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Portable Victron Power Station operational

J

JJJJ

Aspiring apprentice
Joined
Feb 25, 2021
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1,280
I wanted to share my journey to build a portable power station. The overall specs will be a DIY 8s 24 volt battery with the JK active balancer. The current plan is to mount this on a portable dolly and have it tie into a Victron Multiplus II inverter charger.

In its current design it will be able to be charged from the grid and one or more solar panels.

As I acquire components I will post them below.
 
The first purchase has been the battery cells, case and BMS. I purchased these from Amy Wan at Shenzhen Luyuan Technology Co., Ltd:

1pcs Eve 304ah With New Terminals Lifepo4 (lfp) 3.2v Cells Battery (fully Matched&batched)--genuine Automotive Grade A - Buy Eve lifepo4 rechargeable Battery Product on Alibaba.com

1pcs Eve 304ah With New Terminals Lifepo4 (lfp) 3.2v Cells Battery (fully Matched&batched)--genuine Automotive Grade A - Buy Eve lifepo4 rechargeable Battery Product on Alibaba.com
www.alibaba.com www.alibaba.com
 
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The boxes were intact without outside marks. Each of the inside corners were protected with heavy duty plastic corners.

IMG_3120.jpeg

This is one of the four boxes I received

IMG_3122.jpeg
IMG_3120.jpeg
 
The external wire attachment terminals on the battery case are substantial and include a protective cover. They also include a breaker, on off switch. I have it loosely in place for now. In addition to side carrying handles there are also two fold in handles on the front.

IMG_3131.jpeg
 
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The bus bars that come with this kit are listed as flexible. Must say they are substantial and better built than any I have worked with before:

IMG_3133.jpeg
 
JJJJ said:
The bus bars that come with this kit are listed as flexible. Must say they are substantial and better built than any I have worked with before:

View attachment 179174
Click to expand...
Those bus bars are great. But they sometimes have too much heat shrink applied. You may have to trim it a little. To make sure that it doesn't get between the mating surfaces.
 
timselectric said:
Those bus bars are great. But they sometimes have too much heat shrink applied. You may have to trim it a little. To make sure that it doesn't get between the mating surfaces.
Click to expand...
Yes, I got mine on temporally and definitely need trimming.
1000006808.jpg
My EVEs came with the four hole bars, but are solid. The flexible ones came with the BasenGreen box, but I'll need to make a 4" jumper to bridge across to the other side, because neither included that. If the cells had the single post straight above the terminal, the flexible bar would work.
1000006809.jpg
 
Spunky said:
Yes, I got mine on temporally and definitely need trimming.
View attachment 179202
My EVEs came with the four hole bars, but are solid. The flexible ones came with the BasenGreen box, but I'll need to make a 4" jumper to bridge across to the other side, because neither included that. If the cells had the single post straight above the terminal, the flexible bar would work.
View attachment 179203
Click to expand...
Those are single hole bus bars. I would use the 2 hole ones that came with the batteries. Or get 2 hole flexible bus bars. One hole will probably work fine. But you are losing the benefits of the 2 bolt terminal.
 
timselectric said:
Those are single hole bus bars. I would use the 2 hole ones that came with the batteries. Or get 2 hole flexible bus bars. One hole will probably work fine. But you are losing the benefits of the 2 bolt terminal.
Click to expand...
I'd love me some flexible four hole bars, 140 of them ? (could possibly sell these singles). The singles should be rated for the 280Ah cell and having a spot for the balance wires is handy.
Yeah... I think I may use the 4hole supplied with the cells, my terminals all seem to be flat, square and plumb.
 
Something that is discussed is aftermarket support. Since receiving my shipment Amy Wan has been extremely helpful and quick to respond to any questions. She has provided additional technical and visual documentation that has proven invaluable on this project!

The wonderful thing about the chat mode is that it allows each party to respond based on their time schedule. I must admit though that Amy Wan must keep long hours. Have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly she has responded to some of my questions. Sure beats the long hold times discussed on other threads.
 
Amy is shipping out a pallet (now maybe 2 ?) of cases, cells, JK-Network BMS' w/ 4.3" screen, +.
I decided that I didn't want to deal with dual cables as that doesn't really work for me, so they are changing the Batt Terminals to Large Single Pole type to accommodate my wiring. Shown Below. I'm also getting them with 200A Polarized DC Breakers so everything in my DC system is similar...

1700746376829.png
 
I know there are torque screwdrivers. I strongly considered purchasing one.

On the other hand a friend of mine who is a mechanic has a high end professional digital torque wrench that he lets me borrow.

I found these and currently plan on using to torque the screws in per EVE documentation specs. Actually I have been torquing just a little less than specs and everything is working just fine.

 
JJJJ said:
I know there are torque screwdrivers. I strongly considered purchasing one.

On the other hand a friend of mine who is a mechanic has a high end professional digital torque wrench that he lets me borrow.

I found these and currently plan on using to torque the screws in per EVE documentation specs. Actually I have been torquing just a little less than specs and everything is working just fine.

Click to expand...
From what I recall a bunch of people were cranking to 7Nm? and shearing off.
 
Steve_S said:
Amy is shipping out a pallet (now maybe 2 ?) of cases, cells, JK-Network BMS' w/ 4.3" screen, +.
I decided that I didn't want to deal with dual cables as that doesn't really work for me, so they are changing the Batt Terminals to Large Single Pole type to accommodate my wiring. Shown Below. I'm also getting them with 200A Polarized DC Breakers so everything in my DC system is similar...

View attachment 179354
Click to expand...
Is there a precharge resistor in your design or is that option a part of a BMS?
 
Eve calls for 6. I will probably go shy of that as a precaution.

It is pretty easy to run a precharge jumper as needed.
 
Brucey said:
Is there a precharge resistor in your design or is that option a part of a BMS?
Click to expand...
Here is a link to the specs for the new version of JK with Inverter Support. They have built-in precharge and current limiting +.
Just highlight the model and select it, then scroll down to see the different specs.

BTW, My current packs all have JKBMS (previous version) and no precharge, but with 6 packs online, the capacitor demand isn't an issue...
 
Going through the checklist. How is it that I have all these lugs but not the right size? Really like the Selterm brand and ordered some more. Lesson learned from before, make sure the holes are properly sized for the terminals I will be using.

Also will need some bus bars. Ordered some Pike Industries Solid Copper Busbars. My last build used Blue Sea and they are great. Pike has gotten a positive nod as well so will give them a go.

​

 
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