I've read that the average lifetime cycle count for 18650 cells is about 500, whereas I've seen 2000+ quoted as the lifetime cycle count for spim08hp pouch cells. Is this accurate? Given that, are 18650 power walls (like from salvaged modem packs, medical, or Ring packs) going to fail way sooner than equivalent capacity banks built from other types?
I ask because I'm currently looking at building a battery system for my RV. I have about 1500w of solar panels as a charge source. I'm trying to decide between building my own battery bank using recovered 18650 cells or using prebuilt spim08hp units. Both are currently available on batteryhookup.com - which I'm inclined to use because I'm within driving distance of their PA warehouse, so I could skip the shipping charges.
The per-kwh cost of salvaged 18650 cells seems like half of the cost of currently available pre-built pouch cell modules, even if I have to buy all the needed tools and supplies for such an endeavor (charger, spot welder, nickel strips, holders, etc). Is that a false economy if they are going to fail in a quarter of the time? Or are those 500 cycle estimates based on hard use scenarios that probably won't be the case in solar systems?
I'm really curious to hear what people think about the differences between these two battery types.
I ask because I'm currently looking at building a battery system for my RV. I have about 1500w of solar panels as a charge source. I'm trying to decide between building my own battery bank using recovered 18650 cells or using prebuilt spim08hp units. Both are currently available on batteryhookup.com - which I'm inclined to use because I'm within driving distance of their PA warehouse, so I could skip the shipping charges.
The per-kwh cost of salvaged 18650 cells seems like half of the cost of currently available pre-built pouch cell modules, even if I have to buy all the needed tools and supplies for such an endeavor (charger, spot welder, nickel strips, holders, etc). Is that a false economy if they are going to fail in a quarter of the time? Or are those 500 cycle estimates based on hard use scenarios that probably won't be the case in solar systems?
I'm really curious to hear what people think about the differences between these two battery types.