Offgrid VS Hybrid Inverters! Which one is better for the $$$?!

[@WillProwse]

*Inverters mentioned in this video (affiliate links):* 6000XP Offgrid Inverter: signaturesolar.com/eg4-6000xp-off-grid-inverter-split-phase/?ref=cPwLcVc0SW-BjN Free 6000XP System Blueprints: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html 18kPV Hybrid Inverter: signaturesolar.com/eg4-18kpv-hybrid-inverter-all-in-one-solar-inverter-eg4-18kpv-12lv/?ref=cPwLcVc0SW-BjN Sol Ark 15K: www.currentconnected.com/product/sol-ark-15k-all-in-one-hybrid-inverter/?ref=wp Victron Inverters: www.currentconnected.com/?dgwt_wcas=1&post_type=product&ref=wp&s=victron%20inverter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *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 Book* Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar! amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Energy! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: ts.la/william57509 *My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):* 12V/48V Lithium Solar Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Complete Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html Plug-N-Play System Recommendations: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete "Add to Cart" 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 *My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:* *Signature Solar* Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek *Current Connected* SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp *Litime* My favorite 12V budget battery!: www.litime.com/?ref=XBIA62RFcalHns *Epoch Batteries* My favorite high-quality 12V battery: www.epochbatteries.com/products/12v-460ah-lifepo4-battery-ip67-heated-bluetooth-victron-comms?rfsn=7352625.50494d *Renogy* A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more! renogy.sjv.io/n1VjXx *Rich Solar* Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek *Battery Hookup* Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 5% off code: diysolar *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

[@WillProwse]

If you are doing a small offgrid 12V system, I recommend Victron Inverters as usual. Check out my other videos to see 12V system builds!! Check out my latest video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpPCmqudZsqcorc

[@MaritimeUnprepared]

You're one of the nicest people I've ever met on KZbin, and I've used your advice to live off grid right now. Heck yeah buddy, you're a good teacher 🇨🇦👊

[@jaminoes_]

Can you get the tax deduction for an offgrid inverter + batteries ?

[@Moes_Prep_and_Tech]

Whats your opinion on the New Ecoflow Delta Pro Ultra?

[@WillProwse]

@@Moes_Prep_and_Tech oh tough, I don't have it yet. Looks ok. But I wonder how solid the software is

[@Browneye2566]

I bought all Victron gear for off grid use. Spent my money up front i know, but never looked back. They might outlast outlast me. Couldn't be happier with how I went.

[@Homested_Happenings]

Buy once, cry once. I love my Victron.

[@Mike80528]

Good call. EG4 support is a pathetic joke. I could not recommend them anymore to anyone.

[@marzsit9833]

mornigstar stuff is good too, a little outdated but the failure rate is almost nonexistent. and their tech support is amazing.

[@VinceBadovinatz88]

​@@Mike80528😢

[@Mark-sl2fj]

Which model did you get and what about batteries?

[@davidbowser]

We have a 6000xp in our off-grid barn and I can confirm that you can hear the fans anywhere in the barn. Any outside engine noise (truck, tractor) will drown it out, but normal nature (birds, animals) will not. It's not crazy loud, but anyone that has worked with server and workstation computers will know that fan sound.

[@bigdfig6083]

Ah, that 60hz hummmmmmm! IT inna former life, in n outta data centers daily and I can say I def don't miss that drone. Deal breaker for me on these controllers. Gotta be sealed type to sock em away, way away.

[@robertsmith2956]

I found some thin steel sheets at the junk yard, and put them on the walls and ceiling. That should slow down any lipo fireworks in my power shed. Wish they made DIY HALON systems. That should starve lithium.

[@geoffhaylock6848]

@@robertsmith2956 Don't lithium burn without air? Most car battery packs are sealed and they burn pretty good. You need to remove heat not oxygen.

[@EricKolibas]

@@bigdfig6083nah it’s not a frequency hum, it’s just a fan noise

[@Hansen710]

you can add a shrout and a normal fan with silencer to a crypto miner/server.. it would not take much adjustment to fit those kits to a inverter... if a njord printboard and a fan kit does not fit, i bet they can make it fit sounds like the hardest part is to 3d print the shrout the reason why servers make more and more noise is that those small fans can hardly keep up with the job why use 10 fans on full power if you can use one fan on half power i bet it would draw less energy with a kit also, just like the servers do

[@daverohn383]

I went through my entire 2600 square foot house and replaced every light with LED bulbs, upgraded appliances and got my energy consumption down to a bare minimum. I then did several weeks worth of research, including watching a lot of your videos, before buying system components. I purchased a pair of EG4, 48 volt, 3K watt inverters and built a 48 volt LiFePO4 battery bank. I made the system modular so that I could pull an inverter and battery out, put it in my motorhome and take trips. I'm happy with what I've put together with your help. It works great! Thanks for what you do here, Will!

[@killuadre9176]

What do you use for heating/cooling? I am studying as well what I should set up. My off grid house will be of similar size.

[@VinceBadovinatz88]

I agree with your comment about thanks to Will. such great information

[@nobody342]

You were still using incandecent or even worse those compact flourecents?

[@daverohn383]

@@killuadre9176 I'm using natural gas and a pellet stove in my home and propane in the RV.

