Powering My Home with Old Laptop Batteries
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- The rechargeable batteries in your laptop, your cell phone, your headphones: all of these can be used to power your life and take you off the grid. DIY Powerwalls - rechargeable lithium-ion battery installations, made from recycled batteries - are the future of power, whether you know it or not.
We visited Jehu Garcia, a DIY Powerwall builder and enthusiast, and the folks at EV West in Southern California as well as the University of Michigan Battery Lab to see just how DIY Powerwalls can power your home, your car, and even the rest of your neighborhood.
*The video originally aired on MOTHERBOARD in 2017
This dude was home schooled and he’s is so smart. He taught himself all this. People like this is who I idolized.
All that means is that he would have learned more had he gone to school. People act like engineering is simple. It is only simple if you are not informed.
@@brownj2 your assumption is that he never researched his subject. He is in fact an expert in his field. School can sometimes create boundaries, and a closed mind to learning.
It’s too bad that there are obstacles for even the most qualified of individuals just because they don’t have a degree from an official insitution. We are squandering people’s inherent talent for the sake of another insitution’s profit and the gatekeeping of certain professions.
@@brownj2 you assume his motivation would have been as high sitting in classrooms every day with teachers that don't care and textbooks written by committee
@@brownj2 Yes, Engineering is hard, and thus it's very hard to go through it alone (without the teachers, without the office hours and without the structured learning process at the university) but at a certain threshold of self motivation you can brute force your way through engineering, only few outliers accomplish that, the majority will still go through the help of the university.
Jehu is actually the guys who change the future and created technical advancements before the scribes put them in books. We actually need more Jehu personas across all industries...
This man is legend and we need more like him!
I like this guy.
It's not easy, it's no walk in the park he put years of work into making the world a better place. We need these type of people.
I remember seeing this video few years ago...
Dejavu?
@@akshanshsrivastava5835 no it is from 2017 they just re upload it
@@akshanshsrivastava5835 original video here ruclips.net/video/cNbsiZcwGSY/видео.html
@@kamel3d ah I see
@@kamel3d do you know what his channel is?
Honestly I've watched Jehu for a while now and I started when I wanted to learn how to make a DIY power wall to charge my Tesla. ya I could have paid Tesla $5k for one but Jehu showed me how to make one three times more powerful with more features on it for the same price. It was crazy I've since then made an off grid system that most of my stuff runs off of. I don't remember the last time I've paid more than $50 for my electric bill.
Lots of props man. I thought my garage was seriously organized. Very nice and clean. :)
Love watching Jehu’s channel. He takes all the fear out of working with batteries!
Jehu is a legend definitely a pioneer in this industry.
@Michael 270 years ago. 1752 ben Franklin flew a kite. 1800 the battery was invented mr volta....hence the term volts or voltage. I'm an electrical engineer and these DIY folks are dangerous. I wouldn't want him as a neighbor because lithium fires are devastating. No way to shut off a battery other than complete depletion.
He's really not
@Michael haters
@@doughopkinsjr gonna
@@neseeo1 hate
This is so awesome, I love it. I'm instant fans of both of these guys.
I’m a handyman/superintendent, I always wanted to be a engineer and this guy is my hero I’m a hooked I’m learning now
Super mad props to this gentleman! Wish I had the tenacity to do what he does. I try to learn things but usually life gets in the way. Admiration bro!
jehu getting the vice treatment nice!
Been a Jehu fan for years. Thank you Vice!!!
Jehú ... you are famous! Been watching your content for years. Good for you man. 😀
His is still at it. I saw a you tube video years ago... Keep up the good work.
I admire these folks’ creativity. But, their motivation is even more remarkable.
8:12 he was surprised lol, he is like he doesn't know he was coming
One of the first videos I watched on this subject and I still live watching it.
I don’t even know how he’s re energizing those spent batteries but I’m deff intrigued in learning!
When a laptop or phone battery is "spent", it likely still holds a charge and recharges, it's just the voltage has dropped to a point where it can't power the laptop anymore, but that doesn't mean all the capacity is gone, maybe it still holds 50% of its original capacity.
The same goes for old electric car batteries, in 10+ years when the battery packs are spent, they can be reused in contexts where power density is less important, such as in grid-storage or powerwalls, because in those cases the energy to weight density is less important.
What most people consider as a depreciated cell can still be useful in the right context.
