How many loads of laundry can be washed with a 12v 100ah Lifepo4 Battery? Let's find out!

[@dollylaning1613]

Wow! You really did get 6 full loads of laundry done with your 100 Amp battery. That was pretty amazing info. Thank you for your test.

[@OffGridBasement]

I wish I could do the same with the dryer! Thanks for the comment!

[@tkskates]

Thanks all the info i wanted to know

[@christophertatem8790]

im glad someone summed it up right there. i didnt know. how many loads thanks

[@joey9511]

​@@christophertatem8790a true hero

[@kd5txo]

I'll add my thanks too! I know this was a hassle to do, but real-world information like this is very, very valuable when planning out an off-grid Solar system. I would also like to see this sort of testing done with a 5000 BTU window Air-conditioner running in a small room when it's say 85 F outside. Thanks again.

[@OffGridBasement]

Glad you found the video informative. I do have a stand alone AC unit. I'll look more into it. Thanks for the idea and the comment.

[@gormanthomas8135]

Very interesting experiment. I was curious about this possibility and you are the first one I've seen who performed the test. Thanks!

[@OffGridBasement]

I know every washing machine is different, but I glad you got something out of it! Thanks for the comment.

[@brynduffy]

I don't know why you don't have more people watching but this is good information!

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks! It was something that was always in the back of my mind.

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Agreed

[@herbertpoland6321]

i can see you washing , but no way you where drying your laundry with that set up!!! Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@OffGridBasement]

Haha! Nope! It's a 240v dryer. I would definitely be clothesline drying outside or in another room. Thanks for the comment.

[@drcmotorsports]

Beautiful washer, easy to fix and cheap to repair as well. Awesome test.

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks! I can't take any credit for buying it since it came with the house. Thanks for the comment!

[@LivingInDallasTexas]

Love what your doing brother.... Keep up the great work

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks! Will do!

[@rickharold7884]

Awesome job! I love the separate test very specific. Thanks!!

[@OffGridBasement]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the comment.

[@Shadoww-lv5bj]

Some inverters have large surge ratings. The Blutti runs at 2000w but I think can support a surge of up to 4800w for example.

[@OffGridBasement]

Good to know. I know most low cost inverters will support 2x surge. Low frequency inverters typically support 3x surge rating. Thanks for the info.

[@ProjectsinParadise808]

Great test! Especially liked capturing that surge! Inspired to go do a load of wash myself now. Been wearing the same clothes for a few day's! Aloha!🤙🌋

[@OffGridBasement]

I think you have more to worry about.... Like a Volcano erupting in your backyard! Thanks for the comment.

[@davef.2329]

Hey, don't we know you from somewhere? Aloha.

[@soggyb4082]

Very good test. This answers why my 1000 watt has quit working. I guess I washed around 6 loads over a few weeks using 3 100 ah glass mats battery then on one washing the inverter quit. Inverter still fires up but no A/C side now. Keep up the good work.

[@OffGridBasement]

Bummer about the inverter! Thanks for sharing.

[@kojoamin3846]

Thank you! For this test,I got all my questions answered.

[@OffGridBasement]

That great! Glad I was able to help. Thanks for the comment.

[@jamsessionrecordshop8872]

Great video! That is a surprising amount of loads of laundry on a 100ah battery.

[@OffGridBasement]

Yes it was! Thanks for the comment.

[@LarryL619]

I’m seeing a similar surge with my 4 year old HE washer and dryer. The dryer constantly runs at around 450 watts but the surge shoots up to about 4500W to start the motor. I have a Growatt inverter/charger rated for 3000w continuous and 4000w surge. I hear the overload beep at the start of every dryer cycle. My BMS reads ~4500W surge. My 2000w pure sine stand-alone inverter starts the dryer 90% of the time but becomes more of a struggle when the battery get below 20% capacity - lower voltage = higher starting amps. TLDR - 1500w is the bare minimum but I would aim 2000w and pay attention to surge ratings.

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks for the info! What size battery bank and voltage do you run? just wondering...

[@LarryL619]

@@OffGridBasement I’m running the Growatt unit on a 24v 70ah LiFePO4 battery that I put together. They are connected by 2ft 2ga cable.

[@cfuller2871]

So interesting, Jim! You know, if you need to test a HE washing machine, we always have plenty of laundry at our house, lol 😂.

[@OffGridBasement]

I think testing on ONE machine was good enough. Thanks for the offer! 😁

[@boatingcharlie1]

Nice test thanks for sharing. Tell me about that Moonfree inverter. Pros/cons, no load draw. I'm thinking of getting the 4,000 watt version to run my refrigerator and washing machine off of it to burn up extra solar power I have.

