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I got my first intro to solar through Windy Nation! I bought two solar panels, a 20 amp PWM charge controller, and assorted cable and mc4 connectors so I could add solar to my travel trailer. This was about ten years ago. Solid company.

I just finished building my third battery from those exact cells (LF230), which I also purchased from 18650 Battery Store. The bus bars are indeed included. I've only used JBD bms's purchased from Overkill Solar and they've never included the individual cell ring terminals.

Yeah, me too. I've been this way for going on six years now. No problems and I just upgraded to my third battery (now 17.76 kwh)

Wow, that's not good! 😡

The next planned purchase will be 4 more panels and another charge controller. My Midnite Classic 200 is maxed out and by adding another battery (17.76 kwh total) I could use the boost.

I ordered eight (24 Volt system) of their Eve LF230 ah cells. Top balancing them now!

Don't fixate on price alone. If you want a 48-volt system you must combine 4 of those 12-volt batteries in series to achieve the 48 volts. Each of those 12-volt batteries has its own BMS that manages its respective battery. The problem is when the 4 series battery has been cycled repeatedly...

I don't have the requisite threshold for stress. I just got my last order yesterday from 18650 Battery Store. Less than a week total time and came in at $91.50 a cell after shipping.

I have read multiple occurrences of forum members having issues with two (or more) 12 volt lfp batteries in series. Generally, the problem is with the batteries falling out of balance with each other. Avoid the series connection and get a 24 volt battery.

Yeah - this. Unless you have the JK BMS with the 2A active balancer (or add a stand-alone active balancer) it will never balance properly with what a typical bms with passive balancing can do.

I have that particular inverter and switched to LiFePO4 three years ago. You can implement a custom battery profile by accessing the "advanced settings" menu and go to "charger settings" and select "custom". From there you can set the parameters you feel are best.

Fully off-grid since 2018. Just the wife and I. 2400 watts of solar and 12.2 kWh of batteries (more coming when my social security kicks in in August!). We've briefly used the backup genny maybe a half dozen times since winter started. You're right about load management, and it becomes...

To achieve a good top balance you should have all 16 cells in parallel while doing the top balance. You may be confusing this with paralleling multiple batteries. If you parallel two or more batteries they should be as close to the same state of charge as possible to avoid a large inrush of...

Linseed oil, I believe, provides a more natural look than varnish, and is less toxic. But yes I believe your premise is correct!

I've added an additional LiFePO4 battery to my existing system and have not had any problems. How are your current batteries paralleled? If you are using a bus bar to parallel your current batteries then simply charge the new battery to match the SOC of the older batteries and connect the new...

I don't believe I'm pushing the mini-split at all. It only heats/cools the main room in our house and has only remained at full power briefly on start-up. It's actually been a great substitution for the 12K window shaker it replaced. I've tracked its wattage over the previous summer and this...

Could you expand on this? I'm fully off-grid and depend on my inverter (Schneider SW4024), obviously. This summer I installed a 12K Pioneer 120 AC inverter model. What possible harm can I do to my inverter? What can I do to mitigate any harm?

I haven't done an actual test, but anecdotal evidence comparing the soc between the Whizbang Jr. shunt and my Overkill BMS they are within one percent of each other. Normally, it is spot on. Anyways, the Overkill BMS doesn't track the soc via a shunt. I believe it's by coulomb counting.

Two batteries, in parallel, will tend to equalize in voltage but NOT state of charge. This is especially true with the inherently flat charge/discharge profile of LFP batteries.

I'm admittedly not familiar with the Pylontech batteries, however, that being said, generally any battery of corresponding chemistry (ex. LiFePO4 with LiFePO4) added to the system will work. They should be similar in amp-hour capacity, but that can be stretched somewhat. I have two separate...

I love this. My TOWMBO is currently soaking in a natural hot spring in 16-degree weather. For anyone that tough, obeisance is deserved!

Just caught this. Once series-connected, you've created a 24-volt battery and must set your charging parameters appropriately. 14.4 volts will not charge a 24-volt battery consisting of two 12-volt batteries series connected.

I have a Schneider SW 4024 inverter that has been charging my 510ah LiFePO4 battery bank for three years. You can set your preferred parameters by entering them via the Conext SCP in the Advanced Settings menu. I'd like to also second the previous recommendations to avoid the series-connected...

Something about lead acid batteries is that as they age they charge/discharge differently. Adding more lead-acid batteries to an existing system introduces problems. They don't play well together. They won't charge well together and if lead acid batteries aren't fully charged, over time they...

If you don't need active balancing the Overkill BMS is a rock-solid unit. I've had two of the JBD-based units for a couple of years. Can't beat the warranty. Overkill is US-based and quick to respond if needed.

OK - Took a bit to see that happen. I did catch it during a defrost and it was pulling ~1225 watts during the roughly 2-minute defrost. It ramped down from 950 watts during the heating cycle to ~215 watts for a few seconds and then the heating kicked in and it rapidly went up again around 1225...

Yeah, you're right, but I wouldn't want their heat in the summer. Probably really humid then too. Bad combination!

I agree!!! Just checked the weather in Sulfur Springs and it's a balmy 13 degrees and sunny. Here it's currently -11 with a predicted high of -6. Embrace the suck!

I'll try that as soon as my house batts are topped off. I'll hope and catch it during a defrost cycle but I haven't really had it long enough to reliably predict those.

You're understanding regarding power during extreme cold weather is correct. At the time it was pulling ~1300 watts according to my Kill-a-Watt meter. The defrost cycling is a bit harder to pin down. I've seen it defrost a few times (the first time I thought it had caught fire!) but it...

I ordered and installed a Pioneer 12k Diamante Inverter + in July of '23 and have been very pleased with it. Summertime performance was great, especially compared to the 12k window shaker it replaced. What has absolutely amazed me, however, is the cold weather performance. Right now Wyoming is...

Could not have said it better!

I fully understand what you're talking about. I too started with the L16 Trojan batteries when I went off-grid. We (wife and I) were constantly watching/tending to these things. After switching to the LiFePO4 chemistry it was literally life-changing! I do still monitor the two batteries...

My brother and I share a well on our 40-acre property. It is 290' down and is using the Grundfoss SQ pump. This pump works off of AC and DC voltage. We have 4-12v deep cycle batteries in series, 3-145 watt panels providing power to a Midnite Solar Kid SCC. No inverter. This is all 8 feet...

My wife and I have been off the grid for 5.5 years now and neither of us wants to go back. We bought 40 acres in Wyoming, with the nearest power pole about four miles away. Paying for the grid to come to us was definitely not an option. We started with Trojan lead acid batteries and I killed...