DIY 24v LiFePO4 Solar Battery Bank! Beginner Friendly, 2.4 kWh, Cheap, Full Tutorial!
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- This video is outdated (use a BMS instead), follow this guide on instead: www.mobile-sol...
Raw cell and bms deals: www.mobile-sol...
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#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:
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My Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):
12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-sol...
Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-sol...
Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-sol...
Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-sol...
Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-sol...
DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-sol...
My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:
Signature Solar
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:
www.signatures...
Current Connected
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components:
currentconnect...
Ecoflow Delta
My favorite plug-n-play solar generator:
us.ecoflow.com...
AmpereTime
Cheapest 12V batteries around:
amperetime.com...
Renogy
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages!
renogy.sjv.io/...
Rich Solar
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:
richsolar.com/...
Battery Hookup
Cheap cell deals
bit.ly/2mIxSqt
5% off code: diysolar
Contact Information:
I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com
Join the forum at diysolarforum.... if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar
FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)
DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
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This video is outdated!!! Please use a high quality BMS and hook it up to the cells: www.mobile-solarpower.com/design-your-own-12v-lifepo4-system.html
*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com
*Join our DIY solar community!*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:
www.diysolarforum.com
Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link):
amzn.to/2Aj4dX4
If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out EnergyPal! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: energypal.com/diysolar/
*My Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*
12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html
Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html
Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html
Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html
Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html
DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html
*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*
*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:
www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components:
currentconnected.com/?ref=wp
*Ecoflow Delta*
My favorite plug-n-play solar generator:
us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7
*AmpereTime*
Cheapest 12V batteries around:
amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages!
renogy.sjv.io/n1VjXx
*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:
richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
bit.ly/2mIxSqt
5% off code: diysolar
*Contact Information:*
I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com
Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar
*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)
DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Will Prowse how long will this power a energy star 5000 btu a/c after sun goes down?
Will Prowse: Firstly, a great video yet again.
The link you posted is to your previous 12v build, will you be updating it for the 24v build? Edit: I see that the link now includes both the 12v and 24v builds, thank you.
The new look bus bars look very professional: Are they also made from flattened copper pipe and shrink wrap?
The cell terminal covers are slick as well: How are they held in place and can you share the plans to build them?
@@joshuablack4575 it will depend, these are used batteries and its a gamble on how much capacity they will hold. also how many watts your a/c will draw. will they be fully charged when the sun goes down? im guessing that your ac uses 600watts and the 8 used batteries should roughly have 280wh each capacity x 8=2240wh divide by 600watts = 3.73 hours. you may get more or less depending on your ac watt draw and battery watt hour capacity. also if your ac compressor kicks on and off only 50% of the time then you can double your hours.
410 watts @ 3.7 amps
Or how about a balance charger?
As a retired Senior Chief Electronics Technician, Submarine Service, who is an x-instructor of advanced electronics in several areas (radar, radio, cryptography, and servomechanisms) I can say you are one excellent teacher. Your style makes it interesting for folks of vastly different levels of skill. Thank you for making it fun again.
Your comment made my day 😊👍 thanks
He's like Sheldon Cooper's little brother
Yes he is
He’s grown so big the past two years and at first I thought he was pompous but I was very wrong, I wish I had a friend like him
As an electrical engineer I can say this young man really knows this subject. Well done!
He really nailed it ! He showed us everything and answered our next questions as he went and then gave us the links to allow us to do it ourselves.
Great educator,sales person and visionary !
Agreed, however the terminals are also the current collectors, in Li-ion batteries copper and aluminium is used. I guess the colours are "silver" and "brass".
Eh, kinda. "This terminal is +24v and this one is -24v". No that'd be a 48v supply. One is +24v the other is 0v, this is pretty basic electrical theory gotten wrong. He also doesn't cover a lot of safety precautions for handling Lithium cells, there is a crapload of current capacity there with decent voltage behind it and we don't know if these cells have internal protection or not. Accidentally shorting this array could have it go up in flames really quickly. Especially as brass terminals under that kind of current could essentially braze themselves to whatever shorted them, breaking the short can become difficult. The output terminals (especially being that close proximity to each other) should be covered at all times to avoid dropping a screwdriver or spanner across them.
please provide a link to buy those batteries thx
Flap Zapple hey sorry to bug you, but you’re an electrical engineer so hopefully you could give me a clear answer.