[@killuadre9176]

@@daverohn383 Thanks!

[@terrylane1492]

On Maui, there's no way I would go on the grid. They buy power from you at 11 cents per KWH they sell power to you at 42 cents per KWH. They limit the amount of power that you can produce. My subsidized LCOE is $0.08 /KWH. There's a $10,000 hookup fee to the grid and a grid maintenance fee of $20 a month. The price of energy here will go up by 10% over the next 8 years. I would rather buy a small generator for the rare occasion that I would run out of power. The future of power generation will be through independent homeowners, and not the government or big businesses like Enron. The biggest problem we have is with PUC regulations limiting the sale of excess power. If we can get rid of that level of fat cat protection, it would lead to a much freer society. Love your show Will thank you!

[@sophiegrisom]

California is similar now. Most utilities are under PUC regulation. Their latest NEM 3.0 for solar credits little for feeding the grid. They proposed only 3 c/kWh, but recall had to settle for a little more. They also keep trying to kick off those grandfathered in with net-metering. My utility is not PUC but only credits 7.3 c/kWh, which charging up to 35 c/kWh peak Summer. They also have one-time and annual connection fees, plus must approve your system. Most people installing new solar in California now skip the grid-feed setup, which makes microinverters like Enphase not an option (only work with grid-feed).

[@terrylane1492]

@@sophiegrisom it is junk regulation like this that makes going off-grid so much easier and cheaper. They are pricing themselves out of existence. The tax credit in Hawaii is contingent upon grid hookup, so I will be foregoing the Hawaii tax credits. It is actually a trap so that they can reassess your home and increase your tax base as well as tax grid power. Generating power for yourself is the ultimate freedom.

[@petersamios5409]

For all you folks with this lopsidedness, you may look at getting a hot water heater with an electric element. Then dump your excess (that you cannot load to a battery), into the hot water tank. You could even use this HW tank as buffer tank.

[@terrylane1492]

@@petersamios5409 lol, that is exactly what I am doing. I am also probably getting an inline gas water heater just in case because of the size of the unit. It is a triplex with six bathrooms.

[@Nawskcalbehtmai]

I have started the global rent and utilities union to fight this and bring the utilities companies to the bargaining table. I sent an email to will about this already. Help is coming! No people may be kept under force of arms forever. The greatest force in the universe is the need for freedom. Love you all. I am the black swan

[@davidcoffey6413]

I have been watching you for a long time, You are really getting good at the way you explain things. As a DIY guy it is very helpful. Great video. Thanks.

[@brentfrank7012]

Got the 18k, EG4 battery and 10 Canadian 400w solar panels. Now I’m broke and have to save up to put it all together with an electrician. 😂 So, couldn’t afford it so piecing it together slowly. Thank you for helping us figure it all out Will. 👍

[@enricopallazzo3244]

That’s exactly what I’m doing. Good luck!

[@kurt3092]

I just got the 18 K and EG4 battery also. Trying to find an electrician to hook it up. I’m getting quotes of like $4,000! seems very expensive is it or is that the going rate? I already have a solar system just trying to upgrade the inverter and add the battery back up two batteries by the way.

[@jeffsowers1290]

I'm doing same thing 2-18k and 4-eg4 pro battries 10000 Watt solar on my camper

[@jamesreichert]

@@jeffsowers1290. How are you able to fit all of that on a camper?

[@jeffsowers1290]

@@jamesreichert I have a tick tock showing my rack system

[@darenlabbe6819]

I have followed you for years. I built one of your first systems for a solar powered bath house 1 mile in the woods the old way simple mppt controller and a harbor freight inverter lead acid batteries. It still works. Then I moved on to a garage with a grow watt 3k system and a 48 volt lithium ion battery it still works (in warm weather) I have 2300 bucks in that system. Now onto bigger things I need help deciding what to put into a 1500 square foot cabin off grid no chance of grid power ever. currently building a solar shed that will hold 16 panels. Camp is going up soon, we are high elevation 45th parallel. I am not sure about using a 12k or 2 6k , we don't need a/c up there. Propane slab heat. Propane stove. I like the eg4 systems but many people up here use outback. The biggest draw we will have is a 110v well pump and a circulator for the slab heat. I can expand to another 16 panels in the future, but all this takes time and money both of which are hard to come by. I would love to have an electric dryer even if we use it in the daytime. i could use a little input. I have been following for years but this is the first comment for me.

[@bryanxtran]

5:13

[@bobcole3852]

6000xp idle consumption is lower if connected to grid. They say down to 30 watts.... Also, pass through from grid up to 50 amps through it, no transfer switch required. I would never mount an inverter outside, even if IP65 rated. Build a "power house" to protect it and provide security.

[@Electronzap]

I just started seriously looking at hybrid and other grid inverters this week as I worked extra hours and have money to spend, and a bunch of people just made videos about them. Funny how lots of people can spontaneously be interested in the same topic at the same time.

[@jayscholl4193]

Thanks for sharing.

