I made the switch last year from SLA to LiFePo4 Power Queens. I have 5 of them in parallel in my small 12v system. I will shortly go 24 or 48v as soon as i get a new inverter.
Bare LiFePO4 cells can push 1000-2000A in a dead short for a very short period of time, and can safely push several hundred amps for long enough to start an internal combustion engine. But there are three problems. First, the BMS also needs to be able to handle the current. Second... engine compartments can get hot, often too hot for lithium batteries. And finally, alternators can't properly charge a LiFepO4 battery. You can buy LiFePO4 batteries with BMSs and wiring specifically designed to allow several hundred "cranking" amps (like 600 amps, see some of Will Prowse's videos on tests hes done). And you can also buy LiFePO4 batteries with BMSs which cut-off high voltages, regulate charging current, and regulate float voltages even when the alternator is trying to put out too high a voltage... in order to serve as drop-in replacements for regular lead-acid batteries. However, most LiFePO4 batteries branded as being drop-in replacements actually aren't and its really hit or miss. For the regular Joe, actually putting lithium in the engine compartment is fraught with difficulty just finding the correct brand that does everything properly in order to get a safe, dependable result. -Matt
There's a reason why lead acid batteries are better for cars/vehicles than a lifepo4 battery 🔋 hot summers & engine heat along with 0F winters....Although you probably already knew this.
Here's an "inconvenient truth", you can do some internet legwork and get some great pricing on a "fancy" lifepo4 power station. Another inconvenient truth, they come with various and multiple plug ins and power charging options as opposed to your method of juggling batteries and inverters with the extremely limited and minimal usage options detailed above. Do what you wish but don't try to make those of us who are knowledgeable, did our homework, and use these on a regular basis out to be idiots just wasting our money.money.
Oftentimes, by the time you buy all those "extras," you're better off spending a little extra money for the portability, functionality and compactness of a regular power station. I got regulated 12V out, I got multiple USB ports, built in light, built in solar input, multiple AC outlets, over curent, over power, all kinds of built in protection all in a compact design. I don't need a cart, I can drop it in its carry case and pick it up with one hand.
@@OurBlackCatCottage I have plans on building one just for entertainment, I'm on solar but recently bought a Ecoflow because lithium batteries don't ship here where I live, but recently I've seen some batteries on Amazon that might ship...A Ecoflow ultra 3 cost over 6k here, that's how bad things are here in the tropics.
I inherited one of these when my brother gave me his before he died of cancer last year. You still got to figure out how you are going to use to charge it with.
I agree you don't have to buy one. Pat, it is much more simple and easy to buy one. You skipped an MPPT solar charger ac charger app integration. Bluetooth monitoring internet monitoring. Just the seamless aspect of these in a compact unit can make it worth it. I built one and bought one roughly the same amount of power. Less convenient for transportation, the one I built. Plus all the safety precautions taken and built in is great on these devices
you are right you build it then you know how to fix it i have a 5000 reliable i use full time, and diy lithium batterys with a make sky blue knock off mppt charge controller works great the only thing is more batterys what i have are full by 10 am , using 0 gauge bat cables work great
Anything you build yourself won't be as portable, compact and light however. I have a Ecoflow Delta Max 2, just the battery is almost as big and heavy. There is no way you could build something that compact and light yourself.
I get what hes saying, but just bought an Ecoflow River Pro 2 set. Once I understand it in and out, maybe Ill build a cheap version, but until then, yes indeed, the EcoFlow is pretty tight and is no brainer for emergencies and beyond.
There was a time where this was very cost effective, but the turnkey form factor and lower prices have made the extra money worth it for the average person.
Obviously this guy is not telling the truth. He almost admits it. A portable power station Is a battery (usually a 48v LiFePo), 120v inverter, 12v and 5v power converters, and now days a wireless phone charger, a display screen, and a wifi and/or Bluetooth unit. All packaged in a nice case. The Peceon E1500 (the one I bought) weighs a manageable 40 lbs. Also Pecrons come with several cords and adaptors for under $700
Batteries don't ship here, buying a Ecoflow comes out cheaper, I can easily build one, but will cost me more money, these batteries are good to fill a power gap.
@Brockleejohnson not here lol, I would have to use lead acid, but I'm exploring options right now, the only 12v lithium battery that ships here cost $449+ shipping and taxes, close to $600, that's the battery alone.
@@MosaicHomestead ok so you basically just proved you could beat it yourself because after that it’s just 2 wires and the inverter 😎 easy done. They charge you to make it look pretty with those lil boxes but it’s super simple and a lot cheaper to do it yourself. You easily save $2-3 even $500 in some cases just gotta hunt for the best deal.
