Most reacted posts

Just posted a new thread to see what people think... https://diysolarforum.com/threads/victron-smartshunt-or-smart-battery-sense-or-both.38425/

It seems to be working now, thank you for sorting this out!!!

Hello, I've got Blue Sea battery disconnects, two, one red, one black. Any reasons why not to have both in my system on the battery wires?

Thank you everyone for their replies. It looks like I can use either bolts or studs, for bolts I'll have to be careful not to pierce the cells. Does anyone know the recommended torque to tighten these please? Thanks!

Thank you! I have not yet computed the wire sizes, I have computed the fuses based on the appliances used. Wire sizes would be next step.

Hi fellow DIY-ers, I would like to add fuses for the BMS sense wires, and thus change the wires altogether. I've got confirmation from Hankzor that the wires don't need to be equal in length, but max length is 150cm (see screenshot attached). My question is, do you know what sort of plug...

Hi fellow solar enthusiasts! We had a high pollen ? period here in the UK and everything was covered in yellow dust. I knew about the pollen period, but had no idea it can significantly decrease production until I noticed the numbers being quite a bit lower than expected. I noticed in peak...

I understand, thank you. What would be the minimum safe rating then? I suppose 100v. I'm not talking about the wires from the panel to the combiner and MPPT, which are solar cables, but rather about the wires from MPPTs to the batteries and inverter...

I saw systems were they had disconnects on both wires, wondering why then? Is it possible that some batteries need both sides disconnected - i.e.: pylontech?

I'm not even 40 years old... :giggle:... so I'll need numbers. Yes, I've heard 4NM for the older model with welded studs, but haven't seen info on these types I have now.

I don't think I noted any BMS from overkill to offer over 100 amps. Can you somehow have two connected? I doubt it but it's worth asking... Here in the UK, Daly can be found for sale, but as @OffGridGuy mentioned on another post, the larger BMSes from Daly are not something to be proud off...

Fellow DIY-ers, I couldn't believe my eyes, but it seems that LittleFuse does Mega fuses for lower amps (60A to 500A) and 70V rated. :D Here it is an url from the UK: https://www.mouser.co.uk/c/?marcom=172767957 I'm sure you'll find something in the US as well; anyways, it was worth searching...

Found class-T fuses here: https://www.fischerpanda.co.uk/e-store/mastervolt/Fuse_Class_T_300_Amp_160VDC.html They have them in stock, ready to dispatch! :D

Ciao friends, What would your recommendations be for a diy combiner box components? I'm saying box, but not going to have a physical box, just the functionality of it mounted tidily with DIN rails ;) : MC4 combiners - Y or T or whatever, I don't mind MC4 fuses dc disconnect switch with at...

I need 4 separate strings in my case. I've raised this in a thread, here: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/is-having-two-victron-mppts-connected-better-than-having-one-bigger-mppt.38383/post-485955 Someone is waiting for a shipment from China and I'll buy from them. They say class A, and I...

It would be like copper bar yes... They call it tape, but it is very solid. I've bought the 25x 3mm one and using it for battery busbars. It is definitely not copper foil.

I truly appreciate everyone's advice, thank you for taking your time to advise. I currently ordered the solar panels: 12x400w monos Trinas Vertex S - so that's first part done. But looking to buy other different panels in the future, so the possibility to add Smart Solar chargers when needed...

What's the difference with Class-T fuses? I had a quick look on eBay and I can see a 300A one from BlueSea, and that's good. Most system schematics I saw use Class-T fuses though...

Hello DIY-ers! My project requires mounting some of the panels on a flat roof. The winds in this location are tremendous sometimes, so I'll have to be careful how I mount them. The panels are relatively heavy at 21kg, and medium to large in size with 1.7m by 1.1m (Trina Vertex S 400w). I'm...

Hi! I've found various info on Google searches but wondering what would be the right way to size my busbar. For wires, I can look in the table of the providers for the wires I buy. They have an amp specification in accordance to their size. But with a bare copper tape / bar this information is...

How I wish we had such options here in the UK too... But very good point on closed ends, haven't thought of that actually...

Greetings all, My name is Anton and I'm living in Edinburgh, Scotland. The solar "bug" has gotten to me after seeing some videos of Will on his YouTube channel. Then I ordered his book, saw all videos, checked out his website and silently followed the forum... Now, after a month or so I'm...

The balancing actually does work pretty well in my case as well, and it does start depending on how you program the BMS. Here is a screenshot of the battery after it went through a short cycle to 100% - it is autumn now - and the bms did some balancing.

My main question was if not bringing the Lifepo4 cells to 3.65 V has a detrimental effect on them over time.

