houseofancients
Solar Wizard
Do a forum search on sunfunkits, they are for me a definite "not even when hell freezes over"
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Who is still building DIY batteries
- Thread starter JJJJ
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timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Nothing stays on the shelf for very long, there.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Same here.
Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
Stupid %$#$%^ JK BMS's and their stupid F#%G extra wire.... 
Tomorrow I gotta get Siriko to overnight me a new BMS....
Tomorrow I gotta get Siriko to overnight me a new BMS....
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2022
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Which wire did you forget?Stupid %$#$%^ JK BMS's and their stupid F#%G extra wire....
Tomorrow I gotta get Siriko to overnight me a new BMS....
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What damage did it do?
Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
All my wires were 1 off. Doesn't look like any damage but since I trimmed everything to fit I can't just rearrange them.
Bossrox
Solar tinkerer
I'm about to get my next batch of 304's from apexium with a US warehouse so quick delivery if they got 'em in stock. They go fast when they come in. I got my last batch from Docan, best set I've got yet but rarely have any in their US warehouse anymore. A guy on youtube said he's getting good quality out of apexium & they say they'll have some in the warehouse in October, $105 each + shipping.
Alkaline
Solar Wizard
Who is this apexium?
ksmithaz1
Solar / EV Junkie
I started my DIY Powerwall 6 years ago based on 2nd hand 18650 NMC chemistry cells. The current generation of LifePo4 / rack batteries / pricing wasn't so easily available back then.
It's been cost effective and since I do it in the background, a battery (or 2) / year, and enjoy the process - it's easy background work and is OK for my situation.
I'm up to 121kwh and 1,780 cycles as of yesterday on the oldest battery with no detectable degradation.
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and working on 27kwh more ....
I'd have a seizure walking in that room! That is some serious wow. It's actually stunning you made that happen: Kudos for even attempting it, much less making all that actually work. ! I considered the 280/305 prismatics but this is just insane. Obviously a labor of love, my congrats to you for pulling it off. I assume the various colors represent various purchase lots. Sorry I'll have to take a rack mount instead.Samsonite801
Solar Wizard
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- Oct 15, 2020
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- 2,997
At first, I went all DIY because there were no shelf offerings back then, DIY was the only way to get lots of LFP Ah. So I bought all my DIY parts based on 280Ah cells, for 12v and 48v packs, so they could all interchange (better serviceability for reconfiguration or for cell failure), then I added heaters under the aluminum floor-plates. I still don't see heaters on many of the shelf models today.
So now I'm building a 3rd 48v battery (already have three dual-12v, and two 48v setups), and also decided to go DIY again on the 3rd pack, because I want it to match the look of the others, and the same serviceability having existing form-factor. They all have the heaters too. I still buy 280Ah cells this time, just got them delivered today after 1.5 month China shipping...
I like to scale-out and keep all parts across my packs interchangeable. Plus, $2300 for 16s 280Ah is good for me, I already know the dimensions for the cut2size aluminum plates for the clamps, the floor plates (only the length is different on floor-plates between the dual-12v and 48v packs, totally modular design), 3/8" dia threaded rod, the silicone protector hose for the threaded rods, all the stuff I use.
I also like that I can change the BMS brand or model easily (right on top, no covers to remove). I also added the standalone 2a active balancers on all them as well in case I want to turn on higher amperage active balancing, or just have another bluetooth method to login and monitor cell voltages in case a BMS fries or something, or even if I want to compare the accuracy of the voltage readings. I can also easily access all the cell terminals and bus bars without removing shelves, cover lids, so I can manually check cell voltages, test voltage drops, connection points and such. Troubleshooting is a snap...
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houseofancients
Solar Wizard
Docan's relabel brand of the seplos Mason kits
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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- Feb 5, 2022
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- 20,095
You can move the wires on the connectors.
I always remove the ones I don't need. I keep them for spares.
A friend built a case out of thick polycarbonate, added switches and a gauge and painted the exterior. Looks very nice. If I were to make one would consider ventilation holes just to ensure air circulation although my batteries seem to hold their temperature well.
superchachi
New Member
bummer about the wires...but, it looks like you could set that mini-van on top of that box no problem. How thick is that plate?Stupid %$#$%^ JK BMS's and their stupid F#%G extra wire....
Tomorrow I gotta get Siriko to overnight me a new BMS....
View attachment 167454
I wouldn’t extrapolate from one video on YouTube. i think you’ll find that countries with constant outages especially prolonged ones are up to pace if not ahead in terms of self generation of power and storage side. For many in the 3rd world the grid is the back up. Here in Nigeria, I have never heard of anyone building a LA battery, I see adverts for people offering to buy your old batteries but it’s probably more for recycling. People are abandoning LA in general and everyone is going lithium. In a country of constant outages, people are tired of LA, such is the level of outages, the average Nigerian does not get 2 years out of his new LA (if you are lucky) due to under sizing, prolonged outages and extended dod , so lithium is a no brainer and has been embraced big time. One can question the quality of some of the Lithium batteries that are flooding the market but trust me, fewer and fewer people want anything to do with LA batteries talk less building.
