Xplorer XPL12-300 PolarMax 12V 300Ah Li-ion Battery User Guide
- August 31, 2024
- Xplorer
Table of Contents
XPL12-300 PolarMax 12V 300Ah Li-ion Battery
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Product Information
The Xplorer PolarMax 12V 300Ah Li-ion Battery is a
high-performance lithium battery designed to replace common
lead-acid batteries in various applications. It features advanced
modern technologies such as a removable enclosure, modular design,
Bluetooth connectivity, and self-heating capabilities.
The battery utilizes Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) REPT Grade A cells
and a unique Ritar BMS to ensure safety, high current output, and
long-lasting performance. With 20 times longer cyclic life compared
to SLA batteries, it offers cost and energy savings while being up
to 70% lighter than traditional lead-acid batteries.
Internal features include Bluetooth modules, heater components,
LED display units, and communication ports for enhanced
functionality and monitoring.
Manufacturer: Hengyang Ritar Power Co.
Specifications
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Model: XPL12-300
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Nominal Voltage: 12.8V
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Nominal Capacity: 200Ah
-
Total Energy: 3840Wh
-
Max. Charging Current: 200A
-
Recommended Charging Current: 30A Min – 150A Max
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Charging Voltage: 14.2~14.6V
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Max. Discharging Current: 200A
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End of Discharge Voltage: 11.2V
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Operating Temperature Range: 0~95% RH (No condensing)
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Protection: Overcharge, Overdischarge, Overtemperature, Low
Temperature, Overcurrent, Short Circuit -
Cycle Life: 3500 cycles
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Designed Calendar Life: 10 Years
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Dimension: 522240219 mm
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Weight: 31.5 Kg
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Communication Port: RS485; CAN, Victron SOC, ALM, RUN,
ON/OFF -
LED Indicator and Button: Yes
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IP Class: IP30
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Certifications: UN38.3; ROHS; IEC62619; UL1973; Grade A REPT
Cells UN38.3; MSDS; CE
Product Usage Instructions
First Use & Storage
Before using the battery for the first time, ensure that you
have read the user manual carefully to understand all features and
safety instructions. Store the battery in a cool, dry place away
from direct sunlight.
Relationship Between Charge Limits and Temperature
Lithium-ion cells have specific charge current limits at
different temperatures to maintain optimal performance and
durability. Refer to the recommended charge limits based on ambient
temperature provided in the manual to prevent any permanent loss of
capacity.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Can the Xplorer PolarMax battery be used as a drop-in
replacement for lead-acid batteries?
A: Yes, the Xplorer PolarMax 12V 300Ah Li-ion Battery is
designed to be a direct replacement for common lead-acid batteries
in various applications.
Q: What are the key safety features of the battery?
A: The battery is equipped with protection against overcharge,
overdischarge, overtemperature, low temperature, overcurrent, and
short circuits to ensure safe operation.
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PolarMax 12V 300Ah Li-ion Battery
User’s Guide
Ended User Documentation
XPL12-300
Thanks for purchasing your Xplorer PolarMax Lithium Battery
Xplorer PolarMax 12V 300Ah Li-ion battery is intended as a replacement for
common lead acid batteries for a wide range of applications
The new generation PolarMax battery adopts advanced modern features such as a
removable enclosure and modular design with Bluetooth and self heating
The battery adopts Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) REPT Grade A cells and unique
Ritar BMS to provide safety, high current and prominent long life performance,
with 20 times longer cyclic life than SLA battery to save cost and energy & up
to
70% lighter than SLA batteries Diverse internal features which include
Bluetooth modules, heater components, LED display units and communication
ports. This document is intended for use by anyone required to install and
operate PolarMax 12V 300Ah Li-ion batteries. Be sure to review this manual
carefully to identify any potential safety risks before proceeding. The owner
must be familiar with all the features of this product before proceeding.
Failure to install or use this product as instructed can result in
damage to the product that may not be covered under the limited warranty.
Manufactured by Hengyang Ritar Power Co. A global leading and established
Battery manufacturer
WARNING:
Explosion, Electrocution, Or Fire Hazard
· A battery can present a risk of electric shock, burns from high short
circuit current, fi re, or explosion. Observe proper precautions. Ensure the
cables are properly sized.
· Ensure clearance requirements are strictly enforced around the batteries.
Ensure the · area around the batteries is well ventilated and clean of debris.
