barrel is for charging and the Powerpoles are for discharging. I
was told this is not correct and that they will fix the information on
their site. They have a process to go through with their product people so
it won't happen quickly. However, they did update their FAQ section:

*LFP: Why is there a separate DC barrel plug connector and PowerPole
Connector on my battery? Can I charge through either connector? *

On our PVC Pack LiFePO4 batteries, there are two separate connectors. The
first connector has a DC barrel plug and the second connector has an
Anderson Powerpole connector. The two connectors are indeed wired in
parallel on the PCM (protection circuit module) that is integrated in every
single battery pack. So it is perfectly okay and fine to charge through
the PowerPole connectors. Many customers requested two separate connectors
in the batteries, in order to keep the battery's charger attached to the
battery, such that the battery and charger can be stored in a portable
Go-Box. At the same time, customers can leave the PowerPole connector
attached to the radio communications equipment, without having to
repeatedly disconnect the charger from the battery, and attach the radio
communications equipment. However, we understand customers want to charge
through the Powerpole connectors and use various other third party
products. We provided the two sets of connectors, simply for convenience
purposes.

The entire FAQ is found here:

https://bioennopower.com/pages/faq-lifepo4-batteries#c

73,

Kev K4VD
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k4vd

Re: Concerning Bioenno LiFePO4 Connectors

Hi Erik:

I don't know the answer. I suspect you cannot charge and discharge at the
same time. Bioenno's support has been pretty responsive so you might find
an answer there.

I believe Bioe is working on a product similar to the West Mountain PWRGate
but specifically for LiFe batteries. Then combining charge and discharge
makes more sense. I've run the PWRGate here with a marine battery for a
while. I could see tucking away a similar product for the LiFe batteries
into a go box.

The chargers I have I bought with the batteries. I leave them plugged in
and charging all the time ready for hitting the road.

Kev

On Wed, Jul 26, 2017 at 10:03 AM, Erik Tkal <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I wonder how operating a rig with the battery connected to the charger
> affects the charger operation? Does the charger perform the Constant
> Current charge and switch over to the trickle for LiFePo charging, or does
> the PCM manage that? Would there be any adverse effects to the charger if
> the radio tries to draw too much?
>
> Thanks and 73,
> Erik Tkal - W1QED
>
>
>
> On Jul 23, 2017, at 20:19, Kevin der Kinderen <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I asked Bioenno about the use of the connectors and pointed out their site
> shows the barrel is for charging and the Powerpoles are for discharging. I
> was told this is not correct and that they will fix the information on
> their site. They have a process to go through with their product people so
> it won't happen quickly. However, they did update their FAQ section:
>
> *LFP: Why is there a separate DC barrel plug connector and PowerPole
> Connector on my battery? Can I charge through either connector? *
>
> On our PVC Pack LiFePO4 batteries, there are two separate connectors. The
> first connector has a DC barrel plug and the second connector has an
> Anderson Powerpole connector. The two connectors are indeed wired in
> parallel on the PCM (protection circuit module) that is integrated in every
> single battery pack. So it is perfectly okay and fine to charge through
> the PowerPole connectors. Many customers requested two separate connectors
> in the batteries, in order to keep the battery's charger attached to the
> battery, such that the battery and charger can be stored in a portable
> Go-Box. At the same time, customers can leave the PowerPole connector
> attached to the radio communications equipment, without having to
> repeatedly disconnect the charger from the battery, and attach the radio
> communications equipment. However, we understand customers want to charge
> through the Powerpole connectors and use various other third party
> products. We provided the two sets of connectors, simply for convenience
> purposes.
>
>
> The entire FAQ is found here:
>
> https://bioennopower.com/pages/faq-lifepo4-batteries#c
>
> 73,
>
> Kev K4VD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
>

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Don Wilhelm

Re: Concerning Bioenno LiFePO4 Connectors

In reply to this post by Erik Tkal

Erik,

I think that all depends on the charger used and its characteristics.
Chargers have a higher voltage than the cell(s) being charged. Elecraft
gear is spec'ed for up to 15 volts, but make certain no part of the
charging cycle will exceed that voltage - the charger manufacturer
should have that spec.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/26/2017 10:03 AM, Erik Tkal wrote:

