Adding SOLAR POWER To Our Off-Grid CONTAINER Shop

We install solar panels and an off-grid battery system to our DIY shipping container workshop. // Thanks to Anker for sponsoring this video. Shop the Solix F3800 Home Power System ankerfast.club/hyOqz3 and use code [MARCHF3800HPP] to get 22% off.
We're a husband and wife team who bought 20 acres of bare off-grid land in North Idaho. Follow along as we turn a pole barn into our dream shop with an upstairs apartment!
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00:00 Adding a ladder to the roof deck
02:09 Mounting solar panels to the roof
04:00 Lumber into kindling and wiring the panels
07:17 Staining the deck
10:10 Checking power and painting ladders
14:10 Power panel setup
15:40 Adding an outlet and testing
19:26 Installing lights in the container shop

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Shop the Solix F3800 Home Power System ankerfast.club/hyOqz3 and use code [MARCHF3800HPP] to get 22% off.

[@chrisoakey9841]

You know those connectors unscrew right? So you could have fed them through then refed the metal into the plastic cover. You guys should also trim those trees to get full sun on your solar arrays.

[@PaulDriverPlus]

Yes, yes you did, so did I. It was a nice one too.

[@EasyKill7]

Did you draft your own plans for the shop roof?

[@kastenolsen9577]

Should have run the cables under the ridge cap.😊

[@GirdHerd]

I was thinking that too.

[@macclark4112]

Apparently you are unfamiliar with the type of installation he used. It’s definitely weather proof & time tested.

[@dwaynepenner2788]

@@macclark4112 I would always go for no additional roof penetration, even if it just is to future proof more panels, or different dimension panels etc.

[@offroad6309]

Seen way too many leak failures in roofs. Dissimilar materials in direct sunlight expand and contract at different rates. Maybe not this year or next but it will happen at the roof opening. Can't tell from the video but the hose protection slit should have been at the lowest point. Should have been under the roof cap. At the very least as high on the roof as possible. Ladder supports should have been on a vertical surface not horizontal as well. Works for now.

[@JohnD-or9py]

6:49 exactly what I was going to comment, just wanted to see if someone else had already said it.. Lol

[@marciadarby3]

I was looking forward to hearing more about the rescued pickup

[@chrisdaniel1339]

Not this week, it was just on huge 22 minute advertisement for that battery box

[@Lee_Proffit]

@@chrisdaniel1339 If it gives them some revenue to spend on things like the pick up, then what's the problem ?

[@chrisdaniel1339]

@@Lee_Proffit The video should have a disclaimer as soon as it starts that this is a paid advertisement. I have zero problem with product placement, TV shows and films have been doing it for years, I have no problem with a quick 30 second ad for a product, but when the whole video centers around a product that when I draw the line.

[@HurricaneHusky]

​@@chrisdaniel1339 There is a disclaimer,it says paid product placement on screen when you click on the video. You get to watch these videos FOR FREE, with at most 2 ads at the beginning, and 1 mid-roll ad. Which beliive it or not isn't a lot of reveune for most creators. These two are trying to run a channel, do cool projects and raise a family, they arent rich. Doing all that isn't cheap. And additionally they don't just take every deal they get, and when something goes wrong they address it and stop promoting that product. If you don't like how these creators make money then move on.

[@samjubilee6593]

What if someone wants to do solar? I'm too old for projects like that, but if I were doing a project like that, the info from him setting up a solar-fed electrical system - would be very useful and appreciated. If nothing else, could simply do the exact same system.

[@twobullys]

Riley needs to make a spiral staircase for that deck

[@montyp2000]

I was thinking a set of stairs on the side of the shipping container but a spiral staircase would look pretty dope.

[@henrinaths1]

(I was chief stair master. Previous job. Could build stairs anywhere! That never leaves you. 😂😁) I’d do two sets with a landing in the middle. Depends on the usage. For adults mainly..spiral fancy metal rail. Would be nice. But with kids you’re garanteed they will fall down so I go with the straight so that way they dont kill themselves, just a few bumps. 😮😂

[@christianp3161]

I was thinking the same thing and a fireman pole on the other side.

[@Ebbrush3]

im working on a spiral staircase right now ..... i found the treads and landing on craigslist

[@cvzphotography]

I came here to suggest the same thing. Beat me to it.

