Hi folks,
Seems that this is the place to go for information so I thought I'd join and post my question.
My home is powered by a large grid-tied solar system that makes over 1200KW per month. I want to install a battery backup "off-grid" sub-system. I live in the countryside and we lose power out here every time the wind blows for a week at a time. I'm also a bit of a prepper so I want a system that will work if the grid goes down for a longer time frame.
I found a 2014 Chevy Volt battery (Gen 1) that is local to me. Car had 30k miles on it, seller wants $1500 for the battery. Its in the original shell.
I'm using an Outback Radian 8048 inverter (48volt nominal). Puts out 8000W continuous split phase 120/240. (our home draws an average of about 1000 watts but can spike to 4000 when the well pump runs)
I'm considering purchasing the chevy volt battery because it is cheap. But what I then end up with is 7 individual packs at 48 volts each and will need 7 BMS boards for those 7 packs.
The Chevy volt battery is also not re-configurable so easily as the tabs are welded and difficult to work with.
I also don't know which BMS system would be recommended for a 2kw 48v pack.. I would need 7 of them.
On the other hand, if I hold out for a Nissan Leaf type battery, I spend two to three times as much money but I get a much larger battery with screw terminals that are easily configured to do whatever I want. The Leaf cells would also allow me to go with a 13 or 14 series configuration to kick the voltage up to around 64 volts. The higher voltage means less current through the inverter which means less heat as well. I would also be able to use a single BMS system because the packs would be wired parallel first, then series.
The Chevy Volt batteries are of a higher quality and because the Chevy has an engine, GM didn't push the batteries to their outside limits. The Chevy battery also had better thermal management as they are liquid cooled.
The Nissan Leaf batteries are much larger, easier to work with, but since their vehicle doesn't have a backup engine, those batteries are worked hard and they are air cooled.
Finding a BMS for the Nissan battery is easy.. Any of the high quality Orion BMS units, or other similar large high quality systems, would work fine. But I'm not into buying 7 different BMS units at $800 each for a Chevy battery. So the option is to go with a cheaper Chinese unit and I have no idea where to start with that.
Ears wide open, I'd like to hear your opinions.
Seems that this is the place to go for information so I thought I'd join and post my question.
My home is powered by a large grid-tied solar system that makes over 1200KW per month. I want to install a battery backup "off-grid" sub-system. I live in the countryside and we lose power out here every time the wind blows for a week at a time. I'm also a bit of a prepper so I want a system that will work if the grid goes down for a longer time frame.
I found a 2014 Chevy Volt battery (Gen 1) that is local to me. Car had 30k miles on it, seller wants $1500 for the battery. Its in the original shell.
I'm using an Outback Radian 8048 inverter (48volt nominal). Puts out 8000W continuous split phase 120/240. (our home draws an average of about 1000 watts but can spike to 4000 when the well pump runs)
I'm considering purchasing the chevy volt battery because it is cheap. But what I then end up with is 7 individual packs at 48 volts each and will need 7 BMS boards for those 7 packs.
The Chevy volt battery is also not re-configurable so easily as the tabs are welded and difficult to work with.
I also don't know which BMS system would be recommended for a 2kw 48v pack.. I would need 7 of them.
On the other hand, if I hold out for a Nissan Leaf type battery, I spend two to three times as much money but I get a much larger battery with screw terminals that are easily configured to do whatever I want. The Leaf cells would also allow me to go with a 13 or 14 series configuration to kick the voltage up to around 64 volts. The higher voltage means less current through the inverter which means less heat as well. I would also be able to use a single BMS system because the packs would be wired parallel first, then series.
The Chevy Volt batteries are of a higher quality and because the Chevy has an engine, GM didn't push the batteries to their outside limits. The Chevy battery also had better thermal management as they are liquid cooled.
The Nissan Leaf batteries are much larger, easier to work with, but since their vehicle doesn't have a backup engine, those batteries are worked hard and they are air cooled.
Finding a BMS for the Nissan battery is easy.. Any of the high quality Orion BMS units, or other similar large high quality systems, would work fine. But I'm not into buying 7 different BMS units at $800 each for a Chevy battery. So the option is to go with a cheaper Chinese unit and I have no idea where to start with that.
Ears wide open, I'd like to hear your opinions.