Hello from Belgium

[Polle]

Hello everyone,
I am a technician from belgium who recently got interested in 18650 cells after reading an article pointing to this forum.
I have been reading a lot since then so i thought it was time to register
I started collecting laptop battery packs from friends and family, testing them with an opus BT-C3100 (i only have 95 cells a the moment).
First goal is to build a "portable solar powered pack" 230V to get some experience.
2nd goal is to build a powerwall.
I already have 6kw peak solar panels installed, so already have the solar inverter. Unfortunately without the ability of connecting a battery to it so i will need a 2nd inverter with CT clamps to grid tie things i guess. I'll ask your help when i get to that point.
But first things first, collecting batteries which apparently is not easy in belgium.
I contacted a lot of company's but none of them wanted to help me "due to law restrictments"
Is there just happens to be someone who can help me out?

So far my introduction

 

[floydR]

Welcome
later floyd

 

[OffGridInTheCity]

Welcome! Yes, there's grid-tie (what you currently have), off-grid (does not feed back to grid), and hybrid. You're wanting to do hybrid....
I'm offgrid 100% and in US so I can't advise on particulars, but perhaps you need to replace your existing inverter with a specific 'hybrid' model that supports DIY battery banks - and that approach might help you gain traction.

 

[Polle]

Well, i was thinking about buying a new inverter but the problem is that the existing one is in my house. As i dont want to put the battery packs in my house but in a "seperate building" (because i'm afraid of fire) it is not possible.. i have a power cable to the other building (5g10mm²) so i want to place the battery and the 2nd inverter and meters in that building because a fire there would not destroy my whole house

 

[chuckp]

Hi I’m in the UK. I use grid-tied microinverters on PV and a grid-tied Sofar ME300SP battery inverter/charger for my diy powerwall.

 

[italianuser]

Hi there Polle and welcome. I have a tiny 4x 50W on my balcony to power my desk, notebook, a 6W lamp and cell charger (I live in Italy, in a 5th floor apartment and roof is no good -exposed towards north), this year I'll try the big step buying 4x285W, after that my balcony will be full and my wife probably gone LOL

(my control panel)

 

[Roland W]

But first things first, collecting batteries which apparently is not easy in belgium.
I contacted a lot of company's but none of them wanted to help me "due to law restrictments"
Is there just happens to be someone who can help me out?

Welcome Polle,

if getting 18650 is so difficult, why would you even go that route?

Get some new LFP prismatic cells, they are really cheap at the moment. No stress with sorting, safe, long lasting.
Sure, its not second life storage, but maybe you give other equipment a second life. There is all sorts of interesting
projects on this forum to try out. It's never boring

In my country 18650 are impossible to get as well. But luckily there is a growing market for used LFP cells.

Have fun!

 

[Polle]

Good news, i was able to collect +- 2000 batteries from a recycler.
I am now taking them apart from the packs and testing.
Sometimes the minus pole of the battery is damaged when removing the nikkel strips (where the spot welds are)
there is a litle hole in the case then.. I suppose i have to throw these batteries away imediatly?
I also hear a litle pressure relief when it happens..
Do you guys also have this problem with some packs when taking them appart?
Thanks

 

[Korishan]

Use side cutters to snip close to the nickel strip where it's welded. Don't use a dremel or other sanding method to remove the little bit left behind.
You can use a rolling action to pull the nickel off instead of just pulling the strips away from the cell.

Any cells that are damaged, do not use them. Send them back to the recycler


Also note that there are loads of posts of methods of removal and processing and disassembly. Make sure to check out those threads as well.