@batalto have you ordered your batteries yet?

I am about to order a batch and noticed last year, you were asking about group buying. Don't know if you are still looking to do this as it may be beneficial in joining up?

@diverted-energy you are about 3 days too late. We could have probably saved on shipping, but the battery costs were only $1 less per battery for 32 vs 16

@batalto have purchased the DIY Kits?

I'm buying pre-assembled and was going to open the offer to you to have yours pre-built, at cost price to get them over here. Although, it spoils the rewards of doing it yourself.

Glad you've got sorted..

@diverted-energy I have bought the kit. I was quoted by Seplos for the prebuilt but it was significantly more expensive than buying the parts and assembling myself.

Posted by: @diverted-energy

I'm buying pre-assembled

Pre-assembled of what capacity @diverted-energy ?

The most common LiFePO4 cell used for DIY storage is 280Ah because it offers the cheapest £ per kWh.

But if you want a nominal 48v 14kWh unit, the mass of 16x 280Ah cells plus the enclosure is around 100Kg, which is too heavy to move into place.

That's a major attraction of the Seplos Mason enclosure. You place the box into its final position, and then add the cells.

Look around at other manufacturer's pre-built units and you'll see they're generally 3-5kWh. That's because they need to get the total mass below 25Kg so it can be lifted by an individual (Health & Safety at Work Act). Those manufacturers who offered larger capacity pre-built units have been withdrawing them from sale due to low demand.

There are no fixed rules here. Each of us has to decide the best solution for our own situation. That's why it's good to gather opinions here from as many people as possible.

@transparent I'll just use a little trolley to move it I think. As I'll build in the room next to its final place.

@batalto Romans never had an issue moving them big concrete blocks to build Rome. Sure two or three guys and a truck will get it in place. I'll have 3x 110kg pre-assembled 14kwh units to site. I managed the 70kg lead acids myself, two of us will manage these big boys.

I have no fear, and have moved and mounted heavier in my time. Where there is a will, there is a way...

The offer was for any sized battery pack to be brought over at cost pre-assembled as cheaper.

Manufactures withdrawing was more than likely due to high pricing that not many could justify. Unless I am just greedy!!

When I went the Lead Acid route, 4.8kw Lithium was around £9,000.

Hand to mouth with each day charging is no comparison to managing many days with reserve power available for cloudy days.

@diverted-energy I'm tempted to sell my pylontechs and get two more 280ah packs. Looking at selling prices for used ones I think my kit is worth about £5000 which is more than I paid for it. But it's all about timing as I need my batteries over winter and don't want to sell them until I have replacements ready

@batalto I've received two batches of LiFePO4 cells from China this year. Both were shipped by sea via Singapore and Felixstowe, taking 6 weeks. Delivery to me in Devon once the ship docked at Felixstowe was within 3 days. So unpacking/sorting the containers and customs hold-ups are negligible.

Compare this with the Standard AliExpress air-mail shipping times, which are also running at about 6 weeks currently!

I would strongly support the strategy you are considering. 14kW LiFePO4 packs is the optimal configuration for £ per kWh, and with the much lower-cost sea-route for transportation it makes good sense to implement this asap.

As the realisation of the Energy-Crisis hits home this autumn, I have no doubt you'll get plenty of offers for your Pylontech units.

The offer of at cost (non profit) Seplos is still open if anyone wants to jump on and share an order to get reduced priced batteries.

Obviously things will need ironing out but looking to order in the next 7 to 10 days. I have been informed delivery is potentially 8 weeks.

Can be a choice of any assembled 52v pack, not individual cells. Just looking to get quantities up to lower prices and spread costs.

@diverted-energy what prices have they offered you?

@transparent

Posted by: @transparent

At the moment I'm building my own fuse-holders with an outer cover.

At the risk of promoting commercial content, I've just ordered class T fuses and holder from shunts.com; for 5 x 150A Littelfuse JLLN and holders it came to £252 GBP including (2 to 3 day express) shipping. The prices for fuse and holder look to be around the price for most class T fuses on their own, which surprises me!