Most reacted posts

Thanks to all the help from this community (and a few others) my DIY 2.7 KW ground mounted system is up and running well (so far!)

Its called fraud protection

My understanding is I'd have to fully charge the bank once to get a "calibrated" SOC which I technically haven't done yet. I'm doing this now though.

7mm thick mylar for the bifacial. I'm hoping it will help with reflection in the back and increase output

If that's the case, that video should get reported and probably get taken down. Thoughts? A lot of people will do the wrong thing and get hurt.

0.6 amps is the max for this JK BMS. Regardless I have gotten it to balance within the limit set in the config for the BMS. Why is it questionable that cell 5 has an issue? Clearly it is the only one under performing here right?

From my perspective it matters in terms of getting what you pay for and what's advertised. If one wants B, they can get B (hope you don't get C grade) and if one wants A they should get A and not something else.

Yes I'm thanking them for alerting me of the the negative experiences so that I can be wiser. Hence this post and I'm trying my best to get the best deal. If there is something I can push Docan or anyone to help me ensure I don't get scammed/ripped of. No trolling here.

18650? I've talked with them twice so far, but haven't asked the right questions yet. Will call again tomorrow.

Zhang on FB Marketplace. But I think they live in China. They are confusing because sounds like they would ship from Houston warehouse but then says will ship from China. I'm probably done talking with them, I've learned more and would probably just order from Ezeal

Yeah I'm looking around to try and find something to suite me, but all the All in one inverters I find seem to require > 120 VOC which I'm not looking to do atm with just two panels. Looking for separate parts but trying to make sense of MPPT Charge Controllers + Inverters. This will also be...

Eve proper website url? https://www.evebattery.com/en Also anyone know of Apexium?

No laws are broken either federal or in the state of Georgia or in the state of Texas. I am a participant in the conversation, therefore I can legally record it

I will be doing that part in a similar fashion. But how do you go from the combiner box to the inverter with a 6AWG wire when both are designed for connection with an MC4 connector? EDIT: Ok after looking at my inverter and the combiner box output I see it just has terminals and does not expect...

I just don't get Alibaba yet. I don't know what to trust and it's really hard to communicate with them. Yes, you absolutely right There would be a huge markup likely

So if my Inverter has no grounding aside from the ground for AC Input/output, then my EGC wire will go from the panels to PV Combiner box and then one ground wire from PV Combiner Box all the way to the houses Ground Bus bar? If so thats about 80 feet from the PV Combiner Box to Houses Ground...

What do folks think of this video? I too am trying to understand what to do. In terms of grounding.

Video details what I have to work with. 6x https://store-fhnch.mybigcommerce.com/content/RSP450DT/231123RSP450DT-120-G1 Datasheet.pdf Inverter/Hybrid: SPF 3000 TL LVM-48P 6AWG Wire about 100 feet to get from combiner box (outside) to inverter inside), not detailed in video. Mount will be...

Picture proof is picture proof. If you can prove it and they know they did the fraud lets see what kind of fight they can put up. Unless the counterfeit by now how gotten really good and hard to prove.

Gotta start somewhere lol. Still pricey.

Thanks for that advise. Home is 2,697 sqft AC uses 3000 Watts I believe. 2 Dogs, 5 people.

Yes rest of the equipment meaning my hybrid inverter, battery and ground rod are all located near each other, just the panels and the PV Combiner box are about 80 feet (PV Combiner box) and another 20 feet to panels.

In not principle something unpredictable? What do most folks do in this situation? Just run it through conduit?

Top balance was with the JK BMS active balancer, last time I did it I let it do it till it decided it could balance no more based on the threshold I had set. I've done no discharge test, I don't think I have the equipment to do that.

Got all my panels mounted. Going to be wiring a copper wire between them to ground them. But when it comes to the battery, it seems I need 1 * 4 AWG wire but I can't find that right now. Can I safely use two 6AWG battery wires per pole instead? I also have only one 70AMP fuse and it says max...

