Franky Beuselinck
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2017
- Messages
- 57
Thanks for reading, with this write up I share the adventure that started over 1 year ago. In that timeframI tested a lot of cells and aquired the skills by building 2 1KWH PWs.
Since one month my 48V - 8kwh is up and running and I'm very pleased with the results.
I've added some referral links, this support will help me to create extra content and YT videos.
Testing.
I'm charging my single 18650s with the well known TP4056. During the process several charge boards were made.
At the moment I can charge +40 batteries at the time and check capacity from 10 cells at once.
LINK HERE
Capacity check is done with this litlle wonder, it's very consistent:
LINK HERE
Sorting & building
When I started collecting batteries I hesitated between a 24V or 48V config, but quickly found out that 48V was the route to go. So 14 packs of 80 cells were made. The positive side of each cell is fused with a 3A glass fuse.
The first 2 PW had soldered connections, now I treated myself with a spotwelder, the well known SUNKO 709A. Very pleased with the performance and results.
At the back I welded 4P nickelstrip and added a copper busbar. For the next "shelf" I will no longer use the nickelstrip.
Sorting batteries to 80P packs
While working on the pack, I convinced my better half to install the solar panels in the garden where they are facing south.
Besides welding and soldering, I also had to work on my bricklaying skills, but most credits go to my brother who works in construction.
A frame was built with the help of my father in law. Should withstand T3 storms.
The frame is made for 12 panels. To charge the batteries I use the well known PCM60X. 4 strings of 3 280W panels are connected via a DIY combinerbox to the charger.
More info on the combinerbox in this dedicated thread: LINK HERE
PCM60X infotainment.
The EASUN 5KVA inverter generates upto 4KW. For now, I internally limited to 3KW via software. The power goes through a breaker box with earth leakage protection.
Manually disconnects solar and batteries from inverter.
To bring the 220V inside the house, I had to trench 25m. Close to the garage there was a large PVC tube for my hamradio coax cables. Luckely there
was enough room left to add the 220V and some control cables.
Once indoor I connected the power to an ATS, automatich transfer switch. This device switches automatically between the grid and the powerwall.
LINK HERE
So when the batteries go low, the inverter switches off and it takes about 3 seconds to connect to the grid.
Indoor I have seperate circuits to our waterbed, washing machine, and several wall outlets. Typical daily usage is 4Kwh.
Found some nifty devices to measure the used energy.
They allow me to switch of power and check the energy usage wherever I'm connected to the internet.
LINK HERE
The app shows current, daily and montly usage and you and acts as a switch too.
Balancing you ask? Ofcourse! A small package but great performer. Works like a charm.
As I want to add another shelf in the near future I bought the 2A model
LINK HERE
All balance leads are equally long.
Great results
And now back to work, there's enough room to add a couple of shelfs.
Comments and questions are welcome and appreciated.
Frank, ON7RU
Since one month my 48V - 8kwh is up and running and I'm very pleased with the results.
I've added some referral links, this support will help me to create extra content and YT videos.
Testing.
I'm charging my single 18650s with the well known TP4056. During the process several charge boards were made.
At the moment I can charge +40 batteries at the time and check capacity from 10 cells at once.
LINK HERE
Capacity check is done with this litlle wonder, it's very consistent:
LINK HERE
Sorting & building
When I started collecting batteries I hesitated between a 24V or 48V config, but quickly found out that 48V was the route to go. So 14 packs of 80 cells were made. The positive side of each cell is fused with a 3A glass fuse.
The first 2 PW had soldered connections, now I treated myself with a spotwelder, the well known SUNKO 709A. Very pleased with the performance and results.
At the back I welded 4P nickelstrip and added a copper busbar. For the next "shelf" I will no longer use the nickelstrip.
Sorting batteries to 80P packs
While working on the pack, I convinced my better half to install the solar panels in the garden where they are facing south.
Besides welding and soldering, I also had to work on my bricklaying skills, but most credits go to my brother who works in construction.
A frame was built with the help of my father in law. Should withstand T3 storms.
The frame is made for 12 panels. To charge the batteries I use the well known PCM60X. 4 strings of 3 280W panels are connected via a DIY combinerbox to the charger.
More info on the combinerbox in this dedicated thread: LINK HERE
PCM60X infotainment.
The EASUN 5KVA inverter generates upto 4KW. For now, I internally limited to 3KW via software. The power goes through a breaker box with earth leakage protection.
Manually disconnects solar and batteries from inverter.
To bring the 220V inside the house, I had to trench 25m. Close to the garage there was a large PVC tube for my hamradio coax cables. Luckely there
was enough room left to add the 220V and some control cables.
Once indoor I connected the power to an ATS, automatich transfer switch. This device switches automatically between the grid and the powerwall.
LINK HERE
So when the batteries go low, the inverter switches off and it takes about 3 seconds to connect to the grid.
Indoor I have seperate circuits to our waterbed, washing machine, and several wall outlets. Typical daily usage is 4Kwh.
Found some nifty devices to measure the used energy.
They allow me to switch of power and check the energy usage wherever I'm connected to the internet.
LINK HERE
The app shows current, daily and montly usage and you and acts as a switch too.
Balancing you ask? Ofcourse! A small package but great performer. Works like a charm.
As I want to add another shelf in the near future I bought the 2A model
LINK HERE
All balance leads are equally long.
Great results
And now back to work, there's enough room to add a couple of shelfs.
Comments and questions are welcome and appreciated.
Frank, ON7RU