Ensure no heat source · near the battery. Ensure the battery terminal screws
are tightened, (M8 screw torque: · 18 N.m). Always use insulated tools. Avoid
dropping tools onto batteries or other · electrical parts. · Never charge a
frozen battery unless optional heater parts inside. If a battery must be
removed, always remove the grounded terminal from the battery first. Make sure
all devices are disconnected. Never leave on permanent charge Never store the
battery at full capacity or over discharged
IMPORTANT
· When installing batteries, leave adequate clearance between batteries. When
replacing · batteries, use the same number and type of batteries. Avoid any
fall or collision during · the installation process. Do not remove the battery
components. The maintenance of the · battery should be carried out by a
professional engineer. Do not expose the Li-ion battery
to heat in excess of 58°C during operation, 60°C in storage. Do not incinerate
or expose to · open ames. Do not connect over 4 sets Li-ion batteries in
series or paralell. Wrong
operation will damage the BMS. Before series connection, it’s better to make
sure fully · charge or discharge single battery. The different SOC between
batteries may cause the · whole group to fail to charge and discharge normally
(Reduce the usable capacity of the
battery group. Before parallel connection, it’s better to make sure the
voltage difference · less than 0.1V to avoid large current impact . Do not
connect in series at the same time
connect in parallel. Be sure to have satisfied yourself that your charging
system supports Lithium Batteries · safely or optimised to do so
· Direct alternator charging is prohibited unless an adequate DC/DC charger is
installed optimised for Lithium Charging
Product Design
10
1 Detachable cover-ABS+PC 2 PC Film 3 Communication port cover 4 Hexagon
socket screws 5 ON/OFF button and LEDs
Bluetooth Module
6 Communication board 7 BMS (RD-RJ4S200A) 8 Cells, 2P4S 9 Heater Parts 10 Case
: ABS+PC
Specification
Model Nominal Voltage [V] Nominal Capacity [Ah] Total Energy [Wh] Max.
Charging Current [A] Recommended Charging Current [A] Charging Voltage [V]
Max. Discharging Current [A] End of Dicharge Voltage [V] Operating Temperature
Range
Protection Cycle Life Designed Calendar Life Dimension (WDH, mm) Weight [Kg]
Operation Humidity Communication Port LED Indicator and Button IP Class
(3)
Parallel Support Series Support Certification-Cell Certification-Battery
XPL12- 300 12.8 200 3840 200
30A Min – 150A Max 14.2~14.6 200 11.2
Discharge: -20 ~ +55°C Charge/Discharge -20~+55°C
Over charge Over discharge, Over temperature, Low Temperature, Over Current,
Short circuit 3500 cycles
10 Years 522240219
31.5 0~95% RH (No condensing)
RS485; CAN, Victron SOC, ALM, RUN, ON/OFF
IP30 Yes, Max, 4Sets Yes, Max. 4 Sets UN38.3; ROHS; IEC62619; UL1973; Grade A
REPT Cells UN38.3; MSDS; CE
First use & Storage
Your battery will require charging before use to both activate and fully
charge your battery before installing. We would recommend doing this via your
mains powered Battery charger of at least 30A of charge current. The XPL12-300
Li-ion battery can be stored in an environment with temperatures between -20°C
and +55°C and between 10% and 90% relative humidity, non-condensing. For long
storage periods at 25°C, charge the battery every 2 months . For temperatures
above 40°C, charge the battery quarterly. Do not store the Li-ion battery at
temperatures above 60°C. We strongly recommend that your battery is stored at
between 30 – 50% capacity at room temperature when not in use. Never leave on
permanent charge
Relationship Between Charge Limits and Temperature
Due to the chemistry of Lithium Ion cells, the cells cannot accept as much charge current at lower temperatures without risking permanent loss of capacity. As the cells’ temperature rises during the charging process, they can gradually accept higher currents. To maintain optimum performance and durability of Li-ion battery, the following charge limits based on ambient temperature is recommended. Please refer to the heating aspect of the battery page further down in this manual
Temperature () -20 -10 0 10 20 35 45 >55
Max Charge Current Prohibit charging Prohibit charging 0.1C
Recommended charge current Max continuous charge current Recommended charge
current
0.2C Prohibit charging
Table 1 Charge rate by temperature
Series Strings
The batteries can be combined together in series strings to achieve higher
operating voltages by connecting the positive terminal of one battery to the
negative terminal of the next battery. The maximum number of 12.8V Li-ion
battery that you can connect in a series is four (4). Below figure 2
illustrates four 12.8V Li-ion batteries connected in series, for a 4S1P confi
guration.
