Adding More Batteries to Our DIY Off-Grid Solar System | 48V LiFePO4 Complete Build

Doubling the storage of our DIY off grid solar system. LiFePO4 battery build, compressing the batteries, connecting the BMS, and starting up the system. Includes cost.
We purchased these batteries 1.5 years ago from Alibaba.
Red is not an electrician or solar professional. Please do your own research and always work safely.
Music: Battle now 01
Musician: Xuxiao
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[@tooldiebum]

Looks great I found lev60f cells new for 25$ per cell @ 3.2v 74ah looking at 16s 48v more affordable now I can appreciate your time and effort I have not figured out the solar panels for recharging one step at a time lol thanks for sharing ✌️

[@markbrown2296]

I appreciate the info this channel provides.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks!

[@rgarizonahomestead2729]

nice system thanks for sharing and please have a great weekend

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks, you too!

[@billyoung2458]

Hi Phil, Great channel, but would like to add the following: DC can kill just as easily as AC. Don’t wear metal watches/rings and do wear gloves working near bare terminals. Use insulated tools. Ask yourself when working with dc and looking at the exposed live conductors “how would I now act if there was 240v AC flowing through this system?”. Cheers

[@lawrencelipon8673]

👍👍👍👍👍👌the addition of your extra battery storage, will give you the breathing room you need, very nice well built system!!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! 🌞

[@TheJensss]

Great video! Just remember to use the same length of cable between the 2 batteries to the busbar so both batteries are loaded the same.

[@bobham919]

i have the same BMS for my 2nd battery bank. i am happy i watched this becuase i will be doing the same now as you just did. thanks

[@philcummings9557]

Well done. I'm sure you are happy to have the extra battery capacity (safety blanket for cloudy days).

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! Yes, it's definitely nice! 🌞

[@mdob5724]

Enjoy your channel, you guys do quality work.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Much appreciated!

[@pauldixon9327]

Yet another great vlog, i have now watched all you vlogs, im up to date at last, i must say i have enjoyed all the content, so thank you Red and April, i wish you all the best for the future, bye from Wales in the uk!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Appreciate it, thanks for watching! 😊🧡🏜️

[@thelazyehomestead]

Great job! You explained it very well. We are adding more batteries to our system as well. Keep up the great work. We are going to have to meet sometime.

[@kevinwerth6183]

Love the content. Hope to do something similar in the next couple of years.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! 😎

[@girltechsteader]

Looking forward to a full review of your solar!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

We plan to do a cost and full tour video of our house, as well as start to finish house build video. Sorry I wasn't very clear about that. 🙂

[@ciciedee5474]

Your video is awesome 😎. Great information and video quality. I love that you disconnected the victron.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks!

[@basilwise8193]

This is very helpful, I have been wondering how to add additional batteries without causing a power surge!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

It was new to us too. It's awesome to be able to get answers to questions on the DIY Solar Forum.

[@SJY.Energy]

good video

[@upnorthandpersonal]

Glad to see your system is performing nicely! In the mean time I did expand mine to 60kWh of battery...

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks, yes all 3 systems are doing great! The kids would enjoy more battery storage for their systems in the winter, but as long as they are careful on cloudy days, (which isn't too often here) they can usually make it through. I'm sure you don't get nearly as much sun as we do here. 🏜️ Did you also add more solar panels?

[@upnorthandpersonal]

@@RedandAprilOff-Grid I didn't add more panels - it's plenty for summer, and in winter it doesn't matter how many I add since I don't have the sun to begin with. The one thing I added was an inverter for winter use with a very low self consumption. I just switch to that one once I don't generate a lot of solar power anymore and have to use the generator to keep the batteries charged. If you're interested, you can find a new blog I wrote online: "up north and off grid", which goes into all the systems of my house, including the solar, but also heating, water, etc.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

That makes sense, we figured you didn't get much sun in the winter, and we were curious how you power everything. We will check out your blog. Your system design works great here in Arizona. Thanks again! 🌞🏜️

[@upnorthandpersonal]

@@RedandAprilOff-Grid Yeah, the key to doing this where I'm at is to make sure the house is designed to use as little electricity as possible and have alternatives for winter. So for example cooking in summer is induction, in winter I use gas. I can run the house with around 3 to 4 kWh per day in winter without sacrificing comfort.

