Doubling Our Off Grid Battery Storage With Ruixu 48v Server Rack Batteries! DIY Solar System

In this episode we add 3 Ruixu batteries to our DIY solar system and double our battery capacity!
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[@arthurvdvelde]

Not sure if it is mentioned allready, but the cagenuts should be installed on the back of the rail. When you screw in the batteries it wil be really tighten to the rack. But for now it should be ok, they are not really going anywhere

[@MB-gc5fe]

Rather than make another comment on main thread, yep. Gave me a laugh but can't expect them to know this stuff to be fair.

[@garybaris139]

...and they could have installed it without removing the batteries by removing the side panels and installing them from outside...

[@MB-gc5fe]

@@garybaris139 Yep. Again though, if you've never worked with rack mount systems you aren't likely to pick up on things like that. It's all good. Happy to see them making progress and wishing them the best.

[@garybaris139]

@@MB-gc5fe The bigger issue that I've not seen mentioned by anyone else is the mixing of battery types and technologies on one system. They need to take the older technology batteries out of the system and set the charging up for the new batteries else the new batteries' lifespan might be shortened. Also it is highly recommended that new batteries are individually fully charged before connecting them to a common bus system.

[@jtaulen]

@@garybaris139 they are not mixing battery types, the old system is still lifepo4.

[@glennkorman]

The positive and negative that connect to the bus bars in the battery rack should be mounted to opposite corners. One connected to the highest lug and the other to the lowest lug. This make the power load equal thur the 3 batteries you have installed and will support the future when you add 3 more batteries. Will Prowse’s channel has a number of really good video on how to wire a server battery rack.

[@Gruvlok]

Came here to say this ^

[@tylerhoward2703]

he is a solar genius.

[@victorshane4134]

Thank you for teaching him the right way of doing this. This is the first video i watched from them and... Well his skills are somewhere else for sure....

[@RokDAWG1]

Oh awesome! Good to know! I’m trying to learn as much as possible myself.

[@jtaulen]

nice upgrade, just for others installing the cage nuts in the rack, they are supposed to be installed from the back, but no biggie :)

[@ruixubattery]

Our battery can be installed from Back too.will show the video on our KZbin channel

[@nschubach]

Yep, the cages are only there to hold the nuts in place while you screw the bolt together which is what holds the unit in place. The way they designed the rack (and the fact that the racks don't tilt a lot) means this is less of a concern in your case.

[@robertkerr9208]

What he means is the nuts are meant to be the opposite side of the rails they fit in. So the rail is between the screw and nut

[@jtaulen]

@@robertkerr9208 exactly :)

[@andrewjackson9374]

Oh and removing the cage nuts using that same tool is done by inserting it between rail and cage lip, on the non-nut side. The cage will generally pop out without much effort but if necessary you just lever it slightly through the hole.

[@tuberdave1]

Great addition,Will is a fantastic guy for solar tech!😊

[@ginozanga2129]

It’s so satisfying, watching you two expand on your home. U2 are doing a great job.

[@mlutke4067]

So impressive!! I’m amazed at both of you & the knowledge you have gained!! 😎

[@northidahodreaming5657]

Congrats on the new power storage!

[@johnkirby6547]

Ahhh, just what you needed. Glad to see it hooked up and running. Hopefully the fires will get put down fast. Looking forward to seeing the expansion of solar

[@mikeduda3173]

Soooo glad for your solar sponsor. Your channel had grown so much since I first started watching. Happy to be one of your many followers. You have worked hard and you've earned it. Your future is bright. Lots of lights, get it?, bright.🎉

[@suezaple4950]

epic upgrade to the solar, nice looking cabinet and batterie's , You folks are doing amazing work at your off grid home .

[@brucewitcpalek5120]

I am so happy for the two of you!! You are so deserving of a great sponsor like this because you both are amazing and very hard working people !! ❤️🙏👏✌🏼😎

[@donnawarmouth9329]

Exciting that you guys are getting you more solar power

[@larrybell4599]

I’m very happy for y’all to get this new set of batteries. You will definitely want more panels to charge them faster.

[@russellwatters5891]

Everything looks like it was made for your house, I'm sure you'll be happy with the system once you expand your panel array as well. Ya'll have definitely come a long way!! Love ya'll ❤

[@Mariekennedy7478]

So Excited for You Guys❤️❤️

[@patriciafuchs5970]

Exciting to see you getting more electricity!

