SHTF Power Anyway
Power Pig
Hi all!
We had carefully reviewed a package through SunWatts for a 10kwh system using Rec360 panels, a Sol-Ark 12kwh inverter and were going to add a 18.5 Fortress Evault Lifepo4 battery. There were some serious downsides to this so we're looking for alternatives:
1 - Sunwatts is asking for credit card verification that, as an accountant, I can tell you is complete nonsense and leaves your credit card data vulnerable. The alternative of paying cash leaves the customer vulnerable if their company doesn't perform. Given our current state of affairs in the world, I'm wanting to use my credit card to get all my parts here quickly using a reputable supplier. So can someone recommend a supplier that would have all parts to build a 10kwh system off-grid with generator backup (I have the generator)?
2- The Sol-Ark inverter (as one of your members pointed out in another thread) uses monitoring that's based in China. After other points were made in that thread, I do not want to connect my solar system in any way, shape or form to an outside entity that could have the capacity to alter, shut down or damage my system. Victron was recommended for this off-grid purpose. Are there any others that might also work in this fashion?
3 - We have 4 sets of 280Ah lifepo4 cells. We bought two sets from a guy on CL and another two sets from Solar Supply House. Again, they are all lifepo4 cells but not from the same company. It appears the cells from CL are Grade A from a company called Basen. The others have caps on them showing they are EVE. I have two Overkill 12v 4s BMS. I'm concerned that my batteries purchased won't match because of the difference in manufacturers. I hate to give up the cells as they are hard to get these days. But I only have BMSs for 2 sets. Do I build 2 12V, 1 24V or 1 48V? This decision drives the decision on inverters obviously. If I continue with a DIY Lifepo4 build, I can save THOUSANDS at the cost of a few hundred more for the BMS but if I have mismatched cells, I'm throwing money down a dark hole. I could use some recommendations here. If it were you....
I have tried to do as much research as possible not being an electrician. My husband is a retired plant electrician and our neighbor an electrical engineer but neither of them do much on the internet leaving me to do all the buying... Help!
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.
We had carefully reviewed a package through SunWatts for a 10kwh system using Rec360 panels, a Sol-Ark 12kwh inverter and were going to add a 18.5 Fortress Evault Lifepo4 battery. There were some serious downsides to this so we're looking for alternatives:
1 - Sunwatts is asking for credit card verification that, as an accountant, I can tell you is complete nonsense and leaves your credit card data vulnerable. The alternative of paying cash leaves the customer vulnerable if their company doesn't perform. Given our current state of affairs in the world, I'm wanting to use my credit card to get all my parts here quickly using a reputable supplier. So can someone recommend a supplier that would have all parts to build a 10kwh system off-grid with generator backup (I have the generator)?
2- The Sol-Ark inverter (as one of your members pointed out in another thread) uses monitoring that's based in China. After other points were made in that thread, I do not want to connect my solar system in any way, shape or form to an outside entity that could have the capacity to alter, shut down or damage my system. Victron was recommended for this off-grid purpose. Are there any others that might also work in this fashion?
3 - We have 4 sets of 280Ah lifepo4 cells. We bought two sets from a guy on CL and another two sets from Solar Supply House. Again, they are all lifepo4 cells but not from the same company. It appears the cells from CL are Grade A from a company called Basen. The others have caps on them showing they are EVE. I have two Overkill 12v 4s BMS. I'm concerned that my batteries purchased won't match because of the difference in manufacturers. I hate to give up the cells as they are hard to get these days. But I only have BMSs for 2 sets. Do I build 2 12V, 1 24V or 1 48V? This decision drives the decision on inverters obviously. If I continue with a DIY Lifepo4 build, I can save THOUSANDS at the cost of a few hundred more for the BMS but if I have mismatched cells, I'm throwing money down a dark hole. I could use some recommendations here. If it were you....
I have tried to do as much research as possible not being an electrician. My husband is a retired plant electrician and our neighbor an electrical engineer but neither of them do much on the internet leaving me to do all the buying... Help!
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.