Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)2022-10-01T08:14:47+01:00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are lithium batteries safe for automotive use in terms of vibration and shock resistance?2023-02-19T16:50:08+01:00

Yes. Verne Power Batteries are certified according to ECE R10.6 (a specific certification to test safety for use in vehicles) and comply with with UN38.3.

2. Can different battery types be put in one system?2023-02-19T16:03:19+01:00

No. Both when connecting batteries in series and when connecting batteries in parallel, batteries of the same type should be used. It is also not recommended to add batteries of the same capacity in parallel to an existing battery. This is because the capacity of batteries goes down over time, so the battery that was already there will then have lesser capacity compared to the new battery.

3. Can I have redundancy in the battery pack in the event of failure?2023-02-19T16:06:38+01:00

Yes, you can connected multiple batteries in parallel. In that case, the voltage of the combined battery pack will remain the same where the capacity will increase. So 2 batteries of 12,8V 200Ah will result in a 12,8V 400Ah battery pack. In case one battery fails, 12,8V with 200Ah capacity will remain available. Our batteries are very reliable however, so in general we do not recommend using multiple batteries simply for redundancy purposes. The costs are relatively high, and the benefit is very limited.

4. Can lithium batteries replace lead-acid batteries without modification to the system?2023-02-19T16:08:07+01:00

It depends. When your existing charger or chargers are suitable for lithium batteries, you will only have to adjust the configuration of the charger(s). When your chargers do not support lithium, you will need to replace them. Feel free to contact us for advice if your are unsure about this.

5. How do I select the right battery for my application?2023-02-19T16:15:59+01:00

Here are a few things to consider when selecting a battery for your application:

  1. The voltage that you need. Typically this is 12 or 24V. Please note that LiFePO4 batteries are 12,8 or 25,6V which can be used without problem in 12 or 24V systems, respectively.
  2. Weight restrictions of the total vehicle: here a big advantage of lithium batteries is that they are much lighter (up to 5x) compared to lead-acid batteries
  3. Dimensions – our batteries are designed to fit under the passenger seat of many camper models
  4. Capacity. Determining the exact capacity that you need depends on many things: the devices you use, how long you use them, whether or not you have solar panels (and how many), and how many days you want to be able to be without a grid connection – to name a few.
  5. Peak power: smaller capacity batteries also deliver a smaller peak power. This is something to take into account when you have appliances that consume a lot of power. Think a coffee machine, oven, hair dryer or air conditioning unit.

All in all there are a lot of things to take into account. Feel free to contact us if you want assistance! We are happy to help. And don’t worry, we will do fair recommendations – so smaller models if they are better suited for you.

6. Is cooling required on LiFePO4 battery packs?2023-02-19T16:17:37+01:00

The cells in our LiFePO4 batteries are certified to deliver power up to a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius, which is more than enough to work without cooling even in hotter climates.

7. What is the correct orientation when lithium batteries are fitted?2023-02-19T16:19:12+01:00

Our LiFePO4 batteries do not have liquid electrolyte inside. So in principal any orientation can be used. Most users will install upright or put the batteries on the long side. The latter is done mostly when installing under the seat.

8. What’s the best securing method when mounting the lithium batteries?2023-02-19T16:20:41+01:00

They should be restrained from movement in all 3 axes without excessive single point pressure on the re-enforced plastic case. Our batteries have mounting points, with which they can be easily fixated upright or on their long side using U-profiles.

9. If your lithium battery goes into protection mode, how do you wake it up?2023-02-19T16:24:35+01:00

The Battery Management System (BMS) in our batteries will protect the battery from things like overdischarging, overcharging, high voltage, high current, charging at low temperature and short circuit. When such an event occurs, the BMS will internally disconnect power from the battery terminals. By default, the power will automatically come back on after a few seconds. If it doesn’t, you can use the Verne Power app to check why the BMS is not switching back on. It will inform you of the reason on the battery status screen.

10. What is a BMS? What does it do and where is it located?2023-02-19T16:26:06+01:00

BMS stands for Battery Management System. The BMS protects the cells from getting damaged. It protects against overdischarging, overcharging, high voltage, high current, charging at low temperature and short circuit. When such an event occurs, the BMS will internally disconnect power from the battery terminals. By default, the power will automatically come back on after a few seconds. The BMS is located inside our batteries. You can use the Verne Power app on your phone to see its status, to upgrade the firmware and to adjust the configuration of the BMS.

11. How do LiFePO4 batteries perform in cold temperatures?2023-02-19T16:28:05+01:00

As with all batteries, cold temperatures will result in reduced performance. LiFePO4 batteries have significantly more capacity and voltage retention in the cold when compared to lead-acid batteries. Important to know is that LiFePO4 batteries cannot be charged below 0°C, and charge current needs to be reduced below 10°C.

12. How do LiFePO4 batteries perform in hot temperatures?2023-02-19T16:34:03+01:00

In general they perform will and there are no discharge limitations from -20°C up to a temperature of 55°C. Above 45°C charging current must be reduced to 0.5C (50% of rated capacity, so 50A for a 100Ah battery). In practice, performance in hot temperature is not something that will limit you in any way when using our batteries.

13. How are LiFePO4 batteries safer than other batteries?2023-02-19T16:48:41+01:00

Regular lithium batteries can suffer from thermal runaway risk. Meaning they are prone to catch fire – and once they do, this cannot be stopped. LiFePO4 batteries do not suffer from thermal runaway risk.

Lead-acid batteries (including AGM and gel) can release toxic gases, especially when being charged. This is why they should always be kept in a well ventilated space – which is often not the case when mounted in a boat or camper. Lithium batteries do not release gases.

Finally, our LiFePO4 batteries our protected by a state-of-the art Battery Management System which is defined to keep them safe in any situation.

14. How do you charge Verne Lifepo4 batteries?2022-02-07T18:01:49+01:00

Verne batteries can be charged with solar, alternator or mains energy in about 1 hour (depending the source). Just pay attention that only a LiFePO4 charger is connected to the battery. You can easily use the power and control the lifespan of the battery with the Verne App. After installing the battery, you only need to connect them to the Verne App and turn them on and they will deliver all the green power stored.

When winter comes you only need to turn on the button “Storage mode” in your Verne App. With this setting, the battery will be drained to 60% which is ideal for storage. Due to the low self-discharge rate, there is no need to connect a charger. When Spring comes maybe you don’t need to use all the power so you can turn on the “Battery life Mode” and the battery can be can be discharged for 80%. Summer is hot and you have installed an airco that demands all the power, just turn on “Power mode” and you will be able to discharge 100%. Autumn needs more time of lighting, so you can turn on “Balance mode” and the battery will be discharged up to 90%.

Title

Go to Top