@Brockleejohnson My problem isn't building a battery, I've been building stuff like this since Radio shack was around, I even built my own wind and solar, my problem is getting material like you do for cheap, in the US, this is possible, here it's going to be more money 💰, and will be a lot cheaper considering the Ecoflow Ultra 3 cost over 6k 😆
We don't have to buy a fancy smart phone when we can buy a flip phone and attach a small monitor with a Raspberry Pi strapped to it for a fraction of the price. But most people want the iPhone because it's pre-built, all-in-one, looks cool, and just works. But I get your point. What you explained can be applied to most things.
@@OurBlackCatCottage It was the best analogy I could think of for solar generators -- which is a pretty niche subject. Thanks for the reply and your content.
To get an accurate reading off of the infrared thermometer, you would need to put a Dark, non-shiny spot on the foil. IE, hit with a shot of flat black paint, or use one of the flat black stickers. Reading directly off of the foil, you could be reading a temperature, of the background reflected. I have an expensive Fluke Infrared thermometer, and the instructions explain this and how to correctly use the thermometer.
Why would you take a power station with you when camping? That sounds ridiculous. Camping is "roughing" it. No cell phones, lights, computers, TV's etc. Just the light of the camp fire. If you're gonna do that then you might as well stay home.
I've got a powerstation/solar panels/starlink so I can work wherever. It gives me more freedom planning extended trips so I don't have to eat all of my PTO in just driving time; I can take a day or two to get to my destination, stay there for a week (hiking in the mornings or afternoons if I'm not lazy) and then either move on to another spot or work my way back home if i want a short trip. Done with work? Turn everything off, light a fire, and crack a cold one. To each their own.
yeah i see them cost like 2k when you can easy make one for not even half the cost and more capacity and powerful.. sure it wont look as good in the case like the ones they sell but you get more bang for your buck when its DIY and best part when DIY its easy to fix
There is a lot of value and convenience in having a solar cotroller, battery, invertert, and multi-format power delivery system contained in a single light weight modular unit. Much easier to move and transport than separate modules and components that require interconnecting cables and other hardware considerations. There is definitely a place for these self contained power storage and distribution units in the marketplace. They are a real value with all that they have to offer.
4 24 Volt 100ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries are $1,200.00 now and a 24/1200 VICTRON PHOENIX Low Frequency Inverter handles Anything You Toss at IT 👌🇺🇸
Any suggestions on which inverters & battery mfgs to stay away from? Is there a sweet spot of cost / performance? Should I only buy a True Sinewave inverter? Thanks
It is a Sun Gold Power. And I made a slight mistake in the video. It is actually a 4k version. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S4C702M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
I love the all-in-one Eg4 6000xp but I have a lot of different areas that get intense sun for about 3 hours then shade and then about 2 more hours. I like having multiple solar chargers harvesting the random sunspots in my yard. The all-in-one most limiting is how many solar inputs I can use.
I have an all in one 24 volt , 3000 watt inverter. I been buying batteries for as cheap as 135 dollars for a 12 volt battery. I have 6 batteries in series parallel. I bought 10, 420 watt used solar panels for 1000 dollars when they had free shipping. I'm currently using only 4 panels in series parallel. I'm very impressed with my set up. The all in one is great but many require high voltage solar input to charge the unit. Mine has a minimum 100 volts required. That's the only draw back from an all in one solar inverter setup. But it's so much easier and cleaner to set up.
I had some old peeling paint on my front porch that it did a pretty good job of removing. And when I was painting the back of my house I had a few drops get on my back cement steps and it removed that paint too.
THIS IS GREAT INFO FOR THE FIRST TIME SOLAR BUILDER .I HAVE A 24 V SOLAR SYSTEM THAT RUNS THE WHOLE HOUSE AND THE RIGHT MATERIALS , COMPONENTS AND PRECAUTIONS ARE A MUST IN KEEPING THE SYSTEM RUNNING SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY . CHECK OUT MY DIY SOLAR VIDEOS , HIT LIKE , LEAVE A COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE IF YOU HAVN'T YET . MAY THE SOLAR BE WITH YOU .
@@OurBlackCatCottage well, there's nothing grounded and I keep getting different suggestions. It's a Reliable brand inverter where both the neutral and the positive have 60ish volts each. I"ve yet to find Anyone that has a video demonstrating this.
No information on the effects of the reflected heat on the shingles. It HAS to heat those up more than normal and that can shorten the life of the shingles. Best treatment is a very well ventilated attic/crawl space. You want that air temperature to be as close to outside air temperature as you can get.
I actually bought the warrior heatgun to dial in a couple of kydex holsters i picked up. It worked great for that application, but it wasn't under prolonged usage.
I covered the 1/2" water and 3" sewer lines under my mobile home with it. I don't need to plug in the heating cable on the water line now, even at 10 deg. Fahrenheit. It keeps the cold from reaching the lines. Wrap the lines and seal the seams with 2" Gorilla Tape.
Hope you tightened everything up. I suggest you use 150 amp class T fuses. They are expensive but they may save you from starting a fire. At 4000 watts, there is a lot of potential heat in those wires, especially at connections.
