Chargery BMS communications.

[cass3825]

I've found the data stream is somewhat unstable. I get some bad data. Need to use the check sum to verify. Have you noticed the same?

I have not had too much of a problem with the data stream.

What are you using to interface with your chargery?

I haven't seen any stability issues either. I calculate the checksum as data is received, then compare to the received check sum prior to parsing datastream into the array. The Mega is only 6" away from the Chargery, with a 232/TTL converter inbetween. How are you converting the 232 voltages to TTL?

 

[Cal]

I haven't seen any stability issues either. I calculate the checksum as data is received, then compare to the received check sum prior to parsing datastream into the array. The Mega is only 6" away from the Chargery, with a 232/TTL converter inbetween. How are you converting the 232 voltages to TTL?

Here's my circuit that converts a +/- 5V signal to 5V. The signal requires just one inversion since the Chargery signal is already inverted.

I found that I needed to implement check sum out of necessity. What happens when you eliminate check sum validity test? What type of TTL converter do you use?

 

[Craig]

I haven't seen any stability issues either. I calculate the checksum as data is received, then compare to the received check sum prior to parsing datastream into the array. The Mega is only 6" away from the Chargery, with a 232/TTL converter inbetween. How are you converting the 232 voltages to TTL?

I use the USRIOT device that broadcasts the raw data to a websocket. I would rather just read the raw data but have not gotten to try a stand alone converter yet.

 

[cass3825]

Here's what I'm using, about a buck a piece on the 'bay.

Here's a snippet of the data stream with debug turned on:

