Forgot to say, my BMS has arrived, only ordered it on 16th.
Ronski's Solar & battery DIY build with whole house backup
- Thread starter Ron-ski
- Start date
Associate
I make it 23.3A per string of 3x405W panels @ 52V. so 46.6A per controller with 2 strings to each controller.
Here's what I calculated, presuming I've used the correct values
mppt.victronenergy.com
MPPT Calculator - Victron Energy
Use our Online MPPT Calculator for PV sizing calculations.
Associate
Here's what I calculated, presuming I've used the correct values
MPPT Calculator - Victron Energy
Use our Online MPPT Calculator for PV sizing calculations.
I just use the simple method of adding the total Watts of the string, divide by your battery volts, gives you your max amps on that string.
You don't usually get to those numbers for more than a few seconds, say after bright sun comes out from behind the clouds and it spikes.
No cable losses are accounted for just the ball park number of Amps
Nice to see you're going to use 6mm cable for the panels...good choice
Finally the electrician is coming to the rental property on Thursday to change the inverter, lost a month of good solar/FIT payment
You will be running your house like this when you're done with the install, just using the cheap rate.
That's the plan, all this expense needs to save money.
Soldato
Yes the bottoms of the cells are still covered.
All the cells are physically good, there is no damage, only thing I have noticed is the terminals are welded on slightly crooked, some are worse than others though. I don't think this will cause any issues, as there is some leeway in the supplied busbars, but I may well use these flexible busbars - need to check hole spacing.
I've measured the voltage, and every cell is 3.295v, can't carry out any other checks as I don't have the equipment yet.
BusBar Flexible M6 Connection Copper Plate LF280 DIY 3.2V 280Ah 12V 24V 48V LF280K LiFePO4 Battery Cell Connection Plate BusBars - AliExpress 44
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.comwww.aliexpress.com
Make your own cables if possible.
And don't go above 3.6V or your cells will die faster.
Soldato
Have you had any luck getting onto it? My SMETS1 meter is still not working so I can't switch as the option is unavailable for my meter.
Website just says this on the EV tariff bit:
We're still setting up your meter in our systems
Please try signing up after you get your next statement. Sorry to keep you waiting.
Edit - I do wonder if people can actually really get onto it at the moment - https://community.bulb.co.uk/t/ev-tariff-disaster/112226/8
I haven't tried yet, but my smart meters haven't worked since the end of July. I might try contacting Bulb to see if they will replace them.
Soldato
I don't think we'll have much luck getting Bulb to swap them, I've just posted in the other solar thread, perhaps going to Agile will be a good move short term.
Think Octopus will replace for SMETS2.
Mine are actually faulty though, they were working.
Soldato
They'll swap faulty ones for free yes!
I've ordered a set of flexi busbars https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...on.0.0.448b3e5fPWkTaz&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt
Rather pricey, but I've lots to be making as it is.
Associate
Hydraulic Wire Crimper, next on your list of stuff to buy, it never ends!, if you don't have one already.
I'd go the 16Ton version for the longer length handles, makes crimping a bit easier, you still have to use all your strength
A lot of crimping to do.
I'd go the 16Ton version for the longer length handles, makes crimping a bit easier, you still have to use all your strength
A lot of crimping to do.
I asked Fogstar for the EVE test data spread sheet last night, they emailed it through this morning.
My cells range from 290.6 AH to 294.1 AH, if that is the case it will give a 15kWh battery. Once I get my battery tester I will test some cells.
The only odd thing is the spreadsheet has a production date, and creation date value for each cell, all of which are the 15 June 2022, which differs from what the Lifepo4 app says, which is January this year for most of them.
I didn't, I do now though, it arrived yesterday
Only the 8t one though.
Last night I ordered all the aluminium for my solar mounting brackets.
My cells range from 290.6 AH to 294.1 AH, if that is the case it will give a 15kWh battery. Once I get my battery tester I will test some cells.
The only odd thing is the spreadsheet has a production date, and creation date value for each cell, all of which are the 15 June 2022, which differs from what the Lifepo4 app says, which is January this year for most of them.
Hydraulic Wire Crimper, next on your list of stuff to buy, it never ends!, if you don't have one already.
I'd go the 16Ton version for the longer length handles, makes crimping a bit easier, you still have to use all your strength
A lot of crimping to do.
I didn't, I do now though, it arrived yesterday
Only the 8t one though.
Last night I ordered all the aluminium for my solar mounting brackets.
Associate
You're going to wish you bought the bigger one lol, I can see gym time calling 
Gym, what's the gym??
I'm sure I'll be fine, as long as I don't do too many at once.
PS Over 30 years as an HGV fitter helps, but I'm getting older now and not on the tools so much.
I'm sure I'll be fine, as long as I don't do too many at once.
PS Over 30 years as an HGV fitter helps, but I'm getting older now and not on the tools so much.
Some aluminium arrived today, 36kgs of it.
Soldato
Are you designing the railing system/mounting solution yourself, or something you have seen elsewhere?
Soldato
Are you designing the railing system/mounting solution yourself, or something you have seen elsewhere?
There are some details about it in the OP
Soldato
Seems so long ago now, I did read it honest.