diy solar

diy solar

LiFePo4 Shelf Life?

Solarcabin Channel said:
Wow, that chip on your shoulder must be getting pretty heavy friend!

Pointing to your reputation for insults and rudeness does not exactly help your case :cool:

This is going way off topic and my work helping people go off grid is well known.

If you want some free plans to build a cabin and get out of that RV just let me know and happy to help!
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A chip? None whatsoever. It's really unfortunate that is the only thing you took from it. It's probably in part from the fact that you can't hear how monotone these words are in my head except in the rare case of capitalization or an exclamation mark, where you can imagine me simply raising my index finger for emphasis.

Thanks for the offer, but if I ever want plans to build a cabin, and I think they're worth it, I now know how to purchase them from you thanks to your choice of username and information provided in your "About" section. Something I likely never would have known otherwise. :)
 
CoolWill said:
I haven't traditionally been a fan of lithium batteries as off grid storage simply due to the relative "newness" of the technology. Also because of local availability of lead batteries if I need a quick replacement.

But I do like the deep discharge and high capacity of these newer cells and so I've thought about buying a set to get my feet wet. I'd need 16 to make a battery for my 48 volt system. So if I bought a few at a time, will the age difference between them be a problem at assembly? In other words, how long can I keep different cells before it's too late to put them into a battery together?
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Save your money and buy all 16 at once.

It leads to better cell to cell balance as when you order cells from reputable sellers, they will batch cells for you based upon internal resistance. You do pay more for this, just be aware.

I have some really great cells, 40 of them bought at one time. Plan was 2 48V and 2 12V. Ended up putting them all into my bank.

Added 8 not batched and sorted, those have been some trouble maintaining balance. Last 16 were 304Ah grade B and one cell in the 16 is a runner then drops off when charging ceases so it is one of those cells where lithium probably isn't evenly thru the cell. It took some time adjusting balance and voltages but I did finally get all 64 to hold a pretty good balance.

I think in time I'll purchase some more cells for my golf cart to convert to lithium. I'll pull the worst 280Ah cells out of my bank and use those in the golf cart and install what I purchase in the battery bank. Next batch will sorted and batched according to IR.
 
Solarcabin Channel said:
We all start somewhere!

I started in an RV/camper like yours but winters were too cold and not designed for temperature extremes.

I can relate to the wife part. I dumped mine when I went off grid. Also too expensive to keep :ROFLMAO:

You are welcome to point out something in my posts that may not be accurate on the engineering level but you came off to me as rude and trolling.

I am always happy to answer questions, correct info and learn from other people as long as they are polite.

As to youtube channels my work stands for itself and no need to advertise it these days. I was the first off grid channel on Youtube helping people back when the housing market crashed and millions lost homes and I am proud of that work but that is a story for another day.

Hope to see your progress on that homestead!
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I've been attempting to live off grid for a number of years.
I used to have 4200 watts of solar. 3 banks of Trojan L16s 370AH each. Automatic watering system on them. Aimes 10k. Midnight classic 200.
Just wouldn't cut the mustard after having this built and recommended by the solar company what I needed. It was far from what I needed.
I now have 19,000 watts in panels. 150,000 watt hours of Lithium or 2920AH of lithium and 26,000 watts of inverter that can double to 52,000 on a surge.
I'm getting there but mainly living off grid is solely based on your electric needs AND where you live. Those in the sunny SW can have much smaller systems and be fine.
Here in the winter or even spring it's cloudy and you can go 2 weeks with no sun.
Well guess what you better be thinking of something else to make power. I even had up 2 wind turbines on my original system. Waiste of money.

I'm powering a house not a mini cabin, trailer, RV, bus etc which all require different amounts of solar engineering. I've done just about all the work myself and my upgrades and the only way I could afford it.
That's the difference between a $30k system and a $180k system. Which was the price I guy I know was quoted that's similar to mine.
 
CoolWill said:
I haven't traditionally been a fan of lithium batteries as off grid storage simply due to the relative "newness" of the technology. Also because of local availability of lead batteries if I need a quick replacement.

