Do Your Own Cheap Off The Grid Solar Power System

Link to this awesome Inverter for 674.00 signaturesolar.com/eg4-3kw-of...
Link to The EG4 100 AMP HOUR LITHIUM BATTERYsignaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepo...
Link to A great price on solar panels from the same company signaturesolar.com/solarever-...
combiner box amzn.to/3EQvAdp
10 gauge pv wire amzn.to/461jk5R
class T 200amp fuse amzn.to/3ZvNHyT
mc4 connectors amzn.to/3Ruk3bl

[@theadjuster151]

Im slowly learning this stuff and dude im proud of you! I never knew a guy like me could explode with so much knowledge and now you're killing it! 👊💣💥💯

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Right on

[@HolisticPatriots]

Thank you for the content that you create. You show the rest of the world how this is possible for anyone to do. You are inspiring others to take that leap forward into off-grid living.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

thanks a bunch

[@Carepedoit]

My plan is to power my shed like that-which makes it our “back-up” house when the power is out. Thank you for your cool videos! I watch them all.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Yes this would be an awesome sized system for a backup for your house and would be neat to be able to do it inside your shed for when it is needed

[@LadeijahsCreations]

Thank You! I'm saving this Video for Future Use for Sure! I Appreciate It! 🙌

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Good deal

[@MariaLopez-mi4ol]

You should make a video on how to install the panels and all the details to get it up and running.

[@dynaJoe2002]

Exactly how do you do four strings in parallel when the eg4 yellow box is only an 18 amp input? I wish they would give more details in these videos

[@jadyvoirin6238]

Justin’s pretty smart at this the man knows hiss stuff

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

ya he a Goat 🤣🤣

[@joecruggle7638]

Love your videos. Very helpful!

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Thanks

[@markpatton6847]

That was awesome 👌 no BS.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Thanks man

[@myurbangarden7695]

This is interesting. I always thought solar was+ $20k at least. Thanks

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

If the battery Bank wasn't so massive on that thing I could have done the whole system for about 5,000 but we bought $3,000 more in batteries... This bringing the total to around 8500.

[@HeroicJei]

They want you to believe there's no way out.

[@nyariimani7281]

FUN!!! I want that at my house!

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Agreed 👌

[@thomasjefferson5076]

I love this guys videos

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Thanks

[@billm5433]

Oh to be young and able to get set up early in life. I’m in my mid 70’s and currently taking care of my wife, she has Alzheimer’s. In 3-5 years I’ll be moving from Tampa, Florida back to some property in Colorado. I’ll be building a 16’ x 48’ building using 2” X6” studs. A 1 bed 1 bath home. (There are hotels 20 miles away). I’m looking into the 48 volt system, the property has a well, & 2 railroad boxcars I use for storage. I’ll have propane for stove & heat along with a mini split ac. Problem is the elevation is 7,600’ and it gets -40F in the winter. Need to have a way to keep batteries from freezing. Probably a well insulated shed will work. I had a cabin in the mountains at 11,500’ elevation off grid. Because of health concerns had to sell it for a nice return. Cabin had hydro generator, & simple 800 watt 12v solar. A 800 gallon propane tank for generator and cabin. On 160 acres. Hated to give it up, but it was necessary. Thanks for doing your videos. I appreciate your efforts.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

wow..800 gallon propane tank...i would love be as optimistic as you in my mid 70s..-40 is treacherous...i have been in Denver at -17 and it was crispy...i think if you live there when you do your system the solar equipment needs to be located inside your living space so it can survive those elements...especially if you use lithium batteries...do some more research on the charging temperatures of batteries and no insulation alone will not save the batteries at those temps

[@billm5433]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID I lived in Alaska for 4 years and got to know several homesteaders up there and used their ideas for my mountain cabin. I am fortunate, my Dad lived to be 96 and was healthy until his last 6 months. I might just pack up and visit family for the 2 coldest months. I’ll make sure the place is winterized.

