Solar PV battery options

irishchris · 19-05-2021 07:50PM

samdeluxjones wrote: »

Attachment not found.

340022 so there is a newer one.

I contacted Solis last night after seeing your post and received an email today saying my inverter has been updated successfully to latest firmware but it says 330022?? Would yours be a beta version perhaps?

samdeluxjones · 20-05-2021 06:43AM

irishchris wrote: »

I contacted Solis last night after seeing your post and received an email today saying my inverter has been updated successfully to latest firmware but it says 330022?? Would yours be a beta version perhaps?

Possibly, I enquired about any update and would it be possible to include multiple charge and discharge times in future firmware and hey presto..

Geeyfds53573 · 21-05-2021 10:56PM

samdeluxjones wrote: »

Possibly, I enquired about any update and would it be possible to include multiple charge and discharge times in future firmware and hey presto..

Thanks I’ve reached out to them also as really need this.

samdeluxjones · 22-05-2021 04:25PM

Geeyfds53573 wrote: »

Thanks I’ve reached out to them also as really need this.

When it's done go through all your settings again, some change some stay the same.

DrPhilG · 25-05-2021 08:55AM

I probably asked before but searching is a pain in the hoop on a mobile.

How are you DIYers storing your batteries? Cabinets are insanely expensive, I was looking at a shelving unit. Rated for 185kg per shelf so could handle the weight.

This one is 120cm long and height adjustable so could be built as 2 units side by side, 16 of the cells are 115cm length so I could do a row on each section, end to end. Vits and pieces starting to arrive, other than the sodding battery itself of course!

This one is 120cm long and height adjustable so could be built as 2 units side by side, 16 of the cells are 115cm length so I could do a row on each section, end to end. Vits and pieces starting to arrive, other than the sodding battery itself of course!

[IMG][/img]

DrPhilG · 25-05-2021 08:55AM

I probably asked before but searching back through the thread is a pain in the hoop on a mobile.

How are you DIYers storing your batteries? Cabinets are insanely expensive, I was looking at a shelving unit. Rated for 185kg per shelf so could handle the weight.

This one is 120cm long and height adjustable so could be built as 2 units side by side, 16 of the cells are 115cm length so I could do a row on each section, end to end. I'd probably add a stronger shelf material than the mdf that comes with it mind you.

Bits and pieces starting to arrive, other than the sodding battery itself of course!

graememk · 25-05-2021 09:20AM

I'm just using the white racking shelves, that are bolted to the wall. With a 9*1½ plank on it.

The 70mm2 cable is a bit over the top but it won't do any harm, just a beast to work with.

10mm2 would have been adequate. Esp if your max draw is only 3kw

samdeluxjones · 25-05-2021 10:22AM

DrPhilG wrote: »

I probably asked before but searching back through the thread is a pain in the hoop on a mobile.

How are you DIYers storing your batteries? Cabinets are insanely expensive, I was looking at a shelving unit. Rated for 185kg per shelf so could handle the weight.

This one is 120cm long and height adjustable so could be built as 2 units side by side, 16 of the cells are 115cm length so I could do a row on each section, end to end. I'd probably add a stronger shelf material than the mdf that comes with it mind you.

Bits and pieces starting to arrive, other than the sodding battery itself of course!

Think it was included in my quote from Dublin wholesalers €85+VAT, not too bad as it looks well..4 X 2.4 kWh.jpeg

slave1 · 25-05-2021 11:21AM

DrPhilG wrote: »

I probably asked before but searching is a pain in the hoop on a mobile.

How are you DIYers storing your batteries? Cabinets are insanely expensive, I was looking at a shelving unit. Rated for 185kg per shelf so could handle the weight.

[IMG][/img]

What about used standard server racking?
If it was me it would be simple 4X2 timber shelving supports and 18mm ply as the shelf itself, something like this...with plenty of supports they'll take any weight
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/how-to/g2530/how-to-build-garage-storage-shelves-for-cheap/

SD_DRACULA · 25-05-2021 12:00PM

According to various diy builds I've seen online might be better to create shelves from wood and create a sort of frame around them so that they're compressed and they don't swell and snap the connectors/bus bars.

championc · 25-05-2021 10:14PM

SD_DRACULA wrote: »

According to various diy builds I've seen online might be better to create shelves from wood and create a sort of frame around them so that they're compressed and they don't swell and snap the connectors/bus bars.

You clearly haven't seen these cells and busbars - M10 terminal bolts and 6 ply copper busbars. And we cannot charge nor discharge them at rates which would really have any chance of causing any swelling

SD_DRACULA · 26-05-2021 10:02AM

How about one of these workshop cabinets like this guy has in this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_O_5Ppv7g

slave1 · 26-05-2021 01:07PM

Do these batteries need to be stored beside Inverter or can they be stored a cable run away?

graememk · 26-05-2021 07:41PM

slave1 wrote: »

Do these batteries need to be stored beside Inverter or can they be stored a cable run away?

