Building a Solar Powered Garden Shed with my Daughter

Over the summer, my daughter Emily Aisling and I built a garden shed on top of the root cellar to store gardening tools and to preserve and store food from the garden. To power the freezer, freeze dryer and future greenhouse, we install a Renogy Lycan solar generator with four 320w solar panels, a system we can easily expand if our energy needs increase.
Emily's channel: / @emilyaisling
ca.renogy.com/...
Here are the specs on the Lycan system;
Dimension：32.9 x 20.0 x 28.5 inch / 835 x 508 x 724 mm
Weight：264.6 lbs. / 120 kg Expansion Capability：19.2KWh
Protection Rating：IP55 Bluetooth Range：82 ft. / 25 m
Cooling Method：Fan Self Consumption：25W (Power Saving Mode)
Operating Temperature Range：14°F~122°F / -10°C~50°C
Operating Relative Humidity Range：5%~95% Installation Environment：Indoor/Outdoor
BATTERY OUTPUT
Battery Type：Lithium Iron Phosphate Rated AC Output Voltage：120VAC
Nominal Battery Voltage：48VDC Rated AC Output Frequency：50Hz/60Hz (Adjustable)
Rated Battery Capacity：100Ah Rated Output Power：3500W
Rated Battery Energy：4.8KWh Peak AC Output Power：7000W
Cycle Life：4500 Cycles (80% DOD, 80% EOL, 0.2C, 25°C)
INPUT
Rated AC Input Voltage：110VAC/120VAC Solar MPPT Voltage Range：60VDC~115VDC
Rated AC Input Frequency：50Hz/60Hz Maximum Solar Input Power：4400W
Maximum AC Bypass Current：20A Maximum Battery Charge Current (Solar)：80A
Maximum Battery Charge Current (AC)：40A Maximum Battery Charge Current (Total)：100A
Solar Input Voltage Range：60VDC~145VDC
/ myselfreliance
CLOTHING: teespring.com/...
AMAZON LINKS: www.amazon.com...
GREENHOUSE: arcticacres.ca... of My Self Reliance: bit.ly/2OfW7ry
KNIFE MAKER: virtusknives.com/
KNIFE MAKER: www.wcknives.com/
VIDEOS:
2022 OFF GRID CABIN LIFE: • 2022 Off Grid Cabin Life
OFF GRID LIVING: • Log Cabin & Off Grid L...
COOKING: • Cooking at the Cabin
BUILDING LOG CABIN WITH HAND TOOLS: • Building a Log Cabin w...
BUILDING OFF GRID SAUNA: • Building an Off Grid S...
BUSHCRAFT & SURVIVAL: • Bushcraft & Survival
Facebook - / myselfreliance
Instagram - / myselfreliance
Mailing Address for items sent by regular mail:
My Self Reliance/Shawn James
51 King William Street
P.O. Box 30017
Huntsville, ON
P1H 0B5
Address for items sent by courier:
200 Manitoba St., Unit 3, Suite 415
Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2

[@diamondback2085]

For any guys out there with daughters. I own a window and powerwash cleaning company. I work with my daughter. Some of the best times I've had with here have been on the job. Teach your daughters to not be reluctant to do this stuff. Their husbands will Thankyou for a confident task mate. And you get more time with your little girl. Win win win.

[@murphysmuskets]

Last thing I need as a husband is a wife who wants to compete with me on how things get done (because she believes she knows/was taught better). I wish fathers would stop masculinizing their daughters and allow them to be women. Lastly saying this is not meant to downplay the quality time you’ve had with your daughter, just making a point about a common theme.

[@haydenwilliams1114]

@@murphysmuskets Your mistake is calling manual work "masculine." I've hired both men and women for my business and the women almost ALWAYS outperform the men.

[@murphysmuskets]

@@haydenwilliams1114 Think about what you just said, and then wonder why that is…

[@damogranheart5521]

I'm glad that you have a good helper who isn't afraid to get dirty. I was raised to think things through and get the job done. My dad worked in the city with a long commute. If things needed fixing my mom would tell me to get it done. And I would. I married a guy who built his own stereo system. That was the only thing he could build unfortunately. If I wasn't sure how to do something I would ask a neighbor or my dad to show me what I needed to do and I would finish the job. This helped me out later in life.

[@haydenwilliams1114]

@@murphysmuskets I said it to try to help you.