But I do like the deep discharge and high capacity of these newer cells and so I've thought about buying a set to get my feet wet. I'd need 16 to make a battery for my 48 volt system. So if I bought a few at a time, will the age difference between them be a problem at assembly? In other words, how long can I keep different cells before it's too late to put them into a battery together?
Click to expand...
When I got my cells both from QSO and Docan in batches of 128 they sat in my garage in original box until I needed them.

Some say for 8 months and none of them had dropped below 3.29.

Maybe that’s just me but none of them lost any appreciable voltage.
 
Bleedingblue said:
I've been attempting to live off grid for a number of years.
I used to have 4200 watts of solar. 3 banks of Trojan L16s 370AH each. Automatic watering system on them. Aimes 10k. Midnight classic 200.
Just wouldn't cut the mustard after having this built and recommended by the solar company what I needed. It was far from what I needed.
I now have 19,000 watts in panels. 150,000 watt hours of Lithium or 2920AH of lithium and 26,000 watts of inverter that can double to 52,000 on a surge.
I'm getting there but mainly living off grid is solely based on your electric needs AND where you live. Those in the sunny SW can have much smaller systems and be fine.
Here in the winter or even spring it's cloudy and you can go 2 weeks with no sun.
Well guess what you better be thinking of something else to make power. I even had up 2 wind turbines on my original system. Waiste of money.

I'm powering a house not a mini cabin, trailer, RV, bus etc which all require different amounts of solar engineering. I've done just about all the work myself and my upgrades and the only way I could afford it.
That's the difference between a $30k system and a $180k system. Which was the price I guy I know was quoted that's similar to mine.
Click to expand...
20+ years off grid and this is where I live: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/whats-a-utility-bill.70661/
 
Solarcabin Channel said:
Or maybe I should say traded in the older broken model for 2 younger girlfriends?
...
You try to have a better day!
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IMHO this forum does not benefit from having arrogant, inauthentic and especially misogynistic posters. Your posts are at best, time-wasting and worst, insulting to our long-standing and informative members.

Please leave some of your comments to share with your friends (assuming you have some) down the pub one evening, rather than airing them in public.

You have only been a member for just over 24 hours, yet have bombarded our lovely forum with nearly 50 messages, many of which seem very antagonistic.
 
SeaGal said:
IMHO this forum does not benefit from having arrogant, inauthentic and especially misogynistic posters. Your posts are at best, time-wasting and worst, insulting to our long-standing and informative members.

Please leave some of your comments to share with your friends (assuming you have some) down the pub one evening, rather than airing them in public.

You have only been a member for just over 24 hours, yet have bombarded our lovely forum with nearly 50 messages, many of which seem very antagonistic.
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IKR, how dare a new member come in and answer questions on a forum for DIY solar when that is your job.

Hey guess what I just found?

The ignore button!
 
toms said:
@sunshine_eggo Seriously mate - your talents are wasted humouring the new guy!

I like his power system, it’s similar to what I use in my bush bathroom ?
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Funny, I thought this was a forum for DIY solar?

Many of the members seem to be using small off grid systems not grid tied or expensive system to show off their wealth.

You might be interested to know it was off gridders like me that fought to use solar on our homes and disconnect from the grid that got laws changed and spurred the entire solar and battery industry to develop products for that purpose.
 
Solarcabin Channel said:
IKR, how dare a new member come in and answer questions on a forum for DIY solar when that is your job.

Hey guess what I just found?

The ignore button!
Click to expand...
Of course, sharing experiences, sharing issues & answering questions is what the forum is all about.

I was, of course, referring to the arrogance, provocation and misogyny in your replies, but, unsurprisingly, you've seemed to have missed my point.

Oh!... I see now... your latest posting as I am typing...
Solarcabin Channel said:
You might be interested to know it was off gridders like me that fought to use solar on our homes and disconnect from the grid that got laws changed and spurred the entire solar and battery industry to develop products for that purpose.
Click to expand...
.. it was you that has "spurred the entire solar and battery industry to develop products"

Oh Hail to our new solar emperor @Solarcabin Channel ?‍♀️
 
Solarcabin Channel said:
Funny, I thought this was a forum for DIY solar?

