Sun Trekker

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Added a lithium battery active balancer to equalize cell voltages for efficiency.

 

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Battery update - I’m conditioning the 24V battery by slowly discharging (.35A for 2 days) and voltage remains at 26. Also discharged to 24.2V (10% SoC).

The active balancer works, cells are within 1-2 mV at rest.

 

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RV solar update-

System performs beyond expectations on the road. The 24V 280AH LiFePO4 battery has large capacity to power lights, radio, refrigerator, inverter, converter, etc. Only thing I haven’t tested is the new 12 seer AC window unit…shouldn’t be a problem. And the REC 640 watt mono array quickly charges on very cloudy days….

System hardware and wire is somewhat oversized and generates minimal heat.

…I’m a happy camper : )

 

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Solar data log for 48 hours - amp production vs. load. Dip below zero represents load like refrigerator and coffee maker. Cycle is consistent.

 

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Non-BMS 640W/280AH system performance update.

After one month, off grid system functions as designed. The LVD, HVD and active cell balancer are important. While charging, cell voltages differ by 10 mV, charge parameters set at 26.8 float and 27.6 bulk/absorb. The coulomb meter recorded 165AH gain on a sunny day! 90% SoC is max without a BMS.

 

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Performance update after 3 months -
640W/280AH/24V system (without bms) performs well! However one issue was the old RV absorption refrigerator that gobbled power (1OAH x 20 hrs). …for my application the Vitrifrigo VF62 w/mobile compressor uses 1/5 the power!

 

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Data log shows AC cycles and healthy battery voltage.

 

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Battery performance update - After 4 months the 24V Life battery (w/out BMS) performs well! I highly recommend a quality active balancer to level individual cell voltages…VM shows within a few mV. It’s the heart of this system along with a smart battery monitor w/LVD and HVD.

 

[Campin]

System performance update: Awesome.

After 5 months, the 24V battery is clicking on all cells (credit the active cell balancer) and floats under 27V (90%+ SoC).

The only issue was a 60A fuse meltdown between the SCC and battery. Totally my fault, I installed an audio fuse.

 

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System performance analysis in December. Great website for DIY solar!

 

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I’m dry camping in national forest, northern Arizona. Off grid system has power to spare, running all appliances including AC (no generator). I’m a happy camper! : )

 

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Battery update - performs well after 9 months. The heart of the management system is the Outback FM60 and active cell balancer. Here’s individual cell voltages (at rest). I’ll post voltages in charge mode too.
3.335
3.335
3.336
3.335
3.335
3.336
3.335
3.336

 

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System update - All’s good, the lithium 24V battery performs well!

 

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System performance exceeds expectations. On a typical day sun powers all loads (fridge and AC), battery SOC 90%.

 

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Boondocking 1-1/2 yrs and all systems go! I did replace cheap split wire loom (on the roof) with RoHS UV rated stuff.

 

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Two years rving and the 24V LiFePO4 battery performs as designed. …very pleased!