24v powerwall with "New A123" cells from bigbattery.com... any good?

[Tobby1]

Hey guys newbie here... Been following Will for a couple months. Not really interested in building my own at the time although I might in a year or two.

I would like to know if anybody knows about the new Gen 2 powerwalls from bigbattery.com? ... in particular the 24v 203 AH version with the new A123 LiFePO4 cells in it.

Found HERE

These seem like a really good deal compared to the battleborn equivalent $$$.

Anyone know the cycles of these A123 LiFePO4 cells at an 80% DOP?

Are these powerwalls well made and reliable?

Thanks

 

[dirtybobby423]

I am currently waiting for 3 of the 24v A123 batteries to arrive. I debated purchasing from bigbattery but was pretty pleased with the price and performance of these batteries compared to the cost of purchasing battle borns, especially for a 24v system where I would have needed at least 4 of them. I will be doing a capacity test of them when they arrive to verify the are as advertised, but it seems like bigbattery is willing to work with you on any issues that arise. If they are as advertised, they seem like a pretty good deal to me for what you get performance-wise.

 

[Thunderstorm2011]

I will say I'm very pleased with my 24 volt powerwall from Big battery. I did end up making a Frankenstein battery Bank like will

 

[Tobby1]

I am currently waiting for 3 of the 24v A123 batteries to arrive. I debated purchasing from bigbattery but was pretty pleased with the price and performance of these batteries compared to the cost of purchasing battle borns, especially for a 24v system where I would have needed at least 4 of them. I will be doing a capacity test of them when they arrive to verify the are as advertised, but it seems like bigbattery is willing to work with you on any issues that arise. If they are as advertised, they seem like a pretty good deal to me for what you get performance-wise.

Keep us updated with the build quality of the powerwall and those capacity results.

Anyone know the rated cycles of these A123 cells or any details on them? Are they good cells?

After Will's discount they seem to be about 40% the price of the battleborns so I hope they are legit.

Thanks for the replies guys

 

[off-grid-mitch]

I will say I'm very pleased with my 24 volt powerwall from Big battery. I did end up making a Frankenstein battery Bank like will View attachment 25434

I just got my 48V poweralls and want to double check. Did you use a provided parallel cable from them? I have a parallel anderson and an anderson to ring terminal cable. That goes to bus bars that are also attached to the charge controller and the inverter, correct?

 

[Skinny76]

Jumping in. I was about to purchase 2 more Battleborn batteries to make a 24v 4800kwh system. This price is making me take a step back. Nearly an identical cost (with shipping) but double capacity? I'm having a hard time commiting to Battleborn as much as i like them. This could be a good review for Will to let us know cost benefit analysis vs Battleborn.

 

[Thunderstorm2011]

I just got my 48V poweralls and want to double check. Did you use a provided parallel cable from them? I have a parallel anderson and an anderson to ring terminal cable. That goes to bus bars that are also attached to the charge controller and the inverter, correct?

Yes it will run power direct to inverter, the rest o ffg the power will charge the battery.

 

[Supermo26]

I will say I'm very pleased with my 24 volt powerwall from Big battery. I did end up making a Frankenstein battery Bank like will View attachment 25434

Is that all 1 system or 2? Do I see midnight classic an eleven charge controller? Why both?

 

[Thunderstorm2011]

Is that all 1 system or 2? Do I see midnight classic an eleven charge controller? Why both?

I got the original 3 kilowatt powerwall. Didn't have generation 2 yet. EP ever charge controller is for a early-morning array. Midnite classic has the southern array on it

 

[Supermo26]

That's cool.

 

[wgseaton]

I was interested in the 48 volt unit, but concerned about the power connectors SB175.
The specs for the 24 volt unit report it can do 130 amp continuous, but the SB175 are 6 awg cables to connect the batteries to the load.
Which for the 24 volt unit is ok but the 48 volt at 175 amp I would think that should the cables be 4 awg or bigger?

 

[dirtybobby423]

Keep us updated with the build quality of the powerwall and those capacity results.

Anyone know the rated cycles of these A123 cells or any details on them? Are they good cells?

After Will's discount they seem to be about 40% the price of the battleborns so I hope they are legit.

Thanks for the replies guys

I ordered 3 of the Plug and Play A123 batteries from bigbattery on Monday 10/12, they shipped on 10/22 and were delivered to me 10/24 via Fedex.

They were well packed and appear to be well made. I have attached some photos of the way the arrived and the BMS.

I did a capacity test on one of the batteries today. It was bulk charged at 28.8V, then float charged at 27V, and then rested for 3 hours. When the capacity test began the battery measured 26.8v.

I was unsure how far to discharge for the test and did not want to take any chances so ended the test shortly after the voltage dropped to 25.2v.

Being that this is the first capacity test I have done I would welcome any feedback. For instance, how far should this battery be depleted? Test results are pictured. I have two other batteries to test still, one is running tonight and I should have results in the morning.

I posted these results on another thread but it seems relative here as well, hope thats ok.