Building Out My Off Grid Solar Powered Lifepo4 Electrical Supply! Part one

This video introduces the equipment used to power and manage my off grid solar energy storage system. I begin the build out and show the design decisions and thoughts behind my equipment selections. I also show how the parallel inverters and parallel batteries come together to power my home with the limitless energy of the sun.

[@user-mz8mq6xe9p]

Thanks for giving respect to tradesmen, even the helpers. If my 18 year old decided to pursue Plumbing, Electrical or HVAC, He would probably be making about the same $ as a doctor after 8 years minus the college tuition debt.

[@kirkoliver2878]

On your mini split drain, ours here in Phoenix have a normal low drain like you show but they also gave a second drain tube that comes out high, so when we see water coming out the high drain, we know we have a plug in the main lower drain. Just food for thought.

[@Niftynexuss]

Those are excellent inverters. The Sunsynk version is very popular here in South Africa .I have one and i love it !

[@loganv0410]

The mechanical interlock idea at 16:50 is a magnificent idea.

[@stephenrebelo788]

Top installation Ray. Your wood working is an Art!!! Your Solar installation is a master piece. Keep it up. You are of the pioneers providing inspiration to others to attempt this stuff. Top man 🙌

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

You sir are the king of kindness. Thanks for your support and have a great holiday.

[@stephenrebelo788]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff you too Ray, all the best on the holidays

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

I have two Sol-Ark 12K’s, 107 kWh LFE and 20.6 pv going in now. 10kw Honeywell Gen already installed for those 5+ cloudy spells or repairs. I probably would have went your way if I knew how to source them in March. Risk takers ha! It will be nice to compare and see the differences over the years. Great job. Always enjoy your videos, no editing and no sales pitch promotions like so many out there. Merry Christmas!

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks so much. It sounds like you have a really nice system!

[@dama054]

Good choice I have looked at those inverters and they look really nice with a good spec

[@donalddaniels5848]

I love it. I also did the same thing to my crimper dies.

[@matthewknight5641]

That's an amazing system. I'd love to have a battery bank of lifepo4 batteries. Man that's a dream system Ray. Keep up the co tent and service

[@robertvanfleet6263]

You all have inspired me, great work thanks for shering .

[@christawilliams9116]

I was a helper for a good long time. Part of my job was to coat every electrical connection with pookey (zinc based electrical connection grease). Thank you bunches Christa.

[@skoto.power.systems]

That's massive, great job 👏 👍 👌

[@chuck4fun]

Simply Amazing. The knowledge you share is invaluable.

[@defjamsgreen]

SOOO AWSOME POWER WALL OF THE FUTURE IS COMING ALONG . GREAT VIDEO ON X MAS EVE WITH BLESSINGS .

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks for your kindness.

[@davidarcaris7500]

I have been watching your vids for a couplish months now and have learned a lot on how to set up my own system!

[@houseofancients]

very cool stuff ray

[@holgermessner851]

Very clean installation sir!

[@tobiasrappo]

Such a nice project!

[@peterking1134]

Amazing workmanship!! Feliz Navidad to you and your family!

[@zekeboz5533]

Looks great!

[@patrickblake8983]

Excellent video and I am glad you took the time and made it. I took a lot of notes that will help me in my design, configuration and set up.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks for your comment and good luck.

[@intrepidadv8463]

Good Job! Keep the videos coming.

[@lennieadi]

Looks epic. I want one.

[@michaelivory7606]

Happy holiday's to you Ray! I first subscribed because you were using the Seplos BMS and now I see you are using the Deye...I had a sneaky suspicion you might be using this "inverter" ....perfect! I researched and bought these two components months ago as well....I have the 5kw single 240 volt single phase version for here in Australia. I bought my unit from an Alibaba supplier as Deye required minimum 2 unit purchase. I had no issues at all getting this unit back last July (still very relieved and happy when it turned up within 4 weeks of purchase! ) I'm still setting up my system. So although my system will be a lot simpler than your set up I fully appreciate all the knowledge and experience you are passing on as it is helping me no end! Thank you

[@kofManKan]

LFP battery chemistry is such a game changer - people will be using that system and those batteries, long after you're gone. But that being said, hope you hang around 'till you're done.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I love having you as part of my channel. I hope you will keep coming back.

[@RadicalEdwardStudios]

You could follow that AC drain with a failover catch. Off the top of my head, I might do a larger PVC, cut in half lengthwise, as a catch, which drains down and away from the battery area. It would never get used except after a failure, so it shouldn't clog up. At the same time, if you run that into a pan, you can set the pan up with a water alarm [like the kind they make for hot water heater pans].

