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  1. J

    Can I use a 10S Li-ion BMS for 8S LifePo4 DIY build?

    Thanks for the response and insight. I ordered two new JBD 8s for LifePo4 from SRIKO battery yesterday since I need them quick. I am curious - is the limitation to use the 10S Li-ion in the settings/parameters or the hardware itself of the BMS? I would think you could change the settings to...
  2. J

    Can I use a 10S Li-ion BMS for 8S LifePo4 DIY build?

    A while ago I ordered (2) JBD BMS's. I thought I was ordering 8S LifePo4 Smart BMS. Instead I ordered 10S Li-ion Smart BMS. Can I use the 10S on the 8S LifePo4? I would think I would be able to modify settings to work for LifePo4, but not 100% sure. Anybody have any idea? Also - not sure...
  3. J

    18650 Battery Store Legit? Will not answer the phone.

    I didn't listen to the whole recording. I do find it interesting that the call lasts 30+ minutes and yet I still can't get the excel information about the 304 cells I ordered and paid for. This would suggest that it isn't a matter or time/manpower for customer support but instead that they...
  4. J

    Need more energy - Multiplus in 3-Phase or Parallel Split-Phase?

    Seems like when I add more capability, I find more and more uses for my energy. I have 24V system with (2) Victron Multiplus 24/3000/70 set up in Split-Phase Configuration. I decided to do Split-Phase as opposed to parallel configuration because with split-phase I didn't need to balance my...
  5. J

    18650 Battery Store Legit? Will not answer the phone.

    Here are the reports I received - attached to this. I know reports can be fabricated - sounds like we could double check with Eve - that would be bad for reputable vendor to be found out fabricating. I will probably just assemble cells and see how they work. Nevertheless, if I had the reports...
  6. J

    18650 Battery Store Legit? Will not answer the phone.

    So after posting here in the forum, I received 50 pages of battery reports from 18650, but none of my batteries are listed in these reports they sent me. So after waiting over a week, they finally got back to me, but didn't send the correct reports. I am sure they know what cells they sent...
  7. J

    18650 Battery Store Legit? Will not answer the phone.

    Not sure if co-incidence or not, but last night I received 50 pages of excel battery reports from 18650 - it will take a little time to look at data for batteries I received...
  8. J

    18650 Battery Store Legit? Will not answer the phone.

    I hear what you and Tim are saying - I have bought B cells from Ali in the past and I had the same attitude. But I don't think everything else is irrelevant for everyone. I think if I had the reports, I could use them to build more matched 24v batteries and squeak out more storage. I also...
  9. J

    18650 Battery Store Legit? Will not answer the phone.

    I want the reports so I can better sort the cells for my (2) 8s packs. If I ever want to sell these, having the reports would increase the value. I find it very disappointing they aren't following up on what they advertise - it makes you wonder what they would do if there was damaged cells or...
  10. J

    18650 Battery Store Legit? Will not answer the phone.

    I ordered some Eve 304 cells from 18650. They took my money and I got the cells quickly and they arrived in good condition. I have requested the excel reports for these cells three times and they have never responded in any way even though they advertise that these reports are available...
  11. J

    Source for predicting cloud cover?

    I must not have communicated very well. I have a couple years of wood cut and split and covered in reserve. When I burn this, I need to replenish it. Maybe you have to experience heating with wood to know what is involved. Without electric heat, I need to basically have a fire going from...
  12. J

    Source for predicting cloud cover?

    I am in Wisconsin and off-grid and my only other heating source besides solar electric is a wood stove. So, my return on investment for watching the weather and using my batteries to heat with is less firewood to cut, stack, store, split, haul inside, and fuss with every few hours (and have my...
  13. J

    Source for predicting cloud cover?

    Needing accurate forecasts is crucial for me. I have plenty of solar/battery for critical loads, but want to use my batteries as much as possible for electric winter heat and forecasts play a key role in this. I will check out Solcast - thank you for link...
  14. J

    Victron Charge Controller Price Crash

    Well, I would argue that while there are two different camps, people are not locked into one or the other. For everything there is a season... For much of my life, I valued low cost over other attributes - and I was willing to put up with aggravation and cobbling, etc. I am on my third...
  15. J

    Do You Ever Regret Going Off Grid?

    If you are at the right latitude the no-power fridge is awesome. I am colder here in winter and often have my chest freezer in shed and running heating pad inside to bring up to fridge temps....a converted chest freezer was my original solar system refrigeration - its so efficient. I still use...
  16. J

    Do You Ever Regret Going Off Grid?

    In thinking more about this question, the most difficult thing about being off-grid is during the winter season - you just can't leave and be sure you will have enough battery to heat your house and keep your freezer and fridge running. I guess if you had an automatic generator that problem...
  17. J

    Do You Ever Regret Going Off Grid?

