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  • Building Battery Box for my 24v, 200ah Lifepo4 Battery Bank

    This weekend, I started measuring and drawing up my battery box. The box will be nearly at floor level in my RV but it will rest on a 3/4" sheet of plywood sitting on 4, 1.5" square studs spaced about every 4-5" for support of the roughly 150 lb bank (16, 3.2v, 100ah lifepo4 CALB cells). The...
  • Unistrut Installation - How Much Spacing Between Roof and back of Solar Panel?

    I am in process of purchasing four, 10-foot sections of unistrut channel. My plan is to secure two pairs of two, 10-foot rails in the 20-foot space between the rear and front access hatches on my bus (MCI 102AW3, 40-foot bus). I have a set of six (6) 3x6 SanTan Solar 270watt (250 effective...
  • Assembling my 6P8S CALB Battery Bank (48, 3.2v, 100ah Lifepo4 Cells, Daly 500amp, 2/0 cables to Bus Bar)

    Last weekend (2/5/2022), I disassembled my 24v, 200ah battery bank that I've had in my RV for about 1.5 years. It consisted of two, 24v, 100ah CALB battery packs (total of 16 3.2v, 100ah lifepo4 cells) with 1 BMS managing each pack (2 BMS total). The BMS were the 100amp (50charge) ANT Smart...
  • Charging two, 24v, 100ah Lifepo4 Battery Packs - Ant BMS (7S-16S, 320amp)

    This weekend, I proceeded to charge the battery banks. They were bottom balanced at 3.2v. One thing that surprised me was that when each bank reached individual cut-offs of 3.65v (it cut off when the first cell passed 3.65v), the ChargeMOS indicated cutoff. However, both continued to charge...
  • Victron Energy Battery Balancer

    Is this good insurance: https://www.solar-electric.com/victron-energy-battery-balancer.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0On8BRAgEiwAincsHFjhsdpaEjzKORvLzOYXKa_UKopimDYuJtSN5ecZiOLp0QCek4J14BoC36kQAvD_BwE I am building a battery bank of two, 24v, 100ah lifepo4 battery packs (a total of 16, 32.v, 100ah CALB...
  • Tried Venus v2.90 to v3.21 on Raspberry Pi 4B - Appears to have failed

    Today, I fired up my raspberry pi (testing it) and checked for firmware updates available. It showed I am at 2.90 and 3.21 is available. So, having the ability to update while venus os is running, I proceeded. When all was done, I now get the Victron Energy blue screen and along bottom I see...
  • RS-485 Data Logging Software for AIMS hardware

    Is there a reasonably priced software solution to leverage a Windows 10 based computer to monitor AIMS solar charge controller and inverter using the RS-485 interface?
  • 24v, 400ah Batrium BMS solution with 32, 3.2v CALB 100ah cells

    First off, my entire solution is based on 24v battery packs and a 24v, 6000watt Aims inverter/charger. If the inverter/charger were 48v, I'd go with two 48v packs of 16 cells each. As it is, I am considering four, 24v packs. I just heard about the Batrium products. They are not cheap and...
  • Mounted 6, 250watt SanTan Solar Panels on RV Roof. Have a Question.

    On Sunday, a friend helped me mount the 6, 250watt SanTan solar panels on the roof of my RV. I am beginning to connect wires this evening. My 24vdc power system (up to the common bus bars where DC power flows) consists of the 24v 600ah battery bank, 24vdc 120/240volt 80 amp inverter/charger...
  • AIMS Inverter with Automatic Start for On-Board Diesel Generator - Device to Manage Automatic Start/Shutdown

    Any onboard diesel generator control module recommendations? I have AIMS 6000watt 24v 120/240vAC inverter with ability to send an auto start signal to a controller on an onboard diesel generator. I have 7.2Kw onboard Kubota diesel generator.
  • Aims Inverter Charger Fault When Automatic Transfer to Inverter While Aims SCC "ON"

    Several weeks ago, I went 'operational' (in my driveway) with my 1500watt solar with a 60amp Aims Solar Charge Controller into my upsized 15kW Lifepo4 battery bank. This weekend, the Aims inverter/charger flipped from battery to shore/charge when the batteries dropped to 24v (as it should)...
  • Need to Confirm Settings: Testing a Daly 'clone' BMS - Smart 24v 100ah

    I am getting aquainted with the Daly BMS app using a Daly clone BMS that I bought in 2021. I've since taken my 24v, 200ah bank apart in preparation for my 6P8S bank. Before I try to tune the 500amp Daly BMS on the full bank, I wanted to familiarize and tune a smaller BMS on 8, 3.2v cells...
  • AIMS Solar Charge Controller - DC LOAD Connection

    My AIMS SCC60-100A has three connections at bottom in addition to the Network and Battery Temp Sensor: Solar Pv +/- Battery +/- DC Load +/- Currently, my AIMS Inverter/Charger is wired to the Bus batteries directly using 4 gauge wires with an in-line fuse. As I install the solar system to...
  • My order for eight (8) 3.2v, 100Ah lifepo4 battery cells.

