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diy solar

diy solar

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  • Post in thread: Why didn't I think of that? Tips & Tricks!

    Unless you need a 50 amp 12 volt Anderson plug why not use the 30 amp small ones that can power most appliances. They can hook together so you can have 4 or 6 plugs in one unit. You can hold them together with a small zip tie too. And they are a fraction of the price. How to crimp them video
  • Post in thread: Big thanks to Will and Gnubie

    A very strange thing happened today. I was going onto that site where will has his videos thinking of leaving them forever (lots of reasons). I left that other big Social Media platform too. I just happened to notice Wills big announcement video (you need the info on this forum on more of your...
  • Post in thread: NEVER buy an all in one MPP ON Amazon!

    You guys need inverter fridges. Virtually no start up spike needed. I run mine on a 300 watt inverter. Only gets just over a 100 watts on defrost otherwise it starts up at about 60 watts and slowly goes down from there. Samsung inverter fridges are awesome.
  • Post in thread: 25ah LiFePO4 Cells For Sale

    man we need to send this guy one of each type of cell for different tests!
  • Post in thread: Hello from Victoria, Australia

    Thanks Pawanranta - I have a 6kw system on my roof in Qld that I got put on 3.5 years ago. its paid for now (I am a burns survivor and have lots of aircon in summer) as I use lots of power in summer. Please note to all my Aussie friends (and correct me if things have changed) -if you have one...
  • Post in thread: 18650 Batteries

    My Soshine 18650 lifepo4 batteries are 1.8 ah. Most lithium ion (not lifepo4) have much higher capacity than that. They are good batteries so far.... They have a lower voltage cut off on the charger (separate setting for lifepo4)
  • Post in thread: Hello from Tampa Bay..

    Hi there. 1. Fix the panel/ panels securely with some air underneath to keep them cool. (mine are elevated 75 mm. 2. Thick wires from the panel to the solar controller inside the van. 3. Use wills advice for a good mppt controller - get a larger one as you might want to expand later (you cant...
  • Post in thread: I DID IT YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

    thanks Bob for those links -I'm still finding my way around the website
  • Post in thread: TOP NOTCH Samsung (SR255MLS) 255 litre Inverter Fridge that runs on an oily rag -great for home or RV

    A good consumption figure for such a big fridge.
  • Post in thread: Good day from down under.

    Look at the ones that Will recommends. Are those white wires power ones? They look small.
  • Post in thread: Big thanks to Will and Gnubie

    svetz -thanks so much friend -I have never been able to find that page somehow. Awesome
  • Post in thread: NEVER buy an all in one MPP ON Amazon!

    I could not find a trace of them in USA but plenty in Asia - they have been here for about 7 years now. Somebody there needs to demand inverter technology. Aircons too. They go in my town for 100 to $250 second hand. I got a near new one for $250. Plenty of people have had them in RV's for 5...
  • Post in thread: 195w 1.3A Fridge wont run off my 1400w UPS?

    You guys in the USA need to lobby your stores for better fridges. Samsung and LG have been putting out inverter fridges that convert to DC. You can literally start them on a 200 watt inverter. My Samsung fridge 225 litre (with a 52 litre freezer) from a hot start (no cold in the fridge) it uses...
  • Post in thread: DIY BMS

    Most of what you have described is in this product. Id love to know what others think. A mate of mine who lives close by has run his entire house using one of these and a bank of lifepo4 for 4 years now. No problems as yet. The data % yadayada it puts out is huge. Controller, battery meter...
  • Post in thread: A third the volume half the weight and almost the same power - Elaborate hoax or quantum leap forward in LIFEPO4 ?

    I DON'T have the answer but I'm asking those who do have these new beaut blue cells. We all know how ebeey and Al -i and other places love to add 50 percent or double the value of panels, batteries and say things are mppt when they are not yada yada. We measure panels truthfully by looking at...
  • Post in thread: Bought some BIG (280AH) cells on Alibaba

    I'm very interested - I have just posted about the capacity of some new cells. Your cells (12 pounds in weight) is 5.4 KG. A 260 amp hour winston brand cell is 8.9 Kg. Winstons can be discharged at 3C. This is why I am asking when this quantum leap in weight performance happened? Its a huge and...
  • Post in thread: What are some of your favorite lower voltage appliances? 12v or 24v verses 110/120v?