[@SetchiPaunda]

Great video

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Thanks

[@carmenmariacortesmarin2664]

Good to see you.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

thats what i was thinking...been needing a new video 🤣🤣

[@whiteblackgrayman]

Amazing

[@Winter_Homestead]

Thank you..we have the same system but 13,000w

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

O ya man... nice

[@whitetailridgehomestead]

I'll keep watching to see the performance on these batteries and inverters. I've been considering them.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

So far so good..has been an excellent choice

[@whitetailridgehomestead]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID we'll keep watching. We run growatt at the moment with docan lithium.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

@@whitetailridgehomestead 6 months so far and going great

[@henrysmifth536]

Thanks bro 👍👍👍👍💪💪💪

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Welcome 👍

[@OffgridwithJayandJen]

Seriously should have this system on every small simple home across the country, at the very least the EV drivers should have this set up to charge their Vehicles. They could even use their Tax rebate to do it.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Funny I was Checking out your solar upgrade video right now when I saw this comment.. but yes that is a very powerful and nice off-grid system I built... I love it.. a little on the pricey side at 8500.. but if somebody else would have installed it it would have been 30 grand

[@OurCabinInThewoods]

New here and thanks for sharing

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

yes no problem

[@taters1351]

You're a good teacher. I'd be afraid that all this would be gone in one bad storm. What are the odds on that?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

10 years so far on one system no issues

[@AutomationDnD]

Nice

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Thanks

[@ronhaight7587]

Have you thought about adding anouther inverter and running split phase? Im in the middle of a very similar setup and cant decide if i want to set it up for 120 or 240

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

I have thought about it but right now I'm okay with 120 because I don't have anything critical that I need 220 for ..

[@beebop9808]

Yeah be doing pretty much the same except with a 6000xp and a single string of the 4k panels. More than cover the need at the moment. Later add a second string to the second input, more batteries and probably another controller. I don't know that I should put too much thought into the later expansion, this stuff is changing so quickly. Be nice to just go ahead and sink into the 18k unit. Try not to think about it too much or I'll be jumping in head first and wish I didn't later. lol

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

So when you say single string of 4k panels you mean 4 thousand watts of panels?

[@beebop9808]

Yeah, 10- 400w panels.

[@ericblazek1]

Great video. Would this setup be suitable for a 3/4 hp water well pump that needs 240v on and off? Thx again,

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

if you bought another inverter you can hook them together for 240volt @6000 watts of power..yes

[@saeedhossain6099]

if you're able to fully charge your electric batteries by noon, I'd suggest setting up a sand or oil thermal battery to use the excess photovoltaic captured energy. basically insulate a big box of sand and extract the heat in later months.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

we just added more things to the critical load panel so now we are pulling much more...video coming soon...it is awesome the way it is working out...im very satisficed

[@evertking1]

Hmmm could you explain this more or share a link?

[@saeedhossain6099]

@@evertking1 try searching DIY sand battery or thermal storage, there are 2 channels with a view also, off grid survival Mike and Davidpoz. basically the panels are going to put out voltage as long as there is sunlight in sufficient quantities. battery storage is quite expensive but very flexible for use. in contrast thermal.batteries are very simple, but they only store the photovoltaic solar energy as heat. simply you can attach a heating element buried in either water or sand to the panels in place of a solar charge controller, that way the energy captured can be stored as heat. there's a short segment on ThisOldHouse where one of the hosts talks about a BTU or thermal battery as a way of small scale energy storage. the main issue is you have to need heat in order to do this, if you need electricity to run a motor or a washing machine or an air conditioner you need electric batteries, rather than thermal batteries. but if you have extra power with no where it can do work at the time its captured, then converting it to heat is a good stopgap measure. an alternative, but much more expensive is pumped hydro storage, use that excess energy to move water and then use gravity to have the water push a turbine and produce electricity, but this is much more utility scaled.

[@BlackGuyDIY]

Does the LI4 setting drop the solar panel’s charging speed? I’ve had to switch my eg4 3000 setting to User define settings to see the full 5000w

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

I have yet to adjust this one

[@chadelerick1834]

Oklahoman here. I've been taking notes. Sent you an e-mail (hoping you reply... might check junk mail too).

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

check your email

[@chiefmatt1556]

I have pretty much the same setup with only one of those 51 volt batteries for now. 5 panels 38v 250 watt wired in series."Minnesota" I only get enough power from 12-2 to charge the Batt. Should I add more panels, or wire differently? Thanks in advance!

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Thanks for the info!..keep them wired like you have them...but wondering why only sun from 12 to 2?

[@ramonalvarado9503]

Would you give us some info about the company in thje Market Place you got the solar panels from ___??? thanks a million.

[@TELKX]

Teach me you ur ways brother, I'm not sure if the usa will stand longer..

