So after running this system for a little over a year now, I thought it would be a good idea to give a more in-depth status report. Let's go over all the components of the system.
- Solar panels
I am extremely happy to have gone with these large 500W ones. Not only do they perform as they are supposed to, they look good: the 'massiveness' of them together with how it simplified (in my case) the ground mount design is a great bonus I did not expect when I got them initially. Having a large panel also simplifies wiring, needs less mounting hardware, etc. They went through several storms in the mean time, and a very long and cold winter without any issues.
- Batteries
Cells are perfectly fine. The insulated box I made for them keeps them at temperature. I've not noticed any degradation. I don't know how many cycles I've put them through, but they have been close to empty during winter months, and close to full over summer. They're not being pampered; when I need the power I will deplete them, and when I'm processing wood for winter, or drying berries/meat or canning I will use the power 24/7 also in summer.
- BMS
This is the one component I really thought would be too cheap to be true, and I bought a few spares just in case since I thought for sure I would blow at least one. I had a couple of instances where I blew a 225A Class T fuse on the battery that I thought for sure would have destroyed the (100A rated) BMS. To my surprise, they survived my shenanigans. They've been running 24/7 for a year now without a hiccup. The spare ones are still in the box, unopened.
- Charge controllers
100A charge controllers hooked up to panels that can and do provide that amount of power. No issues what so ever. I only wish they came in a higher voltage version. Nothing much else I can say: power comes in, power goes to the battery, day after day, never an issue.
- Inverters
The high frequency one I stopped using and is a back-up now, stored away. It could handle most of the loads, but in the end did have some problems with specific inductive loads. Surprisingly, not the 1kW well pump, but the 150W or so ventilation system. The rest was no issue, but compared to the low frequency one the only advantage I see is the lower self consumption.
While the low frequency inverter is no Victron, it's a beast. 6kW, heavy as I don't know what, plug in everything I have at once (ventilation, well pump, waste water fan, pressure vessel, compressor, coffee maker, saw etc.) and it happily hums along at full load. Never an issue starting anything I hook up to it. It has a self consumption of around 50 to 75W, which while higher than a low frequency inverter isn't really that high either.
In addition, I made sure I could get spare parts; I ordered a spare power board and control board and had it shipped using FedEx from China. Cost: 150$ including $80 for shipping, one week delivery time. I swapped the components to make sure I can fix it if needed, and this was a breeze. So nice to have a device one can service at this price.
- Bus bars and MG Chemicals 847
Yeah, I'm using my self made braided ones and they're in my opinion still the best. I might be biased
I also really like the MG Chemicals 847 between the bus bar and terminal. I've not had connection issues at all, nor do I have any issues with the BMS balance leads. The 847 really seems to 'unify' or 'equalize' any potential issues from not having perfectly flat bus bars, or differences in resistance contact from cell to cell. For me, after a year now, this is perfect.
Conclusion: seriously, this is boring. I would have at least expected something to blow up, not work as advertised. I was hoping to be able to have multiple posts with stories... but no. Maybe I should do even cheaper components next time. Can't start a YT channel with this stuff