New battery setup….options, ideas and input!

Salutations compadres!

I just recently got my 6000XP all setup and more or less dialed in. I have a few more side quests to finish regarding more solar skids but one of the next big things on my list is battery upgrades. Here’s my current thoughts:

1) My setup currently has AGM batteries at about 300Ah, 4S4P for my bank w/16 batteries. The AGM’s have done well and I want to keep this bank as a backup for sure. Current setup is 14.4-ish KWh at 300Ah

Now for my potential course of action:

First up in my thought process is going server rack, 48v/100Ah Lifepower 4’s. Theres a 6 slot cabinet w/ 2 batteries for sale locally. The batteries are new, in the sense that the setup was never installed and put into service. They were powered on per my request before going down there to check them out, 2/4 lights on one and 3/4 lights on the other. I can get them for a reasonable price, hence why I’m leaning towards this route. I’d then buy another Lifepower from SS and run with 3 for awhile, down the road adding more. This would get me 10.2Kwh off the bat and adding a 3rd would get me to the 15.3Kwh mark @ 300Ah and a little better than my current setup.

Second thought is the either the EG4 indoor wall mount or the Ruixu 16kwh wall mount.

The price for the server rack setup is more palatable up front with plenty of room for expansion. The wall mounts are nice off the bat as they’re robust and adding one in down the road leads for a considerable battery bank boost.

What’s everyone’s thoughts or ideas on this? Is there a way to check the LiFePo4’s for cell voltage on site? I’m negotiating for around $700 ea currently.

That’s a great price for them if they are in good shape.
I like the form factor of the indoor eg4 power wall with the 6000xp too.
I typically end up letting the pocket book decide.
Fortunately the 100ah racks are much easier to move, and you have more redundancy if one fails

The EG4 Indoor WallMount is really nice

EG4_Jared said:

The EG4 Indoor WallMount is really nice

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You are correct lol. They’re also reasonably priced for sure.

The only benefit to going the server rack is I have a line on a 6 slot and 2 Lifepower 4’s for a good price.

ChrisSwolls said:

You are correct lol. They’re also reasonably priced for sure.

The only benefit to going the server rack is I have a line on a 6 slot and 2 Lifepower 4’s for a good price.

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The AGMs are a good backup. Do remember to maintain them but don’t just leave them on a trickle charge. Remember to reset the inverter for the operation range for the battery type in use. If you reduce the load on the inverter to near zero, the capacitors within should be able to carryover a battery bank change without interruption/shutdown and not hesitating utilizing a DC transfer switch.

Hard to pass up a good deal, but look at the space you have for the installation - the wall mount option takes less floor space, maybe this matters or maybe it doesn't. Rack batteries are easier to work with, and move, but you may not need to ever move them once everything is set and running. I liked using racks to allow the system to grow with our needs, available funds, confidence in the system over a period of time.

Emeryj32 said:

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What’s the ? Lol

Skypower said:

The AGMs are a good backup. Do remember to maintain them but don’t just leave them on a trickle charge. Remember to reset the inverter for the operation range for the battery type in use. If you reduce the load on the inverter to near zero, the capacitors within should be able to carryover a battery bank change without interruption/shutdown and not hesitating utilizing a DC transfer switch.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I have a secondary setup as a “mobile” option with Victron 250/70 that I’ll probably hook up and can use my smart shunt to monitor. That’ll keep it in float and I’ll run the inverter every now and then to cycle them a bit.

Skypower said:

The AGMs are a good backup. Do remember to maintain them but don’t just leave them on a trickle charge. Remember to reset the inverter for the operation range for the battery type in use. If you reduce the load on the inverter to near zero, the capacitors within should be able to carryover a battery bank change without interruption/shutdown and not hesitating utilizing a DC transfer switch.

Click to expand...

OffGridForGood said:

Hard to pass up a good deal, but look at the space you have for the installation - the wall mount option takes less floor space, maybe this matters or maybe it doesn't. Rack batteries are easier to work with, and move, but you may not need to ever move them once everything is set and running. I liked using racks to allow the system to grow with our needs, available funds, confidence in the system over a period of time.

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Space isn’t too big an issue, the 6 slot should work well. I’m just worried about updating the firmware when I get them tomorrow! I also do like the idea of being able to move the cabinet around a bit if need be and the ability to expand.

Ok, update!

Finishing the last skid right now, the final (for now lol) will be:

8S ZN shine 370w panels for PV1 input
7s ZN shine 370w panels for PV2 input

5.5kw input for the XP.

I also have the chance to buy a MPP Solar Hybrid LV6048 for $800. I’m really considering doing this as a backup….thoughts?

Now for the next issue…as well, I’m issue prone lmao

I got the battery setup. It’s 2 Lifepower4’s in the stripped down 6slot rack.

I was able to get comms with battery on my laptop, all cells read around 3.295’s and showing a 50-ish% overall SOC.

I cannot for the life of me get the battery firmware updated. I’ve set address as 0 or even tried 1 (I’ve had luck with it reading on 1 w/1st dip switch up, it won’t read if they’re all down) but every time I try to “get boot information” it will fail every time.

The batteries are older being bought in 2022 but have never been used, updated, anything.

I’ve watched a ton of videos on YouTube on it but, no dice thus far.

Ideas?

ChrisSwolls said:

I also have the chance to buy a MPP Solar Hybrid LV6048 for $800. I’m really considering doing this as a backup….thoughts?

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I have three - they have run perfectly for me since 2021. I added one inverter each year and the three of them together run my home and business next door full time since July 2023, and start/run well pump shop equipment welder, CNC, air compressor elect dryer HWT. Downside to the MPP 6048's: high idle current, and low PV input DC voltage. If I was starting out today instead of 2020, I would be looking at the SRNE.

OffGridForGood said:

I have three - they have run perfectly for me since 2021. I added one inverter each year and the three of them together run my home and business next door full time since July 2023, and start/run well pump shop equipment welder, CNC, air compressor elect dryer HWT. Downside to the MPP 6048's: high idle current, and low PV input DC voltage. If I was starting out today instead of 2020, I would be looking at the SRNE.

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Thanks! I’m wondering if it’s worth the buy as a spare/backup unit. I run the 6K XP primary but if I can get this for 700 or so, it may be a decent backup option.