Connecting the solar components in my school bus - I HAVE POWER!! // skoolie conversion part 42

I set out to install my solar panels and failed. BUT I did get everything else in the electrical system set up and ready to go, so I now have power in my school bus. In this video I connected all the components and tested the electricity - fingers crossed that next week I'll have solar panels.
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[@DavetheUberSlave]

Get a composite socket wrench from harbor freight so when you’re near your bus bars you don’t arc the positive and negative and burn down your home. The composite doesn’t conduct electricity and you can use it with the metal sockets you’ll be fine

[@hoosierdaddy3705]

Just before the sparking wire with the wrench I was thinking that is not a good idea using that wrench like that then.... It happened. Lesson learned I guess. Good idea to disconnect power before connecting wires. You are amazingly good at figuring things out and doing it right all on your own. Your going to do great. Solar panels do put out voltage on cloudy days you will see if they are working. They just don't produce much amperage to do much charging. In time you will see how much power they will produce on sunny and cloudy days and will know your limits on usage of power and will adjust you usage accordingly. You may not consider yourself an expert now, but soon others will see you as someone who knows what she is doing.

[@LONECOW1210]

Hey, just wanted to jump in here because I'm worried about a fire hazard. The first thing on the positive side of the battery must be a fuse. I know its a short run, but a wire that size gets shorted (or shorthng the bus bars) will melt and start fires. Those large wires will hold alot of heat before the melt. I also recommend a shut off switch so you can safely disconnect the batteries from the system without having to physically disconnect the wires. It also makes working on the system alot safer

[@RTVance]

I agree with all the above. It also allows you to not have drained batteries if you park it for a week a part from the bus. This also allows the resetable fuse to act as a power disconnect as well. Personally I did Battery -> Battery Disconnect -> Resetable Fuse -> Fuse Box/BusBar (with resetable blade fuses) -> Fuseable Link between Busbar and inverter. That line is going to have the most load so having the most protection against fire and damage to expensive equipment was my priority.

[@larrytheableguy3441]

@@RTVance She needs to have you on speed dial not her friend that installs sound systems at Best Buy. ;-)

[@RTVance]

@@larrytheableguy3441 I do only live a couple hours away. I've been thinking about it while I've been out here driving this semi truck and I think the only thing that I would change at this point is just putting battery quick disconnect and fusible link in that first line the resettable fuse is fine where it's at but I would definitely put in a battery disconnect. But that's just because I'm accustomed to having to leave my stuff sitting for a long time between uses. I personally don't like using bus bars, I prefer to have a fuse block.

[@RTVance]

@@larrytheableguy3441 We also have to remember that the education system failed her, and most girls and more recently people. It teaches all kinds of useful stuff about how to get good school, and nothing about how to survive life after school.

[@brianvandy4002]

I'd add that when designing the layout of everything, I try to have the negative on one side of the layout and positive on the other. The reason you shorted your wrench was the positive and negative bus bars are about 1" apart instead of being on opposite sides of the area you are working in. I'd also add disconnects on the positive lead from the battery, between the solar panels and the charge controllers, and between the shore power connection and the inverter/charger.

[@briandavis9975]

Well done Emma keep up the good work and research and network with friends and family and other bus nuts that's how you will be successful. I'm proud of you girl your doing great.

[@erikgeorge3770]

you're so awesome. despite setbacks and problems, you still persevere and keep a positive attitude. so amazed at your progress. keep.up the good work

[@warrendelay]

Your ability is truly impressive. We love following along. Thank you.

[@farmtruck9885]

Please... Please... Please... whenever you are doing ANYTHING with the wiring disconnect the negative cable from the battery or put in a battery disconnect 😵That arcing would not happen with the battery disconnected then make all your connections and just touch the cable to the battery, if there is excessive arcing something is wrong. 💥 Also I think your soldering iron does not get hot enough, made for smaller jobs. Now that it scared the 💩 out of you hopefully it won't happen again. You are doing a good job, proud of you for your determination. You are learning a new skill. OJT Keep it up😃

[@trinawiggins9910]

Do not worry about what we think of you. You just do you. You are doing an awesome job.