Where do I begin? First off, he isn't renewing the cells themselves, there is no current technology that can renew cells or bring capacity back. What he did back in the day (this video is from 2017) was buy salvage laptop packs, dismantle them, and test each individual cell's capacity and ability to hold a charge (no self-discharge). Sometimes laptops would die for other reasons and the battery packs were still fairly new. Sometimes companies upgraded equipment before the batteries went bad. Sometimes one cell would go bad, while the other 5 or 7 or 8 cells would still be good. Some packs have good cells, but over time, go out of balance way before they are actually dead. Sometimes a laptop will be stored at 0% for a while and the voltage of the pack drops below a safe threshold and the BMS locks it out from getting a charge. Those packs all contain useable cells. The really depleted packs that contain 50% of their original capacity or less are usually recycled because they are too near the end of their life to waste time on. Making these powerwalls is incredibly time consuming, so only the best cells get used. Only about 20-25% of salvage laptop packs contain good used cells.
@Dr Evil
Let me give you a very LAYMAN reply
.. few years back 3 of my older power banks started to 'die' (would not hold charge longer & would not charge a new cell phone)
So I *daisy chained* them (Type A output to micro B input of the next) ...and viola ! now it charges my cell phone
It's about time Vice looked this guy up, he has an amazing RUclips channel and sells batteries, controllers and all kinds of awesome electronic supplies.
God bless you sir! We need more of your kind of spirit in this world, now more than ever. I'm inspired!
This is a well made documentary. Thank you so much for being yourself and just for the future reference, your are 100% right about everything be electric.
Your are more of engineer than must engineers that can't see beyond what they learn in school.
This was so fun to watch and your VW is baller ✌️
Keep going Jehu!!!!God bless you...
Jehu garcia the pioneer of the diy power wall. I used to see this guy going up and down on his vw bus and no plates by my neighborhood when he first build his bus. Now he has grown up as one of the gurus on the diy power wall community.
Its always a good idea to use a spot welder when connecting the cells together to not heat them up. It helps to not kill any of the cells
I've often thought about the potential to do this - Found this video as I looked at a solar panel/home battery bundle deal here in Australia
French accent: *I'd like to purchase your finest lithium creation*
I love these backyard geniuses.
This guy is an inspiration to me.. aweeh bro 🤜🤛💪💯🔥
Aweeeh 🇿🇦 hahahaha
Awe gazi , u nxa?
Duidelik
Just found your channel! Awesome! 😎
Keep it coming Vice, keep it coming.
An inside powerwall should be enclosed in a temperature-controlled area with an automatic fire suppression system. This guy knows what he's doing, but many other diy'ers will be less knowledgeable and skilled. Considerations: temperature extremes (how hot is your garage)?, lightning/grounding, insurance coverage (will a diy powerwall fire be covered?). Also, how do electrical codes deal with powerwalls?
Exactly!! So a big reason why they don't want a bunch of people having these battery walls in this house is a money thing. Less money for the power companies. But it's not all just a money thing it's also way a regulations that are put in place for a reason. Example if my neighbor build a power wall and he doesn't know what he's doing and he blows his house up or catches his house on fire now he put my house in my family at risk also. So let's say the whole country does this how did that you may be having a million people they don't know what they're doing now you have a lot of problems everywhere
@Just Some Communist With Internet Access I think power wall or not they screwed if they have a wildfire nextdoor😂
@Just Some Communist With Internet Access damn right!!! Hell we can't even get people to keep their e-cigarette mod batteries under control 😂
doesn't look like to me he really knows... using regular solder on batteries instead of spot welder a big no no..
@@REALchocochan He's aware, it's preference. Although, not a preference I like XD
I like a lot of this. I do have a few concerns:
1) DIY powerwalls need to stay off the grid. Things like bad SCRs can wreak havoc upstream.
2) I'm not sure how safe a DIY electric vehicle is. There is enough power to seriously injure or even possibly vaporize anyone in a car during a bad accident if the cells short.
3)18650 battery is a good size for DIY because it limits the damage a single package can do. As batteries continue to get larger a single package becomes more dangerous to work with.
Also should be noted there really isnt a way to truly "recycle" a battery yet. Smelting doesnt count because it's not recycling.
300 volts with 300 amps is definitely more than enough to kill anyone. I created a 5 volt DC / 4000 amp power supply once using a lossy microwave oven transformer. You could melt thick wire easily, yet still touch your tongue to it. Too bad they can not run continuously though.
valid concerns
Your right bro. I learned electrical stuff in school, and your concern are very valid. You just have to be knowledgeable about what ur doing to avoid these concerns. About the DIY electric car accident, that shit is scary.
