Building a solar generator kit with my nephew

[Rednecktek]

Currently a placeholder while I wait for the parts, but my youngest nephew is going to be heading to Lineman's school in Idaho in a couple months, so I thought I'd grab him for a couple days and make him a proper "Work Truck Solar Generator".

I came across this box the other day and things just went from there.

So I ordered some parts:
4x 304Ah cells from Docan
150Ah JBD 4s BMS
And the Licitti AC battery box w/ AC charger

So far I'm into the project for about $1000 with all the parts. Much cheaper than any 4Kwh off-the-shelf version available.

That should build a system with just shy of 4Kw worth of power. I've seen videos of it running small heaters, lights, and a insta-Kureeg-Coffee maker so I figure when he's living in his truck for a few days in the field or out at remote stations, this will give him the ability to charge devices, warm up the cab, and make some coffee. Ya know, all the IMPORTANT things in life. ?

I'll be walking him through making the cells into a battery, top balancing, BMS programming and connection. Hopefully it'll get him excited. I'll post pics as we go along.

 

[HarryN]

Good project for the two of you.

So looking at the components, it looks like nominal 12 volts, 0.5 C discharge rate, so a nominal 1 - 1.5 kW power system?

It can get cold in ID. The AGM vs LiFe decision in that climate can be unclear.

 

[Rednecktek]

It's supposedly a 1Kw inverter, but it doesn't seem to scream at you until 1300w so plenty for small appliances.

It's expected to live in the work truck so freezing isn't going to be an issue, but the BMS does have low temp charging protection so it should be fine. I just couldn't fit 600Ah worth of AGM in there and justify a battery that weighs more than my nephew does. ?

 

[HarryN]

That is an exceptionally low price for that box, even for just an inverter with a 1 kW rating.

I build some things sort of like that and just the parts cost a LOT more. Of course the ones that I build are more ruggedized, but still...

 

[Rednecktek]

It's probably modified sine but that'll be OK for this project.

 

[SamDeleted]

What going to charge it ?

 

[Rednecktek]

It comes with a 40a charger, has MPPT built in, and can be plugged into a cig lighter socket with an adapter.

 

[SamDeleted]

It comes with a 40a charger, has MPPT built in, and can be plugged into a cig lighter socket with an adapter.

Ah, are you going to mount some panels on the truck ? Or just charge when running?

 

[Rednecktek]

Mostly for him to charge at the shop then throw in the truck when he heads out. Hopefully eventually he'll get a 150w folding panel or just top of from the truck while en-route.

It'll be up to him how he uses it, I'm just trying to give him an educational opportunity and get something practical out of it.

 

[SamDeleted]

Mostly for him to charge at the shop then throw in the truck when he heads out. Hopefully eventually he'll get a 150w folding panel or just top of from the truck while en-route.

It'll be up to him how he uses it, I'm just trying to give him an educational opportunity and get something practical out of it.

Interesting little project , I bet he'll be grateful when he really needs it

 

[Momar89]

Currently a placeholder while I wait for the parts, but my youngest nephew is going to be heading to Lineman's school in Idaho in a couple months, so I thought I'd grab him for a couple days and make him a proper "Work Truck Solar Generator".

I came across this box the other day and things just went from there.

So I ordered some parts:
4x 304Ah cells from Docan
150Ah JBD 4s BMS
And the Licitti AC battery box w/ AC charger

So far I'm into the project for about $1000 with all the parts. Much cheaper than any 4Kwh off-the-shelf version available.

That should build a system with just shy of 4Kw worth of power. I've seen videos of it running small heaters, lights, and a insta-Kureeg-Coffee maker so I figure when he's living in his truck for a few days in the field or out at remote stations, this will give him the ability to charge devices, warm up the cab, and make some coffee. Ya know, all the IMPORTANT things in life. ?

I'll be walking him through making the cells into a battery, top balancing, BMS programming and connection. Hopefully it'll get him excited. I'll post pics as we go along.

What AC charger are you using with this?

 

[Rednecktek]

It says it comes with one, they forgot to throw it in the box so it's on its way tomorrow. I don't have too much detail other than it states 14.4 LiFeP04 40a AC Charger. I'll have the exact specs once it arrives.

Initial charge starts Thursday!

 

[Rednecktek]

Just noticed the particular listing was up to 230ah, not 280. I sure hope the 304's and BMS fit! ?

 

[Rabbit]

I love mine! Cheap, rugged, simple, modular. All the things a blue-collar guy like me values in a tool. For my review-thingie, link below.

Licitti Heavy Duty AC Power Box

I don't see any other mentions of this device on this forum, so here goes... I've-- thanks largely to Will Prowse-- been happily running a small home solar power system as a hobby for years now, and friends come to me for advice. Recently one was looking for a solar-generator type power box, so...

diysolarforum.com

 

[Rednecktek]

So I figure I should throw in an update with some photos:


Rough assembly for bulk charging. Throwing a 25a charger really cuts down the build time.



Then I taught him about top balancing, the bulk charge really made a difference in the time. Yes, it's 3.58 at the start but that power supply tends to drift and it sat at 3.62 for a couple days.



Cable management and making it look Pro! If you zoom in on the top of the center cells, you can see the burns on the nuts where he learned first hand what a short circuit is. I think he peed himself a little, but I won't tell his friends.



We had enough slack in the Positive rubber cap to feed the balance lead through there, makes it look real good inside there.



All working and buttoned up. We tested the USB and the inverter and everything ran great. Hopefully this serves him well in his future in line working.

 

[Rednecktek]

So quick BMS question for y'all,

During the assembly he shorted 2 of the cells for a couple seconds. I'm guessing this messed with the top balance. If I set the BMS to start balancing at something really low like 3v and did a few deep cycles would the BMS be able to re-balance the cells or am I looking at a full disassembly and re-top-balance?

I'll find out later tonight how far off the cells are when he gets home and can check the app.

 

[cyobytm]

hello guys ,
i just made my own lifepo4 battery and i put it into a Licitti power box , but the dc v is fluctuating a lot with no consumer attached , is this normal ?

 

[timselectric]

Not normal.
But I don't believe that the battery voltage is actually fluctuating that much that quickly.
I believe the problem is with the monitor.

 

[Bluedog225]

Dang. I wish I’d seen this earlier. I would’ve said nephews make poor conductors.

 

[Rednecktek]

Dang. I wish I’d seen this earlier. I would’ve said nephews make poor conductors.

Get 'em wet first and they do fine.

 

[wme]

Interesting, Licitti also makes a 2 kw box. They have a 280 ah DIY battery kit for it. Folks who have both boxes say that the 280 ah assembled battery won't fit in the 1000w box. And here you put a 304 battery in yours.

 

[12VoltInstalls]

Dang. I wish I’d seen this earlier. I would’ve said nephews make poor conductors.

He’s going to be a lineman for the county, not a trainman for the RR. No problem.

 

[Bluedog225]

Building a solar kit with my nephew….

 

[Rednecktek]

Interesting, Licitti also makes a 2 kw box. They have a 280 ah DIY battery kit for it. Folks who have both boxes say that the 280 ah assembled battery won't fit in the 1000w box. And here you put a 304 battery in yours.

It was a tight fit, maybe 1/2" of foam around, definately not getting the 2" on every side that modern batteries get, but it all fits nicely.