For a Cabin, 12V might work, but for a house, you need higher voltage batteries because the wire size will become way to big at 12v. Consider at least 24v if not 48V. Most people use 48V for a house.
Hi Steven. I am using your model to build my Diy powerwall. How do you calculate the voltage needed to charge your pack ?. How much current are you sending to it for charging ?.
Otis, my powerwall is a 7S powerwall. Each battery has a max voltage of 4.2V so if i have a 7S powerwall, the max charge of of the entire powerwall is 7 x4.2v = 29.4V. My solar charge is set to charge at 29.2V (slightly undercharge the powerwall to be safe).
For charging the powerwall, i have a 400 W solar setup, which sends about 10amps into the powerwall at max sun charge. You can also use a 29.4V power supply to charge the powerwall.
So I have 2.5kw in panels, 24v 3000w pure sine inverter, 60A makebluesky, wires and no batteries. I need to build me a small 8 to 10kw battery. Your setup looks cool...
Thanks George. Your choices are lithium ion like my powerwall which is cheaper but lots of work sourcing and assembling the batteries. Or you can get Lifepo4 which costs more but 8 batteries could get you the powerwall you l size you want for $1000
@@stevenc22 one choice I had was 8 of the 3.2v 280A Lipo cells. I'm not sure if to get used EV batteries. I do want to grow the battery and may even get 16 cells.
@@cutweldngrind I have 16 280ah new grade A batteries being shipped to me for my next power wall. Cost $2000. I'm doing 8s2p configuration. You could buy 8 and later add another 8 and not have to buy new inverter or solar equipment.
This is a video I watched many a times. It is neatly done! I love that!! Great explanation too. One question I have for you. Any reason why you chose common port bms? Don't you think it is better to use a split port bms? Especially if you are going to use it to power up whole house with more solar panels?
Not really. If I used a split port BMS my solar couldn't go direct to the inverter. Right now because my solar and inverter all connect through the same line the solar can bypass the BMS and be used directly by the inverter. If I used a split port BMS the charge from the solar would have to flow into the BMS and then back out to the inverter. It will work either way but I don't see an advantage to a split port BMS 👍
Seems to work fine. Voltage balance is okay. It only voltage balances above 4.18 volts and i tend to keep my pack around 4.15 volts so it doesn't really do any balancing. I plug in a ISDT external balancer occasionally. I have tested its high and low voltage cutoff which work correctly.
hi there, been looking for a video with a really good explanation video. Really great video. many thanks for the info. Thou your system is bigger than I need, I know what to do to set it up and I'm only just getting into solar. many thanks again.
Yes in other countries they are harder to find. Check out your local electronic recyclers, you might get lucky. Or you can look into getting a battery from something like a Nissan leaf electric car from a junk yard!
@@edwingeorge9097 These panels have a 20V open circuit voltage. I actually series all 4 panels together and get about 70v @ 5 amps which then goes through the charge controller to be converted to 29V. These are the actual panels i use. They arent the best but they are cheap :) www.amazon.com/Newpowa-Monocrystalline-Efficiency-Module-Marine/dp/B07JX61QJ5/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=solar+panel+100w&dchild=1&keywords=solar+panel+100w&pd_rd_i=B07JX61QJ5&pd_rd_r=d869bf27-a16c-450c-8943-5b2a88d128c0&pd_rd_w=7ne7Q&pd_rd_wg=izZbo&pf_rd_p=224b59c9-c98f-46fd-96d6-8e952866d6a3&pf_rd_r=J90XWCN78FTMANAATPEF&psc=1&qid=1601384263&sr=1-1-a14f3e51-9e3d-4cb5-bc68-d89d95c82244
Hi ,lithium ion powerwall is addictive. .You have two sets of 7s/ 80p so those packs in one bms? How many amperes you use for balancing those 14 packs? The price on ebay starts from $59 for 80amp bms...
No. Only 1 set of 7s on the BMS. I might add a second set later but I will give it a separate BMS if I do. I occasionally hook up a big external balancer when I want to rebalnce the packs.
Easy. Since this pack is 29.4 volts fully charged, you just use a 29.4V transformer to charge the pack. i do this when solar is too slow. They make 29.4v transformers just for this purpose! ebay.us/DbdOGA
My AC is very ineffecient. It runs about 4-5 hours on my first battery pack. I have since expenses my powerwalls to nearly 12kw and can run the AC 10+ hours
Will this connect to the solar system I have with inverter already installed?... or do I have to have a separate inverter for the powerwall? What is the total cost for this powerwall?
