How to Save Money When Buying Rack Mounted Battery
Server Rack Battery vs DIY | DIY Solar Power Forum
With the long cycle life of Lifepo4, I think it ultimately comes down to the supporting components that make the difference. As long as you keep the batteries withing the proper voltage they'll last past any of the other parts.
In a DIY system, the BMS breaks, or a something comes loose you swap it out or tighten it. In a server rack battery, you pray the company you bought your server rack battery from is still in business, you fight with them for a replacement, or you ship it back to them and get it back months later. You cannot open it up, because it breaks your warranty. If they are no longer in business, you're harvesting the cells, then building a DIY battery anyways.
Also, due to the exceptionally long life of Lifepo4 there's deals to be found on used cells, just like buying a used car will save you money.
I currently have purchased:
1. 4 x Used BYD 24v battery packs from Batteryhookup April- for about $ - I'm still getting about 100ah out of each, but these were purchased knowing they are heavily degraded. I picked them up from their warehouse. They're an awesome company. 200ah@48v
2. 32 x 200ah cells purchased from Alibaba in Jan- for $ 400ah@48v
3. 32 x 100ah cells purchased from Aliexpress March- for $ 200ah@48v
4. 30 x 280ah cells June- for $ from Craigslist, then 2 x 280ah cells from ebay for $300. Found someone selling these cells locally he was going to use for RV project, but then it got to be too much for him. Two of the cells had shipping damage, so I didn't buy those and bought replacements on ebay. They're not matched, but they have been working great for the 6 months I've had them. 560ah@48v
I paid a significant less amount for the used batteries, but in both scenario's "new" from china and used DIY pricing is much better than the server rack battery. Even after purchasing a BMS & Wiring.
The SOK 48v 100ah battery is currently $ * 13 = $20,800
Used average of what I paid per 100ah: $ / ah * 100 = $540 per 100ah
The racking from Home depot, bus bars, BMS's, Fuses, and Wiring didn't cost me $13,474, and I have a very modular, serviceable system.
I'm genuinely curious as to why someone chose Server rack batteries, other that they look better or they were easier to setup. This seems like asking why some people buy new vehicles when a used one would get you from point A to point B. Or maybe a why buy a bbq pit or new kitchen cabinets when you could build them yourself? Why go out to eat when it's WAY cheaper to fix meals at home? The list is endless. There are myriad factors but I think the big ones are cost, time, and skillset, but maybe not in that order. Money is not always the primary factor with any decision. I build a lot of stuff around the ranch rather than buy it because I have the skills, I often can repurpose the materials, I can build it exactly how I want it, and frankly, I enjoy doing it. It also saves money (usually), but that's not the driving factor. Those same reasons can likely all be applied to building your own batteries. But I bought my batteries instead. I did so because the money wasn't a major factor, I didn't really have the extra time, but mostly it just wasn't a project that interested me. I'm 100% in support of anyone who wants to take on building their batteries, or building their own home for that matter. I also get why a lot of people don't want to take on those projects. Every person's situation is different. I did both, first bought a couple server racks to get my solar up and running,
then as I learned from others, and got my courage up, ordered 280Ah cells on Alibaba's (pay and pray) system and built my first DIY rack battery.
Let it run a few months and checked all cells were withing 3-millivolts so ordered more cells and built my second DIY rack battery. Repeat, cells stayed within a few millivolts of each other, so...
Now have my third set of cells on order, will be in by end of Feb.
I like to learn by doing, and take things one step at a time, and test/see if it works well. No problems so I built more. Not everyone is going to be comfortable to build their own battery, or be patient enough to wait for the cells. To each their own I say.
Cost-wise, the 280Ah cells cost about $ USD shipped, a BMS with active Balancer is about $70, through-wall battery terminals in 200A are $30, and a decent 2P 125A DC rated breaker for the battery is another $30, some wire and build your own case or set it up open on a shelf if you like. $750/100Ah approx cost. about half the cost of a factory finished rack battery in a nice case, perhaps more easily serviced. I like what I have learned doing my own. Like ET Cowboy, I like to build stuff becase I can more than becase of the money, the more I build the more I understand. If these last 10 years they did me well.
