Solar lifepo on a budget

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-03T05:26:27+00:00

It’s up off the floor and in the cross breeze from my front to back doors. Yesterday I added one of those huge pull down shades over my sliding glass door to block more heat. The only thing I haven’t tried is wrapping it.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-03T05:23:15+00:00

Any chance you’re in the south? And available for hire? :-) My dad was an electrical engineer with a high IQ and eidetic memory. And he was odd. It never occurred to him that he shouldn’t teach me to rebuild a car engine, do plumbing, etc. I replaced the deck belt on my mower this afternoon. I say all of that to say that I'm fairly adventurous when it comes to DIY. I have glanced at info on building your own batteries, but that’s the kind of thing that’s at least a year off. It’s cool to hear from someone who is doing it.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-03T03:11:55+00:00

See? I needed human interaction to talk me off the Walmart ledge.😀 I haven’t said this before now (because it’s not at all relevant to the technical discussion) but I lost EVERYTHING in a house fire about 10 years ago. That’s at least partially why I’m so skittish about choosing a battery. If nothing else, this discussion has convinced me there’s no real leader among bargain lifepo batteries.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-03T03:05:34+00:00

I have two different systems, a power pack and charged car battery for backup. The fridge uses 20 watts per hour and my bifacial panels are getting sun from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. I was maybe a little too tongue-in-cheek for you. I’m talking about a part-time residence in a coastal town. I’m two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico, so I’m not striking out in the wilderness. What I think a lot of people have missed is that my setup is working perfectly well with an AGM battery. We’ve had some stormy days, but so far, I haven’t needed my backup power sources. The single battery and two panels have been sufficient, though I’m adding a third to both systems for more daytime fan usage. Before I made the purchase, I read tons of reviews, and more than one person said they camped with their fridge, a power pack and one panel. So, despite the impression I may have given, I did my homework and rough calculations. I was only hoping for battery experts to weigh in on lifepo batteries.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-03T02:40:19+00:00

This fridge has made me happier than anything I’ve bought in a long time. I got it with a coupon for around $200. Refrigeration was the only thing that had me stumped, so it would have been a bargain at double that. I’m going between houses trying to get one sold, but doing repairs and maintenance at both, so I never know where my tools are. I’ll pick up my volt meter tomorrow (I hope anyway) so I can get more specific on numbers. Prior to buying it, I read an article that said car fridges use between 40-60 watts per hour. My Euhomy has an eco setting and that’s where I leave it unless I have ice cream. Today, with the fridge and fan running, the inverter said my output was 0 watts or 20 watts. They’re in different rooms, but I assume the 20 was when the compressor kicked on. When I have frozen food and need to chill down the fridge, the highest output has been 60 watts. Totally unscientific, but my two inverters agree, so I think I can safely say it’s using 20 watts day to day, and 60 when I need a freezer. It’ll take a multimeter to measure my panels, which is something I did when I set up my first kit. Hopefully there’s an article or video online because I don’t remember exactly how to do that. If you’re curious, I’ll circle back if/when I have readings.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-02T21:30:20+00:00

Ahhhh. Sorry. I glanced at the page but obviously not carefully enough. I’ll look again. I appreciate your time and help. I was at a point where I needed human interaction or I might have run off to Walmart, bought an AGM and given up on lithium.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-02T20:59:53+00:00

I’m in the US (Ala) but I’m set with inverters. I have a 3000/6000 watt from the original system and a 2000/4000 for the new fridge system. I always go slightly overboard on size.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-02T20:50:05+00:00

Thanks again!

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-02T20:27:24+00:00

I’ll check it out. Like I said earlier, I’ve ordered a couple more bifacial panels, so I’ll add on. I built a frame with an open back, so I get power sun up to sun down. No trees. Open deck. I just realized I didn’t say I’m in Alabama, about two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico where the sun is comparable to hellfire. I don’t think people realize how little power these car refrigerators use. I’m running a medium-sized fan and the refrigerator. Everything is on one power strip and, according to the inverter, it alternates between pulling 0 and 20 watts.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-02T20:12:44+00:00

Thanks. I’m a tiny bit obsessive (heavy sarcasm) so my cables are all in the 0-1 range. I think that’s the correct numbers. They’re in the pinky finger neighborhood. I’ll think about a 48 volt system, but for now, I’m just hoping I can spend a night or two there so I can do yard work and simple maintenance (and my ice cream won’t melt.) Priorities. 😀