VERY VERY DANGEROUS. IF ONE BATTERY GOES WRONG IT WILL CAUSE A MASSIVE EXPLOSION/FIRE DESTROYING YOUR HOUSE AND THE NEIGHBORS AND KILLING PEOPLE. YOU SHOULD BE ARRESTED FOR TERRORISM. LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NOTE7. IT EXPLODED. YOU ARE MAKING BOMBS WITH THESE BATTERIES. YOU ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO BE AROUND. A TERRORIST COULD GET INSTRUCTIOMS FRO YOU AND MAKE MASSIVE BOMBS
@@esecallum lol
You have inspired me with your samba project to look into creating my own power wall.
Been following Jehu for years he's a pioneer of this
This man would be worth his weight in gold in an apocalyptic world like the Walking Dead.
This guy's is so damn awesome
Super cool 🚎! Love watching your videos! I to am a battery 🔋 pioneer I am a Prius specialist in Los Angeles and will be building a power wall for my garage! Thanks for all this great information!!!!
Big fan of mr. Garcia big inspiration in my life
Thank you for existing literally life saver and changing humanity ❤ 💖 we need humans like you. 👍
Very cool. We have solar and Tesla Powerwalls. Hardly use any power from the grid, saves a bundle. And we have power in case the grid goes down. But, I am too timid to build my own batteries. Jehu is amazing.
I do deliveroo food couriering, I started with a manual bike, then an ebike, then I slowly had to learn to replace parts until it got to replacing batteries, then battery parts, then building batteries. amazing how someone with zero engineering skills can learn so much on youtube made practical for work.
LOVE THIS!
KEEP IT UP MAN!
This is awesome, I hope one day they'll integrate graphene with the combination of lithium-ion to keep up with the energy demand/systems.
The Robin Hood of electricity, electric cars and mobility...
This guys channel is fantastic please go check it out. Even if you never plan on building or buying any type of solar or energy storage equipment the technology is totally accessible for any type of weekend DIY'er and it's great to know what's out there. Who knows you may be inspired to take it to the next level
That’s so awesome bro
Great to see Jehu Garcia on VICE.
Awesome vid. :)
I could watch this a hundred more times... I probably will.
Safe to say he's the more successful Jehu
Jehu you have a gift that most of us don't have , nor do we have the time to learn so would be a way you could create a power wall like you have , a complete package ready to mount on our wall , I would be interested.. thank you you are the Future...
Nice man ✌🏻
These are type of people that we need.
he just got one step closer to becoming tony stark.
More like the vulture
damn, i nearly watched the whole thing and thinking this is almost a copy of an old video till I went to read the description
My idol jehu garcia.
I wonder what the premium for his homeowners insurance is.
Get your premium before you do this . Boom cheap home free power
Thanks for this uplifting perspective. Have you all looked into the consequences of lithium mining/processing?
@mike h I think it's vitally important consumers know the origin and impact of the goods they buy. I asked a basic question which absolutely pertains to the channel, not necessarily this video. I think this guy is brilliant and is a great gfella to ask this question. The fact that he's recycling is even more important to the question. I hope that clears up your question.
You got this video in your recomended
I love this video
this is hella cool
Cool, I been follwing this guy since he came out with Jag35
thanks for the video..
Latinos always finding ways to build cheaper solutions using old parts 💪🏼
He wasn’t allowed to go to school, he was really blessed!
Cool idea but scary fire risks short out a lithium cell once
Had one short on me while changing batteries in my vape in 7 years
More than just a fire look how we obtain lithium
@@darrinemerson5990 That's why we're recycling them...
There is more than one way to consider this..the idea is good..in production of batteries, other forms of energy are used..
resourceful.
Jehu is my IDOL!!!
Seems like this is Vice's new reupload channel. I've got recommended doesens of these videos in the past weeks from this channel that I have seen years ago. I don't want it not not recommend these to me because I still want the new videos but now I have to bare with the old old stuff... This guy has a great youtube cannel that I recommend you to watch :D
awesome !
Truly inspiring
This sounds good to feed my Esport gaming addiction of 47hrs of Hardcore Gfueled Gaming
Wow.. This guy is amazing.. 😍😍😍
I had mine set up 15 years now. Self made and self sufficiant. Everything works in the wood cabin and only used car batteries instead of laptop batteries. 16 car batterie is enough for a 2stories building. Lights washing machine and other appliances work.