Absolutely it can connect to an existing solar installation. just make sure your battery and your inverter are the same voltage. The first 6kw powerwall cost $600 and the n the second 6kw expansion cost around $300
@@stevenc22 my solar panels are grid tie. So how do I SAFELY connect, so that when the grid is down, my system will automatically connect to the Powerwall? 2. How long will these batteries last and to what percentage can they be drained before recharging?
I buy from batteryhookup.com Their selection varies every week. This is similar to what i used batteryhookup.com/products/99-lg-18650-2600mah-lgabb41865-cells-lithium-ion-modem-batteries Or this batteryhookup.com/collections/18650-lithium-ion-capacity-cells-in-modem-batteries/products/4-18650-2200mah-cells-in-modem-batteries
Yeah thanks. 8 awg solid copper over a short distance is good for 75 amps but it is border line. I normal twist copper wire for a bus bar but decided to try single thicker strand this time. I've been powering my AC pulling 1400w continuous and I'll check temperatures tomorrow and report back.
I only have 400w of solar. That is not enough for a full grid tie system. My system tricky charges the powerwall during the week for me to use it on the weekend to run my AC and garage
I've watched tons of these and yours looks the cleanest. Thanks!
That powerwall is really looking good. 🤩 Good job with the build! Thumbs up. 👍👍
Thanks
@@stevenc22 If you have time, please do check out my build as well. th-cam.com/video/qv1EDdSKGOc/w-d-xo.html Thanks for sharing. 👊
One of the best schemes of powerwall!
Awesome build. We'll thought out and executed
This is the neatest setup,i like that bms with makeskyblue controller,,hope to have such system sometime
Bought a makeskyblue controller a week ago,thanks Buddy
In a decent sized house with 120v AC, is there a problem with running 12v packs into a quality inverter? Im stuck choosing the dc voltage.
For a Cabin, 12V might work, but for a house, you need higher voltage batteries because the wire size will become way to big at 12v. Consider at least 24v if not 48V. Most people use 48V for a house.
Very nice! Clean look!
Thank you brother for the detailed technical informative videos
Maybe I missed it, but do you have a video on the breakdown of how to put this all together? I checked but couldn’t find it.
I have a whole series of building my powerwall. Here is part 1 th-cam.com/video/SchxjDHVq90/w-d-xo.html
@@stevenc22 perfect, tyvm 😎👍
Very nice work! Thank you for posting!
Hi Steven. I am using your model to build my Diy powerwall. How do you calculate the voltage needed to charge your pack ?. How much current are you sending to it for charging ?.
Otis, my powerwall is a 7S powerwall. Each battery has a max voltage of 4.2V so if i have a 7S powerwall, the max charge of of the entire powerwall is 7 x4.2v = 29.4V. My solar charge is set to charge at 29.2V (slightly undercharge the powerwall to be safe).
For charging the powerwall, i have a 400 W solar setup, which sends about 10amps into the powerwall at max sun charge. You can also use a 29.4V power supply to charge the powerwall.
@@stevenc22 Thank you for the fast response, I plan to build the same exact setup. Its very detailed and easy to follow. 👌
Do you know the efficiency.
I'm currious about how mutch energie is getting lost.
It is a Nice and clean system.
Thanks. Good inverters claim 85% - 90% efficiency so its not too bad.
What the number your wire # using your diy mppt to battery and solar pv array to mppt?
I use 12awg from my solar to my mppt and to my battery. Size your wire based on your amps.
So I have 2.5kw in panels, 24v 3000w pure sine inverter, 60A makebluesky, wires and no batteries. I need to build me a small 8 to 10kw battery. Your setup looks cool...
Thanks George. Your choices are lithium ion like my powerwall which is cheaper but lots of work sourcing and assembling the batteries. Or you can get Lifepo4 which costs more but 8 batteries could get you the powerwall you l size you want for $1000
@@stevenc22 one choice I had was 8 of the 3.2v 280A Lipo cells. I'm not sure if to get used EV batteries. I do want to grow the battery and may even get 16 cells.
@@cutweldngrind I have 16 280ah new grade A batteries being shipped to me for my next power wall. Cost $2000. I'm doing 8s2p configuration. You could buy 8 and later add another 8 and not have to buy new inverter or solar equipment.
Beautiful setup. Especially wiring.
Thanks!
you should always shut solar off before battery starting battery solat then inverter or load got to say one of the cleanest sey ups i have scene
Thx David. Yeah I always pop my solar breaker before my battery breaker.
@@stevenc22 yeah i learnt the hard way and blew a controller
still work this 18650 ? it can explode risk?
Yes if charged improperly but that's why there is a BMS to protect the battery
This is a video I watched many a times. It is neatly done! I love that!! Great explanation too. One question I have for you. Any reason why you chose common port bms? Don't you think it is better to use a split port bms? Especially if you are going to use it to power up whole house with more solar panels?
