6 ms·

From a technical perspective it's an impressive project, but geez that's a lot of cells being packed together! Especially with them being no-name refurbished b

by crote 3y ago

From a technical perspective it's an impressive project, but geez that's a lot of cells being packed together! Especially with them being no-name refurbished bargain-bin cells and the very minimal literally-dollar-store-quality protection added, I'd be scared shitless about this catching fire sooner or later. If any one of those 96 cells goes bad you've suddenly got a basically unstoppable inferno in your home. I mean, you do you, but I sure wouldn't be happy if my neighbour was doing projects like these in their garage!

Beijinger 3y ago
I guess it depends how far the garage is away from my home.
londons_explore 3y ago
Mount it in a waterproof box outdoors, and just expect that sooner or later it will catch fire, but when it does nothing will be damaged. That's what I did with my DIY solar batteries - and so far they haven't caught fire.
- jacquesm 3y ago
  You still need thermal management if the temps can go near or below zero.
  - londons_explore 3y ago
    Depends if you care about longevity...
    - jacquesm 3y ago
      True, but charging while too cold can also damage the cells in ways that are not immediately visible and that in turn might trigger thermal runaway rather than just cell capacity degradation. That's because the cells on the outside of the pack will likely be much later to the party than the ones on the inside during charging. But any good BMS will simply refuse to charge as long as the pack is too cold.
rollcat 3y ago
There's entire communities of DIY energy storage hackers (like r/DIYPowerWall). You'd usually house these contraptions in a freestanding shed in your backyard, far enough from anything flammable, and monitor the thing very closely (voltage, temperature, ambient sensors, etc). Some of the pictures look like home-made starship interiors. (Edit for clarification: I do not necessarily endorse this kind of activity.)
- jacquesm 3y ago
  Unfortunately they don't spend nearly enough time explaining all of their decisions and lots of the related youtube channels have a following that is not in line with the safety of the advice provided. Freestanding structures are a great way to ensure that if - or should I say when - it goes that at least it will only be a monetary loss. There are some youtubers that are basically setting people up for an accident without any indication of the danger levels involved. To be fair: the same goes for some professional gear that you can just go out and buy and which people routinely charge in their hallways and attached garages. E-bikes, gardening gear etc.

by crote 3y ago

Beijinger 3y ago

I guess it depends how far the garage is away from my home.

londons_explore 3y ago

Mount it in a waterproof box outdoors, and just expect that sooner or later it will catch fire, but when it does nothing will be damaged. That's what I did with my DIY solar batteries - and so far they haven't caught fire.

jacquesm 3y ago
You still need thermal management if the temps can go near or below zero.
- londons_explore 3y ago
  Depends if you care about longevity...
  - jacquesm 3y ago
    True, but charging while too cold can also damage the cells in ways that are not immediately visible and that in turn might trigger thermal runaway rather than just cell capacity degradation. That's because the cells on the outside of the pack will likely be much later to the party than the ones on the inside during charging. But any good BMS will simply refuse to charge as long as the pack is too cold.

rollcat 3y ago

There's entire communities of DIY energy storage hackers (like r/DIYPowerWall). You'd usually house these contraptions in a freestanding shed in your backyard, far enough from anything flammable, and monitor the thing very closely (voltage, temperature, ambient sensors, etc). Some of the pictures look like home-made starship interiors. (Edit for clarification: I do not necessarily endorse this kind of activity.)

jacquesm 3y ago
Unfortunately they don't spend nearly enough time explaining all of their decisions and lots of the related youtube channels have a following that is not in line with the safety of the advice provided. Freestanding structures are a great way to ensure that if - or should I say when - it goes that at least it will only be a monetary loss. There are some youtubers that are basically setting people up for an accident without any indication of the danger levels involved. To be fair: the same goes for some professional gear that you can just go out and buy and which people routinely charge in their hallways and attached garages. E-bikes, gardening gear etc.