Bluetti AC200Max Battery Expansion and Usage so far..

[atrueresistance]

Has anyone looked into making a custom battery expansion like the B200 or B300 out of spare recycled batteries? If so I'd like to read about it. I'm pretty new to this solar stuff so it has been a great learning experience so far.

I've had my AC200MAX running for 7.5 days consecutively getting down to a little less than 8% running a mini fridge and my computer (remote work/mining) when the suns out. I managed to get 3 new longi 350w panels for $200 a piece and they have been working well so far. I plan on welding a frame this weekend to mount them to the fence. That "might" be a zoning violation, but the city didn't say for sure which is good enough for me. It's probably a good thing I'm friends with my neighbor.

So far this is the savings I've tracked so far. I'm earning about $4 a day from mining, so offsetting that electric usage any little I can really helps. It's also starting to get cold here so free heat.

10/29/2021 0:00:00	7.56	Days elapsed
11/5/2021 13:31:14	$0.99	Money Saved
	$3.93	Monthly Average
	$47.78	Yearly Average

 

[atrueresistance]

Update, learned how to tig weld this weekend and got the panels off the ground. Super simple and the angle is adjustable with one person on either end.

 

[atrueresistance]

Current update. So I'll probably be dead by the time this thing pays for itself, but I've learned so much in the process. Currently I can't use the PV200 panel with the Longi's. I suppose it is useful when camping or if I got a B300/B200 it could be used. I have not kept track of any watts used out of the DC side, though I'd estimate it's pretty low just charging phones/tablets/laptop.

Rate	Actual KWH Price	$0.1138		Hardware	Price
$0.075030	Energy Charge Winter			Longi 350w Panel	$200.00
$0.003446	TmissnCostRecovery			Longi 350w Panel	$200.00
$0.022890	Fuel Cost Charge			Longi 350w Panel	$200.00
$0.000528	DSM Factor			Menard's Hardware Mount	$322.00
$0.011897	Infrastructure Rider			Bluetti AC200MAX	$1,798.79
				Bluetti PV200 Panel	$456.89
				Suraielec Watt Meter	$18.09
				10 AWG One Pair 50 Feet	$76.58
10/29/2021 0:00:00	19.44	Days elapsed
11/17/2021 10:33:22	16.09	KWh Saved
	$0.09	Daily Average
	$2.83	Monthly Average
	$34.38	Yearly Average			Subtotal
					$3,272.35
	11	Meter Days
	$0.17	Meter Daily Average		Break Even Estimate (years)	95
	$4.99	Meter Monthly Avg		Break Even Meter Estimate (years)	54
	$60.75	Meter Yearly Avg
The watt meter only tracks time based on a load greater than 0.6 watts.

 

[Bryanbr]

I just built a similar setup. My panels haven't arrived yet so I don't have any statistics on the solar. I'm going to charge my electric car (and maybe set up a bitcoin machine in my garage).

I might be able to save $3 to $5 dollars in gas based upon the 4 to 5 kWhs per day I can collect here in sunny Southern Colorado. But it would probably take centuries to recoup these costs considering I can charge the car for 13 cents per kWh from the grid.

Bluetti AC200P (Refurb) $641
BougeRV 20 Feet 10AWG Solar Extension Cable 31.99
BougeRV Solar Crimper Tool Kit 31.99
Home Depot Nature Power 215Watt Panel $154
Home Depot Nature Power 215Watt Panel $154
Home Depot Nature Power 215Watt Panel $154
Home Depot Nature Power 215Watt Panel $154

Total: $1320.98

 

[feo]

Home Depot Nature Power 215Watt Panel $154

There’s your problem. Look into used panels from craigslist. Typically 25-30cent/watt

 

[feo]

Has anyone looked into making a custom battery expansion like the B200 or B300 out of spare recycled batteries? If so I'd like to read about it. I'm pretty new to this solar stuff so it has been a great learning experience so far.

I've had my AC200MAX running for 7.5 days consecutively getting down to a little less than 8% running a mini fridge and my computer (remote work/mining) when the suns out. I managed to get 3 new longi 350w panels for $200 a piece and they have been working well so far. I plan on welding a frame this weekend to mount them to the fence. That "might" be a zoning violation, but the city didn't say for sure which is good enough for me. It's probably a good thing I'm friends with my neighbor.

So far this is the savings I've tracked so far. I'm earning about $4 a day from mining, so offsetting that electric usage any little I can really helps. It's also starting to get cold here so free heat.

10/29/2021 0:00:00	7.56	Days elapsed
11/5/2021 13:31:14	$0.99	Money Saved
	$3.93	Monthly Average
	$47.78	Yearly Average

View attachment 71429

Nice setup. I am on the same boat, backyard panel warrior with t=infinite ROI.

Look into Jehu Garcia’s youtube channel. He has shown a few ways of building powerpacks for these units out of recycled batteries.

 

[Bryanbr]

There’s your problem. Look into used panels from craigslist. Typically 25-30cent/watt

I looked into the used panels. I didn't like them. I want the the return policy on the new panels combined with the federal tax credit. I'm paying .50 cents per watt on new panels after the federal tax credit. That's fine.

 

[atrueresistance]

Look into Jehu Garcia’s youtube channel. He has shown a few ways of building powerpacks for these units out of recycled batteries.

I'm so excited for his teardown video of the AC200MAX. He's super busy right now, so it might be a bit.

 

[Rocksnsalt]

I’d like to see someone add batteries that aren’t recycled,
like some of the many LifeP04 100ah, 200ah choices out there, or maybe even a 400ah.

 

[atrueresistance]

Well an update so far on the AC200MAX. I've moved my office out to the garage/bar/workshop. With the days getting longer the pay back period is getting lower. Down to 60 years vs the 95 years I posted earlier. On a sunny day it soaks up an easy 916 watt rating reading at the unit. I may pull the plug on a B230 to increase the storage because on a bright day I have no problem filling it back up to full while using my computer. I'm using about 400 watts when the rig is mining and so far have managed to pull in about $600 in eth so if you account for that balance the pay back is 49 years.

I know it probably will never break even, but it is nice to know I have backup power. The other day I had a job where someone was giving away free siding that I needed to replace some worn down stuff on my garage. I just threw the AC200MAX and the circular saw in the Jeep and I was able to cut what I needed and didn't have to figure out how to transport 16' stock.