How I build 13kWh Battery for Campervan / More Power than a HOUSE
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Easy way of making a 48V custom lithium power bank for a camper van.
🌐 More tools, ideas, and information on our website: www.ladiandmar...
⚡ Take a look at our powerful DIY eBikes: mysuperebike.com/
📸 Follow along on INSTAGRAM @curlyhaircamping / curlyhaircamping
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The Ultimate Van Build Journey:
In Season 1 of the van build, we stripped off the old DPD stickers, rust-proofed the entire van, painted it our favorite matte grey color, redesigned the cab, planned our van's design / layout, created our epic water tanks, built our custom panorama roof windows, installed new wheels, & installed an insulated floor! PHEW! Building a home is something else! bit.ly/LM_SEASON1
Then Season 2 of the van build rolled around, and with our workshop's renovation behind us, it got TECHNICAL! We built a 47 degree solar tilt (1kW of solar power!), made custom seat bases & installed our custom seats, we took security to the NEXT level, breaking down our 12 incredible layers of security, wired everything our tech-dependent home will need, created the BEST insulation we've ever seen in a campervan (check out our video on campervan insulation & cold camping insulation), installed our own custom security cameras, framed the ceiling, AND created our peak-a-boo curtains. WOW!! We are beyond ready to be off grid in this Ducato van home! ❤️ bit.ly/LM_SEASON2
Now Season 3 of the Van Build is kicking off in our brand new space, allowing us to work regardless of the weather or time of day! This is going to be the most exciting phase of this van life build yet!! bit.ly/LM_SEASON3
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🐾 Who are we?
We’re Ladi (from Czechia) & Margaret (from USA) and we love eBikes, campervans, & cats. In 2020 our van life lifestyle flipped upside down, & we needed to stop traveling in our camper to lockdown in eastern Czech Republic due to the pandemic. With no travel plans and some new time on our hands, we decided to sell our old van, start an electric bike business, begin a youtube channel, build our ultimate dream campervan, renovate a junkyard into a tiny house homestead, plan a container & upper workshop space… well, some other smaller projects in-between 😅.
What we thought would only be 6 months of “stillness” has become 2 years of innovation, progress, and so much fun, and most of that is thanks to YOU. Although we’re excited to be back on the road and traveling the world again soon, we’re so thankful to lay a foundation here in Central Europe & bring you with us on this crazy journey. Thank you for supporting us and being part of this incredible community!
Music by: Epidemic Sound
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#diycampervan #vanlifebattery #campervansolar
This is it, now we have power!
Hey man. Easy fix with the controller;-)
Is Margaret ok? She's been unusually quiet in the last couple of videos. Missing your laughter! X
She is fine, just busy with other projects.
@@ladiandmargaret Thank you for letting us know! 👍🏻😊
LADI & M: Can you eventually do a video or a "short" explaining bottom line difference's between 48 volt and the lower (24 and 12) typical systems...⁉ Thx 🙏
Don't put yourself down over such a little issue Ladi, this is one of the best buildouts I've ever seen. It's probably just the heat and time crunch getting to you, just a big wave to push over.
Love your work and your genius.
Ladi, your ability to admit errors and even keep your sense of humor when things don’t go to plan will serve you and Margaret going forward. We’re pulling for you! ✌️
So true, so true! Go Ladi !
A new upload always makes me happy 🤙
I love how you guys share the fails as well as the wins. I'm sure you'll have the PVs loading well soon! I'm just constantly inspired by you guys, and mention you to my friends all the time!! All the best, from Oz!
If following the sun wasn’t enough of a reason to build a tilting solar system, being able to clean them from the ground is definitely a huge sell!
Right!
You guys are bonkers! I don’t understand half of the electrical lingo but all I know is it’s a masterpiece 🤟🏼
I have used these IEG cells in a few projects, also used aluminium busbars, and had many issues with oxides isolating the cell from the aluminium ( eventrough the screws are torqued correctly ). Our solution was better sanding / cleaning and using contact paste with metal particles in the paste. Hopefully you get it first time right!
What battery cells are those!? I didn’t hear about them
Electrical engineering… fun times… so cool to see you stick with it! Tip: remember the wins!🎉🎉🎉
FANTASTIC VIDEO 💪❤ LOVE YOUR HONESTY AND BRILLIANCE LADI ! ❤
I love these technical videos.
Appreciate you sharing the mistakes, this is where learning happens.👍
this is awesome, ladi. it was a pain, but you figured it out! i struggle with troubleshooting stuff like this so you have way more understanding than me and MANY people. very cool build and super sleek and thought out. great job :)
I love your brilliant problem-solving! Thanks for sharing with us.