    Engel fridges use about 3- 5 amps when they are on depending on the model. Its more the question of how much of the time they are on. I have a forty litre Engel that is sometimes only on a fifth of the time. This also depends on the ambient temperature of the day and how much food is in it...
  • Post in thread: Videos I'd Like to See

    Not sure what you mean - just cant buy this stuff off the shelf. One battery and a heap of solar panels? I met a guy who filled the roof of his Toyota bus with solar panels to the point that every inch was covered. He had only one battery. He said he slept at night mostly, so did all his...
  • Post in thread: 4:38 AM, not a creature was stirring, except

    Welcome DThames its 8:42 in Australia
  • Post in thread: I have 61" front to back and 55" rain gutter to rain gutter on the roof of my Sprinter RV. What is the most Solar I can fit there?

    I would put the mount near the gutter and if you dont worry about what it looks like take the panel so that it goes out as far as the side panels do. More shade if its hot and maximum solar. I know a guy who covered His toyota coaster with panels - he only had 200 amp hours of storage but he...
  • Post in thread: Making three 200ah batteries to parallel into 600ah battery bank

    Earlier he said he was going to take 250 ah a day from it. I might be wrong but Daly 12 volt only go up to 200 amps not 300 amps. Gee Bill how do you chew up 250 ah in one day in an rv? Bake a roast in an oven and an aircon? My max is 60ah in a day.
  • Post in thread: Can I get away with 95-100% DOD?

    I want to know whats in a plastic box before I buy it. Companies that have big warrantees just charge more to cover a % of customers that will bother to use it. Some of these boxes have over 300 small cells in them with over 600 small spot welds. A lot to go wrong. Some might not even be...
  • Post in thread: Anyone purchase from Gobel Power, experience?

    I ordered my 8 Eve cells on the 14th April from Gobel and got them yesterday 11th June. I live in Brisbane not far from the off grid garage guy. Wendy has been great and I will certainly buy from her again. I was charged no duties taxes here in Australia. The cells look great in everyway with...
  • Post in thread: Lithium Batteries

    Im really sold on Lithium Prismatic cells from WInston and Calb for quality and close to 8 years of testing etc that I've seen here. Unfortunately when I started looking at them 6 years ago the price was $ 1.75a/h (AUD) so 4 cells at $175 (100 ah) was $700. We were nearly on parity with the...
  • Post in thread: Solar Panel mounts

    Six mounts per panel (200 watts) three on each long side. Screwed and Glued on epdm roof with dicor sealing of the screws. Many here are only glued (sikaflex ployeurethane or saudal fixall from Belgium) but you must use the prep and primers. I have two friends who glued their ENTIRE desert...
  • Post in thread: Clamp Meter < $100?

    I bought a Uni-T and like it lots. Make sure you get the clamp one that does DC and AC. Some only do AC. Or is it the other way around? I bought the UT 204 A
  • Post in thread: Making three 200ah batteries to parallel into 600ah battery bank

    How do we make sure resellers aren't on here making claims there are prismatic factories on every corner over there. It seems like every reseller wants to give the picture that they are the manufacturer.
  • Post in thread: Any land for Tiny House available?

    We have so much room per person in Australia its not funny. Some towns will fine you if you try park anywhere except the caravan (trailer) park. Even if you are fully self contained this can apply. My club is buying/leasing its own parks (just water and dump point -no power $3 a night/person) We...
  • Post in thread: totaly confuesd

    Maximise your solar panels. We can get 5 biggies here (200w ) for $100. The apprentice who lives across the road from me has admitted to throwing entire arrays into the rubbish tip. People upgrading their rooves. If you can get them cheap and cover your roof etc and maybe the woodhouse too you...
  • Post in thread: CPAP Power source

    Some future thoughts for cpap for all cpap users. Six years ago I bought a transcend cpap (they have the other autopap too) They use the same humidifier that works off your own breathed out air that hospitals have been using for many years if you need it. These machines use a tiny 6-7 amp hours...
  • Post in thread: Alibaba LiFePo4 batteries

    I dont think a battery full of 18650 small cells equates to four winston cells in terms of cycles. Many of the manufacturing videos I looked at had heaps of small cells being spot welded together. Too many joins and how good is that little cell? Is it going to do 5000 or just 2000 cycles. My...
  • Post in thread: Alibaba LiFePo4 batteries

    Of course -now I understand thanks
  • Post in thread: Do my new blue cells need to be packed together ?