[@harrymuurling2742]

Good video, thanks, i am now 3 years off grid and learned a lot from these videos. The charging they recommend in manuals is not always clear, what i found out is to charge to 3,45 volts or 55,2 volts and saturation time for 3 hours from the inverter gives you 95 % capacity without stressing the battery. I am working already one and a half years and everything works great, i think your choice of bms is excellent, Jbd i think, i myself loves the ant bms, but thats a personal choice. voltage says not so much about the charge between 2 battery banks and the maximum amps will not more then 40 amps for 5 minutes. But better be shore to be safe. I have now 3 systems, and total capacity 60 Kwh, even with 2 or three days rain an cloudy weather never come below 70%.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! Glad your systems are doing well! Getting all of ones electricity from the sun is pretty awesome! 🌞

[@jedics1]

This is very similar to my system including the frankenstein wiring which only proffessionals charging to much money avoid :) My encounter with how much power lfp can deliver is measuring my battery box with a metal measuring tape and touching the terminals for a millisecond, it instantly blew a hole through it with a large bang, definitely cover your batteries and wrap electrical tape around all metal tool handles as dropping a wrench that lands and stops on a direct connection would be a very bad and expensive day to say the very least. This kind of build is the only one that makes financial sense, buy batteries individually, a bms and charger big enough to do the lot and use youtube to learn how to wire it all for 1/4 the price bringing pay back to 3 or so years rather than 10.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Yikes, glad you are okay! The diy solar forum was really helpful in figuring everything out. Out system is almost 3 year old now. It's doing great so far. 🌞

[@5885ronny]

Hallo gutes Video 👍 habe auch Lifepo4 Akkus 45,6 kWh 48v 😊 bin sehr zufrieden damit

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! Yes, they are great batteries! 🌞

[@beebop9808]

Battery costs get crazy with their ups and downs just like the charge cycles. :) Just recently ordered 45kwh (48) cells and got them for $5k delivered to the door. Not bad at all considering recent pricing.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Awesome! Sounds like a great deal!

[@waynekomprood7093]

Awesome job on the battery install. You could hire out to do that.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! He wasn't looking forward to it, but it's nice to finally have it done, and glad everything went well. 😄

[@jasonbroom7147]

Very cool video. Looks like you've done a good job of setting things up. I had two questions about your configuration. Did you make sure the cable length runs from the new battery to the bus bars are the same as the original battery? Also, do you have any concerns about the dissimilar capacity between the two batteries, old and new? Is it possible the older battery will finish charging sooner than the newer one, limiting the overall capacity between the two?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Each battery might get a slightly faster or slower charge, but both will stop charging when they get to full capacity, and we usually have more power than we can use. The batteries both have their own BMS brains so they are monitored separately and a slight size difference shouldn't be a problem.

[@offgridd]

Nice video! Looked for cuttingboard but couldn't find the ones you use. Thinking about sheets of silicone rubber (shore60) and a spring loaded compression of about 100 kg (4 rods with 4 springs pulled at 25kgf each. That should do the trick as well since EVE is not clear about their "300kgf clamp". What breakers are you using? Looks nice to have a second backup battery that keeps working when the first one goes offline. Also interested what BMS you use. For now, I want to build a setup with two strings of 18 clls in series connected parallel with each string connected over a seperate breaker like you did. Maybe we can go offgrid from may to september, would be nice!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Yes, as long as it's a material that doesn't compress. Springs are an even better way to go. We considered using them, but went the easy route. The BMS's are active balancing 24S 2A 250A Heltec. The breaker I think is a 250A DC breaker. The DC are hard to find. We bought them from AliExpress, but you can also get them from Signature Solar in Texas. Best wishes! 🌞

[@stevenfrazier8939]

Did you use a 4 AWG lug on the JK-BMS? I have been looking for the correct size to combine the two 7 AWG wires.