[@matthewwalker6621]

I am currently reinstalling my solar with bigger battery bank and was thinking of upgrading my inverter and controller units but having a hard time finding units for my needs . Make sure when buying controller or inverter controller unit that it will handle the battery bank ah as most only handle small banks and can stuff up and over charge your batteries and burn them out. We have lived off grid for over 30 years and its always a learning process with modern tech.

[@Electronzap]

@@matthewwalker6621 Yeah, you need to factor in every variable.

[@alvinhyman6838]

Your explanation of "Net Metering' Great and is the most honest yet harlious truthful statement that you could make!! I'm in the process of building a completely off grid home that I will use a standalone building as the home of batterjkies and inverters , basically a power station for my property. My workshop and my Horse Barn will each have a system for themselves because noise in those settings will not matter. Just keep putting out the informative videos as this equipment will continue to change for the better.

[@jasonp4157]

I installed the solark 15k in November. It's awesome. i haven't even begun to see what it can do. Your info has been invaluable

[@nobody342]

I have the solark 15k for a year now, have had no problems at all, Have 10k of panels and it pays for all of my electricity even with 2 air conditioners running in the summer. I get cashed out in the end of December, and had to pay for 5 dollars of electricity in January. It was cloudy in January!. I used my excess electicity for heat during November and December. Not sure if its worth it or not vs getting payed for the excess at 2cent per KWH.

[@Mark-sl2fj]

@@nobody342 Which batteries did you get and how many?

[@nobody342]

@@Mark-sl2fj I used EG4 lifepower4 batteries ( 48v) I have 6 of them with basicly gives me 30kwh of backup, enough for about one average winter day for me if I had no sun out. Since I am Hybrid, that is more then enough as long I we dont have a extended power outage, ie a emergency. I do have a generator I could I could help charge my batteries in a emergency and lots of snow. In a emergency I would cut my power usage to bare minimum, ( no electric range or cloths dryer) I started with 3 batteries, then about 6 months later, I added 3 more. I would most likely add more panels before I added more batteries if needed So Far, I really love my Solark 15k only wish the EMP hardened one was out when I installed it. So here is the deal with the Solark15k It has 200 amp bypass and I dont need to second just for my inverter load. My home has a addition, and the location of my 2 sub panels, and my main line made it so that the features of the Solark 15k was about the only reasonable option for me as my subpanels not close to each other, for the 2 different parts of the house, and rewiring was not a option.

[@samdixon6867]

I also have the Solark 15k and it works ok except every load change up or down makes the lights do a very quick flash. Solark has not been any help in repairing this. I also have a 12k in another bld and it works with no problems. I will not buy another Solark product.

[@BulletproofPastor]

What I like about your videos is your overwhelming practical approach in presenting facts and considerations. Spending more for quality is never a bad choice. Buy cheap and it is still going to hurt because spending hard earned resource is painful. The problem with cheap is that you continue the pain with regret for less quality and features. Buy quality and it still hurts when you make your purchase but that's where the pain stops.

[@sikend6674]

In my line of work, automotive, we call this philosophy Buy once, Cry once. It applies to nearly everything electrical or mechanical.

[@williamirizarry1113]

I bought the 6000XP with one power pro and 7900 watts of solar. If you run efficient appliances, that is all you need for a small home. Completely energy independent! DIY cost: $15k

[@Google123ABC]

15k for 7900 watts? Damn. I just priced out 20,400 watts a lot less.

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

​@Google123ABC what components please?

[@Brockleejohnson]

@@Google123ABC I was gonna say the same thing 15 K is a lot I just brought this 6K inverter and the indoor wall for 5K and I definitely definitely don’t planned on spending 10,000 on solar panels😂

[@user-fy7ru4ii1i]

I started my solar experience in December 2022, inspired by what I've seen in van life/tiny homes. I wish I had half of your knowledge on this solar stuff.

[@jeffreysylvester905]

Quit my 4 6500s and went with 2 18ks...hope I did good.still hooking them up...cheers.

[@compass504]

I'm still using a one 6500ex and 6 LIpo4s off grid .. Light flashing is crazy and no help from signature other than to run through all the settings. Still flashes. It's inrush current when the furnace starts up or the freezer starts up. So you have no light flashing with your 18Ks?

[@motomike1197]

I did the same thing

[@PureMagma]

Technology upgrades fast enough that I'm never going to buy a system based on it lasting beyond 10 years. So it is very doubtful that I will ever bother with a Victron system. Like Will said "I can buy an extra Eg4 and keep it as a back-up and just throw it on the wall if one of my primary units fails and even doing that would still cost me far less than a Victron system."

[@maverickmacgyver]

One inverter brand and model that seems to have been forgotten: Outback Radian 8048A. It’s a low frequency transformer based inverter that is field serviceable. It is a component system so you have to buy the charge controller separate and other dodads that make up the system. They are still being sold and I have some that are installed over 10 years ago and going strong. They are of course stackable and the online monitoring is one of the best. It compares to the Schneider in surge capacity and weight. They are rock solid.

[@WillProwse]

Will check it out

[@WillProwse]

Yeah that one looks great. Reading spec sheet now

[@jonobeckster]

Outback or Magnum or Trace or Schneider. All with heavy transformers and built to last. I’ve never had to do a firmware update on any of them. They just work out of the box. Set your charging parameters and walk away. Most go decades without issue

[@xuerian]

@@jonobeckster I was looking at Magnum and Outback and they seemed like the ideal options for building a really long term system -- except for the fact that they're so much less common in the current DIY community.