In 3 minute mark of the video he states its best if you keep them in 70° conditions. I’m very interested in potentially building this, but I plan on living more off grid and I’m currently living in Florida so I think my overall temp might be worrisome because it’s often over 70 at night in Florida when I’d probably stop running A/C
Would you recommend I try and save money for traditional battle born or do I just run into the same problem?
This guy has his whole act together better than anyone I've seen on you tube on any subject matter. Take, for instance, just the time he puts into writing his descriptions for his videos. Every single detail is included for convenience to the viewer. Then, you consider the fact that the information he conveys is seldom challenged in comments from so called "professionals" and it's easy to see why his videos are THE go to resource for all things solar powered. This is what happens when someone is passionate about what they're doing, doing what they love, and energetic. I have no idea who this guy works for. But, I'm guessing he gets many offers from many companies to consult or work for them. I hope he does his own thing. The world is a better and more environmentally friendly place with this kind of talent permitted to share what's possible. He has no competition in this entire category. Really an impressive and professional presentation every time. Thanks. Subscribed.
Thank you so very much. Your comment made my week. I really love what I do and for you to see that, and appreciate it is great. I have a lot of projects lined up for the future and I can't wait to show you. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this out, Stoneyrun. :)
Great resource--I am learning a lot, now I just need to figure out how to add some solar cells to my current unit.
Hey we have the same profile picture!!
Thank you very much ....
please just stay honest and don't fall for brand sponsorships. keep up the good work.
Really nice tight editing. He doesn't waste a second of the viewer's time.
I have watched too many battery videos over the past few years.
This is probably the best I've seen. Well done young man 👍
Thank you!!!
@@WillProwse It's hard to believe how much your life has changed since you made this awesome video! I'm so proud of you, Will
This video only proves one thing..... I shoulda stayed in school!..... MAN!, You're an intelligent young man!.... RESPECT!!
This is probably the best battery tutorial I have ever seen. You are a very intelligent and articulate teacher and you should publish a booklet as a basic and concise battery manual.. Good work !
David Hawk Agee with you . I’m not all that smart and need a book and a video to help retain all that info. I just want a simple system for my RV so my wife and I can be more independent when we boondock.
The Bob Ross of the art of solar. The only 'best' set of tutorials on the subject. He is a very good teacher with simple, concise and witty information.
Great presentation. For marine use, or any, coat your terminals with silicone dielectric grease to seal out corrosion. If you don’t have that, then Vaseline will do.
Did use gun grease on the battery terminals in my sailboat and 5 years later they still looked like when brand new when I took out the batteries :)
I’m so proud of you how much you grown the past two years
my new favorite chanel. I just built a 24v 6000w inverter system in a custom trailer with 6 260w panels on the roof.
Wow that sounds like an awesome setup
I’m very interested in building my own solar battery you’re a lot of help I’m 80 years old so I’m a little slow but I enjoy your tapes tremendously thank you so much Leroy Warner
Good luck Leroy! (:
Probably go with lead acid. It will serve you for the remainder of your life
@@MrJhonnyJackson Verily going through shameful comments since using You tube; requested for improving quality in all properties of life; like doing, thinking, felling and even spiritually. Allah may keep you on straight way known as Serat-e-mustqeem.
I watch videos here and there because soon I will build me a home system! THIS GUY, wow! He has it down Perfect 100% Spot-On! Thank you because this is what I will Start with!!
At this age, and I have watched my fair share of videos on youtube, this kid has his act together and for as long as this video is, its PERFECT to understand.
Lithium is the best. I like non combustible and I love the price. The way you explain it looks ez enough
The price he quotes in the video and top comment for that cell type and size is not realistic unless you are getting used or new old stock. For new lifepo4 cells of any size and capacity it will be more expensive than an equivalent new lico or limn (18650 3.7v nominal) etc. There are several other significant issues, oversimplifications, or omissions with this video. Lifepo4 is great if you work within it's parameters and use the right hardware. My 1.6kwh bank cost me $120 for the new old stock cells.
He’s wrong, it can still catch fire.
