Don't Buy A Solar Generator: Build One ! Customizable, Expandable, Modifiable, & Fun!
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- čas přidán 21. 06. 2023
- Build your own solar generator to suit the job's specific needs. Whether you want a mobile power bank, backup power, tiny home, ice shack, sail boat, camping trip, honor farm egg stand, remote wifi extenders, or whatever else, each application is different so just make your own.
The VEVOR Modified Sine Wave Inverter can be found at this link: s.vevor.com/bfQkPe. Don't forget to use the code 'SAVEMORE5' for an additional 5% discount on the featured product or any other item on the Vevor website.
It's also really important to learn the skills, figure out what components and tools you will need, to have that on hand in a pinch.
Like, Comment, Subscribe and follow Arkopia. We are experts in preparedness, homesteading, sustainability, high efficient construction, passive solar technology, deep winter greenhouses, freeze drying & other food preservation, economics, and small sustainable food production.
MC4 solar connectors, MC4 Crimpers, Charge Controllers, Trickle Chargers, Solar Panels, Inverters, and even use your vehicle's alternator as a generator.
Our website is www.arkopia.ca We are the inventors of the Best Selling Smoothie on amazon: Arkopia Freeze Dried Smoothies. We are also a small, multifaceted farm located in Saskatchewan, Canada where we are striving to provide our hyper-local community with food (and flowers), direct to customers off our farm.
Great ideas Dean, the prepper channels would rather advertise expensive solar generators that the manufacturers send to them for “free” than dig into the how to make a setup out of common off the shelf components.
Prefer pure sine wave victron kit myself. Though this is a great video to stop people from supporting those all in one 'solar generators' or battery + inverter hobbies (usually highly over expensive)!
I ran my off grid house for 5years with pretty much that set up.. you got the right idea but experience will teach you a few do's and don'ts. Have fun😊
I like the way you present the ideas that encourage the learning without over emphasizing the the fear of mistakes.
When exploring these things I have a tendency to focus too much on the “what could go wrong” and then make it unattainable or bypass learning by throwing money at it.
Thanks for perspective and a way to surf the middle ground.
I built three generators with pure sine wave inverters 1-5000w and 2- 3000w with two back up 1500w inverters. Two of them are on carts to make them mobile. Like you, I have a large spool of wire the connectors and tools to make my own. As you know the used cell site batteries are heavy. Built a small portable model in a plastic ammo can with motor cycle batteries and a 800w inverter.
Awesome. ✌️ You’re going to survive anything also. Most people forget about crimpers, fittings, and wire. 👍✌️
@@ArkopiaCZcams I just keep buying 50 packs of MC4 connecters and use them for everything... Then I don't have 20 different kinds of connectors to mess with..
@@DavidSelf3. Good idea. 👍👍
I love that you're so enthusiastic about these stuff! Never let the fire burn out! There are countless gadgets out there!
Great video, the difference between the "Modified sine wave" and "Pure sine wave" is the Quality of the output signal. Some electronic and other appliances required cleaner signals. I also recomande some breakers and/or fuses on each circuit, safety first, Cheers!
You bet. Modified sine wave does probably 98% of your needs, but sensitive electronic equipment Id go for pure sine wave. I think pure is 30% more efficient than modified as well. But lots more money too. Depends what you need it for and job specific requirements. 🙂✌️
@@ArkopiaCZcams😮 can you please tell me where are you getting that battery for $99
@@lonnie35708 My local Interstate Battery store deals with the used cell batteries. Tests them and sells them.
I’ve been playing with solar panels and little inverters for years! Those are some great ideas for my little off grid. Keep up the great videos! Thank you !😎👊🏼
So glad you made this video, I built My system back in 2019 for $65. 3- 12V batteries, 1000w inverter
Sweet home Alabama... Was playing that yesterday with my brother singing it...
Thanks for doing this video, I had written off a solar system due to price/lifespan. Always good to have options.
Oh, and I love your choice of music in the beginning...
I built my own . It works . Ive kept adding and i have a full offgrid system now .
How much do you power?
Man of many talents "rock on".
YOU ARE INCREDIBLE, thank you for simplifying
❤ Thank you so much for this video. You ROCK !
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've been praying to find this information and you've answered my prayer. Wasn't sure how to start.
