Lithium time for my Drive2
 

I spent a little time on the phone today with Don @ Plowman's. My cart is a mostly stock 2017 Drive2 and I don't need extreme performance or speed :)

Don said I'd be happy with the Allied Battery. I have two of the 30 amp and a Plowman's charger on the way. The original Trojan T875 are tired and I'll be happy to not have to do the battery maintenance.

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Congrats on the upgrade. Going lithium was the best thing I did to the ‘01 DS I used to own.


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Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

I am strongly considering upgrading a few things on my 2016 G29. im still on all factory electrical.

looking at Lithium upgrade, engine upgrade to gain a little speed ( 25ish ) is good for me, and probably a 500amp controller while at it.

Let me know how the lithium works out... its going to take me a while to convince the wife to let me spend that much money at one time on cart!

Cart has 6" lift with 23" all terrain tires and we ride it quite a few miles a week through the neighborhood and its starting to get a little tired as well.

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

I did do a 3" lift with 20" tires. Lithium seems the natural progression. I dropped a couple 12 volts in my motorhome to replace the original deep cycles in there. GAME changer!

I did receive a follow up call from Don @ Plowman's today. Allied is currently Out Of Stock on the 48V 30 A batteries. Of course, Don has some in stock. The only down side is I'll pay shipping now vice them drop-shipping from Allied. Plowman's price is still less than buying directly from Allied, so Worth it!!

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Got me some lithium love in a shipment from Plowman's today!

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Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Well, I had a little delay to handle some family business. Got the Trojans removed today, cleaned up the battery tray and placed the Allied's in place.

I'm reading 52.4 volts. Need to find a voltage chart for these 48V lithiums.

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

I emailed Allied Battery, here is what they replied:

"I don't have a chart as it is relative percentage and voltage. Depending on the customers upgrades and aftermarket parts, that is variable.
The max voltage is about 55V and the minimum voltage is about 51V.
I hope this will help you understand the limits of the battery."

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Hi,

A normal 48v LiFePO4 is made up with 16 cells, which gives a max charging voltage of 58.4v (3.65v/cell) but from the information you provided above, it seems that these Allied batteries are only using 15 cells, giving a maximum charge voltage of 54.8v.

Your resting voltage of 52.4 indicates a filly charged 15 cell battery or a 50% charged 16 cell battery. Lithium batteries are best stored and shipped at 50% capacity so there’s a discrepancy there.

If it’s a 15 cell battery You’ll need a lithium charger (CC/CV power supply) with a CV setting of 54.8v. If it’s a 16 cell battery you’ll need a 58.4v CV setting.

Allied should be able to tell you if you need a 15 cell charger or a 16 cell charger.

The discharge curve for lithium is very flat so you cannot accurately predict state of charge with voltage, you’ll need a coloumb counting SOC meter, hence the no published voltage chart. This is the one I use and recommend.

https://www.renogy.com/500a-battery-...xoC0UYQAvD_BwE

Cheers
Pat.

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Thanks for taking the time for your very detailed response!

I never thought about using that type of meter on the cart, but do have something similar (Victron BMV712) in my motorhome. I don't think I'm THAT concerned about the battery status, really just wanted a swag so I don't inadvertently get stranded somewhere, but I'm rarely more than 1 mile from home. I'll consider your recommendation.

My charger is the Plowmans in-house LiFePO4 charger. I just went and plugged it in and we'll see what it does.

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Thanks, Rich

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Thanks again Pat. I ordered the Renogy battery monitor, should be here and installed in a couple days. Got a full charge and read 58.4 V.

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

PAT911,

I took your advice and installed the Renogy battery monitor. Sweet!

All is well in my "new" LiFePO4 powered Yamaha!

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Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Richj11

Hope all is well. I ran across your post while thinking about upgrading my batteries to lithium as well!
How are you liking them? Any issues?
Also do you have any upgrades? I’m asking because I have Dons motor and 300 amp controller in my cart.


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Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

No upgrades aside from lights, lift, tires. I'd be interested in your battery install (if you go this route) with Dons motor and controller.

I just drive the crap out of it with factory controller/motor so far.

I do need to pay attention more and see what kind of distance I'm getting. I just plug it in when the battery monitor starts getting down there...

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Well, I'm loving the lithium batteries. Of course, the natural progression is more upgrades!

I just received the AllTrax 400XCT and a SW180 solenoid from ScottyB.

Simple install and immediately hit 21mph on flat ground 8)

After the test drive I ordered up two more of the Allied 48V/30AH lithium batteries.

I know the next step will likely be a new motor when the stock Hitachi poops out.

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Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Well, it took about 5 weeks, but the 2 additional Allied 48V 30AH batteries were delivered last week.

So now I have a respectful 120AH capacity. :lol:

I need to pay attention and see what kind of range I can expect. Normally I just run 1/2 mile down the driveway for mail and garbage runs and charge it when I think about it.

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Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

I've been waiting for an Eco 72ah but see that Plowman's has Allieds in stock so I may go that route. They appear to be "plug & Play" on the installation video. Was that the case?

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

In my Drive2, yes, plug and play for the most part

Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Well, I've been wanting to do this for a while. I ended up borrowing a buddies 5x10 trailer and drug the cart with us camping last week.

The lithiums were fabulous, ran around the campground and to the pool numerous times a day. After 7 days the batteries were still reading 38%. Nice!

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Re: Lithium time for my Drive2
 

Rich, I know this is almost a year later, but I was wondering how the 2 battery setup worked out for you? I have a 15' that is stock motor/controller, but I have a 3" rhox lift and 20" tires. I live in Ohio and lots of hills here and at the campground. Wondering if you think the 2 batteries will be good or if you think I need to bump to 3. Normally no long trips and normally plug in every night after usage.