[@JbVest]

oh man this is the stuff of my dreams lol, love it brother.

[@mikejf4377]

If you have a lot of crimps still to do Milwaukee has a electric crimper that does those crips. It looks very nice. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Happy New Year.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks, you too!

[@LivingFree4All]

lol wow way bigger than I could ever do. You are going to be in good shape when .... happens. I've decided to go with 2 of the EG4 6.5k inverters for 13kw 240v split phase with my 2 self-made (fingers crossed) LifePO4 48v (280ah cells like yours but overload BMS) batteries which I just finished testing from Jenny Wu for my off grid system. Amazing what you are doing. Keep up the great work and honesty in your videos. As always I love watching them and feel smarter each time lol. Thanks Ray

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks

[@Beako157]

I have had Asian Beatles plug up my mini split drain. When this happens water comes down the wall. Might want to think about something over the corner inverter too.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I always say if you have to put rain gutters inside then you have a bad design but it might be a good idea in this case 😂😂

[@mickwolf1077]

That's a Kickass system 😍 With that split ac, if the factory pipe clogs water may drip from the inside unit on your inverter. I played with the pipe on mine outside and then i had leaks on my pc inside, I noticed it quick and no damage resulted. Maybe a gutter under the split or on top of your inverter to divert it off to the side just incase 🤷‍♂

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

And I installed a galvanized metal pan underneath the unit.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I installed a galvanized metal pan underneath the unit.

[@edwardbyrd7667]

Are those 3 pole double throw switches? If so you got a huge deal. I paid 500 for a 3 pole GE 60 amp double throw switch maybe 3 months ago Amen to your tribute to the trades. They are artists whose art isn’t appreciated. You didn’t mention the folk that do drywall finishing so I will add those to the list Looks great, so far. Back to the show

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

www.ebay.com/itm/233759809146 oh and drywall guys are magicians.

[@joevasquez1776]

Nice

[@dr.dickie1418]

Three 8kW inverters!! Wow! That should be more than enough. I have my house (except for AC, Oven, Hot Water, and dryer) on a 6 kW inverter. I never see more than 6% use on the inverter. Sure the others might be equal to the rest of the house during the summer (in Florida, so we use some AC), but even so.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Part of the reasoning is to have lots of head room for the highest use periods which comes when I'm running both electric clothes dryers at the same time but with management of loads I could easily get by with one of these inverters. The important thing to consider is the concept of failure in systems employed by aviators or technical divers. Two is one, one is none. I always want to have redundancy. If one of these were to fail it would not shut me down until I replaced parts. I would just take one off-line and continue. The other reason for this capacity it to be able to manage the amount of PV I will have installed. Finally, this kind of head room allows me to stand a chance of starting my heavy loads like my well pump or my scuba compressor. Those are some loads and I suspect even this much capacity won't start my scuba compressor. It has a 5hp motor. I'm afraid to measure the inrush current when it starts up.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

@@ursodermatt8809 19,000 watts. Not sure where you came up with 400 watts.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

He said (except for AC, Oven, Hot Water, and dryer). That means those appliances are not included in the usage figures, probably because he uses gas for those applications.

[@ernestolaureanopineiro1123]

Good job Ray, merry Christmas. May God Prevail in your life and family for all eternity. Que Dios Prevalezca en tu vida y familia por toda la eternidad.

[@Dutch_off_grid_homesteading]

Heya, that starts to look like a nice professional elektric installation oke it doesn't go fast like an elektrician could do it. but is the journey to your goal of being as selfe sifficant as possible more word then the finish line

[@jimmurphy5355]