Awesome. You’re welcome. ✌️🙏
I've messed with used solar batteries, and various types of other batteries for years and I've come to realize I HATE batteries. They neber last like claimed and it's always those few times you let your guard down or forget that they get drained dead and die way prematurely. In my research I came across Bolt Silicate Salt batteries that on paper are the most maintenance free cell that does not self discharge hardly (maintains 80% capacity after sitting for 2 years), does not lose capacity in the freezing cold, and they can be completely drained many times (at the expense of some cycle life) without experiencing the extensive damage that most other batteries suffer. They're a little pricey and they don't have as many cycles as LiFe batteries, but they are a more reliable long term battery, and IMO the best longterm battery option for self reliant Solar Power. Regardless, I still have a love hate relationship with batteries, Inverters, solar chargers, and all the parts that can easily fail at some point in SHTF. They are amazingh when its all working, but I don't like relying on frail electrical components all that much and want a simpler backup system. The great news is there is a much simpler basic needs way to still have electricity for basic needs like cooking, heating water, etc. Most people are unaware that resistive load appliances that contain heater elements and also some inductive load ones with Universal motors (like what you find in most kitchen Blenders), well these appliances only care about final volatage and can run on both AC and DC current. So you can actually just run 3 solar panels in Series to produce 120 volts DC and you can run Electric hot plates, water heaters, and even Blenders and similar aplliances directly from the Solar panels without any batteries, inverters, or charge controllers as long as the sun is out. Not as convenient as having batteries, but much simpler and more reliable and you will still have electricity whenever there's Sun during SHTF, assuming there's enough social stability to even care about having electricity. So, I love having a Solar Generator like explained in this video, and enjoy it while its workin but its a complex system with many parts that can fail, and its wise to also have a panel direct setup option as a back up plan.
Awesome. It’s important to maintain batteries for sure, and know what they are capable of. My equipment I don’t use often has battery maintainers to keep them topped up. 👍✌️
Wow I think we just found your new video intro sequence !
Was considering my own flame thrower for the mad max guitar skit. 😂🤪
@@ArkopiaCZcams You should do it. Don't think, just do it.
It will just be the best.
I always go modular. Exactly the reason you mentioned, if a part goes bad you can replace it easily. If a minor component goes bad on those solar generators, even a single solder point, what a pain in the ass. My last solar charger had an issue, it was going to cost a fortune to ship it out to be fixed because there is nobody local. I actually ended up fixing it myself, but again, pain in the ass to disassemble, diagnose and put it back together. I put my new modular system together on a two wheeler hand truck so it can be moved easily, even up and down stairs. If the battery goes bad, replace it. Charge controller, bam done. Sinewave inverter craps the bed? no problem. I do use a pretty high end pur sinewave inverter tho because of sensitive electronics. Also at the top of the hand truck I mounted an incredible power strip/surge protector. Many plugs of all types AC, DC, USBs galore etc.
I only have two batteries on the main hand truck system. But I have another foldable hand truck for moving multiple batteries. I get them used from the marina for practically nothing, you wouldn't believe how many get thrown out that still have 80+% lifespan left in them.
Awesome. ✌️👍👍
Many thanks for this! I'm looking to solar power an off grid shop in the near future. Much math to be figured out!
Or you could, or you could, or you could, or, or, ... is there any limit to this man's inventiveness??? I think not.
In most everyday situations, when people refer to a 12V system, they are talking about 12V DC. That's why you don't need an inverter since solar panels and batteries are DC natively.
I found an inverter that only uses 1 amp in idle mode. It's a Xijia 3000W 3200W (Peak Power 6400W) Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter dc 12v to 110v ac Converter that I bought on Amazon. My other inverters use 2 amps in idle mode, which is as much as the little freezer that I am running.
great video, helps me with setting up my own. love the big batteries.
I agree the separate systems are 10x better than the all in one generators
Great information! Thanks for sharing.
Got my wheels spinning with that intro, New subscriber here great stuff man.
I LOVE that Dodge pickup front BUMPER.
Subscribed today 👍 awesome job bro
Thank you for sharing. Where does one get the tall batteries, you are showing?
A local battery store to me sells them. (Interstate batteries) They are AGM batteries from a cellular tower, which replaces batteries well before they have finished their life cycle. $99 plus a $50 core. 👍
Thanks for the links! 👍
Nice video very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Another Option to charge battery/batteries as you drive down the trail/road is plug into your trailer connector on your vehicle. The device can be aquired at any good camper facility.
Thanks for the video.
PLAY FREEBIRD! You’re psychic dude.. building a 48v one now. DIY is superior because learning always adds value! Question… if I purchase the inverter using your link and CAN $ does it output 1.32x more power?? 😵 Howdy from TX, Keep up the great work!
Haha. Great minds think alike. ✌️
I know it's a nice to save money. But a good mppt is a must if your gonna go solar. It's good for low light conditions. Make your solar panels more efficient. With a 100 watt panel you could use a 10 amp. But suggest going to 15 or 20.
Since u like vevor so much they have a 20 amp for 64 bucks.
My mom grew up with Lynyrd Skynyrd in Jax
Have you done a personality type test? I’m thinking INTJ
This is awesome. Glad you have the ability to pursue your passions!
