Recent content by alcook62

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...