Knowledge Hub

You can read all about the differences between our Fogstar Drift and Drift PRO range over on our blog. However, here is a definitive list of the core features for both products;

Fogstar Drift

• A Range of Voltages: Available in both 12v and 24v, adapting to different power needs.
• Grade A EVE Cells: We only use the very best Grade A cells in our batteries, all matched and top-balanced.
• Vast Capacity options: Ranging beautifully from 105ah to 608ah.
• High Discharge BMS: Equipped with a JBD BMS for high and consistent discharges.
• Heating Feature: Ensures performance even in chilly conditions.
• Long Warranty: It comes with a 10-year warranty for total peace of mind.
• Water and Dust Resistance: IP67 Rated, making it ideal for various weather conditions.
• Configuration: Connect your batteries in either 4S or 4P configurations, grow your system to meet different demands.

Fogstar Drift PRO

• Choose your Voltage: Comes in both 12v and 24v, suitable for a variety of applications.
• High Capacity: Available in 230Ah, 280Ah, 300Ah, 460Ah, and 560Ah sizes.
• Improved Discharge BMS: Boasts a 300A JBD BMS for outstanding power discharge.
• The best LiFePO4 Cells: All of our batteries contain Grade A, matched and top-balanced EVE cells.
• Inverter Flexibility: Ideal for use with Inverters up to 3500W in size. 
• Victron Integration: Allows for seamless interoperability with Victron peripherals such as the Cerbo GX.
• Heating Function: Offers steady performance even in cold temperatures.
• On/Off Switch: Quickly put your battery into storage mode at the flick of a button.
• 10 Year Warranty: An extra long warranty, for extra peace of mind.
• Active Balancer: Features the JK Active Balancer input - just incase you need it.
• Configurations: Can be connected in 4S or 4P configurations to suit your growing system demands.
• Sturdy Metal Case: Houses the battery in a firm, protective case for added durability and easy serviceability. 
• Advanced Inputs: Comes fitted with RS485/CAN inputs for optimal functionality.

All of our Drift PRO batteries contain M10 terminals. We include terminal bolts with all of our batteries.

All Drift PRO batteries contain a 300A, customised JBD BMS - capable of working with Inverters up to 3500W in size. Our JBD BMS contain a wide range of protective features, ensuring optimal charging and battery health throughout the lifecycle of the cells. Some of these protective features include Overcharge Protection, Overcurrent Protection, Cell Balancing, Temperature Protection, Under Voltage Protection and Short Circuit Protection.

The Drift PRO relies on LiFePO4 chemistry, which allows it to be discharged in temperatures as low as -20°C without any adverse effects. However, the charging process can pose problems as charging a LiFePO4 battery below freezing temperatures can cause irreversible damage, leading to a shorter lifespan. To mitigate 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°C 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°C. After achieving 5°C, 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. These pads have undergone testing at -20°C, but their rating extends down to -40°C.

Similarly, if you’re taking your Drift PRO to warmer climates - the maximum operating temperature is 75°C. In the unlikely event that your battery should go into high-temperature protection, please contact a member of our Customer Service team immediately.

All battery parameters are locked by a password. We lock down the battery parameters to ensure your BMS settings remain protected and unable to be unchanged.

Changing the BMS parameters can permanently damage your unit. The set-up and configuration of these technical specifications are done so by the manufacturers, adapting them could result in a significant cell imbalance or errors in the BMS.

Should you wish to reconfigure the BMS for a hybrid set-up, please contact a member of our team at customerservice@fogstar.co.uk to obtain the password, discuss your set-up and reconfiguration prior to altering any of the BMS vitals.

Simply open your Battery Dashboard and click the name at the top of the screen, change the name of the battery, the BMS will register this as a ‘success‘, then simply wait 15 seconds for the change to register with the BMS. It's important to point out that the BMS has a character limit for name changes (keep the name as short as possible).

An Active Balancer is a component that redistributes the current from the cells with a higher SOC, to cells with a lower SOC, thus creating an even distribution of current across the cells.

In our Drift PRO we’ve made the decision to use an external Jikong (JK) Active Balancer (one you plug in manually) not a permanent in-built one, this gives our customers the best of both worlds - the option to use an Active Balancer should they need to.

Because your Drift leisure battery contains matched and balanced Grade A EVE cells, you should not have to use your Active Balancer often. We recommend plugging the device in every three (3) to six (6) months, for two (2) to three (3) cycles (depending upon levels of cell disparity).

To connect the active balancer simply remove the protective bung, and plug the balancer directly into the battery.