MrKinglyon2010 bullshit
@@seanmurray6684 false, those are the prices for new batteries, the price went up to $850 for this pack but that's only after his video giving a strong review of these batteries. These cells are simply made with older manufacturing techniques that have been refined for a longer time, the cells aren't as small or light as newer ones but the capacity and price is real for brand new product, you can find these kinds of cells in AliExpress, eBay, or even on several electric vehicle parts sites and he has a link to them both in the comments of this video and in his review video of these kinds of cells. You don't need used or NOS parts to get this price.
Any time i connect an inverter, to prevent a large spark, i use an old incandescent test light.
First connect the positive cables, then put the ground clamp of the test light on negative, then hold the test light probe on the inverter negative. It initially lights full bright. As the capacitors charge the light will dim. After it is dim or out you can connect the negative with no spark. It is easy and quick if you have one on hand.
I love your introduction. I live in Central California from may first to September 1 it will not fall below 90 and July 100+ so much for keeping them at 70 degrees.
If you have a basement or crawl space ,place the batteries on ground or and place an upside down cooler over it or build a styrofoam box around it. It will keep it cooler.
Donald McClellan mostly you don’t put them out in the sun. Like the earlier commenter indicated you want to make sure that they are in a cool area. It’s not typical for most people to sit out in that heat. So wherever you go take a temperature reading and it’s likely close to or just above the normal operating temperature in a planned or controlled environment.
I can’t say how much I learned from the safety info and the extreme temperature info in the first five minutes. Wow. Well done.
Thanks for a great video, Will! I learned more about hooking up a balancer and adjusting it. Like others have said, many are the videos that I have watched, and this one brings more clarity than I have seen prior to this. Thanks for your commitment to quality production.
The joy you have regrading batteries is contagious!
Obi-Wan Kenobi,
Great instructional videos. May the force remain with you!
The information on this video is very good and easy to understand. I may say almost perfect. As a qualified electrician, I would suggest the positive and negative terminal should keep it apart as much as possible. Most battery manufacturer made the terminal at the corner of one side to create more distance to minimize the chance of short circuits. It can be done by rearranging the busbar linking position. A lot of battery terminal is using a nut, the tools to secure the nut is a spanner. Many of them are bare material. When an inexperienced user tightens up the nut, they may not aware the end of spanner can turn into the other terminal. In the case, it is using screw but the risk is still there. It is because the user work on the battery may wear steel belt watch that can accidentally touch both terminals. We are talking about releasing 2.4kw power at dead short circuit condition. The ampere will be 24/0=infinity! I wish to share my electrician experience. Not only your need to wear PPE, but also remove any metal object from your body when working on electricity (such as metal neck chain and any bracelet).
Great content buddy! I've been a subscriber from when you were just a few hundred subs, and I've watched your knowledge grow from teaching what you knew at the time until now. And I think It's great to have seen this and how quickly your channel is growing as a result from helping people as you are learning. The big key I believe, is that you are really helping people. And you are afraid to dive into the next best ting coming out in battery technology. (One thing I've learn't first hand though, don't ever take Chinese selling specs as factual, halve their specs at best lol, funny because It's true. EDIT: Not all, but usually if it is ridiculously cheap stuff).
It isn't that far off, that you will receive you 100K subs Trophy! Well done ahead of time, as It's coming, and sooner that I think! All of the best.
Colin.
I am impressed by your know how and maturity. The sky is the limit for you
From these videos I have learned that there is much more to know than I realized. I should start small, with a simple 12 volt system, and work my way up to bigger systems and higher voltages.
You are an awesome teacher, this was one of the few videos like this I have ever watched end to end.
A purpose-built DC/DC charger will work for charging a battery bank from a car's electrical/charging system. It won't pull bulk current from the alternator, it will supply a set or pre-programmed current and voltage. They also act as a low voltage isolator, so that you aren't in parallel with the starting battery and lithium bank while the car is unattended. ALSO, please consider using some kind of insulation where the hose clamps run around the corner of your cells - you don't want the steel straps chaffing through the cell walls. Cracking video - very clear and concise!
Will, you've done a great job on this build. I've been watching your videos for quite some time both on solar and RV homes. You just keep growing and I will continue to recommend your materials.
Keep up the easy to understand approach it works!
Best wishes!
Back in 2009 we used to use that tape to fasten plexi glass windows in custom computers. We called it the 3M tape of the gods and taped a full sided computer to a glass window with four pieces like you used on the first set of LiFePo packs. Thanks for teaching solar to an old dude like me. I would have been like you in my youth with your opportunities today. Respect.