    Seller is Shenzhen Basen Technology, China. I am in process of confirming the total price plus shipping as well as shipping date. $55 per 3.2v, 100ah cell includes the bus bars, screws and caps for both pos and neg...
  • AIMS SCC60AMPPT Solar Charge Controller - Battery Temperature Sensor attachment to lifepo4 battery cell

    I need to understand how to attach the BTS to my battery. In another forum, it was mentioned that the sensor can be embedded in silicone on the battery. However, in my case, I have eight (8), 3.2v, 100ah lifepo4 cells set up in Series for a 24v battery bank. Do I just tape the sensor to...
  • Is Battery Balancer necessary? If so, WHEN?

    I am designing and building my solar power system for my MCI 102AW3 bus (former Greyhound). My question: Do I need a Battery Balancer? I purchased a $70 Victron Battery Balancer. My system as-planned today: 250watt x 6 solar array with associated wires and leads to the solar charge...
  • Raspberry Pi Ethernet data logging?

    Has anybody explored or set up a data logging hat on Raspberry Pi 4B to collect data from an ethernet cable? I want to log data from an RJ45 cable that is attached to my Aims 6000watt inverter/charger. The RJ45 currently feeds a proprietary Aims display. My goal is to monitor/track data...
  • Grid vs Solar AC power sources - Phasing of the AC Voltage is why we must switch between them... Right?

    I saw a post on another forum where somebody asked if they could add another AC voltage source while grid connected. I wanted to say there would be issues. After consideration, I realized the issue would be the phase of the two power sources; they would not be in phase. Therefore, if I had a...
  • BMS Requirements and Cost for 200ah and larger Lifepo4 Cells

    As I have planned and assembled my 4.8Kw battery bank, BMS amperage capacity and price has become a concern. When I bought my first BMS, I bought one rated at 100amp, continuos, 50amp charging. When it arrived, I found the gauge of the cables suspect and am concerned that trying to push...
  • 2000 Watt (1500 Watt), 24v Off-Grid Solar Power System - 1989 MCI 102AW3

    Greetings everyone. I started several threads about the different components of my 'BUS' solar system. Am going to try to keep my posts to this forum/thread going forward as it is a total system and am trying to keep my conversation in one place. To start, my bus has a considerable amount...
  • Rooftop PV Panels - Resetting PV Breakers Restores Amperage of Middle String (3-strings of Panels)

    I have six, 250watt, PV panels on the roof of my RV. They are configured in 3 pairs (500watts each pair). Each pair flows to a Midnite Solar DC breaker (20amp, 150volt) in a combiner box. The middle string of panels drops amps. I will see the panels reach peak amps of about 52-54amps and...
  • Purchased six (6) SanTan 250Watt PV Panels - Best Config Given My Charge Controller?

    I have an AIMS 60amp Solar Charge Controller (SCC60-100A). I am charging two, 24v LifePO4 batteries (I am assembling the two batteries using eight, CALB 3.2v, 100ah cells). Fresh new cells Parameters on the AIMS Solar Charge Controller: PV operating voltage - 15-155Vdc@12V, 15-155Vdc@24V Max...
  • What Unistrut Rail to use to mount panels on roof of an bus/RV?

    I am visiting a local unistrut dealer in Tampa area and will be sourcing two rails and associated hardware to mount 4-6, 250wall panels on the roof of my 1989 MCI 102AW3 (converted) bus. I plan to attach two rails running the length of the bus between the two top hatches; approximately 20-30'...
  • Top Balancing Two, 3.2v, 100ah CALB Cells - Overcharged

    For lack of sufficient bus bars (ordered, I have to fabricate), I have been top balancing pairs (I have four bus bars). Well, After successfully top balancing two pairs of cells, I had a false sense of confidence. I left the cells connected to the DC Power Supply and, for some reason, they...
  • What is the most common RV battery solution? Self-built OR Vendor Assembled?

