Portable Power Packs - LifePo4 Battery Boxes -- How I done It --

[Dellmassive]

Fyi.. run time.

Dometic CFX3-35.

On AC, 44kwh/A (year)

44kwh / 365days is 120wh per day.

So according to the quoted numbers the 256wh box should run that fridge for 2days..

2*120 - 240wh.

...

I'm not sure about the quoted 12v DC operation....

++++
Energy consumption (DC@5/25°C) 0.47 kWh/24h
++++

That would imply 470wh per day, so only 12hrs runtime?

So I'm either reading that wrong or its way more efficient on AC than DC?
....





...


We were running 2x dometic fridges ....

We normally see 80w per fridge draw when compressor s running...

So power draw for us was 160w or 80w or 0w when idle.

 

[hunta]

@Dellmassive Thanks so much for your response. Looks like a handy little unit.

I'm surprised by that DC figure too. Elsewhere I've seen consumption quoted as 0.98Ah/h, which I took to mean 256Wh ÷ 12 = around 21 hours of running. You'd have to go with the manufacturer's figures though. Also electricity is mostly magic as far as I'm aware so I may well be wrong, and would certainly trust your calculations over mine.

It's also worth mentioning that there seems to be a different model for different markets (Aus / NZ in particular) with different energy consumption figures for some reason. SKU for my unit is 9600025325 (matches the spec for your screen grab above).

 

[Dellmassive]

fwiw . . . .

i have a CFX35 and the Anker 521 to hand . . .


so ill do a quick test.


so we have the fridge with some beer in . . .





.

The Anker 521 . .





+++




+++

its on 66% right now . . .






...

had the fridge plugged in for an hour or so . .


now its down to temp . .


when the compressor cycles on . . . it draws 50w ish,





when the compressor stops and the unit idles we see 6w ish. . .






+++


at the idle point we see 6w,



with the battery pack at 50% we see the estimated run time as 10.7 hours,

so doubling that for the 100% we could expect 20.2 hours.


+++++


this is just a rough test . . .

at some point ill do a full capacity run test . . . but for now lets say its doing to run for 1-2 days. ( depending on usage and ambient temps _)



..

 

[hunta]

Fantastic, thank you @Dellmassive

I see you're running it off the 240v output. Out of curiosity I'd be interested if an hour's running off the 12v confirms our theory about its relative inefficiency. I still have no real clue as to why though!

 

[Dellmassive]

sure. . .


running on 12v socket. ( Regulated on the Anker 521 )



fridge shows 13.0v . . .




with the compressor running we see 53w out..




a few mins latter the fridge is down to temp. . . . 3degc

the compressor switches off . . .

the voltage is shown as 13.3v (off load)



the Watt draw shows 0w when on idle . .





...


so very similar results to the 240v test.

240vac - 50/6w

12vdc - 53/0w



+++

next test would be a full discharge test on 12v and 240v to see how long the fridge would run.

an empty fridge will use the power quicker than a full fridge.




+++

 

[Dellmassive]

-- NEW PRODUCT --

Anker Portable Power Station 256Wh, 521 Portable Generator​

https://amzn.to/38FVlAH

View attachment 157159


++++

About this item​

• Extremely Durable and Long-Lasting: The portable power station is equipped with premium LiFePO4 batteries that offer 6 times longer lifespan, a drop-proof unibody structure, and industry-standard electric components for enhanced durability.
• Unprecedented 5-Year Warranty: Instead of 2 years, 521 Portable Power Station comes with an exclusive 5-year warranty for a guaranteed, worry-free experience.
• All the Ports You Need: Time to get rid of bulky adapters because charging your laptop at fast speeds only requires a single cable. See the power station recharge itself and give a high-speed charge to a wide range of devices thanks to 2 USB-A ports, an AC port, a USB-C port, and a car outlet
• Huge 256Wh Capacity: The high capacity portable power station pumps out 256Wh of power—the perfect companion to charge your devices and small appliances during a weekend trip.
• What You Get: Anker 521 Portable Power Station (PowerHouse 256Wh), DC adapter, car charging cable, welcome guide, our worry-free 5-year warranty, and friendly customer service.

View attachment 157160View attachment 157162View attachment 157161


++++


heres mine,

unboxing and testing coming up soon . . .



View attachment 157163

ANKER 521 - Solar charging . .



Suns out so its solar time . . .





Here is the Anker 521 . . . .





I've coneected it up to a LENSUN 150W panel . . .






....

The Anker spec shows:

DC Input 11-28v @ 5.5A / 65W max.



My solar panel VOC is about 19v so thats within the volts range.

so the Anker will just draw as much as it can from the panel . .


in this case 65W max.


so the Anker display shows 61W and 3.4hr recharge time.





....




Happy Dayz. . . .


+++++++++++++++++++++




i needed an adapter cable, for the solar MC4 to DC 8mm input connector.

so i grabbed on of these . . . . .

https://amzn.to/3QuXOiD

i also used a MC4 extension cable - to keep the solar panel in the sun and the Anker battery pack in the shade . . .



example here:

( i made up my own)

https://amzn.to/3zJizAV

 

[dErZ]

@Dellmassive how would this little Anker cope with running a laptop all day (PSU states 65w) ??

I love the idea of a portable unit and if it could keep the laptop going then I wouldnt need to install an inverter in the van.

 

[Dellmassive]

@dErZ the Anker 521 unit is rated at 256Wh.

so you divide that 256Wh by your loads.

A 65w laptop charger in this case. ( 65w or 64w/h running at full rate )

256wh divided by 65wh is 3.9hours


++++++++++


thats assuming the laptop was flat and running the charger 100% for 4 hours . .

in reality the laptop will fully charge and the power draw will roll off.


