LiFePO4 batteries that ship?

[punikahakaiferret]

I just reached out to Doug via text and promptly got a reply back from him. He is alive and kicking and busy as all get-out; said his phone has been ringing off the hook lately, so everyone please do try reaching out to him (more than once!) and hopefully he can get you set up. He has really been a great asset and has saved my bacon on a number of occasions with after-sales support. A solid guy.

[knieft]

You don’t say what size batteries you are looking for.

You have to arrange your own shipping from these guys, but:

https://bigbattery.com/

Cheers,
Kirt

[randomq]

Thanks Kirt. I'm looking for a bank at least 24v 300Ah, possibly larger. And trying to avoid multiple 12V as it's a pain waking up a LiFePO4 BMS from low power protection when they're in series.

Big Battery is better than some local prices I've seen, but still 2-3x higher than deals I can get shipped to the mainland. I guess it may be worth it to arrange for a pallet.

[knieft]

I understand wanting to avoid 12v. Nevertheless, I bought two of the ones below that somehow shipped free (besides my 48v pack directly from BigBattery). Quite a value.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145919361149

Or

https://www.ebay.com/itm/127474815790

Cheers,
Kirt

[Durian Fiend]

What kind of lifespan have any of you seen in your systems from these LiFePo4 batteries?

[knieft]

What kind of lifespan have any of you seen in your systems from these LiFePo4 batteries?

Too early to say lifespan. We have had the 48v system for a couple years. Solid flawless usage so far with 10 year warranty. We shared a pallet shipping at the time.

The two 12 volt batteries from eBay came with over 95% capacity and are fine and dandy.

With the lifepos and starlink we are a couple more steps from green acres lifestyle.

Cheers,
Kirt

[randomq]

Ah cool I'll check out their eBay listings.

My 2 x 12v x 300Ah are going to be 5 years old this year, and they still seem to have their full capacity. With our stormy days recently I've run them fairly low according to my bluetooth battery shunt, and they did not die unexpectedly when below 20% or anything... My previous lead acid golf-cart batteries from Costco would have been hurting by now.

My plan is to buy a second bank this year, and then stagger every 5 years, always maintaining a backup, and avoiding any unexpected and expensive replacements. Plus it's nice not having to ever run a generator.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

There’s a story today in HPR about plug in solar.  Put the panel in the sun, plug it into an electrical outlet.  Does anyone have one?  Are they sold in Hawaii?

https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-...g-in-solar

[knieft]

As for Hawaii, grok says (FWIW) about Hawaii:

In Hawaiʻi specifically (as of Feb 25, 2026)
Hawaiʻi lawmakers have multiple bills this session (including HB2486 and others) that would:
• Exempt small systems (1,200 watts or less) from needing a full utility interconnection agreement.
• Clarify that renters and condo owners can install them without landlord/HOA blocks (subject to reasonable rules).
One key bill was deferred this week in the House Consumer Protection Committee after the State Fire Marshal and other agencies raised concerns about updating the National Electrical Code for safe installation. Advocates say legislation is needed precisely because DIY plug-in systems are already popping up “under the radar,” and clear rules will make them safer.

Cheers,
Kirt

[kalakoa]

Inverters sold in the US are generally required to comply with IEEE 1547, which probably exceeds any safety requirements the State can mandate.

Those "concerns" about updating the NEC are really about protecting HECO.