Ladi, your build is amazing. Don’t beat yourself up over one setback. I probably had hundreds of setbacks in the course of my build. I am almost done and it is highly probable I will have more. Don’t sulk. Thanks to the two of you we can all learn from such things. As a result, you did a service to your audience by showing the design setback. On a different note. Show me a perfect design and I will show you a designer who has quit or is arrogant.
That is so me! I am my worst critic and I speak to my self like that. Ladi... we have faith in you.
Hey there, i was binge watching all the episodes, it is like a netflix show where you are waiting for a new episode 😊 it is really a pleasure to watch. I watch from belgium. You made me hot about van life. May i say that he is an absolute artist, the brain is his head is woth alot 🤪 the way the vids are made is also really good. Its fun to follow and watch all the content. I have a new favorite channel on youtube 😊 thank you very much for the time you 2 stick in to it, just for us to watch... ❤️❤️ lots of love
Nice work. Enjoying watching your videos
I saw that the whole battery pack is hold down with an aluminum bar with some bolts directly onto the chassis at 12:40.
In theory this would create a problem with galvanic corrosion, especially when these is humidity/water involved (from the bottom of the van). Time will tell if this practically really creates a problem, but it is certainly something to keep an eye on! Especially when you use that bar as a ground as well!
About the solar panels, yeah that is a bummer. Rule of thumb is always use doubles series + parallel for a 48V system, or swap to a 24V system instead. Really nice build though!!
Over here thinking I somehow missed the last video(s) but no, Im here waiting for a new build video while doing my own build.
This is exciting stuff. Don't beat yourself up over the voltage situation. It sounds like you have it figures out already.
ladi, love how hard on yourself you are on the very occasional mistake in such a mammoth set of designs - familiar trait 😊
just catching up on this vid, perhaps to test the controller and principle - drop a panel from the series and check the controller with just 3. this should keep voltage under and allow you to test your premise before replacing the controller with a 150v version.
hope you get the satisfaction of seeing it running soon!!
Way to get back up, Ladi!!! You rock!
Great Video as always 👍🏾 thanks for sharing your ideas, thoughts, process and journey with us. 💗
Great build & team you are!
I was thinking.. if you add another solar panel ,it probably worked!?
Woo! I've got a similar sized power bank in my van. Makes life easy, runs my washing machine, dishwasher, etc :)
Just curious did you build yours with individual cells? Or did you use already built batteries?
i cant unsee the clamping seems to quite heavily press onto the outermost cells but lifts in the middle. i would suggest to redesign the clamping. but other than that i am just deeply impressed by this build! I admire the love for absolute detail here
The fact that you were able to conceptualize any of this is amazing! My wiring skills end at "oh its not working? Try unplugging and replugging it".
In the immortal words of the greatest electrical engineer of all time, "Eh. You don't know til you know."
Good points, Ladi!
Great video Ladi ❤️
We had the same 5v issue with our MPPT, our panels are 32v and were charging at 28v. Now we have to rewire in series and buy one that takes a higher voltage.
P.S.Your Victron inverter video came out just after ours!
@Ladi I actually got introduced to you by the guy in London Wharf that (at the time) was supplying the cells for your bikes. In the end I changed my 12v Iveco for a 24v Mercedes Vario so I swapped from 12 x48v to 24 x24v X 360Ah. Last point, I haven't figured out my tilting solar panels YET 🤔🤯 - Crack on 💪🙏
Hi Ladi and Margaret
I know space is tight, but how are you handling air flow around the battery bank?
I don't see any venting or circulation fans.
I’m likely be adding some later.
I work on controllers for refrigerated transport trucks. Road grime, corrosion and and heat are the top three killers. Everything you can do to keep your electronics clean, dry and cool is a good thing.
Yep, same with most electronic components.
Another fantastic video, I love the way that you make it look so easy when problem solving issues that would have the rest of us stumped. A truly inspirational van build by a super sexy talented man :) That said I'm curious as to why you wear those rubber sandals. Rubber should only be worn on one part of the body, and it's not you feet ;)
Awesome build, shame about the BMS, but I would not call that a fail. Every build journey is learning process as well so just ride out every “bump” you come across with a smile.
Nice build Ladi.
I hope your friend make a good assembly of the battery, in order not to have problems in the future. 👍🏻
Some serious POWA
Why did you choose 12S config for 3.7V nominal pouch cells? This produces 44.4V nominal. Not seen this before. Usually for a 48V system one would use at leat 13S ~ 48.1V or, more commonly, 14S giving 51.8V nominal, which is what I have seen in the wild and in packs etc. Due to BMS availability or what? These are Li-NCM not LiFePo4 correct?
