Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link): amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first): 12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes: -Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp -Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7 -AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around: amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out: shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p -Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 10% off code: diysolar -Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA: watts247.com/?wpam_id=3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Information: I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers: Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Hi Will, a long-time subscriber here. Just wanted to point out a little "error" I noticed. If you pause at 4:21 and look at the busbar at the rear of the battery, it is connected to the inner-most battery in the parallel string 2 and string 3. I learned in electrical engineering, that the + and - should always be pulled from opposite batteries in a parallel string, as that will spread the current over each battery equally. The way it is connected in the video, the inner-most batteries in string 2 and 3 will do majority of the work, with the outer-most batteries lagging behind. I think the middle busbar should simply be moved 1 notch and connect the rear-most batteries. Btw, love your videos, keep up the good work!
Like your videos videos a lot ,I have been building motorhome interiors for over 35 years, purchased your book, helped me build a system on my class C to run a tankless water heater instead of propane and to run some other things ...Thanks.
I'm building my own Lithium Ion Power Packs. Hooked to 100 watt solar panels on my VanLife Van's roof -the $65/100w panels with the discount code Bob Wells promoted, maybe. Or 20 watt panel to trickle charge for now. This, all because of the education Will & Bob have provided us all, over the years. Mostly of 18650 cells. Batteries both in Series & Parallel. With a good BMS. All DC for now. Watched a ton of ebike, scooter, drill, Home made Onewheel, etc RU-vid videos on how to build, configure, solder, DC Battery Packs. I get it! It's my new passion. Wan't to build my own Onewheel, Boosted Board, and Li Ion Hydrofoil kiteboard. And maybe my own Li Ion Powered invention. Out of the back of my van. How many 18650 cells (if harvested from ewaste for free) can I store my van, Will? If I do a good job sorting out the bad/damaged ones, keep tabs on all of their voltages with my multimeter, until it becomes a fire hazard? Obviously keeping them organized/separated in those 6 pack plastic holders they sell to build the battery packs.Then storing them inside a metal box, next to a good size fire extinguisher is helpful 🤨. Or are 18650's so cheap now, can I just order a bulk pallate of new ones from China. And skip the dumpster diving. Because voltages are balanced within 1/100 volt when their new. And forgo expensive BMS's for my first 3 small 10 - 20 amphr packs which can be evacuated quickly from a van, if need be. So excited for my new hobby. I'll even work as an electical apprentice somewhere because I'm so motivated to learn as much as I can. I'm so stoked I'm getting it.
Good morning I am watching a lot of video thank you good guides I have a 300-310 a/h *8 cells.what size of BMS do I need for making 600a/h battery bank. Thank you
I'd love to find a link on your web site to ALL the videos you have done on LiFePO4 24 v batteries AND the hardware and design that goes with them to create a solar system for RV living. It might start with the DIY 24V Beginner friendly video. And it would probably include the videa I watched recently about the BMS, Inverter, battery protect and relay system. And it might have a parts list and links to sources. Please?
Yeah that's a nice battery you build that's exactly what I need for my truck camper which has for 100 watt panels on the roof how far down can you discharge that battery and how many cycles do you think it is
I know absolutely nothing about this subject. I've decided to go through all your vids to hopefully educate myself so I can bring solar power to my off grid cabin..... Thx
Good idea on setting up the cells parallel then serial. Thanks, Will could you put up a diagram of how to lay out the batteries for the 12 volt and 24 volt example.
Can you also run in parallel, 2 units of 8S 200Ah, each complete with a Daly 100A Separate Port BMS. Combined into 2P, you could then theoretically run the 8s2p at 200A, but for longevity at half this, 100A. No relay, no isolation switch. Would the BMS's operate well in parallel?
I know this is an older video, but I have a sailboat with a battery “space” that is only so big and this is an interesting option for me. I’ve been kicking around the idea of using lipo cells because the case that a production battery takes up is just useless air and the best I’ll be able to do is a 200ah setup. Using cells, I have room for a 400ah system and this idea makes excellent use of the space I do have.
Since a BMS is limited to let's say 100A, can I stack BMS's and will they current share so I can get multiple times that without letting the "magic smoke" out?