[@RTexasUSA]

I love the videos of you working solo, but the ones of you and your daughter are a welcome variation. It's awesome to see a dad passing these skills on to the next generation.

[@georgiaannbicknell6129]

Things go so much faster when you have someone to hold the other end of the timber....

[@sydekontrol2330]

I dont know how old that young lady is ... but she is gonna be leaps and bounds ahead of her peers in maturity doing this kind of work... So good to see...

[@elizabethjohnson475]

And she's a professional working dental assistant, also!!!

[@Blazen747]

She also has her own KZbinr channel

[@Rags2Itches]

My father was a Master Plumber. He also was a good carpenter as was my grandfather. I did not get to really learn like your daughter is. Most of that from Dad was if you use the tools out in the shop, make sure you put them back where I put them. I was never stopped from building things on my own, I learned from watching. When I went to High School in the start of the 1970's , girls were not allowed to be in the HS Trade School. So my Mom taught me to sew and embroider. Good skills too, that I still use to create costumes and clothing. Later I took a carpentry course and bought carpentry books. I took a machine shop course too at age 36. I learned to install bathroom toilets and sinks, replace faucet washers, do ceramic tilling and grouting. I learned to tear down and remodel an old house on the inside. Build horse stalls and paddock gates of my own design. I can change a vehicle tire and do an oil change. I was the only female partner in a deck and wood workng business. I can paint and wall paper and lay floor tiles. I have my own tool wooden tool box i made myself with my own tools. I learned gardening from a young age and later leaned to can the produce. LOL I was the one that convinced my parents to have a big garden. They loved it. No I'm not single, long walks on a beach are now out of the question :) Age does creep up on you. I wish I did have my father's teachings, as I wanted to learn. I just gifted myself with that knowledge.

[@skepticalhound5574]

Well done indeed.

[@martykennedy3962]

You’re a lucky man to have one of your children helping out when you need it. She also seems to know and understand how to use tools……now that’s a Plus.

[@dandaniels4558]

And he goes and helps her at her little cabin too. Great team that can accomplish anything that needs done.

[@RickGrimes007]

4 hands ALWAYS better than 2 great craftsmanship yall rock🤘🏻..Nothing like working with my Father. He's in Heaven now but those memories and skills he taught me will never leave me and I still use to this day. I don't have to depend on anyone I can do it! Great video and your an amazing Father Daughter duo! We need MORE examples like you in our world 🌎

[@willierants5880]

Emily is so boss... No doubt Mom and Dad are super proud, of both their daughters.

[@alwynrose6078]

It awesome to see father and daughter working together on a project and completing it it was great to see her handling the tools confidently

[@gaelcarlton9182]

Wonderful to teach your daughter self-reliance... A woman who can do the things needing to be done builds self confidence and is a teacher for her family (children) should she choose to have a family. I think its wonderful how much you and Emily have this incredible bond.

[@davidlandells4443]

Videos of you working with your daughter, very special indeed.

[@moyaking8961]

It's great when your children take an interest in the things we as adults do. I taught my daughter to crochet now she's a designer 😊

[@firemanforever3000]

Your daughter just doing what comes naturally is awesome. I have no doubt that you have one family that will thrive in any situation.

[@db.mc2]

Hi Shawn, Emily 👋 Thank you, always great to hear from you my friends, hope you're doing well, stay safe and take care 🙏🙂Awesome work as always 👊 👍

[@midwestmutineer7675]

This reminds me of all the time I spent on the farm with my dad. I learned so much and I've been able to tackle any project around my own home! Dads - show your daughters as much as your sons! It matters!

[@lindapetersen1800]

SHAWN & OUR CALI HOWDY EMILY !!! I betcha OUR CALI FOUND someone to play with as you all build the shed !!! SHAWN THANK YOU from the Bottom of mine Heart for serving the USA !!! I thank You YOU ARE A MAN with a HEART that is as WIDE as the WORLD!!!

[@CATherine001]

It’s a wonderful feeling to have family get on board with your passion and dreams making them a reality. Shawn you are blessed and it’s a great treat to have father and daughter help each other out with projects around both homesteads. WTG Emily!!

[@robertmccullough4822]

Glad to see the "Root Cellar/Workshop" completed with a nice "Self Reliance" purpose. Emily is a great helper and teaching her is a great way to pass along your accumulated skills. I learned my "trade" from my Father. Great way to create memories also... Peace!