[@johnbeattie5765]

In my opinion I think you should maybe have one of those wire style railings around your Storage trailer deck . If somebody falls off of there , I think broken bones will be a bad thing . Happy Trails from 🇨🇦 to the 🇺🇸 . ✌out

[@fivoasia64]

Nice work guys! I liked Oliver turning on the lights for a finish.

[@johneken2056]

All that roof area would be good water catchment. Tanks in the conex box or bury in thr ground and pipe to the house.

[@shamrock241r8]

That would make some good yt content, hope he will do it.

[@HolgerNestmann]

And more solar. Less need to burn dinosaurs in the winter

[@chadmutchler5062]

Or separate water for washing equipment or using for non potable projects.

[@pan6593]

It‘s good for what it is: a long commercial. I have to note that it is made in a professional and entertaining way as well!

[@danielpullum1907]

YA took the words right out of my mouth.

[@danj8404]

steel attached to the aluminum ladder. Dissimilar metals in contact may have corrosion issues. Maybe put a plastic spacer between them?

[@timc4269]

Good idea ..prevent galvanic reaction

[@MrMasterSpam]

What happened t9o the Bluetti system? Why didn't you feed the cables through the roof cap?

[@timnash6870]

Attention, everyone. Tim from Canada.. if you were painting or staining, and you were using some sort of a tray.. if you put cellophane or plastic wrap inside your. Paint tray, then put your paint or stain on top of this. This saves you from cleaning the plastic wrap between your container saves you from cleaning up. Just put plastic wrap on your pantry. The next time you are painting or staining in the cleanup, you will see will be a lot easier for you.

[@Bob_Adkins]

Paint tray liners are handy too.

[@robertthomas5906]

I used to do that. I stopped because I wasn't getting as good of results as using just the paint tray. Those cleats inside the tray it turns out are useful. For the jobs that I use a roller on. I have to clean up. Not a big deal. Besides, you really shouldn't be throwing wet paint away in the trash, which a lot of people that use plastic do. Most jobs I use an airless sprayer. There is a bit more prep work until you get the right tools for that. Spraying is very fast. I'm way faster than with a 9 or 18" roller.

[@injo503]

Oil based products will eat right through cling wrap.

[@optionstrader9637]

I would've definitely put some sealer below the panel brackets

[@jahnw]

Love the amount of solar you have going on. Did you ever think about hooking the container shop's electrical up to the OG solar array and battery bank?

[@AdrianMcDaid]

Yes but how else could they do 20 mins add

[@fredrikg120]

That would have made much more sense. Especially since their power cobtainer is like 20 feet away.

[@johnstark4723]

They should cover that roof with panels for the main solar.

[@MichelleLHiga]

Thanks for another great video!! Love seeing all you’re doing to make your mountain oasis more self sufficient. And, was that Oliver’s first assist on a project? How fun!!! It won’t be long before he’s running around everywhere!

[@michiganengineer8621]

You might consider another 4-6 of those 200W panels in landscape mode just under the top edge of the southern container wall. That way you could get decent power during the winter as well. Maybe add 2 more to your upper array to maximize things if and when Anker sends you some as part of the sponsorship.

[@catgynt9148]

Have you considered adding an outlet or two on the sidewalk of your upper deck. Additionally, a 16M string of RGB LEDs would add ambient lighting to the decking. They could be mounted under the roof overhang. Wishing you and your family a blessed week filled with gentle seasonally appropriate weather and restful evenings together with Oliver and Boon. Peace

[@cayankeelord3730]

Don't forget Bailey !

[@RPM-sr2gn]

That would be a great idea.

[@ObviousDWest]

Smart switches for those lights would be nice. To avoid walking down at night when you forget to shut everything down in the shop.

[@CvrcekLE]

He can turn the power off from the management app.

[@user-vn6hi2bi3g]

This is the nicest conversion of shipping containers I've seen, Great Job. I might want a regular entry door in middle of container to provide easy direct access from side to work area and hinges on one end of solar panels to allow tilting for snow clearing durng winter. Ray

[@cbpuzzle]

I would've built a wood staircase. Tall ladders are expensive and a staircase walks up and down without using 2 hands. Love the channel content. Makes my Sunday's enjoyable

[@JesseHires]

If you are going to be running wire a lot from multiple spools, consider building a small rack/cart to hold the spools while you pull from them. I used a broom stick across a box made from a couple of 2x4 cutoffs. I've also used a piece of scrap rebar held to a hand cart with bailing wire. But anything to hold all the spools and let you cleanly draw the wire from them will help a lot.