If I'm putting together a 32 cell system (12V) I'll need 4 BMS's, Correct? I'm going to use 200a ones to power an inverter. If I'm correct is just what you did in this video X 4. And of course connecting the Neg of the bms's together on a bus bar.. Great, Great video's You have the absolute best way of explaining whatever the topic is your covering. Keep up the GREAT work!
thank you will for another informative video my first BMS and batteries arrive on the 12th I got the 50 amp ones that take forever to get here but oddly I use PayPal and they'll be here the 12th instead of the 10th of next month
Great video as always! I had to watch it twice to catch everything you said lol. I would like to make a suggestion. It would be easier to comprehend what you are explaining if you left out the “extras” lol. What I mean is when you mention all the different things you COULD do but aren’t doing right now. Maybe it’s just me but I kind of get information overload lol. So if you could stick to explaining just what you are currently doing it would be way easier to absorb and understand what you are doing. I’m not being a troll either. I’m just trying to give some helpful advice from a loyal follower lol I love your videos and I’m currently watching every video you have available. I am learning way more than I thought possible. Thank you so much for doing these videos. Cheers mate and happy trails
fantastic tip! i am jut now converting my system from lead acid to LiFePO4. i have some reasons to stay at 12V and was wondering how to get a deeper pool. now i know.
I like your video, but what was confusing was at 4:10 in the video you point to the 4 battery in the system using your left index finger on one post which is positive and your right index finger it pointing to the negative post. I looked at my diagram for the system that I am building, a solar generator, and quadruple checked to make sure I had the batteries in the proper orientation.
I notice you only connected one of the posts from positive to negative. Is it better to connect both positive posts to both negative posts? I know you probably only connected one post due to your orientation of the batteries. I'm a newbie with this so hopefully you understand what I'm saying.
Oh sure good question. One is fine, but if you are pushing a lot of amps, you can stack bus bars or rearrange them. I can push 120 amps through these and they are barely warm, so this works great
Batteries That Come With BMS already in the Battery, are they a good buy? Some of them have trip switch built in. What do you think about these batteries.
Yeah because it's super boring. LiFePO4 cells don't go out of balance if using matched cells. And I don't want my viewers building with used cells because they screw it up unless they watch my tutorial videos I posted months ago. So I'm sticking to solutions that anyone can do. Much easier that way. Might do a balancing video in future. Not for now though
Great video but can you please tell me why you're way of connecting the batteries in parallel is better than the "bad" way you talk about in the video.
Great video but when you change the configuration to make it more compact I got lost are you able to supply me with a drawing or an actual picture of how the connections go thank you very much
So I have 30 or so 3.2v 50amp lithium iron phosphate batteries. If i wanted to make a battery pack with all of them, I would need a 10s BMS, and just group the batteries into sets of 3?
Im Interessed in lifepo4 for a while. Everything a wanted to know, i could learn from your Videos. Very helpfull. Thank you very much for Sharing.. Like your Channel a lot !
I’ve watched tons of your videos, love your demeanor, hoping to get a few answers, I’m pretty sure I went overboard on my amp hours on batteries, 860amph. Wasn’t sure if I could go 24v with Several components on my boat being 12 V.
you are a saint, thank you, thank you, I am trying to figure how to combine my factory built lithium 100 AH with built in BMS to my diy 100 AH no BMS yet
I built a small 48v lifepo4 16s battery system from 16 280ah batteries. I'm planning to scale that up to a total of three systems to power an 18kw inverter. Charging to be done by 40 240w solar panels, which are due to arrive tomorrow. I have to buy wire and connector sets for the panels yet.
Will, when you start off by paralleling cells, it is my understanding that you should zig zag (ie alternate the sides) the connection bars to insure even flow of current through the cells.
For high c rates, absolutely. But in this case, doesn't really matter. If I was doing big loads I would be stacking bus bars all over the place. Like lithium titanate. But for LiFePO4? Not a big concern
Will, thank you for all your videos! I realize that prismatic cells can be connected in parallel relatively safely, but what if one goes bad? Can you recommend a safer way to connect 2 or 3 in parallel when building a 12 or 24V system that would not be overly complex? Thanks!
