EP Cube by Canadian Solar: Complete Home Backup but DIY Friendly!
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- EP Cube Best Price (affiliate link): signaturesolar.com/kits-bundl...
Other hybrid inverter options: www.mobile-solarpower.com/gri...
Offgrid Budget Solar Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v...
0:00 Intro
2:15 Installation
4:37 Gateway Introduction
9:15 Downsides
Does off-grid solar confuse you?
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more!
www.mobile-solarpower.com
Join our DIY solar community
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:
www.diysolarforum.com
Check out my Book
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If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Energy! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: ts.la/william57509
My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):
12V/48V Lithium Solar Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/sol...
Complete Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/sol...
Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v...
Plug-N-Play System Recommendations: www.mobile-solarpower.com/ful...
Complete "Add to Cart" 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/com...
DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/sol...
My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:
Signature Solar
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:
www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h...
Current Connected
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:
currentconnected.com/?ref=wp
Litime
My favorite 12V budget battery!:
www.litime.com/?ref=XBIA62RFc...
Epoch Batteries
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:
www.epochbatteries.com/produc...
Renogy
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!
renogy.sjv.io/n1VjXx
Rich Solar
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:
richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
Battery Hookup
Cheap cell deals
bit.ly/2mIxSqt
5% off code: diysolar
Contact Information:
I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com
Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar
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
EP Cube Best Price (affiliate link): signaturesolar.com/kits-bundles/ep-cube-energy-storage-systems/?ref=cPwLcVc0SW-BjN
Other hybrid inverter options: www.mobile-solarpower.com/grid-tie-systems.html
Offgrid Budget Solar Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html
*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more!
www.mobile-solarpower.com
*Join our DIY solar community*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:
www.diysolarforum.com
*Check out my Book*
Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar!
amzn.to/2Aj4dX4
If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Energy! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: ts.la/william57509
*My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*
12V/48V Lithium Solar Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html
Complete Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html
Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html
Plug-N-Play System Recommendations: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html
Complete "Add to Cart" 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html
DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html
*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*
*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:
www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:
currentconnected.com/?ref=wp
*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:
www.litime.com/?ref=XBIA62RFcalHns
*Epoch Batteries*
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:
www.epochbatteries.com/products/12v-460ah-lifepo4-battery-ip67-heated-bluetooth-victron-comms?rfsn=7352625.50494d
*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!
renogy.sjv.io/n1VjXx
*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:
richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek
*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
bit.ly/2mIxSqt
5% off code: diysolar
*Contact Information:*
I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com
Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar
*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
Came across your video for the Renogy dc to dc charger. Just to confirm, if the vehicle is off, it will not draw down the vehicle starting battery correct?
Hi,
We have a 1500 square foot medical office 1400 in Queens, NY; we can’t install solar panels but are considering installing a battery/inverter system for backup and peak-shaving purposes.
At the office we have a commercial three-phase service & we are being penalized for peak usage. Our average monthly bills running over $1000/month; a hefty part of the bills, we believe is related to peak penalty.
If we were to send you copy of our billing history, would you be able to determine/recommend the appropriate system and estimated cost for us?
Thank you,
I dont think you want plastic exposed to sun and air like that. especially in vegas. All plastics are destroyed by sun.
Thanks for sharing, Will! Nice system. At the time of this comment the price for this arrangement is $27,654.04 USD from Signature Solar.
Not bad
27,000.. payback time only 500 years! lol
dang it took you that long to pay off your car?😅@@aegisgfx
Thanks, Will. We've learned so much from you over the years.
So glad to see you reviewing these. Evan from Country View Acres YT channel installed this system on his homestead. While he supplied some information you review is in-depth and more informative. Thanks for this. Two thirty and watching the playoffs and its 67F in Ceres CA. 😁
Please make a video when you install the AC soft starts. I’d be interested in seeing that.
Ok will do. It would be fun to see the smallest possible inverter start my 5 ton air conditioners haha
@@WillProwsehahaha like your car lift tests, yes! I did Softstarts on my RV air last year. Now I can run both even when I only have 30A hookups.
Will posted the soft start video!
