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El-cheapo PowMr 60A works well enough except it tends to "leak" when the pack is full.

It's driving the input of an MPPT so it could possibly be a kick since these things have inductors (ok not very big ones), maybe an inverse diode would help. I have suitable diodes in stock so I could bung one across and see if it still dies.

I have an array of 3S2P x 380W panels, Voc 48.71V Isc 10.05A So worst case should be Voc 146.13V and 20.1A. This array is being switched by an SSR - DD 220VDC x 100A this "should" have no issues with the energy involved. SSR is mounted on the recommended "100A" heatsink using heat-transfer...

Let's not lose sight of my earlier post - Energy storage in a bedroom????

Hmmm, I had massive fun with my Korean ex on a recliner! Note that it was in the lounge mind!

I'm a hater of extension leads too. But I'm a bigger hater of any form of energy storage bigger than a smartphone in a bedroom!! (and I think carefully about smartphones too, but mainly coz the ruddy things pling and ring at the most inopportune moments). Even the very safe LiFePO4 can go...

Would adding a meaty Schottky diode in series with the battery output connector mitigate the issue? It would of course affect the charging profile somewhat, but not as much as letting out the magic smoke from an incorrect connection. Do note that testing a single unit with an incorrect...

This came just at the right time for me :) I've just acquired 32 x 280Ah CATL LiFePO4 cells from an estate clearance. These were manufactured in June 2019 (genuine QR codes) and have been in dry (tropical but not climate controlled) storage in their original packaging since. I've measured a...

I buy them in bags of 100 "just in case", then use two! That reminds me, I used my absolutely, very last MC-4 connector yesterday, luckily it was of the correct sexual persuasion!

Yup ^^^, me too!! It's the "reverse-illusion" that gets me. Let me explain, an "illusion" is when you see something that's not there, the "reverse-illusion" is when you know damn well something is there, but you just can't see it! For example, I just put that small screwdriver down on my...

A number of local sellers here in sunny Thailand are selling Deye SUN-5k-SG01LP1-EU for about 43,000Baht other sellers have the LVtopsun SUN-5K-SG03LP1 which looks to be the same/similar unit for about 38,000 Baht. From the photos the units are "identical". A few sellers are advertising the...

Yeah, I'm in that boat too. I'm on a project in Cairo (Metro Line 4), I "started" in February and the Contractor (Thales) are now talking about an "initial" meeting with them mid-May! No wonder it took them 2,000 years to build the pyramids (the site-office has views of the pyramids to...

Saw this, thought of this thread, sorry ...

Meanwhile in the UK we use sheep. Baa. https://www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/how-solar-panel-diversification-is-working-for-a-sheep-enterprise "Agrivoltaics" is definitely a growing idea, if you don't completely cover the area with panels you can grow shade-loving plants underneath.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-town-rejects-solar-panels-amid-fears-they-suck-up-all-the-energy-from-the-sun-a6771526.html A US town has rejected a proposal for a solar farm following public concerns. Members of the public in Woodland, North Carolina, expressed their fear...

IIRC the first RN sailor recorded to have died from electric shock was killed by a "48V" bus-bar. Apparently, he got trapped between the bars and had broken skin (reducing his body resistance), cooked slowly! Take care with any 'lectric and remember all those amps lurking inside even a 12V pack.

My original "cheap and cheerful" DIY pack of used golf-cart LiFePO4s is on its last legs, even being treated gently :( I just ordered two of Luyuan's 280Ah battery packs. But ordered as kits to avoid assembly and testing fees (I asked Amy for the cheapest solution), this I'm quite capable of...

Let's try a different tack. Which inverter do you have? Which BMS do you have? Do you have inverter - BMS communications connected and enabled? "Charging voltage" per-sé doesn't really have any meaning as your pack will be charged in constant-current mode for most of the time, only when...

Yeah, I'm used to the UK system of single-phase being taken from the star point to one leg/phase (3-phase 4-wire).

Yeah, I wasn't totally clear. The 220V comes between 2 phases of the 3-phase supply, so there's no actual neutral so both wires are "hot", a bit like the US 120-0-120 system with the "0" not brought to the home.

IIRC the Philippines is 220V 60Hz (3-phase, 3-wire) which may limit your choice even further :( Any particular reason not to want to use Chinese equipment, not everything that comes out of the PRC is junk.

4S of 42V Voc panels is 168V !!! Magic smoke time :( 3S (126V) is the most you can do on that 145V input, so you'll need another panel to do 3S 5P.

Yup ^^^. I've done all the usual, shorting a couple of LiFePO4 cells with an uninsulated spanner (large roll of heat shrink acquired), getting hold of both ends of a panel string (panels come up to voltage very quickly with even small amounts of light) etc. etc. I admit that just last week, I...

It really depends just how "DIY" you want to go. Plenty of DC-DC boost converters on Ali-Express for pretty small money. Set the output to your chosen float voltage and the current limit to what you want to charge at and away you go. Something like this: -...

Handy-dandy visual from BlueSea https://www.bluesea.com/resources/108/Electrical_Conductivity_of_Materials# As they note: - Perhaps the most interesting fact revealed by this chart is how low most copper alloy materials rank in relative conductivity. One might easily assume that alloys such as...

I wouldn't go that low. The "300V" is the operating voltage, keep that above your max panel Voc at least. EDIT why not consult with Midnight for their recommendation?

The Voc max figure for your MPPT is the "continuous" rating, don't exceed it for "long" periods (10s of milliseconds). Lightning surges are very, very fast (often sub-microsecond) but also very big (several kV) meaning they actually carry a lot of energy. It's these fast pulses that can punch...

There's nothing to stop you using a 450V or 500V arrestor other than that they will possibly be "failing" (clamping "on") sooner than the higher voltage ones due to them wearing. Also, these trigger voltages aren't very tightly controlled at manufacture, don't go too low or you may be replacing...

This popped up on another forum, interesting concept. The U.S.' aging infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the rapid growth of renewable energy. IEEE: improvements and replacements to the grid’s 8,000 power-generation units; 600,000 circuit miles of AC transmission lines and 70,000...

Whilst perusing AliExpress for something else these popped up. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006442788934.html Thoughts?

Lovely machine, a "proper" motorcycle! I had a Matchless 250 single in the late 70s, performance was negligible but "a power stroke every telegraph pole" sure delighted the ladies :P

Yeah, that's exactly the kind of stuff I was thinking of, it's supposedly pretty inert when it comes to materials compatibility.

For those in "less than connection friendly" environments. Is there any mileage in adding a smear of silicone grease to the O-ring and/or cable glands?

I quite like the look of those shelves with the mesh, stick some cement board on the top, it's insulating and non-flammable and at least that part of the issue is solved. I might be tempted to beef-up the cross members but I'm a belt-and-braces (US - suspenders) man. Our packs live on DIY...

Hmmm, mine's definitely working on 0x06000783 (just looked at my code) it may well work on both. Of course, I'm going to have to check if 08 works on mine now. The original source on EndlessSphere...