Volvo Lithium Battery Tear Down for use in Off Grid Solar Power

We are tearing down a giant lithium battery that came out of a Volvo car. This came out of an EV (electric vehicle) or a hybrid vehicle. It's a very impressive piece of engineering. Ben is using this battery to power his house with solar panels and a Sol-Ark 12K inverter. The modules work well with his 48v system, however, because the cells are 16s, they have a little higher nominal voltage.
To purchase similar batteries, go to batteryhookup.... Use discount code DAVIDPOZ for 5% off your order. This code is also an affiliate code, so it helps out this channel. Thank you.
Video Links:
Bens Sol-Ark 12K inverter: • Why the Professionals ...
Bens Battery Bank: • How a Professional mak...
Video describing cell arrangement (16s, 14s, etc.) in more detail: • Cells in Series for Be...
Link to Bens Channel: / @benssolarandbattery
To purchase similar batteries, go to batteryhookup.... Use discount code DAVIDPOZ for 5% off your order. This code is also an affiliate code, so it helps out this channel. Thank you.

[@michbushi]

...pokes bare contacts with a finger: "those must be the high voltage" 🤣😂

[@benssolarandbattery]

😇

[@tntring]

no problem. just do not become the ground..

[@jamess1787]

I can feel my inner capacitor recharging, must be high voltage :D

[@fisherus]

Ben is a great guy, just like you are, David and I can't thank you enough for all of the help you have given me in the past. Introducing me to Ben was another big help and with Ben's assistance, I was able to complete my solar system by copying his battery bank system with my LTO batteries.

[@kitkimbrough1145]

I love to see an explanation of or guesstamizing of electrical components by touching them without gloves, or ground strap, or a 2x4 and a buddy at the ready to smash you off, when you start convulsing and smoking from magical watts!!...Very cool video, loved it!!

[@mikerobbins5049]

I’m glad to see someone using these batteries in a different way. You both are much smarter than me so I’d have to pay someone to set it up for me and that would probably run the cost way up. Good job guys..

[@carlosbarraza2904]

That Volvo battery could run my whole off grid tiny house. 🤓

[@DIYwithBatteries]

@carlos! Haha... 😄 count me in. Runs a week for me. Lol

[@laudableplain4282]

What are you waiting for, buy one and live off grid!

[@LithiumSolar]

Great video (as usual). I love seeing how these kinds of things are built! Your comments about modem packs and spot-welding were funny. Keep in mind, there was no Battery Hookup (or general availability of these kinds of batteries) when some of us began this hobby. :)

[@j4k3br4k3]

Glad you enjoyed the tear down. This pack was designed for Volvo by LG Chem out of the Detroit area. Careful with those coolant leaks, they can create a loss of isolation or potentially a short circuit if it ends up in the wrong place.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Awesome Video! Really cool to see how they put all that together in one compact unit!!

[@RJ-cc1fz]

EV batteries are great. The cells are so well matched. Practically stay balanced on their own. I’ve got a bunch of 60v Chevy volt packs. Love them. The Volvo’s look very similar. I put mine outside recently to mitigate the burning down the house risk.

[@benssolarandbattery]

I've been running the Smart ForTwo and other batch of volvo batteries for almost a year now, and everything is still perfectly balanced!! They're definitely awesome.

[@BrianJMader-sz7jw]

Very nice designed battery

[@JOHNMORIN100]

Awsome wonderful (Thanks for the Showing) The Morins in Milo, Maine

[@psychopitt1982]

I'm from bridgton maine

[@kshitijkesharwani1817]

Today I was thinking about your video. I love watching your video

[@zekeboz5533]

Nice and compact modules. A little pricey when you compare them to LifePO4 cells but the additional scrap hardware is nice to have- contactor & flex cable. Note the discharge curve is not flat for Li-NMC as it is for LifePO4, stopping at 3.9375 / 63v would leave roughly 20% capacity. Maybe Sol-Ark will have a firmware update that ups the top line voltage in the future.

[@liuciferiss]

Max voltage 63v, but what about minimal voltage? 58,4v ?

[@ancienttechnology7337]

Great Video, I saw the volvo unit and was so curious to see it's quality. Thanks for showing us!

[@DanBurgaud]

13:50 I think so too that this is a great purchase!

