Firefly Oasis G31 User manual

Firefly User’s Manual for the
“OASIS” G31 & the 4V/450AH
May 2020

Congratulations on your purchase of a Firefly Oasis Battery!
The Firefly batteries use a patented carbon Microcell Foam grid structure that is highly resistant
to sulfation and grid corrosion. They have the longest life of any lead acid battery used for deep
cycling, even at extreme temperatures and operation at less than full charge.
The Firefly batteries have many advantages over a traditional lead acid battery:
Plate corrosion is inhibited.
Plates are resistant to sulfation.
The high plate porosity allows the electrolyte to react more efficiently.
Receiving & Refreshing Charge
Check the Individual battery voltages , It will be around 12.90 V for a fully charged 12V
Battery G31 Battery and 4.20V for 4V/450AH battery.
Freshening charge shall be carried out using a CCCV ( Constant current _Constant
voltage charger as per OCV voltage observed on the batteries.
In case the OCV (Open circuit voltage) of the battery is less than 12.70 V , the G31
battery needs to be charged @ 14.40 V (2.40 V / cell ) for 12 hrs. before commissioning.
In case the OCV (Open circuit voltage) of the battery is less than 4.10 V, the 4V/450AH
battery 4V 450 Ah block needs to be charged @ 4.80V (2.40 V / cell ) for 12 hrs. before
commissioning
Installation
MOUNTING ORIENTATION
The 4V/450AH batteries can be installed in normal orientation or on their sides with the
narrow side down. The G31 should be installed upright.
SPACE AND VENTILATION
The batteries should be installed with a minimum of 0.6” between batteries to allow for
proper ventilation and air circulation. If space allows, 1” between batteries is
recommended for ideal operation.
There also needs to be adequate space in the compartment for ventilation.
If possible, mount the batteries on low stand-offs to encourage air circulation around
their bases.
FOLLOW ALL ABYC INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
The batteries should be fastened securely and restrained from movement in any
direction.
The positive terminals should be protected by a cover or boots.

Refer to ABYC standards for more installation guidelines.
PARALLEL INSTALLATION
Ensure proper uniform current distribution with equal resistance cables on both sides of
the Battery Terminals are connected to common load/ charger busbars. No center-
tappings are allowed as it would cause differential drain on batteries in the battery bank.
SERIES INSTALLATION
4V /450AH CONNECTION
The battery will be shipped with the connection bar shown on the left. This
connects the 2 cells inside the module in series making the battery 4V and
450Ah. For a 12V x 450Ah bank, connect 3 x 4V/450Ah in series (3S). For 24V x
450Ah, connect 6 in series (6S). For 900Ah x 12V, it can be either 2P (P = in
parallel) x 3S, or 3S x 2P. For 900Ah x 24V, it can be either 2P x 6S, or 6S x 2P

