DEXT or SBMS0

[Xavier Alexandre]

Hi Dacian,

I have an SBMS0 which has been on for about 3 years I believe. As I am about to go towards the Pacific, I would not mind having a backup or the DEXT if this is available. What could you suggest?

[Dacian Todea (electrodacus)]

The DEXT is not ready. The DEXT allows the to trip circuit breakers so it is a backup for battery.

If it works for the past 3 years there us no reason for it to fail. But you can get a backup if you want.

DEXT may only be available in about 3 months.

[Dave McCampbell]

XMan.  We have been in the Pacific and SE Asia now for many years.  You should know there are many lightning storms out here, and therefore more of a chance for a strike than in many other cruising locations.  Just a couple of weeks ago a nearby strike turned our main load and charge Blue Seas 7700 breakers suddenly off.  I don't know how that happened, but it was a surprise and maybe saved some of our electronics.  The remote on off switch allowed us to quickly turn the circuits back on.  During the past couple of months two cruisers burned the windings on their new Balmar alternators.  They had no idea how/why it happened,  how to fix it and no spares or test tools.  So they had to abandon their cruise and head back hundreds of miles to see the mechanic who installed their system.

I am a believer in carrying spares whenever possible when cruising in remote locations.  One big advantage of using a DIY LFP system is that critical spares relatively small and inexpensive.  So we have aboard a spare SBMS0, two cells, relays, shunts, a MPPT, alternator, fuses and a number of other parts and pieces for the battery and solar system.  Of course if you do have to replace a cell or other component, a bench power supply and proper tools are helpful.  

Experienced LFP electricians are very few out here, so make sure your own LFP skills and knowledge are to be up to speed.  

[Xavier Alexandre]

Hi Dave,

Yes this is what I am doing. I don't have a spare alternator or spare PV yet though. 

[Dave McCampbell]

xman.  Alternators and solar panels are relatively easy to find in SE Asia as there are lots of cars here and most panels are made in our big neighbor to the north.  SBMS0s and its associated equipment are not readily available.  We carry the spare alt because it is cheap, and without it many engines are belted such that they cant run without it. 

[Xavier Alexandre]

Thanks. Having reviewed the docs, I am looking to buy a recent SBMS0 actually. If anyone here has an offer. I am based in Europe till end July.

Xavier