[@mmeuwese]

Yeeeaaahhhh finally a fun movie. Well done 👍 no crazy ‘it is amazing’ video bla bla of the past video’s. Keep it up

[@linmal2242]

Awesome!

[@thenuts133]

I have been your using your battery hook up code. On my last 2 orders. Should be $38 coming your way

[@peteasmr2952]

I dont know why but in the thumbnail, I just thought it was you with a beard. I didn't realise it was some other guy completely till I had a better look. 🤣 🤣 I love seeing what all is hidden in industry made systems so very cool.

[@simon453]

This was close to become an electro boom episode with all that poking

[@ahmd-mi9964]

Immediately liked.

[@marcelomiguelcardoso1565]

very good!!

[@georgewilliams1973]

they used thin copper bands grouped like that because d c power flows out side of the wire, not inside like ac does.

[@MrSummitville]

You are 100% wrong ...

[@peterreynolds777]

Thanks guys This was great stuff 💪🏻💪🏻😎😎

[@Friedbrain11]

Also as you find in electrical courses that electrons flow on the surface of a wire. So more strands(or in this case,,, flat plates) then the higher the current flow for the amount of voltage. There is a trade-off though so not all perfect LOL Heat is a problem for the smaller wires or plates as the resistance is still the same no matter the size of the medium. All in all, one of those battery packs at 56v would be perfect for my electric tricycle. Too bad they aren't sold already removed from the vehicle container pack.

[@randacnam7321]

No. That is a misinterpretation of the skin effect, which is a tendency for changing magnetic field induced by an alternating current to push electrons to the outside of a wire.

[@4philipp]

If you can charge the car with a standard power plug, then all you need to fully charge it is the build in charger. Unless that tech is build into a larger computer system. Perhaps get the at home charger from Volvo and power that thru the Sol-Ark. if the house is set up as two parallel systems, you should be able to do this

[@eDoc2020]

Then you would also need the built-in charger, as it's part of the car and not its battery. Plus then you would need to use the battery in its original 6*16=96S configuration, which is about 350 volts. It will be hard to find a way to use a 350 volt DC source, 48 volt equipment is much more common.

[@Dutch_off_grid_homesteading]

heya oh yeah 1 more trear down of a big battery I love to see it. I would love to do it also my self but still don't know how to get me 1 greatings from the other side of the pound

[@esteban8681]

Damn dude you look so different without the beard. 😂

[@Tore_Lund]

In the contactor box is a nice hall current sensor. These are simple to interface to, either analog og canbus and would cost you $50 new.

[@mydogworriesalot1840]

Save the contact relay they probably have arc suppression inside they might even be solid state switching :) Toshiba maybe Siemens or a vacuum mechanical relay nice for batteries in a basement have fun 👍 🤔

[@kshitijkesharwani1521]

Love from india

[@slidewaze]

Be safe! We hear India is having a bad time with the pandemic.

[@martdaymo]

Nice video . These EV batteries are getting more available and affordable. The only highend inverter I know that would work with 16s voltage is the Studer. 38-68 VDC .

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Victron goes up to 66v.

[@denveronly]

Victron specs are battery 38-66 is accepted but victron charge module feeds only 57.6V I just read the specs

[@a2cryss]

With all those water connection failure points, I can see why it may have leaked. The cooling is not elegantly simple. I like the Bolt battery cooling system much better.

[@igorkvachun3572]

Yes Akb LITIUM 🔋⚡👍

[@jerryearick4943]

Biggest beastest

[@mendohomepower7492]

Better check your Daly BMS units to be sure they will balance at less than 4.1v per cell. Most BMS's balance at the high end of the charge.

[@ericklein5097]

Ditch Daly and go for JK with that level of parameter customization needed

[@tridev3d]

looks like its 14s & not 16s | each individual pack for 7 units or whatever they are called & each unit has 2x cells

[@pashko90]

pretty standard ev 96s pack.

[@guilhermepires4729]

Good afternoon. Is it possible to replace the volvo xc60 battery with the volvo xc90 battery??? since the battery has a larger capacity ???

[@lj516]

Chevy volt packs are nearly exactly the same construction

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Yeah, maybe even the same cells. They are both LG brand cells.

[@brynduffy]

Try to note the battery chemistry right up front.