[@grosjarvis8061]

I also have outback inverter system installed in 2006..second set of wet cell batteries have now failed and trend is to get away from 24vdc battery bank. Can purchase EG4 6000xp+30kwh Lipo batteries for same price as new 30kwh 24vdc Lipo bank only. Hate to take down trusted faultless Outback unit but trend is too demanding right now.

[@ArizonaHotHomestead]

Great video. I am 100% off grid. Nearest power line is over 2 miles away, rain catchment, 6 miles on dirt road. The last mile is not maintained so 4x4 is a must. . I currently have been running rolls surettes for 10 yrs now n looking to upgrade from 24v to 48v . I am interested in the 2 6000xp with 3power pros.

[@jimbob100-d3l]

ok then...

[@PureMagma]

I have mad respect for you! 🏆

[@SI-lg2vp]

I'm a first time user with a two systems, one Sungold inverter 24v, and one EG4 battery, and one with EG4 6500 EX 48, and two EG4 batteries. Just added 10 Bifacial 400 watt solar panels. I'm using my solar as a backup power source to grid power with a diesel 14kw generator. Just started to put the recent equipment to the test, and hope to find ways to use the power for my home. Will has been a great resource that got this all started. There is a learning curve to solar and expected to under plan a system, but get all the parts to work gives me better confidence to add more over time.

[@danielking2944]

I helped my son design a off grid system in his remote site where grid power connection would have cost about four times what he paid for the 6000 xp with the 13.4 EG4 battery and 30 panels.It’s working great running his travel trailer with only 20 panels connected. He was concerned about the inability to get more than 30 amps continuous at 120v but that hasn’t been a problem so far. I started my system with multiple Growatt inverters several years ago and ended up with an extra 5K transformer when the dust was settled. If necessary, we could run the load off the center tap to get the surge advantage of the transformer. Since he put a soft start on the air conditioner,all that has turned out to be quite unnecessary.

[@ChrisSmith-tc4df]

Great video highlighting most of the key decision points to find the best fit. Your editing choices made it an efficient, tight video.

[@cgutowski471]

I have a 6000xp at my cabin, which is fantastic, but realize as we are getting to spring, I have surplus PV. If I was doing do it again, I would get a hybrid. Not to sell back (not allowed in my area) but to use the current transformers and send surplus power back to main service panel where larger loads are.

[@danielking2944]

Because I’ve been a dumpster diving electrician for many years,I have a lot of contactors with good capacity. I leave one independent Growatt on UEI load priority but with the grid connected at night only,when I get free electricity. So my timer energizes the contractor 8:00pm -6:00 am to top off the battery bank when there is little solar input. Very low tech but I like keeping my eggs in multiple baskets.I’ve recently moved my solar power plant to a trailer so have lots of flexibility for use. Because I power two houses,it was more convenient and survivable since we’re all in advanced cognitive decline and might burn the houses down at any time.

[@thaddeustroyer]

That is a great idea. Trailer mounted power plant. I enjoyed your description of age and the possible outcome of said "advanced cognitive decline". Fires are no good (well destructive fires anyway) and having that separate from the house is definitely a benefit. Good luck to you in our golden years😂

[@krissfemmpaws1029]

The 6000xp will work for the house. I don't see the transformerless units holding up powering a mig or tig welder long term. The inrush current is higher than most motors of the same amp draw. It's one of the hassle of powering them off a genset. On paper a 6000 watt genset should power mine mig... I've found a 10,000 watt genset offers better weld stability

[@RamblinBobReviews]

Thank you for the videos and the channel Will :) We have learned So much watching your videos for the last 2 years that we started our very own portable solar power youtube channel. Keep the videos coming please. we have been a subscriber and viewer of the channel since you had the rv. Ramblin Bob reviews

[@chadkline4268]

I see that you have now provided everything anyone needs to build a solar system. Very impressive work that you have done. Anyone can follow the links provided and find all they need and need to know. Thanks 😊 So much has evolved in this channel, in the products, and the costs, since i was last researching 1-2 years ago.

[@JBPowell-y9m]

I went with the 6000XP's mounted inside where my breaker box is (laundry room) and I use two Reliance Pro Trans2's for my transfer switching, I love the Reliance ProTrans2 because I can transfer between my off grid and grid at the breaker level with a flip of a switch for those rainy or cloudy days when we do not get enough sun to charge up the batteries. I can switch the large power consuming appliances like the water heater, dryer, well pump back to grid in an instant. Great vid Will, great info to help ppl make a choice for their specific needs and budget!

[@electricandlspower]

More people should do this it's a nice option 😊

[@Valor4Christ]

I thought the 6000 xp automatically switched to the grid?

[@robertsmith2956]

@@electricandlspower Not really. Laundry room is usually high humidity.

