DIY 400 watt Ground Mounted Solar Array

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[@WillProwse]

Last points I need to make: -Yes you can use 2 charge controllers with 1 battery bank. Both controllers will feed into the battery as much as possible. Some people were concerned that it would cause one to go into float mode. This is false. One may reach float first, but they will both charge at maximum rate. -Yes, carpentry is not my strongest skill set, haha! But with the amount of L-brackets and triangles I used, this thing is super strong. I also avoided adding a wood strut across the top of the frame because I wanted the top to be lightweight, and the bottom to be heavy. Now that it is finished, I think adding a strut across the top would be a smart idea. -I checked safety codes in my area and I am good to go. It is tiny enough to not need any permits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link): amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first): 12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes: -Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp -Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7 -AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around: amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out: shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p -Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 10% off code: diysolar -Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA: watts247.com/?wpam_id=3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Information: I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: [e-mail] Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers: Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[@aaronvaldi9413]

Will Prowse could you possibly test this or answer this. I have 2 digital clock radios. If I hook them up to my solar system with a pure sine inverter. They loose minutes everyday. This doesn’t happen when connected to shore power. I’m using a 100 Ah battery and 200w solar panels. Battery never drops below 60%.

[@WillProwse]

@@aaronvaldi9413 sounds like it's not a pure sine wave or it's a cheap inverter

[@marqs37]

@@aaronvaldi9413 maybe they use freqency of the grid to mesure Time. Grid is highly stable, it looks like your inverter is not.

[@aaronvaldi9413]

Marek Rutkowski yes I wrote the manufacturer and they stated that the 60hz of the grid is constant while small 1000w inverters vary from 45-63hz.

[@MrBrianDuga]

I think this kind of system would be perfect for me to run into my basement and charge all my cordless power tools. I bought your book last week. Can't wait to put it into practice.

[@lindafoxwood78]

Great video! I got solar 20 years ago; I like how you explain how you did yours. :) I added 1500 watts to my system now - 2019 .

[@brian_abroad]

You are having a lot of fun in your “new life!” This is really great; seeing new opportunities made available as you explore, learn and share.

[@sbollmeyer]

This is Steve from Thailand. I use 24 kWh/day. Currently working on a 3kW array on my roof's balcony. I will be using a grid tied inverter with zero export so I can power my AC for my wife and dogs while I'm at work. Down the road, I might add batteries to power things at night because I should have enough excess solar generation to accomplish that, or pretty close. As always, thanks for the great video.

[@OH8STN]

Awesome video Will. Another reason to ground the system is lightning strikes. I'm really enjoying your videos. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the next one.

[@WillProwse]

Yeah good point!! It is surrounded by other grounded structures so it should be fine

[@WillProwse]

And thanks buddy!! Very cool that you watch my videos :)

[@MindiheartsMusic]

It’s nice that they let you build on the land that you stay on. It’s a pretty garden like place.

[@Tumbleweed5150]

Adding the ground to the solar array is most important if you live in a lightning-prone area. :)

[@toddsines5913]

Yes. We definitely do not want to kill anyone with flying panels 😂

[@clovermark39]

Learning so much from this guy! Thanks so much. I can’t afford a full roof mounted system but hoping I can do something like this!

[@stevevelobahn1814]

Heavy duty door hinges make easy and sturdy angles. Screw them down. Then in winter, re-screw them to a different angle. You are using two controlers on one battery (bank/system)?

[@tabaccopuro]

You are a regular farmer! A "sun harvester", that is.... I love this 4 panel setup. I have to replay this video till I get your 80volt approach. I'm still doing 12v experiments. You need to tell us where we can get wire deals too. Thanks again for these great videos.

[@Tumbleweed5150]

One can only use 80 Volts, (by wiring the panels in series, rather than in parallel), if one has an MPPT solar charge controller that can handle the voltage AND the Wattage of the array. :) These panels he used are "nominal" 12V panels, which probably put out an open circuit Voltage of around 20-22V. See his website link in the description above to find several different ways to do a small to medium solar system, (12-48V). (A large system, (120-240V), like for a house is a tad more than what a normal do it yourselfer can do, plus one needs permits and inspections, especially if the house system is hooked into the grid.) [All Voltages above are DC, not AC.