@@WillProwse I run my 5 Ton house AC with a soft start and never see more than 20A 240 on start. Generator friendly. Soft starts are great!
I think you can power not just your house but most of your street at this stage! EP is actually available in my country but they don’t have this modular unit on their website here yet! Hopefully they will make them available soon!
Wow, the EP Cube is more aesthetically pleasing! Installation looks to be tricky, but if you can find someone to install them the whole set up looks neat! Thanks for sharing Will.
You’re doing a very valuable service for the rest of us. Thanks Will.
Thanks Will. Greetings from L.A. (Lower Alabama) Been waiting for your take on EP Cube. Now I have a comparison with your other informative videos. Love the price point on your DIY suggestions. I'm personally leaning towards a DIY system, but the EP Cube has very nice aesthetics.
🎉 i really like how you explain every product or system you come across
I would like to thank your parents for haven you, and make sure you let yourself know we are proud of you. Keep up the great content! Thanks!
interesting for that 240V DC. I was theorizing months ago that it should be time to begin 240V DC powered outlets in the house. Getting rid of power conversion and using a step down dc converter for appliances is highly efficient, small and cheap. I also think in the near future is a house that is essentially off-grid where the grid is only used for charging batteries when there is deficit.
Great video. Your break down of this system is excellent.
Wow that’s looking like an excellent product. It’s hard to roll your own when you see something like that getting really refined.
He’s back. Love his videos
Wow. Awesome to see upscale product with that kind of kWhs, at reachable costs. I would bet the higher battery voltage means higher efficiency when converting DC power to AC grid voltage. Thanks for your ongoing informative reviews from Capt Bill watching this one from my hammock in Delicias, Costa Rica. 🐾🐾🎶🌠
I'm actually happy you're coving some of these. I really need a system like this and it really helps having a knowledge review.
Happy to see you..Your looking Healthy yayy..remembering days in your vehicles..IMAGINE 🌎✌️❤️🎼🎶🎵
Always good info..
Living in Vegas too, I can understand the effects of the searing heat has on my little backyard solar.
You've inspired this 70 year old dude to start my own U-Tube channel "Tinkering Geezer "
I'll be working on my portable solar setup.
Keep up the good work....
As a fellow Geezer I would definitely support your channel. Good luck and God Bless all
I installed a micro air soft start on my 5 ton central AC unit it reduced the startup amps from 74 down to 33ish. Then I installed 3 EG4 12k BTU hybrid mini splits and now I never use the central air unit. Maybe I'll just wire it for generator use. But with that said I do highly recommend the Micro Air Soft Start units, very easy to wire and the app is pretty straight forward as well Mr Prowse.
What size is your panel array and battery bank?
Crazy seeing how far this channel and your success has gone man. Congrats
Just got the EP system w/panels here in N. Texas. Appreciate your insight and still getting used to how the system runs as well. Agree that they could use additional info in the app, but I can see it being added as the popularity and footprint grown. Also looking to do the soft start for the hvac. Will return to see when you do yours. ;)
That's an amazing looking system!
We're looking forward to detailed explanations on designing, configuring, and running microgrid systems. It's an intimidating subject for newbies.
It's amazing that heavy system installed...
I will wait until “Current Connected” starts offering it. Thanks for the breakdown Will!
Great review of this product. Looking forward to testing it myself.
I come to vegas occasionally. You should offer tours or classes.
It’s been awhile since you last uploaded a video. Glad you’re back with us.
Been working on the forum a lot haha
Thank you
@@WillProwse Thanks for everything you do. You were a great help to me when I installed by system in my 5th wheel. I’ve been following you since your RV days.
Watching from Yosemite Kentucky. WOW!!! What an amazing system. Within the next year I plan to build my new home and would like to follow your system designs. Thanks so much for sharing your DIY work here. 😊 ❤
U R always on the Dee of ne equipment and on keeping us "schooled up"" thank U Wil
Will, you get all the cool stuff buddy!
The gateway seems to have a lot of similarity to a Generac 200amp whole home transfer switch...
Us poor folks will need to stay with the 48V stuff I think.
