Best practice for charging LFP batteries on MG4 SE

[gazza487]

Not one for me to helpfully answer BUT I have an early SR. After throwing all the sw updates at it - it behaved differently when balancing and I could cram a bit more in the battery hence got a few more miles out of it. There were specifically BMS updates applied too.

Balancing from a really low % can take ALOT longer now. 1st go after the updates was over 2.5hrs!

 

[Starplots]

Not one for me to helpfully answer BUT I have an early SR. After throwing all the sw updates at it - it behaved differently when balancing and I could cram a bit more in the battery hence got a few more miles out of it. There were specifically BMS updates applied too.

Balancing from a really low % can take ALOT longer now. 1st go after the updates was over 2.5hrs!

What charger were you using? From a very low start, a single phase charger should take something like 10hrs - a 3 phase charger probably 6-7 hrs!

 

[siteguru]

Not one for me to helpfully answer BUT I have an early SR. After throwing all the sw updates at it - it behaved differently when balancing and I could cram a bit more in the battery hence got a few more miles out of it. There were specifically BMS updates applied too.

Balancing from a really low % can take ALOT longer now. 1st go after the updates was over 2.5hrs!

I've just charged mine and balanced; this is what iSmart says:

 

[domwild]

Manual will tell you charging to 100% is recommended once a month for BMS to equalise cells. Saw a figure once which claimed the least degradation if you charge LiFeP between 75 to 45 state of charge.

 

[mikgle]

I'm soon to take delivery of a standard range mg4. I am getting a myenergi 7kw charger and intend to use Octopus intelligent go.
I've read that the LFP batteries on the SE can be safely charged to 100% on a regular basis, as opposed to 80% with other battery technology. What is best practice in terms of LFP battery longevity? Can I literally ask octopus to "fill it up" every day?

Also I believe octopus intelligent charges in "fits and starts". Is this OK for the batteries or would it be preferable to charge without interruption?

Many thanks.

I have the same setup.. I find I dont need to charge to 100% unless Im going on a long journey ie 150 miles+ I wouldnt worry about charging in fits and starts, it allows a cooler battery whilst charging so cant see a problem as long as its charged to the level u want at the time u want.

 

[wattmatters]

I set up some charge automations for my wife's car (with LFP). At the moment it's just using a portable level 1 plug-in charger, only draws ~ 1.8 kW. Will be getting her a dedicated Level 2 charge station soon.

Unless manually overridden, it charges from either excess solar PV or during the grid free energy period.

Charge is stopped at 80% SOC unless it's been longer than 30 days since a full charge, and if there is enough sun it will continue through to do a full charge. Being winter there hasn't been enough sun for that to happen yet so the days since full charge is growing.

It's not that big of a deal, the SOC calibration will drift a little but not enough to concern her.

When the new charge station is operating then it will be able to charge faster during the free grid period (as well as from excess solar PV) and we'll see it get its full calibration charge every month or two.

 

[domwild]

I'm soon to take delivery of a standard range mg4. I am getting a myenergi 7kw charger and intend to use Octopus intelligent go.
I've read that the LFP batteries on the SE can be safely charged to 100% on a regular basis, as opposed to 80% with other battery technology. What is best practice in terms of LFP battery longevity? Can I literally ask octopus to "fill it up" every day?

Also I believe octopus intelligent charges in "fits and starts". Is this OK for the batteries or would it be preferable to charge without interruption?

Many thanks.

Saw a graph once which indicated charging between 75% and 45% will only drop the State of Health of the LFP battery by the smallest amount after 4,000 recharges.
Also, minimising the number of fast charging cycles is another good idea.

 

[wattmatters]

Saw a graph once which indicated charging between 75% and 45% will only drop the State of Health of the LFP battery by the smallest amount after 4,000 recharges.
Also, minimising the number of fast charging cycles is another good idea.

Which is all very good but the car will wear out a lot faster than the battery.

e.g. 4,000 cycles 45%-75% for my wife's 49 kWh car battery equates to ~370,000 km of driving.

 

[decrep]

Which is all very good but the car will wear out a lot faster than the battery.

e.g. 4,000 cycles 45%-75% for my wife's 49 kWh car battery equates to ~370,000 km of driving.

If our batteries get recycled at the end of the car's life for something useful for the planet.
Then really going out of you way to look after them is a good thing.

For instance they could be great for very fast chargers, especially if topped up by solar.
Just what the Nullabor needs, a string of fast chargers from Kalgoorlie to Ceduna.

And of course for all situations where the grid isn't practical. Usually plenty of room there for recycled PV panels as well.

 

[Archev]

If our batteries get recycled at the end of the car's life for something useful for the planet.
Then really going out of you way to look after them is a good thing.

For instance they could be great for very fast chargers, especially if topped up by solar.
Just what the Nullabor needs, a string of fast chargers from Kalgoorlie to Ceduna.

And of course for all situations where the grid isn't practical. Usually plenty of room there for recycled PV panels as well.

I’ve just had a quick traverse of that route you mentioned. I managed it without charging in one single stint on google maps. Looks like a fantastic journey to be able to drive but I’m guessing I’d be struggling on many different levels. It certainly is interesting imagining the impossible from a wee town in Scotland.

 

[decrep]

For us It's a couple of nights, Noresman, Border Village, Ceduna.
Service stations 100Km apart,and fuel gets more expensive the further from Civilisation you get.

You could do it quicker by driving at night, but I avoid that option like the plague, just too many animals on the road.

 

[decrep]

One of the highlights once you leave the Nullabor and head into civilisation.

Another spot for a VERY fast charger maybe?
Perhaps some smart person could power it from a methane fueled ICE motor?
Not much room for PV panels.

 

[Archev]

One of the highlights once you leave the Nullabor and head into civilisation.

View attachment 38596

Another spot for a VERY fast charger maybe?
Perhaps some smart person could power it from a methane fueled ICE motor?
Not much room for PV panels.

Luxury

 

[decrep]

Luxury

Yep, much better than an entrenching tool and a sheet of newspaper!

 

[Archev]

Yep, much better than an entrenching tool and a sheet of newspaper!

Depends on which paper

 

[Archev]

Is that too political

 

[mikgle]

Yep, much better than an entrenching tool and a sheet of newspaper!

Paper? Luxury..