[@JBPowell-y9m]

@@Valor4Christ I still have my 6500's , waiting on SS to ship my 6000xp's , but even then I have no plans on hooking them to the grid in any way and stick with my transfer switches. I'm not going to give the power company any reason to give me any grief at all and if I did it would mean I would have to run a separate line for the main box and I'm not going to do that :)

[@woolval52]

@@Valor4Christ The 6000XP does automatically switch to grid. I have his same setup and I've seen it happen; it's a nice feature. What he is talking about is the Reliance transfer switch. That allows him to flip house circuits from either power source: grid power or inverter power. This is how I connected my solar system to feed my house. So, I am running the vast majority of my house (2 fridges, upright freezer, TV, internet, house lighting, etc.) from my solar system. But I'm still powering my whole home AC and water heater from Duke Energy. I do have a window AC that I can throw in if necessary, the solar will run that also. I'm waiting to see my costs savings, but I did all of this primarily to be able to have power should the grid go down. I live in Ocala, Florida, we have had hurricanes that knocked out power for 7 to 10 days. I have a 7500W gas generator that carried us thru, but I was burning about 14 gallons of gas a day! Plus, it was quite noisy and I had to go "forage" for gas every day, which was a big job after a storm. I am VERY happy with my system, especially since I did the entire job myself. The Reliance Transfer Switch also isolates your solar power source from the grid, so no chance of back feeding out to Duke lines. My system is NOT grid tied, so any excess energy my panels produce goes nowhere... once my batteries are fully charge the inverter throttles down the solar input to use only what it needs. Sorry for my long, rambling answer...

[@RobtTa]

Your videos always make me smarter. ;)

[@enwinn]

Perfect timing. I've been pondering which way to go.

[@TrevorLeaSmith]

This is incredible to the point, informative content. Thank you so much, you are answering tons of questions I as I thought of them. I feel a lot more secure going off grid with these resources available.

[@MrKid37]

I am still building out my solar system and it will continue to adapt it as my needs expand and we get closer to completing our renovation of our offgrid home. We grabbed the 18k primarily for the convenience of having a single device that needed to be mounted on a single wall in a very small closet and because it is absolutely silent even when our hybrid boiler kicks in at 4500 watts. It was pretty much just set it and forget it.

[@mnj5089]

Loving my EG 18K. Its not outside but in a converted garage that does have HVAC. But its so so on clean etc so I liked that was less of a concern for us and not having it in the house. Upgraded from the Growatts I bought a few years ago and just love this inverter so far. Its a beast!

[@callmebigpapa]

Always remember the best use of money in this space is caulk, expanding foam, insulation and a cheap thermal camera/gun. These steps will prep you to properly size your system.

[@quickquote1568]

Great video! I decided to avoid the low budget , high frequency route, and went with Schneider Electric and Sigineer Power low frequency inverters and I'm glad I did. I haven't had a single issue and never have any problems starting any of my high inductance loads. I also built my own DIY LFP battery packs and they've also been working flawlessly.

[@WeThePeopleSurvival69]

The utility companies here in California dropped the pay back down to 10%. Work something out with a kniehboor and power thoer home instead..the power company keeps 90 Percent!..Get batteries..and / or help your kniehboors ❤..This can make a big difference in someone's life🤔.. Having power while others dont💪🇺🇸Great Video as always Jason 👍🏻

[@mainerusnr]

Nice video Will, we're just starting out with our first 6000XP for a house battery back up. Just receive everything and not hooked up yet but making preparations and ordering parts for the hook up. Plans are to add some solar panels later. I think the 6000XP is a good starting point for the novice. As we mature in our knowledge of what these systems can do for our particular needs maybe graduating to a hybrid system eventually.

[@ironsales5669]

I have been looking at the 6000XP vs the 18k and just could not understand why anyone would buy the 18k over 3- 6000XP units. This video gave a good explanation on why it would be a consideration but I still think the 6000XP is the better buy. First why would you put the units outside when you could easily stick them in the garage, second if one 6000XP goes out you can simply buy another one and limp by on the remaining units until you can get it back up to speed. If your 18k goes down you are in serious trouble in an off grid situation. Finally with using multiple 6000XP units you can have multiple arrays set up that are not necessarily next to each other, with an 18k all the arrays are being wired together to run into one box.

[@jl9678]

A huge advantage of a true hybrid inverter that uses CTs is it can support way higher loads than an off grid inverter. If you wire the 18kpv to support house loads it can support you to 12kw but even if the load for up to 20kw it would still reduce that load by it's 12kw. An off grid inverter would just shut down so with an off grid inverter you must always do a backup panel while a hybrid can support the main panel plus a backup panel

[@RJ-cc1fz]

I keep trying to tell people this.. they just don’t understand..

[@TacticalGhost007]

Thanks for your hard work and erudite perspective as always, Will. Another option now available for those who feel unsure how to proceed in a fully off-grid installation is to use the amazing simplicity of the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra solution. A truly "plug'n'play" answer to whole house power supply that can be expanded as funds become available by adding extra batteries to the basic Inverter and battery unit. Doesn't get any easier and stress-free.

[@KevIsOffGrid]

The other week you were wondering why people still build 12v, even small systems. My 2000Va Victron idles about 12-17w, so when you only have 2kw solar and winters don't have enough solar here at 54N, parasitic loads are certainly a major factor.

