If you have used/grade b cells, and need to do a full top balance, check out this video: th-cam.com/video/x5ABvbbics8/w-d-xo.html If you are new to building batteries, check out this video: th-cam.com/video/uCC_3LoLYuw/w-d-xo.html Yes, the shelves can handle 2 or even 3 times the weight of these cells. That is why I spent more money for this type of shelf. I have had tons of people complain about this in past videos. Parts list for this battery: LiFePO4 Battery Cell Deals: www.mobile-solarpower.com/raw-lifepo4-deals-page.html DIY LiFePO4 BMS: www.mobile-solarpower.com/raw-lifepo4-deals-page-676969.html Heavy Duty Shelves for Battery Building (ad): amzn.to/36afayC Insulative Liner: amzn.to/3IaEX7a ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link): amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first): 12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes: -Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp -Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7 -AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around: amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out: shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p -Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 10% off code: diysolar -Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA: watts247.com/?wpam_id=3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Information: I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers: Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Will I use a T8 charger to bring new packs up to full charge as it active balances as it charges - its limited to 8S - I've built quite a few RV packs and its saved a lot of time
Will, your thoughts on the latest sodium ion batteries for stationary storage would be very much appreciated. They appear to be catching up with lithium, in some aspects and the advantages disadvantages would make a good video, in my opinion.
Hey Will, are you still using those Midea wall units....how much power do they draw? Looking to take the skoolie off grid with the AC, trying to figure out the battery bank if I use that unit.
Watching all videos will take more then a week, especially when you repeat until all is memorized. If you do, you will have a good paying job for the next decade.
Video project idea: Grab some 18650 and 21700 battery holders off AliExpress or similar, and build some power banks with them. Maybe even consider 16350 if you really wanna go nuts with small devices. Then, grab a few cordless appliances like drills, heated vests, flashlights, automotive jump boxes, and lawnmowers. Retrofit them to fit the interchangeable batteries... I see lots of people spot welding 18650's into power banks. That seems to totally defeat their strength of being so easily swapped between devices. I (and probably many of your other viewers) would be fascinated to see how you approach this idea. I realize there's a very good chance that just plugging a charger for smaller universal or (Ugh) proprietary batteries into an EVE or server rack setup would be vastly superior, but if there's anyone to run the tests and crunch the numbers, you're the man for the job.
I've been watching a lot of this guy's videos and all these batteries and equipment are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. My dude must pull in some mad cash flow. 🙏
I just got my LV6548 inverter today (another on the way) and will be referring to video's like this so I understand how our solar system works. I'll still need help from a local electrician but at least I'll be educated on everything. And may even teach them some things as I'd talked to a couple electricians and they don't always understand solar systems.
With all of those battery banks and inverters, Will’s “shed” is probably worth more than my house. :). One of these days I’ll make my own bank/inverter setup thanks to Will’s videos!!!
I would like you to do two kinds of shows. 1) Tear downs of solar inverters. 2) Discussion, design, use, and sourcing of inverter motherboards for solar generators and other *enclosed projects* with custom cooling.
Will I have taken on your lead with overkill solar BMS. The BMS switch for discharge is one feature that is perfect for marine lfp batteries. The BMS is proving to be excellent under test. Charge and zero discharge. Fantastic.
You mentioned at the end of this video to make sure nothing combustible is around the cells. Would you not build this for a big sail boat. Love the fun you have showing us how to do this stuff
I ordered 4 230 ah eve cells from docan power. So I don't have to put in parallel for a top balance? Just put the BMS on it and charge them to 14.6 volt?
Will, you make it look so easy. All I can think is what would happen if someone dropped a wrench across the top of the batteries by accident. The available fault current would be tremendous.
Always enjoy watching you explain all this. Still playing with my little experiment of lithion and lifepo4 in parallel. Found I need to bottom balance the lithion and top balance the lifepo4. It's actually been working better than I had though. Soon to add some decent loads to them but still not getting near my main system, I'm not that confident in it
Would you consider doing a 36/48v golf cart tutorial? A lot of communities in the southern US use golf carts/LSVs for local transportation, and they're all still using expensive, dangerous, and poor performing lead acid batteries.
I did a cart build with 48v packs from a Honda Clarity and it works like a champ! I live in Arizona and use the cart for probably 90% of my transportation. Has a 480w panel for a roof, so I basically never have to plug it in.
installing my first system in an off grid cabin, using an all in one 24volt 3000 watt inverter/charger , is there a video in your list that will help me with set up as far as fuse and shut off location and size, grounding and such. I went through your videos but might of missed it. I bought your book but its 12volt and didnt have an all in one system in it. Thanks in advance.
Can you do a video about 18s LiFePO4 battery packs? Also any inverters that may be compatible with that type of system? And anything that can charge up to 62 volts?
Will, I am confused (not unusual) but just the 4 cells are $899.99. So what's the bene fit of not buying the premade sets that are cheaper with components. TY Alan
Just ordered my book watched a lot of your videos new and old excited to go solar thanks to you making it so easy in your diy videos would like to see you put a 600w or 800w solar system together if you ever have time like you did for the 400w
Will I had a large 308ah Eve battery damaged in shipping .. So I cut it open to look inside. Do you have any idea what that VILE solvent that is in them??
