I don't have a lot of time to write much, but, first of all, is that DC to DC converter the right link? I mean, 1200Ws is overkill, and the input range on that is -40 Vdc to -72 Vdc. The max that your 8 LiPo cells (18650) could produce if put in series, not parallel, is 29.6 V (just reverse polarity to get negative). -29.6 V is not within the range of -40 Vdc to -72 vdc. You'd want at least 11 of those batteries to work (in series). Though, over time, the voltage on the batteries would soon drop below that threshold.