DIY Simple Solar Panel Setup with 100W Panels Ecoflow | Bluetti | Anker | Jackery | BougeRV

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Please be sure to watch our video on portable power stations. As always, thank you for watching our content. We kindly ask you to share and subscribe to help us hit our year-end goal of 1,000 subscribers. Thank you ….

[@PWoods-cd6tk]

Nice setup. Not the cheapest way to go, but neat, unobtrusive, light, and fairly simple. I like temporary permanent setups like this. I have several (28) 100 watt panels along my back fenceline also.

[@simon359]

Hundred watt panels? I’m using 450 watt, you’re paying a lot for those 100 panels and getting very little power.

[@PWoods-cd6tk]

@@simon35965 to 70 dollars each with a 20-year warranty, around 70 to 85 percent production like a normal panel, 28 x 28 in, 15 lb each, and free shipping. I could have saved a lot of money by going with an all-in-one and buying a complete package from The joint in Texas, but I needed to learn, didn't want to drop large amounts of money at once, and slowly put my systems together one or two solar panels at a time, and one battery at a time for my 12-volt system. Now I know what I'm doing, what to expect, what works, what to buy and not to buy, and will probably make a larger system someday.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

I agree, I could have gone a cheaper route but, my main purpose was an easily removable setup in the event of possible hurricanes and winter storage of the panels. As much as I would have loved to go with 400W panels, I wasn't certain if the added surface area of them would have worked with the existing fence design. I was super pleased that I had no issues with 80mph wind gusts on a couple storms. The brackets I selected are a perfect match for 100W panels. I was also able to pick up most of my panels last year during Black Friday and Flash Sales from EcoFlow. I think I paid on average $70 for each panel.

[@simon359]

@@LetsTalkTechToday Look into Santan solar for used panels, I bought them before and they’re great!

[@footprinthero]

One of the coolest backyard setups I've seen. Great job!

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thank you. We really like our setup. Our only challenge has been dealing with the shadows our house casts in the winter. We are going to experiment with a few options this year.

[@ProductsChannel]

I love the way you made each tilt so they can be angled independently. Will show your video to my solar class. Hope you get more views. I subscribed. This is the first video of yours I've watched. Keep up the good work.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thank you for your comment and for helping to share our video. I was looking for a simple solution to utilize my existing fence that has a fairly decent southern exposure in the summer months.

[@Bobster986]

I bought 4 panels (2 per set) on sale for $77.00 each on sale and with an additional promotional discount 😃

[@offgridprep]

Looks great, always a learning curve when dealing with solar in the beginning. I like the simplicity of using the 100w panels also

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

I’m constantly learning and reading new articles. Simplicity was the goal of my setup. 100 watt panels aren’t the most cost effective but, with Black Friday deals and flash sales I’ve bought them as low as $65/ panel.

[@aaajimmyb7472]

Wow another fantastic amazing super great video info and analysis from absolutely the best channel on KZbin. Your set it is fantastic I just got the ecoflow delta and can't wait to set it up. Thank you for doing the video and keep the great videos coming.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thank you for the compliment. Our intention is to always give our audience an honest and thorough opinion.

[@jspanga]

Yeah think you need to do something about the partial shading - output will drop ~50% with just 1 module shaded. Microinverters is the expensive solution, but there are inversters with mitigations and panels with bypass diodes that will help. Edit: nvm watched more of the vid and seems you know about it, an inverter config with 4s3p would help mitigate the partial shading issues you're having

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thank you for your input. I'm debating between a 4s3p and a 3s4P setup for next year. Odds are I will try both and put out a follow-up video next spring.

[@rwstarke]

I bought a T07571 Tri-Fuel portable generator in 2020 for the hurricane season. I got to use it for the first time for the Texas Freeze, again later when we lost power from over 2000 lightning strikes hitting the grid in the Houston area and a few more times. I run it on NG and can hook it up to my electric panel using an interlock and a 30A 240V inlet box. As an emergency backup, I have (2) Edostory NBOOST 1500 (1408Wh) power stations made by CARKU (car-ku) as are the VTOMAN. It has AC 1500W charging built in, a 400W (30V - 60V, 15A max) Anderson port, and a 12V 10A DC charging port. I can connect the two using a CP3500 cable, charge each with 400W at the same time and use the AC outlet on one power station while power is coming from both power stations. I also have (2) 666Wh power stations plus (10) 100W rigid solar panels which is made into 5 suitcases with retractable legs for emergency use. I can also be connected to the inlet box (no 240V) to supply limited power to the house.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

I love it. Sounds like you are prepared for everything.

[@Fester_]

You are having fun ! Good man for showing us that. Great job.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thanks for watching!

[@rcguymike]

Why not just cut/grind/file the sharp edges? Awesome use of the fenceline to mount the panels👌

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

I was actually planning to do that when I uninstall them for the winter. I didn’t think of how sharp they really were until I had half the setup installed and was just looking for a quick, cheap method to hold me over until I store them for the winter.

[@racingtogreen2023]

Cool. We're doing something similar with 10 x 360 watt used panels, also mounted partially to our back fence. If you are ever interested in something like that, santan solar is where we got ours. Right around $145.00 per panel shipped.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thank you for your reply and recommendation. Hopefully other views will take note of your source for panels. I know my setup is not the most cost effective but, the intention was to illustrate a simple setup that was manageable with one person and how to work with limit storage space in the winter months.

[@DanielRichards644]

by the time you buy 12 100 watt panels you could buy 10 300 watt panels for cheaper and have 2 and a half times the output.

