Flat Battery, Literally! | DIY LiFePO4 Blade Powerwall | Part 1

We go off-piste with our attempt to build a flat(ish) DIY Powerwall using 2nd life BYD LiFePO4 blade cells. These cells are usually used in EV battery packs, so it's an interesting repurposing project.
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#diysolar #lifepo4 #lifepo4battery
Video Breakdown
0:00 Intro
0:50 Cell Dimensions
2:28 Vertical Configuration
4:36 Failed Busbar Attempt
5:04 Cell Condition & Capacity
7:26 Planned Configuration
11:18 Mounting Method
14:34 Construction Options
16:34 Cell Cost
17:13 The Plan
17:37 Outro
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Products
BYD 138Ah LiFePO4 Blade Cells
No longer available from original seller, but available from a number of others on AliExpress and Alibaba. Also come in 184Ah (We've not bought or tested this version)
Busbars (72mm hole distance)
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFD...
EBC-A40L Battery Capacity Tester (220V Version)
AliExpress - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DmT...
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Music by Gordy F (soundcloud.com)
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About Us
Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, we're two Dads attempting to improve daily life one video at a time. We love tech, problem solving and helping people so we combined all three and this is how our DADvinci channel was born.
We review stuff! Not only that, we share ways to enhance or further improve what we've reviewed. It's easy to complain, but we want to help everyone improve whatever they provide or sell. We attempt to devise practical and sometimes novel use-cases for the products we test.
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Adrian (Ade) & Gordy
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[@bloepje]

I like the difference in size. But 300Ah generic prismatic cell is now around 125 euro per cell Eve A grade inc. 21%VAT, and cheaper if you order more.

[@DADvinci]

@bloepje Completely agree. Just trying something different that could appeal to different use cases (more compact spaces, weight requirements, etc). It’s been kind of fun too.

[@joelevi]

1:11 they're called "Freedom Units" ;)

[@DADvinci]

@joelevi 😆

[@ooglek]

Bus bars on the long thin batteries -- maybe an L shape (or upside down)? Keeps the metal farther away from the other cells. Thanks for the video, cool cells!

[@DADvinci]

@ooglek You are most kind! Thanks for a great suggestion, I'll see if I can find some. All the best, Adrian

[@Awaken2067833758]

The bus bar problem is easy to fix, your batterie placement is wrong. Turn the second one so the terminal is down, the third one so the terminal is up, the sixth one so the terminal is down and the seventh one so the terminal is up.

[@DADvinci]

@Awaken2067833758 Thank you! I did originally try that on a few cells, but not the whole 8 as the middle (negative) terminal was still quite close. I'll give it a go before I assemble the flat powerwall build👍. I'm thinking I'll need some more blades for another build now. Thanks for your suggestion. All the best, Adrian

[@panospapadimitriou3498]

heat srinc the terminals on the welding so they are less likely to have any short!!! i can think many ways to improve isolations!!!!! i wouldnt go on this type .. it seems extremely stationary if not reinforced and compressed!!!!!! but would love a beautifull powerwall different than the others

[@DADvinci]

@panospapadimitriou3498 Thank you so much for the heat shrink suggestion! I've just ordered some more to cover up the terminals as much as possible, which will also help for the flat powerwall build! Great idea👍. All the best, Adrian

[@jimdaly5077]

Hi 👍as I have said before not my line of work , so don’t laugh if this is a daft idea, is there a safe sheet foam material you could lay and bridge the lips of the metal strips,and if there is could you also put it the other side to help with the uneven wood.👍🌞🐝

[@DADvinci]

@jimdaly5077 Hey Jim! I'd never laugh at someone taking the time to provide a suggestion or ask a question😃👍. Do you mean across the gap between each t bar and then battery on top? Cheers

[@jimdaly5077]

@@DADvinci Hi speaking as you have it layout in the video, the base (I know it will be a side) in between the metal runners,along all 3 pieces of wood cut in and fix foam pads,and then when the batteries are in place again along the direction of the & inline with the wood all 3,from battery 1 to battery 8 put a strip of foam cushioning the batteries and moulding around the metal lips of the bars, and allowing airflow. As with all ideas it is just a starting point and will probably need tinkering. Hope it helps. 👍🐝🌞

[@DADvinci]

@jimdaly5077 Thanks Jim. I think I get it now👍. You can always correct me when I mess it up 😊. Just need to find foam (perhaps use neoprene). I'm moving more towards a single sheet of ply, then mounting on there as I can use small screws (lots) to hold it in place better. #experimentation

[@jimdaly5077]

@@DADvinci 👍all the best I’m sure you will come up with a workable solution. 👍🐝🌞

[@adairjanney7109]

I dont know how y ou people afford all this crap, I make pretty good money good luck buying that shit