I'm learning about lithium batteries when I should be sleeping. Oh well, not the worst use of time.
Wow. You are an EXCELLENT teacher. Everyone who teaches needs to watch your videos to help them with their teaching technique.
Can you please do a video about which cells you have used, and how to shop for cells? I'm planning on doing a 48v system.
Dude, your videos are so helpful. I hear everyone in forums talking about this Will Prowse guy and I had no idea. You are the Czar of Solar.
This is great. Thanks for doing the video. This guy knows batteries. He has a talent for explaining very complex battery information that can be easily understood. Thanks a bunch and keep up the great work. I subscribed!
Dude, you motivated me to "like and subscribe" for the first time. I have a background in engineering and like most, I was SURE that I was smarter than everyone on CZcams, until now.....
You can use any source (alternator included) if you use a permanent Protection Board. These usually contain a charge limiter as well as overdischarge/short circuit/high voltage/low voltage cutoff. This means charging might be slower than normal (depending on the charge limit of your Protection Board) but it will prevent damage from high-C charging as well as protecting your charge source from overcurrent situation.
Can you suggest a make of a protection board?
I have recommended Will all over the Globe for his honest assessments and advice. He stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Well done, very informative and understandable! Your really helping inform & educate and providing great value to the community! Kudos Will.
As someone that wants to boondock and then possibly buy land. This guy is going to save my money and life! I wonder what it would take for a total solar Class c rv to be powered by batteries including ac. Also the solar panels to exceed the output. This guy is teaching us more than what school did in 12 years
damn,i wish u was my teacher back in high school,AWESOME STUFF,love everything
Wish you ‘were’ my teacher.
I was mechanical with a little electrical. This guy is good. Thanks for a professional video with good advice and direction.
how in the world did you learn all this stuff? i'm impressed
First off, thank you very much for this!
Next up, I note that the final two terminals are located close to one another - a possible shorting hazard, as you pointed out. Rearranging the shorting connectors would have allowed you to locate the final two terminals much farther from each other. (though you'd have a longer bus-bar connecting the two sections together)
Totally agree. So many better ways to arrange it. Sorry about that
This channel is excellent. Top quality and really informative!
I am going to make my own batteries. This is some of the best battery tutorial I have seen online. Electrical systems can be scary but only if you don't know what's going on. I don't know what's going on, yet.
Wonderfully informative!! Thanks so much for increasing my knowledge base, now I'll have to watch some more of your stuff!
On the RV alternator discussion, Renogy makes a DC to DC charger that you can put between your alternator and the batteries. It has lithium setting that I use with my Lithium RV batteries.
Great tutorial, thanks Will!
Can you talk a bit about hybrid charging options where the batteries will also get charged by grid / generator in addition to solar. Thanks!
Not only are you very knowledgeable on this subject....you have very good teaching skills! Thank you Will for taking the time to explain this stuff so well....
hello I am from Zimbabwe. Massive respect
Great video, great content. Awesome job. There is only 1 issue with this set up, the hose clamps. Over time the hose clamps will dig into the plastic battery case, I learned this the hard way. Battery acid EVERYWHERE. For people watching, just find a better way to mechanically connect the battery cases together. Maybe just put rubber between the case and the hose clamp.
Other than that perfect instructional video.
Love it. Really amazingly simple and professional. Definitely following. I see you do solar too, what solar setup would pair well with this battery system? And what charger and inverter....?
Thank you for all the hard work you put into these “M.I.T.” Quality Presentations for us ordinary RVers. TRULY AMAZING!
what a great vid - extremely professional and informative
Old school alternators used to sell rebuild kits for replacing diode packs.... those alternators also had external voltage regulators.Typical these days they are now made to engineer DIYers out of the equation.
You can still find those alternators at junk yard. Delcos and Leece Nevilles were once easy to find. The voltage regulator is the bit more difficult these days to find. Some are adjustable or can be made. You can probably find tons of info on 4x4 forums(Jeeps, Trucks, etc.) They do such things for "onboard welders" using alternators when playing in the woods.
This is the way any DIY'er on a budget should go, so this bank is good for about 1000 watts of panels and your recommended 40amp charge controller, but what if you need double the energy, say 4800wh, are those 60amp epever controllers just as good? I ask this as Im trying to decide between on of them or an SMB120 by electrodacus.
