diy solar

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  • First boondock

    First weekend boondocking, and I am really happy with how my system worked... We didn't need air conditioning, but ran the residential fridge, kuerig coffee maker, air fryer, TVs, charged a bunch of devices and even used the electric fireplace to take the chill off Saturday morning. Never went...
  • First light for my 5th wheel panels!

    Was working in complete shade, so it was pretty much a VERY expensive trickle charger, but it is making power! Six 350W Hanwha Q panels - two groups of three in series, each to a Victron 150/70 SmartSolar MPPT controller. This was added to my system I installed earlier this summer, that...
  • Finally did a system capacity test... my supposed 310's are really 280's... shocker

    Finally got around to capacity testing my 310Ah cells I got from Exploric Energy on Alibaba (link below). These are installed in my system in my 5th wheel with a REC Active BMS. I charged my batteries all of the way up, disconnected all charging, and set my 15K air conditioner on 72F. It drew...
  • Plan for 50A 5th wheel install

    Copying this over here from beginners corner... Drew up a rough plan for phase I of my 50A 5th wheel install. Using a MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50 2x120V Inverter/Charger, 930Ah DIY bank, REC active BMS/precharger, Orion DC-DC charger. Once that is in and working, and my bank account can handle it...
  • Phase 1 almost done...

    Still have some programing issues to work out between the REC, Cerbo, and MP, but the majoity is done. Even ran the A/C on battery long enough to blow some cold air, and nothing got hot... Thanks @Michael B Caro for the washers, they fit great! And I can't thank @the_colorist enough for the...
  • Feedback on my settings

    **Edit... made changes marked with ** My system so far consists of a DIY LiFePO4 bank of twelve 310Ah cells in 3P4S for 12V, a REC Active BMS, a Multiplus II 2x 120V, a Cerbo GC, and an Orion 12/12-30A DC-DC Charger. I am setting up with conservative charging settings to maximize cycles...
  • Bulk charging options prior to top balancing

    I am trying to figure options for bulk charging my cells when they come in, before top balancing. I plan to get a 10A power supply for top charging, but realize it would take forever. The only charger I currently have is the one in my camper now. But, I don't believe I can configure my new...
  • How to choose a BMS?

    How do I choose a BMS for my 310aH DIY packs (3 x12V for 930aH)? For a 50A 5th wheel project, so I need under temperature cutoff as well. How do I pick the size? Here are the other components I plan to use, except I haven't picked a charge controller yet. Thanks for any help!
  • DIY tools

    I have lots of mechanical and carpentry tools, but really nothing as far as electrical (other than some cheap automotive stuff). So, I am trying to figure out what I need for my DIY project. I am not trying to build a complete workshop here, just build out the system in my 5th wheel and...
  • Does this seem like low production for panels on my 5th wheel?

    Pulled my 5th wheel out into full sunlight at solar noon to test my solar production. I have 2 arrays, each has 3 350W Hanwha Q panels in series going to a Victron 150/70 Smartsolar MPPT controller. The wiring from the panels to the breakers is 8 AWG that I bought from Windy Nation with MC-4...
  • Panel configuration for my 5th wheel build

    Starting to look at panel configuration for my 5th wheel build and looking for input... I will have a total of nine 210W panels. Here are the specs: Max Power Output(W): 210W Voltage MPP Vmp(V): 16.77V Current MPP Imp(A): 12.48A Voltage Open Circuit Voc(V): 19.83V Short Circuit Current...
  • Busbar help for my bank

    Putting together a 3P4S bank with twelve 310Ah cells and a REC active BMS. I could use some help with Busbars. Will it be ok to buy 1/4" x 1" copper and make my own? Will the longer, 6 terminal lengths be a problem? Thanks in advance!
  • Newb starting on 5th wheel project

    Getting started on solar for my 5th wheel to enable boondocking at times. I am doing this in two phases, with the battery bank, inverter/charger/DC-DC charger first, and then after that is all working good (and I save a bit more money), the panels and solar charger second. Wanted to run my...
  • Newpowa solar panels

    Starting to research what panels will give me the most watts for the space on my 5th wheel. The best combo so far is on Amazon, Newpowa - 7 210W and 2 160W for a total of 1790W. And they are actually the best price too... Are they good quality...
  • Started my top balancing

    Started my top balancing, 3 cells at a time since my bank is a 3P4S in 2 sections. These are 310Ah cells from Exliporc Energy on Alibaba. Couple lessons I learned... 1/4" bus bar is too thick for the little studs - had to counter bore the bottom a bit to set them down some. Make sure you...
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