Vatrer Server Rack - battery arrived!

[Brucey]

Too bad my kids have outgrown cardboard playhouse age!

I think I need another shed to hold my packaging.

And I'll add solar to it since it's an open roof.

But then I'll have more boxes to store...

Just the box, with panels on top.

 

[Brucey]

Some of my 100W solar panel boxes came in handy as laymats for my son when working on the truck. Helps on the gravel driveway.

 

[mactech]

Too bad my kids have outgrown cardboard playhouse age!

I think I need another shed to hold my packaging.

And I'll add solar to it since it's an open roof.

But then I'll have more boxes to store...

My solar shed doubles as my astrophotography observatory and the roof rolls off to expose the scope.

Testing the comms will be some time, as I still need a 48v inverter to go with it. Not sure which Victron I will get.

Still have the 24v system in place and redoing the shed wiring to accommodate the new toys.

 

[mactech]

Looks like a solid option if comms aren't desired.

They do have a wall mount with comms for $1200, looks like it uses quick connects on the terminals and pairs to allow easy daisy chaining:

View attachment 209859

https://www.amazon.com/LiFePO4-Battery-5-12kWh-Lifetime-Off-Grid/dp/B0CWXMNV3Y

Mine arrived today, very well packed and working with a 54% charge.

130lbs heavy and mounted temporarily! Have it wired to a Victron Multiplus II 3kva. Used a 25 ohm pre-charge resistor but didn't see any sparks. Didn't expect to at 3amp current. This will be tied in with a Victron 250/100 solar charger.

 

[plympton]

Mine arrived today, very well packed and working with a 54% charge.

130lbs heavy and mounted temporarily! Have it wired to a Victron Multiplus II 3kva. Used a 25 ohm pre-charge resistor but didn't see any sparks. Didn't expect to at 3amp current. This will be tied in with a Victron 250/100 solar charger.

I'm still happy with mine - blissfully boring, actually. Tempted to get another on Amazon - $1044, and 5% back through Amazon card = ~$945 --> $185/kWh. That ain't bad, but since I avoided (will-powah!!) getting those $50 100w panels, not sure I can use the extra storage consistently.

 

[mactech]

I'm still happy with mine - blissfully boring, actually. Tempted to get another on Amazon - $1044, and 5% back through Amazon card = ~$945 --> $185/kWh. That ain't bad, but since I avoided (will-powah!!) getting those $50 100w panels, not sure I can use the extra storage consistently.

That's my plan is to get another one, but it isn't listed on Amazon that I can find. When I click the product in my Amazon order, it takes me to a different battery.

 

[Quattrohead]

That's my plan is to get another one, but it isn't listed on Amazon that I can find. When I click the product in my Amazon order, it takes me to a different battery.

Ahhh another Amazon scam type listing.

 

[bones1]

I have one in my cart right now.

 

[Brucey]

https://www.amazon.com/VATRER-POWER-48V-Touchable-Applications/dp/B0C9HPYKNG

 

[mactech]

Ahhh another Amazon scam type listing.

They indicated it wouldn't be restocked for another few weeks and I got one of the last two. This is the wall mounted Vatrer not the chassis.

I am still perusing the Victron MultiPlus II manual and wiring in the solar charger and AC out in the next few days. A real electrician is coming to install 30a service panel on the solar shed and back-feed the AC from solar to my house transfer switch/ critical load panel.

When I click on the Product link it takes me to the rack mount version.

 

[plympton]

I decided to pull the trigger on another rack mount one, from Amazon this time. I filled my batteries by 3:30 today after days and days of meager production, and we only had 4 hours of full-sun today (clouds from 8a-11a). The extra 5% off pushed me over the line. Hopefully this one is as good as the previous.

 

[mactech]

The Victron SCC 250/100 is now connected in with the Vatrer 48v battery and MultiPlus II, charged to 100%
Waiting for 6awg AC wires and ferrules.

My 1600 watt solar array was churning out 1675 watts as showing both the Vatrer front panel and the Victron IOS app with shunt .

With the 250/10 SSC running on my prior @ 24v system, I never saw more than 1200 watts, even on the coldest winter day.

 

[Brucey]

The Victron SCC 250/100 is now connected in with the Vatrer 48v battery and MultiPlus II, charged to 100%
Waiting for 6awg AC wires and ferrules.

My 1600 watt solar array was churning out 1675 watts as showing both the Vatrer front panel and the Victron IOS app with shunt .

With the 250/10 SSC running on my prior @ 24v system, I never saw more than 1200 watts, even on the coldest winter day.

Always exciting stepping up from 24V to 48V and seeing those extra watts from the panels.

 

[chilly2]

Questions on the Vatrer...

- Does it fit in a regular 19" server rack? I have a 42U I'd like to put it in. Some reviewer said it was 3/8" wider.
- Did it come with battery cables, and if so what gauge and roughly how long are they?
- How big a deal is it not having RS-485?

I've also been looking at the ExpertPower 48v 100Ah as that does have RS-485, and they actually have a US office, but everything else on the Vatrer seems nicer.

 

[mactech]

Questions on the Vatrer...

- Does it fit in a regular 19" server rack? I have a 42U I'd like to put it in. Some reviewer said it was 3/8" wider.
- Did it come with battery cables, and if so what gauge and roughly how long are they?
- How big a deal is it not having RS-485?

I've also been looking at the ExpertPower 48v 100Ah as that does have RS-485, and they actually have a US office, but everything else on the Vatrer seems nicer.

The model I have is the wall mount shown in the image about 4 posts up. It comes with 2 sets of ~6ft cables, didn't measure them.

 

[mactech]

Always exciting stepping up from 24V to 48V and seeing those extra watts from the panels.

I didn't expect that and by a substantial amount too, even when it is cloudy and raining I was getting over 300w from it.

Is this because the MPPT works better at the higher 48v battery voltage?

Same solar charger, same panels.

 

[Brucey]

I didn't expect that and by a substantial amount too, even when it is cloudy and raining I was getting over 300w from it.

Is this because the MPPT works better at the higher 48v battery voltage?

Same solar charger, same panels.

Well it's not so much that the panels are more efficient, it's just that the SCC can deliver double the max output power charging a 48V versus 24V battery, i.e now you are maxed out at say 54V and 100A output for 5400W, previously at 27V the 250/100 was limited to around 2700W.

 

[LithiumSolar]

Questions on the Vatrer...

- Does it fit in a regular 19" server rack? I have a 42U I'd like to put it in. Some reviewer said it was 3/8" wider.
- Did it come with battery cables, and if so what gauge and roughly how long are they?
- How big a deal is it not having RS-485?

I've also been looking at the ExpertPower 48v 100Ah as that does have RS-485, and they actually have a US office, but everything else on the Vatrer seems nicer.

It's 17.75" so yes, it will fit in a standard rack. You need a sturdy shelf to support the weight though (or something like APC rails). The cables are #6 at 27" from tip to tip.