Mom always told me I was special. 😂 I am definitely INTJ, Sigma, classical liberal (not modern liberal), and even possibly the slight super power of autism spectrum. 😂✌️
@@Only-Memories-In-The-End We have a problem with authority. Especially from weaker men (everyone in government) 😂✌️👍
@@ArkopiaCZcams you just figure it all out for all the things. On your own. I love how your like easy peasy, while I’m scratching my head. But you give me hope it’s possible if I want to
@@ashleylovepace1941 The power of autism? 😂 I was never tested though. 😂 Thanks very much. 🙏✌️
@@ArkopiaCZcams I have 2 kids on the spectrum and I really don’t think you are on it. But… you are gifted! And INTJ! thanks for responding
Excellent work!
Corn , bread and chicken guy 😂😂
if you can afford the extra dollars always go for pure sine wave especially if running sensitive gear or firdges and motors ,also if running ac ,fridges or motors youll need one that much higher rating than you need because of the inrush or start up currents ,ive found that most stuff like tv ,laptops.lights etc can run off a cheap UPS with a car battery ,ups can make great small scale solar generators
Good info. Even if you like buying single unit solar generators, it's still good to buy batteries, inverters, etc. for unlimited options.
Fun sfuff and something crucial to learn (said no prepper ever).
I love my "ghetto" system.
Up front costs are worth it. Controllers can be bought cheap but buy quality instead! Cables & connectors will cost but in the end, worth it.
Biggest set back is having Nate build you a Faraday Cage for the investment...😉
Haven't watched vid yet. But I seen that 10 dollar charge controller and a 2000 watt inverter an came straight here. Guess I will watch the vid now. Lol
Where do u find the used cell batteries? What website. Excellent video!
My local Interstate Battery store deals with used cell tower batteries. Lucky to find that out. 👍
You can also direct connect your panel to your battery.....just dont overcharge.
I bought a 2000W solar generator, pure sine with MPPT, 20A AC outlets, UPS capable, 2 hour fast AC charging, full charge in just 1.5 hours with combined AC and 500W of solar input.
It was a good deal before I was refunded half the purchase price as compensation for some logistics issues. I can't build one for less than I paid for this one.
It may see regular use as an uninterruptible power supply for our Harvest Blight freeze dryer. A feature I wouldn't likely get from a DIY generator setup.
I do have all the stuff to build that DIY setup, but nothing DIY has the features or is as elegant and handy as this all-in-one unit is.
The DIY solar power system will go into my camper.
Like you said. Each application is different.
Great info and video as usual. Thanks!
Just not getting any views really; so much work to put these videos together. Maybe it’ll pick up, or stay suppressed. 😂✌️🙏
@@ArkopiaCZcams That is weird. You're putting out great content and your subscriber count shows people like your channel. Maybe a rainbow flag in the thumbnail would help. 🙄😩
@@AlmostHomestead. Haha. Go woke or go broke. ✌️
Thanks for the video. Good info
Fyi: nobody anywhere in north America has "110 volt". Nobody.
Its 120V 60HZ. Period. Full stop. There is no 220V. There is only 240V 60Hz.
Just fyi.
Awesome video! So much to take in that I’ll have to watch it again. I’ve wondered about some type of solar array that could extend my daylight by a couple of hours per day using led lights during the winter. Do you think that would be feasible? Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks. For chicken fooling in winter, a super small little system like this is all you need for a automatic chicken door and light. 🙂
@@ArkopiaCZcams I was thinking about a small greenhouse, and extending the growing season for some cold tolerant plants. Sorry, my question wasn’t clear.
@@LouieLou998 Additional grow lights would help. Have to size solar and batteries correctly for all those lights. Even LeD grow lights pull some watts. 👍
And if you install a solar panel on top of your golfcart, you can add a on and off switch to either charge your batteries in the golfcart or not...shut it off while driving the golf cart...!?!
It’s a special little device that allows a 12 v panel to charge a 48v battery bank. The amount we use our golf cart, I can go all season without ever charging it. Awaiting my part and the time to install and do that video. 👍✌️
Great video editing
Great vid - lots of info - thank you for posting!
Question: I have a 25 x 20 wood shop, and typically only run one tool at a time (not including lights), do you think it is feasible to run the shop off the design you mention in this video? (Some solar panels from harbor freight, batteries, converter, etc.)
You bet. Just make sure it’s all sized right. Tools suck a ton of power.
@@ArkopiaCZcams, wondering if you or one of your followers, can suggest a book to help design a system based on the equipment you provide. (Or a website - either works.) Would love to run my shop on 'battery/solar'. Thank you in advance!
The solar generators are lithium iron phospate based for the battery. So they are lighter and more energy dense than the AGM battery you showed. The principle is the same you would just need a different charge controller to charge at lithium battery.
many 48v inverters nowdays are dirty cheap but yeap 48to12 converter is not big deal if not much amps needed
Vevor stuff rocks...
Have you tried one of their wind turbines? I've yet to set mine up. But the 500Watts of Solar panel power are stupendous.
Any suggestions for a 40Watt Fridge/Freezer option? Wondering what my set up might power when there's sunlight.
