HOW TO BUILD A 64AH 12v LITHIUM BATTERY FOR UNDER $300 (Full Process From Start to Finish)

[@herbertwhitley8146]

Great build breakdown seems so natural for anyone who are mechanically inclined thanks.

[@HifiVega]

Thanks!

[@Pivot_Media_TV]

I have watched a lot of these headway videos in the last week because I am building one on my channel. Robert this is the best out of all of them. Good work bro!

[@HifiVega]

Thanks man I appreciate you saying that!

[@srarcade]

Thanks for keeping this straightforward! The top balancing was the most simple and easy example i've seen.

[@1ohmwrecker]

I got a 64ah headway bank in my car. But I've got custom $180 buss bars. And a $60 battery box from ali express. And heltec balancer. Keeps my 5k rms system running top notch! I've got a 300a alt too.

[@HifiVega]

Solid set up

[@HifiVega]

Solid set up

[@mazda2284]

good man. proper bars are well worth every penny

[@Miloittybittyboom]

As the owner of ITTY-BITTY-BOOM Lithium I build about 500 hundred Headway banks this year.... I highly recommend for a super budget friendly bus bars, Jim's ECO Headway bus bars... I personally tested that PCB board and it got really really hot

[@HifiVega]

I’ll check those bars out

[@Miloittybittyboom]

@@HifiVega Jim's ECO Headway bus bars come with all the bolts needed and I've pulled 600+ amps threw a set of Jim's without any issues at all..... :-)

[@nicholasm2254]

I have the pcb boards shown here. I clamped 700amps through them with zero issue at all (after extended use i see maybe 10 degree rise in them playing music). How did you get them hot pulsing 600 amps?

[@Miloittybittyboom]

@@nicholasm2254 the one set I ordered and tested simply got hot... My test is in no way an attack on that PCB board, I'm simply sharing my testing results in hopes that nobody burns down a vehicle.. :-)

[@mazda2284]

​@@nicholasm2254 its true they do get hot , tested myself . people don't seem to understand we are NOT using active cooling systems with these batteries and the large bars not only dont generate heat from draw but they also act as a passive heat sink for the cells . having adequate bussing is VERY important for cell life and safety.

[@91CavGT5]

Prices have increased over the past few months. In January, I built a 300 amp/hr battery bank with 3 separate dedicated 100 amp BMS modules for about $900 from battery hook up. Deals are out there to be had, IF you are willing to do some assembly yourself. I put my lithium battery in my RV. Lithium batteries are awesome!!! Love your videos!!

[@HifiVega]

Inflation sucks! But thanks for watching!

[@RawbasicInc]

Great video just started learning how to build these banks

[@HifiVega]

Thanks

[@brian6029]

Awesome vid man, great info, the best one I've seen on this so far. Very easy to understand and accomplish. Two thumbs up. 😎👍👍

[@HifiVega]

Thank you I appreciate the kind words and it’s always my goal to simplify the process in all my videos

[@BigSteve_Gaming187]

Thanks for sharing a possible cheaper option. No stranger to hooking up and running stereo Amps and electronics having stacks of all sorts. Was surprised this Xmas with an Orion XTR 750.4 amp to run my 1in Dome tweeters, 6.5in mid range speakers, with a resister box's in all four doors in my VW Sleeper Wagon. Tested the Amp last night. Sounded fantastic. Being that I plan on picking up a 1ohm stable monoblock to run a custom boxed 10in subwoofer so this kind of power should definitely assist in that. If my transaction with them goes well I may order more as I have a 1200watt power inverter capable of being ran with a solar panel setup so a storage setup will be needed for emergencies. Thanks.

[@bassanonymous4923]

Love your videos. Your video about the 18-hour bank gave me the encouragement to build my own and I'm so glad I did I have had mine for a little over a year now on my single zvx 12 and what a game changer. Thanks for all your help🏆🔊🌪🌪🌪

[@HifiVega]

Thanks man I appreciate the kind words

[@CrystalClearSQL]

Wow no kidding... that sounds like something i could build without the wife knowing : )

[@romulobello8994]

does it come with the bolts and hardware with the pcb board

[@JamieCarAudioChannel]

Where did you get the 2 gauge bare wire terminals link plz having a hard time finding them

[@phillipbainbridge9107]

Great build breakdown! Thanks for sharing.

[@HifiVega]

Thanks for watching!

