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diy solar

diy solar

I really like the new powerpro battery..

Wish I'd known this was in the works when I ordered my GSL "powerwalls" this spring. These look very compelling l.
 
I live in the Live Free or Die state and may have to die because..........
 
Wow! Looks like you could get nine or ten batteries in that one cabinet. Will it handle the weight? What about the ampacity of the bus bars?
Should fit 10. I think it would be fine with the weight but I'd probably add some bracing if I really start pumping up the numbers. I've already got some beefy cross braces for holding up the batteries.

Ampacity of bus bars isn't all that simple, but with reasonable temp rise I calculated several hundred amps, which is more than double what I ever see myself using out of it. 3/8" thick, 1" wide copper. This is bigger than what EG4 puts in theirs.
 
I believe some other larger scale parallel battery solutions have the master manage the overall current...balancing among parallel units.

Series cells, balancing is the BMS job.
Parallel batteries - what scheme do you think adjusts current draw or charging between them to ensure both are at the same SoC?

I could see multiple BMS negotiating the lowest charge rate so none gets a runner it can't handle. But beyond that would require high power switching circuits for the entire current, I think.
 
I didn't realize it until last night, but I think this battery is pretty sweet. The look, form factor, busbar with quick connectors, communication ability, internal heaters, outdoor rated and the list goes on.

Now I want to dump my server rack batteries. Which one would you rather have. This setup:
View attachment 162371
Or four of these:
View attachment 162372

I just love the look. I love sci-fi movies and I want to make a system that looks really cool. I'm thinking four batteries and an 18K would do everything I need.

The communication set up was a bit difficult. I should probably make a setup video for beginners. I think anybody could figure it out though if they read the whole manual. I think there should be a tutorial on designating the master battery right after the communication protocol set up.

But besides that, this battery is pretty impressive. I'm going to be asking all of the other companies why they don't have this type of battery. Hopefully we can get some healthy competition into the market.

What do you guys think. Is there anything that you dislike about this battery that I'm missing? I really didn't think I was going to like it but seeing it in my shop in person, makes me want only these batteries now. I think I might move my server rack batteries into my garage today. I only have two power pro batteries but I could run everything I need with them. I'm almost at 5 megawatt hours with my 18K, so I really don't need to push tons of loads through it anymore. Making a beautiful system would be fun. I want to add LED lights behind it and make it pop :)
Why does it only support 3 in parallel? gsl-051280a-b-gbp2 (which is similar with internal busbars) supports up to 16 in parallel. Any ideas? Are these meant to be daisy chained?
 
It's because of the connectors and cables, I think you can add more but must use external busbars and associated cables rated accordingly.
 
Series cells, balancing is the BMS job.
Parallel batteries - what scheme do you think adjusts current draw or charging between them to ensure both are at the same SoC?

I could see multiple BMS negotiating the lowest charge rate so none gets a runner it can't handle. But beyond that would require high power switching circuits for the entire current, I think.
I'm no EE but I think what you're missing is on a setup like mine there are two distinct types of BMS's in each completed assembly...one in each individual 4.8 kWh module that manages the cells (standard ops) - and one that manages the current in/out of the stack of modules along with module level "balancing" (if you want to call it that). All 300A coming into the assembly goes through that "stack BMS" through a single connection. When you parallel stacks the master stack BMS knows how many stacks & modules are in the entire battery "array" and communicates current/voltage requests with the inverter(s) on behalf of the entire array and controls the slave "stack BMS's" to keep the entire array "balanced".

Not to say this is all required to have an effective parallel setup. All of this cool hardware (that may not even be necessary) comes at a relatively premium price.
 
Free? I was under the impression he charges to do YouTube reviews. Something about wasting time on crap that won't sell...
Yeah if it is complete and utter trash and I assume there will be zero affiliate link traffic, I charge a ton these days. After getting shocked, burned and cut trying to open some of the cheap solar generators, I started charging them. The garbage products are great for education though because I want to show people what they get if they don't buy the good stuff. And with electronics, there is a huge difference haha
 
Now THAT looks great! A system that is bridging the gap between DIY and commercial installation.

Among the myriad of manufacturers out there, EG4 has really upped their game. I think the 18Kpv, the PowerPro, and the PDP for the 6500EX’s really show they are geared toward providing the DIY community a real option to the commercial quality systems.

Hopefully my system currently under construction will work as intended and show the Mrs that solar DIY can do the job. Maybe get a ‘real’ system on the drawing board later!

Thanks for showing us what can be done Will.

-Patrick
 

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