[@jameshudson5022]

Outstanding

[@charmaineslater7632]

Love your videos...your doing great 👍 your almost there!!

[@RTVance]

Maybe for the soldering use a propane torch?

[@grosseileracingteam]

Hi Emma. I personally use the small "blowtorch" style butane lighters from a local smoke shop for soldering heavy gauge wire. They are about $7 here in Michigan. I usually don't hook up power until I've finished wiring. I've shorted out car batteries before too. Live and learn.

[@jimsteele9261]

Yes, and while a 12v battery is not enough voltage to electrocute you, it can supply enough current to melt a short circuit. Happened to me once when I worked in the computer biz. I didn't think to remove my class ring, and accidentally shorted 5v to ground. Good thing for overcurrent shutoffs. :-)

[@r8edrv4fun65]

You're ahead of me. I'm shopping for solar and not sure how much I need or want. I'm thinking about having 2 separate systems plus one small one for the bus battery.

[@mrmotofy]

I have some vids on wiring in a car, truck, van or bus and have lots of info on solar if you need it. I've given Emma a lot of info too.

[@r8edrv4fun65]

@@mrmotofy that would be great. What is your background, if I might ask? Or is it your hobby.

[@cygnus1517]

Well done Emma. You're doing great. Saludos!

[@MrJohnpmeadows]

So story for you. I am building my own house. I was talking to my son on video call. He asked if it was safe for me to be wiring my home alone. I told him yes as long as you are not stupid. And as soon as I said that I cut a live wire in half and it sparked so big and I screamed. Lol he came over to watch after me after that. Lol

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

😂

[@trainman4763]

You are doing so good!!

[@brianhalm4606]

Please, Please, Please don’t lay tools on top of the battery. If they touch both terminals, you’ll get a VERY large surprise!! Keep up the good work!

[@glennclifton8655]

are you not fitting battery to battery charges? well done so far from uk

[@doglife5441]

Somebody took my ID and turn to battery the other way to go long ways with the bus now I have extra storage

[@bertelliott1456]

You need to get a taller stepladder to access the roof. You should never stand on the top step of a ladder. Be safe.

[@francoisg1393]

I thought the same. I felt really uneasy watching Emma on the top step like this. I think it would be a good idea to install a permanent ladder to the bus already. It will always be useful, and definitely safer than a step ladder.

[@richardwoodward3363]

How much you pay for bus How much was everything you bought for the bus

[@bizzer999]

omg call the safety police

[@corpsflood4092]

When you tin a tip, you cover it with a thin layer of solder. Tinning stops your tips from oxidizing by creating a protective layer between the air and the iron. It's essential to keep your tip tinned since iron oxidizes rapidly. Oxidation prevents the tip from transferring heat efficiently.

[@jimwattson1720]

Old Electrician.... you need to strip more insuation off the wire.I would strip enough insulation leaving about 1/16" of bare copper showing when the wire has bottomed out in the terminal. You don't need to solder or use ferrals. Good luck !!

[@jimsteele9261]

I don't think she can solder that size wire with that pencil iron anyway.

[@clgraham82]

Soldering the wires will help but I don't think you have enough wire exposed, the casing is probably preventing you from getting enough wire up into the controller and fuse to make a solid connection when you tighten the screws.

[@stevenpeck5949]

Take some electrical tape, wrap it around the end of the wrench you're not using so if it bumps, it won't spark. Another idea, get some nut drivers, they look like screwdrivers, but yhey turn nuts. Warp the shanks of the screwdrivers and nutdrivers with electrical tape or shrink wrap the shanks, this will help avoid sparks.

[@brianvandy4002]

Actually, I'd say the positive and negative bus bars shouldn't be 1" apart. They should be farther apart than your longest wrench or screwdriver.