No no I'm not just talking about one video, there are many people repairing / rebuilding lead acid batteries around the world, a lot of it is in India
Malaysia
Bangladesh
Yeah I was going to mention india and lead acid batteries. They have a huge battery manufacturing industry. 15 years ago, I would say 90% of the lead acid battery market here were Indian brands, it’s probably now 60% Indian 30% CHines’s and 10% others. Indian batteries are highly rated here for those still into LA but I would say India is unique because they have a huge domestic LA manufacturing industry. You’ll find more Ladas in Russia because they make them there, despite the fact that probably no one else in the world drives them.
there is a battery type called the “tall tubular lead acid“ that came into our markets from India that is a lot more durable and robust than traditional VRLA and AGM in handling deep DOD, unfortunately while they proved popular, they came just at the time of the advent of lithium. Any internet or YouTube search for “Tubular batteries” will inevitably take you to India. They give off gases, therefore not suitable for indoor use, though out of ignorance many here use them indoors. India is unique when it comes to LA.
There are lots of YouTube videos from the states showing people trying to revive LA batteries using welders, high voltake chargers, desulphurisation, snake oil etc. it’s not an indication of the reality. Yes LA is big in India but I am sure lithium is also big there and India is only 1 country in the 3rd world. Out of interest is India still classified as 3rd world?
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Just replaced a FLA 35ah lawn mower battery, got 5 years out of the old one, brand new one was about $65 after core charge. Can’t say that I’d be willing to crack open the top to try and fix that unit.
I did let the old be freeze, I forgot about it until we’ll into single digit temps.
I did let the old be freeze, I forgot about it until we’ll into single digit temps.
OffGridIdaho
Hobby Farm in N Idaho
I was thinking of getting the samlex. Will it boost shore power for high amp starting loads while it also is charging at the same time? The victron 5k will do that for a few hundred more. I am currently using the samlex 1200w-24v EVO and love it. Its just not enough power for 2x loads at same time.
Just wanted to throw this in here. Another possible option for a battery box. I have not purchased it but is looks nice:
www.alibaba.com
Luyuan Diy Battery Box/case Set/kit For 8s 4s2p 24v 280ah 304ah 320ah Battery Pack With With Compression Battery/cell Device - Buy Larger Box For Men,Seed Storage Metal Box,Car Waterproof 12v Battery Box Product on Alibaba.com
Luyuan Diy Battery Box/case Set/kit For 8s 4s2p 24v 280ah 304ah 320ah Battery Pack With With Compression Battery/cell Device - Buy Larger Box For Men,Seed Storage Metal Box,Car Waterproof 12v Battery Box Product on Alibaba.com
MrM1
I'm Here, But I'm Not All There
NiceJust wanted to throw this in here. Another possible option for a battery box. I have not purchased it but is looks nice:
Luyuan Diy Battery Box/case Set/kit For 8s 4s2p 24v 280ah 304ah 320ah Battery Pack With With Compression Battery/cell Device - Buy Larger Box For Men,Seed Storage Metal Box,Car Waterproof 12v Battery Box Product on Alibaba.com
Luyuan Diy Battery Box/case Set/kit For 8s 4s2p 24v 280ah 304ah 320ah Battery Pack With With Compression Battery/cell Device - Buy Larger Box For Men,Seed Storage Metal Box,Car Waterproof 12v Battery Box Product on Alibaba.com
And no BMS. Looks like it would be possible to squeeze a JK or Overkill in there.
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Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
Sigh... if I had the months in advance notice...Just wanted to throw this in here. Another possible option for a battery box. I have not purchased it but is looks nice:
Luyuan Diy Battery Box/case Set/kit For 8s 4s2p 24v 280ah 304ah 320ah Battery Pack With With Compression Battery/cell Device - Buy Larger Box For Men,Seed Storage Metal Box,Car Waterproof 12v Battery Box Product on Alibaba.com
Luyuan Diy Battery Box/case Set/kit For 8s 4s2p 24v 280ah 304ah 320ah Battery Pack With With Compression Battery/cell Device - Buy Larger Box For Men,Seed Storage Metal Box,Car Waterproof 12v Battery Box Product on Alibaba.com
I had built a 8s 280AH and did the whole DIY thing. Saw Ray Builds Cool Stuff on YT showing the Apexium DIY box, and really liked what I saw. I've been building the 16s 280 EVE
By the way, I paid with PayPal on Saturday and picked up on Monday evening. No slow boat from China for your mystery prize! If you are in the market and you want to be sure you are dealing with the proper Jenny Wu (she has many imposters on AliBaba), then I can message you her email address or watch Ray's excellent videos where he explains in wonderful detail, and also verbally shares her email.
I am wondering if anyone on here has tried the new? '100balance' 5A active balancers I see on Amazon now. Curiosity, as I contemplate using one on my old 8s.
***Update: I misspoke above. I assumed the batteries were REPT. They actually are EVE, I didn't ask, but used the QR Scanner app for Android, which is awesome! It's "LifePoQE Battery QE Scanner" in the app store. Batteries were mfg less than a year ago and were verified sparkly new and perfect shape. Capacity tested 3 so far as reported by the ebc-a40l tester from her ($205/picked up), as well: I've got through capacity testing 3 of the 16 280AH Eve cells so far and at only 3.45V charge they have rated: 281.2AH, 283.2AH, 283.0AH, respectively.
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Never Sunf kits. I would and did buy from the real Jenny Wu by email (not Alibaba 'imposters') 100x. U.S. Warehouse, proper labling, product that lives up to spec, and grade A. Watch Ray Builds Cool Stuff YT about the crap that the SFK vendor pulled on him, lies, threats, and outing his personal info. Evil.
Mine are installed on a boat. The built in, dedicated battery box has a 10mm clear perspex lid. Once the lid is off there is another clear perspex lid over the cells. You have access to BMS and class T fuse with the cells still being protected by the perspex. Belt and braces but safe
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