[@Bigislandguy]

How’s your battery working? 2 1/0 copper lugs has more copper than that whole green pcb. Its basically copper clad, or copper foil. I double the 500a pcb boards on mine, works great! but now jag35 has 1000A pcb boards for $75 shipped. Next time I will drill out two 6”x12” .125”copper plates cost is about $120 but worth it. I’ve done it with 1/8” aluminum plates. Basically use the pcb as a template.

[@HifiVega]

I haven’t used mine under heavy load yet. I’ve basically used it at around 300ish amps, but I like the idea of using it as a template.

[@patrickkamp5137]

your link to PCB Busbar isn't working i like to order

[@basshead100]

Hi Man.are this used headway cells are reliable from seller you have provided in comments.

[@HifiVega]

They sometimes send a bad cell, but always corrected the issue with no hassles

[@carter8766]

Hey hifi..I wanna run my 48ah lifpo4 in my audio system but not sure if I can run it with my AcDelco sealed maintenance free(smf) starting battery.. How could I get it installed without worry?

[@jdcarguy1242]

Great stuff!

[@HifiVega]

Thanks!

[@mullinperformanceaudio5902]

Man, this makes things so much easier.

[@HifiVega]

That’s always my hope!

[@DIYAudioGuy]

Yeah, that PCB busbar is a game changer.

[@mazda2284]

​@@DIYAudioGuy its mind boggling to me that hifi vega would recommend this pcb , it is not at all adequate for this size bank of these cells . he should know better knowing what these cells do and the fact he works for a battery manufacturer! there is reasons more then the heat from draw and recharge through the inadequate pcb for the amounts of power , there is no active cooling system , what the thick buss bars do aside from being above whats required for the draw is they act as a passive cooling system for the cells heat build up. the pcb gets hot with just simple draw alone and over time playing will exceed the Temps of the cells causing failure. you also are screwing yourself out of a ton of potential by not using proper sized bussing

[@AshyLarryTM]

So what’s the condition of the headway cells in comparison to new headway cells?

[@HifiVega]

Most of them are around 80-90% capacity

[@loudspl1182]

noob here i have the exact set up and same wires in the same spot but when I plug the balancer in it starts to smoke voltage is 12.75 what is cause it to smoke

[@HifiVega]

Headway Cells: rb.gy/mnyofp PCB Busbar: rb.gy/psfful Noco Battery Box: amzn.to/3RL9s8s (affiliate link) Active Balancer: amzn.to/3N0uBg6 (affiliate link) 2:20 Top Balancing 4:06 Pack Assembly 5:28 Installing Active Balancer 5:50 The Battery Case 7:46 Total Cost Breakdown

[@djmaverick8108]

whats up boss video,do u have to connect to both positive and negative to get power?

[@djmaverick8108]

whats up boss ,do u have to connect to both positive and negative to get power?

[@BramtheMan1]

How many watts is this headed 64ah bank good for ???

[@HifiVega]

@@BramtheMan1 depends on your charging situation, but 2-3k

[@tyjohnson9183]

FYI it's not off balanced unless it's charged that's how you top balance it's you can balance without it being charged but the term top balanced means that you charged it to the top and it's balanced there

[@HifiVega]

All these cells were at 100% soc they resting voltage was a bit over 13v. These are 3.2v nominal cells and have a max charge voltage of 3.7v.

[@negilneely9185]

I've never built a battery, could you explain what the active balancer is and its purpose?

[@HifiVega]

@@negilneely9185 the active balancer will keep each cell from getting too far out of whack. So after several cycles you don’t have one cell at 3.85v another at 3.36v and another at 3.55v. Instead it’ll keep it much closer like 3.8,3.81,3.79

[@VerdantStone2]

I’m wondering if I were to build this, should I buy say like 35-36 cells and throw out the worst cells? Or would I even be able to tell if they are bad cells with using a multimeter?

[@HifiVega]

You should order a few extra in case you get bad cells (if you’re buying used)

[@josephwilson6863]

How many watts can a 64ah take?

[@MrRotery7]

Depends if and what size HO alt you have and if you have a big 3 what wire your ruining and size of amp if your ruining dual inputs

[@cristovalmontoya5222]

Is there any space between the cells so I can put cardboard or if I decide to vinyl wrap each cell they will still screw on.

[@HifiVega]

Yeah you’ve got some room

[@terik555]

is that bus bar suitable for a 6000 watt car audio system?

[@HifiVega]

If you’re beating on it for extended periods of time I would recommend thicker aluminum bars

[@girthquake9655]

I have an xspower 127Ah agm. How would these cells compare to it? Would there be any gain?