Haven’t tried the wind turbine. Looks cool though, and inexpensive. If you find a 12v cooler/freezer let me know; I would like one as well.
I was quoted over 27-37k to put in a system that would get me close to covering a $200 dollar monlthy electric bill. (My only utility.) that’s with no battery back up.
Trying to figure out if I can get off grid. Save the electric bill/delivery charge which seems to be a lot of the bill these days. I have open loop geo thermal so I would need a good amount. Where do I go to calculate what I would need to do this?
I’m not yet a “big solar system” expert, but start with how much you consume. On your bill.
Awesome video! Love the intro! Pretty bad ass! One comment, i work for a major CDN telecom. If i were you, i wouldnt buy old batts from cell site. Might do in a pinch but usually we replace them when they arent reliable much. I mean sure they are cheap compared to brand new. For tools and stuff sine wave might do but for house use, Definitely would get pure.
Good to know. I have a few off grid buddies that just use those and replace as needed. 👍 new would be nice for sure
@@ArkopiaCZcams I mean 100$ compared to 600$800 or a lot more for lithium batts.... That's a no brainer! for basic stuff around the farm it makes sense, for critical components?? I need to do a setup for my place, this is full of smart infos for a DYI setup.
that vevor looks a lot like an edecoa, who are older than the vevor name, the edecoa's are very very good. I have seen a lot of products being sold under the vevor name, and they all seem to be badged, but I will say vevor dont appear to just badge anything they seem to pick and choose carefully and only choose quality suppliers to trust their name on, which is something i didnt expect when i first saw them creeping into the market. a cautios and quality orientated chinese commpany, you just dont expect it lol. I just spent a small fortune on a vevor badged replacement laser tube so yeah i do trust them
Everything I’ve ever bought (lots of stuff) had been great. 👍
Where do you purchase the batteries from up there in Canada or the USA? I'm planning a move to south Arizona next year and going completely off grid. Planning on starting with a budget system and then growing as my needs change.
My local Interstate battery store deals with those slightly used AGM batteries. I like starting budget and figuring things out too.
@@ArkopiaCZcams I'll have to do some research near me and see if I can find some. Thanks
Could you put a solar panel on top of the golf cart and make the golf cart solar powered? 😂 for the record I know nothing about this but I just thought that sounded really cool.
Yes. For the little use the cart gets on a farm, it keeps the battery charged all summer.
what are the odds, I'm watching a video on electrics and get a shock from my charging wire as thunder struck right next to my house. Finger aches now.
I think I'll have to fix the grounding in this old house......
Very important to ground a building very well. 👍✌️
HELLO I'VE BEEN WATCHING ALOT OF SOLAR VIDEOS AND I DONT NO MUCH ABOUT THEM BUT I NEW THER HAD 2BA WAY 2 CHARGE THE BATTERIES WITHOUT THE SOLAR PANELS. I C PEOPLE CHARGING THER LOW RIDERS WITH HYDRAULIC POWERED BY BATTERIES AND THEN DRIVING AROUND HITTING SWITHES SO THER CAR WILL GO UP AND DOWN. I APPRECIATE UR KNOWLEDGE IM TRYING 2 LEARN SOLAR 4 MY 1975 CHEVY RV CAMPER.
I like this
Cool
Where can you find the used cell tower batteries?
My local Interstate Battery store sells them
Thanks for yet another approach to learn from and for taking the time out of your own prep work to give others a chance to ready themselves. The more I learn the more I'm glad I didn't just go with the cheaper option - I keep seeing potential points of failure that I wouldn't know how to fix unlike those experienced with DIY. Time-permitting I will have my own DIY setup superior to my pre-made one over all.
FUN FACT 1: If you're using lithium batteries, you CAN NOT use 100 batteries in series or parallel. It depends on the BMS, Battery Management System installed inside most lithium ion and lithium iron phosphate batteries. Usually you are limited to 4 or 6 batteries in series or parallel. Read the instruction sheet that comes with the battery. it should tell you.
If you are using any variant of lead acid battery, flooded, (liquid acid), gel cell or AGM, (Absorbed Glass Mat), you can series and / or parallel as many as you want. You would series up to your needed voltage. If you need more capacity, (Amp Hours), you can do several banks in series then parallel these banks. EXAMPLE:
If you need a lot of capacity at 48 volts, you can series 4 X 12 volt batteries or 8 X 6 volt golf cart batteries 2, 3, 4 or however many of these banks then parallel these banks to obtain your required capacity, still at 48 volts.
FUN FACT 2: Inverters have voracious appetites for current, (AMPS). Either volts or amps will do the work. If you use a 12 volt inverter, it will draw the most amps of battery power per unit of output in watts. If you use a 24 volt unit, it will draw about half. If you go to a 48 volt unit, a quarter. You can get inverters for home use that are fed from large banks of solar panels in series at over 200 volts. These are extremely efficient as they actually step the voltage DOWN to 120 VAC but would be too pricey and bulky to make a portable "solar generator" out of. On top of that, you would need a massive battery bank adding up to over over 200 VDC to power it on the order of 18 X 12 volt or 36 X 6 volt batteries. I HATE THE TERM "SOLAR GENERATOR"!!! It is NOT a generator in any sense of the word and is misleading.