So I notice you don't compress your cells I am building a 50ah lithium iron portable solar 12v power bank would you recommend me compressing the cells Thanks
Great video! I want to build a 48V battery to use with two LV6548 inverters. I have a question about what you think the least expensive way would be to connect 240vac grid power to the inverters so I can have the automatic switchover when solar and battery power isn't available. I wonder if there's any way to do it without hiring an electrician? It seems that it will need another breaker box - one with just the mains breakers and the current one with all the load breakers. But I'm guessing having an electrician add a new box and move the mains to it will be expensive. Any ideas? Thanks
Every system, needs and layout is unique, so a remote answer is impossible or unsafe. If you don’t know, at least ask an electrician for advice (pay him for the time). But if you’re not absolutely sure, let them install. Ask if the electrician has installed a few inverters before, because if he hasn’t, even he will need a lot of time to get up to speed. Not a normal house wiring and definitely not a handyman job. Breaker Interlocks, manual transfer switch, automatic transfer switch and the transfer switch incorporated in the inverter all have advantages and limitations. End game, no back feed into grid and no power loop back to inverter.
Hi...if using 6kw high frequency battery charger,with rema320 connector with CAN bus protocol..is that any bms come with can bus connection? Or any can module that can coordinate with bms and the charges?
Bah. I just put all the cells in parallel. Heck with state of charge -- super fast balancing!! Only problem is, my house burned down last weekend for the third time. 🤷♂️ I'm sure it's unrelated. ( /sarcasm 😁) 👍️
Hey there! It seems battery's are very populair in your country. Don't you receive any money for sending power to the grid? Or get a discount on your bill?
Hi will, I am building a off grid solar system with a pair of LV6548 mpp inverters and four lifepower 24v 200ah server rack batteries. In your opinion how important is it to set the dial switchs and connect the batteries with the inverter with Ethernet cables. sorry if this question was asked before.
Nice snake setup!, since the 0,5 mm "breathing"of the cells is in the width and cells aren't touching eauch other, there will be no issues BUT: since my setup will be 48 Volts, how do you go from the first set of 8S to the next set of 8S batteries? With the 16pcs EVE 280K cells I ordered from Nkon in the Netherlands, I have another issue: with two M6 screws meant to be used with the standard busbars for side to side oriëntation, I won't be able to conect them the way you do. There are two options: a) make my own copper tinned busbars and connect the two sets of 8 with a specially made connection or b) try to motivate the flexible busbar company to make new ones made for the 280K cells. Happily I know a company that cuts copper plates with water and tinning these copper bars is not such a big issue 😃
I've never quite figured out what the tolerance should be on top balance. I had 8 cells that never got below .1 amp draw and I finally gave up; they appear well-balanced to the BMS.
Hi Will, I am building this same setup with 2 banks of 48v 304AH rated batteries,for a total of 608AH. WHat size T class fuses did you use? Also why did you decide to use a 1500amp breaker on the test battery? I'm confused if I need to go up in fuse/breaker rating if the batteries go up in capacity?
I'm looking for a charger that I will charge my Ac300max via the solar input at 1400w. Do you know of any power supplies out there that can do this? The ac200max is limited to 145v and 10amps.
I have 4 of these 280ah cells in my truck on 1280w solar and one of them slowly continues to drift out of range! I definitely did a top balance and they did pull full capacity originally....How do I fix this?
Is it ok to charge a lifepo4 battery at a very slow rate? I'm planning to load a 50 ah battery with a Tecmate Optimate 1 charger. That it will take a few days is no problem for me.
I have a 6000 watt inverter, I saw a video that explained how to size breakers/fuses, if my calculations are correct I need a 625 amp fuse, is that correct ?
Will, is it possible to build or modify solar panel shape? Wish I could make solar panels fit my van roof layout, rather than the van roof layout fit standard panels..
I'm thinking about getting solar installed, and got a quote for a 6.6kw system, 5kw Solax inverter and 5.8kWh Triple Power battery. To reduce the cost and improve the battery capacity, I was thinking of getting them to forget the battery and DIY one instead. X1-Hybrid has 85-400v range, can you do a 34s - 35s battery pack? Is there a suitable BMS for such a battery?
Hey Will, what do you think would be the least expensive way to connect 240vac grid power to a couple LV6548 inverters so I can have the automatic switchover when solar and battery power isn't available. The output of the inverters would be connected to my current breaker box input in place of the grid connection. Any ideas on how to do this without hiring an electrician? Thanks
I really want to use the EVE cells on your page but I cannot find a BMS to match the 280Ah or even 230Ah. Overkill only has 100-120 Ah. Is the “chip shortage” affecting BMS?
So if I install 3 new SOK 100AH batteries connected to a Victron Multiplus Inverter/Charger should I have to bring each battery to full charge first before using or will the system self balance?
Does your book walk you through how to design and build systems? I want to build a system to run a mini-split and a refrigerator. I've watched a ton of your videos but I always feel like one video has more or different information than a different video. I do enjoy your content, thank you for all your content.