    Many solar battery companies are selling 5Kw and larger self-contained battery banks (metal enclosures) with integral BMS, heat/cool management, connections, etc. in a metal case that can be assembled in parallel or in series. Also, many can now be monitored/managed using power management...
  • Battery Disconnect Switch OR Resistor?

    In my current RV solar power wall, I use a 600amp blue sea rotary switch as a quick connect between the Lifepo4 battery and the rest of the 24vdc system (inverter charger, solar charge controller and secondary 24vdc charger). I turn the blue sea switch "ON" before I switch the Aims inverter...
  • What is the recommended Solar PV Combiner Box Configuration?

    I have a Midnite Solar PV Combiner box. It contains six (6), 20amp 150v max DC breakers. I currently have three pairs of panels wired into the box (3 fuses connected). Do I need more protection devices in the box? The +/- cables from the bars in box go to the solar charge controller...
  • NEEDED: LifePO4 cell insulated terminal covers

    The first eight (8), 3.2v, 100ah CALB cells that I received had the wrong terminal covers. They only work to cover the terminal when no hardware present. The second set of 8 included the correct covers that cover the exposed terminal and bus bar ends. I've searched high and low and am not...
  • "Maximum System Voltage"- Considerations for an RV Solar Array

    On my 250watt poly panels from San Tan Solar, maximum system voltage is indicated as 600V (UL). Is this the maximum voltage permitted in a series of panels? I plan to install 6-8 panels (2 in series and then parallel Specifications: Rated Power: 250W Open circuit voltage (VOC): 37.6 V Max...
  • Home grid-tie Solar is SunRun with SolarEdge. Considering DIY generator/battery

    SunRun installed a 9.2kW rooftop (7.6kW inverter) system for $42K. They will upsell name-brand battery banks for serious coin. I'm inclined to move kitchen, laundry and Home AC system breakers into a separate breaker box along with 100a breaker (half of the home 200a service). My goal would...
  • Diving into the deep end

    I happened upon Will's YouTube DIY Solar videos after watching several others' solar installation videos. I am in the process of purchasing and planning install of a 1.5kw polycrystalline solar panel array on the roof of my 40' MCI 102AW3 (commercial bus converted to an RV). The six, 250watt...
  • Tested DALY BMS - At First, Not Impressed... But, it is growing on me.

    This week, I tested a DALY 100amp, 8S 24V bms. After tuning the BMS for three days, I have found that I prefer the Ant BMS. The DALY shortcomings: WEAK phone app (limited graphics, no trending/curing) LIMITED parameters in Configuration screens MARGINAL balancing algorithm Now, I have to...
  • What do you use to put initial charge on your Lifepo4 Battery?

    When my Lifepo4 cells arrived, they all had 3.2v. I assumed (incorrectly) that my inverter/charger would be up to charging them. Also, I did not realize that specifying 'lifepo4' on my BMS settings would be insufficient for the BMS to manage the charge/discharge. Rest assured, I've not run...
  • ANT BMS - Load Testing Week #2

    I just completed week # 2 of stress/load testing of my 5Kw CALB Lifepo4 battery bank connected to my AIMS 6000watt Inverter/Charger. Until Sunday all was well. Sunday morning, I went out to check the status of the system and found the inverter/charger was Alarming (constant tone). The...
  • Aims 60amp Solar Charge Controller: How to Effectively 'Disable' Float?

    I have found on my Aims Solar Charge Controller, that I can set the Float voltage to a point but not OFF. I say this because I attempted to turn Absorption and Float off according to guidance to disable for LifePO4. I have a 24v battery bank, BMS, Inverter and the Solar Charge Controller (the...
  • Max CALB LifePO4 Battery Packs in Parallel?

    I am assembling two 24v packs of eight (8), 3.2v, 100ah CALB lifepo4 cells. In each 8-cell pack, the cells are attached in series. I will be attaching the two packs in parallel. Each 8-cell pack will have a dedicated 8S BMS capable of 100ah continuous (200ah continuous combined) and 200ah...
  • Has Anybody Used Raspberry PI platform to manage RS-485 connected devices?

    My AIMS Power devices have RS-485 ports. I want to monitor, potentially control, them using serial communications. Has anybody tinkered with Raspberry PI and RS-485 comm's on these and other (EPEVER?) devices?
  • Need to Size in-line Fuse for my Bus Solar Power System

    I am preparing to install a 1500watt solar array (6, 250watt panels) to power my 24volt, 2.4Kw Lifepo4 battery system. I am using the AIMS 60amp SCC (SCC60AMPPT) and the 3000watt AIMS Inverter. I need to establish the size(s) and quantity of inline fuses to purchase for my system. Please...

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