Building a TUFF SHED Home Studio | Part 4: Solar Panel Install

[@95Flocka]

*Came in very handy on my last 10 day trip keeping my 500 topped off at all times accessories for the electric **Generater.Systems** so I could fun my fridge!!*

[@mixedbygip8938]

You did a great job bring it all together! enjoyed watching the videos!

[@BlakeCalhoun]

Thanks for watching!

[@SamCrut]

Those 12v output plugs are great for USB hard drives in the field. No wall warts. I think you measured from the outside of the plug for your 8mm measurement though. The barrel that plugs into that is probably a 5.5mm outer diameter, which is the standard for most 12v power plugs. Suggestion, flip your exterior plug so the cables plug in from the bottom. That will prevent water from running down your cables and getting into the receptacle. Adding a drip loop below the plug will also help. Just sag the cable down a bit so any water running down the wire will drip off the U below the plug and not come pouring down over the plug.

[@BlakeCalhoun]

Ah ok, I’ve seen those adapters going out to USB with that connector. I’m not an RV guy so some of those outputs I assumed worked well in those environments (like running a refrigerator, etc.).

[@rhtservicesllc]

That MC4 inlet into the building is upside down. The way that it is in the video, if rain were to hit it, water would get inside. The connectors should be downwards with a "drip loop". I would have corrected the wiring so the the correct colors match. Otherwise it makes diagnosing future issues and wiring modifications confusion.

[@BlakeCalhoun]

It’s supposed to be waterproof all the way around. It’s designed to be on the roof of an RV. We debated which way to put it but for convenience & aesthetic reasons we put it going up. It’s been installed for over a year and had no issues so far.

[@SplatterWebs]

Hi Blake. I just wanted to say thank you. I had saved this video once I put my TS deposit down and pretty much followed it to a T yesterday. The only difference is that I used 2 panels instead of 3 and I did not use the connector box. My shed is the same style as yours, but 10x12 and for now, I only need to power some fans and Ryobi battery chargers (maybe a heat press later on to press and clean comic books). I live in Florida so lots of sun and the Bluetti will most likely come inside when the next hurricane hits. I didn't have it yet when Ian hit, and we only lost power for 3 hours during Nicole so no real need yet, but it was ready to go. At 24 hours in, with no clouds, I'm getting 130-180 W with the 2 panels. Thanks again! #SuckTheSun

[@BlakeCalhoun]

Very cool! Glad it’s working for you. Mine is still going strong a year and a half or so later using it almost daily.

[@TobyCostaRica]

Those flexible panels have much shorter lifespans vs glass. Source: me going through 4 flexible panels from 2 different brands.

[@BlakeCalhoun]

So far so good (after about 18 mos.), but there are definitely drawbacks. Main one is these are not nearly as efficient as glass and of course more expensive, but for me they were much easier to work with and install.

[@Cuernavacachica02]

Hi! You said you "flipped them" when you were talking about the wiring, but you didn't show us what you switched. Can you tell me what you were talking about? Was it the way the cables connected on the outside in the junction box? Thanks.

[@chrismilan1475]

What was total cost of this?

[@RDStudios]

I'm surprised that squirrels have not had a buffet lunch with all that exposed wiring. O_O

[@BlakeCalhoun]

No issues there whatsoever. 👍🏻

[@BrianKotoka]

What’s the name of the insert that was added at 13:54 to allow house power into the shed? How does that work does that just connect to a power bar on the other side? Link to where I can purchase this? Thanks and great video!

[@BlakeCalhoun]

Exterior RV Plug Inlet geni.us/DyYP7 (Amazon) It’s connected to another plug on the inside that distributes the power. Had it professionally wired by a licensed electrician. I go over that in the previous video (I think or one of them for sure). Thanks for watching!

[@LEGOmania-TV]

Have you considered running your panels in parallel and series. (You would need a 4th panel) To help fight the shade? Thanks for the tips looking to do something similar Thank

[@BlakeCalhoun]

To my knowledge I can’t do that because of the amp limits. My input capacity is 12A on my solar power station.

[@Danman1972]

In TX as well. I've worked from home for mostly a decade. We have always had a home with an office space. Moved to a 3 bed room and would like to move my office to a shed. I think have access to a 220 on either side of the yard for a sub panel, but was really thinking of and "off the grid" type solution. Did your addition of the other panel allow your AC to keep up? I could certainly rig a cord for hotter days like you have done, but as you likely know this summer likely to hit a record for over 100 days concurrently. Don't think I will have a problem with shade on the panels though.

[@BlakeCalhoun]

If you don’t have shade problems you’ll likely be fine, especially if you have more panels and a power station (or a built-in solar setup with batteries & controller) that has more capacity. My Bluetti is 1700Wh. They have models now with two or three times that amount, which cost more but will give you a lot more run time.

[@Buwtz]

Hi there. I appreciate you making this video. Are you still using the Bluetti and did you add another solar panel?

[@BlakeCalhoun]

I am still using the Bluetti and it’s great. I did not add a panel though, but I really need to for more consistent power. During the summer it’s tough for it to keep up with the AC. But they sell new Bluettis that have a lot bigger batteries and could easily handle it. They are pricey though (like $5k). Thanks for watching!

[@WillYllera]

How long can you run your ac with the backup battery?

[@BlakeCalhoun]

If it's running the entire time it'll go about 3.5 to 4 hours. However, since the AC has a thermostat (and turns on and off as needed) and the shed is well insulated, it'll go most of the day. And of course I can charge at the same time, so on a sunny day the power can offset itself and it'll run all day.

[@eric4seasons]

One good wind and those panels are gone. The wire will become brittle in a year from the UV of the sun. No need to be cheap when you spend that much on a nice shed.

[@BlakeCalhoun]

Have had no issues in the first year. They’ve lived through a harsh winter with heavy snow & wind - and a full Texas summer with 100 degree temperatures. These aren’t cheap. They actually cost more (like 3x more) than traditional glass panels and are often used on RVs, so weather is not really a concern. I’m sure over time the wiring will age, but that is cheap to replace when/if needed. Very solid setup thus far in the solar experiment.

[@BrianKotoka]

What’s the alternative? His set up looks solid

[@ryanyoder7573]

@@BrianKotoka normally Pv wire is up resistant but you can run it in conduit and that’s required for code. Not sure if it matters on a shed.

[@joshluvsla]

What size are your windows?

[@BlakeCalhoun]

3’x3’

[@slifox2752]

Never put in series and have one panel in shade or all of them will be running at the same power as the shaded one

[@MosaicHomestead]

You have a beautiful shed, but I'm not a fan of your solar application, The only cables you can leave exposed to the elements is RH RW cable, rated for heat and water, im not a fan of the flexible panels, I live in the tropics, I can't get away with stuff like that.

[@BlakeCalhoun]

It’s definitely a DIY setup but so far it’s worked out well and have had no weather related issues. I do need to add an additional panel though to get more wattage.

[@MosaicHomestead]

@@BlakeCalhoun My set up is also Diy lol.

[@thosey2009]

@@MosaicHomestead what kind of panel do you recommend for tropical weather?

[@MosaicHomestead]

@@thosey2009 Normal solar panels, I prefer monocrystaline panels because they produce a bit more power during rainy days.