Using chat gpt and I we figured 665 pounds of lift force for the panels at 30 degree tilt with 100mph wind.

And what are folks doing to measure/know if the applied compression force is within spec? In my case my battery states 3000N to 7000N and I think it even details/hints something about that changing as the batteries age...

If 3.1 and below they start to get uneven, then I should configure the BMS for low voltage cut off at 3.1? Or maybe the inverter? The way its setup up right now I basically have it cut out / bottom at at like their rated min voltage of 2.5 ~ 2.65

So my EVE 304AH batteries from 18650 battery company in Georgia just came to my house. I'm doing some testing and I'm getting 6.0 mega ohms of resistance? This seems way off yes?

Not really, unless you're picking up directly from there. I purchased from them and when you take into account shipping and taxes (and I live in Texas) it cost me still around $1,500. I think i can still technically return through them, but they have a 40% restock fee I'm trying to avoid. So...

Really curious how long it will take them to ship one item purchase... OK it arrived last week, just checked the mail. Was thrown off since it still says awaiting shipment.

I might contact them and say every 3 months I can get that, balance like I did last time and then just run a load with the shunt to test? This right here right? https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Energy-SmartShunt-Battery-Bluetooth/dp/B0856PHNLX?th=1 Then with the data I can go to...

What is a controlled and safe way to test that things are wired in a safe way so we know we did things right?

Ohh could you provide some clarity?

I have the same PV Combiner box as shown in this video. The slot circled green in this image I've uploaded is the ground. I don't see him doing anything with it? Is that where I attach a wire going form the green out the green circle and to a 8 foot grounding rod? And am I correctly...

Seems cheaper to buy two 30V max 10 amp max DC chargers. I guess I could use both to each charge 8s? Would cut the charge time in half right? 1 Week instead of 2 weeks? The BMS I have has only a 0.6 amp active balancer so that will be really slow to strictly depend on for balancing.

So that's what you are using as padding but what do you use to compress the batteries + paddings?

This is just for me to learn and charge my tesla via a slow charger daily, whatever the system can give it. https://allprossolar.com/product/growatt-3kw-stackable-off-grid-inverter-spf-3000tl-lvm-24p/ https://www.renogy.com/2pcs-bifacial-450-watt-monocrystalline-solar-panel/ 2x...

So my Hybrid Inverter should be handling that? All Cells but 5 are now in balance.

By the way, do you have a lug per panel?

The video I recently shared seems to do that?

HOw did you know to tighten them to spec?

Ah ok, didn't know that. Isn't a range / accuracy issue? Does it mean absolutely nothing?

I mean I have top balanced before and now 3 months latter this is where I'm at.

I think I get it but not sure. Does a bypass diode activate once the PV cells in series produce voltage that is too low? If so what is that threshold? And if that treshold varies per panel how can I learn to read a spec sheet to understand that so I can get an idea for what shading is too much...

Hoa wouldn't let me build a water collector large enough and my yard probably isn't big enough for the amount id have to keep and store. AWG let's you use the air as storage.

Also talking with a local Docan Power distributor. Any questions you guys can think of I should ask to have some peace of mind or is it pretty much buy and find out? I guess I could try buying just one and see?

Yes, and I'm trying to understand what is considered a load versus productive? Is there no way to actually find out or know based on your panel?

Dead meaning it will never charge again or dead meaning its safe 0% SOC? I think the spec sheet says it can go to 2.5 but I obviously don't want to go that low ever.

Would be nice if they gave a test sheet for the batteries with the results of their testing

WHere did you see that? I'm also planning to get this but IDK if the charts will be the same. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CG5MMH63/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A2CCWZO0IDWU7D&psc=1

Yes. I was informed by others that 3S 2P would work with my panels.

Sure but isn't that just one factor for when it happens the other being how the diode is specked out/designed to work?

