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diy solar

diy solar

Not a lot of options... Smurfs just walk away...

Once everything is in place, nothing is getting moved. He's 75 years old and I'm only around for a few weeks a year. Having to have him pack a rackmount battery in there and leave it in the middle of the floor... not so much.

Hopfully I can get a 16s 280 pack in there, but the cabinet door isn't very big. With a 9 day boondocking event every year, the loss of 3kw of capacity (280ah × 28.4v = 7.9kw vs 5.1kw @ 51v) just to save on wire isn't worth the trade off.
 
I have both a Sungold 4k, 6k and Aims 6k in use. Both 24v. AFAIK they are both Sigineer and are nearly identical. In power saver mode they sip power and also have built in soft start. Mine are 240v split, but I don't expect any quality differences for 120v.
 
I am not an all-in-one fan, so just pointing out an example samlex 24 volt / 3000 watt inverter.


You can always add a separate solar charge controller. Does not need to be MPPT to work, especially in the pnw.

They are under $1000.

Easy enough to add some chargers and can add more over time.

Eliminates the need for a transfer switch.
 
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Lol when is the last time you looked that unit up on ebay?

They're 3x that minimum.

It has been 6 months or so... I got mine free when I bought some other equipment. Back then there were dozens listed from some solar install company that went into liquidation
 
So I'm trying to put together a parts list for my dad's camper upgrade and one problem is causing other problems... stupid physics!

The biggest issue I have is space. There isn't a lot of open space where I want to put all the guts so I'm limited to a 24v battery base because a 16s physically isn't going to fit unless I use really small, like 50ah, cells. I can fit an 8s build in there with 280's, maybe even a second battery if I mount them just right... maybe...

In a perfect world I'd get one of the 24v 3600w AIO's out there and put it between the 30a RV plug coming in and the 120v input to the converter, basically tricking the camper into thinking it's plugged into shore power all the time.

I don't think I can physically fit that in there though due to the way that end of the trailer is laid out. So, Plan B was to get a 24v base inverter/charger and separate MPPT controller because I can find room for 2 small things a lot easier than 1 large thing.

I'm just striking out on 24v based inverter charges that check the following boxes:

3500-4000w range to duplicate what a 30a shore connection can provide

NOT Midnight

24v battery based

NOT Victron

120v single output (no 240v systems)

NOT Victron

Built in ATS

NOT VICTRON

Less than $1000

So far the only thing I've found is a SungoldPower 3kw/9kw LF unit for $900. That should be plenty even to fire up the AirCon if needed, but at "up to" 88% efficiency and probably near 60w of standby power, it's a tough pill to swallow. Any other options?

I'll be pairing it with a HQST 60a MPPT controller and probably 1200-1800w of panels (roof space willing) with a 280 or 304ah battery and 150a BMS home build.

Hopefully when I get home and start crawling around with a tape measure I'll find a way to get a 48v 280k build in there, so 48v recommendations woukd be helpful too.

Thanks all!
Oh, and NO VICTRON!!

A friend of mine is adding a solar system to his home after the big storm we had…
His wife saw we had power…and lived normal…
He got up with me a few days ago…after ignoring my advice for years to build a back up system ..
🤣
I am no longer looked at like a eccentric old man working on solar stuff up on the hill..

He said , you had power for the whole time we had none… what do you own…?

To save a long conversation here,

I simply asked him a single question…” do you like the color Blue…?”.

You know the rest… a lot of Blue is on his way…!!!

There will peace of mind for him soon..

Jim.
 
A friend of mine is adding a solar system to his home after the big storm we had…
His wife saw we had power…and lived normal…
He got up with me a few days ago…after ignoring my advice for years to build a back up system ..
🤣
I am no longer looked at like a eccentric old man working on solar stuff up on the hill..

He said , you had power for the whole time we had none… what do you own…?

To save a long conversation here,

I simply asked him a single question…” do you like the color Blue…?”.

You know the rest… a lot of Blue is on his way…!!!

There will peace of mind for him soon..

Jim.
Nice, it's good to hear of others diy'ing their own battery packs. 😉

Glad to hear you've made it through relatively OK.
 
Nice, it's good to hear of others diy'ing their own battery packs. 😉

Glad to hear you've made it through relatively OK.
Thx… compared to the people around me I was incredible lucky…yes I was well stocked with everything possible and back up power , BUT as I was cut off from the news and communication for over 2 weeks , when I finally got back online I was truley embarrassed for even complaining what I had happen to me…
So many people are dead or lost everything and will never regain it , I will never complain about anything I went through again on this event..
Totally devistating what happened to so many good friendly hill folks that just try to live a decent friendly life..

I will only thank the Lord I was lucky…I don’t even know what many of them will do , while many outsiders are given free apts, money , phones, medical care , food and education..for no reason.

Mind boggling,…… but I’m not Gona get political here..

Samaritans purse did some incredible things in my area for many of the victims... bless ‘em.

Jim.
 

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