[@SeanBlader]

Tip I've seen and I put in for a super cheap ground anchor is to dig a hole drop a cinderblock in it, then wire your cable through the cinderblock and fill in the hole.

[@stratman1234]

I like this size of a system. I'm interested in trying a small solar project, mostly for fun. Thanks!

[@bigeric12325]

Monday I get my 2, 25 foot #10 cables that will hook up my solar 500 watts on the roof to my RV ,can't wait

[@WillProwse]

very cool!!

[@doctorpc4x4]

Been binge watching your videos, great info and easy to understand. Your info is so good I even purchased your book last night. Keep them coming

[@gettingpolitical]

Use aluminum or galvanized steel for your frame, wood rots, warps, burns, etc etc. Yes it's cheaper than the above mentioned materials but has a much shorter life span. Going cheaper is not always the best option.

[@brianroberts5740]

Ive heard you say many times," i just used stuff i had laying around. " Why don't you gift some of that stuff you have left from projects. We can pay shipping LOL. WE are doing a Johnny Cash Cadillac type. One Piece at a Time. We have the original 45watt Harbor Freight 3 panel set w/ 45w controller and a 400 w inverter. . Also 2-100 watt panels, 500w HF controller and a 1200 w Peak inverter too. 2 separate systems. We use the little one for charging phones and 2way radios. The 200watt is for our fridge, TV, and DVD player and a box fan. We're cobbling together this as we go. Disability doesn't pay much. I'd like to power my salt water aquariums and keep the lights on for my Guinea pigs too. Im a retired/disabled electrician and ive ran several dedicated circuits throughout the house powered by solar and we have a duplex recpt. and a LED lamp in each room. That way when the grid goes down, we have power and light in each room that's off grid.

[@richardblank6333]

Very cool. Question - do you have to ground these if they are a “perm” installation. - not heavy with bags I mean ELECTRICALLY.. if off grid do I need a ground rod and how do you do that please ??? If so. How do you do that or do you (also) put a fuse or something on the PV line before the solar charge controller???

[@ArtisanTony]

that stand is modern art :)

[@yvespoulin8050]

Panels of 100Watt in series still is a 100Watts system, volage add up but not the current. Current is around 4.7A for each panel, so it stay the same as output

[@blessedwithchallenges9917]

I’m sure you’ve already got it all covered... but it would be easy to make your ground anchor into the grounding rod for the whole array.

[@Cooldipo]

Always looking forward to you videos..... Lots of love from Nigeria.... I live off grid here in Nigeria 🇳🇬 but I am still struggling to power my refrigerator as it always run down my battery.... I plan to buy a 30A dc to dc converter for that like in your video

[@WillProwse]

Fridges are tough to power. Hmm do you have mppt available?

[@lubricatedgoat]

You could also try insulating your fridge externally as well. Try to lower the work on the heat pump.

[@Cooldipo]

@@WillProwseI have an Epever 30A MPPT connected to 3units of 150watt in 2 series and parallel, while another one is 1 unit of mono 100watt and one 130 unit of 130watt poly connected to a separate cheap pwm cc. All connected to 2units of 200amp battery. I can easily buy more fairly used panels as they are affordable for me and with your expose of poly panels impressive harvest I am pumped to go for it as they are cheaper. I can afford more panels but not more batteries, so I need a workable solution even if getting more panels is required. Can you idea is lots of panels plus a large dc to dc converter plus inverter do the trick for my fridge? I see cheap mppt on AliExpress that I can afford and they have been informed to be real mppt so even buying one more cc is an ok idea. NO to batteries

[@Cooldipo]

the challenge is once I use my fridge for some hours during the days, my batteries won't have enough charge to face the night or it doesn't charge up well again that day even when I switched it all up for it to charge back. I use the same setup for pumping water from my well, iron cloths but these are for just max of about 30mins and only when the sun is bright but the fridge need to one for some hours before it can freeze and will need to be repeated everyday. But without the fridge, I am cool 24hours a day on my battery bank, I am confident my solution lies in solar but I still can't find a way round the battery challenge. I messed up my last battery set and I am very careful with my present set, I rarely go below 12.4 for about a year now.