[@HifiVega]

Yes you would see a pretty significant gain in capacity for music bursts

[@girthquake9655]

@@HifiVega would I need a high output alt? I only have stock 160amp

[@HifiVega]

@@girthquake9655 you won’t need extra out of your alt to keep them charged, but depending on the amount of power you’re pulling you might consider a bigger alt.

[@girthquake9655]

@@HifiVega just a cab-22 at .5 ohms my dude.

[@RawbasicInc]

How many watts is this rated for

[@HifiVega]

Depends on your alt, but it should be good for 3k

[@RawbasicInc]

@@HifiVega thanks

[@anthonybrown6143]

Say Vega, where did you get that box of headway cells and for how much?

[@HifiVega]

About $7 ea at the battery hook up

[@flip7491]

Do the screws come with the cells or busbar? All I need to buy is foam and speaker wire correct?

[@HifiVega]

They come with the cells

[@karenashcraft8812]

this is a 12.8 volt battery pack but most car audio alternators 270,320,370 amps charge at 14.9, can this lithium pack br charged that high?

[@HifiVega]

These can be charged up to 14.6v

[@nicholasm2254]

I charge to 14.7 with a JS 425amp alt. That is the absolute max voltage for a 4s headway bank. Headway says that 3.65 can be plus or minus by .05 volts. 14.7/4 is 3.675 which falls into that description. That being said a voltage above 3.65 can cause premature degradation although I have not seen any as of yet.

[@MrRotery7]

It's considered a 12v system witch norm CHARGE is 13.5 to 14.5 and most can go up to 15.5 resting volts for this should be around 13.2

[@cristovalmontoya5222]

Did you have to solder the positive and negative posts that come with the kit or do they come attached to the pcb board or do you put them into holes and solder them. On the board it looks like the 2 positing and 2 negative post to add lugs too. Those come attached

[@HifiVega]

You have to order and solder those yourself

[@cristovalmontoya5222]

@@HifiVega how do you solder from the back side or on the side of the block and we’re you order those from.

[@HifiVega]

@@cristovalmontoya5222 both and if you use the link for the board they have them on that site

[@cristovalmontoya5222]

Ok thanks how long it take for those solder terminal take too come in fro Ali express

[@simonsulit]

Sup HifiVega, PCB Busbar 29$ comes with pair already?

[@cricrobalcesar2060]

Hello, which would be the best BMS for an array of 8 batteries? I mean 12v 16amp. Thanks in advance

[@HifiVega]

I recommend an active balancer. I don’t know if this one is the best, but I’ve had good luck with it. amzn.to/3pTbg77

[@MattWells0]

It isn't ideal using the selected active balancer on lifep4 batteries. lifep4 have a very flat voltage curve while charging and discharging, this means that the output voltage during most of the time the cells are in use will almost not change. This means that you only want to balance lifep4 battery towards the top of its charge when the voltage difference is more significant so above about 3.3v irr. The selected active balancer will try and balance the cells all through the charge cycle of the batteries, and unfortunatly has the oposite of the intended effect and causes them to become more out of balance because it can't see a real difference in voltage. This causes a very serious problem when you come to fully charge it because you have chose a balancer rather than a BMS (battery management system) that it will not stop charge when one cell goes over it's maximum voltage which will significantly reduce the expected life of the cells. Unless you are charging the cells at less than the 5 amps the balancer claims it can handle (which is usually not the case). At 5 amps it would take about 3 days to fully charge your battery which I think you would prefer not to do.

[@HifiVega]

This is great info! I actually unplug the balancer before runs and let it balance while the battery is idle. I definitely meant to mention that in the video.

[@justinboone8700]

If I build another one can I run them in parallel ? Only wondering cause it would be two different battery balancers .. thanks :))

[@HifiVega]

Yes you can

[@viboy2010]

Hey HifiVega like your videos I have a question how many cell I need to make 96 to 100ah

[@HifiVega]

48 cells for 96ah

[@viboy2010]

@@HifiVega thank you very much

[@stopdrpnro]

Other than the 500amp bms any reason to build these when Amazon has 100ah batteries for less than $300??

[@HifiVega]

The cheap 100ah batteries on Amazon are meant for solar power and don’t have the c rate comparable to these. Those are basically agm replacements whereas these can handle 15x the ah rating for short bursts

[@aydenpals9403]

I got 2 of the new alpine type s 12s, with about .9 cu ft each, sealed, in an under seat enclosure. I'm powering them with an audiopipe 1500.1 rn and it's kinda really lacking. My electrical is capable of 3k watts so what Amp would you recommend to get the most out of these subs, with more sq, but also not being insanely expensive

[@HifiVega]

You just need a bigger enclosure for those subs I’d say

[@aydenpals9403]

@@HifiVega ya see that's the bad thing that's the absolute biggest enclosure I can get for them to fit under the seat, so would a little bit smaller subs be better?

