About your price comparison, it's worth mentioning that you can build a battery bank from lithium (LFP) cells for about half the price of a server rack battery. 280 amp hour EVE cells are going for $72 each, and to make a 24v bank you'd need 8 of them, which is $576 including all the buss bars, plus $200 shipping to the U.S. You'd need a BMS too, which is $100 for the JBD 24v BMS, and it lets you monitor all the power coming in and out of the battery bank from your phone, as well as the health of each cell. And then you get something significantly better than a server rack battery since I don't think there's any monitoring with server rack batteries, though I might be wrong about that. You can also build your battery bank into some random corner of your RV a lot easier since the form factor is malleable. And you get 280 amp hours instead of 200 amp hours for the server rack battery, almost 1/3rd more power. For hundreds of dollars less. Building a battery bank is about $800 for the cells plus $100 for the BMS = $900 for 280 amp hours aka 6720 watt hours = $.13 per watt hour. That EG4 server rack battery is $1259 for 200 amp hours aka 4800 watt hours = $.26 per watt hour, which is almost twice the price per watt hour.
You can use smaller cables which means a less expensive install and you can accept more solar input from smaller charge controllers. You don't get half the capacity as 12V, you get the same! The inverters are cheaper too, And a simple 24V to 12V step down converter is cheap and trivial to install.
@@bmcga1you can if you like! However you need to be way more careful around the 48volt so 24volt is a sweet spot for anyone who lives on the go or needs to rewire/do upgrading and repairs
This is cool. Can't wait for solid state batteries. I just had to remove 2 of my Tesla because I didn't seal the back/underside so they rusted and shorted. Ugh... So these would be awesome!
You failed to mention, the solar generator will not discharge in very cold or very hot weather, which often is when you really need ot the most (heater or ac). For that reason, I do not recommend that as a van life power system.
Lifepo4 batteries are safer as they don't burn up unless you have done something wrong. They also dont gas off like a lead acid and they are safe within the living quarters.
I'd suggest avoiding LiTime, they use B or even C grade cells. A number of users on the DIYSolar forum have had cell failures, BMS failures, and even venting of cells with LiTime. I'd suggest sticking with EG4 or SOK as the absolute bottom end. Buy cheap, buy twice. Additionally, if you're handy, you can build your own pack with EVE Grade A cells (buy only from known good vendors) for almost half the price per KW than the server rack batteries.
Justin, Thanks for all this information. I know it will come in handy when I build my bus. Only one request: PLEASE speak a little slower! You cover so much detail and for a person new to this, like me, it can be difficult absorbing so much so quickly. I don’t want to screw up my electrical system because I missed something. Thanks again.
You can’t run only one EG4 battery with a MultiPlus, the BMS will automatically trip the breaker. Don’t forget to add $300 for shipping and the terrible Signature Solar customer support. -24V EG4 battery owner with MultiPlus
Growatt has great hybrid inverters that work great with lifepower eg4’s. If going with both units Id add at least 1 fuse BUT only cables and mounting would be highly recommended.
The only advantages of the various lithium chemistries that I can see so far is fast charging time and much less weight, That is an awfully high premium to pay thanks for the video!
@@magnoliathebus Well, that depends too. I have a pair of Optima AGM batteries (yes, expensive themselves) that are functional at 10+ years. I keep them happy by keeping them charged w/ periodic smart charger (not trickle). These LiFePo4 batteries have great claims, but I don't know that they have even been around for 10 yrs to _have_ a proven track record. I am still watching and waiting. I am seeing the prices coming down.
@@jamesalles139 I think they have been, and are proving to last much longer. The science is pretty strong here. Also, they have a much deeper discharge and cycle life of 3000-3500, far far more than any AGM battery.
