Blue Nova RacPower SP 5.2kWh Lithium Battery
The Blue Nova RacPower SP BN52V-100-5.2k is the latest generation of Blue Nova’s well-established RacPower lithium battery range. The SP – or “Special Power” – succeeds the earlier RacPower BP (Backup Power) and RacPower DU (Daily Use) batteries that have been widely installed in South African solar and backup power systems.
Each RacPower SP provides 5.12kWh of installed LiFePO4 battery capacity, with a nominal voltage of 51.2V and capacity of 100Ah. It combines new premium-quality LiFePO4 cells with a redesigned battery management system, improved communications and a much more flexible physical installation format.
The result is a versatile 48V-class battery suitable for home solar systems, backup power, daily solar energy storage and small commercial installations.
Replacement for the Blue Nova RacPower BP and DU
The RacPower SP is particularly important for customers who already have Blue Nova RacPower batteries installed.
The RacPower SP replaces the previous 5.2kWh RacPower BP and DU models and can be used when replacing a battery or expanding a compatible existing RacPower battery bank.
The SP is compatible with existing RacPower BP and DU batteries. With earlier-generation BP or DU batteries, an additional Blue Nova interface module is required when the older battery and newer SP are operated together. Later-generation BP and DU installations can be combined with the SP without this additional legacy interface module.
This gives existing RacPower owners an upgrade path to the current battery generation rather than requiring an otherwise serviceable RacPower installation to be replaced simply because the BP and DU batteries have been discontinued.
EcoHub supplied large numbers of the previous RacPower batteries over many years. You can still view the original products and customer feedback here:
5.12kWh / 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery
The RacPower SP uses Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery chemistry and provides:
- 5,120Wh / 5.12kWh installed battery capacity
- 51.2V nominal voltage
- 100Ah capacity
- 5.2kW (1C) power capability
A single RacPower SP provides useful storage for a residential solar or backup system, while additional batteries can be added where more stored energy, longer backup time or greater battery-bank power is required.
Up to 6 RacPower SP Batteries in Parallel
Up to 6 RacPower SP batteries can be connected in parallel, allowing the battery bank to grow in 5.12kWh increments.
A six-battery RacPower SP bank therefore provides approximately 30.72kWh of nominal battery storage. Blue Nova also provides for larger engineered systems by interconnecting multiple six-battery configurations where required.
This scalability makes the RacPower SP equally useful as a single-battery solution and as the foundation of a substantially larger solar energy storage system.
5.2kW Battery Power Capability
Blue Nova rates the RacPower SP as capable of 5.2kW (1C) sustained power output.
The detailed electrical specifications list a maximum discharge current of 100A for up to one hour, while Blue Nova recommends a discharge current of 70A or less for normal operation.
This distinction is worth considering when sizing the battery bank. A larger inverter does not automatically mean that a single 5.2kWh battery should be expected to continuously supply the inverter’s full rated output. Adding batteries increases both the amount of stored energy available and the overall current capability of the battery bank.
Designed for Regular Solar Cycling
The RacPower SP is not limited to occasional backup use. Blue Nova rates the battery for 6,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge at C2 under its recommended continuous-use conditions.
This makes it well suited to solar installations where the battery is charged from excess solar production during the day and discharged later in the afternoon, evening and overnight.
Blue Nova also specifies:
- 2,500 cycles at 100% DoD, 1C
- 3,000 cycles at 100% DoD, C2
- 6,000 cycles at 80% DoD, C2 – recommended continuous use
Redesigned Battery Management System
A major change from the previous RacPower generations is the redesigned integrated electronic Battery Management System (BMS).
The updated system provides improved:
- Charge and discharge control
- Cell balancing
- Autonomous battery protection
- Charge efficiency
- Serial communication
- Integration with compatible inverter and peripheral hardware
The RacPower SP supports CAN and RS485 communication for supported inverter integrations.
Broad 48V Inverter Compatibility
The RacPower SP has been designed for use with a wide range of established inverter platforms. CAN / serial communication is available for compatible inverter and peripheral equipment.
Blue Nova also specifies compatibility with 48V pure sine wave inverters with configurable voltage setpoints for installations operating through voltage-based control.
For warranty purposes, the battery and inverter installation must comply with Blue Nova’s current approved installation and operating requirements.
50A Charging and Approx. 2-Hour Recharge
The RacPower SP has a maximum continuous charge current of 50A, with Blue Nova recommending operation at 50A or below.
Under suitable charging conditions, Blue Nova states that the battery is capable of being fully recharged in approximately two hours.
This is useful in solar applications where available PV production needs to replenish the battery bank efficiently during the daylight charging window.
Rack, Wall or Stack Mounting
The RacPower SP uses a form factor compatible with standard 19-inch server cabinets, but it is no longer limited to rack installations.
Blue Nova provides mounting options that allow the battery to be:
- Installed in a suitable 19-inch battery or server cabinet
- Wall mounted individually
- Assembled into a secure vertical stack
Up to 6 batteries can be assembled in a vertical stack, providing considerably more flexibility when planning a battery installation.
Blue Nova RacPower SP Specifications
| Model | BN52V-100-5.2k-SP |
|---|---|
| Battery chemistry | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) |
| Nominal voltage | 51.2V |
| Capacity | 100Ah @ C2, 25°C |
| Installed capacity | 5,120Wh / 5.12kWh |
| Power capability | Up to 5.2kW (1C) |
| Recommended cycle life | 6,000 cycles @ 80% DoD, C2 |
| Operating voltage range | 48.0V – 56.0V |
| Bulk voltage | 55.2V ± 0.3V |
| Recommended float voltage | 54.0V |
| Low voltage | 48.0V |
| Maximum charge current | 50A continuous; ≤50A recommended |
| Maximum discharge current | 100A for 1 hour; ≤70A recommended |
| Communication | CAN / RS485 |
| Dimensions | 450 × 450 × 145mm (W × D × H), excluding front panel components |
| Net weight | 43.5kg |
| Parallel configuration | Up to 6 RacPower SP batteries per parallel group |
10-Year / 6,000-Cycle Cell Warranty
The RacPower SP is covered by Blue Nova’s current limited product warranty.
The LiFePO4 cells are warranted for 10 years or 6,000 cycles, whichever occurs first, from the date of sale and subject to Blue Nova’s warranty terms and operating requirements.
The battery’s master board, cell boards and other integrated electronic components carry a 3-year warranty.
Blue Nova requires the installation and product details to be registered in accordance with its warranty registration procedure within 30 days of purchase. The complete warranty document should be read for the applicable conditions, exclusions and operating requirements.
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A Proven Blue Nova Battery Range
RacPower is not a new battery platform for EcoHub customers. We supplied large numbers of the earlier Blue Nova RacPower BP and DU batteries, and many of these batteries remain installed in South African homes and businesses.
The new RacPower SP continues that product family while introducing a redesigned BMS, improved communications, flexible mounting and a single current-generation battery for new installations as well as compatible upgrades to existing RacPower systems.
For customers who already own RacPower BP or DU batteries, this continuity is particularly valuable: the SP provides a route to replace or expand an existing RacPower battery bank without unnecessarily replacing the entire battery system.
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