> I wonder how operating a rig with the battery connected to the charger affects the charger operation? Does the charger perform the Constant Current charge and switch over to the trickle for LiFePo charging, or does the PCM manage that? Would there be any adverse effects to the charger if the radio tries to draw too much?
>
> Thanks and 73,
> Erik Tkal - W1QED
>
>
>
> On Jul 23, 2017, at 20:19, Kevin der Kinderen <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I asked Bioenno about the use of the connectors and pointed out their site
> shows the barrel is for charging and the Powerpoles are for discharging. I
> was told this is not correct and that they will fix the information on
> their site. They have a process to go through with their product people so
> it won't happen quickly. However, they did update their FAQ section:
>
> *LFP: Why is there a separate DC barrel plug connector and PowerPole
> Connector on my battery? Can I charge through either connector? *
>
> On our PVC Pack LiFePO4 batteries, there are two separate connectors. The
> first connector has a DC barrel plug and the second connector has an
> Anderson Powerpole connector. The two connectors are indeed wired in
> parallel on the PCM (protection circuit module) that is integrated in every
> single battery pack. So it is perfectly okay and fine to charge through
> the PowerPole connectors. Many customers requested two separate connectors
> in the batteries, in order to keep the battery's charger attached to the
> battery, such that the battery and charger can be stored in a portable
> Go-Box. At the same time, customers can leave the PowerPole connector
> attached to the radio communications equipment, without having to
> repeatedly disconnect the charger from the battery, and attach the radio
> communications equipment. However, we understand customers want to charge
> through the Powerpole connectors and use various other third party
> products. We provided the two sets of connectors, simply for convenience
> purposes.
>
>
> The entire FAQ is found here:
>
> https://bioennopower.com/pages/faq-lifepo4-batteries#c
>
> 73,
>
> Kev K4VD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Clay Autery-2

Re: Concerning Bioenno LiFePO4 Connectors

In reply to this post by k4vd

Lead Acid are charged/discharged at the same time in cars, but this is a
different app...

Ideally, I want my radio (load) to ONLY see the battery, NOT the charge
current coming in.
Ideally, I would like to have switching circuitry that cut the charge
off while the load was present (idle OR xmit, programmable choice).
With a recover to charge switch back when load (chosen) is once again
absent. (Need a battery recover delay PRIOR to switch on to allow it to
stabilize BEFORE the charge circuitry starts sending to set voltage/current.
Probably NOT "needed", but I like to be "nice" to my batteries.... and I
like to be even "nicer" to my radio. I want it to get PURE,
unadulterated DC.
But I am the weird guy... I get that. <smile>

73,

______________________
Clay Autery, KY5G
MONTAC Enterprises
(318) 518-1389

On 7/26/2017 12:46 PM, Kevin der Kinderen wrote:

> Hi Erik:
>
> I don't know the answer. I suspect you cannot charge and discharge at the
> same time. Bioenno's support has been pretty responsive so you might find
> an answer there.
>
> I believe Bioe is working on a product similar to the West Mountain PWRGate
> but specifically for LiFe batteries. Then combining charge and discharge
> makes more sense. I've run the PWRGate here with a marine battery for a
> while. I could see tucking away a similar product for the LiFe batteries
> into a go box.
>
> The chargers I have I bought with the batteries. I leave them plugged in
> and charging all the time ready for hitting the road.
>
> Kev

Bill Frantz

Re: Concerning Bioenno LiFePO4 Connectors

In reply to this post by Erik Tkal

I have some computer uses for charge and use at the same time.
To keep it on topic, if the Elecraft radios had enough battery
power to cleanly shutdown, then we wouldn't lose frequencies
etc. when the power failed. It wouldn't take much battery either.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 7/26/17 at 7:03 AM, [hidden email] (Erik Tkal) wrote:

>I wonder how operating a rig with the battery connected to the
>charger affects the charger operation? Does the charger
>perform the Constant Current charge and switch over to the
>trickle for LiFePo charging, or does the PCM manage that?
>Would there be any adverse effects to the charger if the radio
>tries to draw too much?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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(408)356-8506 |is there are so many to choose| 16345
Englewood Ave
www.pwpconsult.com |from. - Andrew Tanenbaum | Los Gatos,
CA 95032

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