The BMS has the ability to communicate with the Victron Cerbo GX, removing the need for a Victron BMS or SmartShunt. The BMS can communicate the following:

• Voltage, State Of Charge, and Current
• Temperatures
• Cell Voltages
• 10 BMS Alarms including high voltage, cell imbalance, low voltage etc
• Current Limit
• Charging Voltage Limit

The package includes the necessary cable, but if you need a longer one, a standard Cat7e cable can be used instead.

The Cable should go from the CAN port on the battery to the BMS-Can port on the Cerbo GX or GX-enabled inverter.

Connecting Multiple Batteries

It's possible to link more than one battery and monitor them using the Cerbo GX. However, the process of adding an extra battery varies from the initial connection. Although the same cable is used, it should be connected to the CAN port on the battery, and the VE-CAN (not BMS-CAN, which was used for the first battery). Once the connection is established, the following steps should be taken on the Cerbo GX;

• Navigate to Settings > Services
• VE CAN Port > Select CAN-BUS profile and CAN-BUS 500Kbit/s.

We strongly suggest your batteries are stored at room temperature, charged to between 30% to 50% of their capacity. We recommend that batteries be charged once every three months to prevent over discharge.

 Fogstar Drift PRO batteries are not IP rated. However, the Fogstar Drift range are IP rated.

If you’re using a Cerbo GX and want it to register the total battery capacity of your bank instead of just one, you can link multiple batteries for monitoring. While the process of adding an extra battery is similar to the initial setup, there are a few key differences to keep in mind.

To connect additional batteries, you’ll still use the same cable, but this time it should be plugged into the CAN port on the battery, specifically the VE-CAN port (not the BMS-CAN port used for the first battery).

Once the physical connection is in place, follow these steps on the Cerbo GX:

1. Navigate to Settings > Services.
2. Go to VE CAN Port.
3. Select the CAN-BUS profile and set the CAN-BUS speed to 500kbit/s.

By doing this, the Cerbo GX will recognise the total battery capacity, allowing you to monitor all connected batteries in the system.

Your battery is fitted with a Battery Management System (BMS) that automatically activates over-discharge protection at 11.6V. This prevents damage from being discharged too deeply during normal use.

However, it’s important to understand the limits of the BMS. Even in deep sleep mode, the BMS itself needs a small amount of power to keep essential functions alive. On top of this, lithium cells have a self-consumption rate of around 1-2% of charge per month, regardless of use. The BMS cannot stop this natural self-discharge, and it is therefore impossible for it to protect the battery from over-discharge indefinitely if the battery is left in storage without recharging.

If the battery’s voltage falls to 7V, the Bluetooth functionality will shut down and the battery will stop communicating. At this stage, the battery must be returned to Fogstar for revival.

⚠️ Important: Allowing your battery to reach 7V is considered improper maintenance and is not covered under warranty. Any revival work required in these circumstances will be chargeable.

These instructions presume that your main battery will be your top most battery in the cabinet.On your battery, you will see two 'Battery Link' ports.

• The left port (number 1) connects to the next battery (sending communication).
• The right port (number 2) receives the connection from the previous battery (receiving communication).

The main battery at the top should only have one RS485 linking cable in the right port.

Your bottom battery should only have one RS485 in the left port. All middle batteries should have cables connected to both.

The pinouts for the PACE BMS are as follows;

Using the EPEVER BMS converter with the Pylon Cable attached to RS485, access the BMS via an RS232 cable and alter the BMS protocol to PACE RS485. 

On the EPEVER UPHI go to the protocol setting No 40 and set to protocol 3 which is PACE BMS.

Go to setting No:41 BEN this sets the UPHI to let the BMS handle the internal settings. 

The  Fogstar Energy 16.1kWh battery weighs around 140kg.

Due to its significant weight (140 Kg), it's crucial to have at least six people assist with lifting, adhering to safety regulations.

When manoeuvring the unit on wheels, exercise caution to prevent tipping. Ensure stability during movement and utilise the levelling pads, not the wheels themselves, to support the weight.

The process should take roughly 20 minutes for one 16.1kWh battery system.

Version 1 of the 16.1kWh batteries were supplied with 1.5m cables with amphenol push terminals that connect directly to the battery. The latter end of the cable contains M8 terminal rings, enabling you to connect your battery either directly to the inverter, or to an external busbar.

The newest version of batteries (July 2024 shipment onwards) contain M8 terminals (not amphenol connectors) as standard, and come with terminal covers.

Most inverters fit succinctly with the cables/push terminals supplied. In some instances, you may need to connect the cables to a busbar first, and use the inverter cables supplied by your inverter manufacturer. We recommend connecting all negative leads first.

