Last, if it were me, I'd get a brand name AGM battery, as this type of lead-acid battery seems to work well with the Leaf. And no restrictions on climate!
I recommend either Antigravity or LithiumPros (what I have) 12v batteries: they are much better than the "cheap" Chinese batteries (with no BMS, voltage protection, etc.) that you see out there.fotajoye said:Thank you both for your replies:
Here is an LFP I found online; however, the price is way too high; I expect to pay a bit of a premium but not that much; What are others using and what has been their experience?
https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/starter-batteries/automotive/ag-51r-rs/
Maybe they are just trying to sell chargers, but the Antigravity battery says "IMPORTANT: Only use Lithium Lifepo4 Charger when charging these batteries from a charger"Stanton said:I recommend either Antigravity or LithiumPros (what I have) 12v batteries: they are much better than the "cheap" Chinese batteries (with no BMS, voltage protection, etc.) that you see out there.fotajoye said:Thank you both for your replies:
Here is an LFP I found online; however, the price is way too high; I expect to pay a bit of a premium but not that much; What are others using and what has been their experience?
https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/starter-batteries/automotive/ag-51r-rs/
You also need to think a bit "out of the box" with the Leaf (and really all EVs). You don't require a 51R type battery to make things work; a much smaller battery (both physically and Ahr-wise) will work just fine in a vehicle that doesn't require "cranking Amps". For example, these would work (https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/starter-batteries/automotive/ag-26-rs/) and (https://lithiumpros.com/collections/all-products/products/t1600-16v-20ah-lithium-ion-racing-battery) for less $ than the one you identified above. There is nothing wrong with changing out the terminals, using spacers to fit under the clamp, etc.
I don't want to get into a big debate, but the FUD about these LiFePO4 batteries and compatibility with the Leaf needs to stop.jjeff said:The LithiumPros says no special charger is required, just one that will do AGM or a gel battery and outputs between 13.5 and 14.4v. I do wonder/worry about the statement 100a 14.4v max as I believe the Leaf is capable of outputting more than 100a? although in that case, I'd assume not all that would be going into the battery but rather other devices along with the battery?? The LithiumPro says for a float charger they don't want more than 13.5v but to not let the battery get less than 11v.
FUD? the statement about a special charger(that you conveniently omitted from your quote of mine!) said, and I'll quote again for you, in case you missed it the first time, is "IMPORTANT: Only use Lithium Lifepo4 Charger when charging these batteries from a charger" again this is coming directly from the seller of the battery you linked, not some random quote I pulled off the webStanton said:I don't want to get into a big debate, but the FUD about these LiFePO4 batteries and compatibility with the Leaf needs to stop.jjeff said:The LithiumPros says no special charger is required, just one that will do AGM or a gel battery and outputs between 13.5 and 14.4v. I do wonder/worry about the statement 100a 14.4v max as I believe the Leaf is capable of outputting more than 100a? although in that case, I'd assume not all that would be going into the battery but rather other devices along with the battery?? The LithiumPro says for a float charger they don't want more than 13.5v but to not let the battery get less than 11v.
They don't need a "special charger" and the Leaf doesn't "blow up" the 12v battery with some ridiculous charging current.
I have used the same Lithium 12v battery in my Leaf for over 8 years now with no issues!
That statement is not associated with the batteries we are talking about (or the one who's link I provided)...so it becomes FUD to the folks who come on here trying to find Lithium 12v battery solutions.jjeff said:FUD? the statement about a special charger(that you conveniently omitted from your quote of mine!) said, and I'll quote again for you, in case you missed it the first time, is "IMPORTANT: Only use Lithium Lifepo4 Charger when charging these batteries from a charger" again this is coming directly from the seller of the battery you linked, not some random quote I pulled off the webStanton said:I don't want to get into a big debate, but the FUD about these LiFePO4 batteries and compatibility with the Leaf needs to stop.jjeff said:The LithiumPros says no special charger is required, just one that will do AGM or a gel battery and outputs between 13.5 and 14.4v. I do wonder/worry about the statement 100a 14.4v max as I believe the Leaf is capable of outputting more than 100a? although in that case, I'd assume not all that would be going into the battery but rather other devices along with the battery?? The LithiumPro says for a float charger they don't want more than 13.5v but to not let the battery get less than 11v.
They don't need a "special charger" and the Leaf doesn't "blow up" the 12v battery with some ridiculous charging current.
I have used the same Lithium 12v battery in my Leaf for over 8 years now with no issues!
It's precisely from the link you posted the first one, near the bottom of the page surrounded by a big orange box with an orange! surrounded by a triangle.Stanton said:That statement is not associated with the batteries we are talking about (or the one who's link I provided)...so it becomes FUD to the folks who come on here trying to find Lithium 12v battery solutions.jjeff said:FUD? the statement about a special charger(that you conveniently omitted from your quote of mine!) said, and I'll quote again for you, in case you missed it the first time, is "IMPORTANT: Only use Lithium Lifepo4 Charger when charging these batteries from a charger" again this is coming directly from the seller of the battery you linked, not some random quote I pulled off the webStanton said:I don't want to get into a big debate, but the FUD about these LiFePO4 batteries and compatibility with the Leaf needs to stop.
They don't need a "special charger" and the Leaf doesn't "blow up" the 12v battery with some ridiculous charging current.
I have used the same Lithium 12v battery in my Leaf for over 8 years now with no issues!
BluetoothMonster said:It seems like its different charge power cross the different year models.
It looks for me that something happened around the 2016 year model, the charge seems to be higher then the older models.
So a LiFePO4 12.8V battery that works for a 2013 model may not work on 2016 model and up.
The problem is finding a LiFePO4 12.8V that have a BMS that will handle the A on 2016 and newer.
(With this said, I have not a clue what the new Leafs do when it comes to this.
We are talking about 140A and more...
But if your LiFePO4 12.8V battery dont have a BMS, no problem. Until the cells are so unbalanced/mistreaded that the battery gives up the spirit...
I am currently waiting for my lithium cells for the permanent battery I will install, there will be no BMS, and full charge to -40°C.
Also it seems like the voltage and current that shows in Leaf Spy PRO does not correspond to the actual readings that I get in my BMS.
I dont know why, maybe its because of different measure points...
Example: When its 24A draw because of the AC its on, Leaf Spy Pro reports 0A. Also wrong voltage.
When the charge is 84A, Leaf Spy Pro reports 23A.
I will check this out.
BluetoothMonster said:Also it seems like the voltage and current that shows in Leaf Spy PRO does not correspond to the actual readings that I get in my BMS.
I dont know why, maybe its because of different measure points...
Example: When its 24A draw because of the AC its on, Leaf Spy Pro reports 0A. Also wrong voltage.
When the charge is 84A, Leaf Spy Pro reports 23A.
I will check this out.
Bouldergramp said:I checked the electrolyte levels in my 2018 Leaf 12 volt battery for the first time and added less than an ounce of distilled water to each cell, charged it at the 2 Amp rate with my charger, and it measures 13.06 V.
I won't worry about replacing it for another few years.
The car is only used for trips normally less than 30 miles around town during the day so there probably isn't much stress on the battery.
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