OldAgeTravellers
LIFE MEMBER
I have just fitted a 230Ah Fogstar Lithium Battery supplied by the fantastic RogerIvy of Offgrid Power Solutions no complaints. But I have a few questions:
1. I installed their app and was surprised to get access without a password and today have been trying a couple of other apps. All have immediately accessed the battery and one; "Overkill Solar" seems to give access to reset all the parameters which I am sure is not good in inexperienced hands. Is there a way of password protecting these batteries? I can't find one. I can imagine sitting somewhere and an unscrupulous individual accessing the battery & switching it off or worse still messing with the parameters and destroying the battery, which of course would void the warranty. Any suggestions on any apps that may be better than Fogstar's own one.
2. With hardly any sun today the battery quickly got up to 100% both on the BMS & shown by my Victron Shunt. I have read on other threads that the battery should not sit at 100% for long periods, so, should I switch off charging when parked up at home not using the van and make a diary note on my phone to remind me to check the battery charge each week?
3. When Fogstar have stock I will be getting a second battery, is there an Android app that can show two batteries at a time? I suppose, answering my own question, that depends on whether my phone can connect to two Bluetooth devices at a time, which I doubt. But perhaps a Cerbo-GX or HomeAssistant on a Raspberry Pi could access them periodically and upload the stored data. Anybody found a way?
4. I was surprised that, unlike Lead Acid batteries, there were no lugs to clamp or screw the batteries down. I have fitted hooks to hold on to the rope handles and have a strap over the top, but I am not 100% happy with it. Has anyone found a novel way of securing theirs?
Thanks for reading, I would love your comments perhaps even Fogstar may have some input.
1. I installed their app and was surprised to get access without a password and today have been trying a couple of other apps. All have immediately accessed the battery and one; "Overkill Solar" seems to give access to reset all the parameters which I am sure is not good in inexperienced hands. Is there a way of password protecting these batteries? I can't find one. I can imagine sitting somewhere and an unscrupulous individual accessing the battery & switching it off or worse still messing with the parameters and destroying the battery, which of course would void the warranty. Any suggestions on any apps that may be better than Fogstar's own one.
2. With hardly any sun today the battery quickly got up to 100% both on the BMS & shown by my Victron Shunt. I have read on other threads that the battery should not sit at 100% for long periods, so, should I switch off charging when parked up at home not using the van and make a diary note on my phone to remind me to check the battery charge each week?
3. When Fogstar have stock I will be getting a second battery, is there an Android app that can show two batteries at a time? I suppose, answering my own question, that depends on whether my phone can connect to two Bluetooth devices at a time, which I doubt. But perhaps a Cerbo-GX or HomeAssistant on a Raspberry Pi could access them periodically and upload the stored data. Anybody found a way?
4. I was surprised that, unlike Lead Acid batteries, there were no lugs to clamp or screw the batteries down. I have fitted hooks to hold on to the rope handles and have a strap over the top, but I am not 100% happy with it. Has anyone found a novel way of securing theirs?
Thanks for reading, I would love your comments perhaps even Fogstar may have some input.