[@Cooldipo]

Still waiting for your informed response

[@DIYSolarandWind]

I have to watch your videos now that I'm getting more equipment.

[@andrewfong4216]

Here in the South we have lots of termites, so either have to use pressure treated lumber where it is near the ground or get it up off the ground onto concrete blocks. I wonder about using heavy duty hinges for the strange angle joints.

[@Formulabruce]

I like this set up !. Thanks for posting it and the webpage with links. You must be down south I see fruit trees.

[@maclow5211]

Hi Will, Again a nice video. As you put 4 panels in series, it's quite risky with Voc at low temperature _ it depends on your panels (over 100V will destroy your solar power system) But we can see wood built is not your best knowledge 😜

[@OWK000]

I have been researching racking systems lately. ($$$$) Leave it to Will Prowse to work up the best budget way to get 4 panels on a rack in the sun. No MC4s either. Waterproof butt crimps. Cool. Makes me want to get some free wooden pallets and prop them up. I was eyeing a freebie metal twin bed frame in the freebies the other day.

[@user-ri4kl2kv9d]

I think maybe if you use a speed squire to fine your angles and add a few old door hinges looks good.

[@Greg_Jones]

I made my frame out of 2X4's like yours. I used hinges from Home Depot for the rear supports. There was no figuring out angels the hinges folded as needed, and made it easy to adjust angles.

[@WillProwse]

Very smart!!

[@ladykatiecrafts]

Thanks for the solar info.... Love watching and learning. Are those new STAIRS TO YOUR RIG?

[@WillProwse]

Yes they are!!! Wow you noticed haha

[@adelgc]

Hi will Just thank you very much for your videos , easy explication and huge knowledge . From Algeria

[@gginah84]

Omg you almost have 60k subs!! Keep at it! 😁

[@WillProwse]

Isn't that crazy?!?! Hehehe

[@falcundo]

I know u r a renter, have u considered creating a solar system for landlord's house in exchange for rent leniency?

[@WillProwse]

I would hire someone to build that. Not worth it really. Especially considering how cheap my rent is and how friendly my land lords are. If they wanted solar I have a friend who would do it. But I'm not trying to pressure them. If they wanted it, they would let me know.

[@tegmapat11]

Great instructions as always, Will! I never knew anything about solar power but have learned much in watching your videos! Thank you! I'm just wondering why, tho', you didn't put a 2 x 4 across the back of the frame top? It would have made the whole array that much more stable and given you a place to put that wider board under to hold the whole thing up? Another smaller pc. of 2 x 4 could have been spaced so that the wide board had 2 pcs. of wood to fit between, if you get what I mean. Is it that you are a genius..... without carpentry skills? LOL Just teasing!

[@WillProwse]

Haha!! So in theory I wanted the top to be lightweight, and the base of it to be heavy. But yeah, now that it is finished, I think I will add that top bar. Very good point! And yeah, carpentry is not my strongest skill set haha

[@WillProwse]

I sure do love l brackets though. A little expensive but they can hold anything together :D

[@Steveski70]

Hi Will I have your book already. Great info. I this video you didn’t mention why you choose to connect your panels in series and not parallel or series-parallel as in your classic 400w van application. Could you please please explain pros and cons of today’s setup Thx. Keep up good work!

[@WillProwse]

oh because this is a totally different type of system. Because it's ground mounted and needs a long wire run, I need a higher voltage. That book only applies to mobile systems and that is still applicable

[@hennoswart4628]

Keep it up Will. Very informative videos 🤙. What are your thoughts on devices that use small solar panels to charge, like torches and lanterns?

[@steveallen8987]

One thing I noticed is that solar cells perform better when cool. How about creating a box above the cells that allows cooling water to pass over and in direct contact with the panel. You could use it to warm water and cool cells. And maybe the extra electricity would be enough to run a circulating pump. What do you think. Could be good for camper vans. I thought about drizzleing water over the front of an angled panel but evaporation could leave deposits and water droplets could cause burn.