[@oyenations162]

You and your daughter make it look easy and a great team. Both of you are very fit from all this good and productive work also. Can I come on as a muffin baker or animal care, whatever? I'm pretty fit too for my old age and no, I ain't kidding. Who wouldn't want to live there with that beauty and peace? I know this won't get answered but just the same this is how I feel. Have a blessed day!! I'm buying a camper soon.

[@Esther-1914]

Emily, It's nice seeing you, the next generation, caring about self-reliance and self-sufficiency. 😀👍

[@earlsnapp5209]

It's nice to see Shawn and his daughter Emily working together. Shawn, I'm sure you and your wife are proud of your kids... Great example of a family honestly working together. Watching From Portland, Oregon... Having a cup of morning coffee

[@TaigaTurf]

Quality time well spent when doing construction projects like this.

[@debshapiro6431]

That was so fun to watch, you building the shed together! And then it gets even better. Simply amazing. I love where you're going with these times. Good job mates! 💞

[@joyaku3078]

what a dad y r 👏👏👏👏👏👏 every man can be a father but to be a dad is extra ordinary I applaud you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@carolobannon7336]

What a great thing to teach your daughters to be able to do all this for themselves! Great job

[@allenenabnit7078]

You can speed up your freeze dryer buy putting your filled trays in your freezer first then put in your dryer that way you can have trays ready to change out faster and use less energy. Hopefully that helps

[@duncansbuddy]

Love following this family. No better medicine than this at the end of a stressful week in today's world.

[@heidipustelniak652]

Always great to see you and your dad working together! The homestead is getting really nice!

[@jomcgrath9280]

What a lot of skills your daughter now has. She is blessed to have you passing these onto her

[@area51ray]

So cool to see you two working together, Emily seems to be a real go getter Shawn. I’m sure you’re supper proud that she is taking care of her own self reliance! Great job

[@JasonMcCann841]

Amazing idea for my little detached garage on my property vs getting it wired. Just need a little power now and again. Couple of lights, power source for tools and maybe a small freezer. You have me thinking now. 😉

[@skepticalhound5574]

A lovely video. I was happy to hear you can run a freeze dryer (FD) on this system. We have a medium sized one in an unheated (on-grid) but insulated building, with 2 separate rooms. One room holds freezers and freeze-dryer, the other is a summer kitchen (water turned off in winter). The FD, when on, keeps that room at about 20 C in winter, so far. Granted, it’s our first year with it and it’s been a very warm winter in Maritime Canada. This heat spills into the other room and keeps it at about 13 C., depending on how much we open the other room’s door. Before the FD, the 3-4 freezers kept that room above freezing all winter, with the very occasional need to run a small heater on a thermostat set just above freezing for storage of cold room-type crops and dahlia tubers. Coldest temp here in winter is about -25 C for only a few days but the wind is aplenty.

[@jacobkomnath7961]

Always nice to see family joining in. Those builds are often the most meaningful

[@BiornBear]

You did an amazing job raising your kids. You must be so proud and have a ball spending time with your daughter. God Bless 😊

[@RJ-er3gv]

Your solar panels will be more efficient in the summer with a larger ventilation space behind them. Thats why most systems are mounted on racks.

[@michaelbranham5854]

Couldn't be a more valuable knowledge passed down than building things, hunting, and growing things. With those 3 things one can live. And cant forget edible amd medicinal plants

[@douggibson9084]

Great video Shawn. I love the Reliance transfer switch panel. I have the 30 amp for my house. It's manual but very easy. Enjoy your weekend.

[@gurubhat2403]

A doting father always works hard, harder and hardest to give credit to his dearest daughter. Wonderful to see you both work for this little cabin.

[@reggierico]

Shawn, Congratulations on getting to the 2+ million subscriber mark! Well done!

[@rebeccamercer4160]

So proud to see family working together !

[@dorothyallen3614]

Y’all did a great job family. Good to see y’all getting prepared for winter and some off grid living. Be well my friends.

[@brendagervais5566]

Great video! Love how you work together with your daughter-she will forever be grateful. I used to do plumbing with my dad back in the day and such great memories. Thank you for the share

[@orlanduhden5842]

I'm impressed with Emily, it warms my heart to see father and daughter working together on various projects.

[@lucascady4992]

Cutting caps out of 3 tab shingles! That's how I was taught by my late and great Grandpa and Father! 😊 Warms my heart ❤️

[@guppy2129]

Fantastic family teamwork!

