Companion 125w solar mat at Bunnings

[Mitch92]

I normally get around 6A out of mine which I am happy with.

[Fizzie]

Dragging this topic back up out of the crypt!

Got a couple of these when they were being thrown away by the BGS.

Was using it t'other week, & looked at the book (please forgive me! ) to check what it's production levels are specced as

While doing so, I noticed a comment "This blanket is not to be used for charging lithium batteries under any circumstances"

Why not

Can anybody think of a reason

Has anybody tried them on lithium (& is still here to talk about it! )

[austastar]

Hi,
   The charging profile of a Li battery is quite different to a Pb battery. When fully charged a charger meant for Pb will go into a float mode, a Li charger turns off.
So the reason may be, that if over charged, the Li might be inclined to overheat and get all combustible.
Cheers

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[rags]

Thanks for this post Fizzie,
Just setting up my new wheels with a lithium battery and had full intentions to use this charger to supplement the roof panel. I also had planned to use it with our van also lithium equipped.

Might have to revisit this plan

[Gazza00]

 I would think  it would be more to do with the pissant PWM regulator that they supplied with the kit.  I've used mine through a MPPT regulator on AGM batteries with no problems, so if you have a regulator suitable for Lithium batteries you should be OK

[austastar]

Hi,
   Yep, if you can bypass the supplied regulator and insert a Li suitable one, the panels themselves make no different to the charging profile.
Cheers

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[Fizzie]

So if, as you say, you ditch the attached inverter, & feed it in through your normal Andersen connection to a DC-DC, it should be fine

[manchu]

So if, as you say, you ditch the attached inverter, & feed it in through your normal Andersen connection to a DC-DC, it should be fine

Assuming the DC-DC has an input for solar then yeah it should be fine to ditch the included Solar Charge Controller. 

I also had planned to use it with our van also lithium equipped.

you'll need a Solar Charge Controller (or DC-DC with solar input) in the van too.

It's actually better to have the  charge controller close to the battery because the voltage from panels to controller is higher than voltage from controller to battery.     higher voltage =  lower current = smaller wire size/less losses. 

   

[austastar]

Hi,
   If you have 2 panels that are the same, it is relativity easy to rig a few non genuine Anderson plugs to switch from parallel to series if voltage loss on a long cable is an issue.
Cheers

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[sharkcaver]

Dragging this topic back up out of the crypt!

Got a couple of these when they were being thrown away by the BGS.

Was using it t'other week, & looked at the book (please forgive me! ) to check what it's production levels are specced as

While doing so, I noticed a comment "This blanket is not to be used for charging lithium batteries under any circumstances"

Why not

Can anybody think of a reason

Has anybody tried them on lithium (& is still here to talk about it! )

As said, the panels themselves will be fine, you just need a Li compatible solar controller.

Mine has had the supplied PWM controller disconnected (as all my panels get this treatment). The companion panels use powerpole connectors, readily available from Jaycar if you wish to make your own cabling. I put powerpoles on the supplied reg so it could be used (on flooded/agm) in an emergency should my main aftermarket reg fail.

Re the powerpoles, I'm pretty sure this is them:
https://www.jaycar.com.au/15a-anderson-powerpole-connectors-red-and-black-pair/p/PT4402

I have made a few cables to suit this panel with powerpoles one end, anderson the other so I can use my existing solar extention cables if required. Sometimes I link both my rooftop mounted panel and this blanket together via the one aftermarket mppt regulator installed in the vehicle to maximise solar input on those less sunny days.

As a foot note, yesterday I purchased a kings MPPT. Li compatible regulator for $100.
in typical kings fashion, its a bit more expensive today:

https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/undefined/undefined/undefined/premium-mppt-solar-regulator.html

I haven't looked into the charge specs for the Li side of this reg as I only run agm. But first impressions is that it is as good as my Li compatible, mppt, Epever branded reg installed in the vehicle.
https://www.epever.com/product/tracer-an-10-40a-mppt-charge-controller/

I hope the above helps. It'll be fine 

So in a nutshell, grab some powerpole connectors, replace the supplied PWM reg with a Li compatible one, and you are in business.

[Fizzie]

Wow - saw them but didn't check the price (notice they're no longer up on the website either though)

Currently got a Waeco RAPS 36 pack, but a 44 for $75 would be really nice - I could see that becoming the in-use battery while the 36 moves to the shed for power out there

Re-entering the crypt to ask a question about these battery packs that lot's of people grabbed back then

How are you finding them after a few years?

We've always charged ours regularly, but this last week or two it's started beeping to say low power. Charge it up, but within a day it's back down <12.7

Anybody else having an issue at all, or anybody asked Companion about warranty

Thanks!

 

[Pottsy]

I have two Waeco Raps 36s which I have had for nearly seven years, both have been used for running lighting and occasionally a 35l fridge. I recharged them both for the first time in six months with a projecta 120w solar blanket on the weekend, went from 12.4v to full in approx 5hrs. Never had any issues and they seem to discharge very slowly when just sitting in the shed. Mine have only ever been charged via solar.

[Fizzie]

Thanks, Pottsy.

Also just dumped one of them, as it was going from fully charged to 0.6V in under a week, just sitting on the shelf

No, I'm not having a good run with battery packs atm!

[lloydus67]

While not exactly related, I have bought a 100ah Aldi deep cycle battery for $100 on sale and put it in a battery box $65 from Kogan

A little bit heavier than what you guys have but very effective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[loanrangie]

Re-entering the crypt to ask a question about these battery packs that lot's of people grabbed back then

How are you finding them after a few years?

We've always charged ours regularly, but this last week or two it's started beeping to say low power. Charge it up, but within a day it's back down <12.7

Anybody else having an issue at all, or anybody asked Companion about warranty

Thanks!

 

I bought one just over a year ago with a dead battery for $30, found a 40ah battery that was slightly larger than the 2x18ah that these come with and trimmed the inside of the case. Batteries often turn on on gumtree or facebook for around $30 or so which makes for a cheap upgrade.
 I also 3d printed a flush mount anderson plug bracket and replaced the charging sock to anderson plug and use the companion blanket to charge it.
 When this one dies i'd like to put lithium cells in it with a small BMS.

[Fizzie]

When this one dies i'd like to put lithium cells in it with a small BMS.

That was what I was toying with as well, but it seems to have come good again

[Fizzie]

That was what I was toying with as well, but it seems to have come good again

It now appears that yes, at least one of the cells has died as it now won't even hold charge for 24 hours

Spoke to Companion who's basic reaction was That's sad

When this one dies i'd like to put lithium cells in it with a small BMS.

So what would be involved in doing this

[loanrangie]

It now appears that yes, at least one of the cells has died as it now won't even hold charge for 24 hours

Spoke to Companion who's basic reaction was That's sad

So what would be involved in doing this

Finding suitably sized LIPO cells and a BMS, i havent looked at itany further yet as the 40ah i put in the waeco raps is working fine.