Please start reviewing and testing wind turbines. They are finally affordable but lots and lots of lies on those. They say 400w output while giving 150w. But still it's $150 for 150 watts. It makes huge sense to have both a wind turbine and solar in every system (not RVs obviously) although they make vertical turbines that easily disconnect, you could connect it while staying put. I use both types on my sailboat works flawlessly. The marine turbines are still expensive though but built way better.
Thanks Will! I'm ordering your book tomorrow. I was wondering, is there an issue with a built in BMS on a server rack battery if you need to hook up multiple server racks together? Do the BMS's talk to each other? Is there any conflict if you need to set up a separate BMS like in the Victron system?
Hi Will. I will be going with Diy Solar Warehouse's 12kw system. I currently have (32) 230ah eve cells in my diy ev. I'd like to upgrade the batteries (as i've over charged a few and the IR is off, but could be useful for our home) in my EV, but use the 32 cells for a 16s2p 48 system. Because the DIY ware house system uses micro inverters I am told I need to use a AC battery. Is there a system that can use my Eve cells for a home battery? I would like get off the grid. Thanks
Solar question: I looked thru all your many videos looking for something that explains the difference between solar panel optimizers and MPPT . I see people taking about putting them on the back of their panels to prevent a shaded panel from messing up the whole array. Unless that's what you were showing about in "bypass vs blocking diodes"
Dude, cool channel. Would you be interested in putting together a video discussing best charge/discharge practices for EV's? There's this whole community of mostly clueless EV people who want to optimise for longevity. Most videos and communities are regurgitating the same old. I expect you'd speak to the topic with ease. Some points of interest: Depth of discharge Rate of discharge/charge Cycle depth Capacity recovery effect Temperature Cell types Balance and float Degredation types (resistance - power, capacity - energy) Unnecessary battery cycling (leaving the car unplugged)
I have also installed a 220v kW meter to measure the used KW output over time. A mechanical meter so no one can delete or reset it. It will be there forever so I will always be able to calculate the amount of output to my off grid system and know the amount of electric in money... I.E. 2500kw at .14 pence is 350 pounds!
Off topic question Will. Adding a lithium battery to my class B RV. Have a Renogy DC to DC charger with MPPT. The existing convertor/charger is not rated for lithium. Can I take the charger output to the input of the DC to DC charger? Also any type of typical wiring diagram would be very help. Thanks
Yes - I've done this in my Travel Trailer. Search "LiFePO4 RV Battery - Use Renogy Dual Input DC-DC charger instead of upgrading Converter?" in diysolarforum
7500 amp hours of batteries is 96,000 watt hours. If you bought 25 Chins 300 amp hour batteries at about $1150 from Amazon ($1035 each plus tax), it would cost you $28,750 for batteries alone and the UPS delivery driver would hate you for life. Of course, server rack batteries would be the way to go if you are laying out that kind of cash.
I don't know where else to ask but I know if someone will know. You will probably you will have thought of it. If your solar panels are giving out power and the inverter is not requiring it. Could the power be transfered to another requirement. Let's say a fountain or waterfall or aeriator?
If not a video on hardware, could you talk about 480/512v solar systems? I'm an electrician and am well versed on solar systems but nobody ever covers these larger voltage systems.
Video Idea: Here in Israel solar farms float their panels on water ponds, to reduce evaporation, and cool the panels. Video: Wills mini Solar pond build: How much more juice? Is it worth the effort and cost?
Hi Will. I am building my own 48V battery array using 4 x 12V 50ah batteries with built in BMS for each 12V battery. When joining them up in series I had an idea by using 50ah ANL fuses as the interlinking fused bus bars & it fits & works well so far (not yet fully powered up with the inverter). Is this fused bus bar idea a good one or unnecessary or will it have knock on impacts (heating, inefficiency etc). Love to know what you think.
How about the super-cute Bright color screen Aliexpress JUNTEK VAT1300 100V 300A for the Mars Rover? Perhaps, they aren't any good? Love to get to know. Didn't find any other U-tube test on a 48V pack.
B.T.W. How can you sleep with so many electric things charging up and depleeting in your garage. You need to watch some of the vids where Teslas caught fire, and electric buses in china chain reacted. This is serious. I know you're not a great fan of insurances, but try and find ways to avoid this from happening to you.
How much kilowatt energy is in this pack? I know you said 91 kW/h but what is it in term of amount of energy? I'm trying to see how long this battery pack would provide to a home that averages say 30kw a day. Thanks!
You have your units all mixed up. kWh is a unit of ENERGY, and kW is a unit of power. You can't say your home pulls 30kW a day. Your house could be pulling 30kWh of energy per day, and that would be equal to an average of 1.25kW continously. Since your house averages 30kWh a day, the 90kWh battery would last three days in theory. That was the whole shop though. The 16 cell battery he built is 14.3kWh, which would get you through half a day.
Hey Will, Whats your thoughts on using 200 3.2 8a cells to make a small battery bank? Is there any negative to this? Is there higher likelihood that the batteries will fall out of balance or what is your experience with this?