Oh wow had no idea it was that bad, the comments certainly didn't catch any of that either. That makes it hard for me to know what to do though, as in how much of what he did is bad? Should I not use that PV Combiner box? Should I not get a grounding rod and tie it to the PV Combiner box? I...

According to that calculator I would have to hit -40C which would be -25C lower than the record low recorded for where I live. Not impossible but seems very unlikely. But I am now aware, should temps hit that low, my Inverter will be toast. Just to be clear though, is the VOC related to the SCC...

So to be extra clear, you need a second combiner box and running a whole other set of PV wires to do that even split for the two assuming the panels you want to run are not enough for one?

Haven't hooked my inverter up to draw from grid yet didn't see the point but this sounds like a good reason to. Using a multimeter and the cells resistance matches the others. Check all the tightness on the bolts and they seem good as well. Can share a pic tomorrow of the whole setup

Can you go into more detail with the test reports? I do have an order with 18650 and if you can tell me what I would need to ask to twist their arm that would be great. Likewise that information will be useful as I'm talking with this sales rep for Docan Power. I'm inclined to at least use...

On another solar discord I'm in. They said I could get by with 3S2P. If it's as you say and it won't charge can't I just do 2s3p?

@Bluedog225 I ordered some of this and I'm going to lay it on the ground before installing my panels. VIVOSUN 6 Mil Mylar Film Roll, 4 ft. x 100 ft. Diamond Film Foil Roll, Heavy-Duty Reflective Film for Grow Tent, Warm House, and Grow Room (100 ft.) https://a.co/d/dxF0G6U I'm not sure how...

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/16/more-bark-than-bite-u-s-solar-tariffs-and-the-shadow-of-larger-trade-measures/

Sorry not sure I understand? You think I'm trolling?

To have so many cells nearby but to not know which one I'd get is annoying. Also oddly the documentation for the 304ah is revision A not E? And what happens if batteries don't sell so they keep them charged to stay alive?

I'm having this issue after a restart of it not sure why. Was fine then restarted it and now no AC out.

So I bought one of these per panel I have...

Apologize everybody for the confusion. I ended up getting the 48 volt version of the growatt. , But thanks for flagging that down. What does it mean to say that the two panels will basically just power the inverter? It turns out I need more panels than I will do just that and see if I can find...

So for my panel it says it has FMK4530T Diode part, which I guess means I have to look at the spec sheet of that diode all I could find was this. So my panel has 6x20 PV Cells, with three bypass diodes, meaning each bypass diodes should have 40 PV Cells in its string. My panel is rated at...

So my custom build solar system + DIY Battery (16s EVE 304ah Batteries from 18650batterystore) finally started doing something concerning yesterday. At around 14% reported SOC from JK BMS the inverter just turned off. At first I thought it was my Growatt LVM 3000 48p failing but I noticed the...

Some confusion here. Does this make is so I can buy cheaper Arduino hardware and flash it to act like a ShineWifi module? And if so will it work as a Shine WiFi -F ? Or is this totally something else?

So I'm sure there is a lot more to cover when it comes to wiring but my first though is, should I run two wires from two strings 100 feet to a combiner box that is close to my break box or should I instead keep the combiner box near the solar panels and take a single wire 100 feet to the break...

I found this. My inverter is mounted above this. I'm tempted to drill a hole there since there is already a cut out on the dry wall to get my PV wires from outside to inside my garage. IDK if its unsafe/unwise to run the PV wires through that. It looks like maybe a grounding rod? If so can I...

As I side project I was thinking about this, energy not that big of a concern if you have enough free solar panels to power the system. The best Unit you can buy is probably going to be the for home product sold by WaterGen. But their product isn't ready yet and will cost 5k. I was thinking...

So building a deck and screwing those RV mounts which are designed to hold the panels should work?

Trying to address why my Inverter isn't taking DC to AC right now and came across this which is something I'm also concerned about. But does your growatt power down on off? Mine still stays on when powered off.