[@LiLBitsDK]

water would block and reflect the suns rays off of the panels, greatly reducing their efficiency

[@BladeforgerKLX]

Bought the book, thanks. I'm sure it'll be useful and it's a good way to say THANK YOU!!!

[@danielwilson2109]

Good job you installed those L brackets! Looks really strong considering you just threw it together! How much kwh do you produce per day with both solar panels?

[@TerrydeAlaska]

Nice video Will, I bet you could go to home depot and they would give you some of their wood palettes that they throw away or break down, at any rate if you could get a used palette and that might be a good base to build your solar array although you might have to put 2 or 3 them together...

[@hberry8844]

Cheapest, easiest, funnest way to do it. Yep you pretty much summed it up haha It's not pretty but it works! Beauty in the eye of the beholder.

[@ralb3766]

Can you elaborate on power optimizers to help with shading. How would you hook them up to a charge control system?

[@brett19890]

Why did you delete your old videos on beginner's guide for those who want to live in an RV? I actually still enjoyed watching those.

[@WillProwse]

I'm so sorry :( I kept getting crazy/non appreciative/ argumentative comments on them. Drove me nuts. I just dislike the van life crowd. The diy and solar type people are very kind.

[@valleyboy3000]

Thank for another informative video. Does your new MPPT charger connected to the same battery bank as the older charger that you have? Can you show a diagram, or show how the new charger is connected? Thanks...

[@WillProwse]

Great question. You can connect multiple charging sources, or MPPT's, to a single battery bank no problem. Connect them as you would normally. positive wire goes to positive, negative wire goes to negative. use proper wire gauge and fuse size and you are set

[@VansVanGestures]

Smooth Will.

[@georgefenrich8942]

COOL, I do have that question if you have the 2-3 different array of panels and 2-3 CC at 12 0r 24v CAN YOU JUST PUT THEM TOGETHER ONTO YOUR SYSTEM or do you have 3 Different systems to run different things?

[@antben]

Probably pretty dumb question, but I'm an absolute beginner: could you have skipped using the controller at 3:38 and plugged the wires straight into the ATS? Thanks

[@deverm00]

Thank you for sharing I just purchased the renogy 400 watt solar kit and two battle born lithium batteries Are the 4 100 watt panels too much for the two 12 V batteries?

[@AndyHernandez18]

I wanted to do something relatively this size for my patio. I needed more outlets and lighting outside, and I figured this would be a cool project. Can a charge controller and a power inverter be left on all the time, that way power is always available, pending I don;t use more than I generate/store.

[@Tumbleweed5150]

As an off-grid solar user, yes, you can. I do. :)

[@Tumbleweed5150]

You just have to watch your Voltage/State of Charge, and if you are using Lead-acid batteries, you need to check their fluid levels about every month or two...more in a hot area, a bit less in a cool area.

[@dougmaus4468]

That 125 foot run of 10AWG only loses 125 * 1mΩ * 5.6A² ≈ 4W, which is less than one percent! 🏆

[@WillProwse]

:)

[@Vatsek]

Nice design again.

[@mochouinard]

Well, you better update those pricing with the increase of the wood price ;)

[@Sylvan_dB]

looks good, but why cut off the MC4 connectors? They are waterproof and easy to work with. A cheap MC4 extension cable can be cut in half giving you MC4 to wire ends without altering the panel wiring.

[@WillProwse]

Because I had xt60 for previous test videos lol that's why

[@richarddrummond1614]

Super crafty sir!

[@trevorphillips9699]

Thanks for all the priceless info Will. I'm on a learning curve here and using all the good advice I can get. I bought a couple of 24V rooftop panels with the idea of powering my workshop (mostly hand tools so no big power drain). I've ordered a couple of 50Ah LiFePO4 batteries, a Rover 20A MPPT controller and 1000W inverter - all Renogy. It occurred to me later and you made reference to this in your vid that the controller is a bit light on and I should have got the 40A controller to charge the batteries in parallel. Any way I can still make this setup work?