[@neelavsamrat]

There is no greater love when a father-daughter duo do such kind of work together. Sadly unlike Shawn I do not possess any such skills to pass on to my daughter but let me take solace in watching you and your daughter working together! 👍👍🔥🔥

[@80ZX]

Working with your Daughter. Another set of Memories for you for life Mate.

[@jamesstader6650]

Shawn, your daughter Emily is easy on the eyes from any angle. She's not afraid to pickup a hammer 🔨 and bang a nail or two either. Now I've got two channels I can watch, both equally enjoyable. Thanks guys.

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

What gets me about solar energy panels is come Winter when there is Snow, how do you keep them cleared ? Big long brushes or a long tapered blade that does not interfere with the generation down below? Cheers Shawn and Emily and we saw you Cali sniffing for squirrels .

[@brianmros4844]

Hi Shawn, I've never seen a roof framed liked that, it's a great idea. Keep up the great work. Thank you

[@pammohler3253]

Emily is precious

[@BharathCalgary]

One small help from your own gives father an enormous amount of strength and confidence .... especially daughters.

[@ИринаКислая-э4ф]

Добрый вечер! Многому учусь у Вас, уважаемые дочь и отец, красивые и сильные люди, трудолюбивые и заботящиеся о природе. Улыбаюсь, когда вижу Вашу замечательную собаку. Спасибо, что делитесь опытом жизни в соседстве с природой.

[@SWAMPHUNTER644]

I could be wrong because it has been over 45 years since I sold freezers, but I seem to remember it took almost as much power to run a small freezer as it does a large one. You could have other reasons for needing a small freezer such as transporting it to the cabin and limited space where you use it.

[@larrymaxwell5535]

Thanks for sharing the video and also sharing your knowledge regarding solar energy and power! It's very helpful!

[@CarlJones14]

I think it is worth adding additional insulation to your freezers, and even an insulated top that drops on the lid. Even if you can heat the space.

[@brianfisher3991]

Great job on the shed . 👍

[@alward9901]

Excellent use of solar power . I can’t imagine what the the future holds for us all . With all the new products and inventions coming fast & thick .

[@HaroldReece]

New logo. Looks nice. Good to see you working with your daughter, you two are making memories that will get passed on to the grandkids. Thanks for sharing.

[@jennyk544]

Absolutely, totally, wonderfully awesome! Well done Shawn and Emily!

[@lynsmith2698]

Great video Shawn. My hubby and I plan on putting up a small cabin within five years for our old age. And there is no power there so planning on solar with generator back up. Thank you for sharing this, all this new technology, so much new stuff to learn about. Thank you

[@michaelgatford6194]

You and Emily work so well together, a strong father daughter bond.

[@puzzleddot3882]

Shawn , Emily going take up after . She is very handy, good job dad for teaching your daughter. Way to go General Emily. , make your family proud

[@timkeagy4094]

You gave me an idea about my own 120 sq ft shed in my back yard. We have used this for storage when the kids were young. Now that they are in their 20’s, I’ve been wanting to transform it to a workshop. My workshop now is part of the garage. I have no electric hooked up to it and solar would be the way to go.

[@janetwithers7427]

Your solar shed is awesome. 🍂🦃🌾💕🍁

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Shawn . 🐺

[@johnshoureas1629]

Beautiful !

[@adelineparinduri]

I always feel grateful that my Dad passed on various labour skills to me (at least simple ones). And now I'm passing it on to my son. I'm finding it difficult to enjoy your short video, Shawn haha so getting used to long ones. Blessings.

[@dennisbeaver5958]

Always great seeing you and Emily working together on a project! She is her Fathers Daughter, no doubt!

[@robertsimard735]

Good morning Shawn. Very informative, thanks for sharing.

[@jeanettec6212]

Thats really nice to have. Your getting that land complete, and Im all excited for anything else you are building.

[@marcomcdowell8861]

My pops is a good guy, but I never spent time with him doing anything like this. He was working all the time and a bottle or six pack was his recreation. Fortunately my grandfathers were more than willing to put me to work, so we bonded over hunting, chopping wood, fishing, bricklaying, working on trucks and gardening. Still, I wonder what it would've been like to do things like this with my dad. I'm a bit jealous of your daughter hahaha.

[@ksingleton101]

Although Shawn doesn't have a son, he has some amazing daughters! Awesome Job both Shawn and his wife did raising such hard working daughters.

[@ardenritzel4052]

Your daughter is stunning!

