Should I get 2 x 5kWh or a 10kWh battery?

...Ghost...

I have asked for 2 x 5.3kWh batteries in a final solar installation quote. I received a 10.4kWh single battery quote with the system, despite asking for 2 x 5.3kWh batteries.

The agreed price hasn't changed, but am I right to think it is more expensive to buy 2 x 5kWh batteries than a single 10kWh? The reason I want the 2 batteries, is that I might add a third 5kWh battery later in the year if it makes sense financially. I also want a modular setup, where I could stack 3 x 5kWh units together, or side by side. I don't know if it would be a problem mixing a 10 and a 5 together? Other than aesthetics, I presume not.

slave1

Okay, I'm going to bite.....what price because with almost 100% certainty you can build your own from either raw cells and a BMS or kits, for the same price to what you are currently paying you'd probably end up with a 20kWh battery.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121758281#Comment_121758281

€4,200 for WECO battery units. Same as the cheapest retail price I saw at solarboss.ie due to the No VAT situation.

I know I could build up a battery unit for less, but I have ruled that out for now.

on_the_roots

€4,200 can buy 2x Seplos Mason Kits + 32x Envision 305ah cells totalling 30kwh battery set. And this is not that difficult to put everything together.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121780593#Comment_121780593

I would have to see it being done before I would feel comfortable doing a DIY setup.

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121780707#Comment_121780707

am sure there is plenty on screw tube

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121780734#Comment_121780734

This is kind of what I want to avoid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igO3Q8lK7H0&ab_channel=Off-GridGarage

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121780593#Comment_121780593

Can you link to these exact products? I will do some research.

I also think 20kWh of battery would be more than enough for me.

...Ghost...

I wonder would something like this be a happy medium between full DIY and Pro install?

https://seplos.en.alibaba.com/product/10000011813755-904752468/Seplos_ODM_Rechargeable_48V_51_1V_207Ah_10_57KWh_Home_Solar_Energy_Storage_System_NCM_Battery_Pack.html?spm=a2700.shop_index.9786.17.2e16730a5d3ZBL

I just don't want to go messing around with the system until I have a better understanding. However, If I can just connect one of these batteries to the hybrid inverter with minimal fuss and a couple settings changes, then I am OK with that.

graememk

Try looking at gobelpower too, it's a ready to go battery.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121781517#Comment_121781517

What about the one I linked above? I thought that was a ready to go battery. About €1k less for the 15kWh version than Gobel.

First time looking at these types of batteries, so I don't know what to look out for.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Seplos-MASON-230L-48V-230Ah-11_1600819750479.html?spm=a2700.wholesale.you_may_like.4.7c363611pZ6siH

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121781546#Comment_121781546

gobel power (same as the one reviewed on the off grid garage)

https://www.gobelpower.com/gobel-power-gpsr1pc200-512v-280ah-lifepo4-battery_p114.html

Work out what the cheapest/kWh and go from that, I see no obvious issue with the one you linked either

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121781668#Comment_121781668

I think I will go for a DIY battery after looking more into it. Thanks for the nudge and thanks to @on_the_roots for mentioning it.

I like the idea of the DIY kits and I reckon I can handle that. I want to start with something like a 15kWh setup with a ready made vertical box. I need the battery to wall mount. I can make a bracket for this if need be, but I can't have it sticking out like an open drawer (server style) because this will be in a narrow side passage.

Can anyone advise on:

This DIY kit https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/48V-DIY-Units-Battery-Box-Without_1600751118441.html?xp=FNr2dMcx2QkNAkApgG4PdDqUhm7EMbk6Am3HnO0c0vrw2Ol_5lTs8CcPo88De_uztMNZWCruKnKSM87By9k05FEH21x7QrJ-JITxfF6huJ8&cps_sk=rkj8oj9l&bm=cps&src=saf&productId=1600751118441

And what about these batteries (maybe I am paying too much with Grade A? https://www.gobelpower.com/ev-grade-a-eve-32v-280ah-rechargeable-lifepo4-battery-cell_p102.html?ref=ogga

I calculate that 16 of them should give me over 13kWh of storage. Do I need anything else?

The battery would be connected to a SOLIS hybrid inverter. I seen in the DIY battery thread something about setting the BMS to SOFAR and the battery name to AoBo or some other. Do I need any hardware, or software to do any of this? Thanks.

on_the_roots

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121781195#Comment_121781195

Cells:

https://eu.nkon.nl/rechargeable/lifepo4/prismatisch/envision-ess-72173207-305ah-lifepo4-3-2v-b-grade.html

Mason Kit (it also works with the 305ah cells):

https://www.fogstar.co.uk/collections/seplos-mason-kits/products/seplos-tall-48v-280ah-diy-kit-14-3kwh?variant=41178807173179

slave1

100% NKON versus AE, even though mine came from AE and are rock solid the NKON are more "local" and they have a better rep over more recent AE purchases

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121787837#Comment_121787837

Cheers. One other thing (excuse my ignorance)...

NKON are B Grade Cells that you linked, which are about the same price as the A Grade Cells I linked from Gobel Power. What reason would I be choosing the NKON over the Gobel cells?

graememk

Its the shipping you also need to take into account, Although gobel are "A Rated"

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121788286#Comment_121788286

At ~€270 more, are the "A Rated" cells worth the extra?

Works out at an extra €17ish Euro per cell.

Probably safer going with an EU supplier though and the B Grades wouldn't take so long to arrive.

Newtown90

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121781517#Comment_121781517

Can you order direct with Gobel or do you have to organise shipping yourself?

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121789790#Comment_121789790

It was direct with Gobel. Shipping showed at checkout.

on_the_roots

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121788405#Comment_121788405

There is no actual difference between "A" and "B" grade cells for PV storage. The nature of this type of usage doesn't require very high charge/discharge performance like EVs, so "B" grade cells will work perfectly fine. Also you have NKON warranty on them, anything wrong and you are well covered.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121801392#Comment_121801392

Thanks. This is what I thought, but couldn't find a straight answer. That helps me with my decision.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121787837#Comment_121787837

There isn't an option to deliver the Seplos kit to Ireland. Have you ordered from frogstar before?

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811670#Comment_121811670

Parcel depot in northern Ireland is the option for fogstar

on_the_roots

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811670#Comment_121811670

I used Parcel Depot to receive it close to the border and I drove there to pick up. £48,00 for their service because this comes in a pallet.

The devils

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121818358#Comment_121818358

Super

Did you also order seplos battery and can cables for unit through fogstar?

on_the_roots

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121818668#Comment_121818668

No, you can get them from Nkon as well. I got this one.

The devils

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121819066#Comment_121819066

Thanks for that 👍

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121818358#Comment_121818358

I plan to put in an order soon. Did you have to take the pallet, or can it be left with parcel depot. I wouldn't fit a pallet in the saloon.

The devils

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121903991#Comment_121903991

I'd say you have to keep the pallet , but asked before you order

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121903991#Comment_121903991

Time to bring a heavy hammer 😂