[@SLMain5]

TFS Will, you are very helpful to everyone! Thanks

[@franackerman295]

Works now 😁

[@josevaliente421]

Lots of admiration!! Where i can buy?

[@MarciaCristina-vk3qr]

High Quality Solar Panels

[@steveallen4371]

Would be great to see a video on how to set up multiple charge controllers to charge your batteries. I was thinking of doing a hybrid system of wind and solar by using one hybrid charge controller but now I'm wondering if it would be better to use a dedicated solar charge controller and a dedicated wind charge controller.

[@WillProwse]

Ok sure and honestly it's dead simple. Just connect them all to the battery like you normally would

[@steveallen4371]

@@WillProwse thanks Will. Love your channel. I currently have zero experience of setting this up but am I right in thinking the charge controllers just monitor the voltage on the batteries to make sure they don't overcharge?

[@WillProwse]

Yeah exactly, and they will all feed what they can. Just make sure you have a large battery bank to absorb all that power. A small bank will hit it's charge rate limit faster than a large one

[@blitzburghbilly7813]

WOW I'M JUST READING HERE 2'DAY IN MY GOOGLES NEWZ FEED ABOUT (Inverters) GOING (DIGITAL) NOW....

[@cliffordbennett7063]

Hi ya could you recommend a 400 w kit I want to power a garden room thank you for you're videos very inspiring

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

What do you think about the 320 watt panels for

[@nkos6376]

great video as always. are you into wind generators also?

[@dodgeguyz]

You are a hell of a solar guy and I trust and believe everything you say! But your wood working skills are not on the same level! LOL

[@tc4275]

Hi! Apologies if you answered this in the video I didn’t catch it. You chose to wire in series, 400 W / 48 volts at eight or so amps. Why not 200 W / 24 volts at 16 or so amps? Higher wattage input better? Higher amps input better? ?

[@samspencer7765]

Basically the way the charge controller is set up this will get the most from each panel, plus over 100ft of cabling, less voltage drop caused by higher voltage is a nice addition. :)

[@WillProwse]

Thanks Mike and Sam!! Exactly

[@tc4275]

Thx all!

[@tc4275]

I’ve just recently bought two, 315 W, 42 V panels at $100 each. Seems like a pretty good price but the high-voltage was worrying me a little bit hence my reason for asking about watts/amps/voltage into the solar controller. My panels will be 40 feet from the Morningstar TS-45 (PWM) controller. Wish I had MPPT but it won’t fit my budget right now. I appreciate your videos and you’re really doing a lot of neat stuff and I’m sure I’ll catch on eventually.

[@tc4275]

Thx Mike...

[@teamskovhugger8135]

Nice video 👍😊 Im thinking how to build a solar / small windturbine setup for my home after looking and reeding a lot on the web for a long time i found the right windturbine and now i got to find the right type of solar panels , the solar panels im looking for must do well in both days with a lot of sun but also days with not so much , do you know what i should be looking for any name or brand that do specialy well when there are days with not so much sun ?????

[@Tumbleweed5150]

The brand and type of solar panel aren't as important on cloudy days than having a higher Voltage array, like he uses above, running into an MPPT solar charge controller. My neighbor has a 48V battery system and five strings of three panels each running 120V DC to a Midnight Classic 150 charge controller, and he barely notices the power loss on cloudy days, though he doesn't use his 220V oven as much then. :)

[@adirondackjack]

Hello, I love your videos & Im looking for some advice. I purchased 4 Renogy 100w monocrystalline panels, four 6 v batteries ( i don't know how to connect them all together) & a Renogy 40 amp rover & a 1500w 12v dc to 115ac Vertamax Windynation pure sine inverter . My goal is to run a small dorm fridge and a few light bulbs for maybe 4 to 5 days every now and then. What would be the best way to hook the panels & battery up for this? Id really appreciate any advice on this as I've never hooked up a solar system before. Perhaps you have a diagram or how to video you recommend me watching? Do you make house calls lol? Thank you.