@@magnoliathebus 10 yrs? Not quite. BattleBorn has been on the market since 2014. Yes, I do like 'the science' - I would say chemistry - myself, except for cold weather. And that is a condition that my preps need to take into account. You bring up two other points. Life cycles I am not going to argue. 'Deeper discharge' isn't quite what it seems either. An AGM is recommended to go to 50% SOC. _Under load_ that is 100% at 12.5V; 50% at 11.95V; and 0% at 10.80V. It is also important to get them fully charged on a regular basis. For most manufacturers (claims vary wildly) for LiFePo4 they allow 80% discharge (down to 20%). However, the BMS quite often will not allow 100% charge on a regular basis. The number I see is 80% as a limit. That gives you 60% of rated capacity, which is 10% more, or a 20% difference. You really need to watch for the marketing hype. AGM is still a proven technology. And oof they are heavy. I do have applications for both a rack-mount LiFePo4 and a compact 100AH - but not until the prices come down, or I save enough pennies. thanks for the discussion!
@magnoliathebus I've used them since they have been on the market in ever semi I have had. Zero issues. The power everything I need, unsupported, for 12-15 hours continuously, day in and day out with an exceptional recharge rate. They will hold a charge for up to a week and a half when in stand by mode as well.
Nice to see you again Justin. I believe we talked about this a few years ago when you were putting in your batteries.
About your price comparison, it's worth mentioning that you can build a battery bank from lithium (LFP) cells for about half the price of a server rack battery. 280 amp hour EVE cells are going for $72 each, and to make a 24v bank you'd need 8 of them, which is $576 including all the buss bars, plus $200 shipping to the U.S. You'd need a BMS too, which is $100 for the JBD 24v BMS, and it lets you monitor all the power coming in and out of the battery bank from your phone, as well as the health of each cell. And then you get something significantly better than a server rack battery since I don't think there's any monitoring with server rack batteries, though I might be wrong about that. You can also build your battery bank into some random corner of your RV a lot easier since the form factor is malleable. And you get 280 amp hours instead of 200 amp hours for the server rack battery, almost 1/3rd more power. For hundreds of dollars less. Building a battery bank is about $800 for the cells plus $100 for the BMS = $900 for 280 amp hours aka 6720 watt hours = $.13 per watt hour. That EG4 server rack battery is $1259 for 200 amp hours aka 4800 watt hours = $.26 per watt hour, which is almost twice the price per watt hour.
By far the best option.
So helpful to see you demonstrate this! This brings much relief as I try to decipher was is best for me
Glad to see you with the bus!
Crazy timing on this one Justin. I'm getting three installed today. Excited to get rid of the lead acids that were leaking all over the battery bay.
Oh wow time for those to go!
Dumb question incoming. Why 24v? You get half the capacity not to mention you need to step down all the 12v stuff. Thanks a bunch for the videos. 😊
You can use smaller cables which means a less expensive install and you can accept more solar input from smaller charge controllers. You don't get half the capacity as 12V, you get the same! The inverters are cheaper too, And a simple 24V to 12V step down converter is cheap and trivial to install.
@@MobileDwellings Same question... sort of... why not just go straight to 48v?
@@bmcga1you can if you like! However you need to be way more careful around the 48volt so 24volt is a sweet spot for anyone who lives on the go or needs to rewire/do upgrading and repairs
We're going with the solar generator, or rather the home back-up system, ours from Bluetti. I love it.
More and more it seems to be the right call lately!
This is cool. Can't wait for solid state batteries. I just had to remove 2 of my Tesla because I didn't seal the back/underside so they rusted and shorted. Ugh... So these would be awesome!
You failed to mention, the solar generator will not discharge in very cold or very hot weather, which often is when you really need ot the most (heater or ac). For that reason, I do not recommend that as a van life power system.
Lifepo4 batteries are safer as they don't burn up unless you have done something wrong. They also dont gas off like a lead acid and they are safe within the living quarters.
I'd suggest avoiding LiTime, they use B or even C grade cells. A number of users on the DIYSolar forum have had cell failures, BMS failures, and even venting of cells with LiTime. I'd suggest sticking with EG4 or SOK as the absolute bottom end. Buy cheap, buy twice. Additionally, if you're handy, you can build your own pack with EVE Grade A cells (buy only from known good vendors) for almost half the price per KW than the server rack batteries.
