Solar PV battery options

The electrical side is very simple. Panels have a male and female connector on each. You simply connect the male from one to the female of the next. It's easier than Lego. You then need two long leads from the inverter to the string of panels, with a DC disconnect switch along the path (or one at the panels and one at the inverter).

So in reality, the difficult bit is to simply anchor the mounting rails to your roof. There should be plenty of videos online for how to remove / replace roof tiles.

The installer companies can do an install in a day, and it's easy to see why.

ya its the battery bit i would like to DIY, or to add on batteries after all the "hard" (easy?) work is done.

I wont be going near the roof so the panels will definitely have to be mounted by someone who knows what they are at in terms of roof operations.

This video popped up on my youtube feed I found it interesting. Describes the troubles with ordering lifepo4 from china. What i found interesting is these Alibaba sellers will accept creditcard for an extra few % (3% in this persons example), maybe an alternative to aliexpress if you have confidence in your creditcard providers charge back process. this fellow is buying large quantity of these cells for ther off grid setup in the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYqemUdIo08

If connecting a DC power pack to an already installed inverter, then nothing whatsoever. Your installer of a hybrid inverter might get arsy if you had a problem but realistically, after the fist week of operation, I very much doubt if any customer has seen or needed their installer since

From personal experience, buy with a credit card via AliExpress. Do NOT buy direct. If you have any problem, you can raise a Dispute with AliExpress, and 99 times out of 100, they will go against the retailer and issue a refund.

I bought a set of 16 cells recently. They never arrived. The seller claimed they were at the PO awaiting collection. They then said that they were signed for too. AliExpress issued me a refund.

So in my opinion, they are actually easier than Ebay or PayPal

I posted a shopping list a few pages back. Also I agree with championc. Go with Aliexpress. People's experience with PWOD and OYE has been good. Look for videos from Ray (same guy linked above by fluffykre) or Will Prowse for good how-tos.

Alkers I'm also in the research phase here with respect to options like yourself......and my thanks to you championc. These forums are awesome for the level of sharing that goes on. Truly.

Only thing I'd comment is that 48v isn't to be trifled with. With a 48V pack I guess you could get up to 55-56v upper voltage, that is enough to "ruin-your-day"(tm) if your not careful and accidentally had that charge going across you, esp if it was hot day or something and your hands might be sweaty. Only takes 30-40 mA for you to "wake up dead" :)

However, bad-mojo/doom-gloom aside, 48V is generally ok to deal/work with. Sure, your not going to be going around licking terminals - just wouldn't like for people to get into their heads that you can be flippant like you can with a 12V, but 48V is generally pretty safe.

The I believe the batteries are safe to work with then not connected to the system, in the same way that you could get a right belt off a car battery when the starter is turning the engine. The deadly part is the current, and keeping the positives away from the negatives

Lads it's fine (totally FINE!)..... as long as you only lick ONE terminal at a time. Don't ever lick two together, like you did back in the day when you were a kid with a 9V battery!

LOL!

The Pylontech battery, the connection on the cable would be of no use to the LiFePO4 setup which would use a lug. Normally there is a fused switch before the inverter you would be connecting the diy setup to. Also the next user of the Pylontech would need the cable I’d assume.

That was my question Dracula but you phrased better that I did. I have the cables having sold the batteries and it seems like a logical approach to take but I may be missing something

i am sure it is buried in the 52 pages of the thread somewhere, but how are people finding battery life after 5 years, particularly those of you who are perhaps maximising cycles by charging from grid at night to discharge when day electricity rate kicks in?