[@OffGridBasement]

I do have a review video of the moon free inverter. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZjEn5uppKuAb9U I'm not sure if it will answer all of your questions. Please let me know. Thanks for the comment.

[@BradCagle]

I knew immediately what the problem was when you said the monitor was still at 100%. I've done that before. 😂

[@OffGridBasement]

I wanted to kick myself for doing that! I had talked about that EXACT thing in my review!

[@BradCagle]

@@OffGridBasement It's tough to be a one man show.

[@milesmoore5422]

Please show a complete wire diagram with component identified and fuse size. 2. What are you using to charge your battery ? Thank you

[@OffGridBasement]

All of the items in the video can be found in the description. You can find diagrams on my website. 150amp fuse and 2 awg wire would be fine. off-grid-basement.com/ I hope this helps!

[@TheRenoir]

Very useful info for off-grid. Good to know if/when the SHTF. Thank you.

[@OffGridBasement]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the comment.

[@NoExpert]

That washing machine looks 60 years old at least, It's probably uses a few times more power than the modern one 🤔

[@OffGridBasement]

Haha! It's actually around 25 years old. You're right though.. not the most efficient washer. Thanks for the comment.

[@katkatthecat]

Watts are still Watts, water is still water. Energy is still needed to shift it around.

[@adivasworld]

Lol but the old ones work the best! I swear the HE ones don't clean clothes well 😩

[@randylenart9674]

Very good video I will be using a shallow well and pump with a 6k 240 Genetry solar inverter to wash close first video I've seen with a washing machine 👍

[@OffGridBasement]

Glad you found it! Thanks for the comment.

[@HALEdigitalARTS]

Excellent job 👍 Thanks a million!

[@OffGridBasement]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the comment.

[@thomaswallace3987]

Put a soft start to help with serge

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks for the suggestion and the comment.

[@isettech]

Interesting. Inspired me to test with a HE washer, a Matag Bravo. In the regular agitation cycle, with the direct drive motor, the agitation cycle varies between 350 and 500 watts. Trying the test on a 500 WH Duracell Power Block as sold by Costco. Still in wash cycle. Will have to wait for the entire cycle to get total result. Looks like this unit will do the job and includes a Peak Power solar input as well as AC and DC charging options with this sine wave battery inverter. Edit.. The Power Block almost can do the job. It made it all the way though the cycle except the last 7 minute final rinse spin. This spin ramped to 600 Watts which was a no go for the inverter. Other than that, the total cycle power draw was 15% of the 500 WH battery. It does look like the HE washers are low power draw. All other cycles were under 500 watts average, so the unit ran fine.

[@OffGridBasement]

That is so great information! Thanks for sharing.

[@budmartin3344]

Can you plug LED lamp in the same circuit to see if it will flicker when it is in agitation cycle? I used my Bluetty EB70 to run my Whirlpool WTW4955HW2, bought in Jan 2022 to replace my 1972 washer, i notice the LED lamp will flicker in agitation mode, same result when trying with 1500W inverter, but never seen it flicker with the old Whirlpool washer (the transmission finally gave out after 50 years!).

[@isettech]

@@budmartin3344 I could do that later, but as the battery is a direct BTL sine wave regulated inverter, I would be surprised if it did flicker. Will try to remember to test that next time I do laundry. Even better, I have an oscilloscope, so could record the waveform of the output.

[@kevincrawford2027]

What happened to the sonoff information? That looks like an interesting item.

[@OffGridBasement]

The information was all there, but it was just a Daily total. I could see that from the app. I thought doing a real time test would produce more detailed information if I downloaded the information. Something like by hour or minute. The Sonoff plugs do work very well though. Thanks for the comment and the question.

[@dhlwood]

i would wash 2 loads a week at most by myself good info with 1200 watts solar and 800 amps agm battery's should not be a problem gotta hang on the line thanks keep up the good work

[@OffGridBasement]

That sounds like a perfect setup. Thanks for the comment.

[@KonaOffGrid]

Huge inverter...What's the Idle power draw on that ?

[@OffGridBasement]

Right around 9w for idle power.

[@CharlesGwinn-ep9pb]

I just posted a follow up comment to your experiment. It was there now its gone... deleted?

[@MegaCyrik]

Add a 16v cap to handle surge if battery cant handle it. Like a 50-100f cap.

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks for the info and the comment.

[@wherami]

A very good test! Thank you

[@OffGridBasement]

You're welcome!