    I have been off-grid for 6 years - only the last 3 full-time. I love solar power and really enjoy geeking out on it and putting together my diy system has been a real experience. But during the winter, I have to manage my usage daily, and that becomes a drag. And the more you use energy, the...
  18. J

    Who is still building DIY batteries

    I have 29kWh of DIY batteries. Honestly, if I was starting over today, I think it would be better to just buy server rack batteries, but they weren't around when I started. Now that I know how to DIY, I will continue that direction because I have the system down, but I put SO much time...
  19. J

    Cerbo GX with other brand component's? Victron experts needed

    Good suggestions. I should probably just buy a new Charge controller and use Kid's as backups.
  20. J

    Cerbo GX with other brand component's? Victron experts needed

    I just got a Cerbo GX and hooked it up and loving it. Data lovers dream and I think it will make load management easier this winter. I should have bought it a long time ago! Thanks to @sunshine_eggo for encouraging me to buy it. My question is this. I have multiplus inverter and a couple of...
  21. J

    Off Grid - Multiplus in parallel or split phase?

    I got the GX-S and it just came today. Cant wait to get it hooked up! Your post made me pull the trigger - Thanks again for all your help.
  22. J

    Off Grid - Multiplus in parallel or split phase?

    Thanks for the push with the GX - I already know I will enjoy it and also benefit from it in understanding my system. Just need to pull the trigger. Thanks again and I will keep this thread updated as I make progress.
  23. J

    Off Grid - Multiplus in parallel or split phase?

    This ^^^^^ is Genius! Awesome and creative way to solve this! Thank you so much! I don't have a GX (yet) - I surely will get it sometime soonish. I do have a smartshunt so that's good to know. While SOC would be better than voltage trigger, voltage can be a rough trigger after watching the...
  24. J

    Off Grid - Multiplus in parallel or split phase?

    @sunshine_eggo - Thank you so much for the great reply with all the helpful details and good reminder about neutral/ground bond and configuring for generator input. Really helpful stuff and really appreciated! I know they both have to be on same firmware, but do they both need to have same...
  25. J

    Off Grid - Multiplus in parallel or split phase?

    I am off grid. I own two identical 24/3000/70 Victron Multiplus'. I have only been using one over the last year or so - hardly ever need more than 2500 watts and if I do for a little while, the overload feature seems to work fine. Currently, I use the AC1 for my everyday loads on one side of...
  26. J

    48v vs 2x24v

    I run 4x24v in parallel with no balancing issues at all.
  27. J

    VanLife + Signature Solar = Resolved

    Maybe I am missing it, but I didn't see any posted response that this was not the policy of signature solar. I see you saying <<<"Yes we did make several mistakes. And the resolution options did not fit your specific needs. Definitely a good teaching experience on our end for people in vans...
  28. J

    VanLife + Signature Solar = Resolved

    I am checking out this thread again today and I still can't get over a representative for the company hiding behind the "Specifications subject to change without notice." disclaimer! This company sells tech products! If we can't trust their info and specifications (and trust them to make it...
  29. J

    VanLife + Signature Solar = Resolved

    Signature solar James has the right idea but it's too late. The other two company reps pretty much made it so i would NEVER consider ordering anything from signature solar. Such lame customer service! I have read a lot of signature solar threads and never felt this way before reading what...
  30. J

    Problems with keeping 302Ah in balance

    When you did a capacity test with all four batteries connected, what did you come up with? I didn't see the numbers if you posted them. Everything looks fine to me. I would lower charging voltage if it was possible to something like 13.7bulk and 13.6float. I also think a balancer would work...
  31. J

    Insane quotes for ground mount

    I like the flat roof idea!
  32. J

    Insane quotes for ground mount

    Rather than a really heavy duty ground mount, wouldn't you be money ahead and solar ahead to create opposing ground mounts, mounted on a 45 degree angle, running north>south? Like an "A" frame? This design would eliminate uplift because the panels facing east and the panels facing west would...
  33. J

    Exeltech 48V DC 120VAC XP250 Inverter. SW Wisconsin $150

    I have a used Exeltech XP250 Inverter for sale. Its used but works great. I bought on ebay and tested it but ended doing much bigger system - guaranteed to work. Great product and great company with awesome support. $125 if you pick up in SW Wisconsin near Viroqua, WI. I can ship it to...
  34. J

    MidNite Solar KID 30A MPPT Over Paneling advice

    I am running a 24v system. The kid is 30 amps, so I should be running only 800 or so panel watts into the kid. I am currently running 1500watts of panels and have been running this for 3 months so far. Its not ideal angle for winter, so doubt I ever get too close to 1500. I did notice the...
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