Not really. If I used a split port BMS my solar couldn't go direct to the inverter. Right now because my solar and inverter all connect through the same line the solar can bypass the BMS and be used directly by the inverter. If I used a split port BMS the charge from the solar would have to flow into the BMS and then back out to the inverter. It will work either way but I don't see an advantage to a split port BMS 👍
@@stevenc22 Thank you very much for the explanation. It helped me a lot to figure out putting my power wall up ! Thanks again!
Pls tell me ,how Ah is your power wall.i knw is both solar panels are 200wats each ,and will also charge the power bank properlly
That powerwall in the picture is 6kw and later I added another 6 kw, so now it is about 12kw
@@stevenc22 thanx man
@@stevenc22 one more thing pls.how many watt panels would I need to charge it fast and efficient.
@@prihakabm3248 a lot. If you had 1500 watt of panels you could maybe recharge in 1 day of nice weather
@@stevenc22 ok great keep the good work going.
Hi friend, greetings from Chile ... How has this bms worked for you in your system? does voltage balancing work? Cheers
Seems to work fine. Voltage balance is okay. It only voltage balances above 4.18 volts and i tend to keep my pack around 4.15 volts so it doesn't really do any balancing. I plug in a ISDT external balancer occasionally.
I have tested its high and low voltage cutoff which work correctly.
@@stevenc22 Thanks for your answer ... how many amps is the BMS you use?
Hello, I'm going to make a battery with the same battery group. What would you recommend as BMS? Battery 18650 lion 3.7v nominal voltage.
Yeah get a 100amp Daly. Well made and simple. Just works. amzn.to/3ZygFwG
@@stevenc22 If I do 8S 32.8, IS IT SUITABLE FOR 24V? 8s 4.2 24 volt lion 18650 battery pack
@@volferm no. Most 24v inverters have a max input of 30v. That's why you do a 7s with 4.2v batteries
@@stevenc22 I understand. It was writing 33v on the smart inverter. If it is suitable for 33 volts, is 8s suitable?
@@volferm sure. If the inverter can take it...
great workmanship
Thx
Nice setup bud looks good. Take a look at shelly 1 home automation cool.
Thanks, will do!
Hello, what gauge wire did you use from your batteries to in inverter?
8awg
hi there, been looking for a video with a really good explanation video. Really great video. many thanks for the info. Thou your system is bigger than I need, I know what to do to set it up and I'm only just getting into solar. many thanks again.
You are welcome. Remember build your system to be expandable. It's likely once your system is up you will want to expand it!
looks great ;) wanted to build something similar but couldnt find good amaunt of 18650 sells for this kind of project...
Yes in other countries they are harder to find. Check out your local electronic recyclers, you might get lucky. Or you can look into getting a battery from something like a Nissan leaf electric car from a junk yard!
@@stevenc22 leaf batteries are imposible to find... we dont have that many of them... and i already emptied all electronics repair shops :)
What Amphere is the Daly BMS you utilized?
100amp
Please what's the wattage of your solar panels. ?
400w
4 x 100w to be more precise
100watt 12volt each or 100watt 24volt each?
@@edwingeorge9097 These panels have a 20V open circuit voltage. I actually series all 4 panels together and get about 70v @ 5 amps which then goes through the charge controller to be converted to 29V.
These are the actual panels i use. They arent the best but they are cheap :) www.amazon.com/Newpowa-Monocrystalline-Efficiency-Module-Marine/dp/B07JX61QJ5/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=solar+panel+100w&dchild=1&keywords=solar+panel+100w&pd_rd_i=B07JX61QJ5&pd_rd_r=d869bf27-a16c-450c-8943-5b2a88d128c0&pd_rd_w=7ne7Q&pd_rd_wg=izZbo&pf_rd_p=224b59c9-c98f-46fd-96d6-8e952866d6a3&pf_rd_r=J90XWCN78FTMANAATPEF&psc=1&qid=1601384263&sr=1-1-a14f3e51-9e3d-4cb5-bc68-d89d95c82244
Hi ,lithium ion powerwall is addictive. .You have two sets of 7s/ 80p so those packs in one bms? How many amperes you use for balancing those 14 packs? The price on ebay starts from $59 for 80amp bms...
No. Only 1 set of 7s on the BMS. I might add a second set later but I will give it a separate BMS if I do. I occasionally hook up a big external balancer when I want to rebalnce the packs.
i want to create this, but charge from the grid. how do you charge it from the grid?
Easy. Since this pack is 29.4 volts fully charged, you just use a 29.4V transformer to charge the pack. i do this when solar is too slow. They make 29.4v transformers just for this purpose!
ebay.us/DbdOGA
Can it run your air conditioner up to four hours?