Do you decide?
This was one of your best educational videos especially about the correct alternator
Great presentation. I feel confident now. You have a gift of teaching my friend. This opens up new possibilities for me to try. Hell ya!!!
Honestly, I am not a math, nor science, nor electricity-understanding person, but you are so highly-watchable. I have been looking at the Titan because of you but now you have me looking at DIY and that makes me laugh.
Great videos! Question: I live in Florida, and you mention that ANY battery will degrade if it's in a hot RV, and I think you mentioned 70 degrees. Dealing with cold weather is easy, you just stick the battery in a heated compartment. But what's the solution when the normal operating environment is hot, like 95 degrees?
One last thing your just plain smart. Anything that bugs me more is watching some of the UK guys that over explain things. Don't get a big head just keep it up. I always liked explaining to my customers how the product works and it's quality so they know how and why it cost what it does. Thank you
You are killing it Will. Cheers.
This guy is really cool. Also what an amazing effective clear speaker. Not an easy thing to do in front of camera. No ums, ahs, like's and you knows. Two thumbs up!
You are a very good educator. Thank you very much.😁
When I saw this, the only thought I had: "wow ... this guy knows his stuff"
I immediately subscribed, because
I just bought 8 cells LiFePo4 320Ah, and now I need to get a controller charger, inverter, panels.
So I think I can do this with your videos.
I never clicked on a video so fast!
Just one question: How do you know what the full voltage range is for each cell? Does it come with the cells when you buy them, if so how can you be sure that the cells have not degraded and that the ranges have changed since the cells were manufactured?
This information should be available from your battery supplier. One would hope for a datasheet for a given battery, but at the very least the information should be available on the seller's site. I wouldn't personally buy any expensive product like this without clear, published information. It's not only about the money or potentially damaging the cells, but also a matter of safety. If one doesn't understand how to use the cells within their specs, then there's no way to safely design a system.
Cool video. A used Tesla pack for ~$1000US is less than 60lbs and has 2x the kWh, around 5.4kWh. So lighter, about 2x the energy, for ~30% more. You should consider remapping the bus bars so that the + & - are not next to each other.
Dude, I totally believe you are from the future.
Or at least you'll be at home there.
Love all your videos! So much so I click every ad.
For your next series Will can you go over building your own personal thorium nuclear reactor, lol
😂😂😂
Hahaha...they navy seals will be sent in to I invade his studio. While the secretly search for oil under his floor boards...🤣😂🤣😂
Nice try Osama.
Your little 12 Volt setup actually looked VERY good. Don't knock yourself-you are VERY competent!
Next video subject: Please explain why your twin brother Sheldon Cooper is SO mean and condescending compared to you :)
Nearly at a million subscribers Will.
Well done, you have a great channel.🙏
of all the links in the description, not one relating to where to buy these cells.... wtaf?
This guy's a good teacher
Where did you get these batteries? Can you add a link to where you got these batteries?
www.mobile-solarpower.com/diy-lifepo4-solar-battery1.html
@@WillProwse I cannot find the same pretty white and green capped batteries as in the video on your website.
@@ikannunaplays I sourced them locally
@@ikannunaplays they are all pretty similar
DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse Yes, I noticed but I like the visual appeal of the ones showcased in the video and wanted to replicate that. Thanks for the reply
I just subscribed, I have no need to build any of these projects but this guy is such a great teacher I want him on my list just in case I every want to work with solar or LiPo.
where did you purchase these cells i can't cant find anything close to 600$s for 2.4kwh
The cheapest new LiFePo4 batteries I can find are 32700 LitoKala LiFePO4 on AliExpress. 1kWh is about $146. Each battery is 6.5Ah at 3.2V (0.0208kWh) and sells for $3.052 when you buy 10+pcs. You will need 48 cells (~$150) for 1kWh. The LiPo 3.7V version is a bit cheaper but trickier to charge correctly and will lass fewer same depth of charge cycles.
if you install a dc to dc charger you can use an alternator to charge. The charge profile is corrected for use with deep cycle, i am not sure about lithium though do look it up. I recommend Redarc bcdc1240D this model is 12v and solar compatible.
You should give live seminars!