[@solkitsouthpacific9983]

We've recently installed both off-grid and hybrid inverters for our customers. One notable advantage of the hybrid inverter, especially appreciated by our customers, is its quiet operation. While some off-grid inverters are catching up in functionality, such as the TBB inverter, none quite match the quietness of the hybrid model.

[@nobody342]

My solark 15k is very quiet!!!

[@samdixon6867]

Does your 15k cause lights to flash when the load changes either up or down?

[@nobody342]

@@samdixon6867 No, no problems at all, no lights flash, and I have 2 central air airconditioners I run in the summer off of it

[@samdixon6867]

@@nobody342 thanks for the info. This means mine clearly is defective as I thought. I have had many conversations with Solark tech support but they don’t want to do anything.

[@edwardlulofs444]

I’m ignorant so I have no preference. So this video helped me a lot. Thanks for sharing your expert knowledge with us. 😊

[@ScottieBMan]

1 Eg4 6000xp power my water pump,furnace, wifi, living room easily. Now that it works…adding more battery capacity and solar panels

[@PatrickWriter]

Thank you for all the great info. Outdoor units are exposed and can be burglarized. Indoor units are protected inside the building.

[@hpodbs]

You can still put an outdoor unit in the garage for safety.

[@ChrisPugrud]

Bought the 18k last fall for our new off grid house and really looking forward to getting it hooked up in a few weeks

[@chazbarclay]

Thank you Mr Prowse. I've been looking forward to this comparison.

[@patrickburton6130]

I am totally offgrid here in Panama, I have two 8kwh Deye hybrid inverters, each with 2 x 10kw lithium batteries. The inverters are set up as primary and slave, the slave is connected to grid of the primary, when primary batteries hit 60% the slave kicks in to feed into the primary, works very well.

[@stuartkorte1642]

The more I watch the more complex solar gets so thank you for your videos. Is there a video on transformers vs transformerless?

[@normandlamoureux4879]

Thank You for the information and for sharing your insight/knowledge. As always you do a great job of presenting good material.

[@chrisw2995]

A point if I may. The EG4 18k is not, as far as I can research with documentation at Signature Solar, UL listed as service equipment. This means that it cannot be wired directly to the grid device (meter) without having a service rated means of disconnect in between. In all of EG4's wiring diagrams in the 18k install manual, it always shows a service panel or a fused disconnect between the meter and the inverter. There are very good reasons why this needs to happen involving the interrupting rating of the overcurrent device, so people should not be thinking they can wire an 18k directly to their meter and skip the service disconnect.

[@ericwhedlund728]

note bene

[@JoeyBee-nr5jd]

The advantage of 2 6000XP's is you have a complete redundant system! Standby current can be reduced at night by simply turning off one unit. The second unit can be tied to a dust to dawn sensor to turn the unit on for PV charging in the morning and tied to a timer to shut the second unit down at night. You might as well purchase the LUXpower inverter without the breakers to save some $$$ ( SNA-NB-US 6000 $1299 + free shipping ) As shown in your link "Free 6000XP System Blueprints" The batteries already have breakers. You want the battery breaker to be close to the battery not the inverter AC output has breakers at the panel. AC input would also have breakers at the panel Generator has a breaker built into the generator You also need to add a box to add breakers for the PV inputs. If you need to add AC breakers for some reason, put them in this box also.

[@DanWipper]

What interests me maybe many is back up power for long term grid failures to run the fridge, well and basic needs that could be stored. However more robust than small all in one solar generators that wouldn't run 220 nor be enough for well pumps. The 6000xp, a large battery or two and 6-12 large panels seems to be about right. A show and kits on large long term emergency power would be cool.

[@somethingsomething404]

You’re such an inspiration man. I’ve been here since the RV days and you’ve always been an inspiration. You’re also like really good looking so there’s that doesn’t hurt either haha

[@somethingsomething404]

I’m going to be building a van soon ish and I’m sure your videos will be a huge help. I’ve mostly been here just for the edutainment but I look forward to putting it to use

[@FandFcustomcarts]

Thank you Will , always making a good content.

[@greg925911]

Just bought a Delta ultra Pro for my trail to run a 110 mini split, small microwave, refrigerator, some led lights, and a C Pap Machine, as for now just for this traveling working man

[@DavidDrivesElectric]

Your videos are always so helpful

[@donaldwood7968]

my trace sw4048 inverters were put in service dec 96, one display turned flakey a dozen years ago and I have been running on the second only with the flakey as backup. life is good.

[@heasley]

I have the same inverters, in series, for both 110V and 220V, since 2004. I don't get the rated 46A AC out of either of them; I can only get about 30A, without them tripping, when I try to charge a Tesla... but they've been bulletproof.

[@justinmccall1458]

This is a great video. I’ve been waiting for this comparison.

[@Mgamerz]

Thanks for this. I've been wondering this question myself! Someday when I have more money I'll be picking up an inverter for my house as I find offsetting my energy usage a fun hobby (not really in it for only the financial reasons).