I did both, first bought a couple server racks to get my solar up and running,
then as I learned from others, and got my courage up, ordered 280Ah cells on Alibaba's (pay and pray) system and built my first DIY rack battery.
Let it run a few months and checked all cells were withing 3-millivolts so ordered more cells and built my second DIY rack battery. Repeat, cells stayed within a few millivolts of each other, so...
Now have my third set of cells on order, will be in by end of Feb.
I like to learn by doing, and take things one step at a time, and test/see if it works well. No problems so I built more. Not everyone is going to be comfortable to build their own battery, or be patient enough to wait for the cells. To each their own I say.
Cost-wise, the 280Ah cells cost about $ USD shipped, a BMS with active Balancer is about $70, through-wall battery terminals in 200A are $30, and a decent 2P 125A DC rated breaker for the battery is another $30, some wire and build your own case or set it up open on a shelf if you like. $750/100Ah approx cost. about half the cost of a factory finished rack battery in a nice case, perhaps more easily serviced. I like what I have learned doing my own. Like ET Cowboy, I like to build stuff becase I can more than becase of the money, the more I build the more I understand. If these last 10 years they did me well.
I just did pricing.
You save 21% if you diy using 280ah cells vs eg4 server rack batteries.
What are you paying for the cells that saves you 50%?
10 keys for choosing the right server rack battery - PKNERGY
Power Backup LiFePo4 Server Rack Battery
With the increasing number of data centers and large commercial facilities, there’s a growing demand for energy storage solutions that are highly efficient, densely packed, and easily integrable. Server rack batteries have emerged in response to this need. Their compact design allows for easy installation in standard server racks, facilitating integration and expansion. Modern server rack battery systems are not only physically more efficient but also enhance energy management through integrated intelligent controls and internet connectivity.
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Initially, energy storage systems primarily relied on lead-acid batteries due to their low cost and mature technology. These systems were typically large, less efficient, and had a shorter lifespan. Technological advancements have introduced a variety of lithium-based batteries, such as LiFePO4 batteries. These batteries offer improvements in safety, energy density, and cycle life compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Fire incidents, regardless of where they occur, are terrifying and can cause immeasurable losses. Among various fire prevention measures, choosing safe battery types is crucial to reducing the risk of fire. In this regard, LiFePO4 server rack batteries are considered a safer option due to their unique chemical properties.
High Thermal Stability: A significant feature of LiFePO4 batteries is their high thermal stability. They are less prone to overheating in cases of overcharging, short-circuiting, or damage compared to other types of lithium-ion batteries. This means they are less likely to cause fires or explosions, even under extreme conditions.
Chemical Stability: LiFePO4 batteries are chemically more stable. Unlike other types of lithium batteries, they are less prone to releasing oxygen, a key factor in preventing overheating and fire.
Durability and Lifespan: These types of batteries typically have a longer lifespan and higher cycle count, meaning they are more durable and less likely to present safety issues due to aging or damage.
Low Toxicity: Compared to some other lithium battery chemistries, the materials in LiFePO4 batteries pose relatively lower risks to the environment and human health, reducing potential health hazards in case of battery failure.
LiFePO4 server rack battery, with their various advantages and relatively higher cost-effectiveness compared to wall-mounted batteries, have become a preferred choice for some home energy storage systems. Their design and functional features make them well-suited for modern household energy needs. Here’s a further explanation of these advantages:
Space Efficiency: Rack-mounted battery systems utilize space more effectively, especially in environments where space is limited. These batteries can be vertically stacked, occupying a smaller footprint, which is a significant advantage for small residences or places where space conservation is necessary.
Scalability: Rack-mounted designs offer better scalability, allowing users to easily add or remove battery modules as energy needs change. This flexibility means that households can gradually expand their systems in line with their growing energy needs, without having to invest in a large system upfront.
Integration and Compatibility: Server rack batteries are often designed to be more modular, making them easier to integrate with other home energy management systems, like solar panels and inverters. This high level of integration simplifies and makes energy management more efficient.
