bug
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Post by bug on Dec 23, 2023 9:14:47 GMT 10
Due to our somewhat transient living arrangement right now, I'm looking to get a portable battery system. Was thinking something like a Bluetti.
Anybody have experience with these?
A few points:
- Are the 'solar blankets' reliably waterproof?
- Would love to put a couple of regular solar panels on the roof, silicon them down and take them with us when we move.
- Most of this stuff is made in china. Would love something that isn't. (May be dreaming here).
- Want around a 2kW output with a surge output of around 5kW.
- Would like to be able to also charge with a petrol generator.
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Dec 23, 2023 9:46:13 GMT 10
Look at the Victron range, they have a 2kw inverter/charger, and MPPT range of regulators. www.victronenergy.com/inverters-chargers/multiplus-2000-vaAlso, the solar blankets are not very efficient, much better to mount a couple of conventional solar panels and connect in series, and use a switching MPPT regulator. You can pick up 30 % more energy using a MPPT regulator and get more power on overcast days. India is getting into solar stuff, and there were some Russian made solar panels around years ago, but the reliability of the Chinese stuff isn't too bad, most have a 20 year panel warranty. Trying to collect on it may be the issue. I have a 400 watt Jaycar portable 5 in one power unit, (Tip find and works perfect with a new battery), (https://www.jaycar.com.au/6-in-1-jump-starter-power-station/p/MB3694) or (https://www.jaycar.com.au/7-in-1-jump-starter-power-station/p/MB3732?utm_campaign=redirect&utm_source=MB3732r&utm_medium=web) Its very handy for farm work. (I actually picked up another one last week, and its battery is U/S, but it works with an external battery). Mine must be early versions as they don't have the USB outlet, but that's no issue as 12 V USB gizmos are available everywhere, and they have 2 cigarette sockets on the front panel. It would appear the new models don't have the 240 v inverter. You can make a better unit for less money than the Bluetti, (https://www.bluettipower.com.au/pages/portable-power-station?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAhJWsBhAaEiwAmrNyq52YNWc698g8wm4ZWTDvMoP51jzj1IXxenxwN-lhz48JP3bAbLXethoCJy0QAvD_BwE) but they are convenient, especially if bugging out in an emergency. Look at Big Wei Battery's for LIfe battery's. (https://www.bigweibattery.com.au/bwb-lifepo4-lithium-products/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAhJWsBhAaEiwAmrNyqx8jLpWFp6mKLAxdUFbiGN5e7ZOCJ0eVuLaxQNmMKkIxnm7laEkokxoCOekQAvD_BwE) We have 3 of their 24 volt, 400 amp hour packs in various dwellings here. One occasionally trips off on temperature, and I have turned it around and placed insulation behind it, to see if that makes a difference. They have a built in BMS and can be fitted with a Bluetooth module. More for fixed systems though as they are quite heavy in the stainless steel box. Pm me for more info. From the New World Order - Jacinda Arden - New Zealand PM. "Unless you hear it from us, it is not the truth. Dismiss anything else. We will continue to be your single source of truth." |
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Beno
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Post by Beno on Dec 23, 2023 10:09:58 GMT 10
SMA is a german manufacturer. I’m sure they still make panels and other components.
I reckon you could make yourself a much better system than the bluetti. I think they are a youtube doomsday prepper hype item.
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Post by Stealth on Dec 23, 2023 11:46:29 GMT 10
I've been looking into Ecoflow for some time. Their tech seems to be improving frequently and it seems like a good solution for people who want an at-home option that's portable. Something handy for renters etc. That being said it's a big ticket item in comparison to putting something together yourself which is why I haven't pulled the pin on buying one. I've been looking at the Delta Pro Power Station because the stats look pretty good in comparison to most of the other available options but I'm sure it has drawbacks just like every system. It does have the ability to charge at EV stations as well, and has a fast recharge cycle if you're plugged into mains. I think I definitely would get new solar panels, ours are at least 10 years old now and I was looking at blankets too but it really does sound like solid panels are the way to go. They're a lot lighter and more efficient than the old style ones so I wouldn't mind putting out a bit extra for them. That being said, obviously it's worth considering how you're going to use them. If you're going to move them and use them a lot for camping etc. then a blanket might be easier to manage. But in general blankets are designed to be easily moved and stored so they're not really designed to be left out in the rain for long periods. If you're after something that will deal with weather more reliably, I'd go with solid panels. That's just me though  I know you said you prefer non-Chinese (and I get that) but if it's any consolation, one of the co-founders that started Ecoflow is one of DJI's former engineers so good kit made well. Not all stuff that comes out of China is bonk, you just have to be a bit fussy haha. But from what I can see its a joint US/Chinese company so make of that what you will. I don't know about any of the other portable rig companies though. There may be companies in Europe etc. that have nothing to do with China. I'm not adverse to buying Chinese so long as the quality is there. That being said I've only read reviews and haven't owned any of their kit myself yet so your mileage may vary. |
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Dec 23, 2023 14:07:54 GMT 10
The newer panels are 'frameless', and quite light. My sisters are rated at 400 watts at 39 volts, and there are 9 of them on her new system here, along with a 400 amp hr 24 volt Big Wei lithium iron battery, a 3 KW Victron inverter (No charger as I have several 60 amp Woods Dialomatics around), and a Victron 150/100 MPPT regulator. It runs her entire house, fridge etc, and only once in the last 12 months have I needed to charge the battery's, and even then, it was after many days overcast weather and I did it 'just in case'. Modern MPPT regulator really are magic. It seems at times it couldn't be charging the battery's as it so dull, but there's 20 plus amps going in in pouring rain ! Keeping the input voltage as high as possible is the key, the regulator is rated to max 150 v DC, and I have 3 groups of 3 panels in series, making the open circuit voltage from the panels a shade under 120 v DC. Note, that's licensed sparky s territory, so you have been warned.