Hi Ray, very cool build. I'm an electronics engineer, and I have considerable experience with lithium iron phosphate batteries, inverters, charger, AC coupling etc. I can't think of any reason the wires from the batteries to the inverters need to be matched in length. But I am happy to learn something new, and if you can explain that would be great. And if it turns out that after some back and forth, I have convinced you it's not needed, you will save a lot of wire, and have a much tidier install.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Hi Jim First off, thank you for the kind way that you raised the question. The apparent reason that the CEO of Sunsynk(same inverter) who is also an electrical engineer says they must be the same length is that these inverters communicate and work together. He warns that the inverters can only be started and stopped together to avoid a short and inverter damage. If one inverter has a higher resistance connection and you are under heavy load, you can have one inverter shut down on over amperage cutoff. I have found recommendations of having balanced inverter cables from Victron, Sunsynk and mmmmm who was the other one? oh yeah kzbin.info?event=comments&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm5qM3VnMGE2UW5tVE9iSTVIYkw1a3pvNjRyd3xBQ3Jtc0trT2JiWXVMWTRxdng0aGk4OUFnX2xQSk9uZWtZUFQtZDc3NFNzQnpIcWx2N0dCZWlKUElTbnR4dk01Vm9zLU52LVktQ2Ywb0F6OTluUGtnRDctdHBPeHBlbC1ha0FBd011WldVdk5xdm5yWmVPQTQzWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Felectriqpower.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F11%2FACDC-Stacking-Guide-v.112420.pdf&stzid=Ugwp2A66dFmbXJzqTC94AaABAg.9WMUsqOJwNW9WQF2IijzS- I'd love to believe it is not necessary but I only find manufacturers that don't address it or say to balance the inverter as well as the battery cables. I can't find anyone but a few subscribers that think it isn't necessary and so for the 50$ worth of cable I haven't been willing to risk it. Threshold of deviance of voltage? This isn't my area of expertise. I'm a builder and a systems guy but even my engineering friends can't answer this because it relates to the internals of the inverters and then I'm back to Kieth Geough from SunSynk and his youtube videos. I'm all ears.

[@jimmurphy5355]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff If the inverter maker says to use matched length cable, you should go with that. What they are going for is making sure the three inverters are getting the same DC voltage even under peak load. Without knowing a lot about the exact details of the internal circuits of the inverters, I can't claim to know why or why not that would be necessary. Here's a random alternative idea: for the shorter runs, switch to a smaller gauge wire. Equal lengths is just a proxy for equal resistance, and if you use wire with twice the resistance per foot, you can cut the length in half. 3 steps in gauge will double or halve the resistance. 2 feet of 3 gauge wire will have the same resistance as 4 feet of 0 gauge. Might be a more elegant solution than coiling up a bunch of excess length in the box.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I considered that but it felt like I would then need to confirm the results with testing resistance under load and I opted to buy the wire. It's definitely an option for others that are comfortable with engineering their system to that level.

[@gubbernl]

I thought equal length is only needed in parallel battery systems. If one pack has a longer wire to the busbar, it will be charged by the pack with the shorter one, because that one had a higher voltage. Conclusion: not a fully balanced pack / same voltage on each pack.

[@NamesGolden]

check out the temco lever crimper. I bought one for solar projects last year. I wish I could send it back in time to myself for when I started doing car audio twenty years ago.

[@soulkeeper514]

hi saludos from Puerto Rico , i would be very careful and not leave unattended the cleaning of that mini-split ,just because they tend to leak water when they are dirty over time , other than that de system looks 👌

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Absolutely true. I have seen what happens if you don’t keep them clean and maintained.

[@MikeyMikeHq]

New Subscriber

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks and welcome

[@johntatman9168]

Hey Ray you talked about the ventilation for the inverters and their required spacing but my question is did you stand the inverters off the plywood as well. I've seen others that recommend using cement backer board but attaching things to it can be as issue. Thanks and have a wonderful holiday season.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

In my last video about finishing the building I showed the clear intumescent paint I applied to the plywood with a burn test to show it's resistance to ignition and flame spread. I mounted the inverters solid to the plywood. The ventilation is through the sides, right to left. Best to you and yours.

[@landonferguson7282]

I've been building my first solar house build for a customer, and it's almost done, but the 24 volt, split phase inverter that he wanted to use for this project isn't working right. It gives me 80 to 90 volts on one leg, and 130 volts on the secong leg. If I put a load on one leg, that leg goes to 1 volt, and the second leg goes to 240 volts on a 120 leg. Also there's a faint clicking that sounds like arcing inside the inverter. Do you have any recommendations for a 24 volt, split phase, 6000 watt inverter with a built in ac charger, and possibly auto generator start?

[@derina.maleek9408]

🏁

[@kdlange6052]

I would really reconsider your mini split location. If the unit froze up for any reason you'd have more moisture issues right above all your expensive equipment.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks, I like the location. I have added a galvanized metal pan under the unit and it is plumbed in and fully functional.

[@sebastienmuniz9788]

Hi Ray! What a massive solar project you sharing with us. Love your craftsman and videos. It’s brilliant the double back wall, you don’t think you should utilize that for the battery wires going to inverters ? Kind regards and great holidays

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks so much! The battery cables need to have the absolute shortest path and be easy to disconnect so out and accessible was the choice I made. Still bouncing around in my head how to transition the wires down through the little support shelf. More will be revealed. lol I'm figuring it out as I go.