[@topc5826]

I've installed and built dozens of server racks and the caged nuts go behind the rail or plate not in front it. There is a special little tool that comes with the bags of caged nuts and bolts, it's a shaped shim to catch on the clip ends to slip the hooked ends through the openings, to help you snap the clips into square holes in the rack. Also I think you should seriously consider building an outside enclosure for your power system and get all those batteries out from under your stairs. You really want to separate your energy storage outside of your residence. If something were to happen, God forbid, and your batteries caught on fire your stairs would be engulfed in flames preventing you from getting down from the upstairs if the fire were to happen at night while you were sleeping. If not at least put in smoke and fire detection and suppression systems under that stairwell. However, I would seriously consider building a concrete or brick shed, bunker or shack enclosure outdoors for fire suppression and separation from the home living quarters. It could be called the server room, control room, energy bar, whatever you want to call it, but I would put it outside a good distance from the house and run regular electrical supply cabling and cable service entrance just like a normal wiring from electrical grid providers. I enjoyed your video and want to see more but you need to take more precautions when dealing with large quantities of batteries and kilowatt-hours of stored electrical energy. You really only need to to have the energy you need in real-time come into your home the rest of it should stay outside of your residence stored safely including protecting the environment surrounding it so you don't give those water bombers another target that needs to be quenched.

[@dtuttle351]

100% Agree . Also not mentioned is the weight of that Server cabinet/battery shelves on an OSB based flooring and wood framed structure on top of the stair loading.

[@topc5826]

@@dtuttle351 Absolutely! I can just imagine the floor collapsing underneath that server rack. Now, I don't know if there is a basement but that's another way, if the floor collapsed, the cabling or the batteries shorted out there's another chance of a huge fire from all those batteries heating up and igniting. I like and applaud seeing all this initiative to go off-grid but who's got your back but yourself in situations like this? You got to cover it yourself.

[@markmckeachnie4484]

Lol , I think Greg built the landing to fit that battery case , wow couldn’t have planed that

[@markmckeachnie4484]

Oh that new barn look GREAT 👍

[@ThisOffGridLife]

So lucky. It would have been difficult to find the space in that room otherwise

[@hombredeacero3131]

Looks like a awesome unit and upgrade. Hopefully they’ll get the fires under control soon.

[@brucesteidle6625]

Love how well you both work so well together. Anything you do it is always the both of you. Good wife Good life. Bruce💯❤

[@robertdouglas4130]

Very interesting! What a clean installation!

[@jackwhite6030]

This is an excellent video on off grid solar and battery storage install.

[@curtfunk2370]

You guys are amazing!! I hope the fires don't threaten your homestead.

[@nschubach]

Agree, I hope the fires don't threaten you. If I were them though, I'd work on clearing the ground around their property line to discourage the fire from spreading due to dead/fallen trees and debris. Just get the tractor out and clear off the land and maybe cut down a few dying/dead trees on the perimeter. It's not fool-proof fire prevention, but any little bit helps slow the spread.

[@carolfaberpeake857]

Wow amazing, congrats! 🎉

[@1944chevytruck]

oh man forest fires everywhere! ....stay safe!.... nice batterys!

[@ld5714]

The Ruixu Server Rack and Batteries are very impressive. It is a very professional looking and will be a very welcome addition to your operation. It's a good thing Greg is young and lean as he slid back behind the rack with relative ease - that would not be the case with me 😄 This video was good and I appreciate you walking us through the entire system at the end Katie. I'm very thankful the fires aren't near you at this time and pray that continues to be the case. Have a good week Katie and Greg and be safe out there. You'll be in my thoughts. Larry, Central Valley, Ca.

[@ronnieterry4916]

Very nice system. During winter with no sunshine this will keep you from being in dark hopefully.

[@renem3375]

Amazing battery setup!!

[@loucinci3922]

Did you put the cage nuts on the cabinet before you installed the batteries? HAHA You just said it....Too funny

[@tedschuhle4956]

You should complete the rack with the nuts and bolts for the empty bays. So you don’t have to look for the hardware when you get the other batteries

[@barryedwards1336]

Good idea, or leave the nuts in a bag inside the cabinet

[@TheBoosteddub]

Yeah. Zip tie them inside the cabinet

[@ThisOffGridLife]

@@barryedwards1336 we have everything stored together in the cabinet

[@lauraSechelt]

Excellent score!