I was thinking, while building homestead sized systems is getting better and better, why hasn't anyone boosted the capabilities of smaller systems. That is, what if we could build a battery and delivery system that was powerful enough to run an apartment? Rack it up on wheels so that renters can move it from apartment to apartment and come off the grid (usage wise). It would sell like hotcakes!
Dont foget about the solar panel you would have to mount on the roof. Your landlords might not like tenants bringing in portable solar power plants. I would not want my renters drilling into my roof or walls or using non approved unlisted power supplies. Good idea in concept but tough to implement. But we run our whole home on solar which I could re-move to another location (if I wanted to work that hard). However I think Id build a new system at a new home and sell the existing one with the old home.
Does any one know what the ultra max batteries are like? i've just brought some 2 x 24v 60ah lifo4 to make a 48v system. they are doing well so far. £476 each in the U.K . im using a Victron 100/ 20 with 2 x 420 watt panels.
My friend!! I want to know after all your experience with solar battery. Which is the best for 48V 48V Cheap 5/20 year guarantee Best with no future problems 100% discharge More than 3000 cicles
Unrelated to this video, but I Live in SD as well and I know we don’t have to worry so much about low temps. However, I want to have the flexibility of being about to drive around with my camper van and a chins battery w/o having to buy the 200 viticron controller. Is there any other way?
That is true if they are touching because if you do not compress or fixate them, they will stress the cells terminals. That's why I put them like this. No stress to the terminal at all.
@@WillProwse gotcha. So the compression or fixation isn’t for battery health “swelling” the cases but to prevent movement for busbar and terminal stress.
@@oks3ranch pretty much. Some data sheets on some very specific cells say compression can increase cycle life to 80% by 1000 cycles. Which I ignore anyways because calendar aging will kill them before cycling will. Most cells do not recommend it at all. Think about fortune cells and others that have zero compression and show peak performance for years. Those cell holders they use allow zero contact around the belly of the cell.
I've had AGM batteries for years and noticed the voltage gets unbalanced, so I charge them independently to get them to the same voltage. Has anyone ever put two MPPT charge controller on a 24-volt system to keep the batteries balanced? Would it be best to split the array so each controller would have its own panels? I'm thinking it would be best to keep the panel together and put a charge controller on each battery to keep them balanced. I know there are balance controllers out there and I don't want to use them because that would change my charging profile as much as 10 amps from what I have read.
If you have used/grade b cells, and need to do a full top balance, check out this video: th-cam.com/video/x5ABvbbics8/w-d-xo.html
If you are new to building batteries, check out this video: th-cam.com/video/uCC_3LoLYuw/w-d-xo.html
Yes, the shelves can handle 2 or even 3 times the weight of these cells. That is why I spent more money for this type of shelf. I have had tons of people complain about this in past videos.
Parts list for this battery:
LiFePO4 Battery Cell Deals: www.mobile-solarpower.com/raw-lifepo4-deals-page.html
DIY LiFePO4 BMS: www.mobile-solarpower.com/raw-lifepo4-deals-page-676969.html
Heavy Duty Shelves for Battery Building (ad): amzn.to/36afayC
Insulative Liner: amzn.to/3IaEX7a
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com
Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com
Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link):
amzn.to/2Aj4dX4
If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):
12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html
Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html
Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html
Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html
DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html
Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes:
-Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp
-Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels:
www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
-Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator:
us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7
-AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around:
amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
-Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out:
richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
-Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out:
shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p
-Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals
bit.ly/2mIxSqt
10% off code: diysolar
-Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA:
watts247.com/?wpam_id=3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contact Information:
I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com
Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar
FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)
DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Yes! Thank you for this video Will :)
Will I use a T8 charger to bring new packs up to full charge as it active balances as it charges - its limited to 8S - I've built quite a few RV packs and its saved a lot of time
Would you be able to give us an insight to your electric bill. Do use use much from the mains grid? Thank you
Will, your thoughts on the latest sodium ion batteries for stationary storage would be very much appreciated. They appear to be catching up with lithium, in some aspects and the advantages disadvantages would make a good video, in my opinion.
Hey Will, are you still using those Midea wall units....how much power do they draw? Looking to take the skoolie off grid with the AC, trying to figure out the battery bank if I use that unit.
I would kill to like go live with this guy for a week and learn everything he knows.
You'd need much more than a week. He knows alot and is always learning. Been watching him for years ans still catching up.
Watching all videos will take more then a week, especially when you repeat until all is memorized. If you do, you will have a good paying job for the next decade.
Me too 😁. I live in Utah 5 hrs from him in Nevada.
Just watch his TH-cam Vids it’s the same thing
I could go live with him for 10 years and still not get half the stuff in his head. Lol
Video project idea: Grab some 18650 and 21700 battery holders off AliExpress or similar, and build some power banks with them. Maybe even consider 16350 if you really wanna go nuts with small devices. Then, grab a few cordless appliances like drills, heated vests, flashlights, automotive jump boxes, and lawnmowers. Retrofit them to fit the interchangeable batteries... I see lots of people spot welding 18650's into power banks. That seems to totally defeat their strength of being so easily swapped between devices. I (and probably many of your other viewers) would be fascinated to see how you approach this idea. I realize there's a very good chance that just plugging a charger for smaller universal or (Ugh) proprietary batteries into an EVE or server rack setup would be vastly superior, but if there's anyone to run the tests and crunch the numbers, you're the man for the job.