Aha! It is b/c you are using LiNcm with 3.6/3.7 nominal Voltage & 4.2 fully charged -? 3x ~ 12.6V fully charged. I have only used LifePo4, so ignore previous comment.
where do u buy the batteries? no link to them?
One thing you should have done different would be to mount the batteries on a ventilated board attached to a 250 pound drawer slides. That way if you need to pull the batteries and work on them you just remove the side that keeps it in and slide them out in full view.
I had the exact same problem myself with panel voltage. Seems such a silly mistake in hindsight, but when you are in the middle of a build there is sooooooo much going on!
That’s exactly right. I like pointing out all the things that worked out for the first time 😂
The gap between your aluminium battery bus bars seems worryingly small?!?
I assume you have done some aluminium thermal expansion coefficient calculations and that the air gap between polarities remains safe even once they have heated up and expanded ?
Where have you gone? Miss your build videos a lot!
Live and learn, or in this case, build and learn. Your mistake will help many people avoid the same issue so think of it as a learning AND teaching moment and count it as a win. Honestly, it could have been a lot worse (nothing melted, caught on fire or blew up) so count that in your blessings too. ...I'm tempted to say "with great power comes great responsibility" but that would be cheezy, lol. 😂
I love that you share the good and the bad because no one is perfect and you don't pretend to be. Just think, you're that bit closer to having your ultimate home on wheels ready to hit the road and smile thinking about all your upcoming adventures. 😁👍
Very neat work, as always! Curious as to why you chose those cells. Do you use them in your e-bikes?
I would always go with LiFePO4 for a camper versus Li-ion. Thermal run-away in that battery would be total nightmare.
What are those cells please!?
I purchased them well. I’ve been stressing them a bit in my bikes. They won’t heat up at all with 100A and 15p configuration. Compared to 300A with 2p config :)
Definitely would love to see more about how you built the pack and set the bms.
Ya might want to cover that cube in faraday fabric to block the electromagnetic fields. Especially if you will be sleeping right above the box. You guys are most likely not EMF sensitive but that doesn’t not mean it doesn’t affect you> As a newly diagnosed EMF sensitive person, I can tell you this is something to look into. The related issues and health ailments from this little known thing is definitely interesting. Things you’d never think were connected to EMFs, are.
I just use a tin foil hat. Stops EMF and also stops the government from beaming thoughts into my head. Cheap and effective.
@@MusicByJC I’m sure you’re just trying to be insensitive and because of that, I’m certain you obviously know nothing about Electromagnetic field sensitivities and what the High frequency harmonic distortions on the electrical lines can do to people. Especially if one is sensitive to it. I became sensitive to EMF‘s in October 2021. It is a nightmare. I would not wish it on anyone. Research what “dirty electricity” / “dirty power” is and what EMF sensitivity is. And in the meantime keep your uneducated BS joke comments to yourself.
Hi, could you make a fast test to see the difference with the "array tilt" ?
With an array tilt of 55° to evacuate snow, the best production is July in Canada, same if it supposed the hot temperature reduce the production.
What is your experience with that ?
We did the first test recently. 180W with flat panels, 700W when tilted :)
@@ladiandmargaret Thanks a lot, that means, we should never trust the simulators apps.
Ladi, did you measure the open circuit voltage or on power draw? Because it WILL drop when charging something. You can just look in your datasheet of the solar to see the closed voltage and compare that? Hope that might help!
Beautiful wiring
Would it not make sense to use the same battery packs you use on your ebikes?
A modular system can increase capacity based on number of batteries and be able to swap out between the van, bikes and future battery powered projects.
Additional benefit is you can take out batteries for charging.
I’ve never been a fan of swappable batteries but fast charging :)
@@ladiandmargaret You can have both. Same with solar panels if you have extra flexible panels you can park van in the shade while batteries charge. We use a cheap motorcycle alarm on our panels and battery in case anyone tries to move then we get warning.
Is there a detailed power system design vid and component list?
I think you could ask Victron for support for the better solar controller. I think the 150/35 could be nice (if it supports 48v)
That’s the one I got for the second time.
@@ladiandmargaret I have a single 340W panel with a 100/30 on 12volt. With 200AH lithium and Induction cooking 😃
Good on you 👍
I had the same "+5V" issue with my solar pannel, the Victron MPPT triggers only at noon (without any clouds)....my pannel are fixed on the roof.
I had to re-arrange the pannels connection...
The good thing is: i never seen the previous old MPTT (it was an EPSOLAR) controller sinks so much power from the same pannels: about 20% more power!!!