[@mikebalentine]

Depending on your use case it can pay for itself pretty quickly. But not everyone obviously

[@LarryGuilbeau]

Thank you so much for the info. Trying to understand all the changes that are happening with Solar and inverters. Thanks again

[@petergravy6893]

Very interesting Will, thank you. I have one MPP 11KW off grid inverter running the house and shed, with grid connection available in times of bad weather. This draws less than 70 watts on idle. It also has an ATS built in. I don't think having a hybrid inverter and battery system mounted externally would work too well in my hot climate, as in Summer on some very hot days, I air condition my inverter and batteries to keep them within the operating temperature. Also, I am not sure of any advantage of having solar isolaters or AC breakers on an inverter apart from a more simple installation. If you want to work on the inverter using these isolaters or breakers they do not allow you to remove the inverter from the circuit without other external disconnections.

[@hybridmusclegarage4590]

Awesome info as always!!

[@punkrawqer]

Went with the 6500ex, big mistake, they shorted out 1 month later. Ended up going all out with the 18kpv and have put 1.5megawatts through it so far with ZERO issues!

[@davidrogers-b1r]

I have followed you from start in a boy's life to now as an inspiring person and others need a person to follower life you.

[@azpcox]

One element to consider is Rapid Shutdown. Newer codes require it for code compliance. I wonder if insurance companies are going to require it in the future.

[@ArtWagoner]

I have been using off grid the Out Back FXR2524A Stacked for the last five years. With five EG LL batteries.

[@stephenfuller2936]

I so regret my 6500ex purchase at this point... lol. How far inverter technology has come in just a handful of years

[@roykaplan]

I have always been concerned about single inverter failure. If that happens then your whole house is without power until you get a replacement. I would think that multiple inverters would provide some redundancy and therefore greater peace of mind. Of course, you could always keep a spare, unused inverter in a box in case there is a failure, which may be the best way to protect against lightning damage.

[@fauxque5057]

I had the same fear. So I picked up another unit just in case. But my failure came in the form of the combiner box. I tried to be prepared but didn't back up the right parts. Live and learn. I'm ready now though.

[@michaelcharge4783]

Outstanding video as ALWAYS! You are the man and I really appreciate your opinion and thorough topic coverage. Much thanks. Keep up the great work!

[@junkerzn7312]

Great summary! One interesting additional note is that even though the 6000XP cannot export power to the grid, it *does* have a grid bypass mode where it just feeds the AC input straight to the load. Looks like it can feed-through 50A per unit. 16ms switch time. So there is that. But in terms of acceptable equipment... I'm looking at the California Energy Commission "Solar Equipment Lists" (the state where I live) and only the EG4 18KPV-12LV is on the list in terms of EG4 equipment. The 6000XP is not, unfortunately. -Matt

[@myhificloud]

Good point: 6000XP 16ms switch time does not present a valid online ups configuration, however I believe the 18kPV does offer certified online ups switching capabiltiy required for sensitive electronics/computers/etc. I'll need to look into that, very good point.

[@ozimandia]

"Um mestre," a master in the art of solar, love it and recommend as a light watch about the subject and in that note, thanks for the video, the information about the different products, the comparison in between the two types of system and the market options, with some price comparison for good metric.

[@ChrisOjustWatchingTheTube]

In Tennessee you still need to be code compliant with off grid solutions. Even if you have zero feed from the grid, the system still needs to be code compliant which probably means UL certification. I’m going to try to check with state inspectors on XP 6000. That’s what we hope to use for our home - zero grid connection

[@DarylOster]

No code compliance needed to install in a road licensed vehicle (a solar power enclosed cargo trailer for instance)

[@josephmiller6866]

Will, i agree with a lot of things. Typically, the more money you put down on something, the quality will be better. I'm just getting into it more now days but definitely on a tight budget. I have a bluetti ac200p and am getting a pro tran 2 transfer kit. However i bought the generator from a friend. Im already wanting to step it up to the eg4 3000. So i could build what you showed on the dolly cart. But like you said, its budget plays a factor.

[@markharding8480]

Thank you Will! You’re the BEST!!!

[@unpluggedtexan]

Yep well said Will. I have the Sol-Ark 15k and love it. It can start and run my 4 ton traditional AC which surged to 125 amps. It can also run my deep water well pump and my 240v water pressure pump. It’s a beast. I’m going to swap it out with the EG4 18k PV and see if it performs the same. We’ll see.

[@samdixon6867]

You’re having better luck with the 15k than I am. I rate it pretty close to junk. I also have a 12k and that works fine

[@unpluggedtexan]

@@samdixon6867 wow you must have gotten a faulty unit. See if Sol-Ark will exchange it. I’ve had no issues with it at all and I push it hard every day.

[@samdixon6867]

@@unpluggedtexan yes I tried numerous times to get Solark to stand behind the unit but they won’t. They may answer the phone and offer verbal advice but they don’t actually stand behind the unit

[@carrieeaton5435]

Wanting to set up a couple of RV's. Eventually get a shed set up for bathroom kitchen...looking at solar and a dual fuel pullstart generator. Don't use much electricity now, don't expect to use much there.