Many of the members seem to be using small off grid systems not grid tied or expensive system to show off their wealth.

You might be interested to know it was off gridders like me that fought to use solar on our homes and disconnect from the grid that got laws changed and spurred the entire solar and battery industry to develop products for that purpose.
Click to expand...
From all the Australians like myself that have been off grid for decades I sincerely thank you for your efforts to allow me to do so.

From someone that was actively involved with a major BMS manufacturer over a decade ago to develop a system that integrated lithium batteries with existing readily available inverter/charger topology I appreciate your efforts to “spur on the solar industry”.
 
toms said:
From all the Australians like myself that have been off grid for decades I sincerely thank you for your efforts to allow me to do so.

From someone that was actively involved with a major BMS manufacturer over a decade ago to develop a system that integrated lithium batteries with existing readily available inverter/charger topology I appreciate your efforts to “spur on the solar industry”.
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Oh I know and have several friend down under.

Many used to belong to a homesteading forum I ran back in 2005 when yahoo groups were still a thing.

If your experience is as you say then why attack off gridders with small systems on a forum for DIY solar?

It appears big systems and grid tied are not what the forum is really about?
 
SeaGal said:
IMHO this forum does not benefit from having arrogant, inauthentic and especially misogynistic posters. Your posts are at best, time-wasting and worst, insulting to our long-standing and informative members.

Please leave some of your comments to share with your friends (assuming you have some) down the pub one evening, rather than airing them in public.

You have only been a member for just over 24 hours, yet have bombarded our lovely forum with nearly 50 messages, many of which seem very antagonistic.
Click to expand...
I appreciate your input and experience. Having said that, is there any critique of any woman that a man could make that you wouldn't call misogynistic? It seems that men can be bashed and trashed in any manner, but if a woman, for any reason whatsoever, is mentioned in a negative connotation, some people are quick to yell "misogyny!" Serious question.
 
CoolWill said:
I appreciate your input and experience. Having said that, is there any critique of any woman that a man could make that you wouldn't call misogynistic? It seems that men can be bashed and trashed in any manner, but if a woman, for any reason whatsoever, is mentioned in a negative connotation, some people are quick to yell "misogyny!" Serious question.
Click to expand...
To clarify, I love women and have been married twice, raised two families and have lived with several women over the years. If I am a misogynist because I don't like lazy women that just want to be taken care of so be it.

I think some women that get divorced (or never married or loved) just become man haters and that is their problem not mine.

I came to discuss off grid and DIY solar not be chastised by someone that hasn't walked in my shoes.
 
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CoolWill said:
I appreciate your input and experience. Having said that, is there any critique of any woman that a man could make that you wouldn't call misogynistic? It seems that men can be bashed and trashed in any manner, but if a woman, for any reason whatsoever, is mentioned in a negative connotation, some people are quick to yell "misogyny!" Serious question.
Click to expand...

Sure... but to first clarify your question... a 'critique' (in UK English at least), is just a detailed analysis of someone / something that can result in identifying both strengths and weaknesses, negative opinions or recognition of merit. I am therefore assuming you meant criticism...

In which case.... Absolutely :) I am first and foremost an engineer - from my upbringing to my electronic engineering degree where I was one of 3 females on the course with 100+ male students, to working for 35 years or so in a male-dominated environment (and yes I am that old!). As such I am open to any critique and any criticisms that arise from my words or action. I will always do my best, be open when I am unsure about something and put my hands up if I have misunderstood or got something wrong - the number of ":unsure:" emojis I have added to added to my postings should be an indicator of that.

What gets my goat are comments / behaviour of 2 forms (and believe me, I've seen them all over the years)...

1) Those that don't think a female has the knowledge or skill to do something based purely on gender; such as being able to use a soldering iron, use an oscilloscope, program in C++, replace a bearing on her tractor etc.
and / or
2) Overt and _inappropriate_ sexism or objectification of women.