[@KD2HJP]

Stop enabling me. My wife begs you... NEED MORE STORAGE

[@nemoexpress3426]

I wonder if the modules could be left connected to the cooling rail and connected in parallel for a 48v system?

[@benssolarandbattery]

Probably could, but there's no need for cooling with what I'm using them for. I never see more than a 1-2 degree rise in temp even under heavy charging.

[@cadfarusco-eu9403]

Should enyone say if the same modules there as in V60 PHEV from 2015?

[@idontwantcorporateretaliat6301]

Was this dude poking at a high voltage pack power out w/his bare fingers w/o knowing what a battery disconnect is and if it was installed? I hope he at least threw a multimeter on it prior.

[@ForwardGuidance]

How good is the deal since he can't use some of the capacity in his setup? I'm not sure you considered that into your calculation. Nice though that he saves from having to build from scratch.

[@MrSummitville]

Using less than 100% Capacity = way more cycles. It is very common!

[@rcarhouse]

👍👍👍👍

[@rolandreves7222]

Fantastic and informative, so Fantastic! how many KW again?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

2kwh per module, 12kwh total.

[@David-gr8rh]

Am I seeing beauty mode, here on full. That face ha

[@ramzanguru1611]

Let me correct you on the layers of copper plate in bus bar that is for current flow not for vibration. If you increase surface area of a conductor current also increase because of electron increase on surface of conductor more the free ectron more the current flow.

[@MrSummitville]

What you wrote is 100% *FALSE* information.

[@jollygreen4662]

prismatic cell?

[@EVO1087R]

Did you sell the battery case? I broke one of the plastic coolant pieces. trying to find it online so i can sell the complete un damaged case. What car is the battery even from? Battery hookup doesn’t say.

[@willt9234]

can we get the next steps for wiring up the bms etc guys

[@DavidPozEnergy]

This is a link to Ben's video wiring a BMS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGWnq5-dl5qFaacsi=NnEHYMiP26hyXz9E

[@willt9234]

fantastic David that's exactly what i was looking for @@DavidPozEnergy

[@richardc8929]

So guys I need a recommendation on inverters..I have 2 2017 and and 18 kia optima hybrid battery 360v 68kw and 9.8kwh . Oh by the way it lithium ion polymer battery

[@negueba235689]

Why not use 50$ on some right tools and protection :/ hight voltage tools and and some glows!

[@seancullen321]

One question i am always left with after seeing these EV battery teardowns, will the coolant need to run in order for the battery to run safely? and if not why is that?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Not in Bens setup. In a car the batteries might have to move 300+ amps for a short time. Think accelerating onto a highway, up a hill. The cells would get hot doing that and need active cooling. In Bens home setup, the maximum possible amps these cells might see is 12 amps. they won't be getting hot at 12 amps.

[@AveRage_Joe]

@@DavidPozEnergy Also for cold and hot climates. The coolant will help keep the cells in ideal temps in harsh conditions.

[@seancullen321]

@@DavidPozEnergy thanks for that reply, it makes one less thing to worry about when i finally do get my hands on a battery :D

[@bojames7841]

I didn’t see the battery on BH and they don’t have a search function on the website

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Yeah, unfortunately they sold out. It takes a couple weeks to film/edit/post. Sometimes the stock is limited by the time the video goes live.

[@OOOZOOOZ]

I'm a owner of xc90 t8 (2021 early model). I'm just wondering if 11.6kwh battery can be replaced 18.8kwh battery physically. As I heard, new xc90 recharge t8 (MY2022) has 18.8kwh battery inside. I want to upgrade if possible.

[@chrisjuggins6774]

You can’t it’s a different battery, the motor is also different unfortunately

[@terrya6486]

Sure looks like a chevy volt battery

[@MrSummitville]

The Chevy Volt looks a lot like this battery. Could it be that they used the same battery manufacturer?

[@bitcoinbeacon77]

Hey Dave

[@ronny1734]

Dude I still have them 8 LG chem battery I want to add more can't find more but I just want to know which are best for me to buy from battery hookup

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Battery Hookup currently has some 8s (8 cells in series) modules. Here is one at a great price: batteryhookup.com/products/l-lg-28-8v-7-9kwh-8s-lithium-ion-ev-module Please use discount code DAVIDPOZ with your order

[@myfarm1002]

How u gonna cool the battery at home?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

No need. The amps moving in/out are very small in a home setting. In Bens setup it maxes out at 12 amps per battery. The batteries are made to handle 300 amps. They just don't get warm at 12 amps.

