Four batteries

 I now have four LiFePO4 batteries in place and balanced. The batteries store 4.8 kWhr of energy. 

The RPi is now set up and running a 24-hour schedule.

New Batteries: Three and counting

 There are now three LiFePO4 batteries wired in parallel, connected to my system.

   There is a fourth on order.

   Eventually, I want to have six for a total of 7.2kWh of stored electrical energy. 

   The catch is, there is a high probability tariffs wiil be levied against Chinese products by the incoming President. Prices will go up. There's no way to know how high prices will go and if availability remains steady.

   For that reason, I'm considering buying the remaing two before next year (2025). Another, more positive incentive, is a 30 day price guarantee for $147.16 per 12V/100Ah battery.

Currently, the retail is $169.99. I will have to think about this some. The guarantee ends on the 23rd, I believe. I'll have to tighten my belt, if I do.

New batteries

 Ever since the lightning strike of last year, I've been recovering, slowly, but surely.

A few weeks ago, the first of several LiFePO4 batteries arrived. The old lead-acid battreries were relatively short-lived and probably suffered damage when lightning ran in on the steel guy wire.

Use of the type battery has taken some getting used to, but I'm finally settling in and ready for the next two or three.

The lithium-iron-phos[phate battery can be dischrged completely and recharge in as little as three hours. Lead-acid batteries should not be discharged below 50% and are slow to recharge. Think days in the winter time. I had six Duracell Ultra Marine lead-acid batteries.

The old batteries were sold and the money placed toward the purchase of the first LiFePO4 lithium iron phosphate battery. The new batteries cannot start a car, but they last longer, charge quicker, and now are much cheaper, and they can run a lead-acid charger to charge an auto battery. The new battery cost about the same as a lead-acid battery with core charge. The new batteries are 12VDC@100Ahr where the lead-acid batteries were 12VDC@50Ah. I will have the same capacity in three lithium batteries as I had in six lead batteries. Note : I am moving quickly now since the incoming president has stated tariffs of 30% will be placed on imports, especially, Chinese, where the inexpensive batteries come from.

There is a need to understand the new battery type, for their are settings associated with the type that differ from those of the old lead-acid type. I corresponded with three sellers regarding the settings. 

Epever - for the Triron charge controller.

LiTime - for the new LiFePO4 battery

WattCycle - for the two LiFePO4 batteries on their way.

I also consulted several YouTube videos on the best battery brands and the settings.

I am confidant the setup is pretty much optimized. The next step is to re-build the panel array and supporting framework. The ladder support toppled due, I believe, to a high wind one night. The array needs an improved support, one that is stable in high winds. The panels need to be replaced by higher wattage panels. This may, in turn, require modification of the inverter-controller setup.

Solar power station Limitations

Charge controllers:

Epever Triron 4210N / 40A@24VDC

Xantrex C-60 PWM / 60A@24VDC

Inverters:

Xantrex Freedom X 1200 / 1200W

Batteries:

12V/100Ah / 1200Wh

Panels:

5x100W+1x85W / 585W

Upgrades needed for 2kW station:

Approx. 2400W

2400/24v=100A

The source for panels will probably be used panels from 'SanTan Solar' with a branch in Atlanta.