CONNECTING THE BATTERY
Take care not to short circuit the terminals on the battery.
Make sure the terminals and connectors are clean and free of corrosion.
Connect the positive cable to the positive (+) battery terminal.
Connect the negative cable to the negative (-) battery terminal.
The terminals on the G31 are 3/8-16 UNC and should be torqued to 16 ft lbs.
Operation & Charging
Firefly batteries can be operated in a partial state of charge for long periods of time
without sustaining any permanent damage.
The batteries may emit gas during the first 10-20 charge cycles. This is normal. If liquid
is observed leaking from the vent caps (the smaller grey caps on the top of the battery),
wipe clean with rubbing alcohol and tighten the valve cap to 1-3 Nm (0.75-2.2 ft-lbs). If
leaking persists, contact your dealer.
Max discharge Current: The maximum recommended discharge current is 0.7C for
extended periods of time to ensure the longevity if the battery. The FF battery can
discharge up to 3C for short periods.
Max Charge Current: The maximum recommended sustained charge current is 0.5C. 3C
can be tolerated for 10-20 seconds in the case of regenerative braking.
Peukerts Constant: If you have hardware that requires a Peukerts constant to be entered,
we recommend that you do not change the factory settings due to the large inaccuracies
based on varying discharge rates. The Peukerts constant for the FF battery for the 10hr
and 20hr rate is 1.07. It is 1.12 for 6.5hr and 1.8hr rate. Keep in mind that whatever
Peukerts correction you use, you will lose accuracy with extremely slow discharges.
Temperature Compensation: If you have hardware that allows the user to enter a
temperature coefficient, use 24mV/C° for temperature compensation for a 12V battery &
48mV for a 24V battery. Contact us for higher voltages. The temperature compensation
should be zero at an ambient temperature of 25°C/77°F. This means that for every
degree the battery is ABOVE 25°C, the charge V should be reduced by 24mV/48mV. For
every degree that the battery is BELOW 25°C, the charge voltage should be increased by
24mV/48mV. Note that with Firefly batteries, the battery temperature sensor only
needs to be near the batteries to measure ambient temperature. It isn’t necessary to put
the sensor directly on the battery. This is different than other Pb batteries.
Charge V Settings: Charge the G31 to 14.4V & the 4V/450AH to 4.8V with temperature
compensation (bulk phase) and continue charging until the charging current drops to
0.5A for the G31 or 2A for the 4V/450AH (absorption phase time will vary). You DO

NOT need to fully charge the batteries each cycle in order to maintain the capacity
however see the section below on periodic fast & complete charge cycle
recommendations.
Float-Charging: For charging sources that may be charging the battery for an extended
period of time (solar, or an alternator if motoring for a while); set the float voltage to
13.4V or 13.5V for the G31 and 4.5V for the L15. Firefly batteries do not require a float
charge. But, if you are float charging, due to their longer projected lifespan, it is
important to keep the float voltage at 13.4V or 13.5V (4.5V for each 4V/450AH) to ensure
the battery lasts for as many cycles as possible.
Reset to bulk phase: for programmable charging sources, adjust the “reset to bulk
phase” to occur if the battery voltage drops below 12.0V for >1 minute for the G31 or
4.0V for >1 minute for the 4V/450AH.
Periodic Fast & Complete Charge Cycle Recommendations: Note that periodic fast (high
current) charging from a low state of charge can help restore usable capacity after
periods of repeated slow charging (less than 0.2C) or deep discharge cycles. It is
recommended that the battery goes through a complete charge cycle from a low state of
charge every week if they are being heavily cycled or at minimum every 30 days. Ideally
the batteries will be charged at a current of 0.4C (46 Amps for an Oasis G31) but a
minimum of 0.2C (25A per G31 battery) is acceptable. For applications lacking fast
charging capability, contact OPE or for alternative restoration procedures.
Operating Temperature: The optimum operating temperature for a lead-acid battery is
25°C (77°F). As a rule of thumb, every 8-10°C (14-18°F) rise in temperature will cut the
battery life in half. Note that continuous duty at elevated temperature will shorten the
life of any battery. At sub zero ambient at CCCV charging , reduce the limit current to
0.1C Amps instead of 0.4C rate charging for prolonged duration.
Restoration Charge
As stated, Firefly Batteries can operate in a partial state of charge for long periods of time
without sustaining any permanent damage. The usable capacity will decrease, however, with
each cycle within a partial state of charge, up to a point. In order to regain the full original
capacity and in some cases more, it is necessary to perform a restoration charge. To perform the
restoration charge: charge the G31 to 14.4V or the 4V/450AH to 4.8V and continue to charge
until the current drops to 0.5 A on the G31 or 3A on a 4V/450AH. Fully discharge the battery to
10.5V (G31) or 3.5V (4V/450AH), and then repeat the same charge cycle.
Safety
For any operation on the batteries, from storage to recycling, the
following safety rules should be observed:
Do not smoke.
Use tools with insulated handles to tighten connections.
Check that the connections between the cells / monoblocs are fitted
correctly.