[@TheBlake27]

Kick ass watching you figure it out! I always keep a couple inches of extra solider out of the container so you won't burn, not let it get down to the end of the container instead. You're doing great, even when you'ere not sure, you're not giving up! Proud of you, keep at it!

[@charlietoner]

Hey... I am a broadcast engineer and as to the equipment and basic design I can say... you are on the right track. Don't ever get discouraged, focus on creating an organizing an almost OCD wiring design. Take your time, LABLE AND DOCUMENT EVERY LITTLE DETAIL!!! When it comes to electrical especially DC electrical being OCD is a really good thing. Most of all be proud of your creations

[@JB-dz1zc]

Frustration is giving you a go, huh?! You have way to make things happen in a non traditional way! The thing is, that you make it every time. Your a kid in a candy store with the biggest SMILE when you do! Just love to watch you as you build BIRBIE! Glad you have people(family & friends) to help when needed. Wonder how many tools you have acquired so far on this build?! Great job, everyone needs a jolt every now and then!!! Happy New Year Emma, may you ride in 2022! 🚃 👍 😉 ⚡⚡⚡

[@ribbleslipscomb5171]

Good progress, Emma. You may not be an expert, yet, but you are definitely no longer a novice, either.!! Happy building, lady.

[@keironastbury9399]

I'm so glad you never gave up, so pleased for you, and proud that you've done all this so far by yourself. keep it going Emma your a winner.

[@r8edrv4fun65]

You just completed a circuit. Consider yourself blessed to have survived that in so many ways. Disconnect the solar panels before working on the system.

[@jdsquared]

I was going nuts at the beginning of the video, the bus bars were right next to each other. Then at 14 minutes, you moved them away from each other and I breathed a sigh of relief. Until I watched you move them again and I was yelling at my monitor as you were tightening the bolt back on. I was laughing at least while your dad was too. I did that with my 48 volt batteries. It was scary. Congrats on using your own power. By now you might even be generating your own with the panels. I was so excited when I did that! I haven't been plugged in anywhere since June. It's a great feeling. You should have a fire extinguisher in the bus now.

[@johnmorris4334]

Oh Emma, you were so very fortunate that the wrench across the battery leads resulted in only a frighting spark. Please connect the battery AFTER all other connections have been made. If you must make connections when the system is hot, insulate the wrench with tape leaving only the end doing the work exposed. Don't under estimate the power stored in that battery, I've seen one blow it's whole side out when shorted.

[@peterhatcher773]

You really don’t need to solder your wires before putting them into your breaker terminals. They are designed for bare wires. Also don’t use a drill to tighten then screw terminals, you run the risk of over tightening them and possibly damaging them. A proper hand screwdriver will work perfectly.

[@terrybrannigan9963]

Awesome! You have power and heat, That is a big milestone there; congrats! I can't tell you how many times I have caused a spark, roasted a wrench, shocked myself; I had to give myself a rule that I would connect the battery last. Just keep some extra wires and terminals and give yourself permission to change the layout around; especially after you've finish the other parts of the bus.

[@leonhart2452]

Your battery puts out about 13.8 Volts. This will throw sparks around. It will not hurt you. The only way it might hurt you is if the wire or tool you cross the positive and negative posts on the battery gets hot enough to burn your finger's.

[@PeterKNoone]

Step One: Remove the negative battery lead. Step Two: Wire all your connections. Step Three: Reconnect the negative battery lead :)

[@realMDizzy]

I don’t know why I love watching this channel with its possible trainwrecks! But I love it, bring it on!!!

[@theskooliepad6095]

Good Job! But please make sure to but a battery disconnect in, so that when you work on your electrical system in the future, you can turn that and your breakers off. Also, do you check the wire sizes your are using to make sure it’s safe to run the loads you are putting on them?

[@barrywhitlock141]

Before you get carried away you should get an Electrician to check everything out for you, this is for your own safety, you should also use the circuit breaker to turn off the power supply whenever you are doing any wiring on the Electrics, I don't want to see you have an accident. Well done so far with what you have accomplished,

[@chrislaplante5040]

Always your positive wire first with connecting DC. Negative has the same potential to ground, so is thus safer to make a mistake with. Then the reverse if you are disconnecting a power source.