Where do you buy these cells?
Happy to see your face Justin!
Hey what about diesel heaters???? Maybe another video soon? 😂
Aww thanks! Sorry I haven't been making enough videos!
Thanks for the information 👍
Justin, Thanks for all this information. I know it will come in handy when I build my bus. Only one request: PLEASE speak a little slower! You cover so much detail and for a person new to this, like me, it can be difficult absorbing so much so quickly. I don’t want to screw up my electrical system because I missed something. Thanks again.
How about those big powerpro batteries from EG4?
You can’t run only one EG4 battery with a MultiPlus, the BMS will automatically trip the breaker.
Don’t forget to add $300 for shipping and the terrible Signature Solar customer support.
-24V EG4 battery owner with MultiPlus
I use 12 of the 48v eg4LL.
Wow that is a lot!!! For an off grid home?
@@MobileDwellings off grid RV. We have enough storage so we can go around 4 days without sun.
Do you know if I can go from 24 V batteries to 120 and 240 voltage?
Yes you can do both with the right inverter(s)
SO WHAT IS CON FOR SERVER RACK BATTERY..?
I don't really have any. they don't fit in small spaces like group 31 size batteries do?
Growatt has great hybrid inverters that work great with lifepower eg4’s.
If going with both units Id add at least 1 fuse BUT only cables and mounting would be highly recommended.
I do want to give the Growatt a try someday!
The only advantages of the various lithium chemistries that I can see so far is fast charging time and much less weight,
That is an awfully high premium to pay
thanks for the video!
They last a heck of a lot longer than lead acid batteries, so the cost is not a high premium at all when you factor that in.
@@magnoliathebus Well, that depends too. I have a pair of Optima AGM batteries (yes, expensive themselves) that are functional at 10+ years. I keep them happy by keeping them charged w/ periodic smart charger (not trickle). These LiFePo4 batteries have great claims, but I don't know that they have even been around for 10 yrs to _have_ a proven track record. I am still watching and waiting. I am seeing the prices coming down.
@@jamesalles139 I think they have been, and are proving to last much longer. The science is pretty strong here. Also, they have a much deeper discharge and cycle life of 3000-3500, far far more than any AGM battery.
@@magnoliathebus 10 yrs? Not quite. BattleBorn has been on the market since 2014. Yes, I do like 'the science' - I would say chemistry - myself, except for cold weather. And that is a condition that my preps need to take into account.
You bring up two other points. Life cycles I am not going to argue.
'Deeper discharge' isn't quite what it seems either. An AGM is recommended to go to 50% SOC. _Under load_ that is 100% at 12.5V; 50% at 11.95V; and 0% at 10.80V. It is also important to get them fully charged on a regular basis.
For most manufacturers (claims vary wildly) for LiFePo4 they allow 80% discharge (down to 20%). However, the BMS quite often will not allow 100% charge on a regular basis. The number I see is 80% as a limit. That gives you 60% of rated capacity, which is 10% more, or a 20% difference. You really need to watch for the marketing hype.
AGM is still a proven technology. And oof they are heavy. I do have applications for both a rack-mount LiFePo4 and a compact 100AH - but not until the prices come down, or I save enough pennies.
thanks for the discussion!
Gel batteries that run semi's electrical auxiliary power packs work WAY better than lithium.
🤣🤣🤣
@@magnoliathebus not sure what is so funny?
@@scottgwin01 Because it made me laugh out loud. How can you possibly figure that an AGM battery is better than a Lifepo4 battery?
@magnoliathebus I've used them since they have been on the market in ever semi I have had. Zero issues. The power everything I need, unsupported, for 12-15 hours continuously, day in and day out with an exceptional recharge rate. They will hold a charge for up to a week and a half when in stand by mode as well.
@@scottgwin01I don't believe that makes them better, though.