Why did I spin my wheels on Nate Patels PCB and K2 26650's when this is so simple and easy? I still do not have a working system. Done with Jehu Garcia!
It would be really helpful if you could make another video showing the assembled sizes in inches of 12 and 24v packs. 1 for the 40ah, 60ah, and 100 ah. I want to buy 2 12v kits, but I need to know the exact finished size of the packs to know I have enough room in the places I want to put the packs. That would be really helpful. thanks.
Hi, very happy that there is People like you, spending money to help ans explaining, you are thé Best, m'y question is i bought q cell solar panel 335w, 24v, what kind of material i have to buy, batterie lifepo04, bms, charger contrôle victron série, onduleur wattage, Best regards boss from belgium.
You are ever amazing with eye opening content..... You are a wonderful addition to my RU-vid.... Lots of love from Nigeria. I have some of these batteries for over 10 years and I don't know what to do with them cos some cells are weak while others are still quite good. Is there any way to revive the batteries when it goes weak or bad when it go unused for a long period? Thanks for all the safety precautions too
Hello! Regarding Daly BMS, If you have a low voltage situation with a separate port bms, it will only disconnect the loads, but it will keep the solar charge controller attached. ... Yes, I think so. But Battery Pack is FULL situation with a separate port bms, it will only disconnect the solar charge controller attached. Is it correct? If so, charge controller is damaged, I think. How do you think about??
Hey buddy I have watched lots of ur videos about energy apex solar generator, could you able to teardown and look what kinds of battery they are using and how to build for external extended version?
Ive asked several people to do a teardown of the Kodiak/Apex, so far Will has cracked open the case of one, and that's ALL you can find on the internet, period! We need a teardown of the K/A!
Your videos are fantastic! Clear presentation; concise; and thorough! Observation (I think): granted the camera/angles etc. can play with the way things look, but this configuration looks like it might actually fit in a milk crate. Am I close?
If I see that ad one more time....."Hey, go ahead and skip this ad, but I'm a Dad and I love gadgets". I'm gonna put a Volta/Tesla Voodoo curse on all his Cathodes and Anodes. Flippin ad is Everywhere.😀
Can u show how to make 2 packs of 48v and to parallel connect those to packs to increase the AH. also need to use 2 BMS 16S. Also should the hybrid inverter be able to communicate with the bms. Please answer would be great help.
Like your information....I’d like to know what is the device you use to show individual LI cell voltage (& cabling) as being monitored by the bms.....you keep showing the individual cell voltage.....and what’s with the battery disconnect?
thanks for stepping into the bigger capacity range.. I know you do more smaller mobile power but I need info on a house size system.. I am looking at 16- 280ah cells configured into 2-24v battery packs.. 1. have you tried these batteries yet? 2. would you recommend 1 bms with the systems in parallel like this video? or would I be better off with individual bms for every 8 cells? also,, where do you get bus bars?
So, just to make sure I understand parallel/series, say I have a 60 ah/3.2v cell. if I want a 12v bank, I basically have to keep them in four groups in series? And if you need to go to 24v, you have 8 groups in series?
Show hooking this system up to the CC and solar to make fully functional. Also, can you recommend a batt charger for when we run shore power or gen set?
I have all my loads and chargers (mains, B2B and solar) going through the shunt on my Victron BMV700 battery monitor, but I can't see how I can use the separate port BMS and still have correct battery monitoring via my Victron BMV700, am I missing something ?
Hi Will you answered one of my questions with this video. I have 3 - 8D lifeline battery’s in my motorhome and there is no more rum to put more battery’s so I am looking to maximize the space I have and go lithium. can you put 3 or 4 to
How important is it to use the Buss bars? I have a situation where it wouldnt be possible to to use them. can the cells be connected with cables instead (Assuming cables are of sufficant size, good terminals etc)
Awesome instructable! Thank you. Would one be be able to pair eg. cells from a year old 100Ah 4 cell system with a new 4 cell 200Ah sytem and still use a 4 cell BMS?