Anyway, you never get something for nothing. If you do your research, the higher the efficiency rating, usually starting at 70% for cheaper models up to 95% for top of the line, the lower the battery current demand but it will still be a lot. I have an older cheap Schumacher 750 watt, (6.2 amp), inverter that, under full load, draws 70 amps from the battery / alternator. The newer technology top of the line 750 watt units by better manufacturers draw less for the same 750 watts but still demand a lot of input power thereby demanding large diameter cables to feed them.
FUN FACT 3: Modified sinewave inverters are good for lights only. Lights don't care where their 120 volts comes from whether it's a wall socket, inverter or, in the case of incandescent, (hot filament), bulbs, 10 X 12 volt car batteries in series.
Given that it's big enough, a modified sinewave inverter will run power tools, air conditioners, refrigerators, fans and such but it will cause excess heat in the motors and eventually cause premature wear / burn out. These can damage sensitive electronics like newer computers, laptops, gaming consoles, flat screen TV's and such. If you plan on using an inverter to run medical equipment like ventilators, infusion pumps or anything that is time sensitive, (breaths per minute, CC's per hour), or nebulizers during power outages, a pure sinewave inverter is the ONLY way to go. Especially if somebody's life depends on said equipment. The few dollars more that you'll spend now can save you hundreds and somebody's life later.
FUN FACT 4: You can run an inverter all day long on a regular vehicle battery IF you leave the engine running for the alternator to back up the battery. If it is an inverter of 1,500 watts or more and under constant heavy use running a large piece of machinery like say a saw mill out in the woods, you should look into a higher output alternator and increasing the engine idle. You can connect a volt meter to the battery, turn on the inverter, start your equipment and run it under load. Then read your battery voltage. If it's below 13.5 volts, increase your idle until it comes up to at least 13.5+ volts. You can take it to 14 volts if the alternator is capable but it will cost more fuel and won't matter either way to an inverter.
Today's inverters are regulated to increase output as the battery voltage goes down to keep the output at a steady voltage. The reason for the increased idle is so that you don't run your starter battery into the ground. It can be damaged and most inverters cut out at around 10 volts anyway. Also, if you drive your inverter at a constant 11 volts, the field effect transistors at it's heart will overheat and burn out. The higher wattage inverters have as many as 48 or more of these ":FET's" in them connected in parallel to handle the high current demand. Nothing is 100% identical. If you wind up with one FET out of 48 that is sub par and it burns out first, now you're asking the other 47 to do all the work until the next weakest link in the chain burns out. Eventually, they start blowing out like a string of fire crackers transforming a 5,000 watt workhorse into a $500.00 boat anchor.
If you shut off high draw accessories like A/C, headlights and such, you will reach your target voltage at a lower idle saving fuel. Keep an eye on your oil level and, if you are in a hot climate, keep an eye on your temperature gauge or high temp light also to avoid engine damage.
Wonderful!
This is exactly what I am doing...but I use Marine Deep cycle batteries (that's all I could afford) to run my small system.
It does what I need it to do.
What is the wire sizes you are using?
I read that you loose charging power so more wire you have to use?
Jack of all trades.. are you master of how many?
I will survive anything. 😂✌️🙏
@@ArkopiaCZcams
What is the size of the wire you are using for your projects?
I end up buying wire that melts right away, because I overload my wires.
Don't know many things myself, but I learn as I go...my husband used to do things like that all the time, but he passed away in 2007 and since then I have to learn everything on my own.
I am 63 years old, so how much knowledge can I cram into my head before I join my husband.
I am a hands on person myself, and must do it to learn it.
@@i_am_a_freespirit. There are charts and guides for size of wiring. DC requires some bigger wiring. I stock a 10 gauge wire for most things I need. Bigger wire almost always better, and safer. 🙂✌️
@@ArkopiaCZcams
Yes, i have 10 gauge wire here, and that's what I constantly overload 😭, and going to car parts stores, that's what you find in them.
I don't like modified sine wave inverters. The inductive loads don't like it. They run warmer and noisier. I think they are better for electronics because their power bricks have noise filters and regulators so it doesn't matter if the AC power has a weird signal.
Where did you find the used battery
Local interstate battery store sells them after testing them. 👍
I was saying this 25 years ago. I think people are finally ready to listen.
Homes should be built with 12vdc systems also, so not to waste energy inverting up to 120vac for stuff that doesn't need it. Like lights, small motors, or computers.