I've been watching a lot of this guy's videos and all these batteries and equipment are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. My dude must pull in some mad cash flow. 🙏
Even though I doubt I will ever do this myself (marine and camper use) I still love watching put together this stuff and hearing your thought process.
This is the first time I have realized the battery cases are tied to one of the terminals. Thanks for these informative postings.
Same here! It makes sense, I just never thought about it.
That final shot of all those different battery packs is awesome 👍😎
Thanks for all the work
I just got my LV6548 inverter today (another on the way) and will be referring to video's like this so I understand how our solar system works. I'll still need help from a local electrician but at least I'll be educated on everything. And may even teach them some things as I'd talked to a couple electricians and they don't always understand solar systems.
With all of those battery banks and inverters, Will’s “shed” is probably worth more than my house. :). One of these days I’ll make my own bank/inverter setup thanks to Will’s videos!!!
I would like you to do two kinds of shows. 1) Tear downs of solar inverters. 2) Discussion, design, use, and sourcing of inverter motherboards for solar generators and other *enclosed projects* with custom cooling.
I never get tired of your posts.
Will
I have taken on your lead with overkill solar BMS. The BMS switch for discharge is one feature that is perfect for marine lfp batteries.
The BMS is proving to be excellent under test. Charge and zero discharge. Fantastic.
You mentioned at the end of this video to make sure nothing combustible is around the cells. Would you not build this for a big sail boat. Love the fun you have showing us how to do this stuff
I ordered 4 230 ah eve cells from docan power. So I don't have to put in parallel for a top balance? Just put the BMS on it and charge them to 14.6 volt?
Will, you make it look so easy. All I can think is what would happen if someone dropped a wrench across the top of the batteries by accident. The available fault current would be tremendous.
That's a lot of batteries!! Good job as always Will!!
Always enjoy watching you explain all this. Still playing with my little experiment of lithion and lifepo4 in parallel. Found I need to bottom balance the lithion and top balance the lifepo4. It's actually been working better than I had though. Soon to add some decent loads to them but still not getting near my main system, I'm not that confident in it
Would you consider doing a 36/48v golf cart tutorial? A lot of communities in the southern US use golf carts/LSVs for local transportation, and they're all still using expensive, dangerous, and poor performing lead acid batteries.
He has a short series on converting a cart, but would love to see a video building a pack of raw cells as I'm ready to do the same
I did a cart build with 48v packs from a Honda Clarity and it works like a champ! I live in Arizona and use the cart for probably 90% of my transportation. Has a 480w panel for a roof, so I basically never have to plug it in.
I need a drool bucket looking at all of those LiFePO4 batteries.
Get down on your prayer rug pointed towards the batteries....
installing my first system in an off grid cabin, using an all in one 24volt 3000 watt inverter/charger , is there a video in your list that will help me with set up as far as fuse and shut off location and size, grounding and such. I went through your videos but might of missed it. I bought your book but its 12volt and didnt have an all in one system in it. Thanks in advance.
Can you do a video about 18s LiFePO4 battery packs? Also any inverters that may be compatible with that type of system? And anything that can charge up to 62 volts?
Will, I am confused (not unusual) but just the 4 cells are $899.99. So what's the bene fit of not buying the premade sets that are cheaper with components. TY Alan
Just ordered my book watched a lot of your videos new and old excited to go solar thanks to you making it so easy in your diy videos would like to see you put a 600w or 800w solar system together if you ever have time like you did for the 400w
Will I had a large 308ah Eve battery damaged in shipping .. So I cut it open to look inside. Do you have any idea what that VILE solvent that is in them??
So I notice you don't compress your cells
I am building a 50ah lithium iron portable solar 12v power bank would you recommend me compressing the cells
Thanks
Compare and contrast building these battery vs the sever batteries. Also your overall pick.
Just bought 16 of the 230ah cells from Docan, will see how well they balance out. Using them to replace an old BYD pack that is crap at this point.
Great video! I want to build a 48V battery to use with two LV6548 inverters. I have a question about what you think the least expensive way would be to connect 240vac grid power to the inverters so I can have the automatic switchover when solar and battery power isn't available. I wonder if there's any way to do it without hiring an electrician? It seems that it will need another breaker box - one with just the mains breakers and the current one with all the load breakers. But I'm guessing having an electrician add a new box and move the mains to it will be expensive. Any ideas? Thanks
Every system, needs and layout is unique, so a remote answer is impossible or unsafe. If you don’t know, at least ask an electrician for advice (pay him for the time). But if you’re not absolutely sure, let them install. Ask if the electrician has installed a few inverters before, because if he hasn’t, even he will need a lot of time to get up to speed. Not a normal house wiring and definitely not a handyman job. Breaker Interlocks, manual transfer switch, automatic transfer switch and the transfer switch incorporated in the inverter all have advantages and limitations. End game, no back feed into grid and no power loop back to inverter.