 Rx:24 Rx[0]:24            Begin
 CheckSum:24
 Rx:24 Rx[1]:24 CheckSum:48
 Rx:57 Rx[2]:57 CheckSum:9F
 Rx:F Rx[3]:F CheckSum:AE
 Rx:10 Rx[4]:10 CheckSum:BE
 Rx:68 Rx[5]:68 CheckSum:26
 Rx:0 Rx[6]:0 CheckSum:26
 Rx:0 Rx[7]:0 CheckSum:26
 Rx:35 Rx[8]:35 CheckSum:5B
 Rx:0 Rx[9]:0 CheckSum:5B
 Rx:D0 Rx[10]:D0 CheckSum:2B
 Rx:0 Rx[11]:0 CheckSum:2B
 Rx:D0 Rx[12]:D0 CheckSum:FB
 Rx:0 Rx[13]:0 CheckSum:FB
 Rx:FB Rx[14]:FB           End of string, Good CheckSum! command 57
 HB[51]:10
16-bit: 16
 HB[52]:68
 HB[53]:0
16-bit: 26624
 HB[54]:0
 HB[55]:35
16-bit: 53
 HB[56]:0
 HB[57]:D0
16-bit: 208
 HB[58]:0
 HB[59]:D0
16-bit: 208
 HB[60]:0
 HB[61]:FB
16-bit: 251
 HR[21]:4200
 HR[22]:0
 HR[23]:53
 HR[24]:208
 HR[25]:208
 HR[26]:0
 CheckSum:0
 Rx:24 Rx[0]:24            Begin
 CheckSum:24
 Rx:24 Rx[1]:24 CheckSum:48
 Rx:56 Rx[2]:56 CheckSum:9E
 Rx:26 Rx[3]:26 CheckSum:C4
 Rx:C Rx[4]:C CheckSum:D0
 Rx:B6 Rx[5]:B6 CheckSum:86
 Rx:C Rx[6]:C CheckSum:92
 Rx:BD Rx[7]:BD CheckSum:4F
 Rx:C Rx[8]:C CheckSum:5B
 Rx:BD Rx[9]:BD CheckSum:18
 Rx:C Rx[10]:C CheckSum:24
 Rx:BC Rx[11]:BC CheckSum:E0
 Rx:C Rx[12]:C CheckSum:EC
 Rx:B5 Rx[13]:B5 CheckSum:A1
 Rx:C Rx[14]:C CheckSum:AD
 Rx:BC Rx[15]:BC CheckSum:69
 Rx:C Rx[16]:C CheckSum:75
 Rx:C0 Rx[17]:C0 CheckSum:35
 Rx:C Rx[18]:C CheckSum:41
 Rx:C4 Rx[19]:C4 CheckSum:5
 Rx:C Rx[20]:C CheckSum:11
 Rx:C0 Rx[21]:C0 CheckSum:D1
 Rx:C Rx[22]:C CheckSum:DD
 Rx:E8 Rx[23]:E8 CheckSum:C5
 Rx:C Rx[24]:C CheckSum:D1
 Rx:D0 Rx[25]:D0 CheckSum:A1
 Rx:C Rx[26]:C CheckSum:AD
 Rx:ED Rx[27]:ED CheckSum:9A
 Rx:C Rx[28]:C CheckSum:A6
 Rx:CA Rx[29]:CA CheckSum:70
 Rx:C Rx[30]:C CheckSum:7C
 Rx:C5 Rx[31]:C5 CheckSum:41
 Rx:C Rx[32]:C CheckSum:4D
 Rx:D3 Rx[33]:D3 CheckSum:20
 Rx:C Rx[34]:C CheckSum:2C
 Rx:C3 Rx[35]:C3 CheckSum:EF
 Rx:0 Rx[36]:0 CheckSum:EF
 Rx:EF Rx[37]:EF           End of string, Good CheckSum! command 56
 HB[1]:C
 HB[2]:B6
16-bit: 3254
 HB[3]:C
 HB[4]:BD
16-bit: 3261
 HB[5]:C
 HB[6]:BD
16-bit: 3261
 HB[7]:C
 HB[8]:BC
16-bit: 3260
 HB[9]:C
 HB[10]:B5
16-bit: 3253
 HB[11]:C
 HB[12]:BC
16-bit: 3260
 HB[13]:C
 HB[14]:C0
16-bit: 3264
 HB[15]:C
 HB[16]:C4
16-bit: 3268
 HB[17]:C
 HB[18]:C0
16-bit: 3264
 HB[19]:C
 HB[20]:E8
16-bit: 3304
 HB[21]:C
 HB[22]:D0
16-bit: 3280
 HB[23]:C
 HB[24]:ED
16-bit: 3309
 HB[25]:C
 HB[26]:CA
16-bit: 3274
 HB[27]:C
 HB[28]:C5
16-bit: 3269
 HB[29]:C
 HB[30]:D3
16-bit: 3283
 HB[31]:C
 HB[32]:C3
16-bit: 3267
 HB[33]:0
 HB[34]:EF
16-bit: 239
 HR[1]:3254
 HR[2]:3261
 HR[3]:3261
 HR[4]:3260
 HR[5]:3253
 HR[6]:3260
 HR[7]:3264
 HR[8]:3268
 HR[9]:3264
 HR[10]:3304
 HR[11]:3280
 HR[12]:3309
 HR[13]:3274
 HR[14]:3269
 HR[15]:3283
 HR[16]:3267
 HR[17]:0
 CheckSum:0

 

[Cal]

Thanks, I ordered a couple of those RS232 devices from China. See them maybe in June?

I've also looked at the Chargery RS232 signal with a Saleae logic analyzer. That data shows framing errors. I don't recall if I connected the analyzer directly to Chargery or to the circuit I just posted. I just noticed my circuit should have a capacitor to stabilize the 5V supply during switching.