[@notter59]

I hope you put a little black goop under the mounting tabs for the panels. Another option are strips of ice & water shield.

[@stewartwilkinsonsnr]

Install of Solar Panels and Lighting great job done. Oliver was so Cool turning the light switch on, bless him. Love to you all ❤️💙💙xxx

[@reese9276]

Love it !!! Thanks for taking the time to share these videos and your lives.

[@johndouglas8846]

Thank you two for the great video's and sharing your experiences and educating the rest of us. A method to consider for installing a ground rod. Water in hole method; push rod in and out of hole adding water after you pull rod back out. Another method is using a hammer drill adapter to drive the rod in full depth. Don't want anyone of you to become the ground to earth and short out a long life of these fun videos. Sounds like the little fella is approaching his first words.

[@cayankeelord3730]

I thought he had an electric demo-hammer. That's what we use to drive ground rods, makes short work of it, even through rocks..

[@srwinnett]

Riley, you can't run the grounding electrode conductor to the ground rod in metal conduit without bonding both ends of the wire to each end of the conduit. Not bonding the wire causes magnetic choking effect limiting current flow to ground. Pull the #6 wire out of the conduit and run it on the surface of the container. Oliver will appreciate it.

[@Pushrod_Criff]

Wow! You guys continue to amaze me!! I’ve loved watching the evolution of your guys homestead. Your videos always put me in a good mood. 😁

[@captaincrustyradio]

Yes! I love that set up. My son and daughter-in-law are using one container as a shop. They have another one at another spot on the farm. I will send him this video. That roof setup is great! Thanks for posting. 💯❤ Take care, Crusty Kirk

[@gregorybarth930]

They make kits with all the wood and things included. Maybe not as much fun as making your pun wood but makes it a lot faster & easier

[@maintenancewithmike]

Yikes. Couldn’t route them through the ridge cap? Man I hate drilling holes in a new roof. Nice power system for sure you two! Thanks for the video! Cheers,Mike.

[@AB-so3jv]

OMG, Oliver looks just like his dad. Such a cute baby!!, and he is already helping and working with his parents!!! Good job Oliver!!!!!

[@user-nj4wp5yh9z]

I think You need to put some kind of railing on that deck...so you do not fall off of it 😀

[@ScottBalkum]

Just being honest because I do love watching your channel a ton, I would prefer you just make a 2 minute commercial and put it in the video instead of just making a 22 minute commercial. It’s just my opinion. I’m not going to stop watching or anything like that, that’s just silly. I love watching your videos. This video is doing work for the sake of showing off the product. Work you most likely wouldn’t have done otherwise. Obviously you’ll be installing some stairs to your deck in the future so the ladder was just a stop gap. Believe me, I get it. Sponsors pay for living and providing content. They don’t have to be the focus. I would challenge to say that the less obvious the product usage is, the more interest in the product there would be. “How are they doing that?” “How did they get power there?” And then a 2 minute commercial would be a great question/answer. Again, I love you guys, your energy, all of it. Just my opinion.

[@JeffWinter1]

Looks good. You know the MC4 connectors unscrew and come apart so you can put them through smaller openings? Did it at my off-grid cabin.

[@andrelam9898]

We have been using the Behr Deck Stain on our deck. It been through 34 Buffalo winters and holding up just fine (plenty of rain, snow and other weather). I touch up the stain every 5 years or so, but it's quick and easy work. The stain should make your deck last a very long time, especially compared to bare wood. The view from your deck looks amazing.

[@AZJH8374]

Hey, Idaho. Have you watched The Rancher And The Wife from Idaho as well. My new favorite channel. God Bless you all. 🙏🏻

[@nealforney7279]

Love the shot of Oliver on your wallpaper!

[@jzledwards01]

Great work as usual. Looking at the massive amount of roof space you’ve got, you could collect thousands of gallons of rain water off them. With your filtration systems and your roofs and some added water storage, your water issues could be sorted.

[@TheSlain1969]

Yah was thinking same, perfect roof for collecting water from, especially on the deck side i would put gutters to keep additional water of the deck. But if you can combine it all with a filtration system, which feeds it into a collector or some sorts, you could put that roof to work 😅

[@dellmerlin6328]

For a lift basket I use a UBC with out the tank, make a door in one side, and safety chain it to the skid steer forks.