[@sebastienmuniz9788]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff I have no doubt in my mind that it will be very clean install ! Cheers from Quebec/Canada ! I’m always updating my solar in both my houses, it’s an on going project;)

[@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff I'd Use A Stick Of The Heavy PVC Rain Gutter Across The Wall As The Battery Wires Holder? 🤔

[@jeremyallard5449]

Hi Ray firstly a belated Merry Christmas, you have done a fabulous job with this installation so far, you are certainly one of the thoroughest green engineers. I would love to know more about the inverters you have I am assuming they benefit from CAN high Baud rate Networking. I must drop my Chinese agent a line and see if they can provide a full spec. I need 220-30 volts at 60hz. I can’t thank you enough for your videos, thank you and Happy New Year.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thank you kindly, your kindness inspires me.

[@jeremyallard5449]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff You are most welcome Ray stay safe.

[@privacyatty]

I thought you were Tommy Shaw doing solar at first in my feed 🤣

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I'm old but not that old! 🤣

[@martdaymo]

Well Thought through layout of the insulation.. are you planning to link the BMS to the inverters through canbus?

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

That is my plan. I have to dig further into the overall control and monitoring strategy soon. There are lots of layers to this cake and that's the icing. I'm not as many steps ahead on this project as I typically like to be because there are so many things to learn and I have less foundational knowledge than in my more typical projects. I will say though that I'm feeling pretty good about how it's coming together and how little to no rethinking has been required once I get something into the assembly stage. I haven't actually ordered any unused components which is good. I wish I had a better handle on the lan based monitoring setup but it seems it won't be too difficult once I can focus on it.

[@petertomas3665]

Hello mate, i have to tell you that air condition above the inverter on the corner freaks me out. I have seen on others many times air conditioners to drip water from the air vents in the front of the machine, where cold air comes out. I have two Samsungs at home and they both dripped heavily from the air vent down. On the first machine the drain pipe was clogged up because some hornets tried to make a nest in the hose on the outside edge of the hose which is on the garden and the second machine dripped because under the front cover of the machine there is an open tray collecting the water drops from the cooling coil to the drain hose and it partially collected dust so instead the water to drain in the hose it drained on my favorite 75 inches real 3D Samsung tv and i almost got a heart attack ! So please be careful with that and if you decide to leave it there (which i dont recomend in any case) keep an eye on it to always have that inner tray very clean, not only the drain hose.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I have installed a drain pan below the air conditioner.

[@petertomas3665]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff 👌

[@JonathanCarroll3579]

Omg I just tried what you said and put playback on 1.25x uber funny

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

The first videos I made may need 1.5x lol

[@Sylvan_dB]

For the mini-split potential leak, use a drip tray to direct the drip to a "safe" spot. Kind of like a water heater or washing machine leak tray. Excellent work. I don't like cutting a hole in the flex, but I'll wait to see how you finish it off. :)

[@MrRobertPogson]

I would have avoided placing the A/C anywhere near electrical equipment. In humid conditions condensation happens and water and electricity don't mix well. I'd put the cooler on one of the other two walls.

[@shandor2522]

Excellent workmanship Ray! I’d love to hear more about your DC solar array input, because AC is all the rage with its micro inverters at each panel. DC is more efficient but has to be high voltage to span much distance. What’s your solution?

[@bbrown_sc]

Good stuff. Why keep the old AC coupled inverters? Seems like extra stuff that's not needed. Because they're already there and working? Or the Deyo inverters don't have that efficient solar charge controllers?

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

They have optimizers on the panels and I don't want to have to remove all that and start over wiring the existing array. Mine wouldn't be impossible but my friends project I'm doing has the same thing and they are mounted on the roof so it would be a real pain in the tookus.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

The thought, boiled down is to leave the existing system in place and put the resources into adding more panels instead of reworking the existing.

[@merrillbalan]

Hi Looks like you have 3 inverters. I envy your set up. looks cool. How did you combine each 3 inverters into your Breaker Panel?

[@MahatmaMichael]

Ray, I need to educate myself about lightning discharges protection, specially protecting open air photovoltaic panels - where? - I look for hands-on real life solutions from field practitioners and owners.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I'm starting to look into surge protectors from mid nite solar for transient lighting strikes and surges but I have not yet pulled the trigger.