Time [s]     Analyzer Name     Decoded Protocol Result
-2.68125E-05    Async Serial    0x24
6.00625E-05    Async Serial    0x24
0.000146875    Async Serial    0x57
0.000233625    Async Serial    0x0E
0.000320438    Async Serial    0x0D
0.000407188    Async Serial    0xAC
0.000494063    Async Serial    0x01
0.000580875    Async Serial    0x00
0.000667688    Async Serial    0x0F
0.000754438    Async Serial    0x00
0.00084125    Async Serial    0x9F
0.000893375    Async Serial    0xFC
0.000928    Async Serial    0x00
0.001014875    Async Serial    0xAD
0.001101625    Async Serial    0xC2
0.501639    Async Serial    0x0B
0.501639    Async Serial    0x24
0.501725875    Async Serial    0x24
0.501812625    Async Serial    0x57
0.501899438    Async Serial    0x0E
0.50198625    Async Serial    0x0D
0.502073063    Async Serial    0xAC
0.502159813    Async Serial    0x01
0.502246625    Async Serial    0x00
0.502333438    Async Serial    0x0C
0.50242025    Async Serial    0x00
0.502507063    Async Serial    0x9F
0.502559125    Async Serial    0xFD
0.502593875    Async Serial    0x00
0.502680688    Async Serial    0xAE
0.5027675    Async Serial    0xC0
0.755696563    Async Serial    0x8B (framing error)
0.755696563    Async Serial    0x24
0.755783438    Async Serial    0x24
0.755870188    Async Serial    0x56
0.755957    Async Serial    0x16
0.756043813    Async Serial    0x0D
0.756130563    Async Serial    0x37
0.756217375    Async Serial    0x0D
0.756304188    Async Serial    0x1C
0.756391    Async Serial    0x0D
0.756477813    Async Serial    0x1F
0.756564625    Async Serial    0x0D
0.756651375    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
0.756651375    Async Serial    0x26
0.756738188    Async Serial    0x00
0.756825063    Async Serial    0x00
0.756911813    Async Serial    0x00
0.756998563    Async Serial    0x00
0.757085375    Async Serial    0x00
0.757172188    Async Serial    0x1D
0.757259    Async Serial    0x00
0.757345813    Async Serial    0x03
0.757432625    Async Serial    0x64
0.757519438    Async Serial    0x04
1.00330475    Async Serial    0x4B
1.004224938    Async Serial    0xFD
1.504979313    Async Serial    0x0B
1.5058995    Async Serial    0xFE
1.620372438    Async Serial    0xF9
1.888405063    Async Serial    0x2B (framing error)
1.889359875    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
2.006653938    Async Serial    0x4B
2.007574063    Async Serial    0xFC
2.508319938    Async Serial    0x0B
2.509240063    Async Serial    0xFC
3.009985875    Async Serial    0x0B
3.010906    Async Serial    0xFD
3.025011125    Async Serial    0xAB (framing error)
3.025965938    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
3.511651813    Async Serial    0x0B
3.512571938    Async Serial    0xFF
3.627053625    Async Serial    0xF9
4.013326438    Async Serial    0x0B
4.014246563    Async Serial    0xFF
4.15383975    Async Serial    0x8B (framing error)
4.154794563    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
4.514992375    Async Serial    0x4B
4.5159125    Async Serial    0xFC
5.016666938    Async Serial    0x4B
5.017587063    Async Serial    0xFC
5.286539688    Async Serial    0x8B (framing error)
5.287494563    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
5.518332875    Async Serial    0x4B
5.519253    Async Serial    0xFE
5.633726    Async Serial    0xF9
6.01999875    Async Serial    0x0B
6.020918875    Async Serial    0xFC
6.41924825    Async Serial    0xAB (framing error)
6.420203063    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
6.521673313    Async Serial    0x0B
6.522593438    Async Serial    0xFF
7.023339188    Async Serial    0x4B
7.024259375    Async Serial    0xFD
1.888405063    Async Serial    0x2B (framing error)
1.888405063    Async Serial    0x24
1.888491938    Async Serial    0x24
1.888578688    Async Serial    0x56
1.8886655    Async Serial    0x16
1.888752313    Async Serial    0x0D
1.888839063    Async Serial    0x37
1.888925875    Async Serial    0x0D
1.889012688    Async Serial    0x1B
1.889099563    Async Serial    0x0D
1.889186313    Async Serial    0x21
1.889273125    Async Serial    0x0D
1.889359875    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
1.889359875    Async Serial    0x26
1.889446688    Async Serial    0x00
1.8895335    Async Serial    0x00
1.88962025    Async Serial    0x00
1.889707125    Async Serial    0x00
1.889793938    Async Serial    0x00
1.88988075    Async Serial    0x1D
1.8899675    Async Serial    0x00
1.890054313    Async Serial    0x03
1.890141125    Async Serial    0x64
1.890227938    Async Serial    0x05
2.006653938    Async Serial    0x4B
2.006653938    Async Serial    0x24
2.006740813    Async Serial    0x24
2.006827625    Async Serial    0x57