Hi, I've got a new series of lf280k, planning to add a second bank to my battery, however, these came with different terminals. The bolts are like in the pictures... Any reasons why I can't get proper bolts (with the head) to tighten the busbars in properly? Thank you

Hi, In a 12 panel system, 6 would be affected by shade and 6 not. Out of the 6 shaded ones, 3 of them are affected a bit more. I can do various combinations like 3s4p, or two systems like 2 x 3s2p. I wonder if it is better to have two smaller MPPTs of 150/45 than having one bigger one like...

Hello there, I need a bit of help to understand the schematics of the following from an official manual: What does Midpoint earth mean? It is first time I see this term... I've got the iC60H, which was confirmed by Schneider to be the same with regards to specs and requirements with iC60N...

Do you have a link for this? Curious to see how that looks like...

Here is the eBay results in the UK for Class-T fuse 300A...

Hi, Quick one. I'm looking at a Watts247 combiner box, but it comes with a 15A fuse... The Isc of my panels is 12.28A per string, isn't that a bit close? Max fuse says rating 20A on the panel sticker. I mean on a cold bright day, the VoC can be exceeded, can it be a similar situation for the...

Hello good people! I would like to start my first post by thanking Will for creating this platform, for his book and every video he posts on his YouTube channel! For a few weeks now I've been trying to design a 48v off-grid solar system, and I've been looking at Will's videos, read his book...

Hello Everyone! Hope someone from this thread will still be able to patiently have a look at my updated schematics, wire sizes, fuse sizes and dc breakers please. I have re-read @smoothJoey 's initial post many times with wire and fuse sizes, then have read again the manuals for the Multiplus...

Hi, I'm based in the UK doing an off grid system and cannot help but notice the lack of equipment and information regarding PV earthing... Like grounding bolts (Tyco), etc. There's BS7671 as a NEC equivalent but offers little information about pv earthing ... So I paid attention when going out...

Hi, I'm trying to figure out the wire size for AC-out 1 from my Multiplus II 8000. Do I go by the datasheet continuous power value i.e.: 6400w => approx 30 A at 230V, or do I go by the manual that says 45A for output? Please see the screenshots attached. The consumer unit is 15m away from the...

I won't bother pushing them over 3.5v/cell, there is in essence no need for that. I'll have to make sure that the Smart Shunt is well calibrated with its SoC and leave it to do its job.

That's very useful, I started googling for local dealers now! Do I need an active internet connection at the system to be able to set it up, or is Bluetooth enough and do it through my phone? I can also connect with a laptop if needed, but would like to know what's best and if active internet...

The Eve LiFePo4 cells allow up to 280A discharge, so I thought pulling 200A would be fine if needed. Building a second battery is out of finances at the moment. A 48v 16 cell eve battery costs about £2.5k at the moment, which is pretty hefty. But that is about 12kwh of energy storage, so worth it.

Most of the mega fuse I'm looking at are 32v or 24v, it's confusing me as well. I'm looking for 60A mega fuse on a 48v system.

I thought so as well, but was challenged by someone online when I wanted different fuses in the combiner box (20A not 15A ones).

That's great, that you very much @sunshine_eggo ! I'll build the fuse and circuit breaker diagram once I place the Victron order and include these as per your suggestions. Given what you have said, the Multiplus 2 seems best option. I'm thinking of replacing the model with the higher performing...

Thank you, everyone! Regarding solar and anything around it, there's no better place to get info. I'm glad I asked, it spares me extra expenses, as I already have the 1/4" x 1" pure copper bar. There won't be more than 300A traveling through it, so that's safe to use. Thanks again!

Would it be a better idea to split the cells into 4x4, that's 4 smaller batteries of 12v, totalling 48v? Then have four BMSes 4s 12v of 200A or 250A each.

Hello fellow solar friends! Adding a second battery bank (EVE lf280k), I have bought two Carling Technologies F series hydraulic MCCB (https://www.carlingtech.com/hm-cb-f-series). However, I cannot find any details regarding how to properly mount this - I see very little information regarding...

Hi there, On short, I've got a Multiplus II, SmartSolar chargers, all working in simphony with 16s Eve lf280k with JK BMS. I'd like to add another battery bank and thus would need to disconnect the current bank. I've got a system switch that I can turn off. The question is, can I turn off so...

I found them, but they're based in the US and I like to buy locally (UK)...

I thought they want two wires because maybe one thick one would be too big to fit in there, but I agree with you both, I'd rather have one thick wire. Thank you both, glad you both replied.

I suppose it's fine to use the mega fuse 300a on the wire to the inverter, same size as the T class fuse at the battery, right? I see no reason why not, but I'm no expert.

Hi, Can it ever be that the panels would go even a bit over their VOC? Conversely, can they go over their rated ISC? Cheers

Yes, that's right, good point... I don't think people do know about this backup option that Solis inverters offer

I just had a look in the manual and to my surprise it says 0.2 or 0.3 below float voltage. I would think below absorption is more suitable as well...