A protocol is a standardised set of rules for formatting and processing data. In this instance, having pre-loaded protocols in our PACE battery management system makes it simple for the battery to 'talk' to the inverter.

An example of this is Solis Inverters working with the 'Pylontech' protocol. 

The 'BL' by the cells indicates that the batteries are indeed balancing off - this can take a while especially if parameters have been reset as the battery will go back into learning.

You can safely connect up to 15 Fogstar Energy 16.1kWh batteries in parallel.

500 (w) x 230 (l) x 830 (h)

These dimensions are without the wheels (which can be removed), the wheels add an additional 100mm to the height.

Victron communication via a Victron Cerbo GX which will need to be purchased separately.

The batteries connect to a Cerbo GX BMS-CAN port from the CAN port on your main battery. The Cerbo GX then connects to your inverter via a VE.BUS cable.

You'll require a type B Victron battery BMS to to BMS CAN cable for this.

The Fogstar systems are not compatible with other types or models of battery on the market, this may be due to discrepancies in power/size of the unit, BMS or overall system compatibility.

Please do not attempt to connect your Fogstar Rack Battery to any other make or model of battery on the market.

Yes, all of our LiFePO4 batteries come with heating.

The heating element will automatically activate when temperatures drop below 5°C, ensuring optimal performance even in frigid environments of -20°C.

The Fogstar Energy 16.1kWh unit contains a JK Active balancer, with a switch, enabling you to turn the function on and off. As all of our batteries contain matched and balanced cells, you shouldn’t have to use this function often, if at all. If you notice any significant disparity between the cells, we recommend putting the Active Balancing on, for two (2) to three (3) cycles.

It’s worth noting that leaving your active balancer on indefinitely will result in a self-consumption of >1Ah per day on average.

Bulk: 57.6
Float: 55.2
Low DC cut off: 43.2

Whilst we provide a robust mount for your unit (if required), we have left the mounting fixtures firmly in your hands.

It goes without saying that different wall types require different fixtures.

• Type of Wall: Understand if it's drywall, concrete, brick, or wood stud. This determines the appropriate types and sizes of anchors/screws/fasteners.
• Strength of Wall: Ensure the wall itself can support the combined weight of the battery and mounting bracket. Doubling up studs or adding reinforcement might be necessary.

If you are unsure about the fixing requirement for your unit, please contact a structural engineer who will be able to advise on the best solution for mounting your battery.

Solar-free installs are now quite popular and most inverters have the ability to set charging periods throughout the night. 
 
One of the most important factors to consider is the charging current of the inverter. If you're taking advantage of overnight charging tariffs, you'll need to fill 16kWh in around 3.3 hours. To do this, you'll need an inverter with a minimum of 90-100A (5kWh) of charge current.

It's all very dependant upon the make or model of the inverter. FOX ESS do a wide range of products, some of these include high voltage systems. It's best to contact our customer service team at customerservice@fogstar.co.uk, this will allow us to check the compatibility of your existing inverter.

Yes, it's always best to work 'inverter down' when designing your system. The inverter  controls the charge/discharge and the timing of overnight charging on cheaper rate. The batteries are not in control of any of these systems, and the inverter exists to make all of these decisions. 
 
Inverter communications (or protocols) loaded onto our BMS are useful, however they are not crucial.

We can program most inverters to work without communication. Take a look at options from Sunsynk, Solis, Sofar (etc) - most of these allow timed charging and interface really well with our batteries.

It really all depends on your set-up. Different Inverters on the market have differing functionalities. 

Our Fogstar Energy batteries work with a wide range of Inverters, including Victron, Pylontech, Growatt, Sofar, Solis, SunSynk and Goodwe - giving you a vast range of inverters to choose from.

Consider what you require from your inverter and be sure to research what is out in the market. Fore example, Sunsynk inverters come with built in flux/agile settings - great for overnight charging. 

The charging times of your battery are controlled by your inverter, not your battery. 

All of our 16.1kWh batteries are shipped with 50mm2 inverter cables.

Unfortunately, the 16.1kWh Battery is not IP rated.

Unfortunately not, our batteries will not work with any other make or model of battery.

Click here to register your warranty.

The Fogstar Energy Rack Battery contains a PACE BMS with a maximum conditional discharge of 100A. 

The Fogstar Energy Rack Battery contains a PACE BMS and has a maximum charging current of 100A.

Our Fogstar Energy Rack Battery contains Grade A EVE LF100LA cells. All of our LiFePO4 prismatic cells are matched and balanced before assembly.

