Should I go off-grid?

HertsLad

zeupater said:

Regarding your batteries having built-in BMS .... do you operate them as a bank or as stand-alone units ... if the former, how are the individual units balanced against each other and what is employed to achieve this .... also, having mentioned that you've expanded capacity, are you mixing batteries of different capacities, makes & age to make-up a single bank (or banks) ? 

Z

The lithium battery manufacturer states how many batteries can be used in series and in parallel. I'm fairly sure I am not exceeding that. Conceptually, I start with two 12.8v batteries in series to provide 25.6v for my nominal 24v system. I then added two further batteries to each leg in parallel. I use a basic battery balancer between the two legs. A light sometimes flashes when it is somehow compensating for an imbalance. The basic battery sizes of 12.8v and 100aH are all the same. Four are branded Eco Worthy and two are 'generic'. 

HertsLad

The price of solar panels seems to be falling, whilst the output power is increasing. I may buy 10 more, they are so reasonably priced. Of course the contractors are still charging sky high prices. The cost of 10 further panels for me is less than the scaffolding price, alone, for a 'normal', certified solar panel installation.

QrizB

HertsLad said:

The price of solar panels seems to be falling, whilst the output power is increasing. I may buy 10 more, they are so reasonably priced. Of course the contractors are still charging sky high prices. The cost of 10 further panels for me is less than the scaffolding price, alone, for a 'normal', certified solar panel installation.

I've just commented on this over on your "how to live without heating" thread. It migh've been better here!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81812360/#Comment_81812360