[@bwye]

Hi Will, if you have 2 seperate charging systems for the same battery bank, won't the 2 controllers be 'confused' as to the battery bank's actual state of charge..?? 🤔 If your first system is charging the bank at, say 26v, won't the other system think it is fully charged and reduce it's current output to the bank to minimal..?? 🙄

[@WillProwse]

Absolutely not, it doesn't work that way. They will both feed as much as they can. There is a comment string here in the comments where I explain why

[@Tumbleweed5150]

@@WillProwse That may be true with MPPT charge controllers, but in my personal experience, my 30A CE-ROHS PWM will shut down, (showing a full battery), (drop to 0 Amps input to the battery bank), if my main panel system, (running through a 40A Epever MPPT solar controller), shows the battery as "full", yet the MPPT controller will still be putting in a little Amperage. I suggest using identical MPPT charge controllers if one needs to use more than one for a system.

[@howard6433]

I'm thinking about doing something similar, but on a sailboat. How did you connect the second MPPT controller? Just hook it up directly to the battery bank, in parallel to the first? I'm guessing this would negate the usefulness of the MPPT Control Display I have. All Victron units.

[@WillProwse]

Yeah connect it directly to it. Super easy. And yeah but you can check on status of each controller with Bluetooth and it's nice to see how each one is doing individually

[@howard6433]

@@WillProwse Thanks. I was worried that one controller would read the voltage coming in from the other controller as the battery voltage and go to float.

[@stuarthirsch]

Why didn't you use pressure treated lumber?

[@davelinaker1531]

On ya Will!

[@Offgridcabinhomestead]

Thanks pretty cool setup

[@diegolux29]

What you recommend me to wire my solar panel I have 50 ft long to get to my charger controller I have 6 solar panel of 100w 12v and 2 of 40 amp mppt charge controller thank you?

[@dsbelanger]

Thank you very much!

[@drmachinewerke1]

What dorm refrigerator are you using now. I hope Amazon shows up tomorrow. Looking forward to reading the book. Will have to watch videos tomorrow while at the swap meet. I believe you did one on 12v versus 24v Doing a 400 watts Skoolie conversion I considered the kindle version but sometimes I want a hard copy. Just easier finding what your looking for.

[@WillProwse]

Haha!! A new one. Idk the name. Has a separate freezer

[@MrRjkaszas]

What type of panels did you choose,please?

[@Electronzap]

Good times!

[@adelalukacova7982]

I am pretty confused, what do you meat "using separate charge controller". Does it mean that your actual batteries will be charged through two different charge controllers? One for the parallel array and other charge controller for the series array I am so much excited to understand it later. I am very happy, your renters give you available part of their orchard to use for solar capturing. It sounds me very possitive human step from them.

[@WillProwse]

Yeah my renter's are really nice!!! I like them a lot And yes, two separate charge controllers, one for each array

[@adelalukacova7982]

@@WillProwseThank you Will for answer. In the meantime I have read a lots of comments below, I see people are not confused from 2 charge controllers like me.Good luck I will adopt this new idea very quickly. Give please my greetings to your amazing renters. Mutual passion for orchards. About 50 plum trees on our domaining. :-)

[@jkerwin9558]

Hey Will, I'm new to your channel but was wondering, and maybe you have already covered this, but could you think about doing a vid on how to connect a battery monitor from the shunt to the DC fuse box on an RV. I Have a very small portable sys. for my 17' Casita, renogy 100 watts and a Walmart 109 amp/hr deep cycle battery. I have one of those cheap 12v outlet plug monitors but would love to install a more efficient monitor but am not sure about connecting to the fuse box (load). Thanks. I will definitely get your book and start catching up on your content from the beginning.

[@Tumbleweed5150]

I would add the monitor directly to the battery, with it's own fuse, (or breaker).

[@jeffsuchy7182]

Would you recommend 2-200w panels in series or 4-100w panels wired 2p2s? Is one better than the other?

[@kareneighth6045]

Excellent! Do all your charge controllers go into one battery bank?