[@barrysteinlage6888]

Just started watching . Quite an adventure. If you're using a lead acid battery make sure you vent it, it will produce hydrogen gas when charging it

[@larswennskog5239]

Hi Emma! Please consult your electric engineer friend about soldering the wire ends that you screwed to the terminals. What I been learned is that the tin will over time shrink and the screws will end up no longer hold the wires firmly. Cheers 🙂❤️

[@TroyDeanOnTheRoad]

You are doing incredible on your build. I know the pains you are going thru, just yester day rehung my door after I joined the two halves, it was nine degrees here. Keep it up we are pulling for you!

[@TheFlutterrbye]

🦋❣🦋By the time you are finished, you will know exactly what you are doing❣🦋 You Go Girl🦋❣🦋❣🦋❣🦋

[@andrewwilson136]

Gotta love how the right tool makes the job easy ! Nice crimper but I think the soldering iron is under powdered for you, I got a nice one from the hobby store for $20.

[@AB-C1]

Hi ya, Excellent video again Emma!! Well done you got so much done! Just one thing, if it says a size it's USUALLY going to be that or nothing it's not worth messing around with electrics! Also the end pieces encase the wire strands so they cannot come apart (whereas the solder just kind of sticks em together so won't prevent them spreading if clamped down on hard Which you need to for that kind of DC current of not can short and cause a fire potentially! So I'd get the grommets 100% plus fuses/trip switches and a main cut off isolation switch incase you need to cut it all off quickly- like for instance if that spanner had stuck it would have got white hot and disaster time so you need to be able to cut off the power at source& have a fuse on main wire) Great video though and great progress! You should be really proud of what you've achieved so far!! All the best from London England 👍❤️💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@northernlite3368]

DON'T EVER work electrical systems WITH the power on. (Both wires connected to the battery poles) You did leave both terminals of the battery connected to the circuitry while working on the system, Good way for sparks to tell you off. LOL Be careful, too long a short circuit could get the battery to blow up in your pretty face. Not the best way to get a face lift. Congrats for making it this far and you will finish this I can tell.

[@LThomasCouch]

Periodic mental health breaks are essential to projects like this, so when you need one take it! From time to time look back to see how far you have come and new skills acquired to get a fresh perspective. You are doing incredibly well, remind yourself of that. Hang in there Emma :)

[@darkfactory8082]

Tining the tip prevents it from heat oxidation and it gives you far better solder contact and heat transfer. Never get scared when something sparks, keep composed and prevent further sparking, as you'll never get electrocuted on 12V (or24) like vehicles installation. If you don't keep yourself together, fire and very bad things might happen fairly quickly. One more thing - I suggest to tighten connections by hand as you feel what's going on, in case of uninsulated tools, keep it in mind and don't touch too much stuff at once with those tools. Other than that it's called progress, and you're making a lot of it with enough perseverance. Stay safe and together, no matter what happens. =) Oi, almost forgot - connect the battery last, after all other connections are in place. Cheers.

[@paulshannon4576]

Don’t beat yourself up. I get frustrated with people that won’t take the initiative to learn to do something or try to do it. You’ve gone way past that. You’re not a DIYer unless you’ve had to redo it several times. And since this is a custom built, by doing it yourself if there’s problems you will better understand what might be wrong. On those cables it would have been easier to have used a multi-strand cable like the ones that probably came with the inverter or battery cables. They are more playable to bend and fit in those types of connectors. NAPA carries bulk battery cables with no ends. Just a tip if you have a wire that is shorted out DON’T grab it to pull it off, it burns your (my) fingers. And now I have something else to add to my Harbor Freight list. I have a collection of different crimp tools but I like those. So where are you going to mount your toolbox to carry all your tools for on the road repairs? 🙂

[@binder098]

Way to go, Emma. That bus is going to shake stuff loose, but you built it and you’ll be able to trouble shoot any issues. It’s OK, cry away, cause we all know, once you’ve dried your eyes your right back at it.