First time battery build. I'm trying to build a 12v 8 cell 400ah battery. I'm not seeing how to connect the neg terminals. My plan is to buy a BMS from Overkill but I couldn't find that arrangement on their site. When a BMS is for 100a is that the power of the battery or the power being pulled through the BMS? Please help! Enjoy your day. Mary
Where did you get your cells? Im in Jamaica , I want to build these ... more specifically 10kWh batteries to use for installations. Batteries are already expensive, plus I got to import them and pay all sorts of tax and duty. Would love to build them for my clients.
Yes they can, but you must make sure the voltages or states of charge are similar before connecting cell groups together. Less than 0.1V should be good to avoid massive current flows, smaller the better.
I have watched a LOT of your videos over the last week and I'm more confused than ever lol..... Any chance you would do a video detailing some systems including price and what they could run? say a system for $1000 and under, $2000 and under ect? ideally it would include model numbers ect of each component
I have a question. What bms or how many bms's do I need if I build 4x12v 200ah lifepo4 batteries and connect them in series to run a 48v system? Can I use 1 bms for the whole bank or do I need seperate bms packs for each 12v battery? And what if I just build a 48v battery at 800ah can I use 1 bms and if so what size would I need?
Just found 8x60ah of these (used) on ebay for £250 delivered. Bargain! Looking forward to building a system around them in my van. Thanks for the great vids Will :)
Hey Will !! So my Name is Billy , im a 35yr old quadriplegic And I have a question… I currently can get (16) New Grade A 105 amp hour Prismatic 3.2v lithium iron phosphate sells for $763 ship door to door...For the number and size of the order is this a good price in your opinion ? I would like to build two very large 12 V 🔋’s...I am extremely impressed with your videos, content, and information also how thorough you really are with everything you do !!
Hi Will, Can you make a battery system for a golf cart conversion, I think there is a huge need (market) for system replacing the lead acid batteries. Thanks!
Hey, Will: you recently had a video on those small DIY active balance-boards and you claimed that they're just resistive balancers. That's not true; I am just testing one of those balancers myself with li-ion cells and it's working fine and shuffling power from the higher-voltage cells to the lowest-voltage one just fine. Sure, the 1.2A claim is bullshit -- it seems to be slow as molasses -- but I would personally still consider it pretty useful even then.
Yeah I took that video down because I realized that voltage just needs to be high to get the active balancing to kick on. And honestly, I wasn't that dedicated to balancers. They are fun but not that cool in my opinion haha. I just got two more of those balancers for various projects. I have original video up still
The resistance is not the same for each pair of batteries cause the "road" is longer for the one that do not have the "double" bus bar, they will not work "as one"... i do not know if i'm clear... 😊 To be really good, the second level bus bar must be in the middle and each pair balanced independently.
If your application requires high discharge rates with LiFePO4, I'm pretty sure you're not a beginner lol. For solar, these bus bars can handle 150 amps no problem. But yes if you need high c rates, stack multiple bus bars as you need. Resistance here is negligible
Hi Will, thank you for sharing so much good info on lithium. I’m currently building a system on my sailboat. Going through your video’s I couldn’t find a video on a system like we usually have on sailboats and hope you could make one. On my boat I have a starter battery (Lead) and a house battery. Input can be via alternator dynamo, current from land in harbor and optional solar or something like that. We have a lead and lithium system. I’m changing the house battery for lithium, do I need a new charger for the new lithium battery or can I use the old charger which was use for my lead acid house bank. We also have a device with switches which battery is charged first (don’t know it’s name) first starter battery then house battery…. Would be sooo helpful! Thanks for all you’ve done so far!!
I sure do hope you read this. I have Six (6) 280Ah batteries that are Lithium Iron Phosphate . When you say Scalable, does that mean I can connect all six in series and then parallel to have 12 volts and increase amperage? Because I watch this video 8 times last night I ordered two more of the same band to make a Six Pack. Is that right or do I need Eight (8)? Please, I hope you reply or someone does. Thank You
hi there, i want to build a 200ah lithium for my off-road truck... planning to do DIY power bank... charger EPever DuoRacer 10a... which BMS that can work with this charger?
I just built my pack and I'm having the issue where I'm not getting the voltage out of the P- BMS wire. I tried shorting it, but nothing. The voltage from main negative to main positive of the battery pack is perfect. Looking for help trouble shooting / suggestions! What should I try? Thanks - very helpful video, btw!