I think he will do well too IF pick to talk on climate change ... One cannot but listen and agree.
thank you for doing an outstanding job of presenting this material sometimes you go a bit fast but i can always rewind !
Where do you get the cells and busbars?
I had the same question - I thought the white cells are cute - assume suppliers are linked from the linked website in the description - found other, but not the cells in the video so far.
It's calb cells, you can find them in AliExpress or eBay as well as several electric vehicle supply sites, he also has a video on them, titled something like "cheapest lithium batteries on AliExpress" or something like that.
This guy is amazing! Very smart and very good at communicating processes and procedures!
Great video Will, would you be interested in selling those batteries as a 24 V unit or 12 V pre-balanced, I would certainly buy one for my rig
After watching Will, I had confidence to build my own system.
I used 16 Fortune 100A-hr in a 24V 8S2P for 5000W-hr with an overkill BMS and a Giandel 4000W inverter.
I also have 6 320W Renogy panels with 2 EPever BN4215 MPPTs in a 3x2 config for morning and evening collection.
Not optimum, but that is the only structure I had to mount.
I also have a Victron 12A charger. for when I run the genny.
I am producing way more energy than I can use mid day.
I often am fully charged by 9 AM (w/o A/C). I wonder what winter will bring.
The batteries are more than enough for my basic needs, but I often cycle twice a day in Summer running a 8000 BTU A/C.
I also have a Westinghouse iGen 2200 to run the A/C overnight.
Filling up before bed, It rarely makes it through the night.
I have ordered 32 320 A-hr LiFePO4 cells due 10-16-2021.
I plan on using the overkill 48V and am having trouble deciding which all-in-one or to use a couple MPPTs and several smaller inverters.
I planned on going 48V, but couldn't get a 48V overkill BMS when I got them.
So I decided on 24V for now. I always planned on more batteries, but I hope I am good for a while when the new ones arrive.
I am off grid here.
What do you think about Firefly AGM batteries ( carbon foam ) for extreme climates instead of heating
AGM are the worst battery. They are extremely sensitive to 14V charging because there is so little electrolyte. Even expensive MPPT chargers reset their float charge peramiters to 14.3 or 4V automatically... Which boil the electrolyte. This is death for AGMs.
Ok, this video was foundational for me when designing my 24v system for my campervan over the summer, and for that I am very grateful to Will. However, I do have one gripe about the advice given that cost me some money trying to figure out alternate solutions. The advice I have the issue with is the unqualified statement that the stock vehicle alternator should never be used to charge a lithium battery bank. Yes, the traditional battery isolators should never be used with lithium batteries. HOWEVER, assuming your stock alternator has sufficient excess output, it is perfectly fine to use a DC to DC charger. Once I figured this out, I immediately implemented one in my system and could not be happier - solves the entire winter charging issue will likely assist with running the air conditioner for a a couple hours on the those hottest dog days of the summer.
I think there's a little disconnect here. Will's statement was that a vehicle charging system should not be used to charge depleted batteries - and that is true. That is true of your vehicle's battery as well. If your battery dies and someone comes to give you a jump, you can tell how experienced they are based on whether they leave the vehicles connected together after the dead vehicle has successfully started. This is because a knowledgeable technician understands that the alternator on your vehicle is being strained with a 100% load expectation for an extended period of time, and its not designed for that. Vehicle electrical systems do not get drained during normal use, and therefore the alternators on a stock vehicle has no need to be built to charge depleted batteries. As a teenager I once jumped my sisters old mustang and drove it about a quarter mile back home. By the time I got there the alternator was blazing hot, after less than a minute of operation. The difference with the system you described is that you have a fixed current device between the alternator and your lithium batteries. A low state of charge in your lithium bank will not pull more power than your converter can provide, thus it is acting as a current limit between the vehicle electrical system and your battery bank. Your setup is fine, but it's important to understand that it's only fine because that restriction exists.