But - back on track - the comments that triggered my use of the word 'misogyny' is quoted in my posting #12 on this thread. And, hands-up, being always open to criticism, I double checked the meaning of misogyny and it refers to it being "a form of sexism that is used to keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining the social roles of patriarchy". Possibly misogyny was too strong a word for me to use, but referring to a wife as "too expensive to keep" does IMHO have undercurrents of keeping women at a lower social status than men.

Maybe objectification would have been a better word, who knows? :unsure:
 
SeaGal said:
Sure... but to first clarify your question... a 'critique' (in UK English at least), is just a detailed analysis of someone / something that can result in identifying both strengths and weaknesses, negative opinions or recognition of merit. I am therefore assuming you meant criticism...

In which case.... Absolutely :) I am first and foremost an engineer - from my upbringing to my electronic engineering degree where I was one of 3 females on the course with 100+ male students, to working for 35 years or so in a male-dominated environment (and yes I am that old!). As such I am open to any critique and any criticisms that arise from my words or action. I will always do my best, be open when I am unsure about something and put my hands up if I have misunderstood or got something wrong - the number of ":unsure:" emojis I have added to added to my postings should be an indicator of that.

What gets my goat are comments / behaviour of 2 forms (and believe me, I've seen them all over the years)...

1) Those that don't think a female has the knowledge or skill to do something based purely on gender; such as being able to use a soldering iron, use an oscilloscope, program in C++, replace a bearing on her tractor etc.
and / or
2) Overt and _inappropriate_ sexism or objectification of women.

But - back on track - the comments that triggered my use of the word 'misogyny' is quoted in my posting #12 on this thread. And, hands-up, being always open to criticism, I double checked the meaning of misogyny and it refers to it being "a form of sexism that is used to keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining the social roles of patriarchy". Possibly misogyny was too strong a word for me to use, but referring to a wife as "too expensive to keep" does IMHO have undercurrents of keeping women at a lower social status than men.

Maybe objectification would have been a better word, who knows? :unsure:
Click to expand...
I can appreciate where you're coming from. But (there's always a but), I believe it's different coming from someone having previously been married than some weirdo in a basement that's never talked to a girl in his life. Both genders use language like "my husband", "my wife", "I dumped him", "She can't keep a man", "He's a lazy cheating bastard". Saying "My wife was too expensive to keep" sounds like a humorous way of saying "I loved blowing up inverters and ruining batteries more than I loved being with her." I'm not sure every instance of trash talking an ex is worthy of a lecture about the patriarchy.
 
CoolWill said:
Saying "My wife was too expensive to keep" sounds like a humorous way of saying "I loved blowing up inverters and ruining batteries more than I loved being with her." I'm not sure every instance of trash talking an ex is worthy of a lecture about the patriarchy.
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To be fair, my first response was actually using the word "distasteful" in response to the "I dumped her" paragraph. It's the to 'keep' bit - implying ownership - that's I personally find distasteful. Certainly to use that terminology in 2023. It's not like we're back in the 1960's. But YMMV.

But it's about the whole tone of his comments on this thread and antagonistic stance to @sunshine_eggo, not just the bit about dumping wives... so the comments like...
Solarcabin Channel said:
Are you a moderator of this site?
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Solarcabin Channel said:
Are you a solar or heat pump installer looking for customers?
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Solarcabin Channel said:
traded in the older broken model for 2 younger girlfriends?
Click to expand...
Solarcabin Channel said:
Wow, that chip on your shoulder must be getting pretty heavy friend!
Click to expand...
Solarcabin Channel said:
We all start somewhere!
Click to expand...
Solarcabin Channel said:
Hope to see your progress on that homestead!
Click to expand...
Solarcabin Channel said:
I think some women that get divorced just become man haters and that is their problem not mine.
Click to expand...
And no, I am not divorced :)

Anyway, we've gone off thread enough, so I'll leave it there - let us know when you've saved up those $$$ and show us what battery you've build @CoolWill
 
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