[@Zomby_Woof]

David, wbatd going on with your speaking style? You're speaking in this overly precise manner like Mister Rodgers. No big deal, its just kind of weird.

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Am I? I don't always film a narration after the filming. So maybe it's just because I've had a couple days to collect my thoughts? Usually I'm explaining as I'm also building.

[@josepeixoto3384]

i´ll stick to my (6) diesel,gas and lpg old cars and trucks... that looks like a mother of complications

[@chrislewis9345]

Do you think a cars alternator would charge a u charge valence battery from battery hookup?It doesn't have to be a full charge but enough to run an inverter for some camp lights/shower pump?Or would it be better to use a pwm controller and a 80watt panel?Those are my options and the stuff I have other than the battery.Im trying to go as small as possible on my camp stuff but need an additional light weight cheap alternative for my power needs other than lead acid I carry on my truck rig.we are going to be using a small car for kayaking trips rather than my big truck we use for hunting trips.Any ideas/thoughts are greatly appreciated.thanks

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Hi Chris Lewis, The short answer is "yes" a cars alternator can charge an extra battery. However, there are some pit-falls to avoid. The worst situation is to burn out your alternator. The best practice is to use a DC to DC charge controller. This is a device that monitors and slowly charges your accessory battery (like the Valance or whatever you choose) Here is an example of a good one: amzn.to/2SAZzkD

[@offgridwanabe]

Another step toward the 100 khw battery you need to heat a house in Vermont

[@TheEmbrio]

You need a wood stove to really heat eco friendly in Northern North america

[@eDoc2020]

If you have a well-insulated house and an efficient heat pump the energy demands of heating can be surprisingly low.

[@cd1168]

Where can you find these batteries? Are they economically as opposed to a fork lift battery ?

[@blinking_dodo]

They didn't die! Aren't car manufacturers preventing third party repair because you'll die when you touch the battery pack? Surely they aren't lying?

[@ericlegried6177]

How much does a battery like that

[@1Jbeats]

Elephants

[@bvisel4558]

David, I'm looking for that little pump that your friend used on his pool heater. Do you have a link?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Here you go: amzn.to/3ujS3Zz

[@bvisel4558]

Thank you, David. I used to have one of these and it worked great. It's perfect with a 9-foot head.

[@mohamadabuhatab1045]

Hi Pleas advice if we can upgrade prius nimh hybrid battery to lithum ion from ford fusion??? BR

[@createlovehappy]

Would this set up work for a skoolie solar battery bank? I’m totally new to all this but really want to keep used lithium out of landfill. And it seems to give way more hours than a commercial battery. Volvo vs Nissan Leaf? Is one better? Is one easier for the beginner?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Yes, it can work with any off grid solar system. These modules are about 58v nominal, but work with a lot of "48v" equipment. Ben is using it with a 48v sol-ark inverter. It would work even better with a Victron inverter since most of those will go up to 66 volts. Just make sure you add a BMS. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2OVqYx6aKmojbs

[@createlovehappy]

@@DavidPozEnergy thank you for the response. Nissan Leaf batteries are what I’ve been looking into. Is there a big difference between them and volvo

[@JasonLeef33dm3]

Wow $132/kWh... Now I'm torn I was about to look at some SBS 190F industrial pure lead AGM batteries for $100 per 1.1kWh roughly (190AH) Any advice from anyone why one battery technology would be better for solar energy storage?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Nothing wrong with AGM. In my opinon, AGM makes a lot of sense if you are looking for a backup system, that sits full 99% of the time, and only is used a few days a year during a power outage. If you are looking for daily use in an off grid solar system, then Lithium makes more sense. There are several types of lithium batteries. I'm currently using LiFePO4 chemistry in a pre-buiilt 48V option. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYqtY2ifr76GfcU

[@alexnicolas9135]

Where can we buy it from?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

BatteryHookup.com

[@gabrielpadilla2583]

hey David at 12:02 you said each module is 2KWH and total power is 16KWH of the car battery but I only see 6} 16s batteries so if each is 2kw times 6=12 kw did I missed something ? and David can you please provide the link for that Volvo car battery thanks in advance for your help !