4pcs 12.8v100ah in series Figure 2. Connecting Batteries in Series (4S1P Confi
guration)
Two batteries in series: 2 x 12.8V = 25.6V (nominal) for 24V applications
Three batteries in series: 3 x 12.8V = 38.4V (nominal) for 36V applications
Four batteries in series: 4 x 12.8V = 51.2V (nominal) for 48V applications
CAUTION
· Failure to follow the following safety instructions may result in personal
injuries or damage to the equipment! Do not connect more than four batteries
in series. Connecting more than
· four batteries in series exceeds the voltage limit of the BMS. Do not short
circuit the Li-ion battery Do not connect different batches, different types,
old and new batteries in series.
· Ensure the batteries consistency before connecting in series. For series
connection, if one · of batteries is charged fully (100% SOC), the other
batteries will not be charged anymore, · this may casue some batteris SOC
won’t show 100%, it doesn’t effect the performance of · battery.
Parallel Strings
You can combine batteries together in parallel strings to achieve higher
operating energy by connecting like-polarity terminals of adjacent batteries.
To combine batteries in parallel strings, connect all like-polarity wires on
adjacent batteries to an appropriately sized terminal block for your
application. Refer to Figure 3 for an example of four 12.8V Li-ion batteries
connected together in a 4P confi guration. The maximum number of 12V series
strings that you can connect in parallel is four. It is important to use the
data cable between batteries to ensure even discharge and recharge. Bus Bar
connectivity recommended
4pcs x 12.8v100ah in Parallel Figure 3 Example of a 4S2P Confi guration
CAUTION
· Do not connect different batches, different types, old and new batteries in
parallel. Ensure the · battery voltage difference is below 100mV before
parallel connection to avoid high pulse
current. Ensure every battery have 3A charge/discharge current. · The parallel
application can only extend the capacity and runtime, and cannot increase ·
the charging or discharging current. The max discharge current remains 200A &
100A
Charge current
Charging Batteries
The 12.8V Li-ion is compatible with common 12V Lead-acid battery chargers. We
advise using GEL or AGM charge profiles if Lithium mode not present. Do not
recharge using standard split relay or direct alternator charging unless a
Lithium optimised DC/DC charger is installed Chargers that require the
detection of voltage at the battery terminals to charge may fail to wake the
Li-ion battery from a state of under-voltage protection. Constant Voltage (CV)
chargers may result in an inrush of current due to the low impedance of the
cells, interrupting the charge. Reset the charger and continue charging
normally if the charger trips. The constant current (CC) chargers is
recommended strongly. To charge a single 12.8V battery, the maximum charge
voltage is 14.6V and the maximum charge current is refer to Table 1. Any
inrush current may cause over current or short circuit protection. Once you
reach end-of-charge voltage, apply a constant voltage hold at this voltage
until the current decays to almost zero. This charges the cells to 100% state
of charge (SOC). Refer to below fi gure for an illustration.
Voltage & Current
Battery Voltage
Charger holds output to a standy “fl oat” voltage
CV
Battery Current
CC
Battery charge current tapers down to almost zero
Time
Battery voltage and current during recharge
Wake up or Switch Off
For 12v 300Ah Li-ion battery, if there are no charge or discharge for 24
hours, the battery will enter into sleep mode to save energy and it can still
be measured a OCV (>10V), any charge or discharge operation will active the
battery. If the battery was over-dicharged protection, the BMS will enter into
sleep mode after 5 min. there are no OCV at this status. only charge operation
can active the battery. Press ON/OFF button 6 seconds to active or switch off
a battery.
LED Indicator for G2 & G3
Bluetooth battery APP introduction
Harness the power of Bluetooth and open up a world of information reagrding
your battery. We have made the App as simple as possible whilst providing the
core and vital information regarding your battery
To use, please scan the QR code above for either Google Play or App Store
(iphone) or search Bluetooth Li in your App store and download Connecting
Once installed you will need to make sure your battery is awake. Do this by
pressing the on switch or charging/discharging the battery
Ensure Bluetooth and location is enabled on your phone/device Open the
Bluetooth Li App and search via Bluetooth
Locate your battery on the device list. Your battery name is the serial number
also printed on the battery lid Tap the found battery device in the App and it
will auto connect Multiple Batteries The app is designed to monitor one
battery at a time by default
You can monitor up to four batteries in realtime by connecting the batteries
together using the communication ports. Contact our customer service team if
you need further assistance
State of charge
Battery Voltage Battery Current
Charge is positive, Discharge is negative
Battery Rated Capacity Battery Temperature
Cycle times
BATTERY HEATING
The PolarMax has LiFePO4 chemistry, this allows it to be discharged in
temperatures as low as -20 without any adverse effects due to the built in
internal heating pad. Without this, the charging process can pose problems as
charging a LiFePO4 battery below freezing Temperatures can cause irreversible
damage, leading to a shorter lifespan. To combat this issue, we’ve
incorporated heating pads into the battery to maintain optimal charging
temperatures.