It’s still hard to find proper info for wiring a house DC. And difficult to find DC parts for house wiring. I agree though. 👍🙂
While I agree with you, I plan my reconstruction around 48 VDC. You can take 12 and 24 V off of it. (I'm an electrician, so I have a little advantage wiring-wise.) 12 for computers and chargers, 24 for lights (led stripes are visibly brighter in 24V) and 48 for the SHTF, because with the same Ah you can run ~4 times more than 12. You can't find really good freezers and fridges with DC, so you have to use inverter and here we have 230V. So you can imagine the stress on the battery when the inverter blows it up from 12 to 230.
@ArkopiaCZcams you need bigger cables, because the voltage drops radically over long distances. But otherwise the brass doesn't care if DC or AC goes through it. Just make sure to label the outlets and plugs + and - because the appliances do care, not like the AC. Try it in your shed! Use this solar stuff you made and experiment! If you want, you can put cigarette lighter outlets up, for car stuff that are ready to use. (Point +, side -) I like your channel, because you never back down from experimenting. Now here is the chance. :D Cheers and thanks you for the awesome content.
Short version: I have a DC solar water heater that pre-heats water for my water heater. lol. Not many components needed.
Long version:
Online there are DC water heater elements available. The only difference from AC is in the thermostat, DC tends to arc so it needs to be built right. There are some water heater elements that say for AC and DC, and it's true they might work for a time, but the connectors end up melting when it arcs. It has to be very specifically built for DC.
You don't actually need a charge controller, you can hook the solar panels up directly to the DC heating element, but when I threw a crappy charge controller on there I got a lot better power flow from the panels.
This part is key, get solar panels that DO NOT EXCEED the heating element capacity, even at full charge.
I imagine this will work with any size water heater tank, I got an old used electric 100 gal stainless steel water heater for practically nothing years ago. The electronics crapped out, but I wasn't going to need them. It was like $25, I prob should have gotten it free considering they were going to have to pay to get rid of it. Whatever.
So, I piped the cold water into the 100 gal stainless steel tank with the DC element in it, then that it piped into my normal water heater. Because of physics it will never heat the water hot enough to turn to steam, but it has a relief valve just like any other water heater just in case. Also the DC element has a thermostat on it, I have it set for 110F but I don't think its ever gotten there.
What that does is pre-heat the water in the first solar DC 100 gal tank. City water here runs around 55F on average, the solar water heater brings it up to about 100F on average. Then when it goes into the main water heater, instead of having it heat from 55F to 110F or whatever, it only has to heat it up a bit. Tell you what, took a big chunk out of my electric bill. There's no reason why you couldn't use the same type of pre-heater before a gas unit too, it's a separate water heater that sits right next to my water heater. II have the valves set up so that I can bypass the solar DC water heater if I want to. Never have done it, but I wanted it to be able to for some reason.
(The only reason why I built it was because I got the panels cheap, it was too good a deal to pass up, but I didn't know what I was going to use them for yet. Then I got the old stainless water heater cheap, the DC heating element wasn't much online and the charge controller was cheap too. I think I spent like a few $100 on everything.)
I've seen systems where they replaced the lower element on a normal electric water heater with a solar powered DC element and the upper heating element was still on grid. But that wasn't going to work for me as there were teens in the house that used lots of hot water. So I decided to go with a 100 gal pre-heater type system. I installed it like 12 years ago and have had zero issues. Still need to do the usual yearly system flush and whatnot though. Flushing one tank took me like 1/2 hour and doing 2 only takes 15 min more. So no big deal.
Not only has the system paid for itself with the electricity I saved, but I think my main water heater elements might last a lot longer because they don't have to work very hard at all. I dunno, I'll find out eventually.
@@Dawt_Calm That is so awesome. I am gonna to do that for sure. I should really get in that project. Thanks for this. 👍✌️
After reading many reviews and watching a lot of videos, I chose this option for my first backup power station. czcams.com/users/postUgkxHypYDKHAN93Lp2RQpfvU_ksc70wJ00pt I was between this and a larger option that could power a wider range of items, but the price/size/capacity blend seemed right for this unit. Hasn't gotten a ton of use yet, but the build quality is solid and it charges fine via the Rockpals solar panel I purchased to pair with it. One thing to note is that the screen is optimized for a top down viewing angle, which makes sense, but this means it washes out at other angles - especially low angles. Not a huge deal, but perhaps a better option for the display could be used to provide wider viewing angles.
how do you keep your battiers from freezing in the winter?
They can be in freezing, just need to keep them charged. Most batteries are in climate control.
@@ArkopiaCZcams awsome I am thinking of trying to get my shop off grid
FREEBIRD!!!
Where do you get your batteries? Off fb marketplace?
Ah never mind. Found it in the comments. Sweet! I’m going to try a setup this summer.
Where is the best place to get more info so I don't blow myself up?
Just keep consuming info about it. CZcams, even reading product specifications, talking with others, and most importantly hands on learning. Build a tiny little system and you will understand big systems. 🙂✌️
I'd only want a pure sine wave inverter not a modified sine
Where do you buy your wire.