[@MahatmaMichael]

.... lightning discharges mentally blocks me a lot .... on the other hand however thousands of such professional installations are functioning all aver the world. I am afraid that the relatively thin earthing wires may not protect against the penetration of current from electrical discharges into the installation.

[@ianb4801]

How would you do all this testing and balancing etc, if you didn’t have land AC power available to you?

[@blainecelestaine4543]

Top notch all around. Im concerned about the coiled AC lines dripping behind the wall.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Those lines are no cause for concern at all. The liquid line is warm, the suction line is cool but warmer than the dew point as it comes after the inside coil has absorbed heat and transferred it to the freon gas. The lines are insulated which manages the small amount of incidental condensation that may form intermittently due to open doors and fluctuations of dew points otherwise. This isn't an issue and that's good because there are many miles of these lines running inside of peoples' walls and that would be a big big problem.

[@meko1896]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff After going back and looking at the make of mini-split, Mr. Cool, I had to delete the paragraph I originally wrote (LOL). Pretty sure you won't have a "warm" line, what is referred to as the liquid line in normal split AC systems. Most mini-splits have the orifice in the condenser unit so both lines will be cold, the reason both lines are insulated. I could be wrong about that, I've only install about a half dozen, but I haven't seen one yet that had a true "liquid" line. I understand that the Mr.Cool unit comes with sealed pre-charged lines and head "the reason for not cutting the lines to length".

[@rogereldridge8233]

Are you adding heat shrink on all the crimped DC cables to eliminate corrosion on the wires in the connectors ?

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Yes I did. Some I had to take loose to add it. The video that shows the other system is more complete and shows that.

[@crowdiver]

Awsome Video !! Im top balancing a 4 cell life -po battery bank systemandI cant seem to get it fully charged to 0 amps Is this a sign of poor quality batteries ? thx ;0)

[@georgebernardcarlos7596]

The -US is for the specific model type of US Electrical System which is different from the EU version, it is not related to either the deye is legally sold in the us or not

[@michaeld4502]

Where did you buy those inverters? What model? And voltage?

[@keithgough]

A few good points over Battery cable length, Are you based in the USA

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Thanks for your comment Keith. I am in the USA. I do however reference your work and generous sharing of your knowledge when explaining my reasoning behind balancing battery cable lengths on both sides of the combiner box. Thanks for all you do and best wishes. I watch all your videos multiple times.

[@andrzej3511]

Hi Ray! I am looking at your configuration and I am wondering... Why did you choose a central gathering point connecting all inverters and all battery banks in one point? This solution requires equalization of potentials by selecting wires of the same length - for most connections TOO LONG. This solution causes losses in the lines. An alternative is a linear gathering point in the form of very thick, two flat busbars (much, many times thicker than what you use in battery banks) - for example, 300 - 500 square millimeters (1/2 - 3/4 square inches) in cross-section. These busbars would run, according to my suggestion, along the entire wall with inverters and batteries. The use of such busbars will cause that the voltage drops caused by local current flows, even several hundred amperes, will not change the potential along whole busbar, and in fact, even if it will change it to a degree that is not of any importance for the correct operation of the entire system. At the same time, all inverters and all battery banks could be connected with very short cables. The rails themselves could be made of copper, but the aluminum rails could be imperceptibly worse and much cheaper. Aluminum ones also have the advantage that they do not need to be maintained and protected against corrosion. Only aluminum is used in the professional power industry. You have the perfect place for such a solution: under inverters, above containers with batteries - it begs to use such a solution!!! (Of course, this big cupboard with a gathering point flies out. :))) It would be replaced by individual switches for each device that requires it. Small, installed directly on the cable near the device being operated. An additional bonus: this layout is much clearer. If you have any concerns about accidental short circuits on the busbars, they can be protected with a very simple acrylic cover (for example). Consider my suggestion as long as things haven't gotten too far. P. S. This large cupboard can be used for another purpose in the not far future - you mentioned something about further expansion...

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Each combiner box includes 11 big DC breakers. 8@175A and 3@250A. When I was looking at ways to do that, what I saw with all the surface mounted devices and exposed wires and bus bar connections, sometimes covered, made me seek a better solution and I really like this solution and would recommend it. All concealed and the price all in is less than putting together all the parts and creating ways to mount it.