To avoid charging the battery under freezing conditions, the battery
management system will disable charging and Activate the protective state
(LTC) when a temperature of 0 is detected. This action initiates the
activation of the heat pads. The BMS will utilize the incoming charge current
to energize the 36W heating pads until the temperature reaches 5. After
achieving 5, the protective state will be terminated, and the charging process
will resume.
For optimal heating, the heating pads necessitate an incoming charge current
of no less than 0.5A
The PolarMax Lithium range is designed to work directly with Victron systems.
This neagtes the need to use extra shunts or BMS’s when using a Victron
system. Our Batteries have been designed to plug into the Victron
communication hub known as the Cerbo GX
The PolarMax BMS once succesfully connected to the Victron Cerbo will display
the following information
Cell Voltages Temp
Voltage, State of charge & Current Current Limit
Charging Voltage Limit Alarms for over voltage, high voltage and cell
imbalance
Connect
Using the cable supplied. Connect lead end labelled Battery to the down Com
port on the battery and then the lead end labelled Inverter directly to the
BMS CAN input on the Cerbo. You must also use the the spare jumper
(grey) and place this in the spare BMS CAN input
Please contact our customer service team if you need assistance sales@alpha-
batteries.co.uk Tel: 01706356356
Troubleshooting
The PolarMax Li-ion batteries are extremely reliable batteries that provide
greater useful life than comparable 12V lead-acid batteries. Despite the high
reliability of the 12.8V Li-ion batteries, you may encounter situations where
the battery does not operate as expected. These situations are typically the
result of misuse, abuse or a non-optimal charging or storage environment. This
part details potential issues you may encounter with the PolarMax batteries
and the appropriate troubleshooting procedures.
Charger Trips using Constant Voltage
Problem: Charger trips when charging the batteries. This is due to the low
impedance of the battery creating a current inrush. Solution: Reset the
charger and try again.
Terminal Voltage Absent or Low
Problem: Using a multimeter to check terminal voltage shows the terminal
voltage is low (<10V). Possible causes for this problem are: The voltage of a
cell within the battery dropped below 2.5 V, causing the microprocessor to
enable low-voltage protection. The battery’s SOC dropped below 5% from either
an extended idle period or heavy use, enabling under-voltage protection. The
battery overheated (>60°C), causing the microprocessor to enable over-
temperature protection. Solution: To resolve situations where terminal voltage
is absent or low: 1.Allow the battery to cool and then recheck terminal
voltage. 2.Connect the battery to a charger to wake the battery and recover
terminal voltage. (<=30V PV panel can be used to active a deep discharge
battery. ) (A 12V VRLA battery can also be used to active a deep discharge
battery. ) 3.If the cells pack voltage is below 7V, the BMS will not be
actived anymore. So it needs to be charged in time after deep discharge.
Battery Current Disappears when Charging
Problem: Battery current disappears when charging. Possible causes for this
problem are: The battery overheated, enabling over-temperature protection.
Charger voltage is too high.
Solution: To resolve situations where current disappears when charging:
1.Allow the battery to cool. 2.Reduce charger voltage to 14.2~.14.6 V.
We’re here to help.
Our UK based dedicated support team are available to assist Contact us at
sales@alpha-batteries.co.uk Tel: 01706356356
What are the ideal charge settings for my PolarMax? Bulk Charge: 14.2 – 14.6v
Float Charge: 13.6v
What size thread/Terminal type do the PolarMax Batteries have? 8mm nut and
bolt connection supplied. 8mm to SAE round post adapters can be fitted. We
supply them here
Can I connect multiple PolarMax batteries? Yes you can! You can connect up to
four PolarMax Batteries in Series or Paralell You must only connect batteries
together of the same type, manufacturer and age!
Can I side mount my PolarMax Battery? You can indeed! The range is designed to
be orientated in any position. Please ensure the terminals are
protected to avoid short circuit
What Inverter size can I use on this Model? The PolarMax 300ah has a Ritar
200A Max discharge BMS built inside. This equates to 2560W
We recommend an Inverter no larger than 2500w.
What Charger shall I use? We recommend 30A minimum and 150A Max. Failure to do
so will result in either under or overcharge resulting
in battery failure We strongly recommend the use of modern Victron chargers
for mains and alternator charging Existing chargers can be used but must have
a dedicated Lithium charge profile or GEL/AGM setting at least.