[@cayankeelord3730]

That's a great idea. I have 100's of hours on both scissor-lifts and Condors and I wouldn't feel safe on just a pallet with no railings. It's an accident waiting to happen. ( God forbid )

[@danleblanc9146]

Great video! One bit of chop saw safety. You should always hold the piece you're cutting, in between your stop and the blade. There is a possibility for the pieces to wedge between the stop and the blade and cause kickback.

[@n1dp]

Like your choice of snow shovel. Have been using that style for years. Less bending over and more snow chucking potential. Love your many solar demonstration projects.

[@stephenpadilla4086]

Thank you so much for sharing your project with us! Also, I love how much fun you have sliding down the roof to the deck.

[@bookman106]

Always look forward to your videos. The love between the two of you is palpable.

[@ernestovalentin6597]

Great video guys @Riley you are an outstanding father, don't ever stop 👍.

[@EnufIsTooMuch]

I was expecting this eventually, only makes sense to put that roof area to work for you. In fact, covering that roof with PV panels and adding a large capacity DIY battery system based upon LiFePo4 cells would be a fantastic project for the channel.

[@lynnbryson6584]

Are you going to build fixed stairs to the deck?

[@Jipper1984]

Stellar work as always:) Cheers

[@dustoff1472]

Recommend putting a basket on a trolley that you can bring stuffff up to the deck. Enjoying the channel. Tks for sharing.

[@SongOfEire]

How about a bracket attached to the deck next to the ladder, and from it, hang a pulley. That way, tools, lunch, or whatever needs to go up can safely do so without having to climb it with one hand!

[@ahorseman4ever1]

Great video! I've learned so much about off grid living in style. Just like they call glamor camping, glamping, we can call glamor off gridding, off glidding! Your solar knowledge is awesome. Looking forward to the next project.

[@CP-mj8wd]

Another good video, thanks for sharing. Oliver looks like he's having a good time too.

[@loucinci3922]

Nice job on the kindling, C. I like the stop you used on the chop saw. So smart

[@greganderson3676]

Always enjoy your videos, a little work,info,equipment,family and a bit of humor !! Don't fall into that fake stuff that so many are doing

[@davidclark2286]

Mc4 connectors can be undone and metal pins will go through any space the cable will go through and then reassemble the mc4 connector.

[@cjhan47]

That was a nice catch. That paint can came in hot!

[@akdisney]

test ground rod 120 volt 5 amp fuse one end to ground rod and one end to hit side if blow fuse you have good ground rod If not blow need add another rod

[@evil17]

Neat trick, hadn’t heard of this one before, alternatively you could use a 500W incandescent light for this test, if it runs bright you are good to go, if it is dimmed at all put in another rod.

[@akdisney]

a NEC class on grounding ( ground) emetic system is bonding ground AWG are different size @@evil17

[@akdisney]

5 ohms or less be good ground

[@brandons9398]

Fantastic addition to your shipping container shop😊 and I don’t think baby. Oliver can get any cuter.😊😊😊

[@dflenn9423]

One long commercial for the ANKER power station with a few tidbits thrown in.

[@kingrafa3938]

Thanks for the video guys. Happy weekend!

[@hopskotia]

Great update guys! Cool anker products too! Giving me some great ideas!!!

[@michaelkoon8371]

Great job guys things are lookin up at your place and also your son is so prepays very beauitful

[@D_R_Martin]

As always, fun content. Best to you all. Keep doing things on your own terms.

[@AngelPerez-jm3yg]

Sweetest thing a Wife can say when ur working and mean it 1:56 😅😅😂 so nice

[@instantchiro85]

Love it we are doing the same right now. We have an old goal zero yeti portable system for moving around the farm. It’s the most useful tool we have. Keep up the good work

[@ronaldclark2624]

Thanks for sharing. A Big Hi to Oliver, the growing little person. Ron PTL USA

[@Moist_yet_Crispy]

Fantastic music choices! Always love your episodes. They're dream work.

[@stevea3056]

I look forward to seeing what you kids are doing next. You are awesome and I love your videos.

[@RimdarRanch]

HEY !!!.. wait. Did I just watch a 22 minute Anker Commercial ?

[@steffen1182]

yes me too😮

[@ronbally2312]

Hey, if you watch TV, do you see commercials? You cannot blame them for showing what they do, even with subsidized materials.

[@steffen1182]

@@ronbally2312 I dont watch TV for years and pay YT Premium for a commercial free experience. No hard feelings about this video. There are fare worse commercial plug ins on other channels.

