Why are people NOT buying raw LiFePO4 cells?

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[WillProwse]

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more!

*Join our DIY solar community*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:

*Check out my Book*
Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar!



*My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*








*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:

*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:

*Epoch Batteries*
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*


*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[elementgypsy]

Checking in after a long time. I am so impressed how far you have come in the past 7 years or so... so happy to see you grow and be successful.

[RickRobinsonEverywhere]

This is probably not a new suggestion, but I would love to see you look at how to do a whole house backup system using server rack batteries. Call it a Tesla Wall alternative. With server rack batteries getting better and cheaper, I have to imagine that this can become more practical, even as a grid tied (whole house UPS) kind of way.

[bp]

My system built with your help is going on it's 3rd year now. Your videos and book made it happen. Thanks!

[BlkFireHawk]

What I love about your channel is your Disclosure and Brutal Honesty, even if it goes against your previous reviews.

[chipmeister]

Thanks for all of the video support over the past few years.

I'd really appreciate a follow-up video showing the full potential of the Electrodacus SBMS0. It's such a powerful tool for the diy'er.

Thanks again Will, you were the first person to begin showing me how to build a system 3 years ago. Your video on 24v systems enticed me to take that route and I'm grateful for all that you do man, thanks again.

[FullSendPrecision]

Totally agree. I'm planning a large system and the server rack style is the answer. I also just built a 12v 280ah kit from Sun Fun Kits for my camper. Best form factor for my needs

[kumadogjack]

I just got your book in the mail and planning on a solar system for a bug out/camping rig. You my friend need to do more of these books. Just gold

[alicelu]

I work in the lithium battery industry and I have handled many warranty cases of pre-built 12V LFP batteries. One of the most common warranty claims is the battery can’t be charged to a high voltage. The reason behind is there is one bad cell out of balance, thus triggers BMS protection much sooner. Vice versa on discharge. So the actual usable capacity is much less or down to zero! And another common problem is the BMS board is damaged, even and all the cells are good, the whole battery is a trash. It’s very unfortunate! And also people don’t know how to use it probably, and they choose wrong chargers meant for lead acid batteries all the time which can be very harmful to LFP.. If I have to choose between raw cells and pre-built, I would refer build my own so I know how everything works together and how to fix it in long term. And another question to think about is will those companies exist in 5 years, 10 years when you need a warranty? I'd prefer to know the technology well and be independent.

[aliciarae]

I was just talking about this with a friend. The industry sure has changed since I built my battery just two years ago! Might be time to upgrade. Thanks for always keeping it real Will !

[McTroyd]

I think you hit the nail on the head at the end. I, too, have become an "accidental welder" just working with my lead-acid car batteries. Doesn't really faze me, but I could see that experience being terrifying to a new DIYer. That said, the only case I might do a raw cell system is when it needs to be large, high-uptime, and I want to be able to quickly swap cells. Even then, the server rack battery kinda makes sense, just need to bypass the unit being removed (or wire everything to common rails, so the missing cell isn't immediately noticed).

[maskcollector]

I'm glad you're still covering this, I really needed this opportunity to make my own battery, so thanks.

[PsRohrbaugh]

DIY lithium batteries have a HUGE stigma in the RV community. Every single person I've told about my DIY battery has responded negatively. But the flexibility of individual cells let me fit 700 ah @ 12v of lithium in the space of 2 lead acid batteries.

[worthmor]

The main reason sales have dropped is the cost involved with buying raw cells. I would love to build a battery pack when the price drops.

[Omegawerewolfx]

I'm new to this topic and you're killing it. Thank you for the high value content.

[DougB]

The server rack batteries are an easier option and they look nice but I'm not giving up on building my own battery yet. I built one 2 years ago and really enjoyed it. Of course, I couldn't have done that without Will's videos so many thanks for that. I can build a 48v battery using brand new Eve 280ah cells ($135 each shipped from Georgia (from the battery store). After shipping and a BMS I'm coming in very close to $2, 660 for a 14kwh battery. A new EG4 5kwh battery is $1419 ($1536 including shipping). I'm not getting the pretty package or the convenience but since this equipment lives in my basement and I don't have to look at it I really don't care. I'm getting much more bang for my buck building my own. The savings I get from doing this allows me to purchase and build a larger battery bank. I'd rather have the additional storage instead of the pretty package. For $1, 124 more + my time I get almost 3X the amount of storage.

[kenjohnson]

They need to drop the price on raw cells and they would get more sales, i'd love to do a DIY but the price on assembled batteries with a warranty wins out except for doctor prepare they suck i know lol.

[bgable]

Just subscribed because of your clear enunciation and descriptions, to the point, ie, not long winded or repetitive conversation, thanks and keep up the good work.

[lonestarlaurel]

Grateful for your videos. What a champ! Be safe. Happy trails 🐾🎶

[jrockk]

I liked building my own battery with the raw cells. It gave me a better understanding of how they work. It also gave me a better feel towards my system, like when i look at it, I feel proud of what I've done. I do agree with your statement that for just few cents/kwh, getting the server rack is worth it for less hassle.