Aquion Energy up and coming battery....opinions please

[Sundetective]

At least one of their customers is reported to have whipped up a
hybrid system using the AHI Technology married to Marine Batteries.
However it sounds like a Direct Link set-up which makes it a
primitive hybrid. Nothing like what I propose.

One of my friends just fed Aquion Energy The Slave Bank idea
yesterday. I hear the guy was excited.
Problem: expense.

Became excited about the AHI deal years ago.
Now it's to the point of Look-see time.
Several key points have not been considered yet.

Bill Blake

That will limit the depth of discharge, especially when heavier loads come on.

A boost from a small LFP battery pack would help alleviate the problem and extend the range of the AHI pack. Would also help with efficiency, as AHI isn't as efficient with higher current draws.

The alternative is to run the generator more frequently.

[northerner]

I understand that people have a concern but this is an Aquion battery not a FLA or LFP. According to the manufacturer's claim it should easily go to 40volt. The issue is with the inverter running below 42v.

And that will initially show up when heavier loads come one even though the nominal battery pack voltage will be higher (due to voltage sag). This could inadvertently kick out the inverter, and thus one would encounter an annoying power outage, even though there is still plenty of capacity in the battery bank.

A boost from a small, highly efficient LFP battery pack could prevent that from happening, and extend the usable capacity of the AHI pack.

Somehow, I don't think manufacturers will be modifying all their inverters, at least not in the short term.

[SunEagle]

The battery at 66% SOC at 47.6V. This is a significant detail, because the inverter works to about 42V. At 100% SOC the voltage is about 59V for AHI.

I understand that people have a concern but this is an Aquion battery not a FLA or LFP. According to the manufacturer's claim it should easily go to 40volt. The issue is with the inverter running below 42v.

[Willy T]

Since the Schneider Engineers were on site and set this system up, it's hard to for anyone to know what limits are programed into system.

[northerner]

The battery at 66% SOC at 47.6V. This is a significant detail, because the inverter works to about 42V. At 100% SOC the voltage is about 59V for AHI.

That will limit the depth of discharge, especially when heavier loads come on.

A boost from a small LFP battery pack would help alleviate the problem and extend the range of the AHI pack. Would also help with efficiency, as AHI isn't as efficient with higher current draws.

The alternative is to run the generator more frequently.

[Living Large]

That 47.6v was at Midpoint #2 whatever that means. Still too new a technology for me to understand yet.

The battery at 66% SOC at 47.6V. This is a significant detail, because the inverter works to about 42V. At 100% SOC the voltage is about 59V for AHI.

[Willy T]

Thats about as much voltage sag as a Fork Lift battery has at 35 amps @ 48 V.

[SunEagle]

Yeah but look at the mid point voltage being below 48 volts.

That 47.6v was at Midpoint #2 whatever that means. Still too new a technology for me to understand yet.

[Sunking]

Not bad. Looks like your system is sized pretty good with an average 35.5% DOD..

Yeah but look at the mid point voltage being below 48 volts.

[SunEagle]

More info today from Conext Battery Monitor


DC Source ID House Battery Bank 1
Battery Voltage 47.5 V
Battery Current -35.5 A
Battery Temperature 20.0 ºC
Battery State of Charge 66 %
Battery Midpoint 1 Voltage 48.1 V
Battery Midpoint 2 Voltage 47.6 V
Battery Capacity Remaining 666 Ah
Battery Capacity Removed 334 Ah
Battery BTS Present No
Battery Time To Discharge 00h00m Min
Battery Average Discharge -354 Ah
Battery Average Discharge Percent -35.5 %
Battery Deepest Discharge -496 Ah
Battery Deepest Discharge Percent -49.8 %
Battery Capacity Removed 7893 Ah
Battery Capacity Returned 7593 Ah
Battery Number of Charge Cycles 7
Battery Number of Synchronizations 14
Battery Number of Discharges 0

Not bad. Looks like your system is sized pretty good with an average 35.5% DOD.

I wonder if there is a countdown showing the "expected" lifetime cycles remaining. Sort of like a car having an estimated % of oil life before it needs to be changed.

[SunEagle]

Using Propane kit from Central Maine Diesel.

Good idea. A generator with multiple fuel options adds to the reliability of having a solid backup when the sun don't shine.

[OffGridHawaiian]

More info today from Conext Battery Monitor


DC Source ID House Battery Bank 1
Battery Voltage 47.5 V
Battery Current -35.5 A
Battery Temperature 20.0 ºC
Battery State of Charge 66 %
Battery Midpoint 1 Voltage 48.1 V
Battery Midpoint 2 Voltage 47.6 V
Battery Capacity Remaining 666 Ah
Battery Capacity Removed 334 Ah
Battery BTS Present No
Battery Time To Discharge 00h00m Min
Battery Average Discharge -354 Ah
Battery Average Discharge Percent -35.5 %
Battery Deepest Discharge -496 Ah
Battery Deepest Discharge Percent -49.8 %
Battery Capacity Removed 7893 Ah
Battery Capacity Returned 7593 Ah
Battery Number of Charge Cycles 7
Battery Number of Synchronizations 14
Battery Number of Discharges 0

[OffGridHawaiian]

I'm curious how are you managing fuel on a generator you don't use? I manage my fuel by putting it in the car every six months or so. But you probably have a fairly large amount stored? When I buy generator gas I do purchase the best available, and treat it with sta-bil.

Using Propane kit from Central Maine Diesel.

[Living Large]

Aloha Bill,

We are using a bank 24 S10's and so far we haven't had to use any generator (lucky for us since we do have a EU7000Si but Auto-start will not be available till this spring according to the tech at Honda) We do live in Hawaii so I guess that helps.

It certainly does. There is no way I could not use a generator in the lower Adirondacks. I suppose if I had $90,000 to put towards just power I might approach that goal with an AHI system, for a much smaller daily use than yours. Besides cost, the other drawback for me was lengthy estimated generator run time every other day in cloudy weather. Glad to hear it is working out for you.

[Sundetective]

Aloha Bill,

We are using a bank 24 S10's and so far we haven't had to use any generator (lucky for us since we do have a EU7000Si but Auto-start will not be available till this spring according to the tech at Honda) We do live in Hawaii so I guess that helps.

Here's how they're doing.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5922[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5923[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5924[/ATTACH]

Aloha OffGridHawaiian,

People Likes new and exciting !
I codenamed you TopCat to shorten things up when I tell someone the story
Your the top battery experiment anywhere right now.
The Firefox of batteries.

From what old Bill has heard so far 12 packs of the S20 Stacks are called a
M100-L082 Module.

48 Volts X 612 Amp Hours.

Read someplace that the S10 (12 packs) .. (Yours) .. are

48 Volts X 540 Amp Hours for each Module

(if that's true).

It would be nice to rent a room there, get out of the cold,
Lay-up, watch your solar panels work and taste the Local goodie

Until you feel Likes playing: Answer Me This
again.

Thanks and adieu,

Bill Blake