External connectors for a LiFePO4 battery box (anderson, XT-60)?

trae

Adventurer
yeah they dont come out of that one

That’s disappointing.

I expected to use one for output and one for solar input. What happens if I attach solar panels directly to the battery accidentally?


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dreadlocks

Well-known member
If the batteries are full you'll pump whatever the panels highest voltage is right into yer BMS and likely foobar something, if they are not full the'll try to charge off it... mebe a couple Diodes to keep one as Input and one as Output, then it wouldent do anything.
 

trae

Adventurer
If the batteries are full you'll pump whatever the panels highest voltage is right into yer BMS and likely foobar something, if they are not full the'll try to charge off it... mebe a couple Diodes to keep one as Input and one as Output, then it wouldent do anything.

Gonna read up on this. Meanwhile, I reached out to powerwerx to see if we are missing something.


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dreadlocks

Well-known member
the "water resistant" one I picked up from HRO that looks just like that was like potted in place w/epoxy, didnt seem like it could come apart at all.. just crimped pins and pushed em into the back.. was fine since it was just a dual outlet I had no need to change anything up.
 

trae

Adventurer
Powerwerx responded to my ticket, on a weekend no less:

You can disassemble the PanelPole if you wish. The roll pin can be pushed out with a small flat blade screwdriver and hammer. It can help if you have a small vice to hold the item. Then re-install with some pliers to hold the roll pin and a small hammer.

If you want to rotate the housings for an alternate configuration, it won't allow the roll pin to be inserted as the channel formed between the two housings won't be aligned.

I suppose you could try drilling out the housings if you really wanted to do this. The roll pin diameter is 1/32".


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dreadlocks

Well-known member
you can flip one of the andersons 180 on the solar input so it'll have one pin up and one pin down, the roll pin should still work for holding em in place.
 

Photobug

Well-known member
I have been using a bunch of Andersons and like them for their solid connection but have had problems.

I have the connectors I bought from Powerw
That’s disappointing.

I expected to use one for output and one for solar input. What happens if I attach solar panels directly to the battery accidentally?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


I have input and output on my DIY solar generator. I have 3 of those plugs, left front right of the box. Lower-left side is for solar input goes through my MPPT controller to battery. Lower right is output of solar if I want to use the solar generator for charging an external battery I have to change the wiring inside if I want to change modes. I will be changing this up with a switch and a relay, someday.

Not all the others are wired as I don't need them but the two front are output.

I have had trouble getting a smooth crimp using my crimper, 10 ga wires and the 45a crimps. WIth practice I get it close but then requires some creative use of a vice or vice grips to get it to fit into the powerpole.
 

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I have been using a bunch of Andersons and like them for their solid connection but have had problems.

I have the connectors I bought from Powerw



I have input and output on my DIY solar generator. I have 3 of those plugs, left front right of the box. Lower-left side is for solar input goes through my MPPT controller to battery. Lower right is output of solar if I want to use the solar generator for charging an external battery I have to change the wiring inside if I want to change modes. I will be changing this up with a switch and a relay, someday.

Not all the others are wired as I don't need them but the two front are output.

I have had trouble getting a smooth crimp using my crimper, 10 ga wires and the 45a crimps. WIth practice I get it close but then requires some creative use of a vice or vice grips to get it to fit into the powerpole.
If you are having problems with your crimping then you are using the wrong crimper. Either use theirs or a nice heavy Klien uninsulated terminal crimper. Not those thin ones that come in those terminal assortments.
 

Photobug

Well-known member
If you are having problems with your crimping then you are using the wrong crimper. Either use theirs or a nice heavy Klien uninsulated terminal crimper. Not those thin ones that come in those terminal assortments.

Mine came from a reputed source.

I have been told the sources of metal are varied and I might need to alter (file) the die slightly to get a better fit but the next batch of metal parts may fit differently. By doing the crimp more carefully I have been able to get it closer so it needs less altering to fit but the #10 wires are a stretch into this narrow fitting.

The other problem is the plugging in of the APPs require more 'effort'. Every other plug I have can be done in the dark, you need a light to line up the APP and it still takes a more precise alignment.
 

john61ct

Adventurer
Each termination type needs its specific crimper, or specialist die.

Just because you bought from a reputable source, even if you spend thousands, does not mean it is designed to crimp those particular Andersons.

Buy the right tool for the job.

Or find a place to lend you that tool.

Or pay a shop to terminate a custom set for you.
 

Photobug

Well-known member
Each termination type needs its specific crimper, or specialist die.

Just because you bought from a reputable source, even if you spend thousands, does not mean it is designed to crimp those particular Andersons.

Buy the right tool for the job.

Or find a place to lend you that tool.

Or pay a shop to terminate a custom set for you.

This crimper comes with changeable dies. I am using the die for Anderson Power Poles. I bought this crimper even though I owned others because it had a good variety of dies including APP and some others I did not have. I have some experience crimping other connectors, no other crimp has given me the problems the APP 45a crimps do.
 

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LoriePetty

New member
Hello....XT-90 Connectors off the BMS ought to be the standard IMO ! That is an Excellent method to interface to the BMS contrasted with welded on wires.

The BMS, Heat Sink and arrangement is actually pleasantly done, thoroughly examined.

Pocket cells ! Well They have their genius' and con's however in this kind of arrangement, could be very acceptable... 16 pockets however... really awful you were unable to sort out the specs of every cell (make and model would have been cool)

Bummer they can just go in arrangement ! Ideally that is simply impermanent and they'll sort out some way to make 24/48+ V

As indicated by PV Mag two or three others, 2020 will see a major assortment of new "battery packs" ESS/HSS frameworks with a few players getting into it... Rivalry is acceptable, will drive costs down, highlights and execution up and put pressing factor of the others to venture up with quality item.
 
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justbecause

perpetually lost
I'm starting my DC DC charge project. At some point in my youtubing I saw a video that said to get the most out of the XT connector make sure you get the solar xt with the 3rd pin. Otherwise the ecoflo will not recognize it as solar and will treat it as DC car charging and slow charge to protect OEM wiring (wiring from a stock 12v outlet)

I cannot find that video, cannot confirm that information or find a 3rd port XT connector. Was I given bad info, am I going crazy?
 

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