[@TheHavasu_77]

Looks awesome you guys!! I hope that the fires stay away from you and they put the fires out quickly.❤

[@dorothyallen3614]

Praying the fires are put out quickly and all is safe love your up grade and hope it suits your needs❤

[@emmahandford9026]

Hi. Thinking of you guys. I hope all is safe and well at your home and the surrounding mountains. Stay safe. 🙏 xx

[@Jayz33333]

The nuts in the rack need to be installed from behind,not from the front to be effective. They can be pulled out with the way you have installed them incorrectly

[@TheDogsBox]

truth

[@dreesedatalink]

yep to pinch the battery ears between the nut and the rail. otherwise you can still just pull the batteries out still.

[@youtuberconsuming6411]

thing is, it's obvious even if you don't know how a server rack works. they are bolted to nuts on the FRONT of the rack they are connected to. only the little clips are holding it in, lol

[@dude2850]

Should read the instructions first.

[@MrRoma70]

You can also change it without removing the battery, I am sure those cage nuts can be installed via removing the side panels..

[@VenturiLife]

I had a power rack cabinet like that once. 18 years ago! :)

[@ilonakatalindako-tolman5545]

Pretty cool 😊 needed service accomplished

[@laruedouglas7972]

That is so great for you both 🥰.

[@kevinwiley9696]

Nice Job Guys!!!

[@dennisphillips5782]

Love your video thanks for sharing.

[@grins047]

Well done getting that box up the stairs!

[@kd2eat]

Congratulations on the sponsorship. That's a nice upgrade with those batteries. Ruixu has been highly regarded on a few of the review forums, as you mentioned. You mentioned your negative wire might be a bit short. As someone mentioned below, it balances the batteries better if you put one lead on the top of the bus bar and the other on the bottom. So, you might consider changing out your negative cable with a longer one, and while you're at it, run it to the bottom of the negative bus bar. As soneone else mentioned, those little square nuts should be mounted from the rear, so that when the screw pulls on them, they are pulled INTO the rail, and not out of it. It's not like you guys will be jostling those racks around much, but maybe when you pull it out to add capacity, you could pop out those existing units and put the nuts in the right direction. God forbid, if you were ever rolling that rack and it got away from you and slammed into something, those drawers could probably yank those nuts right out of the rail, as-is at the moment.

[@bay9876]

Storing power like water to be used as needed is the mountain top reality. With a good source of electric power for pumps, lighting and heat for house and water gets you everything the power company can offer. Great video and a guarantee of survival through those mountain storms.

[@michaelshea2408]

So much for the easy to understand directions Greg! 🤣

[@angeldawnmorningstar]

Danggggg ! 😲 Katy is FIT ! .. We need her on our softball team ! 🤩 Epic Thumbs Up on the impressive power station upgrades ! 😎 😇❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@cedricbroussard8738]

That's an awesome setup!!

[@JayCollins2013]

Greg's got brains.

[@joeybobbie1]

Great Video, I really like the look and ease of the Battery Rack System. I think that would be the way to go. Like you said, all you need now is more Solar Panels. If you can it might be a good idea to get enough Solar Panels if possible, to support the addition of additional Batteries. You have really set up a very nice System. I was glad to hear you have back up Generator Power. Thanks for making the Video of how you are setting up your System. I think it will help a Lot of People including me. Looking forward to more Videos. A Big Howdy from Texas.👍👍❤️❤️

[@bmw328igearhead]

Solar, wind, water if you have access to large enough quantities... one can live off the land easier than most think.

[@JayCollins2013]

Katie has muscles

[@jaydekeyser]

Praying for everyone in the Northwest with the forest fires, stay ready and mobile.

[@yourtechjohn]

Really great video watching you work through the individual steps of the install. One thing for anyone thinking about these or similiar - if you go to add batteries, the bus bars are hot. You should disconnect all the batteries - make sure no power is to the bus bars before trying to remove or install a battery.

