Constructing a DIY photo voltaic battery field is your finest cost-saving possibility if you happen to’re on the lookout for a transportable energy station that matches your photo voltaic panels.
You could already be accustomed to manufacturers like Bluetti, Jackery, or EcoFlow and their bestselling product — the photo voltaic generator.
These parts are designed to retailer photo voltaic vitality on demand, however their excessive worth might be off-putting.
Thankfully, you’ll be able to circumvent this expensive funding by constructing your very personal DIY plug-and-play photo voltaic battery field at a fraction of the worth! The constructing course of takes solely 2 hours over 7 steps.
Our DIY information additionally features a value estimate for 2 DIY photo voltaic battery packing containers of 640 Wh and 1200 Wh for a brief tenting journey or a extra prolonged off-the-grid trip.
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What Is A DIY Photo voltaic Battery Field?
A DIY photo voltaic battery field is a chargeable moveable energy station that provides AC electrical energy (110V, 60Hz) and USB charging.
This all-in-one answer combines three predominant parts:
- Photo voltaic cost controller
- Inverter
- Lithium battery pack
Here’s a simplified electrical diagram for a photo voltaic battery field:
Photo voltaic Charger
The photo voltaic cost controller ensures protected and environment friendly charging of the battery with a photo voltaic panel. It ensures that the battery receives the right voltage (12V, 24V, or 48V) and follows the correct charging profile.
We advocate the MPPT fashions; they’re probably the most environment friendly.
Inverter
The inverter provides energy to the hundreds. It converts DC electrical energy from the battery into AC electrical energy usable by our home equipment.
We advocate a Pure sine wave inverter. It gives clear and dependable electrical energy, just like utility requirements (110V, 60Hz).
Lithium Battery Pack
A lithium battery pack shops and provides electrical vitality. It consists of a number of modules related in parallel and/or collection to succeed in the specified voltage and capability.
Lithium batteries are dependable and sturdy; they provide a number of benefits:
- Modular design
- Lengthy life period (4000 cycles, 10 years)
- Quick charging/discharging
- Excessive vitality density
Our construct makes use of prismatic LiFePO4 (LFP) modules, every with a rated voltage of three.2V. These 4 modules will hyperlink up in collection to create a 12.8V lithium battery.
Materials Wanted For A DIY Photo voltaic Battery Field
Listed here are the parts you’ll want on your DIY construct:
Instruments Wanted For A DIY Photo voltaic Battery Field
Listed here are the instruments you’ll have to construct your photo voltaic battery field:
How To Construct A DIY Photo voltaic Battery Field
The specs of our DIY photo voltaic battery field are as follows:
Capability | 640 Wh |
Energy output | 500W steady (1000W surge) |
Max photo voltaic charging energy | 260W |
Time to full cost with a 200W photo voltaic panel | 4-5 hours |
Weight | Lower than 22lbs |
Dimension | 10.62 x 9.68 x 6.87 inches |
Output | 2*AC 110V & 2 USB |
Enter | Photo voltaic panel charging (max 260W) |
Now that you simply’ve gathered your supplies and instruments, it’s time to arrange your workspace and get cracking!
Right here is the 6-step course of on your DIY photo voltaic battery field:
1. Assemble The Lithium Battery Pack
This step entails constructing a 12V, 50Ah(650Wh) lithium battery financial institution prepared to slot in your DIY photo voltaic battery field.
For this step, you’ll want the next:
- 4 Lithium battery modules (3.2V, 50Ah)
- BMS
- Battery balancer
- Battery capability monitor
- Electrical wires
- Electrical tape
- Ring and fork terminal
First, let’s take a look on the last results of a lithium battery pack with 4 modules:
Mix The 4 Battery Modules
First, assemble the 4 modules (B1, B2, B3, B4). Make them stand and arrange them as pictured. The constructive electrode of 1 module must be near the adverse electrode of the following one.
The battery modules include bus bars and nuts; place the bus bars to attach the 4 modules in a serry. At this level, get some duct tape and wrap the 4 modules collectively as tight as potential. The rated voltage of every module is 3.2V; in whole, you’ll get 12.8V.
Wire The Battery Balancer
Now, add the battery balancer — it helps keep every battery module on the similar state of cost.