This is exactly what I have been searching for
I'm in AZ. I'm going to be following this for sure.
Now that’s my style! Love it man!
Too funny. You got me into solar with your videos Will and I just purchased an EP Cube on my own and then I see that you have one of their systems as well. Makes me feel better about my choice. Was a lot of money and was a bit scared that I'd done something stupid in going with a platform that I'd never heard of before. System should arrive this week and then I start putting it together.
You'll do fine. Just take your time mounting those batteries and the inverter on top. It gets harder as you go up 😅.
Oh dude. This looks awesome on just starting the video.
Welcome Back, Will!
Its been a while since youve posted, i was wondering where you went.
Im guessing you have been busy with the new building that you mentioned bot to long ago? 🤷♂️
EP Cube is nice, but definitely lacking some features that I would want.
Im almost ready to pulle the trigger on EG4's 18KPV! Personally, I feel like thats the system to compete with! More robust build quality, and i just love it!
Also, as you already mentioned in this video, im not a fan of the flimsy panel covers. To build such a nice system overall, they really struck out with that, in my opinion.
Keep them videos coming! I miss your channel and all the knowledge you share!
✌️✌️
Best video for me so far, thanks.
Hi Will, Pahrump is sunny today😊
Greetings to Pahrump, my buddy's brother lived there.
Sounds like you had a not-so-nice interaction with a busbar! Glad you are still with us.
Re: Las Vegas sun, maybe a trelliss to block the sun is in order. Leave room for maintenance and air flow. Your neighbours will also appreciate it.
wow, that system looks insanely impressive.
For the low low price of $28,000.
And insanely expensive
@@Tb0n3That price is also for solar panels.
@@fishy2939…was there a reason it could not be installed inside?
Nice video. Great description of units and process
I really like the eg4 power pro that I got. I'm in utah, so the heating is perfect.
Will, I appreciate your great knowledge level and expertease with these Hybrid home backup systems. I hope you know you're speaking Chinese to most viewers. I haven't got the faintest idea you are saying in regards to "Gateways," and "Hybrid Power Inverters," and the various other boxes on your wall. All of this stuff sounds, and *darn well looks (COMPLICATED !)* No thank you ! What I'm looking for is *Plug and Play,* and absolutely *no screwing around with that much voltage by the end user ! One false move and you're friggin' DEAD !*
Wow, that is a huge system and takes up a lot of space. Have you thought about a secure location or cover? From the video, I assumed you did not do the install yourself and had hoped for a more detailed interface connection, but this is way out of my price range. Nice to see options regardless of price and complexity. Thank you for sharing.
I'm looking forward to finding out how this system holds up to the Vegas summer. I hope it survives. 🤞
Kind of like Eco Flow Home Panel, these things are nice for those who just want turn-key solution or don't have the time or skills to DIY.
Impressive units. It's the kWh size of my first EV😮
You might want to paint them white or put something in front of them to prevent direct sun exposure. They could literally be too hot to touch on summer days. I lived in Lost Wages for 20+ years and now live 75 miles south.
Yes, sun shields are common for outdoor electrical/electronic enclosures in those climates. Also insect, reptile and rodent protection, hard to see what measures they have for that protection. Also if they are using fans for cooling will need a maintenance routine. Maybe they are fanless, passive cooled.
Systems like these, one of the first steps in the install manual says do not install in Direct sunlight and gives examples. I would imagine this is not a south facing wall.
Like the video and I live in the south so my greatest concern is the sun and heat as well. My meter base and service entrance is on the most exposed, hottest wall of the house and I am very curious to know how these products (mainly the batteries) hold up to such extreme torture. Love the idea of this one though!
Very interesting product, Will. You mentioned professional installation. Did you have a dealer do it? Companies I have talked to in the Phoenix area will only work on their preferred brands. Thanks!
We live in a year-round senior community attached to an RV park in Canada. Our home is a park-model double-wide manufactured home with a 50-amp, 120/240-volt power supply that we connect to the grid with a plug-in.