[@WillProwse]

Yes exactly

[@Gusinabus]

With two controllers does one of them see the battery at full charge and just go into float mode. That is what happened to me with two cheap 10a controllers. Do your controllers simply charge at max level no matter what battery state they see ? If so how is overcharge managed

[@WillProwse]

No not at all. There is another comment string where I explain why

[@Gusinabus]

Mike Mead each of my little controllers charged at over 13v and so one or the others seemed to see that voltage a sit in float I do not have that problem anymore as I upgraded my controllers - but I have never had my batteries down to 12v

[@wattsadonnasaurs4810]

Where do you get your long wire from ??

[@nyghtmyst5118]

So how big bank can it charge and what can you do with it if it were all you had ??

[@edwardgein1373]

Hey love your videos. Making an off grid tiny house and I was wondering what you'd suggest for a a 12x32 2 story cabin. I need my Wi-Fi and television plus lighting also I intend to use windmill intended for boats for those windy blizzard we get in Michigan. I've heard tell off steam generators but I'd love to hear your suggestions

[@lodymo.3476]

good work ........

[@super-sim1665]

Definitely separate higher voltage charge controllers with matching solar panels.

[@stephenlwest]

I am trying to hook up Walmart marine battery. When I hooked up 400 W it did not run. When hooked up on 300 w inverter a fuse would blow? Any suggestions?

[@eugenehuman1945]

So does a 400watt solar system not need to be grounded ? Earthed ? Apart from holding it down so that it doesnt blow away? Or must the panels be earthed or the battery eathed ? I ordered 2x 180watt panels 36v each. So mine will also be 72 to 80volts maximum. They are hinged together. To kinda be a mobile setup if i go camping. But i was wondering if it needs to be earthed.

[@KnowThyZomB]

Did you ever find anything definitive regarding this?

[@knutblaise9437]

At 3:39 you show the solar charge controller that you are using for the Ground Mounted Solar Array. Does this controller communicate with your primary controller? My concern is if one controller is actively charging the battery bank, the voltage reading of the battery bank will be artificially high and the other controller will not charge the battery bank. Renogy tech support mentioned this a few years back when I was asking about an appropriately sized controller. I recall Renogy saying if you want to use more than one controller you have to buy more expensive controllers which somehow communicate with one another. Watching you videos I'm thinking the controllers might be able to communicate with a shunt to determine the battery bank's state of charge. If the battery bank is not full then both controllers could charge the battery bank irregardless of the battery bank voltage.

[@WillProwse]

No not a problem here. Both controllers will feed as much as they can at constant voltage with LiFePO4 charge profile. Maybe if I was using a flooded lead acid at high SOC, but not a problem here. Do you have a link to this documentation you speak of?

[@WillProwse]

I guess if you had some dirt cheap and ancient flooded batteries, and one of the controllers was doing equalize function, the other controller would reduce its output but that's the only real situation I could see that occurring. But yeah not a problem here

[@WillProwse]

the most common reason people use 2 solar charge controllers at the same time is to avoid blocking diode configurations and the voltage drop across those diodes. I've never heard of anybody complain about having multiple charge controllers as being a problem

[@brian_abroad]

Knut Blaise I appreciate your having asked Will this question. This, too, was on my mind.

[@patrichausammann]

I bought myself some solar panels too. For four one hundred watt monocrystalline panels, I've paid an equivalent of 260 US Dollar inclusive Shipping and VAT. The modules are CE, TÜV and ISO certified so I guess the quality should be ok.

[@larryll8320]

When I decided to build a house and solar farm I will just call you will you are the professional I would just F it up and die 🤔😖 great vid and great job Mr will😎😁👍👍👍

[@travelingtimothy]

Will you pack it up when you leave or are you thinking permanently install?

[@WillProwse]

Probably pack it up. It would take minutes

[@EnriqueReyes]

How many watts is it producing with full sunshine?

[@WillProwse]

499 max! 410 in full sunshine usually

[@seantaylor4107]

Great Vid Will Cheers.

[@chilly2ss]

Thanks for the intel âne your videos’, keep the coming.

[@alfred3305]

What is the name of the L shape metallic structure

[@amathonn]

Do these pass code in your area?