To do that, seize the micro connector string of wires and add a hoop terminal to every wire. Don’t join the wire string to the battery balancer but. As a substitute, place every wire electrode on the corresponding battery module terminal.
You’llYou’ll begin with B-, which is related to the primary adverse electrode of B1. Then go on with the 4 different wires connecting to every battery module’s constructive electrode, from B1+ to B4+. You’llYou’ll perform the identical course of for the wiring of the BMS.
Wire The BMS
A BMS is a vital part of a lithium battery financial institution — it screens and protects the battery.
Seize the micro connector string of the BMS and add a terminal ring to every wire. For the bigger B- cable, you’ll want an AWG4 ring.
Place every wire on the corresponding battery module electrode. B- goes on the adverse electrode of the primary module, then B1+ to B4+ to the constructive electrode of every module (B1 to B4).
Voltage Testing
Now, tighten the screws of every bus bar on prime of the battery modules.
Now that every one the modules are related, it’s time to check your wirings.
First, verify the total voltage of the pack by measuring between B1- and B4+ — it is best to learn round 12.8V. Then verify the voltage of the battery balancer.
Seize the micro connector string, and measure the voltage between every wire with the needle electrode of your multimeter. Preserve the multimeter adverse electrode on B1- and transfer the constructive electrode from B1+ to B4+. It is best to learn 3.2V for B1+, 6.4V for B2+, 9.6V for B3+, and 12.8V for B4+.
Repeat the identical operation for the wires of the BMS. Now you can join your battery balancer and BMS if all the things is okay.
That’s it; you have got a full lithium battery pack!
2. Put together The Case
Now it’s time to organize your field to carry its constituents. All of the retailers, the primary swap, and the battery monitoring display are accessible from the highest of the field.
Use your drill with the gap noticed accent to put in the AC retailers. Insert the plug and apply silicone sealant on the edge.
Repeat the identical operation for the photo voltaic panel wires and the predominant swap utilizing waterproof electrical connectors.
For the battery monitoring system, you’ll want to chop a rectangular form, don’t neglect to seal it with silicone.
3. Set up The Battery Pack
The most important element of this DIY photo voltaic battery field is the battery pack — it is advisable to set up it first.
Be at liberty to prepare your area within the field. Nonetheless, we propose strapping the battery pack in one of many corners.
4. Set up The Inverter
Firmly keep the inverter with straps contained in the case. Make certain it’s positioned close to the adverse and constructive electrodes of the battery.
5. Set up The Photo voltaic Cost Controller
The photo voltaic cost controller is comparatively small, so it is best to set up it final. Put it so far as potential from the inverter for higher thermal administration.
6. Wire The System
Lastly, it’s time to wire all of the parts, beginning with the inverter.
Join the 2 AC retailers to the inverter.
- Use the 4AWG cable to attach the inverter and the battery.
- Get the 12AWG wire and hyperlink the photo voltaic cost controller to the battery and the photo voltaic panel extension cable.
For security, don’t neglect to add 3 fuses between:
- The photo voltaic panel and photo voltaic controller
- The photo voltaic controller and battery
- The battery and inverter
Your photo voltaic battery field is now full! Now, cost your system by connecting a 200W photo voltaic panel.
DIY Photo voltaic Battery Field Value
A DIY photo voltaic battery field with a capability of 640Wh and an influence output of 500W prices lower than $570.
This offers you sufficient vitality to energy lights, a telephone, a laptop computer, a TV, and an electrical fan throughout a brief tenting journey.
For a bigger capability, be ready to spend round $1100. This worth level will offer you a 1.2kWh and 1.5 kW output. With this battery, you’ll be able to run a mini fridge/freezer!
Last Ideas
Don’t be afraid of constructing your individual DIY photo voltaic battery field — parts are cheaper than ever, and you’ll entry them simply on-line.
As a bonus, you’ll save some huge cash! The construct is 25 to 30% cheaper than industrial energy stations.
Moreover, because of modular lithium battery know-how, you’ll have the prospect to customise your photo voltaic battery field from a light-weight mannequin for a brief journey to a bigger battery field to energy an off-grid cabin.
Lastly, opposite to industrial fashions, you’ll have the ability to exchange a element in case of failure.