Alright, folks... *very* long time since I've lurked here, but finally time to get my 5 kilobucks worth of Michael Caro Lishen's into actual projects... btw, I'd not read up on the Caro saga in several years - Do I remember correctly I'm one of the lucky ones who actually got their cells? Unboxing 3-4 years later, all cells still appear to be in good shape w/consistent voltage and no swelling... whew!
Anyway, I'd bought 104ea 150Ah cells due to availability, and am now looking at various kit options. My 3 projects will be as follows:
- One 12V to add a dual battery setup to my GX460 (w/spiffy new X2 AGM) overlanding build. I'd long ago ordered a Daly 300A BMS for this.
- Four 12V's w/MPP LV6548 for home backup (currently have cells only)
- Eight 12V's w/MPP LV6548 for buddy's RV setup (currently have cells only)
I'm doing the overland build first to get some fluency on the kit options. I'd found the SFK kits and have seen the mixed feedback here, so of course, am open to other options/suggestions.
So, a few initial questions:
- How best might I make the SFK (or other) kits/brackets work with my 150a cells and Daly 300A BMS? I see they're obviously intended for 272/280Ah cells.
- I realize the Daly is overkill and even a 200a would cook it long-term, but the intention is to have headroom if I'm looking to start a compressor or other high-induction motor load.
- With my older Daly, fair to assume I'd need a separate controller/module if I want freeze protection?
- My thermo b/g tells me the inter-cell heat plate method would be the most efficient, but I maybe won't have room if I need to add isolation for twice as many cells? Either way, sounds like I'd want a newer kit version with more room, per Off-Grid Garage linked above?
I'll take whatever I learn on this build to move on to my next project, likely w/o heat, and then buddy's RV project, likely with heat (he's often in the mountains)
Suggestions for ordering from SFK or other suppliers are welcome!
In any case (pun intended muahahaha), TIA everyone!
Maybe I should have made this its own thread??
PS - Sam Cho, I see we're virtually neighbors... think maybe I'd even reached out a long time ago. Would love to buy you lunch/coffee/beer and pick your brain in any case... sounds like you've got a lot of fun things going on!