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

You got that right

[@thejadeowlforge8779]

I have a genmax 7250 generator inverter with a 50 amp outlet.. I’m wondering how I can wire it to recharge the solar batteries for this exact system im planning on living off grid and I’d really appreciate the help thank you,.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

It would be very easy it's a three-wire process... The inverter will back charge the batteries and run everything in the at the same time when the generator is wired to it. If you are going to buy anything from a signature solar please use my link in my video description that way I will get the credit for showing you the video and the system. Thanks a lot bud

[@bryanforeman2496]

Do you know What size generator it takes to run the internal ac battery charger on that?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

i use a 30 amp 3500 watt

[@HK-hy9od]

Is it advisable I just keep HVAC & the French door refrigerator to be under this off-grid solar 5,000 Watt? Do you think it's enough? I hope this way may help me gradually & partially lightly in my finance on solar.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

depends on how big your system is!!!..if you change it to mini split ac heaters then yes absolutely it will be enough

[@EricAnderson58]

Kewl

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

👌

[@rccorcoles7082]

Im trying to buld something simirar how many panel wpuld u recommend for a 5000w inverter charger ..im using 295 panels

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

THIS INVERTER IS AWSOME signaturesolar.com/growatt-5kw-stackable-off-grid-inverter-spf-5000-es/

[@TannerSykes]

Who’s the company you used for land

[@frankpatterson4146]

By c chance do you have a step by step video on how to set up this system? Thanks

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

i don't have a step by step...most people are bored easily with along drawn out vid like that...but i can answer most of your questions

[@frankpatterson4146]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID well most people are not intelligent also lol... I would love a step by step do it yourself.. thanks for taking the time to respond!

[@kickgas7171]

Good luck! High frequency inverter just don't last. I would never install a high frequency inverters to power my home. Because of their high switching speeds, high frequency inverters run much hotter than low frequency, transformer-based solar generators which makes the low cost, off spec, Chinese made components such as capacitors, diodes, resistors and ICs that are used in the cheap inverters that are used in these inverters, far more prone to early failure. Another major consideration with high frequency, transformerless inverters is safety. Because there is no iron core AC output transformer to isolate, the DC input from the inverter's AC output, all it takes is for the AC output monitoring circuitry to fail and one of the MOSFETs in the inverter's H-Bridge circuit to short to ground, and these units can send dangerous, high voltage, high amperage DC current straight to your connected AC loads which will not only damage most AC appliances but can also set those AC appliances on fire. A far better alternative is to invest less money and purchase a hybrid, low frequency, transformer based inverter charger and an LFP battery and build your own real solar generator. Low frequency transformer based solar generators last many years longer than these toy high frequency solar generators, and can easily power high surge loads without being damaged and without damaging your appliances. That's why the big name brand inverter manufacturers like Schneider Electric, Magnum Energy, Outback Power, Sigineer Power, Victron Energy and others, all use a low frequency topology in their offerings. Your system will last far, far longer, it will run much cooler and can easily power high surge loads without being damaged and without damaging your appliances.

[@KarenWahlenberg-pv7xz]

Great job brother.. sobthe little 3000 watt inverter can run a house? That is where I was having a problem comprehending what can it maintain.. much thanks.❤

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

it can run almost everything you can throw at it except large central heaters or central ac but most of those will take a 220 volt and this is a 110...they do make it where you can do 220 volt with two of them together and they do make much larger

[@KarenWahlenberg-pv7xz]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID that helps a lot. Central ac isn't my concern off grid. Lol 😆 but hopefully a sm window unit. Thank you do much.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

this thing is running a small window unit 24 hours a day right now as we speak

[@KarenWahlenberg-pv7xz]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID that's great info.. just need a good battery system for running after the sun goes away. Thank you so much. 💓

[@popchiproductions08]

How many amps is your pv input into that 3k inverter . I belive that inverter takes max 18a of pv but with your 4 strings in parallel im certain you are way above those 18a . Or am i missing something ?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

well my watts are the max at 5000 and the volts on mine are 220 ish.....it can go up to 500v dc....so the higher the volts the less the amps will be...so lets say it will except wired up to 250 volts dc at 18 amps....but if i wire those same panels up to 500 volts it will bring the amps in half down to 9 amps......in my case 305 watts per panel and each panel is 48 volts @4.2 amps and open circuit volts is 64 so i have them in strings of 4 so 64volts x 4 =256 volts still at 4.2 amps...run 4 of those strings in parallel and now i still have 256 volts but @ 16.8amps...if i need less amps then i will wire up closer to the 500 volt max to get less amps

[@1982757]

What about the good old lead acid batteries?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

i have them on another system that works just fine

[@dynaJoe2002]

