10-28-2022, 06:26 AM
@Jack Houpe - we're on the exact same page, I explain the all of these same points to everyone that will listen, lol. I also have some additional info on these points (which I'm sure you're aware but for sake of aiding Simon or others stumbling upon this) ...
* Your Depth-of-Discharge point with wet-cell versus Lithium, was one of my key points and I absolutely agree. Even more importantly, that depth-of-discharge remains. After 4 years, if treating Li properly, the total capacity will be around 92% if you use them very frequently (higher if you do not cycle as much), meanwhile the wet-cells will be on their last leg (at least as far as kWh).
More importantly -- in the event you do fully discharge a Lithium battery, you've decreased its potential by about 0.0005% whereas with an SLA a full DoD is reducing the lifetime by 50% in every instance its fully discharged.
This is one of the important reasons that I say (and agree with you) that Li is a no-brainer, boondocking or not.
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* You're using prismatic cells; with prismatics, it's very important to strap them as you mentioned, not for sake of holding them together, but to actually use a rigid end-plate on each side and compress them firmly. The reason for this is that prismatics will expand and this reduces their effective lifetime.
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* Most of the transformerless 6kW-level solar inverters are currently split-phase. IMHO, the best way to parallel them is by using split-phase (not one per leg) because it makes it easier to expand beyond two if you need. This is not crucial with RV's but moreso with home setups. Also, remember that because it's AC, the parallel feature has to be a documented capability (the inverters have to explicitly mention it / sync their sine via rs485 or similar). In short, just double-check that you're buying an inverter that supports paralleling, which about 70%+ modern/transformerless options do support.
If we could get a group-buy going for those new Inverter-based Dometic units, I'd swap-out all of my existing working units in a heartbeat. I wonder if others are interested in something like this?
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* The best feature of the inverter-driven, three-phase, ECM compressors (in my humble opinion) is not only the far more efficient electric motors or ramping to better maintain temperature, but alleviating the huge hit with compressor startup. Inverter-based systems are so much easier on your off-grid system as a result. Also, the low-volume ramped-down option you mention is great in RV's because it is far more effective in reducing humidity.
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QUESTION for others: While on the topic of running new electronics, etc -- how difficult is it to snake wire in existing conduit within Newells? In the manufacturing videos, I've noticed Newell runs large conduit (4"?) down the center between the frame. Has anyone used this conduit for running their own wiring or is there a common approach when running wire in Newells?
* Your Depth-of-Discharge point with wet-cell versus Lithium, was one of my key points and I absolutely agree. Even more importantly, that depth-of-discharge remains. After 4 years, if treating Li properly, the total capacity will be around 92% if you use them very frequently (higher if you do not cycle as much), meanwhile the wet-cells will be on their last leg (at least as far as kWh).
More importantly -- in the event you do fully discharge a Lithium battery, you've decreased its potential by about 0.0005% whereas with an SLA a full DoD is reducing the lifetime by 50% in every instance its fully discharged.
This is one of the important reasons that I say (and agree with you) that Li is a no-brainer, boondocking or not.
-
* You're using prismatic cells; with prismatics, it's very important to strap them as you mentioned, not for sake of holding them together, but to actually use a rigid end-plate on each side and compress them firmly. The reason for this is that prismatics will expand and this reduces their effective lifetime.
-
* Most of the transformerless 6kW-level solar inverters are currently split-phase. IMHO, the best way to parallel them is by using split-phase (not one per leg) because it makes it easier to expand beyond two if you need. This is not crucial with RV's but moreso with home setups. Also, remember that because it's AC, the parallel feature has to be a documented capability (the inverters have to explicitly mention it / sync their sine via rs485 or similar). In short, just double-check that you're buying an inverter that supports paralleling, which about 70%+ modern/transformerless options do support.
If we could get a group-buy going for those new Inverter-based Dometic units, I'd swap-out all of my existing working units in a heartbeat. I wonder if others are interested in something like this?
-
* The best feature of the inverter-driven, three-phase, ECM compressors (in my humble opinion) is not only the far more efficient electric motors or ramping to better maintain temperature, but alleviating the huge hit with compressor startup. Inverter-based systems are so much easier on your off-grid system as a result. Also, the low-volume ramped-down option you mention is great in RV's because it is far more effective in reducing humidity.
-
QUESTION for others: While on the topic of running new electronics, etc -- how difficult is it to snake wire in existing conduit within Newells? In the manufacturing videos, I've noticed Newell runs large conduit (4"?) down the center between the frame. Has anyone used this conduit for running their own wiring or is there a common approach when running wire in Newells?