Closer the better, as it's low(-ish) voltage and high current. Normally the cable run is a few metres max.

If you push to 25mm2 cable you could run it farther. (Less voltage drop, talking about 60-70amps for 3kw and 90-100 for 5kw) theres cable size calculators online.

Geeyfds53573 · 28-05-2021 09:03PM

samdeluxjones wrote: »

When it's done go through all your settings again, some change some stay the same.

Thanks for this got the update and see the new time slots. Are they working ok for you?

samdeluxjones · 29-05-2021 07:11AM

Geeyfds53573 wrote: »

Thanks for this got the update and see the new time slots. Are they working ok for you?

Yes I only used them once for a power cut here last week and did exactly what was programmed.

irishchris · 29-05-2021 10:31AM

Geeyfds53573 wrote: »

Thanks for this got the update and see the new time slots. Are they working ok for you?

Which fw after you on? I requested 340022 from Solis but they replied saying this firmware isn't approved yet

samdeluxjones · 30-05-2021 08:35AM

irishchris wrote: »

Which fw after you on? I requested 340022 from Solis but they replied saying this firmware isn't approved yet

Probably beta version, i asked specifically for new firmware with multiple battery charge and discharge time slots.If one was already there it's easy to add another 1 or 2 or 3 or which is what I have now.

SD_DRACULA · 30-05-2021 09:15AM

They updated mine to 340022 just fine but then again I have been bugging them for some time with a few bits and pieces

Geeyfds53573 · 30-05-2021 09:39AM

irishchris wrote: »

Which fw after you on? I requested 340022 from Solis but they replied saying this firmware isn't approved yet

They updated me to 340022 with the multiple time slots. Keep asking I guess. Will be needed when smart tariffs come along.

unkel · 01-06-2021 11:09PM

Finally got round to building my battery pack (16S LiFePo4 200Ah CALB cells) with Daly BMS at the weekend. Working fine. Had the cells since the start of the month, but I didn't bother before as I was self using pretty much all of my PV

That all changed as I put a 4.5kW string on my new garden shed today, so near 8kW in total, upgraded my Solis inverter from a 3.6kW to a 6.0kW. Can't wait to look tomorrow how well it is performing, hope we have another good day!

punisher5112 · 02-06-2021 12:19AM

unkel wrote: »

Finally got round to building my battery pack (16S LiFePo4 200Ah CALB cells) with Daly BMS at the weekend. Working fine. Had the cells since the start of the month, but I didn't bother before as I was self using pretty much all of my PV

That all changed as I put a 4.5kW string on my new garden shed today, so near 8kW in total, upgraded my Solis inverter from a 3.6kW to a 6.0kW. Can't wait to look tomorrow how well it is performing, hope we have another good day!

How much did that cost?

unkel · 02-06-2021 08:00AM

punisher5112 wrote: »

How much did that cost?

Which? I got the CALB cells from China via Poland, paid roughly the same as the others in this thread mentioned. Got the Daly BMS via AliExpress and got the solar stuff from Solartricity, prices on their website

SD_DRACULA · 02-06-2021 08:15AM

Pics of the batteries or it didn't happen

unkel · 02-06-2021 08:43AM

SD_DRACULA wrote: »

Pics of the batteries or it didn't happen

The cells are nicely wedged in the lower compartment of my steel comms cabinet (outdoors), but the BMS balance wires make it look more like a bomb, so it ain't pretty

SD_DRACULA · 02-06-2021 08:49AM

Niiiice, how big is the total capacity, 16kwh?
Very tempted to go for lifepo4 batteries but hard to justify after getting a puredrive a few weeks back. 10kwhs would last me through the night for sure but will wait and see what FIT is about.

unkel · 02-06-2021 09:06AM

200Ah * 3.2V * 16 cells = 10240Wh :-)

That's nominal capacity, so a fully charged battery drained to about 10% gives you about 10kWh usable...

SD_DRACULA · 02-06-2021 09:43AM

Question, why not get the 280 or 300ah versions?
Can you discharge them at 0.5C which I assume is the max 5kw discharge on the Solis? Or able to do 100a charge and discharge from the inverter?

unkel · 02-06-2021 09:58AM

SD_DRACULA wrote: »

Question, why not get the 280 or 300ah versions?

These ones are sturdier. And the bigger the battery, with an equal price per kWh, the longer the pay back period.

SD_DRACULA wrote: »

Can you discharge them at 0.5C which I assume is the max 5kw discharge on the Solis?

I don't have a hybrid inverter. My PV and battery systems are completely - physically - separated and function completely independently of each other. My battery inverter can only charge / discharge at 70A max (so about 3.5kW) which is a tiny C rating on the battery

championc · 02-06-2021 08:05PM

The CALB cells are very sturdy. Large bolts for the battery terminals together with 6 leaf copper busbars

Solar PV battery options

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