+++++++++++


so id imagine you would get 4-12 hours of runtime from the Anker 521.


then you need to recharge it !!!





they show you can recharge to 80% in 1.5hrs from a 60W USB-C charger.







..


but my testing shows that 61W solar from 16% SoC will take 3.4hrs . . but that to 100%





....

 

[dErZ]

@Dellmassive thanks for breaking down into a simpletons terms I understand now

 

[Dellmassive]

@dErZ

as a comparison. . .

this Renogy Lifpo4 battery is 100ah / 1200Wh

so if you had this battery in the van and a small inverter . . you would have 5x times the power capacity and run time.






........

 

[dErZ]

Thats on the list once my 32kg 130AH AGM dies

 

[Dellmassive]

nice round up video of some of the popular boxes. . .

.

 

[goldeneye243]

I'm thinking about getting a generator and think I prefer the lifetime of the LiFePO4.

Thinking either the Bluetti EB70 or the Anker 535 - Any thoughts as to which is better, or other good options?

I've got solar and leisure battery in the van, so would charge from the 12V outlet in the van unless there are better options?

 

[Dellmassive]

EB70 is larger Wh and has twice the inverter power of the 521 ( but its larger and heavier)

so out of those two i would go for the EB70

 

[bardellowski]

I thought that this group might be interested in this offer from Anker. @Dellmassive has probably bought one already!

 

[Dellmassive]

I thought that this group might be interested in this offer from Anker. @Dellmassive has probably bought one already!

View attachment 162157

id seen the USA version . .
didnt know when it was being released in the UK. . .


that box looks awesome !!!

1220wh / 1500w / lifepo4 !! - totally giving this one a go.


just put my name down for a code.

 

[t6blo]

@Dellmassive thanks for this helpful thread.

I‘m considering an Ecoflow River Max instead of a leisure battery.

Intending to run an ignition live from the middle row of the fuse box to charge it.

Then will run some wire to the CBE 13a and USB sockets in the side panels.

Do you think the 60 degree c max temp is realistic for it to live in the van - insulated but not sure what internal temp is likely to be on a hot UK day.

Also, I can see some grilles around the device - do I need to consider leaving some of these open to the interior of the van via some grilles/mesh in the ply rather than completely boxing it in?

Thanks

 

[Dellmassive]

@Dellmassive thanks for this helpful thread.

I‘m considering an Ecoflow River Max instead of a leisure battery.

Intending to run an ignition live from the middle row of the fuse box to charge it.

Then will run some wire to the CBE 13a and USB sockets in the side panels.

Do you think the 60 degree c max temp is realistic for it to live in the van - insulated but not sure what internal temp is likely to be on a hot UK day.

Also, I can see some grilles around the device - do I need to consider leaving some of these open to the interior of the van via some grilles/mesh in the ply rather than completely boxing it in?

Thanks

The 12v charge side is about 8A.. so that should work to charge from IGN.

The side vents are for cooling... Mainly for the fast mains charging and inverter use.

If you was fitting it in the van you want to give it maximum ventilation.

Lithium batterys don't like getting hot... So I'd look at keeping it as cool as possible.... Ideally below 30-40degC max.

.....

I think you main issue will be power capacity... The EF river Max has 576wh of power.

That's half a standard 100ah lithium battery (1200wh)....

Then once that's used up..

Plus a slow recharge rate of 8A, 70w while the engine is running means you need to have the engine running for 8hours for a full recharge.

Unless of course you plan to take it indoors for a mains fast charge.

Keep us posted with your setup.

.


.

 

[t6blo]

The 12v charge side is about 8A.. so that should work to charge from IGN.

The side vents are for cooling... Mainly for the fast mains charging and inverter use.

If you was fitting it in the van you want to give it maximum ventilation.

Lithium batterys don't like getting hot... So I'd look at keeping it as cool as possible.... Ideally below 30-40degC max.

.....

I think you main issue will be power capacity... The EF river Max has 576wh of power.

That's half a standard 100ah lithium battery (1200wh)....

Then once that's used up..

Plus a slow recharge rate of 8A, 70w while the engine is running means you need to have the engine running for 8hours for a full recharge.

Unless of course you plan to take it indoors for a mains fast charge.

Keep us posted with your setup.

.

View attachment 162216
.

Thanks again @Dellmassive

To clarify, my van isn’t a campervan so not looking for huge power for days between driving.

We use the van to have picnics in (Kombi with passenger single swivel and table between), somewhere to have a hot chocolate or cup of tea, getting changed after a bike ride or walk and general short duration chilling out.

Max time with a load on the Ecoflow between engine running to trickle charge it will be 3-4 hours.

Obviously charging devices like phones and cameras, running a camping kettle or velvetiser (both under 900w), LED lights and maybe a cool box would take their toll on the van battery and risk non-start situation when wanting to leave so I do believe I need an additional power source.

I am planning to locate it somewhere in the van that it would be safe from launching into the air in the event of an accident but also that it can be removed from the van - to use elsewhere or to fully charge indoors from the mains for example.


The CBE sockets will be fitted in the fixed panel opposite the slider and in the front of the rear panel behind the slider and the wires running back to wherever the Ecoflow will live - with plugs for the 13a sockets and the DC5521/cigarette outputs. Making it easy to unplug and remove - quick release.

Any idea how hot the inside of a black insulated/lined van would get if the outside temp hit the recent high of 30degrees like it did here in Essex the other day?

 

[Dellmassive]

Not sure on your temps...

But but mine reached 37.7c the other day looking at temp data. (Silver panel van, no insulation)

Sensor located in seat base next to lithium battery.



.


These are great little boxes..

So I'd say give it a go... If for any reason it didn't work out then you can always fit a proper leisure battery and use the mobile box along side it.



..


Other temp data.