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LifePO4 12V Drop-in(retail); Anyone actually tried?

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Onlooker, Sep 29, 2024 at 7:18 AM.

  1. Onlooker

    Onlooker Junior Member

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    2014 Prius v wagon
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    I searched forums many times, valuable data is sparse. I see some building their own BMS free systems, and those even updating traction batteries, but surely there are a few people who have tried dropping in retail/cheap LifePO4's, any issues?

    More specifically I'm wondering about the Prius's response to a BMS 'cutoff' while underway, any glitches/fried ECU's or otherwise? Temperature and other issues I can handle.

    Here's the scary theory; THe Prius HVDC-12vDC feeds 'whatever it is set to'(?) amps into the battery to charge it at 14.5v(seems to be number from my tests with stock AGM); Once a LifePO4 gets charged it switches itself off to protect itself... There would be a momentary surge of voltage(amps? maybe not with no-where to go) as the DC-DC throttles down; Under even cheap solar installations this might cause an inverter alarm/reboot due to over-voltage but usually the charge controllers maintain the set charge voltage(14.5, at 0current or whatever the current load is minus the battery(BMS disconnected)); The battery would stay in that state until voltage drops to where it detects it is 'needed/provide current'.. This can cause BMS shutdown/voltage spike loop that isn't pleasant...But I digress...

    I guess I'm going to try it regardless, but if anyone has actual experience with a direct swap with a LifePO4 or even regular Lithium with!! a BMS, would really like assurances or negative experiences as I could do 'plan B' with a system paired(for DC-DC surges) off a poor, but functional existing AGM/SLA to act as a buffer(kinda wasteful), my main interest is 24/7 power for a micro-camper I am doing with my 2014 Prius v'.

    If project continues I'll create a new post with my setup for anyone interested in such things.



    Thanks

    P.S. Side note, has anyone disconnected the 12V battery suddenly underway or in 'ready mode'? Similar idea, what did car do?
     
  2. MAX2

    MAX2 Member

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    After turning on the "Ready" mode, the 12V battery was disconnected and replaced with another one.
    This saves the settings of the various systems.
     
  3. Onlooker

    Onlooker Junior Member

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    2014 Prius v wagon
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    Technology
    Thx. That's a good sign it's not totally 'crazy'; If the battery that was disconnected was 'low' and taking a high current at the time, then it would be similar to LifePO4 BMS triggering.Odds are, a bad battery would act much like a fully charged 'good battery and jump/rest at 14.5v when disconnected absorbing very little current (to cause a voltage spike I'm 'interested in').