[@andrzej3511]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff Of course, this is only your decision and I am not going to question it. I also noticed these breakers and understand why they got you interested. :))) In my country, there is a law that requires remote shutdown via the central fire switch with one touch and therefore I have to use electromagnetic contactors which can be manually operated at the same time. In America You have much easier, much more freedom in choosing solutions. After my house is finished, I also intend to build a completely off-grid power supply. I'm not even going to ask the distributor for any connection. And in my switchboard I will definitely use a linear busbar. However, since you shared your experience of purchasing batteries (I am very grateful for it, because this process is still ahead of me - I am going to use exactly the same cells), I decided that maybe my switchboard solution concept will be helpful for you. But ONLY as a concept to consider.

[@junkerzn7312]

Looks beautiful. I'd be a little worried about the sol-ark's being somewhat undersized. Going over 50% of the rated continuous load might be putting a bit too much trust in the vendor. Also, they are (apparently) quite sensitive to unbalanced inductive loads, such as an AC on one leg (110V AC unit)... a common issue with HF inverters (i.e. inverters which do not have a massive transformer providing energy momentum to the loads). But on the other-hand, you have three of them, so it might not be an issue. I'm keen on seeing how this system works for you over the next few years(!). Wondering of 8kW is enough or whether you will have to up those units to 12kW. -Matt

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I average 41 Kwh per day. The highest I've ever seen used at one time for short periods is 19kw. Usually I'm using about 1.6 Kw. I've been monitoring my consumption daily for 7 years. I've got a really good understanding of what my energy demands are. If these work as advertised, I won't have any problems even if one shuts down.

[@alanb76]

Another vote for a mechanical interlock. Never trust following labels for this.

[@mine0002]

Can you provide a schematic of this ststem and component source link? Thanks

[@mikejf4377]

I’m going to ask a bad question, what brand are your new hybrid inverter’s? Are you using micro-inverter’s on the back of the solar panels?

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I do have solar edge optimizers on each existing panel. Those will be AC coupled. I will have additional panels that are DC coupled.

[@houseofancients]

they are Deye, sold in the usa as sol-ark, in the uk and africa's as sunsynk

[@jmaus2k]

I like the setup. Nice work. So you couldn't just use punch outs/holes in the back of the inverters and have wires go directly back? Seems like these inverter guys miss the easiest design simplifications. SMA had a disconnect box attached to inverters that did this and made install easy. If you are worried about resistance matching cables, you can use a higher awg cable for one or two of the runs on the far boxes. Have a Merry Christmas.

[@MrRobertPogson]

I don't see the point of resistance matching. The inverters are switching power supplies. If the input voltage is a bit lower they switch on a bit longer. If the input voltage is a bit higher they switch on a shorter length of time. Inverters just don't care as long as the input voltage is within range. Some inverters can deal with +/- 50% variation in input voltage and have +/- 3% variation in output voltage. If, for some reason, one does require equal length of leads to the battery, a better arrangement is circular with batteries and inverters equal distances from the centre. That is awkward with rectangular boxes but there is plenty of space in this installation.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Victron disagrees with you. www.victronenergy.com/live/ve.bus:manual_parallel_and_three_phase_systems This information can be found in several locations and for several product lines.

[@9111logic]

Hello Ray, while watching this video for the second time, I heard you say you would install a “manual” transfer switch to avoid the solar energy feeding on the same line as the generator. Now, I was under the understanding that by feeding the genny output into the generator input of the inverter, such a problem should not exist since the dedicated input of the inverter is only used for the battery charging circuit and is not combined with the solar input line. Is something different in the inverters of your application? Thanks for your time as always

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I’m using the gen port for the AC coupled solar and the generator which is why I need switching. I also have dc coupled solar but changing the existing solar arrays with optimizers to be dc coupled would have been to costly in time and money, ok mostly time.

[@9111logic]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff Well that explains it, thanks for the quick response. BTW I've never heard you talking about your AC Solar system, did you include that in one of your videos perhaps? Once again thank you 🙏for your time, I love your channel and I am learning a lot from it, it helps me with my first-ever 15kw ground mount adjustable self-constructed system 🤩

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

@@9111logic yes I mention it in the earlier video about my system design and install around the first of last year I believe.

[@jitmahen3523]

Hi when I look at all your videos I am seeing me on it. I have the similar system designed by me with Sol ark 12 k inverter. I have a different transfer switch with very less price. Like rotary switch style. If I have the model number I will send it to you. It is cost me less than $70. Good luck

[@jitmahen3523]

Baomain Universal Rotary Changeover Switch SZW26-63 660V 63A 3 Position 3 Phase

[@billing100]

New, you can use raly to get more amps

[@allan80supra]

If you cant move that mini split where its not above any equipment I would get a stainless steel drip tray fabricated for under it, as you said its a matter of when the condensate drain eventually blocks up, I have seen it drip out of the front of some units, your inverter wont like that! I try and mount them above door ways in server rooms I have put together as there is no chance of equipment being mounted below and if its dripping you notice!

