12V Redodo or 48V Server Rack ?

[@TheMindReader69]

You're my favourite youtuber. So underrated!

[@wtam69]

Great explanation about why anyone would buy a 12V battery. Not everyone starts out with a couple of thousand dollar to build a 48V system. Some people do it for fun and experiment and learn along the way. As voltages go up above 50v, you enter a danger zone and you definitely have to pay attention to what you are doing. Great channel and great videos.

[@davesigz]

Excellent info. Thanks.

[@1GREATDANE]

Working in 2 Packs for 24 Volts I opted for 4 of these for My RENOGY 3000 Watt Inverter with 4/0 cabling and Fuses and Eco Worthy 24 Volt Battery Balancer = Solid as Grid Power

[@BeatTheBush]

If you are buying everything from the start, it's best to buy a full batter at the voltage you intend to use to not have to wire in a balancer only to reduce the exposed wiring.

[@1GREATDANE]

@@BeatTheBush Low Fixed Income Disabled Marine Corps Veteran and each Purchase is well Researched and Defined = Applied Engineering Economy and Powering this 6.2 acre Ranch and Farm with ease at 24 Volts - The Price for 280AH Lithium is Cheap right now as Panel Costs Rise with the new embargo tax imposed on Us 🇺🇸

[@Lumbeelegend]

​@@1GREATDANE when do the Tariffs begin in the US? I need more panels, lol.

[@1GREATDANE]

​@@LumbeelegendThe Prices are Competitive and I await Sales from Eco Worthy now

[@Lumbeelegend]

@@1GREATDANE but I heard August 1st, am I correct?

[@curious-homebody]

your points about 5kw need hit home with me. i see a 3kw need upfront but can grow into 5kw fast. i have yet to invest in a battery bank yet. server rack seems like the way to go.

[@BeatTheBush]

For longest life, you want to use it from 20 to 80%. So that's you 3kW from a 5kW.

[@OP-fd4lh]

Great way to relate the pros and cons of each system!. A question I don't hear posed or answered is getting down to the 80% capacity rate; do you do different maintenance procedures for those? Also, where do people take their Lithium based batteries when they no longer charge or at their end of life?

[@BeatTheBush]

They last so long I have not seen them drop that low yet. However, just because it only has 80% capacity of original, does not mean it is out of service. You can still use it albeit with less capacity. If the capacity is say only 30-40%, I would get annoyed and replace it. To recycle, my local city has a hazardous waste station. Look for a place like that to recycle your batteries, flourescent tubes/bulbs, used paints, etc.

[@OP-fd4lh]

@@BeatTheBush Thank you greatly sir.

[@Sylvan_dB]

Normally 400amp would be at least a 4/0 AWG, or 2 of 4/0 (or 600 kcmil) if you want to meet NEC standards.

[@DSC800]

How are the server rack batteries really more expensive though? This is 2.5kwh for $500 and the server rack is 5kwh for $1100, but includes the electronics and with less cables and a cleaner install. You have to buy a rack for both anyway and you can usually get the server rack included as a package when you buy 4 or 5 batteries.

[@BeatTheBush]

Depends on the server rack but if you include all the cables, lugs, balancer, it's actually about the same. Hence, you should go with 48V server racks for 5kWh or more if building from scratch.

[@stedyone1090]

Very nice 👌 Thanks for sharing 👍

[@RobbieRobski]

Hey Francis, this is maybe a dumb question. But i have a ups for my computer that uses a couple of sealed lead acid batteries. Since they are also 12 volts could i just Jerry rig replacing those sla batteries with a bigger battery like these lifepo? Or is that a no go because of the chemistry.

[@BeatTheBush]

The UPS expects lead acids so it will charge your LiFePO like lead acids. That is a complete no go. If the UPS has the option to select the battery type, then you can choose LiFePO.

[@RobbieRobski]

@@BeatTheBush that's what I thought. I wondered though after going down the yt battery rabbit hole, it seems all of these lifepo have built in BMS and balancers so I thought maybe there was a chance. But my electrician skills extend to replacing a light fixture, switches and outlets I am quite a bit out of my element here.

[@vevenaneathna]

omg so much good info in just one video. lot of this is hard to find, especially the charging voltage stuff. ya its a 14 min video but the alternative is trying to stitch togeather a half dozen off grid garage or will prouse videos. pretty sure thats where most people give up on trying to understand solar and spend 5-10x more on having someone else set everything up for them. good video. weird idea but i wonder how the algorithm would treat these videos if you titled them (or ur channel name) was EE explains. obviously you retired for a reason lol

[@BeatTheBush]

Thanks! I wanted to put useful information together in this video. I'm not so sure I am retired since I'm working during normal working hours for pleasure.

[@amill1563]

Does this allow you to live off grid?

[@BeatTheBush]

You can do so with any batteries, not just this one.

[@johndoe-eg7le]

Do they make plastic shelf's that can hold the weight instead of the metal ?

[@BeatTheBush]

Hmmmm. It wouldn't be as safe since plastic would melt under higher temps. So you have to double check not just the weight but the melting temp.

[@panospapadimitriou3498]

5kw is the minimum.. you can barely have 3.5 of 5kw losing from safety parameters and even inverting converting losses ....unless everything is working 100% correct. and you can have 4kw of the 5120wh ... my record was 3.3 used energy . and 48 volts is the best way . unless you live in cold areas and want to get warm from your high amp heat losses!!!