Easily. I have 12kw and my ineffecient AC draws 1-1.5kw. do I can run the AC for 8+ hours
Hey, whats the Amp rating on the BMS
100amp
Nice and simple project bro
Thanks a lot
I am searching everywhere for that wago bussbar, got a link? It looks PERFECT!
Yes, check out this video with links to products th-cam.com/video/jLQkU43kmV4/w-d-xo.html
How many hours can this run your Ac?
My AC draws about 1kw, my first power wall is 6kw so 6 hours and my new improved power wall is 12kw, so 12 hours.
How long does 5kw run the airconditioner for?
My AC is very ineffecient. It runs about 4-5 hours on my first battery pack. I have since expenses my powerwalls to nearly 12kw and can run the AC 10+ hours
@@stevenc22 Thank you, that helps me factor in real world numbers :)
@@rustusandroid a window unit is way more efficient and could run twice as long as my protable AC unit
Nice system,
Thanks
what is your battery make up ? i see it's 7s?P , but i can't tell how many parallel "P"
7s 80p. And now I have added a complete second bank of batteries so it's more like 7s 160p now
@@stevenc22 >> What do you forse as far as maintenance goes ? how often do you check for a bad cell or blown cell fuse ? looks tedious.
Will this connect to the solar system I have with inverter already installed?... or do I have to have a separate inverter for the powerwall? What is the total cost for this powerwall?
Absolutely it can connect to an existing solar installation. just make sure your battery and your inverter are the same voltage.
The first 6kw powerwall cost $600 and the n the second 6kw expansion cost around $300
@@stevenc22 my solar panels are grid tie. So how do I SAFELY connect, so that when the grid is down, my system will automatically connect to the Powerwall?
2. How long will these batteries last and to what percentage can they be drained before recharging?
@@dianajohnson4144 a grid tie transfer switch is installed and allows you to switch your house between the grid and the battery.
Lithium batteries don't have percentages. Full they are 4.2 volts and empty they are 3.00 volts. Below 3 volts the lithium can be damaged!
@@stevenc22 How long do these batteries last?
Where do I buy them?
Do you have link of the battery you use ?
I buy from batteryhookup.com
Their selection varies every week.
This is similar to what i used
batteryhookup.com/products/99-lg-18650-2600mah-lgabb41865-cells-lithium-ion-modem-batteries
Or this
batteryhookup.com/collections/18650-lithium-ion-capacity-cells-in-modem-batteries/products/4-18650-2200mah-cells-in-modem-batteries
Get a grid tie inverter and run it as a load dump so when batteries are full the inverter will put that small load into the grid
if i had more solar i would. With only 400W of solar its not worth it.
@@stevenc22 still roughly a kwh a day. x364days adds up. I started with 600watts first year it made 1000kwh
Great..👍
Nice system.Im making 48v.
Great work
Lots of great details. Thanks for sharing
You are welcome. Thanks for watching
nice and clean work!
Thanks👍
I like it just subbed
What is the amp of that bms?
100amp Dally BMS
@@stevenc22 thanks man
What A is the bms
100amp www.ebay.com/itm/113813933218
Nice!! I would love to have a schematic diagram of it so i can build one like that.
Here is the basic schematic imgur.com/zTjyzsL
Well done
Thanks
Nice! Very very Nice. But shure, that the Busbars not to small? 1500W / 24V = 62,5 Amps. 2 x 2,5 mm2? Maybe they got hot. Better you double it.
Yeah thanks. 8 awg solid copper over a short distance is good for 75 amps but it is border line. I normal twist copper wire for a bus bar but decided to try single thicker strand this time. I've been powering my AC pulling 1400w continuous and I'll check temperatures tomorrow and report back.
@@stevenc22 Ahhh ... ok... 8 AWG seems ok. In my eyes it looks like 13 AWG. I am looking very interested for tomorrow.
@@uwe2030 Here is an update video with temp testing th-cam.com/video/oX8Sr--snGg/w-d-xo.html
Nice!
instead of that open spade terminal just wire it to a simple switch :)
Nice
Why not use a grid tie inverter so you can use power for everything in house
I only have 400w of solar. That is not enough for a full grid tie system. My system tricky charges the powerwall during the week for me to use it on the weekend to run my AC and garage
@@stevenc22 I only have about about 500w of solar also but I plug into a 1000w grid tie inverter since the house is always using at least that much.
You mean 5kwh not kw thats a great difference. ;)
Those breakers are designed for audio not solar 👍
Yes, they are designed for automotive, which is normally 12v system. They work for high voltage if you account for total wattage.
Check out my powerwall and give me your thoughts
New plans from Avasva helped me with this.