mixing different brand lithium drop-ins

garveyjac · 02-05-2021, 02:45 PM

I have 2 24v 75 amp drop-ins hooked in series from Lithium Battery Power that I use on my 2009 Stealth. My cousin has 2 24v 120 amp drop-ins from another company (not sure which) he has decided not to use.

Assuming I have the space ( a big assumption), could I hook up one of each in parallel to total 195 amps, then each pack in series to come up with a 48v 195 amp system. The variables with different BMS's etc concern me. I guess I should get the specs of each and see how close they are set.

The 75 amp capacity is just not enough to make it around our South Texas ranch without sweating the return trip.

Pat911 · 02-05-2021, 04:25 PM

In theory this is possible but it is not advised.

One problem is that you’ll have 4 BMS’s all working independently and not communicating with each other. If one shuts down, the others will keep going.

Current balance between packs cannot be controlled in either charging or discharging.

Charging will also be a challenge and pack balancing would be non existent.

You really want only one BMS to be managing the entire pack.

If you do go ahead, Contrary to normal pack building practices, in this situation I would connect the similar packs in series first then connect the two 48v packs in parallel. Opposite to your suggestion of parallel first then series.

Cheers
Pat.

garveyjac · 02-05-2021, 06:30 PM

So if I understand your suggestion, one 48 v pack would have 75 amps and the other pack would have 120 amp. If that is the case wouldn't I still be limited to the smaller pack?

Volt_Ampere · 02-05-2021, 08:45 PM

Really not a good idea!

Pat911 · 02-06-2021, 02:18 AM

Agree that it really isn’t a good idea and I’m not suggesting you go ahead, but no, you will not be limited to the smaller pack.

garveyjac · 02-06-2021, 10:00 AM

Thanks guys! Even with my limited knowledge of batteries, I felt like it wasn't a good idea but wanted to float the idea. I think I will install the 120 amp alone and see if that will get the desired range. If not, sell these and invest in a new battery pack. Have a Roypow dealer close by now.

Pat911 · 02-06-2021, 04:02 PM

Why are you installing 2 24v packs in series? Since you’re purchasing a new 120Ah pack anyhow, why not purchase one that is 48v, that way you have one BMS managing the whole pack.

Cheers
Pat.

garveyjac · 02-06-2021, 05:00 PM

My cousin is giving them to me. Trying to keep from buying anything else if I don't have to. Cheers to you as well.

Pat911 · 02-06-2021, 05:30 PM

Oh, ok.

To get the most out of your series connected packs you should really be charging them individually with a 24v charger though. Have you checked the voltage of each pack? How close are they?

02-05-2021, 02:45 PM	#1
garveyjac Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 17	mixing different brand lithium drop-ins I have 2 24v 75 amp drop-ins hooked in series from Lithium Battery Power that I use on my 2009 Stealth. My cousin has 2 24v 120 amp drop-ins from another company (not sure which) he has decided not to use. Assuming I have the space ( a big assumption), could I hook up one of each in parallel to total 195 amps, then each pack in series to come up with a 48v 195 amp system. The variables with different BMS's etc concern me. I guess I should get the specs of each and see how close they are set. The 75 amp capacity is just not enough to make it around our South Texas ranch without sweating the return trip.
garveyjac Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 17

02-05-2021, 04:25 PM	#2
Pat911 Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,947	Re: mixing different brand lithium drop-ins In theory this is possible but it is not advised. One problem is that you’ll have 4 BMS’s all working independently and not communicating with each other. If one shuts down, the others will keep going. Current balance between packs cannot be controlled in either charging or discharging. Charging will also be a challenge and pack balancing would be non existent. You really want only one BMS to be managing the entire pack. If you do go ahead, Contrary to normal pack building practices, in this situation I would connect the similar packs in series first then connect the two 48v packs in parallel. Opposite to your suggestion of parallel first then series. Cheers Pat.

02-05-2021, 06:30 PM	#3
garveyjac Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 17	Re: mixing different brand lithium drop-ins So if I understand your suggestion, one 48 v pack would have 75 amps and the other pack would have 120 amp. If that is the case wouldn't I still be limited to the smaller pack?
garveyjac Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 17

02-05-2021, 08:45 PM	#4
Volt_Ampere Gone Wild Join Date: May 2012 Location: Rio Verde, Az Posts: 7,187	Re: mixing different brand lithium drop-ins Really not a good idea!

02-06-2021, 02:18 AM	#5
Pat911 Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,947	Re: mixing different brand lithium drop-ins Agree that it really isn’t a good idea and I’m not suggesting you go ahead, but no, you will not be limited to the smaller pack.

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02-06-2021, 10:00 AM	#6
garveyjac Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 17	Re: mixing different brand lithium drop-ins Thanks guys! Even with my limited knowledge of batteries, I felt like it wasn't a good idea but wanted to float the idea. I think I will install the 120 amp alone and see if that will get the desired range. If not, sell these and invest in a new battery pack. Have a Roypow dealer close by now.
garveyjac Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 17

02-06-2021, 04:02 PM	#7
Pat911 Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,947	Re: mixing different brand lithium drop-ins Why are you installing 2 24v packs in series? Since you’re purchasing a new 120Ah pack anyhow, why not purchase one that is 48v, that way you have one BMS managing the whole pack. Cheers Pat.

02-06-2021, 05:00 PM	#8
garveyjac Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 17	Re: mixing different brand lithium drop-ins My cousin is giving them to me. Trying to keep from buying anything else if I don't have to. Cheers to you as well.
garveyjac Not Yet Wild Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 17

02-06-2021, 05:30 PM	#9
Pat911 Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,947	Re: mixing different brand lithium drop-ins Oh, ok. To get the most out of your series connected packs you should really be charging them individually with a 24v charger though. Have you checked the voltage of each pack? How close are they?

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