What are the specifications on the data plate on the back of your 305 watt panels? I can't see how you're putting 5000 Watts into this box when it's only 18 amp maximum input for the eg4 inverter. You said you're doing four strings in parallel please give me your data plate information so I can do the same with my eg4 unit thank you

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

it is rated to take 5000 watts voc

[@jackh125]

Do I have to use the EG4 batteries, or can I just wire 4 nonEG4 batteries into a 48v series bank and plug it in? What do I lose by doing this vs their proprietary battery bank units?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

You can use any battery you like with this inverter

[@Brandon_Neil]

What did you do with your old lead acid bank?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

I still have it on another system..this is another house i built this for

[@mikemcdonald5147]

man this video makes me ADHD lol. we jumped so fast to and fro I think I got adhd now lol.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

🤣🤣

[@JH-zn7eb]

I bought an off grid place in Oklahoma. I have some questions about the install. Could I message you with some questions?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

yes absolutely

[@ScottsLifeOffGrid]

Very curious what part of the state you are in? I recently bought acreage and a fixer upper cabin in the Ouachitas

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

se oklahoma

[@ScottsLifeOffGrid]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID I'm close to Talihina.

[@SavageWhiteBread]

This is what retirement looks like.

[@joehidrogo2429]

How are your panels attached?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

We bought some holders that are made specifically for tying to the roof and hooking to the solar panels it was like 200 bucks then we used all thread through the panels because of the weird fiberglass design of those panels

[@MosaicHomestead]

Everything looks good except the wire you used, using 8awg is perfect, but the coating of that wire isn't recommended for solar, it's not UV resistant, the correct cable is RH RW 8awg, rated for heat and water.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

Thanks man I'll check into that also considering wrapping any of the expose Pv wire anyways just haven't figured out what to wrap it with yet. Some of it is in conduit but yeah this is a work in progress

[@MosaicHomestead]

@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID I'm in the tropics, even though I used RH RW 8, I put all cable in conduit, including a junction for every panel where cables connect.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

rich guy stuff...lol...joking i understand

[@MosaicHomestead]

@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID I'm not rich, I'm just a very good builder, highly skilled beats rich any day of the week, never forget this.

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

I gotcha man...I been A REPO MAN all my life so im learning as I build@@MosaicHomestead

[@nancywilliams7997]

Wow! That is quite a setup. Did you say how much the total cost was?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

About 8500 for 5000 watts of solar panels and 20killawatts of batteries...awesome price because of doing it yourself

[@IAmYourReflection]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRIDcould this easily run a 1200 sqft home? What ifninonlynhave direct sunlight 6hrs a day?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

@@IAmYourReflection yes I believe so if you go to efficient appliances like a mini-split AC heat and efficient refrigerator etc

[@IAmYourReflection]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID yeah gonna have a mini split but old school fridge. Maybe I should upgrade that then?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

@@IAmYourReflection I would definitely get an efficient refrigerator because that's one of the critical appliances that has to run 24/7

[@Samuel-Godsson]

Brother if my math is right, that right there is 19,000 watt - hours correct?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

its like 215200 WH

[@samfish6938]

EG4 Hybrid Solar Mini-Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump AC/DC | 12000 BTU | SEER2 22 | Plug-N-Cool Do-It-Yourself Installation $1300

[@KenHamner-gr6pm]

You have one?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

yes i have one running on this system

[@KenHamner-gr6pm]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID thank you sir!

[@K_Reeves]

how much did it all cost though

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

8 K

[@The_Defiant_One]

5000 BTU A/C?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

IT IS RUNNING A 12BTU MINI SPLIT NOW

[@woodzyfox4735]

what if i want 200amp split phase? L1 100 amp L2 100 amp

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

If you're talking about 240-volt AC at a hundred amps each side this system here is not capable of doing that although you can get another inverter exactly like that combine them together for splitface but not with 200 amps

[@woodzyfox4735]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID thanks for the info! what about combining inverters that do split phase for a normal 200 amp service?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

@@woodzyfox4735 yes you are able to do that with another inverter

[@woodzyfox4735]

@@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID thank you! Any ideas!

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

@@woodzyfox4735 what kind of ideas are you talking about?

[@johnmcneely6967]

damn why so much in batteries?

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

they are a48 volt 100 amp hour lithium ion 20 year life battery.

[@samfish6938]

electrical strips are dangerous and go on fire

[@OKLAHOMAOFFGRID]

its been removed and hardwired to the critical load panel