Notifications

Clear all

Extending Puredrive Modular Batteries

Energy Storage

Last Post by Batpred 1 week ago

4 Posts

4 Users

4 Reactions

1,492 Views

RSS

Dunlorn

(@dunlorn)

Estimable Member Member

Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 79

Topic starter 20/12/2024 4:14 pm

I have 2 x 5kWh Puredrive batteries installed and have just been in conversation with my installer about adding further units. The upshot of this discussion is that Puredrive are stopping manufacture of these units to focus on their new Duracell batteries and so now is a good time to extend a system.

I wasn't aware of this so spoke with Puredrive directly who confirmed that was the case and they have around 40 of their 5kWh units left. However, the replacement Duracell units have the same BMS and are compatible to use as add-ons, they just might look a little different.

So, if you're contemplating an extension to your Puredrive installation and are concerned about appearances, you have a limited window left. If you're worried about compatibility or having stranded assets I'd advise you to contact your installer or Puredrive directly.

[PS - For info, I crunched the numbers and, whilst a further 10kWh of batteries would generate an additional saving, the cost of the batteries plus a bigger inverter to charge them in Octopus Cosy 3hr off-peak windows, means a payback period >13yrs. Result, it's not happening]

2 x 12kW Samsung Gen6 ASHP, 5.6kW solar PV ground mounted c/w 10kWh Puredrive battery & Solis inverter.

👍

Quote

Transparent

(@transparent)

Illustrious Member Moderator

Joined: 4 years ago

Posts: 3028

21/12/2024 10:49 am

Between us here on the Forum, I suspect we have enough knowledge to help anyone who finds themselves with Puredrive batteries which are no longer manufactured.

After all, they are fairly standard LiFePO4 cells within the outer case.
They can still operate satisfactorily for years to come, and the existing capacity can be extended using the same chemistry.

The BMS doesn't matter as much as might be supposed.

Over the last 20-months I've been using LiFePO4 batteries in parallel with a mix of BMS units from Daly, JK (Jikong) and JBD (Jiabaida).
Yes, each manufacturer's BMS would have its own App to monitor or configure it.
But, honestly, how often would you want to revisit the App once the system is operating within the parameters you've set?

Save energy... recycle electrons!

👍

ReplyQuote

scmilne

(@scmilne)

New Member Member

Joined: 1 week ago

Posts: 1

10/02/2026 8:49 pm

@transparent Hi, I am new to this, and have been searching for some answers and came across this post, I'm hoping someone can help or advise, I had a solis hybrid inverter installed in 2022, with a puredrive gen 1 5kw battery, at the end of last year I wanted an additional battery installed, and purchased a Dura5+ as I was told by my installer that these were compatible. I have has issues with the SOC jumping erratically, eventually discovering from puredrive that they are not compatible, and my puredrive battery would not work with anything but another puredrive gen1 battery. Is this right or is there anything I can do, this was a big investment for me and it now seems as though my 3 year old battery, which should have a 10 year warranty is of no use. Hope that makes sense and Thanks

🧐

ReplyQuote

Batpred

(@batpred)

Noble Member Member

Joined: 1 year ago

Posts: 661

10/02/2026 10:22 pm

@scmilne

If the manufacturer says they are not compatible, it seems the best option may be to return it. The installer should have checked it before advising you. Section 75 is probably the best route if you paid some of it with a credit card.

When an inverter is using a bank of batteries, it essentially only connects to one, and that one acts as the master. That one needs to be able to talk to the other(s). It could be that the most recent battery could act as the master, but again the manufacturer would have probably mentioned it. The communication is happening between BMS boards that every battery has. If they are the same type, it could be that the latest version is able to manage the older.

Sometimes it is just a matter of ensuring the bms's are using the same version of the firmware, by updating it. But I assume the manufacturer would have told you if that is possible.

Without knowing the capacities and what your goal is, it is difficult to comment further, but getting a gen1 battery may be the simplest upgrade path. You may be lucky to find someone that had to sell because they wanted to upgrade.

I believe puredrive have their own configuration on the Solis, but sometimes the BMS is able to use a more common protocol like pylontech. This may be another option. To be sure, it may be also worth to confirm if these are configurations supported by the manufacturers.

Hope that helps, let us know how it goes.

This post was modified 1 week ago 4 times by Batpred

8kW Solis S6-EH1P8K-L-PLUS hybrid inverter; G99: 8kw export; 16kWh Seplos Fogstar battery; Ohme Home Pro EV charger; 100Amp head, HA lab on mini PC

ReplyQuote