[@123hkopm123]

I read this comment, so I only watched 25 seconds of the anker commercial. I'm outta here.

[@dakota4766]

Commercials are fine as long they are also good content

[@bigboyadv8796]

FYI...You should make a safety bucket for the skid steer for a future project. Its alot safer than using a palet as a platform. We use them on our fork lifts at work. Just a thought.

[@Mounty621]

What a great system and cool workshop area!

[@elizabeththomas8746]

That was awesome. It's a fancy , good-looking garage! What a blessing. "Dad..I can do that?"❤

[@HardearnedAcresHomestead-qk3wk]

Can't wait to get to the homestead this summer and get many projects started..LOL

[@clydesmith1855]

Nice adjustments. Slow and steady.

[@jimmylenwell9169]

Glad to see you got Oliver involved in the project.

[@orlandolucas8421]

You two make a good team and have an inspiring set of skills even if some you learn as you go. I am living my dream through your video's.

[@code33startup]

Would have given a thousand like if that was possible 😂. Very calm and nice video. Happy to see you all doing so well ❤

[@maintenancewithmike]

Lights look amazing!

[@tomandpeg4818]

Great project - and Oliver helped!

[@chrisringel8960]

One more week and Oliver Sam Casey will be one year old. Oliver is Riley's up and coming best buddy. He is really cute. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Oliver. You guys Amazing.

[@CachingLife]

Thank you for inspiration. I'm looking at some off grid properties in BC and going through some of the logistics of that, many of my questions get answered each week with your videos.

[@johnmeloche6569]

Great addition to your storage building

[@JohnSublette]

You guys are so inspirational! Thank you!!

[@roshanrai4720]

Super cool❤ love the renewable energy

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

Awesome job yall !!!👍👍👍

[@thehastywombat]

The shed/workshop is looking amazing! #goals

[@Vikingza]

HI, 3 suggestions I would like to make: 1. Put in a power cable between your main batteries and your workshop containers as a backup so if you need a lot of power or you have had a bad snow storm you can charge both sets of batteries off your propane generator and your containers don't land up sitting in the dark. 2. Build a proper platform for your skid steer so you are safe when ever you use it to work at heights. 3. Build a concrete pad outside the container on the Right so it is solid where you are getting in and out of the container and also you know that there is a solid base for the ladder to stand on.

[@markusscholz5683]

Your videos are just great. So well done. Thanks for this

[@midway241]

Beautiful project!

[@gardenrailroading]

Danger Will Robinson, Danger! Yeah, I'm old!! Love the solar addition!

[@thomaswarnecke3991]

Always enjoy your videos! Oliver is getting SOOOOOO… BIG!!!!❤

[@javig5045]

Ok you guys have this off grid thing lick'd Congrats!.....Javi G.

[@cassia_cries]

Good job. That was a video worth watching while doing the sponsor thing ✌🏼💜🙂

[@devenp.5508]

I do a lot of commercial electrical work and love bending conduit. So it pains me to not be there helping out. Amazing work on the off grid paradise you two are building.

[@Lee_Proffit]

Decking now needs a slide for Oliver 🙂

[@honkingdonk3981]

The pallet platform for the skid steer is a great idea. Maybe a 2x4 rail would act as a hand hold and tool rest if you attach trays and drill holes to hold screw drivers and drill out different tools. Easy and useful work surface.

[@kennethgibbons366]

I just love watching your channel... great job... never a dull moment!

[@mctaggm]

Great little project love a bit of solar; stairs and balcony railing next project 👌🏻

[@abolfazlnajafi]

What a good looking and happy baby oliver😍🥰

[@billwang4086]

One long commercial

[@d.t.4523]

Congratulations! Thank you, keep working.

[@bethsuter4637]

“Pallet Workbench Platform for Forklift.” That would be the title for the video where you all make Riley safe with railings, then add plywood for hooks. Add a box for safety gear, outer dowel-rack for supplies, a wee countertop, hooks for garbage bag and tools. I’m sure you could figure out a way to quickly immobilize the unit and lock it on.

[@MikeC19100]

Things are lighting up at the ole homestead... Nice work on the deck, solar panels and electronics throughout the shop area. I hope that you used some sealant or gaskets underneath the solar panel stand-off brackets. Even if you used screws with rubber washers the water can still get into the holes under the brackets. Many installers use something underneath the brackets to seal off that gap. RV's use a self-leveling lap sealant, which might work if you could get some in brown to match the roof panel colors.