It started with looking at buying a portable power station as an all in one system that is missing only the solar panels. From there I learned that some systems don't offer solar charging while battery is discharging. And from there I learned while some systems do that, other portable power...

Yes I'm only using the BMS for SOC, no smart shunt.

I made this diagram before you shared all this so just going to post it but then start breaking down your post and try and make sense of things. Also the PV Combiner box is to combine the two strings, isn't that useful/handy to have a PV Combiner box for that reason? My understanding so far.

Ok thanks for all this extra clarity. Also note I had a miss type of 1/2 inch conduit its actually 3/4 inch a chart stated for 6AWG max wires I can is 4 so I think I'm good with the 3, +,-, Ground. I do not plan on expanding this system, its just to dip my feet into solar. We may move, and...

Perfect I will call and ask them that tomorrow and even state that to the Docan Power, talking with them strictly out of curiosity atm.

That's interesting? I usually just keep my EV plugged in to charge, consumes the same app/load. And I've had it drain my DIY battery down to 3% before shutting off before. This time it stopped at 14% so I wasn't expecting that to happen.

My results assuming I put everything in correctly. I didn't find the VMP? So I put Pmax instead?

It's standby power consumption says <50 watts so max of 1200 watts in 24 hours? I did not realize this but doesn't that mean I just subtract the work the PV does per hour from the unit especially if I only want to run the unit when there is sun out and not have it run at night? Would be nice if...

I asked Docan Power what you said to mention and was given this. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wN4lhSbexyEsxQW2KqZwUB1LedcG9dBbh4RGwXqA-tc/edit#gid=339829848

So my current setup includes six 450W bi-facial solar panels by renogy which I decided to ground mount due to their weight and a few other reasons. I'm looking to potentially put three more on the roof, but I'm looking for the same watts around 450 but lighter so that'll be easier to install on...

Ok so it sounds like if I do things right the existing house ground rod will suffice for my off grid setup? So for the EGC ran to each panel, I take it that means to ensure that each panel is bonded to each other correct? For the EGC from inverter to grid tied power panel, what does that...

I did do something like this to "Calibrate" the difference since the JK had that options, but maybe I did it poorly, pretty sure I had no charge or discharge when I did it though. Do I use the rest difference or the load difference Or take some average?

One thing I've noticed with this BMS is that it won't really balance unless it is charging, SOC is like near 100% and there is no discharge. Since I use this 24/7 it is discharging every day all the time, it never has time to balance. Maybe I need to get a new BMS? Or is this how all BMS work...

This seems to be up to 100 watts only?

Dang they improved the scam? What are the signs now of it being faked?

Voltage of the cells?

I'm trying to code this into a sim with no real electrical background so what is being said is going over my head. I'm trying understand how it functions to see how I can simulate the effect to some extent even if as an approximation. Currently my sim just says if a PV Cell is being shaded...

What does it mean to have the MPPT pick? It doesn't get to decide if the diode activates and bypasses right? So how does it have a choice to pick an option where the Diode isn't bypassing?

D Thanks for being patient with me. Trying to catch up to all this... You think I should ask her if they are related to Ezealco before mentioning this? Or just mention this? EDIT: I just mentioned that its the same report from there.

Is there a wiki on how to do this? Ive got one without the LCD screen all dip switches down, talks to my inverter but not to my raspberry pi with solar assistant.

What is your understanding of the github project and the purpose of this thread then?

Trickle charge my car with its slow 120V-15-20amp AC charger for as long as there is sunlight with a small 2-3kWh battery for backup should we need it during an outage.

How have these not hit amazon yet?

Also when balancing how can I be sure that balancing is occuring and not that the other cells are just discharging to slowly match the lower bad cell? If I charge it doesn't look like the 1 cell that is low voltage is going to ever reach as high as the others.

If this is the case then they must have some sort of internal definition for what A means and what B means that I'd like to hear. Tomorrow I'm calling 18650batteries to ask them as a first time buyer I'd really like to know where I'm getting. They seem more reputable so that's why I'm starting...