The charging parameters for the Fogstar Energy Rack Batteries are;

Bulk: 57.6

Float: 55.2

Low DC Cut Off: 43.2

We understand that many people who purchase these racks will be installing them themselves in preparation for system 'sign-off'. This does not affect the warranty at all.

We may not be on the approved list for your chosen inverter because we believe that these lists are anti-competitive and limit consumer choice.

Numerous battery approvals lists exist, particularly for popular inverters in the market. At Fogstar, we firmly believe that these lists serve only to restrict the market and reduce consumer options. Our mission is to make lithium batteries affordable and accessible to everyone, and we view approvals lists as a hindrance to progress and innovation across the industry.

Yes, you can mount the batteries on their side as part of your installation. However, this approach may make it a bit awkward when reading the battery vitals on the touchscreen. You may wish to consider one of our Rack Battery Wall Mount kits.

Yes, the Fogstar Energy Rack battery will work with all 48V Solis inverters thanks to the PACE BMS. 
You will need to select the CAN > Pylontech protocol on your battery.

Yes, the Fogstar Energy Rack battery will work with all 48V Victron inverters thanks to the PACE BMS.

The Victron Inverters don't have direct battery communication, therefore you will need a Cerbo GX which will plug directly into the battery with a Type B cable. The Cerbo GX will then plug directly into your inverter. This is how the system communicates.

To connect your Cerbo GX to the Fogstar Energy Rack Battery, simply;

1. Slot the Type B cable into the CANBUS input on the Cerbo GX.
2. Then select CAN > Victron when changing the protocol on the battery screen.

Yes, the Fogstar Energy Rack battery will work with all 48V SunSynk inverters thanks to the PACE BMS.

You can connect your SunSynk Inverter to your Fogstar Energy Rack using the yellow CAN cable provided by SunSynk.
Then simply set the protocol (via the battery screen) to CAN > Pylontech.

The Fogstar Energy Rack Battery will work with 48V Growatt Inverters. However, it will not work with high voltage inverters - these systems require Growatts own batteries.

The latest Growatt inverters need a high-voltage battery (300V), not the 48V we supply. Please check your inverter type before purchasing a 48V battery.

To set-up your 48V Growatt Inverter with the Fogstar Energy Rack Batteries, simply;

• Ensure CAN > Growatt is selected as the protocol language on the battery screen.
• Ensure the red and white dip switch on the master battery is Number 1
• Select Protocol 51 on the Growatt inverter
• Use the CAN cable that came with the Growatt Inverter, from the CAN port on the battery, to the CAN communication port on the inverter.

Our batteries will need to be installed by an 'MCS-approved' installer, to be MCS approved. 

Yes, the Fogstar Energy Rack Batteries will work with 48V Sofar Inverters.

Unfortunately, GivEnergy Inverters are only compatible with GivEnergy batteries.

The 5.12kWh Server Rack Battery contains Grade A EVE LF100LA cells capable of >4000 Cycles at 1C to 80%. After 4000 cycles, you will still have a battery that can deliver 80% of the stated capacity - 5.12Kwh is fully useable.

Our 5.12kWh Rack Battery is 3.5U or 450(W) x160(H) x 440(L) mm in size.

These instructions presume that your main battery will be your top most battery in the cabinet.On your battery, you will see two 'Battery Link' ports.

• The left port (number 1) connects to the next battery (sending communication).
• The right port (number 2) receives the connection from the previous battery (receiving communication).

The main battery at the top should only have one RS485 linking cable in the right port.

Your bottom battery should only have one RS485 in the left port. All middle batteries should have cables connected to both.

The pinouts for the PACE BMS are as follows;

For a more comprehensive list, please get in touch with our Customer Service Team.

You can update your Inverter protocol via the Touchscreen on the battery, this negates the need for downloading the Pbms Tools BMS Software.

1. Hit the ‘Settings’ button in the top right hand corner

2. Select CAN or RS485 communication type

3. Select the correct protocol (Pylontech/Solis/Growatt/Goodwe/Sofar/Victron)

4. Click ‘Confirm’ and use the back arrow to navigate back to the main screen.

The PACE BMS software (Pbms Tools) can be downloaded here.

Our Server Rack Batteries do not work with high voltage inverters. A good example of this is inverter manufacturers such as Solax, they only accept extremely high voltage batteries such as their own.

Solax inverters only accept extremely high voltage batteries such as their own - they will not work with our 48V batteries.

Click here to register your warranty.

Fogstar Energy warrants this Fogstar Energy 5.12Wh 48V Battery ("Product") to be free from defects in cells, BMS and workmanship for a period of eight (8) years from the date of purchase ("Warranty Period").