Maintenance and Accessibility: Rack-mounted systems are typically designed with easy maintenance and accessibility in mind. Battery modules are usually easy to access, meaning maintenance and any necessary replacements can be conveniently carried out.
Heat Dissipation: Due to the layout of rack-mounted batteries, they typically offer better heat dissipation. Good heat dissipation not only enhances the efficiency of the batteries but also extends their lifespan.
In conclusion, LiFePO4 server rack battery, with their high space efficiency, scalability, ease of maintenance, and safety features, are becoming an increasingly popular option in home energy storage solutions. These characteristics make rack-mounted battery systems suitable not only for current energy needs but also adaptable to potential future changes, providing households with a long-term and reliable energy solution.
10 keys for choosing the right server rack battery
If you are DIYing your own home backup power system or UPS, server rack batteries are one of your options. How do you choose a battery that you can rest assured will provide a stable and safe current for your home in an emergency? The following key information can help you.
1. Size
Server rack battery are divided into 3U and 4U, and you can choose according to your rack height. The height is measured in U (1U=1.75 inches=44.45 mm). Consider the space for battery storage and the number of batteries used and calculate the total height of the battery system to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Related links:How to Choose the Best Lithium Batteries for Golf Carts?
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3U is: 5.25 inches=133.35cm
4U is: 7 inches=177.85cm
2. Battery capacity
The capacity depends on whether the LFP cells used are 100AH or 200AH. Multiply them by the voltage and you can calculate the capacity of each server rack battery. When the battery is 100AH 48V, the peak capacity is 4.8kwh. When using 200AH cells, it is 9.6kwh.
Using a larger capacity can store more power, but the price will be more expensive.
3. Cost
Although the price of rack batteries is very close, the materials used by different brands are different, and there will still be differences in cost. Choose according to your budget. Among them, the most valuable part of the battery is the cell it uses. When its price is much lower than others, you need to consider whether the LiFePO4 it uses is of high quality.
In addition, the casing and screen used by the manufacturer are also a factor affecting the price.
4. Cycle life
The cycle life of server rack batteries is between and times, and the actual service life is related to the DOD set during use. However, thanks to the high stability of lithium iron phosphate cells, they can usually be used more than times. At the same time, the manufacturing process of each manufacturer will also affect the life.
5. Voltage
Server rack batteries have two specifications, 48V and 51.2V. The difference is that 51.2V will have one more battery cell. Although it has less impact on the capacity, if there is a requirement for voltage, it is necessary to clarify how many volts of battery is needed.
6. BMS
BMS is a necessary part of every energy storage battery. The quality of BMS determines the customer’s experience. Some BMS can be connected via Bluetooth, while some cannot. Consider it according to your usage habits.
BMS can effectively extend the service life and safety of the battery. Avoid overcharging and discharging of the battery. Different battery manufacturers use certain differences in the BMS. Pay attention to whether they are compatible with the inverter you choose. If you are not sure about this, please consult the manufacturer.
7. Maximum parallel number
The parallel number of most server rack batteries is 16. Users can connect according to their actual needs. If more quantities are required, they need to ask the corresponding manufacturer to ensure the safe operation of the battery.
8. Cyclelife
The shelf life set by different brands is different, usually in the range of 5 to 10 years. Choosing a company with a longer shelf life is more beneficial to users. In a sense, the length of the shelf life also reflects the company’s strength and the product’s quality.
9. After-sales service
Different companies provide different after-sales services, online or face-to-face. Choose products with a complete after-sales service system to avoid being troubled by problems that cannot be solved when they arise. Before buying, you can check whether the company provides installation videos, product manuals, warranty cards, etc. for their products.
10. Company evaluation
Good company evaluation is a guarantee for the product, and they will pay more attention to the quality of the product. Using batteries that are recognized by the public can save you a lot of time.
Conclusion
Choosing a suitable server rack battery can provide you with the ability to resist power outages and avoid economic losses and safety issues caused by sudden power outages. Give full consideration to the ten questions mentioned in the article and then cast a critical vote for your choice.
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