2.006914438    Async Serial    0x0E
2.007001188    Async Serial    0x0D
2.007088    Async Serial    0xAC
2.007174813    Async Serial    0x01
2.007261625    Async Serial    0x00
2.007348438    Async Serial    0x0F
2.007435188    Async Serial    0x00
2.007522    Async Serial    0x9F
2.007574063    Async Serial    0xFC
2.007608813    Async Serial    0x00
2.007695625    Async Serial    0xAD
2.007782375    Async Serial    0xC2
2.508319938    Async Serial    0x0B
2.508319938    Async Serial    0x24
2.50840675    Async Serial    0x24
2.508493625    Async Serial    0x57
2.508580375    Async Serial    0x0E
2.508667188    Async Serial    0x0D
2.508753938    Async Serial    0xAC
2.50884075    Async Serial    0x01
2.508927563    Async Serial    0x00
2.509014375    Async Serial    0x11
2.509101188    Async Serial    0x00
2.509187938    Async Serial    0x9E
2.509240063    Async Serial    0xFC
2.50927475    Async Serial    0x00
2.509361563    Async Serial    0xAD
2.509448375    Async Serial    0xC3
3.009985875    Async Serial    0x0B
3.009985875    Async Serial    0x24
3.010072688    Async Serial    0x24
3.0101595    Async Serial    0x57
3.010246313    Async Serial    0x0E
3.010333125    Async Serial    0x0D
3.010419875    Async Serial    0xAC
3.010506688    Async Serial    0x01
3.0105935    Async Serial    0x00
3.010680313    Async Serial    0x0C
3.010767125    Async Serial    0x00
3.010853938    Async Serial    0x9F
3.010906    Async Serial    0xFD
3.01094075    Async Serial    0x00
3.0110275    Async Serial    0xAE
3.011114375    Async Serial    0xC0
3.025011125    Async Serial    0xAB (framing error)
3.025011125    Async Serial    0x24
3.025098    Async Serial    0x24
3.02518475    Async Serial    0x56
3.025271563    Async Serial    0x16
3.025358375    Async Serial    0x0D
3.025445125    Async Serial    0x37
3.025531938    Async Serial    0x0D
3.02561875    Async Serial    0x1B
3.025705563    Async Serial    0x0D
3.025792375    Async Serial    0x1E
3.025879188    Async Serial    0x0D
3.025965938    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
3.025965938    Async Serial    0x27
3.02605275    Async Serial    0x00
3.026139625    Async Serial    0x00
3.026226313    Async Serial    0x00
3.026313188    Async Serial    0x00
3.0264    Async Serial    0x00
3.026486813    Async Serial    0x1D
3.026573563    Async Serial    0x00
3.026660375    Async Serial    0x03
3.026747188    Async Serial    0x64
3.026833938    Async Serial    0x03
3.511651813    Async Serial    0x0B
3.511651813    Async Serial    0x24
3.511738688    Async Serial    0x24
3.511825438    Async Serial    0x57
3.51191225    Async Serial    0x0E
3.511999063    Async Serial    0x0D
3.512085813    Async Serial    0xAC
3.512172688    Async Serial    0x01
3.512259438    Async Serial    0x00
3.51234625    Async Serial    0x11
3.512433063    Async Serial    0x00
3.512519938    Async Serial    0x9F
3.512571938    Async Serial    0xFF
3.512606625    Async Serial    0x00
3.5126935    Async Serial    0xAE
3.51278025    Async Serial    0xC5
3.627053625    Async Serial    0xF9
3.627053625    Async Serial    0x68
3.6271405    Async Serial    0x3A
3.62722725    Async Serial    0x3A
3.627314063    Async Serial    0x33
3.627400875    Async Serial    0x0D
3.627487688    Async Serial    0x0A
4.013326438    Async Serial    0x0B
4.013326438    Async Serial    0x24
4.013413313    Async Serial    0x24
4.013500063    Async Serial    0x57
4.013586875    Async Serial    0x0E
4.013673688    Async Serial    0x0D
4.013760438    Async Serial    0xAC
4.01384725    Async Serial    0x01
4.013934063    Async Serial    0x00
4.014020875    Async Serial    0x11
4.014107688    Async Serial    0x00
4.0141945    Async Serial    0x9F
4.014246563    Async Serial    0xFF
4.014281313    Async Serial    0x00
4.014368063    Async Serial    0xAE
4.014454938    Async Serial    0xC5
4.15383975    Async Serial    0x8B (framing error)
4.15383975    Async Serial    0x24
4.153926625    Async Serial    0x24
4.154013438    Async Serial    0x56
4.154100188    Async Serial    0x16
4.154187    Async Serial    0x0D
4.154273813    Async Serial    0x39
4.154360625    Async Serial    0x0D
4.154447438    Async Serial    0x1C
4.15453425    Async Serial    0x0D
4.154621    Async Serial    0x1E
4.154707813    Async Serial    0x0D
4.154794563    Async Serial    0x08 (framing error)
4.154794563    Async Serial    0x27
4.154881438    Async Serial    0x00
4.15496825    Async Serial    0x00
4.155055    Async Serial    0x00
4.155141813    Async Serial    0x00
4.155228625    Async Serial    0x00
4.155315438    Async Serial    0x1D
4.155402188    Async Serial    0x00
4.155489    Async Serial    0x03
4.155575813    Async Serial    0x64
4.155662625    Async Serial    0x06
4.514992375    Async Serial    0x4B