A local solar company I got the wire, crumper, and some MC4 connectors.
Do you have a link for the used batteries?
I bought from my local Interstate Battery store that happen to do these used cell tower batteries 👍
@@ArkopiaCZcams Great lead, thank you!
Where do you get those batteries from ??
Local Interstate Battery store
Thanks I got one of those close
It's always best to build your own solar generator, but after spending 23 years repairing inverters, I would highly recommend staying away from high frequency inverters, especially modified sine wave inverters (really modified square wave). The reason for this is that they simply don't last. The FETS (field effect transistors) that are used in these cheap inverters were never meant for running high surge loads such as motors. microwaves, refrigerators, air compressors and power tools. You might be able to run your power tools a few times but guarantied, right about the time your warranty runs out. those FETS will fail and you'll be let with an expensive paperweight. Commercially available solar generators use the same lightweight high frequency inverters which is why most of them fail after only a year or two of use.. If you want a solar generator that's going to last, then you're far better off spending a little more money and buying a low frequency, pure sine wave inverter.
Stick one or two solar panels on the golf cart roof!
Just got the 12v to 48v charge controller booster in the mail. 👍
@@ArkopiaCZcams On another topic do you have EmComms? I run solar setups like this for that. Stewart HA5RV
Its worth knowing pure-sine wave is for conputer equipment & phones. Square sine wave us not good for those pieces of kit!
Do you do any paid consultant work like a 30-60 minute call? If you offered this I would use it in the future
Honestly I don’t feel like I am a master of Solar systems yet; I just know the basics. I am constantly doing consults for high efficient greenhouses and buildings though. 1 hour meeting, full write up, sun angle calculations, glazing options, design modifications, etc. for $500. arkopia.ca When I do feel I am master of everything solar electric, I’ll add that. 😂✌️
@@ArkopiaCZcams I remember seeing your green house video a while back. It's pretty slick what your able to do in your region and the way you have it set up.
Not sure if it would be worth your time or not but I am sure there are a lot of topics outside green houses that you could do consulting on, tho might not be something people will pay that much an hour for tho.
Look forward to more solar vids, also thank you for ur auto chicken coop door vid. Going to be setting that up in mine very soon.
I’ll probably make some courses in the future that I can sell really inexpensively. That chicken door is working flawlessly; you’ll like it. 👍
@@ArkopiaCZcams courses is a great idea!
I’m trying to build emergency electrical back up I have four Rich solar hundred watt panels 5.41A Ea. , moles automatic transfer switch , 3000 W inverter charge controller 24 V 110-120v One Phase , 5 kVA 230 V inverter charge controller 48v- 2 48v Lithium battery banks #1 - 280Ah 48v - 54v & a 40Ah 48v-54.6v & a Electrical Power Meter Whitehorse like on the outside of your house which gauge is how much electricity you use , I have 0 by 4 - 1 by 3 I have a ton of wire for Ac & Zero O 20’ for the battery bank to inverter DAILY 15S 120A inverters and Active Balances , my hold up is just wiring the 5KVA Inverter to the Main Panel I have to Hard Wire the Inverter to Each Phase so when you lose electricity the Hybrid part of the inverter will turn on my battery banks will Supply Long enough electricity at my house only burns 3 KW a Day on average that’s 3,000 -:- 24 Hr.125v WH or 16Hr 187.5v WH - The Solar will not charge my battery banks to much time - I Have 2 GM SI High Amp Alternators 1- 120A & a 100A w/ A Ford Mazda 150A Alternator the Amperage is wiring through the Ac to Dc Change I want to wire Straight to the Stator to get the 115-120v I have to Souter Wire Romex to the copper wire under the rear alternator case ! You’re thoughts ?
some solar generators are $350
No solar panel. You can also buy little batteries if you like. 👍
Not sure who and/or when the phrase "Solar Generator" was coined, but it is the most inappropriate name for these types of systems, whether it's a home-brew setup as depicted in this video, or a fancy pre-built plastic box. The closest any of these devices gets to a "Solar Generator" is 93,000,000 miles.
What is depicted here is a pile of energy convertors, regulators and storage devices. The PV panel converts solar energy to electrical energy. The DC charge controller regulates the energy to the battery, which is an energy storage device. The trickle charger converts AC to DC and regulates that energy to the battery. The invertor converts DC to AC and regulates that energy to it's AC outlets. None of it actually "generates" energy.
Now, if you hooked a wind turbine in parallel with the PV panel, Would you have a solar wind generator? Oh, that's 93,000,000 miles away too.
Just food for thought.
Damn, now ya got me thinking of food.🤔
Not sure who started calling them that. But ya.
Not meaning rudeness, but your sound sucks. Were you playing through an amplifier powered by an inverter. Last time I played with Inverter I had major hum. Grate video. I subscribed
Probably the loudness and the crummy microphone picking it up. 👍
I wanted to like for the mad max reference but it's at 777 likes and I won't be that guy. So here's this comment.