[@abelramos8652]

My second bank come with different voltage than the first one and plus I mixed new with older cells since my new inverter admits more series … get the whole thing balanced it’s being a pain in the ass 😅

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Good luck! 😄

[@omegaroyal]

Yep, checked it once and checked it twice. The calendar says it still is not April. Well done now.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

April will be here soon, and we'll be planting our spring garden. 🌱🌞

[@alexferenci5038]

Great! How do they work together now? Both BMS shows same voltage? Are they balancing each other? Haven't seen you doing top balance to cells in the beggining, Im curious how 2 different voltage works together . Thanks!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Both batteries are attached to the same bus bar which keeps them at the same voltage. Each battery has it's own BMS which has an active balancer. They also came pre-balanced. It's working together well!

[@ericklein5097]

Torque spec is usually 4-5nm. Some manufacturers specify it slightly higher but with those aluminum terminals it can feel sketchy going to 6nm

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

😎👍

[@hendersonsobers396]

Great video. Are those battery breakers non polarized and if they are, where did you purchase them from? Need some for my build.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! He's thinking they are non polarized, and purchased on AliExpress. Signature Solar may also have them.

[@hendersonsobers396]

@@RedandAprilOff-Grid thanks

[@davefroman4700]

52V x 280ah = 14.56kWh of storage per bank. More than enough for most folks.

[@odoohub5010]

After your kind of battery build. Is it advisable to stand it up, in a vertical position to conserve space in the room

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

I'm not sure if that would work or not. The batteries are pretty heavy.

[@markbrown2296]

Could you put heavy duty caster wheels on the battery bank?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

That would work well, thankfully we shouldn't need to move them very often.

[@richphillips4214]

I have what appears to be the same inverters. When each is set to any AC output mode other than split phase (2P1 &2P2-180) I get AC output. When I put them in split phase (then turn off both inverters and turn them back on simultaniously) I get zero output. Any ideas would be appreciared

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

We just have one inverter, and don't know. You can post your question on the DIY solar forum. That's where we go to get our solar related questions answered. Best wishes!

[@patrickmaartense7772]

good overview, but why not mount your BMS to the Box? that way you can easily make a cover as well over the cells and even stack up two boxes

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

There wasn't enough room for air circulation around the upper components if the batteries were stacked. Also, the batteries are very heavy, and would require a very strong shelf.

[@teddypreston5525]

Each cell weighs 12.2 Lb. A 48V requires 16 of them; making it a total of 195.2 Lb plus everything else you add; bolts, nuts and busbars plus the box. And it gets pretty heavy.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Interesting, we hadn't added up the weight. 😎

[@user-cl7lx1cq6p]

WHAT IS THE amphours of the cells and is that BMS rated for that? what is the BMS model?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

I don't remember for sure. It's working well. It's an active balancing Heltec BMS.

[@JR-kk6ce]

Mistakes I learned about the hard way after Hurricane Ian. Don't put battery cells at ground level if there is any risk of a flood from a pipe brake or anything else. Protect all electronic components from roof leaks. Wiring and components should be wired and labeled in an easy to understand manner because when you are in survival mode, your thinking and reasoning skills go out the door. Always assume the worse. Example - I was in a no flood zone. After Hurricane Ian, 4 1/2 feet of storm surge inside my home, my home is now in a 10 foot flood zone.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Ian was a powerful storm! Sorry about the hurricane damage! Our solar room is in a shipping container that is off the ground. The desert can get heavy rain at times, but everything should be okay. 🌞🏜️

[@user-ts1vt6nl9i]

I already have a solar edge system with 11.6 kw of panels and 2 solar edge batteries. I can not add more battery to the solar edge unit, could I just add another inverter in and use it to charge the additional batteries from my existing line from a sub box?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

You can ask any questions you might have on the diy solar forum, they are great and know a lot more about it than we do.