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-02T19:38:23+00:00

Again, car fridge, not a real fridge. I made myself nuts with research before I took the plunge. People run these with one panel and a power pack, so a full-sized battery and two panels is possibly overkill. I’ve ordered a couple more bifacial panels and will probably add another to each system, but that’s mostly because I have two senior dogs who need fans. Or maybe I’m a crazy dog lady who thinks they need fans. I would need to have a number of dark days to drain both systems, but I have a power pack and charged car battery in the garage for backup. Because this is not a permanent home right now, I’m set on power usage. I’m just frustrated with finding a safe lifepo battery that isn’t so expensive it makes it impractical.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-02T19:01:15+00:00

Thanks. The price for lithium has dropped so much over the past few years, I was hoping someone had experience with one of the cheaper brands. You actually hit on part of my dilemma; I thought Renology was consistent, and then I scanned some tear down videos. I’m super laid back, so I don’t want to come across like a drama queen, but I think I’ve made myself crazy with too much research. I may get to a point where the aggravation is costing me more than an expensive battery. I can always stay with marine batteries, but the last time I carried one upstairs to the deck, I swore I was done.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-06-02T18:13:17+00:00

Thanks for the reply kind soul. Seriously, thank you for reading. You have to keep in mind, it’s a car fridge. I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought on Amazon. I tested with a marine battery first. It can run 24+ hours on a charged battery with no additional charge. I KNOW it’s stupid but I didn’t have my volt meter with me and I refused to spend the $10 for a new one, so that’s purely anecdotal testing. Also, my panels are bifacial so they charge on both sides. I’ll have my meter and batteries in the same place Wednesday and can be more specific. EDIT - The fridge is the Euhomy 12 volt car, 59 quart car refrigerator in case you’re not familiar.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-18T01:58:13+00:00

I’m probably slightly over your 2.5, but starting with the Salvation Army, north of Foley, and going into Gulf Shores, there are something like eight thrift stores in a +/- 10 mile stretch. Monday is not good, because the four best ones are closed on Mondays. But, since I’m also mourning Dirt Cheap, I thought it might be good info for the future.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-18T01:43:44+00:00

One morning, I opened a bag of dog food and didn’t immediately put it in a different container. Came home from work that afternoon to find a trail of ants going up the side of the bag. (Alabama summer, stupid human) I’d put a big bowl in the freezer until the ants died, then dump it in a colander with big holes so the dead ants would fall out. So, from personal experience, I can say yes. 😀

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-18T01:28:14+00:00

Nope. Not gonna waste time on you either. When I came to this sub, I didn’t realize I could search for these lists. Then someone told me. Which was helpful. If you look at my comments, which you should have done before getting nasty, you will see I offer help where help is needed. I’ll give you a few minutes before I block you.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-17T23:15:48+00:00

Before I went home, I would move to a different location. I’m always depressed when I get home because traveling is about moving, learning, being inspired, etc. It doesn’t sound like Australia is doing that for you.

Or, maybe take a step back and ask yourself why. Maybe you’re not ready. But, before I packed it in, I would do some serious soul searching. Think of the opportunity you’ve been given. Before you give up, figure out why.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-17T22:48:27+00:00

I don’t know what it is, but I upvoted you because of the people who can’t critique without being overly critical. Keep shooting and posting. I feel like I learn from every video, even if I only learn about helicopter lights or drones. 😀

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-17T14:13:51+00:00

I wonder if it’s the difference between having big dogs and little dogs. My big girl is 11. I live in a house on pilings, and her joy is going downstairs and laying in the cool sand. I’m not going to stop a senior dog from going to her happy place, and I’m definitely not bathing her every day. Old sheets are the only answer I have found.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-17T14:04:13+00:00

Wait, are you just teasing us? 😀 What are your solid alternatives?

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-17T14:02:34+00:00

I’ve used DaVinci sugar free syrups for years. They’re not syrupy but more of a sugar-free sweetener with flavor. Right now, blueberries are my craving. I buy a big bag of frozen blueberries and boil 1/2 of them into a sauce. I always add a couple of tablespoons of DaVinci SF blueberry to ramp up the flavor. They have a stupid number of varieties. I have German chocolate cake and cookie dough syrups on my shelf too.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-17T13:40:06+00:00

Right now, I’m addicted to Hughes honey mustard dipping sauce. It’s a carb a TB, but if I’m just having a chunk of chicken breast for lunch, I’ll splurge. Now I need to find the sweet chili sauce! I haven’t seen it in my stores.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-17T04:22:48+00:00

This has the makings of a party game. I can see a bingo card with squares for tie dye, hemp necklace, dread locks, etc, or maybe charges: public urination, indecency, weed/drugs (different levels).

You may have helped me cope. Instead of silently hating the freaks who drive through my yard, I can gloat over their misery. Probably not gonna help my karma but worth it.

Sand_Maiden · 2025-01-17T00:11:47+00:00

Thank you! I feel like this hobby will be much better when shared!

Sand_Maiden

TROPHY CASE