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I will mount a pan under the unit but not stainless. No need to go to that expense.

[@allan80supra]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff I'm all about the "stainless bling" man ;) just watched a few more of your videos (great by the way) if you have not charged the split system looks like you have enough line to put it above the door... also i'd like to see you test your battery cable theory, I'm not sure its of concern as its after the BMS in each box, any imbalance will level out between them any losses due to one bank being drawn more will be made up by the reduced loss of shorter cables, if of concern you could cycle the position of your batteries when you give them an inspection.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

@@allan80supra thanks so much. The balanced inverter cables are about balanced load sharing of the inverters when under heavy load. Following recommendation of Keith Geough, engineer and CEO of SunSynk. Stainless bling is fine. I have a limit to my resources. There isn’t even clearance over the door but moving the AC isn’t in the cards. I considered all the alternatives and made my choice. I will be responsible for the outcome just as I always am. I have a damn good track record over the last 40 years.

[@allan80supra]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff cool, seen too many deaths by condensate in server/comms rooms over the years so I'm a bit paranoid!

[@BajanAlan]

How big a town are u supplieng power to?

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Two humans, 13 Koi, one dog and 5 cows. Average annual consumption 15 megawatt hours. 4 of that is for the koi. If shtf the koi will be dinner and their solar will become more head room. Just sayin'.

[@jimglaze6009]

can you put dates on your video would make it easy to follow

[@ai4px]

Is this Deye inverter split phase? I cna't find a thing that says it is in the docs.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Yes but the Deye split phase is no longer available.

[@ai4px]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff auto transformer time!!

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I got the split phase version when they were still available.

[@user-dr2pg8fk2i]

Are those inverters UL listed?

[@houseofancients]

yes they are, as Deye, but also as sol-ark and sunsynk

[@todamnbad]

What model number are those inverters

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

I showed the model number at timestamp 1:38

[@SylwerDragon]

i think you are Too many connections. My simple suggestion is to use marker once you will tighten connection.. you might think this is silly idea..but you will see that soon it is so many connections that you might forget about some. It is normal practice ..even for automotive industry..i know..

[@diy-bj2ed]

could you give me a link to the supplier you bought those unit from ?

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

What units are you asking about?

[@diy-bj2ed]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff the deye hybrid inverters

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

They are no longer available in the US due to pressure from one of Deye's client's here that demands exclusivity. They got strong armed into not distributing split phase directly.

[@diy-bj2ed]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff 🤦‍♂️ ok thanks

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

Why no DC lighting?

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

No compelling reason to use DC lighting. I have an AC panel in the room. LED lighting and low use hours makes DC lighting an unnecessary hassle.

[@DanBurgaud]

7:27 AC just to keep em cool? Hmm... I've watched a Nigerian YT Channel using several Deye 8KW housed inside a room. And even with AC cooling, the room got hot.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

Have faith. This little AC and the building enclosure will work just fine and actually will be bigger than I need by a wide margin.

[@davewalters41]

Would you please allow email contact as I have serious information on the Deye unit. I purchased one 8k US back in August and I am afraid to install after several statements received and wish to have your views.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

ok

[@davewalters41]

Please give me an email for you @@RayBuildsCoolStuff

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

@@davewalters41 the link is in the about tab on my main channel page.

[@GSKWARE]

Ray, I cannot find your contact info. Is there a way I can contact you? Thank you!

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

[e-mail]

[@NateCCIE]

I don’t think the inverter cables have to be the same length to each other on the DC side. I agree the battery cables need to be the same length, so that the batteries share the load, but the inverters will just draw whatever they need from the buss bar.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

The inverter cables also need to be balanced. The manufacturer of this and many other inverters insist and/or recommend it. I did the due diligence to dig up the guidance. If the inverters are communicating with each other and they see a different voltage from each other outside an programed range they will trip out on a fault. I really didn't want to have to do it but there isn't an easy way around it. Using a larger cable for the farthest trip isn't the answer either. Getting the balance right is too difficult. Better to just follow the instructions and spend the money. It won't matter until the loads are high and then it will trip out at the worst time. Just my take on the situation.