[@corvettedoc1]

LOL fudge your Huggies moment spanning that wrench across the terminal blocks! Also, fun when the wrench falls downside of the engine and does it on the starter!

[@D_R_Martin]

You are doing great things, but I suggest paying homage to some of the comments regarding more fuses to help prevent bus fires. There must be a mascot for that like Smokey the Bear or something. Only You can prevent Bus Fires. Good luck on the next steps.

[@franklealand1181]

My God I've seen just about a minute of your blog and there is one thing you've done better than most of the American builders makes and females and that is you said roof and not ruff well done girl .Anyway just keep trying you'll get there ,you are trying which is a lot better than most ,some people do it the other way which is way easier and that way is find reasons why they cant .Keep it up girl,

[@bobbyfairways490]

Emma, you’re doing a fantastic job. Love seeing your progress.

[@Spaznaut1]

Great job sparky. I second a fuse right after the battery. Its awesome to see you learning so much and taking the effort to do it yourself. As a grown man I've had many instances in my life that I've had to step away and have a fit and then come back and get it done.

[@cameronchrestman46]

Careful there sparky ya might get real curly hair lol 😆 don't feel bad any body that deals with electricity has had that experience

[@evilborg]

Never ever use a screw gun when tightening screws on electrical connections.... always by a hand screw driver.

[@Saint-eg7yg]

Feels good to win, doesn’t it?😀 Keep going, you’re doing great!!!👍

[@paulwilliams8641]

Hi luv the vids, But please do not stand on top step of ladder, bad very bad please be safe 😊 PauL 🇬🇧.

[@gordonwilloughby8793]

Your soldering iron either isn't big enough or not set high enough. You need to heat the wire and melt the solder on the wire. small soldering torch would probably work better. connect the battery terminals to the battery last to avoid shorting between the positive and negative terminal strips.

[@doglife5441]

So basically you have to hold a soldering gun on the bottom of the wire loaded up with your Google and leave it on there on a bottom of the wire until you take your soldering in a you sticking to it and it sucks it in that is hot enough that's the way you solder but your gun is still too small so it's going to take much longer for your wire to heat up

[@beachlife9419]

Note that you may want a battery switch for your set up , that battery will be dead , just few hours , unless

[@MelissaMalzahn]

You are doing fantastic you should be proud!!

[@tomnellis]

Electrical work done, wooooo hoooo! Your doing frickin great girl..

[@norm5785]

Electricy means you are moving forward, a good solid foam mattress will be awesome. Your diesel heater will serve you well. Thank you for sharing your electric ⚡ adventure with us from Henrico County Virginia

[@willow55us]

I just want to say that I absolutely love what you are doing and I love seeing you do what so many don't, and that's try. As someone who is well versed in a lot of the skills you are trying to learn, I love your tenacity and glad you aren't afraid of doing it wrong because you are still learning and your mistakes will help you in the long run! To answer a question you asked about why tinning an iron is so important, here's a simplified answer. If you don't tin it, carbon and oxidation will coat the surface of the tip and the solder won't stick to it, making it ball up and harder to heat. Tinning wires is the same concept, you are applying a protective coating that sticks to the metal. The ideal way to solder is to heat the metal of the wire, and let the solder flow onto the metal. Most solder has flux in it, which is a resin that helps clean and deoxidize the metal. You can also buy flux or paste in small containers and dip the metal into it to give you a little more cleaning power making it flow easier. Heat is important as the metal of the wire and whatever you are soldering the wire to has to reach a temperature hot enough to melt the solder, but not too hot that it will boil the solder away. The issue you were having is you are melting the solder with your iron, when the solder needs to be melted by the heat of the wire. The trick is to touch the wire with the tip, apply just a small dab of solder, and let it sit for a couple of seconds until the wire heats up, then apply the solder to the Wire only, not the tip and wire junction. Another reason you were having issues is you have a low wattage iron. That iron is great for smaller wires, but the tip will cool as you touch the metal so you aren't getting the flow you need. I would suggest a soldering gun, which will give you the heat you need and it gives you more control as you can apply the trigger to produce the heat, then release it when you are done so you don't have to have to have it on constantly. It's a skill that takes time and practice. You're doing great! Keep it up. I look forward to your adventures as you continue to develop your skills.