I had the same problem with the Victron controller and it was installed by a Dealer! It took me a while to find that you need 5V more to trigger the charging process. Shame on the dealer for installing like that, on the other hand Victron has this information only hidden very deep in their documentation, not very obvious to see......
Hey Ladi, really surprised that you made a 'schoolboy error' because your attention to detail is always impeccable. If your panels are rated at 1kW (250W each?), then are they about 39V open circuit and about 8A? Will you be able to cntrol all that from one MMPT controller? In the past I have used a similar capacity using 4 panels, but used EPEVER Tracer 30A controllers on each panel.
Yep, everyday learning something new. My original intention was minimizing conversion and have everything as close to 48V as possible. Panels are 53V open circuit so I was supposed to be maxing 20A so nicely on 100/20 MPPT. Your panels were likely on smaller voltage.
Where are you guy's we are missing you both 😢
I’m curious how this system will hold up. Different metals handle electricity in odd ways. The location of the batteries, under the vehicle I like for center of gravity purposes, so it will be interesting to see if electrolysis degradation happens, and how deep it strikes. If it does.
What battery chemistry are you using? For LiFePo4, I think 48v nominal systems are usually 16s. Also, does your BMS have low temperature disconnect?
It’s lipo. Yes, I can set up low temp protection.
Awww, don't be so had on yourself Ladi. Even geniuses make the odd mistake now and then. You're in good company!!!
I’ve seen this in n my solar controller and it took me a while to realize the decrease in wattage is part of the smart controller. You can charge at a higher wattage but as the batteries charge or reach full charge the smart solar controller will taper off how much power it is allowing in. If you discharge your batteries 10% or so you will likely see much higher wattage because the solar controller is going to allow the maximum amount of wattage in to convert that to a charge.
Yep that sounds like a possabillity to me.
Yeah I thought the same thing when the battery is basically full to charge controller really tapers the wattage down….So while your panels could easily being in 1000 W it’s only using tender trickle charge the battery at that point
Yeah buddy 🥳
Can your solar panels be stopped at different angles? Or is it always flat on top or tilted at one angle?
Do you have an easy way to figure out how much it needs to be tilted? The reason I ask is it seems like being tilted too far can be as bad as being flat on top of the roof. You've done great being able to tilt it. I'm sure your phone can tell you which way South is. It would be even nicer if your tilt system could follow the path of the sun as it travels through the sky. (But to be honest, I think I've only seen Solar Power farms do that. I'm not sure.)
It can be stopped at any position. Easy way is to see the output on my phone and stop the tilt there. Automated system should be easy to do with my hardware.
@@ladiandmargaret you need just two photo sensors to do that. Take a look at this video here. From minute 4 it will be explained. As you have only one axis, two sensors are enough. ruclips.net/video/_6QIutZfsFs/видео.html
헐 대박...awesome 13kwh👍I want Twizy52.5V6kwh+12kwh...😶🌫🤔
Hey, you guys still around and building your incredible van?
Will the fridge put off too much heat in that area...or should be fine?
Always nice updates. You may find the system and fridge generate more heat than you like. We exhausted our fridge and added a duct to the charger out the floor. Quieted it down a lot. Easy to heat but not easy to cool a camper. Looks like you could move your battery to one side and put a thin duct through the floor with a small fan. Keep up the great work. Loads of innovative ideas. Thanks
Magnifique travail , le meuble électrique va reste au milieu du fourgon ?
Ladi, why you are using these cell instead if lifepo4 pack assambled to 48V with capacity 15kWh ?
Because of the price
Where do you purchase these cells?
Where can we buy these battery cells? Or what is the name of them?
About the solar over-voltage issue, couldn't you use a 100V zener-diode shunted over the solar lines? I don't think that would hurt solar power as the voltage would probably always be under 100V when there is a load anyway. Thank you, keep up the good work and greetings from Finland!
Idk, I think it would be better solution rather than replacing the whole controller for a bulky monster.
@@ladiandmargaret IDK either. But a zener-diode would cost a fraction of a new controller and be an easy install. It would be an honor to have one idea integrated in your build but I won't pay if it doesn't work and you mess up the controller 🤣
The problem is I already purchased and received the new controller and sold the old one 😂
@@ladiandmargaret Of course 🤣🤣
Is it possible you could post a detail wiring diagram of your solar panel to batteries set up?
Hi, it’s always the same. Solar-fuse-MPPT-fuse-battery. Hope this helps.
Moc pěkná práce
Ladi, you might be disappointed in your ONE mistake, but I am thoroughly impressed with your courage to attempt all of this electrical work. It’s university level electrical engineering. Remarkable!
How much does a battery set up like that cost?
