Hello from Montréal - Canada

givre

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Joined
Dec 30, 2020
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Hello Second Life Storage's community !

Who am I ?
I'm Ben (35), from Montréal - Canada . Right now under a little snow storm ^^
I speak French (originally from France) and English since living in Montréal (sorry about the mistakes... might not be perfect).
I guess this forum is more dedicated to English written but feel free to message me in both.

I have been reading quite a lot about different projects and storage of energy. After a while, I decided to start my own little project.
This project is more a way for me to learn, play, discover and mostly have a lot of fun. I will be trying to build a small storage of energy kind of a power wall.

My background in electronic/electricity is close to 0 (forgot everything I learned at school...), so i guess it is a really good challenge ! I hope you'll be remembering the days you started your own journey ;)
I'm a computer science guy (SysAdmin/Cloud/Security) and I usually work on software rather than hardware... but I hope to change this aspect as of today!

What am I looking for ?
I'm really looking to understand the safety rules (first) and to build system's that respect the standard of safety.
To fully understand what I'm doing (it's best ^^)
To share and document as much as possible for the community
To get different point of view on projects and builds

What is my project ?
I will open a specific thread for that maybe ? So I can expose more about it. I will provide.

But In short:
I bought 15x BAE A123 Systems Battery from Transit Buses (used). They are 40V and 2250A each modules (12S8P) .
I would like to use them as is, to build a storage bank of energy that I can use when there is a power outage. Just to run basic appliance like lights, phone/computer chargers, if possible microwave or kettle. I know the last two require more than 1500W so maybe not necessarily.
And I would like to use my house power (the grid) to charge it and keep it ready to use. I don't know if is best to keep the pack charged all the time , or to cycle it a little bit.
Ideally I would like it to have it connected (somehow) on my in-house circuit breaker so I can use the existing outlets and stuff without trouble. But I live in an appartement and I don't see how I would be able to do so. And of course I don't want it to back feed the building or the grid.
So I would maybe just start is an inverter that already has outlets. And upgrade later.

Most of system seems to work in 24v or 48v but I the modules I got are 40V , I don't really see if it's a big deal or not. Most inverter are 24v, 48v or 72v , but there is also a bunch of them that take any range from 12v to 72v so i'm a bit lost.

So far, I don't understand much the BMS possibility on parallels packs. Like if I have 15 modules in parallel. can I have just one BMS that will connect all the first series to the first entry of the BMS , etc.. for the 12S . Meaning I have 12 Rows where I can connect the 12S of each pack to each Row that finally connect to the BMS Or if I have to get one BMS for each modules . But I want to charge the full pack, not each module a one time.

I did not understand yet how I will be able to charge the full pack :) Have to read about the options.

Anyways , I am in the very early stage and will be happy to explain more and chose as I learn what can be best into this kind of setup.
Anyone that will be interested in doing some "helping/coaching" is welcome we can save some hours of writing with a quick call.

What else ?

2021 is almost here. So I wish you all a very nice end of the very unique 2020.
All the best for you projects and most of all, lot of fun, laugh, joy and compassion for next year.

Cheers,
Benoît.
 
Welcome to the forum!

>... in an appartement and I don't see how I would be able to do so. And of course I don't want it to back feed the building or the grid.
This would be an offgrid system. Solar panels? or is the more of a battery+inverter that you want to charge from the grid?

An example of a 24v/48v all-in-one offgrid unit is a PIP (Mpp Solar) I just bought a 48v / 3000w unit and it charges your battery from the grid (no solar panels required) but also accepts solar panels if you wish. Here's an example of a straight-forward battery+PIP setup -

>seems to work in 24v or 48v but I the modules I got are 40V , I don't really see if it's a big deal or not.
The reason for 24v or 48v is because it leads to a good choice of products / price. I would start a search for a 40v inverter and this will yield a key piece of info for you to plan around. If you find one - great. If you don't, then maybe reconsider re-wiring the cells to 16s.

In any case - look forward to hearing what you decide and progress on your efforts!
 
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