Post AIEabACefAF2Akq2rY by withaveeay@mastodon.social
(DIR) More posts by withaveeay@mastodon.social
(DIR) Post #AIEWyWwTsz7lXZ9ybI by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T07:59:28Z
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Offgrid battery replacement: Today's required preparation.I need to build a new platform to raise the battery bank from the floor. The old one is sized for the old bank. It'll be easier to make a new one, and take all the old stuff out.The platform helps to insulate the batteries thermally, and makes maintenance easier, though that will be less of a problem with the new, tall batteries.
(DIR) Post #AIEWyXjOx6FvzI32qu by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T08:05:15Z
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But the biggest problem will be my DIY busbar, a length of copper pipe, to which the various inputs, outputs and management systems (ammeters, voltmeters etc) are attached.The new battery bank will not need quite as, er, serious, a structure, but I can't yet envisage how the new batteries will fit in the shed. So there is little I can do as preparation to replace or re-do this lot. I know it looks a mess, but eventually, needs must, and connections must be connected.
(DIR) Post #AIEWyYKcii1vqjSls0 by fitheach@mstdn.io
2022-04-08T08:15:59Z
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@withaveeay Electrical spaghetti. 😃 Why are you replacing your existing system?
(DIR) Post #AIEWyYt0erXHZNYET2 by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T08:01:46Z
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I may also have to relocate some of the control units. The top switch in the picture is the electrical brake and isolator for the wind charger. Below that is a battery desulphator, a thing I thought was a gimmick, but 14 years experience suggests it really does work.
(DIR) Post #AIEa4ni8kju19D8LnU by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T08:50:42Z
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@fitheach It's not the whole system we're replacing, just the batteries. Batteries have a finite life and the capacity falls away over time. We're a year away from absolutey having to replace the existing bank, but the way prices are going, we decided it made financial sense to bring the purchase forward. Re all the additional changes, that's just because these are very different to the existing bank.
(DIR) Post #AIEaZEEygGnW7D0Cp6 by fitheach@mstdn.io
2022-04-08T08:56:15Z
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@withaveeay Interesting. Are you completely off-grid?
(DIR) Post #AIEabACefAF2Akq2rY by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T08:56:36Z
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@fitheach Yes,
(DIR) Post #AIEaqQD3Qweq9wIip6 by fitheach@mstdn.io
2022-04-08T08:59:21Z
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@withaveeay Wind, hydro or solar?How do the costs compare to the grid?Any downsides?
(DIR) Post #AIEb2bmyCwzjXxuZ7o by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T09:01:32Z
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@fitheach In order:Wind, solar.Dunno, we're off-grid.Plenty.More in-depth answers probably on my blog: https://www.vasten.co.uk/blog/index.php?category/Off-grid-power
(DIR) Post #AIEbDvPrZfcxbaV1ZQ by withaveeay@mastodon.social
2022-04-08T09:03:36Z
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@fitheach Re your question 2, in all the years we've been off grid, we've not yet spent the capital SSEPD wanted to connect us to the grid, years ago, so would be higher now. No idea re ongoing costs.
(DIR) Post #AIEcBc8oMq3bCRzAJs by fitheach@mstdn.io
2022-04-08T09:14:22Z
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@withaveeay Ah, necessity. 😃 I've been toying with the idea of changing my energy mix for years. I'm glad I didn't do it initially, as since then my personal circumstances have changed.I'll have a read through your blog.Thanks!