[@dylancobb8195]

Hey HifiVega, let me ask you something and see what you think. If someone was to run headway cells in a vehicle with an AGM under the hood, the cells wire into series with no isolator. Seen someone do this, and how well would that work? Anything helps, still new to lithium.

[@HifiVega]

You can run headway inline without an isolator similar to doing it with a regular battery, but the same draw back will apply. Both will work together and you won’t keep your starting battery separate

[@gregblau8082]

I've done it for about 6 months with no problem. I originally had just the headways and it started fine though the winter but I got a free agm so I threw it in

[@dylancobb8195]

@@HifiVega Thanks for replying, will take your comment into future consideration. Love the videos, keep up the good work.

[@mazda2284]

​@@dylancobb8195 go watch my videos , if you use over 40ah of headway the agm is actually going to hurt your voltage! isolators are a waste of money that could have been spent on more lithium.

[@valentin1483]

Hi, what applications can that be used? Does it works for car audio?

[@HifiVega]

Yes it can be used in line with regular agm batteries too

[@valentin1483]

@@HifiVega thank you for the quick response!!

[@CrystalClearSQL]

Pretty awesome.

[@HifiVega]

🤙🏼

[@jasonbroom7147]

How do you (safely) use a battery like this without a BMS? These cells are known for being able to put out a lot of amps in a hurry, and for taking a lot of amps when charging, so how do you regulate that input and output if you're not using a BMS? Balancing cells is great, but a balancer is most certainly not a BMS.

[@dragonman7914]

Did you make it to Iasca finals this weekend?

[@HifiVega]

No sir I just got back from Owensboro this week so I had a lot of stuff I needed to get done

[@dragonman7914]

@@HifiVega I always your channel and you got me back into audio . Being a former installer back in the early 2000s , I’m building a 91 Camaro with Rockford and audio frog gear

[@dannyclark9820]

Safe? Are these prone to fire?

[@all4amd344]

Excluding large current, you could buy a 12v 100ah Redodo battery for this price

[@HifiVega]

Which would be great for solar energy storage, but this will give you a better c rate for car audio.

[@all4amd344]

@@HifiVega that's why I stated excluding large current.

[@BericBuilds]

not interested in building batteries personally but still a good video.

[@HifiVega]

🤙🏼

[@webberfan1234]

Is this safe for a knoob?

[@HifiVega]

Yes these headway cells are pretty safe

[@91CavGT5]

Watch a few videos on KZbin, TAKE YOUR TIME, and if you aren’t sure about something then do a search or call someone. A noob can totally do this!

[@007tats]

How's it holding up?

[@HifiVega]

Swangin and bangin!

[@leemctrick]

Will two of these hold a crossfire 16k

[@HifiVega]

Even with a big alt I think you’d have some voltage drop

[@leemctrick]

How about 3

[@leemctrick]

Active balancer isn't available in the USA from that link is there another link you could provide please

[@HifiVega]

@@leemctrick amzn.to/3N0uBg6

[@SIXvw]

how do i charge it?

[@HifiVega]

I like the Noco chargers amzn.to/3uaBlQV

[@irishmanbd8447]

You can get 96ah for $250 by buying the super beast and changing it from 24v to 12v

[@DIYAudioGuy]

👀

[@HifiVega]

🤟🏼

[@212Tan]

You forgot the 180a solder terminals that are packs of 10 on AliExpress for $28 🙄 shit annoying AF. I bought 1000a busbar for $75 only to realize it missing the terminals post 🤷

[@sermac3246]

👍

[@theghost065]

Can you build one n just sell it to me? Lol thought I'd ask..

[@HifiVega]

I might let this pack go once I’m done testing it 😉

[@theghost065]

@@HifiVega Awesome! Keep me posted

[@512juancho]

Hell yea bro i need one too help a bass head brother out 😅​@@HifiVega

[@mazda2284]

please tell me you are NOT recommending this pcb crap for bussing ... there are so major major problems with using that . heat especially!!! project db discount code audio has properly made bars for car audio . do not skimp on the bars !!! they are very important

[@HifiVega]

Not recommending yet because I haven’t gotten a chance to put them through their paces, but I will continue to do testing on them and see what results I get.