[@robertjohns399]

wow awesome video you are a lot more brave than me at wiring very well done great job

[@tigerspook1]

Emma,... You should never put metal tools on top of a battery, as they can short the battery out.. xx

[@SirMonkknight]

Soldering iron are great for small gauge wire to attach tiny components without over heating them. Soldering gun is more watts little bigger way hotter faster to do the kinda work your doing. Positive first (always) on battery then black if you arc weld the positive to something it’s a full fire that only an ABC fire extinguisher can stop.

[@zedalis]

Speaking of having snow on your ceiling... have you heard other YT'ers refer to the ground outside, in nature, as 'the floor'? What's up with that? You're doing a great job, thank you for sharing your videos. Very inspiring.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

Lol no but I feel like that’s even weirder 😂

[@mremmob]

You must use ferrules when having stranded wires, otherwise the screw will push the wire apart and it comes loose. As you noticed. Soldering is not the best option, solder melts easy, when the wires gets warm. Thus loosing the connection. And that becomes a fire hazard! And I agree with Robert Bitel about the fuses.

[@davep6977]

Plus, solder gives you an "irregular" surface. If the solder breals down or the wire can move, it limits current carrying capacity. In other words a less efficient system and junctions that can generate heat under load. FYI- you need a much bigger soldering gun. Solder shouldn't "blob". When a wire is tinned it just change color to a silver flow, thus the term "wetting". It should look like you dipped it in paint (liquid)

[@tamatoatamatoa2265]

Through all the trials and tribulation that you have endured ,through the technological part of your build, you are difenently doing absolutely 💯 percent awesome, remember to breathe or take a break, so you don't feel overwhelmed,, keep up awesome work .

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thank you 😊

[@diablofubar3623]

Smiles...Looking good Emma....

[@angelachesney8371]

How exciting!! You’re doing great job Emma 👍

[@brettarens556]

You're doing great 👍

[@cultivateyourcurves1711]

You did awesome!!! I’m moving on to my diesel heater this week, it’s just too dang cold for me to work without heat. I’m super excited for you 🎉 Congratulations and Happy New Year 🎊

[@nealmurphy647]

Love seeing the progress!! You're way ahead of us now! We were supposed to be living in our bus by the new year but missed that. New goal is now spring.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

good luck!!

[@jamesHadden-l6l]

@@EmmaBuildsBirbie Some times I watch your old vids Every time I see you stand on top of a step ladder Get very nervous Even though I know there will be a great outcome best channel of it's kind

[@Beartrap70]

Way to go Emma 🙂 You are doing so well with everything that you've got done ☺️

[@jimdesira3027]

WARNING!!! DO NOT SOLDER THOSE WIRE ENDS!!! The solder will flow and deform over time creating a loose connection and become a fire hazard.

[@francoisg1393]

Happy 2022 to you and Birbie! Can't wait to see the solar installed. After all the technical stuff is done, I feel like things will speed up. It's great to see all the thinking and prep that goes into building a bus. You're doing great. I must say that your eyes stole the show in this one, since you did more talking to the camera, it seems. Looking forward to next week!

[@Buses2Bikes]

Good Lord....you're leaving town again?! That poor bus won't see Skooliepalooza until...2027?

[@corpsflood4092]

7/0, the largest size, is 0.50 inches (500 mils or 12.7 mm) in diameter (250 000 circular mils in cross-sectional area), and the smallest, No. Coleman Cable 09637 Solid 30-Volt Underground Sprinkler System Wire, 18-Gauge 7-Conductor 50-Feet.