Never place tools on the batteries (metal tools are particularly dangerous).
Never lift the cells / monoblocs at the terminals.
Never use a synthetic cloth or sponge to clean the cells /monoblocs.
Use water (wet cloth) without additives.
Avoid shocks.
Even when disconnected, a battery remains charged.
Always wear insulating gloves and glasses while handling batteries.
Read the “Installation Instruction” and “Operating Instruction” carefully
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Battery Electrolyte Eye Contact: Immediately remove any contact lenses if present. Flush eyes
with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Flush with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek
medical attention immediately.
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Seek medical attention immediately.
PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING AND USE
Steps to be taken in case of a broken battery case or electrolyte leakage: neutralize spilled
electrolyte and exposed battery parts with soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, lime, etc. Do not use
organic or combustible material. Wear acid resistant clothing, boots, gloves, face shield, and
proper respiratory protection.
Waste Disposal Information: Please observe all federal, local, and state regulations regarding
the disposal of lead/acid batteries.
Precautions to be taken in Handling, Storing, and Transportation: Store in cool, dry area away
from combustible materials; store in well ventilated areas. Other Precautions: Do not charge in
unventilated areas.
Shipping, storage and disposal
D.O.T. REGULATIONS-NONSPILLABLE
Firefly’s Group 31 battery meets the non-spillable criteria. It is exempted from CFR 49,
Subchapter C requirements, which translates to no proper shipping name, no hazardous class,
no UN number, no packaging group and no hazardous labels when transporting, provided that
the following criteria are met: 1. the batteries must be protected against short circuits and
securely packaged. 2. The batteries and their outer packaging must be plainly and durable
marked “NON- SPILLABLE” or “NON-SPILLABLE BATTERY”.
SHELF LIFE
The maximum storage time at 20° C is 15 months.
The maximum storage time at 30° C is 8 months.
The maximum storage time at 40° C is 3 ~ 4 months.

Higher temperatures cause higher self-discharge and shorter storage time
between recharging operations.
For extended storage periods it is recommended to check the „open circuit voltage in the
following intervals:
Storage at 20° C: Check Open circuit voltage after a storage period of 12 months, then every 3
months afterwards
Storage at 30° C: after a storage period of 6 months, then every 2 months afterwards.
Storage at 40° C and above : after a storage period of 3 months, then every 1 months
afterwards.
FULLY-CHARGED WHEN SHIPPED
The Oasis will be shipped from the factory fully charged. Some venting from the valves is
possible when it arrives.
STORAGE CONDITIONS- In the user’s interest the storage period should be as short
as possible.
The temperature has an impact on the self-discharge rate and Hence, it is important to store the
batteries in a fully charge condition in a cool but frost-free room.
The preferred storage temperature range is + 5 deg. C to 20 deg.C if storage room can be
conditioned. If stored sub-zero, it must be stored in a charged/semi-charged state.
Storage on a pallet wrapped in plastic material is authorized. It is not recommended however in
rooms where the temperature fluctuates significantly, or if high relative humidity can cause
condensation under the plastic cover.
With time, this condensation can cause a whitish hydration on the poles and lead to high self-
discharge by leakage current. This hydration has no affect on the battery operation or service life
if no corrosion occurs.
It is forbidden to stack one pallet above the other.
Avoid storing unpacked cells / monoblocs on sharp-edged supports. It is recommended to have
the same storage conditions within a batch, pallet or room.
The storage location should provide the following functions:
Shelter the cells / monoblocs from harsh weather and risk of flooding.
Protect the batteries against any overheating risk induced by direct exposure to the sun
radiation or by their amplification through glass walls.
Protect the batteries from any risk of electric shock resulting from short circuiting by a
conductive object or from a building up of conductive dust.

Avoid any risk of mechanical shock caused by dropping objects onto the cell / monobloc or by
dropping the cell / monobloc itself.
RECYCLING
There is an existing infrastructure to recycle lead acid batteries. Because Firefly’s technology
uses carbon, it actually decreases the amount of lead in the battery. Firefly’s microcell
technology can be recycled through the existing lead acid infrastructure.