[@richardwhite4277]

half way through great video

[@PaintSlinger99]

Katie is so jacked, my wife would have cried lol. Good to see the Sungold is still purring

[@davidwittmer8806]

I love all your videos, especially the barefoot ones. Be safe and healthy.❤

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 11:18 some times on youtube it is hard to admit mistakes but glad you did to save other people the pain of the mistake

[@user-my4wr7qw9f]

Well done, Katie , Greg an other great job. Michael, Ireland 🇮🇪

[@powerwall]

great video

[@rodneyross5282]

Awesome way to go. I have EG-4 rack system. I watch Will Prose, David Poz and Hobo Tech religiously. There is a new EG4 battery in town very interesting Will has a lot to say about that one. Really enjoyed this video, have a super week. God Bless in all you do.

[@williamirizarry1113]

I would invest in a heat thermal camera. Periodically check all your connections for heat build up. Also, make sure your smoke detectors work and you have fire extinguishers handy. Always have an escape plan. You are dealing with dangerous stuff. It can kill you. Other than that, those batteries are sweet :)

[@Mazlem]

Now that's an upgrade! I saw Will Prowse review these a couple weeks ago and he really liked them.

[@ThisOffGridLife]

We are super happy with them as well!

[@jamesharris7868]

How do the water bombers fill up Katie?

[@ThisOffGridLife]

@@jamesharris7868 in the lake near us.

[@Deck1ngUK]

I love the fact that even today, we do not RTFI, it was something I only did when I couldn’t figure things out or I had stuff left over.

[@buddyreed2623]

RTFI prevents one from taking something apart and starting over as was demonstrated.

[@dmurray91]

Bro she lifted the hell out of that thing. If it weren't the flops it would have gone straight up. That was awesome!

[@ronaldlincoln2935]

Great vid. Definitely like the look of those Ruixu batteries. I am going to look into expanding my storage. I currently have 27kw worth, but I have a huge family that has no idea how to turn off lights and computers when they are not being used and take 5 showers a day each (seeing that usage spike from water heater gives me heartburn) so I need all the storage I can get!!! LOL

[@RokDAWG1]

I’m think that this may have helped decide to go with these batteries! Awesome video! I’m going to try and have a couple of racks as well as double sided panels.

[@jayolson578]

We live on Lake Roosevelt in NE Washington State and it’s always nerve wracking when the Air Bosses are up flying or getting water in front of the house because means the fire is so close. With these overly hot dry summer days everything is tinder dry. Stay safe and hope things start to cool off a little.

[@richardwhite4277]

nice that the handles on the batteries fold in

[@BeardedBuilder]

Hey love the videos tip connect positive to one end of rack top left and negative to bottom right this will ensure current doesn’t favor a single battery closest to output hookup

[@deeprootslandscaping4499]

Nice!!! We are considering these batteries. Ive been told they wont pass code here yet, hopefully that changes

[@garysparks2681]

The only drawback I see to this whole install is now - you have to find another catch'all spot. Maybe one of the most important places in the house. 😁

[@larrybartlett7419]

Totally awesome. You are both totally awesome folks I am sure, hoping the fires doesn’t come anywhere close to you -- I worry I lived in Slave Lake AB. When the fires came through our town, not good. Please have an escape plan and maximize your insurance plan.

[@ianlangridge3412]

Good stuff. New batteries. There is a number of GOOD comments being given to you. Please note the serious overheating fire risk. I would not want to see that happen to you. Now I wish to add my points. Number the batteries bottom to top as you plan to extend 3 to 6. Keeps them in a logical order. Crimping. When using a lug a little too big for the cable add few strans of the same cable wire to pack out the gaps. This will ensure a good crimp connection. I learnt this when working on 52 volt DC supplies for telecommunications. I love following your channel and dont want to sound critical or smart but felt I shoud add my 2 cents worth. Please accept this in a positive light as ot is intended.

[@paulhancock7860]

Great video! I wasn't aware of the Ruixu batteries and I see they offer shipping to Canada which is a bonus as I was going to be sourcing my batteries from the US. With almost 30kwh of battery capacity you guys definitely need to increase your solar array. I made the mistake of undersizing my solar array for the battery capacity I have on my system 15 years ago. Highly recommend creating a spreadsheet that will calculate charge times based on battery Ah, depth of discharge, size of solar array and system losses. Tailor your array size so that it charges your batteries based on you typical depth of discharge (daily kwh use + desired autonomy days) and the minimum hours of sun you get in winter. For instance, for a 30kwh battery bank, 3 hours of winter sun and a 50% discharge would require 8.6 hours to charge based on your 2100w array but only 3 hours to charge if your array was 6000w.