    The guy I bought my cells from who does lots of domestic and commercial installations told me I need to put at least 1mm of extra plastic between the cells in case the blue plastic wears off from movement of the RV. He was quite serious about this. Any more gap and the connect bars that I got...
  • Post in thread: TOP NOTCH Samsung (SR255MLS) 255 litre Inverter Fridge that runs on an oily rag -great for home or RV

    Put the inverter next to the battery (or fairly close then run the 240 to the fridge.
  • Post in thread: Hello from Victoria, Australia

    Hi from Sunny Queensland mate. I put 400 watts of solar on my motorhome about 5 years ago. All going well. Would love to help if I can. I have pictures on how I attached them too. Try to get them up off the roof as they are more efficient when they are kept cool. Sikaflex or Fixall are great to...
  • Post in thread: Do my new blue cells need to be packed together ?

    Thanks so much for your help
  • Post in thread: A third the volume half the weight and almost the same power - Elaborate hoax or quantum leap forward in LIFEPO4 ?

    Thats great info Keith and an awesome set up - you chose good components. I think these blue batteries will be more suited to low loads. (ie not 2500 inverters) Im putting a box like yours Keith in my motohome. Two fridges drawing about 3 amps each (12 volts) and a HF radio that can draw up to...
  • Post in thread: BLS 4x 3.2V 200Ah LiFePO4 - voltage difference between cells

    I was talking to Jason today on email. He has been answering very quickly. The price of the 190 a/h blueys pack jumped in Australian dollars from $879 to $931 overnight. He asked me to take a photo of the page. Hoping for a quick reply like all the other letters but waited all day. Rightly or...
  • Post in thread: I DID IT YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

    Im thinking how you would program it for DIY prismatic cells. 13. 8 for HVD and 12.8 for reconnect? 12 volts for LVD? Am I on the right track here?
  • Post in thread: My setup thanks to Will

    Rcrabbe64 - what bms did you go with?
  • Post in thread: Cascading Transfer Switches

    yes a simple diagram would really help. So when the power stops from the genie it automatically switches to the inverter?o
  • Post in thread: Inverter Batteryless System

    When I use a 16 amp kettle to boil water for a cup of tea from a 120 amp hour (lead acid) battery I watch the charging amps coming through the controller. From 0 (battery is fully charged) it goes up to 12 amps (maximum power for the sunshine of that day) until the kettle boils. WIthin less than...
  • Post in thread: Alibaba LiFePo4 batteries

    Can I ask the price new?
  • Post in thread: A third the volume half the weight and almost the same power - Elaborate hoax or quantum leap forward in LIFEPO4 ?

    Man thats good! I was looking at SSR's (solid state relays) today - high quality ones. • Control Voltage: 4-32VDC • Control Current: 28mA max. You only need a small current to activate up to 30 volts at a 100 amps.
  • Post in thread: Good day from down under.

    what do they say about your 30 month warranty?
  • Post in thread: Recommendations for brackets with van roof rack?

    I raced out and took this photo. 75mm x 50 mm X 3mm aluminium angle. I have three brackets like this on each of the long sides of the panel. Glued (sikaflex polyurethane glue) and screwed into the roof with those stainless screws. Its been there for 5 years now. Many just glue them to the roof...
  • Post in thread: A third the volume half the weight and almost the same power - Elaborate hoax or quantum leap forward in LIFEPO4 ?

    I think I'm ready to buy them! Thanks mainly to you and a few others! Keith -did you use the Victron BMV -712 to do the high capacity cut out? Do you wire a relay that the BMV cuts off when it reaches full voltage or capacity? If not can you tell us what monitors the high end cut off. And how...
  • Post in thread: A third the volume half the weight and almost the same power - Elaborate hoax or quantum leap forward in LIFEPO4 ?