What is Covered:

• This warranty covers the repair or replacement of any defective parts of the Product during the Warranty Period, at Fogstar's sole discretion.

What is Not Covered:

• This warranty does not cover:
• Damages caused by:
• Gross negligence
• Normal wear and tear
• Accident or collision
• Abuse or misuse
• Incorrect installation
• Acts of God (e.g., lightning, flood, fire)
• Any disassembly or modifications to the Product not made by Fogstar or its authorised representatives
• Alterations or modifications to the Product not made by Fogstar or its authorised representatives.
• Any claims made after the Warranty Period has expired
• Transportation costs associated with returning the Product for warranty service
• Installation or removal costs of the Product
• Any consequential or incidental damages, including but not limited to, loss of use, loss of data, or lost profits

Repair or Replacement:

• In the first instance, Fogstar will attempt to troubleshoot and repair any issues with the Product before resorting to replacement.
• If repair is not feasible, Fogstar will, at its sole discretion, replace the Product with a new or refurbished unit of equal or greater value.
• Refurbished units will be of equivalent functionality and performance to a new unit and will have undergone rigorous testing to ensure compliance with warranty standards.

How to Make a Warranty Claim:

• To make a warranty claim, please contact Fogstar customer support at customerservice@fogstar.co.uk. You will be required to provide a copy of your purchase receipt and a description of the problem you are experiencing.
• Fogstar will then guide you through the troubleshooting process and determine the appropriate course of action.

The password for writing changes to the PACE BMS is Pz#168178. Always re-start your battery after writing changes to the BMS.

A simpler way of changing you inverter protocol is via the LCD Touchscreen. 

Unfortunately not, the Solaredge SE10000H is a high voltage inverter, and as such, will not work with our 48V batteries.

All mainland UK shipping of the Fogstar Drift and Drift PRO Litihium Leisure batteries is free.

We've partnered with FedEx to offer Next Day Delivery across mainland UK. You will be provided with a tracking number, allowing you to track your battery every step of the way.

For your safety, the safety of our couriers, and to comply with all UK regulations - all of our litihium leisure batteries are shipped as Class 9 Hazardous Goods. This means we only partner with specialised couriers trained to handle these batteries accordingly.

No, you cannot connect the Fogstar Drift and the Drift ECO as they contain different components.

No, the Drift ECO does not contain Bluetooth.

The Drift ECO battery prioritises affordability and longevity over Bluetooth connectivity.

While it doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you can effectively monitor its state of charge (SOC) using two reliable methods:

• Battery Shunt: This is a hardware device installed in-line with the battery cables. It measures current flow and calculates the remaining capacity based on the charged and discharged amp-hours. Shunts are a simple and accurate way to track SOC.
• Battery Monitor: This is a dedicated display unit that provides a user-friendly interface to view various battery parameters like SOC, voltage, current, temperature, and cycle count. Battery monitors offer a more comprehensive overview of the battery's health.

No, the Drift ECO does not contain heating.

Charging: This battery does not contain an internal heating element for low-temperature operation. If you require a battery with heating, we recommend you take a look at our Fogstar Drift range of batteries. To ensure optimal battery health and lifespan, avoid charging the Drift ECO battery below 0°C (32°F).

Discharging: The Drift ECO battery performs well in cold environments, with a discharge temperature range down to -20°C (-4°F).

JBD BMS Protection: Even though charging at low temperatures is not recommended, the integrated JBD BMS safeguards the battery by preventing charging if the temperature falls below the safe operating range. This BMS protection ensures the battery is not damaged by accidental charging in cold conditions.

All 12V batteries can be connected either four (4) in series OR sixteen (16) in parallel.

The warranty on the Fogstar Drift ECO batteries is 6 years from the date of shipping, to register your warranty visit https://www.fogstar-drift.co.uk/pages/warranty-registration.

Your battery is fitted with a Battery Management System (BMS) that automatically activates over-discharge protection at 11.6V. This prevents damage from being discharged too deeply during normal use.

However, it’s important to understand the limits of the BMS. Even in deep sleep mode, the BMS itself needs a small amount of power to keep essential functions alive. On top of this, lithium cells have a self-consumption rate of around 1-2% of charge per month, regardless of use. The BMS cannot stop this natural self-discharge, and it is therefore impossible for it to protect the battery from over-discharge indefinitely if the battery is left in storage without recharging.

If the battery’s voltage falls to 7V, the Bluetooth functionality will shut down and the battery will stop communicating. At this stage, the battery must be returned to Fogstar for revival.

⚠️ Important: Allowing your battery to reach 7V is considered improper maintenance and is not covered under warranty. Any revival work required in these circumstances will be chargeable.