[@fincaesmeralda6565]

Thank you for doing this experiment. I’m actually setting up an off grid system as well, we need a washer and I stumbled on your video😂. The system that was recommended by a vendor was a 9 panel 500-600watt each and inverter that has 4000 watts and 2 lithium huwaeii batteries 100amps each. I’m just planing on running a fridge lights some outlets a fan and a washer. After seeing your video I think if I did laundry during the AM early morning I should be ok with either 2 or 3 batteries. Any thoughts? Thanks again.

[@OffGridBasement]

Honestly your fridge is going to take the most power. I've found that you will get about 11 hours out of a 100ah lifepo4 battery when plugged into a refrigerator. With all the panels you should be just fine! Good luck and thanks for the comment.

[@wherami]

Thats a great amounts of loads. Seems like a 2000 inverter is absolute minimum. Surging those amps really makes you pay attention to cable size too .

[@OffGridBasement]

I was surprised. I didn't see a 3k peak so that's why I said a 1500w min. 2000w would do much better and you wouldn't have to worry.

[@charlesd3376]

I agree. That 2529 watt reading is pushing around 198 amp at 12v. That max battery limit.

[@ML-jr1yz]

If i get 2x100ah lifepo can i easly power a house fridge and when needed a washing maschine without worries in conjuction with solar panels?

[@OffGridBasement]

If you live in an area with plenty of sun, then yes. Thanks for the comment.

[@JosephMBoyer]

2:52 120v * 10a = 1200watts, continuous run, you dont need a 3k inverter, if your washer pulled 3000watts it would flip your house breaker.

[@OffGridBasement]

That is true. At the end of the video I recommended a 1500w inverter to be able to handle the 2500+ wattage surge in the spin cycle. Thanks for the info and the comment.

[@JosephMBoyer]

@@OffGridBasement great video nonetheless, god bless

[@aleksandarvujnovic411]

How wats heter needs to heat wather,i hawe hibrid solar inverter 3.200w and battery 200ah 25.6v lifepo4,can ai wosh with this sistem,may ishue is wather heater,can you help with this,sorry to may eglese

[@OffGridBasement]

I have a gas water heater so I don't know much about the power consumption. I don't think the 3200w inverter is big enough. Sorry I can help out more.

[@wearesolarfarmers]

Yes inan off grid scenereo, you will have a dryer. a mini dryer, while not ideal, cn run a fulbhour off a 200 amp hour batery and an arry of 2kw on ful sun. miis hve theromostats to assist in regulating the thermostat. which energizes nd de nrgizes the heating elements.

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks for the information and the comment.

[@GearheadologyGarage]

I just have to get a washer machine and see how it does on my 24v & 48v setup 😏

[@OffGridBasement]

I think it would be worth the investment! 😃

[@reinierpena935]

My Redodo 12v 100 amps will only do 1 1/2 loads thanks for the video.

[@OffGridBasement]

That's odd. Does your washer use a lot of energy? My washer has to be well over 10 years old.

[@Roll2Videos]

Cool test 👍

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks!

[@adivasworld]

Great job! I may have missed it but ...at one point I think I heard you say some battery power was used to dry the clothes, what adapter did you use?

[@OffGridBasement]

This was only for the washer. The point at the end for the dryer was just a joke. Thanks for the comment.

[@nateturesdomain2599]

I just watched my washing machine run on an Ecoflow Delta Pro unit's LCD monitoring screen. Initial start up pulled 1600 watts for my washing machine. As the motor turned, cycling back and forth, the working load fluctuated rapidly with each motor turn. One second its pulling 600 watts and the very next second its back down to 0 watts for a very brief fraction of a second to stop and then turn back the other way, which repeats the cycle then again pulling 600watts. 600watts, 0 watts, 600 watts, 0watts back and forth second by second. I am wondering how hard it is on a LFP battery when drawing such an inconsistent, or rapidly fluctuating working load from the unit. I am using my unit as a EPS backup but to also minimize daily peak hour rates from the power company. I need to know if using the washing machine is bad for the unit when trying to extend the LFP batteries lifespan. I would simply avoid that appliance for daily use on the battery and use a different appliance with a consistent working load when pulling watts from the unit. Much appreciate anyone's comments. Thanks

[@OffGridBasement]

Since the 600w of draw is less than 25% of what the AC can put out, I personally wouldn't think it would be an issue.

[@wearesolarfarmers]

Oh yes, in an off grid scenreo you can have a clothes dryer and dish washer, only you need to either conver the dryer to 120, or use an international sset up. Or use a step up transformer, but that does take some doing, or portable dryer uses 1,500 watts.

[@OffGridBasement]

I've looked at portable dryers and they come in smaller sizes of 850w! I wonder if it would be worth checking out. Thanks for the comment.