I am thinking we could simply install the EP Cube system outside of our home connected directly to the grid with the plug we currently use for connecting to the grid on the "grid" side of the EP Cube Gateway then wire the EP Cube directly to the 50-amp, 120/240-volt panel inside our home to "load" side of the EP Cube. We cannot push power back to the grid since we only have a private sub-meter so that option would need to be disabled. We intend to install solar panels on the roof of our home since we have good sun exposure on the east and west sides of the roof for charging the batteries and use the batteries and/or grid to power our home when the sun goes down and have the batteries as a UPS in case of power outages. Does this make sense?
Can you do everything a eg4 18k can do? Net metering, whole home 200 amp utility feed through, auto whole house backup?
It would be a great comparison video.
Thank you Will.
Stackable Battery Connection points? Sweet, take my Money. About time!
Heat is a major life factor in lithium batteries so your summer may be interesting. In many parts of our country, that much money hanging on the outside of the house will be too much temptation to be left alone. You could even find a few bodies when they discover the high voltage DC. When most people think batteries, they don’t think lethal. I’d be putting some bigger stickers at eye level to cover you litigiously.
@7:14. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; rather, it can only be transformed or transferred from one form to another.
Very sweet, great price.
Love your channel ! You work ethic is admirable and you provide a great service that i appreciate!! I must say,however, that you make me nervous when you use your bare hands around the energized equipment inside the covers . If it were me (and it's not) i would have to use a wooden pointer even if it seemed nerdy and it also allows more precise inspection. My comment is made only for safety reasons and the fact that some viewers may do the same even though they do not understand the danger as you do. Thanks again for your dedication to the diy culture !!
It was like a foot away it's just the depth perception of the camera
I was never close to it. I knew I'd get comments like this
This is great reallly interested, would you do a DIY video for installation ?
I would love to see an update. Also, if not on this channel, create a new one for these whole home backup solutions.
Thanks, Will
Gordy
Working super good. Need to do update video
Please let us know what you think of this setup. I am debating on this EP Cube vs the EG4 18K or 6000XP with the Powerpro battery. Great video btw
might want to build a shade to keep the direct sun light off the plastics. thanks will you rock!!!!!!
Good thing we don't get much rain in Las vegas, lol. Impressive unit. Very rich in features. Do you think the seals on the doors are sufficient..
I definatly enjoy your videos, and your exetremly informative, thank you for that. Everyone has the Tesla Power walls. Would you consider another power wall instead? the Anker Solix x1? Id love to hear an honest review about it. Thanks again.
Will at this point has his own power pant, selling power to the entire state.
I doubt I’m your only subscriber that lives in the opposite environment-in my case NW Wisconsin. I don’t think batteries like living outside in our winters. If you could discuss solar panel and battery planning parameters for cold weather systems sometime, I’d be really interested.
Thank you will for a very informative and interesting video six stars
Amazing instruction and insights. Fairly certain you have enough power on your property to electrify the entire state. 😅
i would've liked to see the install video of this system, and all its components.
I would build a cage around that setup, never know if a creative person with sticky fingers might want to take those units. People have been known to take AC units etc. Cage would also partly shield the units from evn/temps.
Thanks
COOP
...
I'd never seen them here growing up in the 80's onward, but I've now seen 3 praying mantis here in Western Washington over the last year.
I've seen them in SW Washington since the late '80s. I also saw them in the Willamette Valley Oregon in the '70s.
Yup, sun will fry this out in the south ... and in Northern Canada freeze crack all the plastics. Time will proove if this works.
Is there a comparable off grid system? This is awesome, but wanna get off grid
Sometime down the road take a look at 'Vtoman Canada power stations' or not.
Can you please do an update video? I am looking to go this route, and I would appreciate any feedback. Thank you for your videos.
One item I didn't hear you speak of is considering the bank is outside what have they done to solve the cold weather issues that we have with lifepo4 systems?
Given the recent severe cold weather, would indoor installation and therefore less cold exposure work better than exposure to the elements?
I trust your absolute confidence this thing with thrive in the Vegas sun. Still, I was thinking the whole time I hope it's a northern exposure and you might be looking at an awning in the not to distant future.
