Switching to Lithium Ion Battery Bank?
I'm toying around with replacing my current 300AH 6v Lifeline AGM batteries wired in series with a Lithium Ion Battery pack. The cost is certainly a lot higher and maybe I'm just looking for trouble b...
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I typed up a long response, lost it all...
Anyway, short version: we have the 400Ah lithium system mentioned above from Starlight Solar in Yuma. Also 640W solar. After some initial kinks due to defective parts (replaced under warranty), we really like our system. Might be overkill, but hey, zombie apocalypse...We also run a 12V DC compressor fridge.
We installed the system ourselves and thus learned a LOT and saved tons of money! It is an intricate setup, but once it is programmed you can pretty much forget about it. We use the MW with inverter all the time and hardly make a dent in the capacity. Check out Elitepowersolutions.com in AZ (supplier to Starlight) for loads of info.
I think you can discharge in freezing temps, but CHARGING the batteries when frozen is a no-go. Ours are inside, so no concerns. We just disconnect the panels during storage in winter. Technically you don't need the fancy BMS, however, you'd really have to be on top of your cell voltages and temps so you don't go out of bounds.
Oh, the 30% federal tax CREDIT (not deduction) is still in effect. That also helped with the cost. ;)
Anyway, short version: we have the 400Ah lithium system mentioned above from Starlight Solar in Yuma. Also 640W solar. After some initial kinks due to defective parts (replaced under warranty), we really like our system. Might be overkill, but hey, zombie apocalypse...We also run a 12V DC compressor fridge.
We installed the system ourselves and thus learned a LOT and saved tons of money! It is an intricate setup, but once it is programmed you can pretty much forget about it. We use the MW with inverter all the time and hardly make a dent in the capacity. Check out Elitepowersolutions.com in AZ (supplier to Starlight) for loads of info.
I think you can discharge in freezing temps, but CHARGING the batteries when frozen is a no-go. Ours are inside, so no concerns. We just disconnect the panels during storage in winter. Technically you don't need the fancy BMS, however, you'd really have to be on top of your cell voltages and temps so you don't go out of bounds.
Oh, the 30% federal tax CREDIT (not deduction) is still in effect. That also helped with the cost. ;)