[@CLuc255]

Great job

[@richardrowland7044]

Attach a six-pack of supercapacitors to the back of the inverter for the surge

[@OffGridBasement]

That would be good for a smaller inverter. I've also watched a video of someone using a dial to lower the voltage draw. Thanks for the comment.

[@hayzersolar]

All you need to do is put a capacitor on a washing machine. That would help out the surge that the motor is using.

[@OffGridBasement]

Thanks for the info and the comment.

[@fightswithspirits915]

I can barely č charge a laptop and iPhone. I does one find a power drain.

[@OffGridBasement]

Without any further information it sounds like you have a bad battery. You should be able to charge them over 10 times each.

[@twiddler71]

There is one thing you forgot to consider when running you washing machine on battery, and that's also running your well pump on battery too.

[@OffGridBasement]

Oh man. Running the well pump would be like running the dryer!

[@twiddler71]

@@OffGridBasement Yes. I have a deep well 240v pump. I have to use a large Low Frequency inverter, like the large one you have. Only I would use a minimum 24v inverter. 48v would be best.

[@CharlesGwinn-ep9pb]

Great video!?

[@CharlesGwinn-ep9pb]

So you averaged about 160 or so watt hours per load. A 300 watt panel at 5 peak hours would have charged up the lifo all day Saturday. Then your 6 loads would be free electricity for the use of ONE cycle of your 3000+ lifecycle lifo battery. And they have cheapo lifo s that(at 80%dod) on paper would cost 7-8 cents/kwh lifetime. (Im at 15-16 cents here in Texas.) . Problem is most of these cheapo lifo mfrs are fly by night or wont offer more than a year's warranty. And the quality batts are $500 to $1000 bringing the lifetime kwh cost to 25 cents or more, even though you may get a 10 year iron clad guarantee. IMO best ultimate solution(large scale) is to have your PHEV pull double duty(household and transportation) along with a second easily swappable batt. Alternate the batts every other day perhaps a trunk batt rollout tray that quick connects to house mains? Then would only need grid for extended rainy/cloudy periods and winter subsidizing.

[@OffGridBasement]

Glad you think so! Thanks for the comment.

[@kingdommusic5456]

where the issue are , these batteries seem like a great thing but have BMS electronic circuit which fails eventually ( many componets ) many say 1 -2 years max If that , cant hold that current in and out constantly , they just make money on you buying new ones over and over $150-250Each , its better to by agm lead acid battery Has NO bms , and why they will last for sure . two 55amphr 12volt agm , in put in parallel 100amphr for $200 , 60lbs.

[@OffGridBasement]

This is one big reason why I test only lifepo4 drop in replacement batteries. I use them every day and if one fails I will definitely let my subs know. Everyone knows SLA batteries will last up to 5 years if taken care of. Thanks for the comment.

[@CharlesGwinn-ep9pb]

Lifo batts are touted to last 10x or more the lifecycles over sla batts when discharged to reasonable dod.If you buy from a reputable mfr, they SHOULD offer an iron clad 5-10 year guarantee(they don't need to know how you use/'abuse' the batteries.)

[@kingdommusic5456]

@@OffGridBasement not so ... many are seeing much less than 5 years more than half failures due to having BMS electronic circuit which fails .

[@AdamDeLayDIY]

Had a feeling the shunt might have been wired backwards. Oh well. Happens to the best of us! It's kinda funny. The washing machine was the first piece of equipment that I was testing in the house. My solar equipment was in the barn so I ran a long extension cord through the laundry window each time I wanted to run the wash. My wife loved it! She didn't do any laundry for weeks while I was "playing". Now I think she wishes we were back with just the system in the barn so I would do laundry again...🤣 I know when my wash runs (on my 12v setup as well as my 48v setup) and it's on the "churn/wash" portion of the cycle, lights tend to pulse in sync w/ the cycle. Not sure if it's just my old washing machine or not. Would be very curious to know if yours does that as well? Maybe some test would be to run another load of wash and plug in a lamp and see if the light pulses in tune w/ the wash?

[@OffGridBasement]

I'm surprised about the churn portion of the wash causing brown out issues. I would've thought it would be when the spin cycle starts up. I should do it again with a lamp plugged and see if I get the same results. Thanks for the comment and the info!

[@budmartin3344]

I bought Whirlpool washer, WTW4955HW2, in Jan 2022 to replace my old 1972 Whirlpool washer, I do notice that the LED lamp connected to the EB70 or to the 1500W inverter will flicker in the "churn/wash" portion of the cycle because this new washing machine actually reverse the motor direction electronically not like the transmission drive used in old washing machine used in my old 1972 washer which did not cause the LED lamp to flicker.

[@AdamDeLayDIY]

@@budmartin3344 very interesting. Thanks for sharing! Never thought about that.