 

[cass3825]

An interesting test would be to monitor the signal both upstream and downstream of your inverter ckt using multiple channels on the Saleae. I'm guessing maybe the missing cap is contributing to the framing errors?

 

[cass3825]

A word of warning on the cheap 232/TTL converters: Tx/Rx labels are swapped! I had to wire Tx to Tx and Rx to Rx on the Mega to get it to work. Tracing out the pins on the MAX232 chip confirmed the mislabeling. DB9 is wired correctly.

 

[Cal]

I get same framing errors when connecting the Saleae directly to Com 3 cable (without my circuit attached). This appears to be a BMS RS232 stability issue. I have a 100A and 300A BMS. Both have this issue.

I think my transistor circuit is good. I'll add a capacitor though.

 

[cass3825]

Interesting. I'll try the same experiment this weekend to see if the framing errors are an "undocumented feature" and the Mega is masking them, or if it's specific to your unit. What is the cable distance between the BMS, your inverter ckt, and the Mega?

 

[Cal]

A photo is easier. Cable lengths are relatively short. I haven't gotten around to soldering the transistor to the Mega proto board. The proto board (sitting on top of Mega) has a real time clock and SD micro card reader. A 10 nF capacitor is now installed on the transistor board.

 

[cass3825]

Definitely not long enough to contribute to the framing errors!

 

[BarkingSpider]

I'm having success reading the Chargery real-time data using a simple UBS interface with just RX/TX ports on a Pi 4 running Raspian. I just connect to the /dev/ttyUSB0 interface at 115200 baud and collect the stats as a datastream. I parse it using some basic Linux tools and feed it to a python script. I'm just finishing up the last few bugs and I will post my code. No need for any expensive hardware. something like this.