Noah H. Absolutely. Huge difference (which I failed to recognize when I fist began educating myself regarding these systems)
how about a link to where you bought these cells?
i found the best cell monitor is the isdt bg-8s, it is the most expensive but i think it has the highest balancing current and a nice easy to navigate menu on a nice colour display, but as you have found, they are designed to balance small radio controlled car/helicopter/etc batteries, even a small inbalance on cells this large will require a lot of discharge current to lower the voltage in a reasonable time,
also, though they might work as a direct replacement for sla batteries, they do not have the same charge profile they are cc-cv, that being said they are the closest in voltage (or can be series connected to get closest ie at 4s they are closest @12.8v vs 6s sla @12v) whereby other lithium batteries are 3.7v per cell so 3s will be 11.1v (too low) or 4s 14.8v (too high) so the lifepo4 @4s or 8s will be close but never quite fully charge therefore negating the need to enter the cv charge cycle to top them off,
but this also means the cut off voltage on an inverter will be slightly too low hence why bottom balancing is more important in this case, but if you use a low voltage disconnect with a high enough cut off voltage, a better method of balancing would be to top balance with a good quality rc type hobby charger, as they will have higher rated balance resistors than those little cell monitors,
a good choice would be an isdt t8 which for example those little cell monitors usually balance at 200ma or as much as 500ma if you get a good one, where the isdt t8 will balance at 2.2a 11x faster than the average cell monitor, i would recommend setting the charger to cut off at 3.6v per cell, i know on my icharger 3010b (another good choice) you can lower the cut off voltage by about 0.5v (i think) im not sure if you can do this on the isdt but it does have a calibration function which you could set so it reads too high so cuts off too low (ideally at 3.6v) the reason i suggest doing this as fully charged the voltage may be too high for the inverter (though it may be ok) and not fully charging and not fully discharging will give you a little less capacity but it will give more headroom for an imbalance and it will also improve the cycle life of the cells.
you will need a power supply which you can get branded ones for the charger but these are expensive, i went on ebay and got a 24v 1000w switch mode supply (sold as led power supplies) quite cheaply (about £50.00 gbp) but require mains wiring so should be wired by an electrician or only if you are confident doing it yourself (just like wiring a plug just using caution no stray strands of wire can cause a short) and you would need to ensure the terminals are covered sufficiently to prevent electric shock from any medaling little fingers
if you had 2 batteries you could use 1 to charge the other (as most of your charging will be off the solar charger and you only need the balance charger for balancing) then you would not need a power supply for the balance charger in this case just another 24v battery
My alternator powers a 30A DC input Lithium balance charger!
can you explain this further please
Great video! I use that very same blue device for my model airplanes. I mostly use LiPo, but I also use LiFe. You can change the battery chemistry type for the monitor from LiPo as seen on the screen on the left with black background to LiFe, and it will give you a more accurate percentage (shown on lower right) of the capacity remaining in the battery pack and per cell.
Keep doing what you do!!!
There are multiple different ways to charge your house batteries and mains off the same alternator. Just look through the RV info.
Also if in a pinch you can use a solar charge controller off the charge system in you vehicle.
Thank you for all your help you are awesome. Those battery cells could use one more clamp around the entire 8 cells because there is a weak point near the output wire connections because there is no jumper there. And that could cause the jumper at the back to bust the terminals if force is put on the weak point. Maybe use 2 huge clamps around the entire 8 cells, one at top and one at the bottom.
I have watched your videos before, but during this one, I knew I had to subscribe. So much useful information. Thank you!
I purchased your book. Thanks for making my life easy bro! $9.99 is cheap!
If someone wants to use a alternator in their system... I would recommend the CS series of alternators. I use the cs144.... it's 140 amp alternator and they make kits out there with a voltage regulator that is adjustable that way you can dial in your charging voltage. There are very robust alternators they use them in buses trucks Diesel's cars... GM uses them in everything. They are also easily modified to 200-300amps.
Where on earth did this young man learn his Kung Fu?
This is a very very very quality channel get an education.
Thank you
I've been watching your videos and I must say that you do a very good job in introducing solar power to the beginner and providing a vast array of very interesting and thought provoking DIY projects that I'd like to dive into. Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this very interesting subject.
I just ordered 16 3.2v 86Ah 90Ah LiFePO4 prismatic Lithium Li-ion batteries on ebay for an insane $1000 including shipping. Thanks for your video! I'm going to use them to install an off grid solar system for my camping/cabin area in Wisconsin!
Wow that is cheap!!! What listing was that? You are set!
@@WillProwse Saw listing but no shipping to Canada :(
Chad Sutton what listing was that? For some reason I'm terrible at coming up with search results for these.
@@WillProwse What spec Ah are the batteries in your video and do you have any links to that battery cell.
Li Ion? Fail.