@@SkypowerwithKarl Thanks Karl.
Hi...if using 6kw high frequency battery charger,with rema320 connector with CAN bus protocol..is that any bms come with can bus connection? Or any can module that can coordinate with bms and the charges?
Bah. I just put all the cells in parallel. Heck with state of charge -- super fast balancing!! Only problem is, my house burned down last weekend for the third time. 🤷♂️ I'm sure it's unrelated. ( /sarcasm 😁) 👍️
Will, Id love to know how to use my 36 volt bicycle battery packs , for 12 volt appliances or 110 AC, what devices? When camping.
I wish he would do a video about vfd's and 1 phase to 3phase conversion
What do you do with your old stuff. Saw you upgraded your inverters. Do you still have the lv5048?
Will
Which flexible solar panel would you recommend in the 400 to 450 watt range?
Hey there! It seems battery's are very populair in your country. Don't you receive any money for sending power to the grid? Or get a discount on your bill?
Will
Thank you
i built lv6048 8 chins 12v 100amp 9600w 240wX24 solar panels
30kwh system save about $1500 year!
payoff 3.5 years
Hi will, I am building a off grid solar system with a pair of LV6548 mpp inverters and four lifepower 24v 200ah server rack batteries. In your opinion how important is it to set the dial switchs and connect the batteries with the inverter with Ethernet cables. sorry if this question was asked before.
Nice snake setup!, since the 0,5 mm "breathing"of the cells is in the width and cells aren't touching eauch other, there will be no issues BUT: since my setup will be 48 Volts, how do you go from the first set of 8S to the next set of 8S batteries?
With the 16pcs EVE 280K cells I ordered from Nkon in the Netherlands, I have another issue: with two M6 screws meant to be used with the standard busbars for side to side oriëntation, I won't be able to conect them the way you do.
There are two options:
a) make my own copper tinned busbars and connect the two sets of 8 with a specially made connection or
b) try to motivate the flexible busbar company to make new ones made for the 280K cells.
Happily I know a company that cuts copper plates with water and tinning these copper bars is not such a big issue 😃
I've never quite figured out what the tolerance should be on top balance. I had 8 cells that never got below .1 amp draw and I finally gave up; they appear well-balanced to the BMS.
I’m really interested in building a 24v battery with the Eve lf280K what would be the best supplier currently?
Hi Will, I am building this same setup with 2 banks of 48v 304AH rated batteries,for a total of 608AH. WHat size T class fuses did you use? Also why did you decide to use a 1500amp breaker on the test battery? I'm confused if I need to go up in fuse/breaker rating if the batteries go up in capacity?
Finally a vid on individual cells again! Thxs.
I'm looking for a charger that I will charge my Ac300max via the solar input at 1400w. Do you know of any power supplies out there that can do this? The ac200max is limited to 145v and 10amps.
Hey bro I have two different make of lithium battery 12v 100 ah can I hook them up in parallel??
I have 4 of these 280ah cells in my truck on 1280w solar and one of them slowly continues to drift out of range! I definitely did a top balance and they did pull full capacity originally....How do I fix this?
Is it ok to charge a lifepo4 battery at a very slow rate? I'm planning to load a 50 ah battery with a Tecmate Optimate 1 charger. That it will take a few days is no problem for me.
I wish you would do a video for small sailboats. Thats what I'm currently dealing with.
Replace Duke Power with Prowse Power, that is a lot of power stored! pretty awesome.
Just when I'm about to receive my raw cells this video comes out! Thanks again Will 🙂
I have a 6000 watt inverter, I saw a video that explained how to size breakers/fuses, if my calculations are correct I need a 625 amp fuse, is that correct ?
Will, is it possible to build or modify solar panel shape? Wish I could make solar panels fit my van roof layout, rather than the van roof layout fit standard panels..
I'm thinking about getting solar installed, and got a quote for a 6.6kw system, 5kw Solax inverter and 5.8kWh Triple Power battery. To reduce the cost and improve the battery capacity, I was thinking of getting them to forget the battery and DIY one instead. X1-Hybrid has 85-400v range, can you do a 34s - 35s battery pack? Is there a suitable BMS for such a battery?
I thought eve instructed buyers to keep the batteries from expanding or contracting to extend the life?
Hey Will, what do you think would be the least expensive way to connect 240vac grid power to a couple LV6548 inverters so I can have the automatic switchover when solar and battery power isn't available.
The output of the inverters would be connected to my current breaker box input in place of the grid connection. Any ideas on how to do this without hiring an electrician? Thanks
Love your videos! Do you recommend connecting DIY 48V LiFePO4 battery BMS to Inverter/Charger?
Hi. Can I use this pack in a 48 volt golf cart ?
I thought these cells had to be under compression or else they can have issues. Is this wrong?
I really want to use the EVE cells on your page but I cannot find a BMS to match the 280Ah or even 230Ah. Overkill only has 100-120 Ah. Is the “chip shortage” affecting BMS?
