diy solar

diy solar

Cheap 4kwh LiFePO4 batteries from Battery Hookup

I just received one of these modules, all 8cells are at 2.9v and 23.5 for the pack, I am completely new to this, so how long or is it safe to be stored at this voltage? as I have no way to charge yet.
 
Absolute minimum for these is 2.0 V, although Will Prowse suggests a bottom balance level of 2.9V, which is the equivalent of about 10% state of charge. These batteries don't self-discharge much so you should be okay for some time. Check out Will's video on bottom balancing these.
This and another related video give good information on charging these.
 
Apparently, Battery Hookup is shipping these things straight from a source in CA and they don't pass thru the facility in PA. Anyone know if these CA shipped batteries are different in any way? I hope they are still tested, cleaned, etc.

KBWaldron, did your cells balance out well and stay that way through a few cycles?
 
A little concerned I haven't received a shipping notice. On a positive note I just bought three brand new Renogy 24v 300w solar panels. That will bring my toy hauler total to 1150w. How big of a charger controller will I need using the BYD batteries ?
 
nicpaige said:
A little concerned I haven't received a shipping notice. On a positive note I just bought three brand new Renogy 24v 300w solar panels. That will bring my toy hauler total to 1150w. How big of a charger controller will I need using the BYD batteries ?
Click to expand...
I emailed and called and they replied, though it took a couple of days. Seems some are shipping from PA and others from CA. Mine shipped, but I did not get any kind of message other than the reply to my email. They said the next contact I would have would be from the freight forwarder, presumably to coordinate the last mile delivery details. They seem to be doing the best they can getting these beasts shipped all over to numbskulls like us. Lots have complained about the shipping costs, but, IMO, a 700lb pallet shipped 2000 miles to your door for $350 is pretty darn cheap.
 
Refinished said:
I emailed and called and they replied, though it took a couple of days. Seems some are shipping from PA and others from CA. Mine shipped, but I did not get any kind of message other than the reply to my email. They said the next contact I would have would be from the freight forwarder, presumably to coordinate the last mile delivery details. They seem to be doing the best they can getting these beasts shipped all over to numbskulls like us. Lots have complained about the shipping costs, but, IMO, a 700lb pallet shipped 2000 miles to your door for $350 is pretty darn cheap.
Click to expand...
Well I have called twice and emailed twice. They were purchased on the 19th. Still no communication from the seller. ?
 
It's very hard to get a hold of them by either phone or email. Last time I was able to reach them, they told me I'd have to wait until after Thanksgiving to get service.
 
I finally got a reply email saying they have been ready to ship but they didn't have my phone number. I sent my phone number twice before today.
 
I tried KBWaldron's suggestion to make a bushing out of 1/2" copper pipe to increase the diameter of the BYD battery post. I split the bushing in half longitudinally to allow it to close as I tightened the battery clamp around it. It worked pretty well but if I applied moderate force by hand to it I could still rotate it around the battery terminal shaft no matter how much I tightened the battery clamp. David Poz has since made a video on his suggestion using approximately the same approach. Many reviewers of his video worried about it not being tight enough on the battery post as well. So I found things called battery post shims on Amazon and ordered this one:

ASIN: B0060YI0YS Schumacher BAF-2 battery post shims (just type asin number into amazon search box)

They are made of soft malleable lead. Used alone they are way too big in diameter to squeeze tight beneath the battery clamp. So I put the copper bushing inside the lead battery post shim and slid both inside the slightly opened battery post clamp, slid them all onto the BYD battery post and tightened the battery clamp. No matter how much I try to rotate the battery clamp now it will not move. It is on tight!

Does anyone see a problem with the metal mixtures? BYD battery post of ?Stainless Steel?, surrounded by copper pipe bushing, surrounded by lead battery post shims, surrounded by lead battery clamp?
 
The BYD posts are copper coated in tin, it appears; if you scratch them you will see the copper. I tried David Poz’s approach after reaming out the pipe. I found I had to drive the pipes far more than I was comfortable with so I am working on an alternative.
 
HMR said:
I tried KBWaldron's suggestion to make a bushing out of 1/2" copper pipe to increase the diameter of the BYD battery post. I split the bushing in half l
Click to expand...
Check out David Poz's video, he used type L pipe, crimped the ends and pounded it down onto the posts and they're solid as a rock.
 
All the updates that I've gotten, I had to call to get. Email has not been effective. They have been pleasant and helpful when I have been able to get them on the phone. My timeline: Ordered on 11/14. They left CA on 11/25. The freight forwarder called me today to schedule a delivery time for tomorrow AM. The shipper is listed as Tech Direct Inc, not Battery Hookup, interestingly. I over-estimated my need. If anyone near West TN is interested in one or more, let me know.

Edit: They arrived on 12/5 in good physical shape.
 
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