    Thanks Woggs and Solar Rat - I had not seen this video. Awesome! Answers quite a bit. Thanks so much Keith they do seem to do very well for the size and weight. Much smaller for my motorhome. What balancer are you using ? and what is the blue box on the top left? thanks in advance
  • Post in thread: Do my new blue cells need to be packed together ?

    My new 206 amp hour CATL cells arrived today. Can I leave an air gap for cooling between them 2 cm? or should they be face to face? I can adjust the terminal link size. The guy I bought them off recommended I put 1 mm thick plastic between them to stop the blue wearing off when RV moves. Ideas...
  • Post in thread: Do my new blue cells need to be packed together ?

    thanks mate - have a look at this idea taken from another thread.
  • Post in thread: NEVER buy an all in one MPP ON Amazon!

    I see supervstech thanks for information
  • Post in thread: I have 61" front to back and 55" rain gutter to rain gutter on the roof of my Sprinter RV. What is the most Solar I can fit there?

    I hope you buy top quality batteries and look after them to get your twenty years (Jake). If fold out panels are too pricey just make your own at any size. Its only two hinges and a catch - there are some 50 watt plus panels that have smaller and much lighter aluminium frames.
  • Post in thread: How does this BMS cut off charging when a too high level is reached?

    Can somebody please explain how this BMS can cut off the charging from the solar controller to the battery when the red and the black railroad tracks on the outer sides of the diagram completely bypass the BMS in the middle. Nothing can stop current over filling those batteries unless the outer...
  • Post in thread: Going to lithium, converter question....

    Awesome explanation snoobler. We have a group of RV guys who started out with LIFEPO4 8 years ago and they still face ridicule for keeping their charging voltage at or below 13.8volts. It's at that level that my cells start to get up to 0.040 volts out from each other when normally they are only...
  • Post in thread: 24V Tiny Cabin

    Gosh my 200 amp hour 12 volt battery weighs 16 Kg. Its going in my motorhome. Pick it up and take it home! No theft, no problems - find a use for it at home with another system. You have an asset that you can use anywhere. House boat car picnic cabin events yada yada. Solve all your problems...
  • Post in thread: TOP NOTCH Samsung (SR255MLS) 255 litre Inverter Fridge that runs on an oily rag -great for home or RV

    https://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57597&hilit=Samsung+fridge Let me know if this link doesnt work
  • Post in thread: TOP NOTCH Samsung (SR255MLS) 255 litre Inverter Fridge that runs on an oily rag -great for home or RV

    After battling for 30 mins to turn my computer off Australia and onto USA I found that USA fridge size for Samsung starts at just over TWICE the size of this one (20 cubit feet). There were no small Samsung fridges over there. SIGGHHH I tried lol. Do you have any low usage inverter fridges? This...
  • Post in thread: Inefficient RV Fridge?

    https://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57597&hilit=Samsung+fridge Some countries can get this inverter fridge - it is so efficient and very popular in Australia. Mine averages about 45 watts. 130watts during a short defrost. When you start it from room it uses about 80watts but...
  • Post in thread: 4:38 AM, not a creature was stirring, except

    another QLDer awake
  • Post in thread: Alibaba LiFePo4 batteries

    A lot of folks here gonna get some cool cells soon.
  • Post in thread: 4:38 AM, not a creature was stirring, except

    is that grid connection between nsw and vic - is vic struggling or is it the other way around?
  • Post in thread: Load solar generator with alternator of a small car

    I like this thing Tobias -you can dial up the voltage and amperage you want. That means you can set it to whatever voltage and amperage you want. Its a dc to dc converter and very cheap. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32964442336.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.5fc22e0eRkQLTH There is only ONE...
  • Post in thread: Lithium Chargers - Keeping to the sweet spot

    I had to post this from your above site. Its too good not to add here. its lifepo4 sepcific too. I think your idea is good because I have been thinking about doing the same thing. I have a mate who runs his lifepo4 batteries with total cut off using arduino program to measure voltages and then...
  • Post in thread: Alibaba LiFePo4 batteries

    Sure is grizzman - unfortunately T1 promised (I still have the email) that I could join the group and then it did not come good. I was sad and would have liked to have known the finer points of the latching relay and change over to hot water element. I think I have worked out most of the rest...
  • Post in thread: Load solar generator with alternator of a small car