When I get done riding my ebike bafang do I unplug the battery or just turn off the power with the monitor display?
" everyone will have the ability to make their own power"
Meanwhile Power Corporations : lol , are you comedy me?
so who needs them ?
comedy me?
@@recliningbuddha oh thanks
@@manuelbernal9989 ruclips.net/video/T8B4HZPVO7w/видео.html
@@recliningbuddha ruclips.net/video/T8B4HZPVO7w/видео.html
my grandfather was alva windle and somehow we are related to edison. if you would like they can make the whole neighborhood run on these. just watch the tonight show and know there is one right behind him. NYC's 45-Ton Rotary Convertor this is the subway step up generator and it doesn't use batteries. Batteries just make it cost more.
I have wanted to do that for years. Here in Colorado I would need heat as well.
What are your issues with heat if any?
As for the wall I think that is great idea.
Lee
Super off-topic. But they did a great job with the background music. Mass effect vibes
this seems a lot more useful in the wake of the Central winter outages rn
I like this guy he is a legend I want see what he does next
Since weight is not really a factor in home power supplies, LiFePO4 is the battery to use because they are a bit cheaper than Li-Ion but heavier due to containing iron.
thumbs up, subscribed
3:50 in he says "were gonna wire it up like Tesla" and the next words out of his mouth are... " everything I do, I do it differently than everyone else" lmao nice editing. Lol
Get a battery spot welder people, dont solder on the cells, "come on man"
I'm sure these people know what they are doing mr random youtube comment guy
@@doms.6701 I think the concern is, if he is going to do this a lot, he should invest in a battery spot welder. Soldering takes time to heat up the solder and hence heats up the battery.
@@reptilelord2761 i have done many power packs and banks soldering, they are still working. It is not as bad as that if you know what you are doing. With a 100w soldering iron, in 2 to 3 seconds you are done per cell
@@doms.6701 don't just shutoff your mind and accept something just because you saw it on you tube. mwint1982 is correct. The video shows improper soldering of battery cells.
@@doms.6701 As someone who professionally assembled battery packs for commercial businesses for at least 4 years I can say that he is ABSOLUTELY correct. The extremely hot sustained temperatures that soldering onto a battery cause can easily break cells AND in the case of Li-Po batteries like are shown in the video can cause them to VIOLENTLY EXPLODE. I cringed every time they showed it, I don't know how this guy hasn't burnt down his house yet...
I too wish to drive like jehu.
Its good where people has lot of sunshine all year and warm climate.
So many doubters but the dude is doing it.
vid: does cool insight of DIY's life
me: THERE R FREE BATTERIES, HOW HAS THIS BEEN HIDDEN FROM ME FOR SO LONG
There are not free batteries. Recyclers take used battery packs apart, test the cells and re-sell any that are still good. Less expensive than new, but not free. The guy inthe video, Jehu, his income comes from buying and re-selling recycled batteries.
“It’s the future man!”
JEHU IS THE GOAT! IF HE STARTED A ELECTRIC COMPANY OF ANY KIND HE WOULD LITERALLY OUTSELL TESLA DUDE SITTING ON A GOLD MINE OF INFORMATION I WONDER IF HE KNOWS.
Talks about life risks for stocking piles of battery in his house
Solders every battery instead of spot welding them.
And furthermore... we have solar panels in our house all over the rooftop, and i guarantee you they can’t provide enough energy, because they produce something like 1/3 of the energy we consume between dishwasher, washing machine, PCs and TVs in one month. Ignoring winter where the sun is almost non-existent and so we would need an entire room full of batteries to endure 3 months.
I was going to say exactly the same thing!
And he also said that everything he does, he does it differently than everyone else, then proceeds to say he is going to *solder* the battery like tesla does...
You sound like you use a lot of power. Some people are far more frugal. They don't use clothes driers, wash dishes by hand and use energy effecient TV's and computers.
As a auto recycler I came across hybrid battery packs because scrap yard for so stupid reason will not except them and inside the steel case are dozens of packs can I use them
Yes, but the secondary market for them is booming due to influencers like Mr. Garcia, so if you dont have a need for them, pass them on.
This is really cool. Although where I live energy is so ridiculously cheap so I don't see it for being a large use case here. However, for areas like nevada or california it could be pretty useful.
This battery thingy technology has the potential to change our world, we should use it in our smartphones
They should invent batteries for phones