Amazon.com

To start with you can easily collect data on your Windows PC to verify it works before moving to your Pi, just connect the 2 wires TX/RX to the USB stick and plug it into your COM3 on the Chargery. Use the cable they supplied. Get the PC software here.

https://www.usriot.com/support/downloads/usr-tcp-test-testing-software.html

Then, when your cable is ready, plug it into your Pi and look for /dev/ttyUSB0 to appear

you can then read the datastream with standard tools. You can see the hex cell voltages right after Hex 2424 1656

[root@pi4] : /home/joe/Dev/Chargery) > cat /dev/ttyUSB0 | od -x

0000000 2424 1656 e80c fa0c f20c f50c f40c f60c
0000020 f80c ea0c 085f 2424 0f57 420e 0000 0014
0000040 00bd 5fe0 240e 5724 0e0f 0042 1400 bc00
0000060 e000 0d5f 2424 0f57 420e 0000 0014 00bc
0000100 5fe0 680d 3a3a 0d33 240a 5624 0c16 0ce7
0000120 0cfa 0cf2 0cf5 0cf5 0cf6 0cf8 5fec 240a
0000140 5724 0e0f 0042 1400 bd00 e000 0e5f 2424
0000160 0f57 420e 0000 0014 00bc 5fe0 240d 5624
0000200 0c16 0ce6 0cfb 0cf2 0cf5 0cf5 0cf6 0cf8
0000220 5fed 240b 5724 0e0f 0042 1400 bc00 e000
0000240 0d5f 2424 0f57 420e 0000 0014 00bc 5fe1
0000260 680e 3a3a 0d33 240a 5624 0c16 0ce8 0cf9
0000300 0cf3 0cf5 0cf5 0cf5 0cf8 5fea 2408 5724

Here is the beginning of my Python tool output to read it in realtime. I will then pipe it into Grafana to chart all cell voltages over a day. Should be interesting. I will post it when it ready.

[root@pi4]:/home/joe/Dev/Chargery) > cat data.hex | ./splitData.py | ./readData.py
Cell 0 : 3.304 volts
Cell 1 : 3.323 volts
Cell 2 : 3.315 volts
Cell 3 : 3.317 volts
Cell 4 : 3.317 volts
Cell 5 : 3.318 volts
Cell 6 : 3.321 volts
Cell 7 : 3.309 volts
SOC: 95 %
Checksum: 0f
Max Cell Voltage: 3.65 v
Current mode: Discharge
Current Amps: 0.0 A

 

[Capt Bill]

Hi Steve_S

I'll be happy to share more detail on what I have done, but I'll have to say, it took some trial and error to get things working. The main relays (C1 & C2) is not running hot at all (I got them from Aliexpress). I'm using a 60V-12V DC to DC buck converter and is set to exactly 12VDC. The main relays after being energized draws only about 80mA each and was pleasantly surprized by that. Energizing these relays probably takes quite a bit more, but with my interposing relays and 200W 12V power supply have no issues doing that. Before I made the interposing relay board, with the main relays directly connected to the BMS, it could not energize both, the BMS would go blank & cut out. It was fine driving 1 relay, but 2 was too much.

Wow. Awesone big set up, plus professional level or looking diagrams. Interesting to review. Looks like your BMS monitors the voltage of 5 LiFePO4 cell paralleled together x 16 in series. Wow to KWhs. Bet you saved a bundle over buying a Telsa Powerwall or two.

 

[solardad]

Hi All.

My name is Mario and I'm new to this forum.

Just as background, I have a Chargery BMS16T on my system and it works great. It took some working through with the manual but got there at the end. I had some trouble with the the unit energizing the Charge & Discharge contactors at the same time, but sorted that with some small interposing relays. I also had to play a lot with the settings of the BMS but got that sorted now.

My next thing is to get the data from the BMS onto my pc via a web browser or Excel VBA but have no clue how to do that. Hopefully someone can assist me on this. See some pics of my system.