    This one is a step down but the difference has to be 1.5 volts lower - that means the highest voltage you could charge with is 12.7 and then dial up 8 -9 amps...
  • Post in thread: Lithium Chargers - Keeping to the sweet spot

    Wow Laurie i'm excited! Good work. I can get three of those for $10 This is a circuit with a 10vz Zenner diode that cuts off at 10 volts. We would need something higher like 12.2vz or higher if you wanted. I think the percentage in the battery monitor is much more accurate than voltage. here...
  • Post in thread: I DID IT YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

    Does the book show the user defined levels for lifepo4 for the MT50? User mode
  • Post in thread: Inverter Batteryless System

    Never seen one in Australia -let me know if find one.
  • Post in thread: Alibaba LiFePo4 batteries

    Please let us know the quality of these when you get them Sajjen
  • Post in thread: TOP NOTCH Samsung (SR255MLS) 255 litre Inverter Fridge that runs on an oily rag -great for home or RV

    Yes it does come down to how long it is on or off and how big it is. My 40 litre twelve volt is like that too but it is one sixth of the size.
  • Post in thread: totaly confuesd

    Mate aren't you in Qld somewhere? I will look for some for you.
  • Post in thread: TOP NOTCH Samsung (SR255MLS) 255 litre Inverter Fridge that runs on an oily rag -great for home or RV

    We thought the Samsung fridge would die on bad Australian dirt roads out west. Eight years later they have not reported one failure. They are amazing.
  • Post in thread: G'Day from Australia

    Welcome mate -there are a few of us on here. Im going to put up a few batteries being sold on ebay here. Welcome. I'm from Brisbane.
  • Post in thread: What are some of your favorite lower voltage appliances? 12v or 24v verses 110/120v?

    I have a Waeco Plastic Jug that boils water. It uses 16 amps at 12 volts. Great during the day for that hot cup of tea. I have lots of BA14 Led bulbs - they replace the old incandescent ones. Like my QLD mate above I run a buck converter to boost my 12 volt to 18.9 volts for my transcend low...
  • Post in thread: Lead Crystal Batteries?

    Please look into the high charge rates and charging profile needed for these batteries. I manage to get the ones I have charged but it takes the right voltage and amps. Like others have said - I will be going to lifepo4 when my current RV batteries are finished.
  • Post in thread: pumping water without batteries

    Hey Nick -many farmers in Australia use solar pumps that need no batteries. I know my cousin has a few on his beef cattle property. I dont know what brand he has. The first link definitely has no batteries. The second link has a controller box - I guess it cuts in the pump when the power is...
  • Post in thread: Alibaba LiFePo4 batteries

    I'm looking at $1 400 Australian to buy 4 x 200 amp hour Winston cells. If they dont last at least 10 years then the cost is very high. With 400 amp hours of AGM (rough equivalent and then some) it would cost at least $100 a year. If the winstons last 15 years then its just under $100 a year and...
  • Post in thread: Lithium Chargers - Keeping to the sweet spot

    I will keep working on it . Some solid state relays use very small power to activate . If we put a small power source on the side that closes on the battery monitor relay then it could use very power to do this -we only need enough to activate the relays. Most DC to DC SSR are normally open and...
  • Post in thread: Which scenario will make my lifepo4 cells last longer?

    In the lead acid days we kept our batteries brimming on 100% if we could get them there in the time it took to fill them. Now we have batteries (lifepo4) that are much happier sitting at 60% for months on end. I know some people who are disconnecting their batteries (eg have an RV in another...
  • Post in thread: New guy - General question about expanding a system

    My brother had one that pumped a huge volume from his bore in his plant nursery. Lasted 20 years till he had to pull it up - an expensive job in itself.
  • Post in thread: DIY BMS

    @jezohare is it true that this new SBMSO turns the digital relays (is that what they are?) on and off many times a second (PWM?) and monitors that level according to how the batteries are going? I know a group of RV and house guys here who get a plasmatronics pl20 to replicate it's action...
  • Post in thread: Which scenario will make my lifepo4 cells last longer?