What cells did you use? What's the price per cell?
I was curious about this too they look like the 8ah SPIM cells that I’ve seen at batterhookup, and have built a 48v pack from as well …but his build of them into thi bank is super clean. I would also like to know which bms was used?
Perhaps I missed this in a previous episode, but what was the rationale for lithium ion rather than LiFePO4? Charging speed?
Price of the cells.
How much does the batts alone cost ?
I wish I could get those batteries.
A great job, maybe it was to good so you need a bigger controller. A bit to great😉
Where did you buy your cells from
I love your van!!! Hoe does your 12V altinator charche your 48V batteries?
It doesn’t
@@ladiandmargaret Do you think you find a way?
Definitely. As soon as we focus light on that project.
I miss your vids :( But have a nice honeymoon!
what Ah capacity is one 4s bank?
Active cooling for the battery pack?
They don’t heat up in our bikes stressing 2p with 300A. I don’t think there will be crazy heat with 15p and 100A draw :)
Are you worried about any radiation from the power banks?
I run that same MPPT Controller ( Victron 100/20 ) on a 210 watt panel feeding a 200Ah AGM Battery bank. I also run ( 3 ) Victron 100/30 MPPT Controllers feeding 400Ah of LiPo4 Batteries. The next issue you will have is getting a larger MPPT Controller to fit in that small area of the current controller. Good luck. ** If you click on my name you can see a small idea of my power wall.**
mc4 connector rules, it takes 3 minutes for me to change from parallel to seriell. For the last video I don‘‚ t know any alternator for cars with 48v
That’s right, mc4 would be better option.
🙏
Your solar controller is rated for 100V max , but seldom will your system EVER produce that , you will be fine .There is always a buffer between good to - and will fail at, 6 Volts will not be the fail point. The only time you will get max volts is during the winter on a clear COLD day , you will likely be using a lot of power in the van so that the voltage will not spike like a short circuit voltage. IF you are storing the van ALWAYS TAKE THE FUSE OUT OF THE SOLAR CONTROLER Especial if your under cover and the panels get no sun . The SOLAR CONTROLLER USES POWER when IT HAS NO SUN. so PROVIDE FOR A DISCONECT AFTER THE CONTROLER , OR REMOVE THE FUSE , on the side or back of most Victron controllers. CHEERS AND SAFE TRAVELS Steve h.
Please, also add a nice cooler and ventilation for these batteries.
They don’t heat up in our bikes stressing 2p with 300A. I don’t think there will be crazy heat with 15p and 100A draw :)
I wouldn’t beat yourself up about the solar panels and the charge controller. It’s taking me a long time to learn and I still am not very good at the math.
You have more than enough power there for a house, so I’m curious to what you’re going to use all that power for in a van.
Electric bikes, cooking, heating up water, running a 3D printer, heating up floors etc
Why 36v battery instead of more common 24 or 48v?
12s is 43V nominal. Because of high power output
@@ladiandmargaret Oh, I thought those were LiFePO4 cells..
Still a bit odd voltage. I would have go to 7s 24V to use appliances directy from battery 👍
14s would be the right 48v I think.
@@ladiandmargaret Yes.
I have 24v system on my bus and I can hook everything right to the batteries, and no reason to power up the inverter.
I find that handy, though my battery capasity is much smaller, so there is reaston to save it.
(And your solar controller would have worked on 24V) 😁
Hi. Your low Watt reading might be due to almost fully charged batteries. If they are close to fully charged, the Watts are getting very low. Thats "normal". I am sure you already considered that. Good luck.
Hi, they were in nominal voltage. That was definitely not the reason of low solar charge.
@@ladiandmargaret with mppt victron you have to add load to the system if the batteries are fully charged and there is no load the mppt solar charger will go to float mode that is he will only provide little power to the system. Try to connect something which consumes high amps you will see the watts and amps flowing from the roof!
Hi 👋
Sorry a bit late now but you can run 2 lots of 2 panels in series then run the 2 strings in parallel. This will give you 53v at half your original amps.
Love your content though, have subscribed:)
Single solar is 48V. That’s what I did and totals over 100V
@@ladiandmargaret so wouldn’t 2 in series 2 in parallel be 96v in spec?
Open voltage is something like 53V. Don’t worry, We thought about it a bit :)
Shame about the solar, but I'm sure you'll figure it out x
Haven’t seen you in a while…hope you are ok!
What happens if you flood the floor by mistake? Any issues with the batteries?
I don’t want to test it 😂
You probably won't see this, but if you keep the computer to the 3d printer in the box with the 3d printer, the 3d printer computer will over heat
The problem with solar energy is that there are no easy modular systems on the market.