[@DavidPozEnergy]

You got me, that was a mistake on my part. Each is 2kwh, and there are 6 modules. Making 12kwh in the car. Lots of 2s and 6s jumbled together. Sorry. The battery is currently out of stock at Battery Hookup. Sometimes they sell out super fast. In this case, faster than I could film, edit, and publish. batteryhookup.com/

[@gabrielpadilla2583]

@@DavidPozEnergy thanks David for your reply. so it is 12 kw total for a moment I thought that I missed something ! and they are out stock too bad, so that is why I could not not find any of of those modules at battery hookup. they were all sold out in the time I was watching your video, it was like with the BMW batteries in one of your previous videos. but I kept in the look out for them until I managed to find them in stock, and bought 3 crates last year. anyway thanks for your update I will keep my eyes on battery hookup hopefully they are back in stock!

[@benbangui]

Is there any way you could do a video on a lithium conversion with battery’s from this same place for a Polaris ranger EV? The company’s that do a conversion charge $6-8k for their conversions. There has to be another way 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@benbangui]

I will fund the project if you wanna do it to mine :)

[@DavidPozEnergy]

Are you in Massachusetts? I've done a lead to lithium swap in my golf cart. It would be the same sort of thing for your Polaris. You just have to check your voltage range, maximum amps, charger, and a couple other minor things.

[@benbangui]

Does it need to basically run threw some type of bms before it goes to the charger if comes with? It’s a 48v system. I’m in NY, but I would trailer it to you, just to get your advice and look at it!

[@benbangui]

Hey! So I just used your discount to buy a battery from battery place :) I’ll let you know how it goes :)

[@bobbyisno11]

Does he have to add a BMS to each of those cells?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

No. He has to add a BMS to each of those modules. More details in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2OVqYx6aKmojbs

[@trevortrevortsr2]

Owwwwww you would be able to use Ebike BMS @ 16S

[@brynduffy]

The superior chemistry of Lithium Iron Phosphate should have been deployed by Volvo. Or Lithium Titanate which is in use in CCP land.

[@davefroman4700]

Operating these batteries without cooling is not recommended. I'll stick with LiFePo4 cells.

[@truckerhershey7042]

so did this was 6kWh.. and $100 per... costing him $600 ? ? If so, where do I buy these?

[@DavidPozEnergy]

2kwh per module, and 6 modules, makes 12kwh total. Ben bought these from batteryhookup.com/ and got a discount using my code DAVIDPOZ

[@1Jbeats]

Why in the world were neither of you wearing PPE? one mistake with open circuitry on high voltage batteries, and it will be the last mistake you ever make. 💀

[@onothepthany4718]

I need help for wiring LG chem comunicate connect to solaredge inverter sese7600a

[@nasqad3357]

Why does he sound like a robot beeep booop

[@darrishawks6033]

This seems extremely dangerous

[@EVO1087R]

Its not so bad. Gloves would be best but if you have your multimeter and test for voltage before touching things you’ll be fine. Find the positive and negative terminals and don’t short them.

[@igaroot]

don’t tell the benejezerit

[@jeebangurung7014]

Volvo ev may be strong.

[@BehroozShariati]

You guys are setting a bad example here. You were not wearing insulating gloves and were using metal tools to work on the battery. Need to do better here. Also, the so-called “Orange Cap” is a safety device used to disconnect the battery. I enjoy watching your DIY programs, but you need to do better.

[@VidarTeiseniHeisen]

I like your videos, but please stop asking us to like, share and subscribe. If your content is good, people will do this automatically. :-)

[@charlesharkin2165]

Def not user repairable and that is what it is all about ,electric cars wont be around for long

[@michealcobia7869]

Stop touching it and wear the proper gloves

[@traviswatson6527]

Thanks for sharing. Sucks your commenters are being jerkholes. Armchair warriors to the rescue I guess...

[@johnmirbach2338]

😁👌👍✌🖖😎

[@bellagoshine7498]

your email pls

[@at6999]

Freaking hell, watching this vid makes me so uncomfortable. Wanna grow an Afro?