    Hey thanks so much rider for your response. I will probably end up with something to use more of the power thus shortening the life.
  • Post in thread: I have a 1200W inverter

    I know all the pros about 24 volts and would love to do it but I would have to rebuy inverters and a big 24 to twelve volt converter. My 12 volt Waeco kettle chews 16 amps when it boils water. That might have to be a big converter. Stove fan, water pump, fridge, freezer, lights, toilet flush...
  • Post in thread: A third the volume half the weight and almost the same power - Elaborate hoax or quantum leap forward in LIFEPO4 ?

    Thanks Johan that helps me lots. Im just deciding which group to buy them off now. There are some on ebay here in OZ but they are a little dearer than Aliexpress.
  • Post in thread: Hello from down under

    Im in Aus too mate and just got 4 X 206 amp hour cells -im trying to charge them in parallel.
  • Post in thread: Gobel decoder doesn’t show cell details

    https://www.xihopower.com/qr-decoder/Cell_QR_Decoder/ use this decoder from somewhere else - it gives the same results as your decoder!
  • Post in thread: Building Your Own Lithium Batteries

    Cliffman if you balance them well at the beginning (top and bottom) you will find that they wont get out of balance unless you push the top end lots or let them drain out. I know guys after 7 years of rv use their cell voltages are very close and they have NO balancer. Many only have a cell...
  • Post in thread: Hello from Victoria, Australia

    Col - are you doing an RV or stuff at home. People selling 24 volt panels on gum tree are a great way to start. They take them off their rooves to put on higher powered ones. I bought 5 suntechs for $100. Then get a controller that will do your needs into the future ( I would get 40amps at...
  • Post in thread: TOP NOTCH Samsung (SR255MLS) 255 litre Inverter Fridge that runs on an oily rag -great for home or RV

    For five years now caravan and motorhome folk in Australia have been adding this fridge to their rigs. The reason? Power consumption for a fridge this big is awesome. Just over 2 amp/hours at 12.8 volts on average. You get a 71 litre freezer running at minus 21C and a 158 litre fridge running at...
  • Post in thread: Battery monitor for simple system

    $30 for 100amps less than $40 for 350 amp - make sure you reset the meter every month by pressing the right hand button in for 10 seconds -that stops the recal getting out of whack. Only do it when the battery is full and the screen says 100 percent. Ive had mine for 7 years -awesome.
  • Post in thread: totaly confuesd

    Give me some time to get some.
  • Post in thread: RV Happiness

    My starting battery is next to my house battery and I have a wire with a clip on it that I change over to topping up the starter when the house is full. If you have different battery chemistries then a change over relay from house to starter would keep it topped up while you are stationary. If...
  • Post in thread: Speed Charging my Tesla w/ Offgrid Solar Shed System :)

    Very cool Will -congrats - you are living the dream buddy!
  • Post in thread: Hello from Tampa Bay..

    I got given a Milwaukee drill but the battery pack was gone - old nicads. I just soldered up new batteries inside the pack - NiMh. It goes a long time now. Nice tool! Makita seem to be the big one here in Aus.
  • Post in thread: Brackets for Aluminum Case cells

    Do they need bracing or brackets or can you leave an air gap between them?
  • Post in thread: Hello from down under

    Ive been using a 8 amp buck converter but Im running it at 5 amp and 4 volts and it doesnt seem to be getting my 206 ah cells very far. Im in Brisbane.
  • Post in thread: What are some of your favorite lower voltage appliances? 12v or 24v verses 110/120v?

    My absorbtion fridge going to be replaced soon. I have to check for blocked jets and lots of other things. Chews so much power on 12 volt because it is heating. I'm replacing mine with a compressor Engel model the same size. Old technology. They will never be as fast as compressor to rip that...
  • Post in thread: Does anyone try to claim warranty of MPP Solar product?

    Wow I just looked in my spam and found important emails. I've never had this with Gmail before. Something is wrong
  • Post in thread: Used CALB cells

    B. James -I tried to message you but I could not do it. You mentioned a battery balancer that you saw on Wills video that gets your cells within 35mv. Can you tell me its name? Is it the one with colour screen that would fit in the palm of your hand? What size are your batteries that this runs...

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