[@TimRoyalPastortim]

SanTan solar is a great place for you guys to get budget panels. They sell for less than anyone I've seen and even get some great used deals!

[@rosaolbera8768]

Hello nice to see you both lovely couple awesome video Rosa

[@susiemurphy1476]

Nice!

[@poorboy2012]

Hello. Your video is great, I'm watching your channel it's great. Have a nice day❤

[@terrydarow8401]

I hope u get more juice in the house by this new item love u guys also the bus was neat❤

[@BabylonHellraiser]

Yup cage nuts need to be installed on the inside of rail. It would be easy with the cage nut tool but flat head screw driver is enough to pop in place from behind.

[@dginta7932]

Nice work. Lots of things I would do different, but it’s not my place. :) Katie rocks.

[@BurkenProductions]

Nice you could have a ncie off grid server room now! Put in a couple of nice servers! :d

[@homergarner5136]

I am in Florida and not sure what part BC you are located but I worry about the fires. Please safe. Enjoy your videos.

[@brunomckay1875]

Simply awesome, now another ten solar panels? Great progress stay safe and when are you going to complete the siding, before winter?

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 21:50 Greg's new job not a comedian but a shadow puppeteer

[@eloleddie]

Pray that the fires stay "far" away from you and does not grow too large, nor produce too much smoke that it would bother you!

[@offgridliving4128]

Subscribed.

[@dc1544]

nice looking rack. I built my own battery banks. 14.3kw x4 =57.2 kw. I paid for all $9100. I like that they are plug and play but they still charge 2x compared to building yourself.

[@BurkenProductions]

You should find some water source nearby where you can make a water turbine to get power 24/7 instead of just when it's sunny out.

[@richardwhite4277]

we do love the curtains though

[@funkydodo149]

The cage nuts should be installed from the back of the squire holes, the metal clips pops open in the hole. The screw from the front goes through the square hole into the cage nut pulling the batteries to the back to fasten...

[@AmirulAfifi10]

for the green future .. 👍👍

[@c.davidcook3565]

Prayers for those fires to be extinguished ASAP 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ragtop63]

Good video. I would encourage Katy to wear some foot protection when carrying heavy items. If on of those batteries were to slip and fall on her foot, it would have done some serious damage.

[@silvielarischova6137]

vypadá to dobře

[@wadeprior5203]

Hey guys hope you guys have a great day hope you guys are having fun day I like your new toy to speakerphone don't get shots just to have a good day and have fun you guys

[@craigpalatchie2607]

good effort guys keep it up, however battery fusing? needs to be easily accessible, in case of emergencies,

[@raylucas4281]

Hmmmm steel toe boots....haha great job guys

[@NigelHamer]

Nice job guy's, you could probably triple the number of solar panels you have at the moment planning for enough output on cloudy days to keep everything charging and running.

[@ThisOffGridLife]

Yes, we definitely need to get on that. It's been fine with sunny days but in the winter with less daylight, we will really feel it

[@NigelHamer]

@@ThisOffGridLife I used to make a list of how many amps everything in my system actually used multiplied by how many hours a day it ran for to get a total amp hours requirement, then looked at what the panels were outputting on a cloudy day which should let you work out how many panels you would need to meet that requirement plus some extra panels to cover future increases in consumption. The other thing that will have a big input on your system is the wire size from the solar array to your battery charger/inverter voltage drop over long distances would really impact your system so using an online solar wire size calculator can help to get the best compromise between wire cost and how much voltage drop you are going to get, if you can get the voltage drop down to 5% you will really be the king of solar.

[@kevindawe911]

Sorry to bring bad news but the cage nuts should go on the inside of the rack so the device is clamped to the rail. The batteries are so heavy that they could be pulled off the rail and you don't want the battery coming away from the rails especially when you have all 6 battery packs installed. Nice vid, look forward to the next.

[@flowerstone]

Talk to RUIXO about pull out racks. We use them where I worked and they make maintenance and installation much easier. Slide out like a drawer. Of course cabling needs to be longer. 😊 I sure hope the fires get put out. We are on fire watch where I am too. Only time I regret being on top of a mountain. 😏

[@richardwhite4277]

@ 12:05 the wood stove not burning is a thing we all think about in the summer but all winter we know the process