[@offgridprep]

I have a similar situation where I have a cabin , just using 100w panels too but have a sun tracking mount I’m using to get most of the sun as possible 1000w total

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

If I lived on a property with less shading I’d definitely look into a tracking mount to capture as much as possible. Perfect setup when you are off grid.

[@rontech34]

You should of went with bigger panels like 300w panels same price for 3 of them 100w panels less panels less space

[@offgridprep]

Apparently you didn’t finish watching the video, he explained why he went with 100w

[@lowtech_1]

I guess you left gap for adjustability. I like the look for some reason, may do the same, even though I'm not using that style adjustment.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

You are correct. I had to leave about 4” between the panels so that I could fit my hand in to tighten/remove the bolts with the plastic grips. I was also thinking the spacing may aide in airflow with wind gusts.

[@thechiefsway2618]

A 3S-4P panel configuration would probably yield you much more daily. You would get 300W for every 3 panels in full sun vice 200W for 5 6/8 panels which I saw in your video. When the lights go out all that shading is going to kill your production.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

I do think I need to modify my setup to maximize solar collection. Thank you for your input.

[@interesting2709]

Solar Panels should be arranged in inverted U shape. 2 vertical ones supporting a horizontal one at their top. Top one works best at noon and the other 2 work good in day time and evening time respectively.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thanks for the tip! I experimented some during the summer with a few different configurations. I have two major limitations with my location, shadows in the spring/fall and extreme high temperatures in the summer. I’m actually quite surprised how well they have been performing the last couple weeks in the early morning and late evening.

[@billy-go9kx]

I would think the 2 inch pipe depth in the lawn is not very protective of the pipe and wires.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

I appreciate the feedback and agree I should have reiterated that 2” may not be code in some municipalities. Unfortunately my lawn has a lot of rock in it and going much deeper would have been almost impossible without a jackhammer in some locations.

[@krakenworks7702]

I'm trying to view many variations on a solar setup and I'm curious if there is a reason to not have the lines run in and out of the breaker box through the bottom? Some other videos I've watched made a point of talking about coming through the bottom with a drip loop.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

The main reason why I came in thru the top of the breaker box is because I wanted to have the inverted loop with my PVC conduit so that water would not go into it and fill up the pipe with water. The breaker box is water proof so the wires can come in the top or bottom without any issues.

[@jpmo82]

hi, is the ecoflow 100w rigid 12v or a 24v solar panel system? thanks.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

The EcoFlow 100W panels are a 12v rating. 12V panels normally measure between 18-22V Voc with no load. 24V panel will typically measure between 36-42V with no load.

[@phlogistanjones2722]

Six series and two sets parallel. No mention of per panel output voltage rating or actual output range for each panel or sets. That would be useful information.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

I will be producing another video to discuss what to look for when wiring panels together and what wire gauge to consider.

[@scooter6334]

Very neat and clean install ❤.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thank you. We appreciate the feedback.

[@JurassicJenkins]

I have 4 EF 400w panels. Any particular reason you didn’t choose higher wattage 200w or 400w?

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

I wasn’t certain how the heavier, larger panels would work with my fence and was concerned about the surface area of larger panels with 60+mph wind gusts that we frequently receive. I was fortunate to have purchased many of my panels last year with BF deals and flash sales. My average cost per panel was about $70 each.

[@JurassicJenkins]

I see you answered it later in the video. Nice setup. I’m in Orlando and the max power 4 series, was 1300w for about a minute. Ground mount, flat at the moment. I have the Signature solar bright mount, still in a box. My setup, 1 Delta Pro, 1 Smart Home Panel which I plan on installing in December, one Dual Fuel Generator, and 4 EcoFlow 400w panels. My intent is to eliminate or offset all the “always on patristic” energy usage. Panel angle and shade are definitely an issue. I’ve received more energy on cloudy days than direct sun. With that said, shade is a big deal.

[@JurassicJenkins]

@@LetsTalkTechToday You got a deal there, two panels are 250 ish now. I recommend all pro generators for completive price. Ordered three EcoFlow items from them, no issue at all and free shipping no tax.

[@JurassicJenkins]

@@LetsTalkTechToday One more thing, if you went with 400w EF panels, I would mount horizontal in your fence case. Only 38inches from top to bottom and 69 inches wide. 48 pounds.

[@thehandsurgeon]

Great video!

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@hanneloreczop5712]

Very informativ, Thank you

[@acanadianineurope814]

why did you make 2 runs of 6 panels, rather than just connecting all 12 together ?

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

You have to watch your voltage when running panels in series as you add voltages together. When running in parallel you also need to pay attention to amps and the gauge of wire you are using. A typical 100w panel has between 18v and 24v each. If I were to run 12 panels in series it would be over 250v. The input on my solar generator is 150v so to keep it safe I wouldn’t want to exceed 120v-130v. I will be producing another video about what to pay attention to when setting up panels.

[@acanadianineurope814]

@@LetsTalkTechToday ok thank you I will watch for that

[@davidwright1752]

Which Country and State is this very cheap power.

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

We are located in the US in Georgia

[@solinvictus6424]

Thanks!!

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Glad you liked our video.

[@rontech34]

You could of had just 4 300w panels to add up to what you have there now

[@PhysicsViolator]

If your panels are 1/2 shaded during in the middle of the day , you’re not only losing energy the whole installation is wrong….

[@2point..0]

Great content!!! Liked#31 !!!

[@LetsTalkTechToday]

Thank you. We appreciate the feedback.

[@coyotef150surfer7]

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