This gonna come off rude but every one of your component is wrong. I mean this video is only 2 weeks old. AGM battery, modified inverter, pwm controler. If you're going to build your own system, those are what NOT to get. Yeah they're cheap but you're just wasting money buying those. Buy the right stuff the first time and you don't have to waste money. Lifepo4 batteries, Pure sine inverter and mppt controllers are what you should be buying.
My chicken egg cooler by my gate would Love a Tesla power wall. Maybe 2. I should also sell my golf cart and run a Tesla around the yard.
Seriously? Look, if you're building a big system for your house or you've got 800+ watts of solar panels in your yard, then sure. Go MPPT, LiFePo4, etc. But 95% of the time, getting people to spend the money on that from the get go isn't going to happen.
But a few hundred bucks all-in for a stable AGM battery, decent inverter that'll run most of the stuff people need/want, and cheap but workable charge controller/trickle charger? A lot more people can swing that in a short enough time it'll keep their attention, and then as they go on with it they'll upgrade to better things.
This kind of system is specific & only good for the builder or persons competant, imagine ur partner or kids trying to charge the pads or phone 💥boom, not safe for everyone, benefits of the already built units like the Delta 2 Max is simplicity & portability, yes u could probably build it but for the same $$$ size features looks weight safety & easy to use probably not worth it for the amount of work & effort then just buying it, my 2 cents
For sure. Same with most things. Some people build decks that will collapse when sitting on them. 😂✌️
@@ArkopiaCZcams lol so true, had a dedicated 4x4 system & it was it huge, messy & not mobile, 3kw inverters r massive, 200a LFP + all supporting accessories dcdc mppt chargers cables inputs outputs etc, took up lots of space & weighed over 50kg, ripped it all out 4 the Delta Max 2, powers our kettle, induction cooker & most things were ever gonna use & safe 4 every1 🙏 keep up the great vidz
You lost me at the square wave invertor, spend the money and get the pure sine wave inverter, the square wave inverters are bad in so many ways... picture dancing with a Bison and you are the appliance, not going to end well 😅
It works for 90% of things
Modified? Not in this day and age. Anything with a variable motor or sensitive electronics won't play well. Refrigerators, air conditioners, vacums, microwave, ECT. 12 volt appliances that are specifically made to operate car charging ECT will work fine. Inverters are inexpensive now. Even pure sine wave. $200-$400 for up to 2000watts.
Vevor makes this one in pure sine too. Nice inverters
I love videos like this, and I'm sure I'll enjoy, but you lost me as soon as you showed a lead acid battery. You are the last person on the planet to even consider using LA over LiPo4. This is 2023. Walk towards the light.
You've got a 141ah battery, but since it's LA only about 50% of that is usable, so lets call it 70ah, and at best you have maybe 300 charge cycles left in the battery. You can buy a new 100ah LiPo4 for about $275usd that will provide a fully usable 100ah capacity and have 5000+ charging cycle life(more likely 8000-10K cycles). No way does a LA battery make sense in this scenario.
Information over load!
please -- no close up on your face --- you're scaring the children ....
Lead-acid boat anchor, MSW inverter to destroy all of your sensitive electronics, and a PWM solar charge controller, cuz why spend a few more bucks and get way more out of your solar panels. This isn't a solar generator and isn't even a good portable power solution, not by modern standards. This is a bunch of heavy, inefficient, previous generation technology and the only redeeming factor is this stuff is cheap. If you want to build something that does what a "solar generator" does, it isn't all that hard to make it reasonably portable, but you can't use a bunch of old junk if you want a useful product.
It’s nice to have the most expensive and latest sometimes for a few things, but a solid gold toilet does the same job as a porcelain one, and I can have 20 of them.
@@ArkopiaCZcams - Fair point, but a $h!tter and a portable power station are two very different things. ;)
Love your enthusiasm. These systems and the possibilities are endless. If you can dream it. You can create it and power it. I run my rv off of 3 separate batteries a 24volt 2-100ah lifepo4 for my fridge and a/c however I only run one a time because inverters are small at 800 pure sine. It works great if you mind your power consumption. When it's hot and the is shining I hook my fridge to a 12v lead acid bank with 1000watt Jupiter modified sine wave inverter. This leaves my small 800 watt pure sine inverter to power my 6000btu a/c it powers it no problem but with only 600watts of panels much of the time you are at a power deficit only by 1 to 2 amps. As long as the sun shines you good lol! And I have 3rd battery it is 100ah lifepo4 I use it with a small modified sine wave inverter and I watch TV and jam the radio. I run fans and lights and charge my phone and other items. I back all of these systems up with 2000watt inverter generator it's lightweight and quite and very fuel efficient. Flexibility and resourcefulness can land you no powerbill and the energy independence that brings a nice piece of mind to mind.