View attachment 10501View attachment 10499View attachment 10500View attachment 10502View attachment 10505

@mariovanwyk1 Looks great! What are you using for cells, CATL? What size are they and are you happy with them?
edit: wow just realized in one photo that you also have a bank of super capacitors I believe, can you highlight how you are using them and how well they work..?

Thanks

 

[BarkingSpider]

FYI I'm having good luck in my Test Lab using this cheap Amazon Keenso SSR 100amp DC to DC relay with the Chargery relay port. It's working great disconnecting my solar array when a cell hits 3.65v and reconnects when it drops to 3.55v. this is a default setting.

It gets a little warm when my test PV array is outputting 1.1kw, but it's not been a problem. I figure its rated up to 1200w, but I will let you know if it fails.
Right now its getting a solid workout on my active test array, switching every 5/10 minutes.

I use the relay to disconnect my high voltage (90v) solar array directly before it hits my solar charger, not from the charger to the battery.

It's silent and draws little power and has a stateful LED that shows me what's happening.

You can see it cutting in/out when my battery gets full. And quickly reconnects when any load is applied.

You can easily test it using the temp sensors feature of the Chargery. Set a cutoff value to 30c (from 50c), wire up the relay (just the signal side) and hold the temp sensor In your hot hands to set it off, let go of the sensor to see it reconnect. You can watch the temp and the alarm go off on the Chargery display and hear the audible alarm go off.

In the graph below, you can see my battery is fully charged and the relay is turning on/off the solar power as any one cell in my battery cell increases over 3.55v . In effect it behave almost like an active balancer and lets the other low voltage cells catch up to the highest ones.

Joe.

 

[mariovanwyk1]

Wow. Awesone big set up, plus professional level or looking diagrams. Interesting to review. Looks like your BMS monitors the voltage of 5 LiFePO4 cell paralleled together x 16 in series. Wow to KWhs. Bet you saved a bundle over buying a Telsa Powerwall or two.

I would have needed 4 x 12.5kWh power walls to equal this setup. I imported 80 x 200Ah LiFePO4 cells (5 strings of 16) directly from China Factory, was a HUGE saving. I am also very happy with performance, did one DOD to almost 98% and delivered the rated energy with no problem at all.

 

[mariovanwyk1]

@mariovanwyk1 Looks great! What are you using for cells, CATL? What size are they and are you happy with them?
edit: wow just realized in one photo that you also have a bank of super capacitors I believe, can you highlight how you are using them and how well they work..?

Thanks

I use some 200Ah LiFePO4 cells with 5 strings of 16 in parallel, imported from China Factory, see details in spec sheet. I am very happy with the performance, doing exactly as specked. The caps i use are ordinary electrolytic caps, just fairly large ones (total of 1.32 Farad). I implemented the caps only for when I disconnect my battery from the system and run from my DC power supplies to reduce the DC ripple.

 

[BarkingSpider]

Speaking of Powerwalls, I just got my official quote from Tesla for 2 installed in California, just over $21k. That buys a lot of LifePO4 cells.
Also the Powerwall is not setup to work totally off-grid, they say its coming soon, but no news yet.

 

[mariovanwyk1]

Speaking of Powerwalls, I just got my official quote from Tesla for 2 installed in California, just over $21k. That buys a lot of LifePO4 cells.
Also the Powerwall is not setup to work totally off-grid, they say its coming soon, but no news yet.

Doing the math, currently US$ to NZ$ = 0.60 to 1. I paid NZ$ 16k (US$ 9.6k) to get 52kWh from China to my doorstep. Admittedly, this excludes the BMS setup & Solax inverter. The latter added about NZ$ 4k (US$ 2.4k) to the total, still a huge saving.

 

[BarkingSpider]

Just spoke with Jason, the tech at Chargery and he warns that you should only use RS232 USB adapters with the com3 data port as it is very fragile and will fail after continued use. So avoid those TTL USB adapters I posted.