200W Off-Grid Solar Powered Garage - Part 2 - Wiring and Solar Panel Mounting

Part 2 - I connect all the wiring and show you my completed 200 watt off-grid solar system in my garage. I show you how I built an 8-port DC charging panel, as well as how I put the system together.
Below are links to all the components I used, including some tools that I had to buy for this project. They are affiliate links, so I will receive a commission on all your purchases when you use these links.
The SunGoldPower Solar Panel Kit that I used is currently not available. An alternative is through Eco-Worthy: www.eco-worthy... Comes with the panels, charge controller, 15m PV cables, and mounting “Z” brackets (the SunGoldPower kit brackets were too big and I had to cut them).
70 feet of 10AWG Solar Cable: amzn.to/3dXfJjD Connectors already attached on one end, plus two connectors for the other end if needed. They have options for length as well as wire gauge. You will need a PV connector crimping tool if you need to terminate the other end with PV connectors. I cut mine to length right up to the charge controller so I didn't need to put connectors.
LiFePO4 12V 100Ah Battery (It’s the same as my Zooms): shrsl.com/4lhox
1,000W 12VDC to 120VAC Pure Sine Wave Inverter: amzn.to/3RsU8gl
Which I replace with a 3KV all in one inverter/charger: ebay.us/YQxdS9 in this video: • 200W Off-Grid Solar Po...
16A DC breaker: amzn.to/3EdO0Wf
Box for the DC breaker: amzn.to/3RrTrUN
Dual Power Automatic AC Transfer Switch: amzn.to/3CuuKCT
Box for AC Transfer Switch: amzn.to/3Dj4jPz
Box for DC Charging Station: amzn.to/3fEJ1Ui
4 in 1 kit of various components for DC Charging Station (two of this item in my setup): amzn.to/3EeOj3h (I didn't use the cigarette lighter socket from these).
Additional QC 3.0 USB outlet (two of this as well - this is the one that they only shipped me one of): amzn.to/3l4uTqd
Battery Monitor V/A/AH meter: amzn.to/3SwxqoR
Distribution Terminal Blocks: amzn.to/3row8k6
Power strips: amzn.to/3UWg3j3
The Power Banks that I had previously were quite good with good capacity. But one of them started bulging and eventually got so bad I was worried it might cause a fire or something so I contacted the seller and they claimed to have sent me a replacement, but after almost 3 months I still don't have it. So I tossed it and bought a newer, bigger capacity power bank: amzn.to/41y4Fh0
If you just want to use a portable 30W Portable Solar Panel Charger: amzn.to/3e9P034 (the one I have is no longer available, but this one is pretty much the same).
Tools that I bought:
1-3/16" (30mm) hole saw: amzn.to/45eTDhv
Solar crimping tool kit with 12 pairs of connectors: amzn.to/3YlTNA0

[@arnoldreiter435]

nice install, very clean. did you do the conduit also? and how does the transfer sw from grid to your system work?

[@PhilsDIY]

Thanks! Yes, I did all the conduit work myself as well, both the EMT and the PVC work. The transfer switch has a primary and backup inputs. I have the inverter output connected to the main supply of the transfer switch, and the utility power connected to the backup supply. The output is fed to that box on the wall with the switch and outlet, which is the switch for the main garage lights and that outlet I use for plugging in various things. The transfer switch output also goes through the upper conduit across the ceiling to the outlet that supplies the garage door opener. If there's an overload situation and the inverter shuts down, the transfer switch automatically flips to the utility power. Once the fault is cleared and inverter turned back on, the transfer switch flips back to the inverter power. The only minor flaw about this transfer switch is that it uses power to hold in the primary position using what sounds like a solenoid, and when it energizes, it's not a clean transition to the primary position. Dropping out of primary to the backup position is instantaneous. All in all, I'm happy with the way it works. There's a link to that switch in the description of the video.

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

Nice setup. Any particular reason why you got the Zooms battery ? (Now Redodo) Also your charge controller may not be for LiFePo4 batteries and may damage the battery over time so you should double check on that. Greetings from Jamaica.

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

Ok, just saw your other video where you upgraded your charge controller to the all in one unit. Great work!

[@PhilsDIY]

Thanks for your comments! I chose the Zoom after I saw Will Prowse did a tear down review on it and he concluded it was actually a solid battery. I got the second one about a year later, after the company changed its brand to Redodo. Actually, that first charge controller died after less than a year - bad solder joints. I did a short video on that. Then, I upgraded to a different 12V charge controller, and it was after that I got the second battery and then eventually the all in one. The original charge controller claimed to be compatible with LiFePo4 but ultimately it failed due to the bad solder joints. I did fix that one so now I have TWO 12V charge controllers and a 1KW inverter on my shelf ! LOL.

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

@@PhilsDIY great! Thanks for the update. I am currently running one 100ah Power Queen LiFePo4, a 60amp Li Time Charge controller and 1000 watts in panels. It supplies approx half my home power here in Jamaica.