100A BMS is great. Just stick with that. If you need more power, out multiple packs into parallel
So if I install 3 new SOK 100AH batteries connected to a Victron Multiplus Inverter/Charger should I have to bring each battery to full charge first before using or will the system self balance?
Does anyone know of which solar generators or power banks are designed and built in the USA?
Does your book walk you through how to design and build systems? I want to build a system to run a mini-split and a refrigerator. I've watched a ton of your videos but I always feel like one video has more or different information than a different video.
I do enjoy your content, thank you for all your content.
Please start reviewing and testing wind turbines. They are finally affordable but lots and lots of lies on those. They say 400w output while giving 150w. But still it's $150 for 150 watts. It makes huge sense to have both a wind turbine and solar in every system (not RVs obviously) although they make vertical turbines that easily disconnect, you could connect it while staying put. I use both types on my sailboat works flawlessly. The marine turbines are still expensive though but built way better.
Just ordered a Chins 300ah batt through the link on your website. Hope you get a cut of that.
Thanks Will! I'm ordering your book tomorrow. I was wondering, is there an issue with a built in BMS on a server rack battery if you need to hook up multiple server racks together? Do the BMS's talk to each other? Is there any conflict if you need to set up a separate BMS like in the Victron system?
Hi Will. I will be going with Diy Solar Warehouse's 12kw system. I currently have (32) 230ah eve cells in my diy ev. I'd like to upgrade the batteries (as i've over charged a few and the IR is off, but could be useful for our home) in my EV, but use the 32 cells for a 16s2p 48 system. Because the DIY ware house system uses micro inverters I am told I need to use a AC battery. Is there a system that can use my Eve cells for a home battery? I would like get off the grid. Thanks
What is the bolt size for the blue lifopo4 batteries???
Solar question: I looked thru all your many videos looking for something that explains the difference between solar panel optimizers and MPPT . I see people taking about putting them on the back of their panels to prevent a shaded panel from messing up the whole array. Unless that's what you were showing about in "bypass vs blocking diodes"
Dude, cool channel. Would you be interested in putting together a video discussing best charge/discharge practices for EV's? There's this whole community of mostly clueless EV people who want to optimise for longevity. Most videos and communities are regurgitating the same old. I expect you'd speak to the topic with ease.
Some points of interest:
Depth of discharge
Rate of discharge/charge
Cycle depth
Capacity recovery effect
Temperature
Cell types
Balance and float
Degredation types (resistance - power, capacity - energy)
Unnecessary battery cycling (leaving the car unplugged)
Do the lifepo battery cells come in larger amounts?
Yo, I wanna build my own Lifep04 battery bank and have like 30 or 40 kilowatt hours. Where can I get a schematic for that?
I have also installed a 220v kW meter to measure the used KW output over time. A mechanical meter so no one can delete or reset it. It will be there forever so I will always be able to calculate the amount of output to my off grid system and know the amount of electric in money... I.E. 2500kw at .14 pence is 350 pounds!
Hey Will! When are you going to do a Sol-Ark Review?
16s is 51.2V and 15s is 48v. So when people are talking about 48V batteries, would they refer to 15s or 16s ?
Off topic question Will.
Adding a lithium battery to my class B RV. Have a Renogy DC to DC charger with MPPT. The existing convertor/charger is not rated for lithium.
Can I take the charger output to the input of the DC to DC charger?
Also any type of typical wiring diagram would be very help. Thanks
Yes - I've done this in my Travel Trailer. Search "LiFePO4 RV Battery - Use Renogy Dual Input DC-DC charger instead of upgrading Converter?" in diysolarforum
@@joemontana4370 THANK YOU. This is what I've been looking for. Now, to tear half my RV apart to get the electrical system
That is a lot of capacity. If you had to guess, what would it cost to purchase all those batteries right now? $100,000? Thanks for sharing
7500 amp hours of batteries is 96,000 watt hours. If you bought 25 Chins 300 amp hour batteries at about $1150 from Amazon ($1035 each plus tax), it would cost you $28,750 for batteries alone and the UPS delivery driver would hate you for life. Of course, server rack batteries would be the way to go if you are laying out that kind of cash.
I don't know where else to ask but I know if someone will know. You will probably you will have thought of it. If your solar panels are giving out power and the inverter is not requiring it. Could the power be transfered to another requirement. Let's say a fountain or waterfall or aeriator?
Is it recommended to charge at 0.1 C rate?
It looks very cool, work of art …
Nice job as always….
If not a video on hardware, could you talk about 480/512v solar systems? I'm an electrician and am well versed on solar systems but nobody ever covers these larger voltage systems.
Video Idea: Here in Israel solar farms float their panels on water ponds, to reduce evaporation, and cool the panels. Video: Wills mini Solar pond build: How much more juice? Is it worth the effort and cost?
Hi Will. I am building my own 48V battery array using 4 x 12V 50ah batteries with built in BMS for each 12V battery. When joining them up in series I had an idea by using 50ah ANL fuses as the interlinking fused bus bars & it fits & works well so far (not yet fully powered up with the inverter). Is this fused bus bar idea a good one or unnecessary or will it have knock on impacts (heating, inefficiency etc). Love to know what you think.