[@user-ts1vt6nl9i]

@@RedandAprilOff-Grid I had asked several questions on there but seem to get more "likes " and "reactions" to my posts then real answers!

[@erikrezlman7900]

What brand 250amp breakers are you using and where did you purchase them? Thanks! Great video!!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Not sure what the brand is, but we got them on AliExpress. Thanks!

[@jimeverett8998]

Do you have a link to to 200 amp DC breaker?@@RedandAprilOff-Grid

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

@@jimeverett8998 We don't, it's been awhile since we bought them.

[@harleco1]

how many amp hours did you end up with?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

We now have a little over 27 amp hours.

[@upnorthandpersonal]

@@RedandAprilOff-Grid 27 kWh I guess you mean, not Ah. 2 x 280Ah, 48V battery - so 560Ah, at 3.2V nominal per cell (51.2V per pack) gives you 28kWh or thereabouts...

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

@@upnorthandpersonal Thanks! 😅

[@Veveve1]

Which BMS did you use?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

It is a Heltec active balancing BMS.

[@mikeunum]

Heatshrink over the Copper/nickel connector. ;-)

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

🌞

[@HKIed]

Any link or the brand name of the battery to buy it from Ali Baba?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

We don't. It's been a couple of year's since we bought them. There are probably different options available now.

[@Foxfried]

Wow you are still getting EVE280N cells? They stopped making those in 2020

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

They have been sitting around for awhile. Interesting they no longer make them.

[@thomasjeffersoncry]

Can you provide a link to the BMS you're using?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

It was purchased a couple of years ago on AliExpress, so I don't have the link.

[@thomasjeffersoncry]

What about the manufacturer?

[@medicinemom3620]

What BMS did you use??

[@irfansensoy5901]

This is JK BMS

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

It's a Heltec active balancing BMS.

[@curtismckinney7076]

Do you want to sale the victron shunt?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Our son-in-law might want it.

[@modavies8401]

I am somewhat concerned about the use of flammable materials in these battery installations!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Lifepo4 batteries are very safe.

[@JR-xw5dk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJazkn1mas-Cmpo Your choice for sheets for spacers looks like a good choice. You may find the first part of this video interesting on using foam strips for spacers. I am glad you ' finished ' your home. I know just the start.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! Yes, lots more to do. 🙂

[@AllAroundTube50]

14Ah? Probably more like 14Kwh

[@gg-gn3re]

0:13 13 amp hours..? you mean 130 or something?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

52V 280ah 14.5kWh

[@gg-gn3re]

@@RedandAprilOff-Grid oh ok so you were talking kwh there? hehe

[@ThePonderi]

If that wrench drops on the cells.. disaster!

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

It definitely wouldn't be good!

[@leo959]

I hope you know that Lifepo4 battery’s are extremely flammable

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

LifePo4 batteries are not flammable, lithium ion might be what you are thinking of.

[@leo959]

Should I post a link? I’ve seen it flame on very terrifying. More then 18650 batteries more then super capacitors and more then car lead acid batteries. The people who proved this theory were fire marshals running tests and shooting video.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

@@leo959 It's not that they won't burn, but with normal use, they are considered nonflammable.

[@jimeverett8998]

Please post a link. I think you have your battery chemistries confused.@@leo959

[@JuggernautHercules7]

Longevity not longetivity

[@RaisingCasons-rt6ze]

kwh

[@walkingwater893]

👋 April & Red! Check out off grid guru on u.t. Newest vid may be helpful to your son.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Thanks! 😊

[@busdweller]

Hey there Red. Where did you buy your cells?

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

We bought them off of Alibaba 1.5 years ago. They came from a seller that was recommended on the diy solar forum. It's been awhile so he doesn't remember the name.

[@MistaTerps]

Daisy at Docan Technology every time 😉👊