diy solar

diy solar

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  • Post in thread: New Rules

    suggested title for this thread: "Will tries to fix the Internet". ;)
  • Post in thread: Parallel vs. Series panels

    They're identical richsolar Polycrystaline 100w cells as you recommended. I did three in August and they worked amazingly well. As the sun rises there's a 10 minute period when some are shaded, but then they're all in the sun and angled the same. Thanks!
  • Post in thread: Parallel vs. Series panels

    12v. in retrospect 24v would be a good option, but I bought renogy batteries that can't be serialized. 12v works well though.
  • Post in thread: New Rules

    The Mirage would be happy to host the convention ;)
  • Post in thread: Lipo battery winter storage

    I guarantee no CPU suffers from cold temps. I know solid-state devices and they're happy sitting in a bath of supercooled nitrogen.
  • Post in thread: Lipo battery winter storage

    yes was thinking about underground storage as well. I also found that theoretically lipo batteries should be able to get VERY cold if not charged or discharged. Renogy seems overcautious. Also, I doubt their claim that the BMS has a thermometer and will shut the battery down if too cold...
  • Post in thread: Suggestion for avoiding inverters

    One thing I've recently discovered is that I can mostly avoid an inverter by hooking things up to USB outlets. This is widely possible thanks to two gadgets. The first is the 12v USB quick charge outlets usually put into cars and boats. I'm wiring these up in numerous locations. The second...
  • Post in thread: Renogy battery meter

    Got this today. Great deal and 350amps so meets my need for a third the proce of the Renogy! Yay!
  • Post in thread: Lipo battery winter storage

    Yeah, sadly I fly home so not an option.
  • Post in thread: Controller limits in suboptimal conditions

    2x3 then?
  • Post in thread: Can LiFePO4 Batteries Combust in Thermal Runaway Event?

    yeah the consequences of this disaster are vague. I suppose it wouldn't cause a fire, just a dead battery.
  • Post in thread: “Lithium compatible” controllers

    Looking at a variety of possible solar controllers (all mppt), Some specifically say they are lithium battery compatible and others do not. A great example is EPEVER https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TTFWG4C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Xj0QDb8JN3HEE which looks like a great unit but specifically says it...
  • Post in thread: Ac chargers for lithium batteries

    So, if I want to charge my LiPO batteries from a wall outlet, can I just buy an amazon car charger like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079FBWS69/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_L-0QDbAAYPSYR then plug in and charge? Also, it’s a 4a charger so should I assume it puts 4a/hr into the battery so a 100ah battery...
  • Post in thread: Lipo battery winter storage

    Yes this is the question. Many places say cold is good for storage; manufacturers specifically list minimum temps around freezing. People seem to universally say it’s a bad idea to charge the battery when very cold. But I think maybe they’re generalizing the charging caution to storage.
  • Post in thread: “Lithium compatible” controllers

    Yep I like the app (but it crashes occasionally) but kind of wish I could get an mt-50 for it so it’s more self sufficient.
  • Post in thread: Lipo battery winter storage

    one factor is that the battery isn’t water based so there’s likely nothing magical about 32 f. I bet Renogy would give will access to someone more knowledgeable than tier 1 support to get a better answer?
  • Post in thread: “Lithium compatible” controllers

    Happy to save a bit of money IF there's no real penalty. I'm hoping to get a 60 amp controller for an upgrade but they are few and far between, many don't support lithium explicitly.
  • Post in thread: Parallel vs. Series panels

    At cabin now. Went with serial and they are working great. Even with low angle and cloudy days are producing nicely.
  • Post in thread: “Lithium compatible” controllers

    This one is a great deal, but it’s for common positive. I currently have a Renogy Rover 30amp that’s a negative ground model. What are the implications of common positive versus negative ground?
  • Post in thread: Parallel vs. Series panels

    setting up 4 100w panels going into a 30 amp renogy rover contoller. the four panels will be close to one another on a roof and are shaded vs sunlit together. I could do 2x2 series/parallel or just go series. I'm currently thinking it doesn't matter because both are the same power and the...
  • Post in thread: LiFePO4 heating pad for cold temperatures

    This, of course, assumes you have power in the first place!
  • Post in thread: Shutting down a system for the winter...

    I fly home to Seattle, so have to leave the batteries. So I bit the bullet and did Lithium which I hope will self discharge little and tolerate the cold.
  • Post in thread: Shutting down a system for the winter...

    My system is in a 2-3 season cabin in the woods. When I'm not there, I really want to make sure things are safe. Basically, I have a controller that connects to (1) solar panels (2) batteries. Diagram is below (by the way, any feedback on my wiring and fusing appreciated!). My plan is to add...
  • Post in thread: What are some of your favorite lower voltage appliances? 12v or 24v verses 110/120v?

    Good question! will watch this space for other ideas. I've been using a 12v pump for water lots of 5v USB appliances can be controlled from a usb charger socket, easy to install and 12v for automotive applications 12v ceiling fans 5v window box fans (via USB)
  • Post in thread: Shutting down a system for the winter...

    Actually, I think I'd need to put it between the battery and the whole circuit since the DC loads go straight off of the bus bar. But yes, thematically that makes sense. For the rest of my family I"m still toying with a full unplug since then it's SUPER CLEAR if it's been done or not. Am I...
  • Post in thread: Renogy battery meter

    $99 on Amazon. Just ordered it after accidentally discharging my solar bank. Testing here at home shows it works very well. Was easy to set up. If you’re looking for a coulomb counting battery meter, this is a great alternative. Works up to 500 amp hours on a 12 V battery.
  • Post in thread: Shutting down a system for the winter...

    No I’ll discharge first. I assume that the cold isn’t an issue while being stored, right? Just on recharge (which will be in warm spring weather)?
  • Post in thread: Grounding question

    Just did it here in Michigan. Sandy soil! augered in 3 feet and then pounded the rest without hitting rocks. Lucky! But my whole system is grounded now!
  • Post in thread: Renogy battery meter

    Ooooh great find! I'd looked at that but thought it had a low amp for limit. Ordered!
  • Post in thread: Lipo battery winter storage

    Elevating this from another topic. I have two Renogy Lipo batteries that I hope to store in my cabin over the winter. This will mean they are sitting, disconnected, through a couple of very cold winter months, getting down to below zero. Is this potentially damaging? Some info on the web says...
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