Where can I email you some questions or seek advice about a 48v set up
How about the super-cute Bright color screen Aliexpress JUNTEK VAT1300 100V 300A for the Mars Rover? Perhaps, they aren't any good? Love to get to know. Didn't find any other U-tube test on a 48V pack.
B.T.W. How can you sleep with so many electric things charging up and depleeting in your garage. You need to watch some of the vids where Teslas caught fire, and electric buses in china chain reacted. This is serious. I know you're not a great fan of insurances, but try and find ways to avoid this from happening to you.
How much kilowatt energy is in this pack? I know you said 91 kW/h but what is it in term of amount of energy? I'm trying to see how long this battery pack would provide to a home that averages say 30kw a day. Thanks!
You have your units all mixed up. kWh is a unit of ENERGY, and kW is a unit of power. You can't say your home pulls 30kW a day. Your house could be pulling 30kWh of energy per day, and that would be equal to an average of 1.25kW continously.
Since your house averages 30kWh a day, the 90kWh battery would last three days in theory. That was the whole shop though. The 16 cell battery he built is 14.3kWh, which would get you through half a day.
@@icyfox2011 Yes, you're correct. Thank you.
Hey Will,
Whats your thoughts on using 200 3.2 8a cells to make a small battery bank? Is there any negative to this? Is there higher likelihood that the batteries will fall out of balance or what is your experience with this?
Hello Will from Sacramento CA.
I was thinking, while building homestead sized systems is getting better and better, why hasn't anyone boosted the capabilities of smaller systems. That is, what if we could build a battery and delivery system that was powerful enough to run an apartment? Rack it up on wheels so that renters can move it from apartment to apartment and come off the grid (usage wise). It would sell like hotcakes!
Dont foget about the solar panel you would have to mount on the roof. Your landlords might not like tenants bringing in portable solar power plants.
I would not want my renters drilling into my roof or walls or using non approved unlisted power supplies.
Good idea in concept but tough to implement. But we run our whole home on solar which I could re-move to another location (if I wanted to work that hard). However I think Id build a new system at a new home and sell the existing one with the old home.
Does any one know what the ultra max batteries are like? i've just brought some 2 x 24v 60ah lifo4 to make a 48v system. they are doing well so far. £476 each in the U.K . im using a Victron 100/ 20 with 2 x 420 watt panels.
Thought the Plaid was being returned?
Hey Will, noticed a skin mole on the left side of your head. I'd recommend having a dermatologist check it to make sure it's not atypical.
My friend!!
I want to know after all your experience with solar battery. Which is the best for 48V
48V
Cheap
5/20 year guarantee
Best with no future problems
100% discharge
More than 3000 cicles
great vid Will... I appreciate you! do you have any thoughts on Docan 4S1P 12V 100Ah Lifepo4 Battery Pack with JBD 12V 100A BMS Bluetooth?
Unrelated to this video, but I Live in SD as well and I know we don’t have to worry so much about low temps. However, I want to have the flexibility of being about to drive around with my camper van and a chins battery w/o having to buy the 200 viticron controller. Is there any other way?
Yeah don't charge them below freezing...
How about like a device that you can hook up to charge controller or something
I was under the impression those aluminum cased Lifepo4 batteries need compression or 'fixation" to keep them from swelling. Is that not the case?
That is true if they are touching because if you do not compress or fixate them, they will stress the cells terminals. That's why I put them like this. No stress to the terminal at all.
@@WillProwse gotcha. So the compression or fixation isn’t for battery health “swelling” the cases but to prevent movement for busbar and terminal stress.
@@oks3ranch pretty much. Some data sheets on some very specific cells say compression can increase cycle life to 80% by 1000 cycles. Which I ignore anyways because calendar aging will kill them before cycling will. Most cells do not recommend it at all. Think about fortune cells and others that have zero compression and show peak performance for years. Those cell holders they use allow zero contact around the belly of the cell.
Love these pack building videos!
Will, what are your thoughts on Hybrid inverters? Seems that all of your focus has been on Off Grid, or Grid Tie
If I built one, it would look similar to this.😁
I've had AGM batteries for years and noticed the voltage gets unbalanced, so I charge them independently to get them to the same voltage. Has anyone ever put two MPPT charge controller on a 24-volt system to keep the batteries balanced? Would it be best to split the array so each controller would have its own panels? I'm thinking it would be best to keep the panel together and put a charge controller on each battery to keep them balanced. I know there are balance controllers out there and I don't want to use them because that would change my charging profile as much as 10 amps from what I have read.
Hello everyone. I would like to know if I can use stainless steel jumpers between my batteries? I know the copper jumpers are better.
Copper is about 24x more conductive then stainless. So definetly no!
Wow your channel is awesome. Is there any way for a person to get some personal assistance from you?
Sir can you give me instructions how to assemble 48 volt 100 Ah Battery pack with LiFePo4 prismatic 100 Ah cell