I have zero confidence in all solar products 😂 that's what my channel is all about
Hi Will, I've seen another guy with this Canadian Solar EP Cube system and he likes his but has only had them about 6 months (not through a summer) and I'm debating between EP Cube and HomeGrid Stack'd that has similar stackable batteries and similar pricing but they stack more flat so the stack of batteries is shorter in height. Have you looked at the HomeGrid Stack'd batteries ?
That gateway looks very interesting. The spec sheet says it has ul1741 sb cert on it. Does that mean if you used that as a grid tying system for victron energy inverters that it would finally allow victron to be used in grid tie builds and be able to export power?
Going to try to help CS with cooling fyi.
I was looking at your gate opener. I've had 3 mighty mules. Problems with all three.
Could you do a video on Schneider
That gateway is nice, except maybe the circuit boards everything can be replaced with generic components. Both those trims look like they should be metal like the inner trim of an outdoor panel.
Wondering if a 20kw ecoflow battery with its inverter/load sensing could function as a whole house UPS connected to a 50amp circuit. Still wondering why the smart panel is necessary. Thanks for making these great videos!
How would you cut the grid off automatically? The smart panel has relays that go between grid / battery power to isolate and have automatic backup. Currently I just run 2 with the double voltage hub as a dumb, manual backup for my house. (Ecoflow Delta Pros)
High voltage? That reminds me of one of the things I’d like my hypothetical future RV to have: high current charging at an EV charging station.
But the only way to get maximum power for that is if the battery voltage is over 200V. There aren’t a whole lot of inverters that run at 200V or more. :(
Can you create a video on how you are integrating the grid tie inverters and your generator with the EP Cube Smart gateway? I'm only seeing the ability of installing a 40amp generator per the installation manual.
I really hope one day i can make a grid tie array happen.
Is there a cooling or thermal management system contained within the battery modules?
Good video, but you’re making me envious! 😆
im curious how those batteries are going to react to the summer rays of las vegas
How can we protect our solar power systems/devices from a serious Solar Flare (Coronal Mass Ejection - CME) during Solar Max (now) from a Carrington or much larger Event? Is breaking the circuit enough? Or is building Faraday Cages (grounded metal shed?) of some kind necessary to protect components from being fried.
Agreed. Check out our emp hardening forum: diysolarforum.com/forums/emp-hardening.91/
How would you rate the overall install process of this compared to the EG4 PowerPro?
Hello, Will, good video. A quick one, which has the most effect on solar panel generation: orientation, tilt or temperature? I am in the middle of installing solar panels and want to optimise everything to maximise efficiency.
You got the right order of significance: orientation , tilt, temperature.
I agree with herhandyman8933 to a point, but it's not that easy to please some neighbors LOL. Perhaps installing modular lightweight aluminum louvers spaced several inches out from the batteries to block direct sunlight while allowing for airflow. They might be designed to attach using the battery mounting frames. I've spent a little time in Vegas and know it can get extremely hot even in the shade, but it would be easy to test the direct sun vs shade difference and see if it's worth the cost. I'm interested in how well the plastics hold up to the UV exposure. As for aesthetics, I think this system looks very sanitary compared to many solar or battery installations I've seen. All structures have one or more large AC units and other utilities entering the building which look far worse than this in my opinion. My concern would be damage (natural or vandalism) or theft. The best solution for both would be to build a secure, walled-in utility area.
It would interesting to plug a Cybertruck and use it as a supplemental battery if it's possible.
Bro can you make a all in one video for home diy station like ep cube....like all parts needed and make it into a doc or video so we can do it.......
you are the boss. sweet 3/4 million tax deduct on your gigawatt installs . not like the old RV days.. bet you dont miss that much.. best on the net, thanks. ..good to respect those buss bars. trouble shot some first gen 30 Kw commercial stuff.. decent plasma lightning at 200 volt 100 amp DC short as it jumped all the fuses.. i did not need those finger prints anyway.. touch safe? not.. considering my auto dark welders hood next time!
Will, I have watched your channel for years, since and while you were in the vehicle and then the rv. In any event, though you are a "solar guy", as I live in an area of more wind than sunshine, what do you know of wind/turbine energy collection systems?