Most reacted posts

I have been asked this question way too many times: Does solar power really pay off? Especially my neighbors, they still ask if my investment and work on my solar power system pays off. The simple answer is a resounding YES! I have invested a lot of time and money into solar, and I have made...

Panel addition completed.

In March this year (2021), I installed a small system with a Growatt 24 SPF3000TL and encountered power fluctuation issues that I could not resolve. See this link: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/growatt-24v-spf-3000tl-lvm-off-grid.15416/page-4 I ran into all kinds of issues that included...

Someone from this forum mentioned "DIYSOLARFORUM" in their Amazon review, and the fact that they cancelled their order has caused CHINS to get in an uproar. I guess they checked it out, and they are slamming me for not changing my negative review on Amazon, which was part of the agreement for...

I had twelve 100W panels that I initially bought to keep mobile for various uses. Mostly for RV'ing and other portable uses. Since I no longer need them in that capacity, I wanted to set them up permanently and get some use out of them. I needed a ground mount and was contemplating building one...

I lived in Germany for 26 years. Lowering costs on just about everything is a big thing. Europeans are very energy conscious and look to save every drop of gasoline to every watt of electricity, as well as being better informed and educated on environmental issues. During my life in Germany, I...

The first battery capacity test is complete. The test took 14 hours and 57 minutes. Battery #2 is fully charged and the load tester is now connected to it. I will post the results for it tomorrow. So here are the results for battery #1. Actual 2625.87Wh - It is rated at 2560Wh Actual 213.2Ah -...

It is very simple as the base mount has only three parts: Two 6x6 treated wood posts, each cut in half making 4, four foot posts. Three 2-3/8" x 8' Galvanized WT-40 Chain-Link Fence Terminal Posts Six 2-3/8" Galvanized Pipe Grip Tie Dig 24" holes, and set posts with quickcrete at a separation...

I too had a great experience with Ian and vast knowledge of the products he sells. Maybe a good posting about positive sellers is a good idea.

I ordered two CHINS 200Ah LiFePO4 batteries through Amazon, and they arrived today. I did the unpacking, took some pictures and will post my testing and review progress over the coming days. The batteries are warming up to room temperature today. Once they warm up, I will start. The unpacking...

I started the post, I am now done with this thread. This has turned too political. All I wanted was some feedback if people thought there solar installation was worth it. Thanks to those who kept to the topic of the post. See you around the forum.

GREAT NEWS! I escalated this with Amazon, and CHINS already sent me return UPS shipping labels. They are already packed and I am taking them to the UPS drop off a little later. Going to order two more of the 200Ah Ampere Time Batteries I already have while they are still $200 off. It was fun...

I forgot to mention that Lion Energy wanted the serial number of the battery which was well hidden. Lion Energy prints the serial numbers on the housing under the flip up handles. Just lift the handles and look on the outside edge of the housing to find it. My replacement Lion Energy UT1300...

If you get a Victron Energy SCC and VE battery sense, there is no need to rip your batteries apart.

Yeah, I am disappointed. I am already getting all kinds of worthless feedback from CHINS. They said they are sending my data and results to their engineers to try and resolve this issue. WHAT???????????????????? How are you going to resolve this? Only way I can think of is to send me a...

Here is a quick update on the load testing for the Ampere Time 200Ah Plus batteries. I did a load test and pushed my Growatt inverter to OVER 100% of its rating of 3000W. I held it at 3.04KW output from the batteries in series (24v). The load was held for 12 minutes, and I shut it down because...

I just received an email from Ampere Time that the batteries have arrived in port (California), but held up at customs. Once the batteries clear, I will get a FedEx tracking number. Ampere time has been very friendly and responsive to all of my questions. They sent me the owners manual I...

It took all of 5 minutes. I never would have thought that the AC input ground would be all I needed. I thought it was isolated. The quick verification was to disconnect my solar box ground, did a continuity test on the grounding posts AC in /out on the Growatt. Just to make sure, I did a...

OK, I am done with the testing and have contacted CHINS for a refund. Let's see how this goes. I charged the batteries partially, then put under a load to see if the low voltage cut-off worked. I let it drop to 8.37v and gave up. The BMS's just do not work, they provide no protection whatsoever...

I am not going to agree nor disagree with you. I spent many months going over this topic, among others. As for a definitive answer/interpretation, see this link for the UL Code Authorities: https://code-authorities.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/AlternativeEnergy_AG.pdf My local code...

I think you took me out of context. My resounding YES!, was my answer, I was not answering for all members of this forum, and the rest of the solar using world. If you read my posting to the end, I posed the question to all with no answer. Everyone sees it differently. You see, when is all...

Once my Growatt 3000W inverter shows up Friday, one of my first tasks is to set up a provisional system, get the Growatt configured and test the AC charging, solar charging and naturally try to max out the inverter. That will need about 125A. I also have a 12V Giandel 2200W inverter that will...

OK it is official now, I regret buying the Jakiper batteries. Customer Service is useless. The answers you get are not clear, and you have to guess at what they are trying to have you do. Now the answer is, I have to have this cable that you cannot order (Backlog), and my battery in the...

I started my first DIY solar project just a little over a year ago after getting an estimate on a grid tie solar system. I was shocked at the price. $36,000+, not including the permitting. The permitting alone is a joke. As mentioned above by offgrider, monthly fee's for grid tie, joke of a KWh...

I read through the entire manual and did an internet search. The RST button does not react. Had it depressed for over a minute with no success. Tried it with the breaker on and off. I can’t even turn the battery off. The display menu still works. I can go through everything and look. It shows 0...

I mentioned that I had a possible defective Lion Energy UT1300 last year mixed in one of my postings. Some asked how the customer service is with return/replacement. Well here is what happened and what I am doing about it. Nothing bad to report. I was told to keep an eye on the battery for a...

Well, after testing the batteries, I feel really good about them. I am setting up a system for my home, and wanted to get four of these if they proved to be good batteries. After closely looking at other 200Ah batteries, I came across the CHINS 200Ah LiFePO4 battery om Amazon. It has the...

I disagree with you on that point. Home improvements add great value to your home. A house that is outdated, old kitchen and bath rooms, needing paint, 100A electric service, single pane windows, old roof, old furnace and water heater will get you a really low ball price. On the other hand...

Hello Zhoulun, I would like to offer some polite and friendly advice. I am glad that you have decided to offer an upgraded version of your battery which confirms my statement not to buy new releases of products until the issues are resolved. I am still having an issue with the one battery that...

Update: I ordered the batteries the day they were available (Dec 4, 2021), They were sent out, got lost, then found, and arrived to me on Jan 24, 2022. I Unpacked them and let them stand for over 24 hours to acclimate. I activated the batteries and connected them one at a time to my charger. I...