[@radiogramgramophonetoons5802]

Well done dad n daughter 👏

[@peacefulpleb]

Great see daughter and dad getting stuck into some practical work, bet she learned a lot.

[@Oxatolla]

Emily is lucky to have you as a Dad, Shawn. Well done both of you! Parry Hoot.

[@HebrewNomadOverlander]

Mr James, You are the epitome of what a good solid hard working man is. The Bible states that in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” And as for when you are sharing and teaching your daughter life skills and even so far as to say "SURVIVAL SKILLS" this just tops the cake. Thank you for sharing and as always I will be here for every upload. Bless you sir

[@ludwigderzanker9767]

Glad there are Christians around anymore! God's Blessings from Northern Germany!

[@bobobrien8968]

Another awesome video. Father- daughter working together for a better life.

[@haroldfoust]

Hey glad to see you back😀NC

[@rodneywroten2994]

awesome solar shead

[@paulomarkes9015]

Nice Daughter,👍

[@andrewvaillancourt2711]

I am not sure if that unit has a heating element in it to keep the batteries at the proper temperature for charging during the winter. If it does not you will have to heat the building in order to charge or the BMS will shut down charging below a certain temperature to protect the batteries and this could potential damage your charge controller depending on how the system is set up. You could put the system in the root cellar to help with this. My Renogy smart Lithium batteries need a minimum temp of 4 deg C for charging. I have to disconnect the charge controller and shut down the batteries when leaving camp during the winter months. Then start everything back up when returning and the camp is warm.

[@Oxatolla]

Huge information! Thanks Shawn!

[@johannesccarstens8995]

Evening.. show us more of your garden en your daughters garden and what you plant and do there.. thanks.. be safe.. 👍

[@IonicH3art]

Really impressive stuff, this is father daughter goals! I've watched all of Emily's videos too and it's impressive!

[@greywolfwalking6359]

Good vid..you 2 are a great team! Thanks for sharing 👍! 👍🐺🧙‍♂️!!!

[@vanessagodiin770]

Very Nice Garden Shed you built with your daughter. Do you have to heat inside to protect the solar battery from the freezing temperatures? With your cabin pantry downstairs and this one you will be able to store a lot of food for the whole family. Great Job!

[@EdgarHouston-mq2yg]

shawn ihave really enjoyed your videos over the past years.

[@tonicasaesmeralda8612]

Nice solar setup. :) I hope you enjoy that :) My stone house has been hit with lightning twice in 7 years. The breakers turned off. I put an inbound waterproof circuit breaker, surge protection and fuse with box at least 10m. away from my batteries, inverter, charger. So the live line cut when the lightning hit. The big if possibility 1 in a million chance if not grounded and you go there to check on the system you can be electrocuted. But it is a very low voltage system a small shock. How I did it. Thick copper wire to my panels outside guy-line copper ground rod 2m. with bentonite in a plastic sono tube pipe. Then from inside ground everything to another 6mm ground wire with 2m. copper ground rod bentonite plastic sono tube pipe. Basically ground everything but keep your solar panels separate from damaging your solar shed or devices. So solar panel in the back shed and inside ground in the front shed. The other part of wood and electrical fires is high if not grounded. Take it slowly think ask you will get it done. Always enjoy watching. Take care all the best be safe. :)

[@BraxxJuventa]

Smart choice Shawn. 👍😁

[@pickleslabs]

Awesome work. You two are fantastic!

[@TRIPONTHIS]

You had me going I was thinking you had a big sign for the roof....😀😀

[@ernestoragasa3502]

Your father found something in the woods while moose hunting. I think its an old 2 burner stove. Were there settlers before when you got there?

[@elliotwalton6159]

Blessed with some extra nice weather to build thanks to the gulf stream.

[@wagnerguter3265]

Who is here for the first time to see what they are doing??? Because the first time I couldn't see anything but this beautiful woman!!! 😍

[@leerutland2499]

Dude has gotten smart over the years. I love it...a thinking man.

[@robertpirtle3638]

Your a really good dad . One day there will be that someone. I sure hope that person will be able to keep up . Keep up the good work family man .

[@gibsonmj1958]

Nice work as usual. How close is this to your new cabin? I know you are concern with your privacy but interested in the logistics of maintaining two different locations in a homestead environment.

[@EsotericCat]

You guys are such an inspiration

[@leerutland2499]

I've watched him from the beginning. His is the result of working alone for so long, with few resources. It's ingenious.