As for how long does a solar panel last ? I have the first one I ever bought, in 1977. Its rated at 60 watts, 12 or 24 volts (2 sets of 32 cells), and still works. I tested it and in full sun it puts out 42 watts, the cells have outgassed and have consequently discolored the underside of the glass, the Kevlar backing is starting to peel off, and the glass is pitted from the acid rain pollution that was Wollongong back then, but it still works. Its been through many, many storms, hail and so on. When I installed it on the 800 amp hour, ex 'W' pax telephone battery from AIS I scrounged for the other farm when I moved there, it seemed like magic and I watched the meters for hours.
The Jaycar unit is very handy, especially having a battery operated air compressor that can fill a tire. The inverter is great for operating a soldering iron in the paddock, or on a vehicle and charging the lap top whilst in town.
From '1984' - George Orwell.
"If all others accept the lie which the party imposed - if all records told the same tale, then the lie becomes truth."
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Dec 23, 2023 14:42:23 GMT 10
Perhaps it may be time for a meet up somewhere to disseminate information re solar, ham radio etc.
Thoughts ??
Imagine a vaccine so safe you have to be threatened to take it, for a disease so deadly you have to be tested to know you have it.
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bug
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Post by bug on Dec 24, 2023 8:14:06 GMT 10
Perhaps it may be time for a meet up somewhere to disseminate information re solar, ham radio etc. Thoughts ?? Imagine a vaccine so safe you have to be threatened to take it, for a disease so deadly you have to be tested to know you have it. Sounds like a great idea. |
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bug
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Post by bug on Dec 24, 2023 9:41:26 GMT 10
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Dec 24, 2023 10:37:41 GMT 10
All good gear, Jaycar makes reasonable quality form China of course, but fully warrantied. We have 3 of the 24 v, 400 amp hr Big Wei battery's here and apart from a occasional trip on one, probably due to over-temp as the enclosure gets full afternoon sun, they have been very good. Get the Bluetooth option, it wasn't available when I bought mine and would make it so much easier to troubleshoot this occasional tripping issue. They are available as a 12 v 800 amp, 24 v 400 amp, 36 volt 200 amp or 48 v 200 amp hour set. I'm not sure weather the configuration is user changeable. Our battery is this type, www.bigweibattery.com.au/product/48v-200ah-lithium-battery-lifepo4-deep-cycle-solar-battery-energy-storage-marine-off-grid-bwb-ss48200g/but configured for 24 volts. Once again, Victron just works, and has a higher open circuit input voltage than Jaycar (100 vs 150 v dc), which equates to better low light performance. The Jaycar unit will only allow around 800 watts solar input at 12 Volts, which is 2 of the newer 400 watt panels. The Victron gets closer to 1,200 watts at 12 volts, or 3 panels. At 12 V the currents get you ! Thats why 24 or 48 volts is better, also the losses are 1/4 those at 12 v and at 48 volts, 1/16 those at 12 volts. (Proportional to the current squared). I have the previous version of the Jaycar inverter. It blew up some of the output transistors (FET'S), but they were easily obtainable. Its also rated at 2,500 watts, so the new one is obviously de-rated, probably because they realize it has an issue. It runs my daughters fridge and other loads perfectly and is connected to a Victron 150/100 regulator, 9 off 175 watt panels, (yes, 1.5 kw, well over the Victrons limit, but it copes with the excess and has done for several years now.), and a 1,000 amp hour, 12 v lead acid battery pack. Time is short now, the elite are in the process of collapsing everything. |
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bug
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Post by bug on Dec 24, 2023 14:03:41 GMT 10
That jaycar controller can do 12V or 24V. You are right about the configuration with the voltage. At 24V it allows a 2250W PV array, clamping it to 1500W, which is exactly what we'd want to do. You can have 6 in parallel so it's easily expandable as necessary.
There does seem to be a lot less choice of product once you go away from 12V though.
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bug
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Post by bug on Jan 1, 2024 14:09:21 GMT 10
I've decided to initially go with the 24V Big Wei battery with an inverter. (thanks for mentioning it too, had never heard of them). At full charge there's several days of energy to run a fridge (but not air con) which extends further with my generator. I don't like generators though as the noise would attract unwanted attention if everyone else was experienceing a prolonged blackout.
If nothing else, this gives us a very portable energy supply.
Will follow up later with the solar panels.
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malewithatail
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Post by malewithatail on Jan 1, 2024 15:29:32 GMT 10
Their service isn't too slack either.
I think we have a out of spec BMS on one battery pack, and they are sending a replacement BMS.
I am impressed with their capacity and the ability to run to 100% discharge without damage is worth it.
Sometimes the weight you need to lose is not on your body.
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