[@MrRobertPogson]

@@RayBuildsCoolStuff wrote, "The inverter cables also need to be balanced". This makes no sense. One can even connect different capacities of batteries in parallel and they will work fine. Ohm's law will keep the voltages close no matter the resistance/length of the cables. That's true for batteries, inverters, PV panels and generators. If generators/inverters have parallel AC outputs, they need to be synchronized. Inverters can share loads by adjusting duty cycles. They don't need cables matched although that's the usual case. An obvious example is an hydroelectric dam. It might have a dozen alternators in a row but the distribution transformers/transmission lines are all at one end. Operators or computers balance the load on each unit by adjusting field excitation but they can just set all the excitations according to the total load and Ohm's law will distribute the load well enough.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

This video is Kieth Geough with SunSynk. At 30 seconds in he says all cables must be the same, from the battery to the busbar and also to the inverters one to the other. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIa9gHarZpp6g7c Other sources can be found but I found no documentation that allowed for unbalanced cable lengths from the battery bus bar to parallel inverters. Parallel connection of different capacity batteries is not the same issue as supplying different voltages (due to voltage drop) to parallel inverters that are communicating with one another to provide a coordinated power supply in equal and balanced amounts of load. A system could definitely be set up to compensate for different voltages but I see no evidence that it exists here. Can you offer documentation to support your assertion?

[@NateCCIE]

As soon as you said the inverters communicate, that changes the picture. If they were independent loads, no need for balancing, but if there is a threshold of voltage deviation it’s understandable. Merry Christmas.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

@@NateCCIE and happy new year. I hope you stick around.

[@billing100]

relay

[@davidniquot6423]

Wait.... documentation certainly mention that you should not mount the inverter on a wood panel.... fire... wood... no good. Mount it on a cement/plaster board,

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

The wood is coated with intumescent paint that gives it a fire rating. It meets ASTM E84, ANS no. 2.5, NFPA 255, UL no. 723, UBC 42.1 The inverters and panels are all rated panels. The wood walls will not be an ignition source. See my previous construction video where I tested it with a mapp gas torch. I tend to not just leave things to chance. On top of all that this equipment is all in a separate building far from the house.

[@jspafford]

How are you wearing a mic and yet you’re not using it or it’s turned so far down you can only hear the camera mic. 🤦‍♂️

[@jimmyjackson9090HVAC]

not sure if your mic is working

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

If you mean that it gets muffled when I zoom in the camera to look up at the top of the chase, that seems to be a function of the zoom feature on the iPhone. I was hoping this mic would fix that issue but.....nope. Is it ok other than during the zoomed in times?

[@sl0rion]

I noticed that too, the volume changed from when you were right behind the camera to when you were in front of it, which made it seem like it was the camera mic picking up the audio. I thought Ray should get a lav, then saw that you had one!

[@sl0rion]

Although I could still hear you fine, just a bit quieter

[@billing100]

asking 50€

[@Stubones999]

Why would a pro make all this nice design using kindling.... one short and you'll need marshmallows... You should have used fire resistant backer board.

[@RayBuildsCoolStuff]

A propane torch held on this protected material won’t ignite it but a short which could only occur in a rated enclosure in the first place would cause it to burst into flames. I’m not sure why I’m even dignifying this with a response. Alarmist much?

[@user-tj5nk7lb8l]

Hmm in Texas - yeehaa - dont mess with ... AFAIK, all domestic installations have to be done by a licensed electrician. Unlicensed work gets a heavy fine £to $5000 even jail time as a misdemeanour? Further more you will not be covered by your house insurance. And thats the DIY curse. If you did a job for someone and he refused to pay, you would have no remedy in law. If you ever had to sell your property - would your have to rip it all out? Maybe build it all inside a trailer so you could tow it away before the Sheriff showed up with a Posse - you cant moon in Texas its against State Law Your state registered tradesman would only install according to a design made by PE Electrical engineer. Im not sure where your home made crimps fall? You say they are a major cause of concern? As an unqualified self taught civilian how would you convince a Judge your work was correct? Correct me if Im wrong - people can get very litigious as the drop of at the drop of a Stetson If you are up the mountain in a shack, off grid I doubt you will have issues - just dont start a forest fire!!!! Not wishing to rain on your battery bank Just correct me if Im wrong here AFAIK this is an important issue BTW I LOVE Tx used to live and work there, but you cant be an ass or you are likely to get your ass shot off

[@roberts.3712]

This creeps me out.