[@waywardwhippets2555]

Congratulations 👏👏👏 We will call you SPARKY XOXO

[@BigFireDave]

It always helps to have the right tools!

[@techshoptalk375]

Tinning actually helps protect the tip also. Sorry for the issues. You should probably have used a butane soldering torch because your wire is so thick. You should have stripped a larger length on the wire and then cut the wire to size once it was soldered. Anyone who has worked on a vehicle has caused that spark before. Use a socket wrench next time with a small extension so you will not have the opportunity to touch the wrench across the negative and positive. Hope this helps. Good video.

[@EmmaBuildsBirbie]

thanks!

[@methere27]

Love watching your videos!! As for the soldering I find a mini torch works best as the twisted copper wire sucks up a lot of heat.

[@donb6474]

A word of caution. the guy on "A Bus Life Story" destroyed his $1,000.00 lithium battery by connecting his charge controller to his Lithium battery. He ended getting a DC to DC inverter. It may behoove you to contact him before you have to buy another battery.

[@nathanbeckfield4663]

Don't know everything that you are planning on running...but 1000 watt inverter will give you 9 amps at 120 volt.....you could always parallel 10 wire instead of the 6 ..ure like watching my apprentice work...lol keep ure head up and keep moving forward

[@jjryansea]

Very impressive, electrical shock and all. Every time you use your solar powered system you will get a tremendous sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, notwithstanding your total lack of confidence and self deprecating humor. Happy New Year. Birbie on the road!!!

[@crystalneel748]

Thanks for sharing! Be careful! I’ve now decided after two years of studying bus builds…I am not hard wiring anything. lol I’m going with plug n play power bank systems with portable solar soft panels & maybe a back up gas generator if need be.

[@flyingblowsify]

Hey Emma, I don't know it you have one yet or not, but I would recommend installing a Victron Shunt with Bluetooth to monitor charge and discharge of the battery. I know a lot of people are saying get a fuse installed before the bus bar, but those batteries have internal short protection so adding another fuse isn't necessary, but I would install a main disconnect switch. Also I don't know how cold it gets there; you can discharge battery, but don't charge that battery below 0c the BMS doesn't have low temp cutoff. Hopefully your charge controller will. As always keep on keeping on your doing fine. Also you'd be surprised even on an overcast day you will still probably generate 50-75 watts of power. You can always add a DC to DC charger later and run a line up to the main bus battery so it charges as your driving.

[@brillbusbootcamp2320]

Congrats and nice work carrying on through it all! While there’s good advice in the comments, don’t let it take away from the accomplishments you’ve made. I definitely also have to be cautious to avoid shorting electrical terminals with a wrench during all sorts of jobs. It’s VERY easy to do. I keep a wrench that I insulated with thick heat-shrink tubing for connecting/disconnecting my starter battery when not working on my bus. I’m sure you’ll find some tricks like that to work for you. You’re certainly showing the knack for adapting, and these old buses call for that trait very often!

[@HankEyring]

As soon as that clip started where you had the wrench in your hand, I was thinking that you would get a quick lesson in battery shorting if you touched Pos & Neg together. Then it happened and I was so happy for you! Only a little spark fest like that will teach someone what not to do. 12v won’t kill you, but it will surely melt a wrench and scare the crap out of you. You’re killing it!!!!!

[@codyschiemann4732]

read the below parts about the electricals... however its so satisifying to get crap done yourself and to have something working :) That being said you didnt strip enough copper...

[@richardmoore2590]

Side note: you are so dang cute😉. Love watching you build Barbie. Mental breakdowns not allowed🤪

[@jasonjones5213]

Good job, I think we have all had sparks flying at some point.Kinda rattles your nerves.Keep up the good work.

[@FNDingMyWay]

Are those 6 gauge wires solar wires or just red and black wires? If they're just red and black 6 gauge from the store, maybe check out solid strand wires instead. They'd probably hold better.