[@mrhypno1984]

I've built my own off grid solar system and been running it off and on for over 5 years. I built my own battery 9kwh 14s battery pack with recycled 18650 cells in a custom built modular wall mount. I've got 2650w of panels running 1/2 to a cheapo Make Sky Blue 60A charge controller (damn thing was worth every penny!) And the other half going to a 1600w 120v MPP Solar LV1648 inverter/charger (also worth every penny!). Everything works great to power everything I need usually but my microwave will trip over current and I can't run anything 240v of course. I have 16 280AH EVE cells on the way and it's time for a larger inverter. I think just based on raw surge capacity and longevity on a budget, I'm gonna go with the MPP LVX6048 Hybrid. I don't really plan to grid tie but the option is there. Thanks for all the good info Will!

[@leshenderson5746]

Boy, glad you did this vid..Now it's clear as mud!!😂

[@WillProwse]

😂😂

[@AcpEngineering]

xantrex/Schneider LF inverters, they are solid. Ive got one over10 years old still running solid. And yes the 6k/12k xantrex waighs the same as thst 18k haha

[@Toastmaster_5000]

Something like this has appealed to me for my project, which I would say is not typical. I want roughly 6000W of panels but their primary use is to charge an EV and to operate most of an electric water heater via DC. High-wattage devices in the house (oven and mini-split in particular) I'd have perpetually powered by the grid. Everything else I'd connect to the 6000XP, which will soak up whatever energy the car and water heater don't use. Since I'm not likely to ever draw more than 3000W from it at any given moment, I figure it'll live a very long time with minimal stress. There are moments in the summer where I'm likely to produce more energy than I know what to do with, and I suspect in winter there will be times when I won't produce enough energy to power everything. But, the extra cost and complication of doing net metering doesn't really seem worth it to me.

[@jeffsowers1290]

What are you talking about a DC water heater please tell me more

[@Toastmaster_5000]

@@jeffsowers1290 Simple electric water heaters with no digital electronics don't care whether you use AC or DC power. The tricky part is dealing with arcing caused by DC, which will destroy the thermostats after just a few uses. To fix this, you use AC to operate the thermostats, which then operate a contactor (basically just a beefy relay) so you can deliver DC power directly to the heating elements. My plan was to keep the top heating element permanently powered by AC, since that is really only used when you've used about 75% of your tank's capacity. I don't mind if the grid is used to compensate for just a few minutes of heating while the solar panels do the rest. In the event you _need_ hot water and there's not enough sunlight, you can get a cutover switch to manually swap out the DC power with AC. $30 part for peace of mind. There are a few compelling benefits to this compared to alternatives: 1. Tank water heaters are batteries, just in the form of heat. Rather than put immense stress on your inverter and its batteries to heat up your tank, you can just heat it directly. Don't forget about all the conversion losses! 2. To my understanding, there's a lower limit to how little solar energy an inverter can make use of. If you draw more power than the panels can output, you don't get any of it. However, even in the early morning when you're only generating a few hundred watts, that's still enough to start warming up the water. It'll be horribly slow, but the point is: you can tap into energy that you otherwise couldn't use if you tried to heat the tank via the inverter. 3. Since the contactor is used to take the brunt of arcing for DC, that's an expensive component that will inevitably fail. However, if the bulk of your hot water usage occurs when the sun isn't up (or low in the sky) then you can nearly double the lifespan of the contactor, since an analog thermostat will call for heat even when there's no power. This may also help increase the lifespan of the solar panels, since they're not being hammered with a sudden high demand.

[@plasmaman9592]

I'm glad you did this video. I was considering putting 2 6000xp in my metal shop to power cooling, dehumidifiers, lighting, computers. Basically everything except the 3 phase 125 amp plasma cutter, and my 40 year old 1000 amp welder. The metal dust in the air would destroy them based on what you said here. Ty! I'll probably put an outdoor rated unit outside. I don't like the idea of having something that expensive outside where a thief could come up and unhook it. I guess that is what guns are for. Lol. Jk. I would not risk having to spend more money on a lawyer. A criminals life is definitely worth less than a roll of toilet paper so we should be allowed to protect our items in that way but politicians lost their way more than 100 years ago.

[@YipperX5]

In just 3 months, the eg4 18kpv has dropped to $3700 for a refurbished unit! Build a small "shelter" to avoid most of the elements and it will do fine outside but inside with filtered air is the best.

[@garylpretty]

Love the content and presentation format. This presentation brings our thought process closer. I've never been a fan of the "cheapest" solution, I seek value and a ecosystem that's scalable and flexible. To that end, I would love to see you take a look at some of the solution sets that are a single source, integrated system. Fortress Power has an offering the seems to include everything from load management to integrated, scalable batteries on a 200A circuit. Keep up the great work!

[@joedigesu7004]

I went Solark 5 k for my camper / home on wheels. now, two years later and 6 kw more solar, I am looking as a solark 15 k.

[@samdixon6867]

Skip the Solark 15k as they are defective. Instead buy the Signature Solar 18k, better performance and less expensive. I own 15k much to my dismay.

[@EduardoRodriguezRocks]

I don’t like the naming conventions but the content is amazing, hybrid is used for a device than combines a charge controller, mppt and inverter. On grid vs off grid maybe better

[@ericl5973]

I have one of the 12kw transformer based Growatt. I kind of wish I got a HF inverter to reduce the idle consumption. I use it for a 350w base load (Server/Network Rack) to reduce electric bill when there is excess power in the batteries but acts as a whole house back up primarily.

[@rollswrangler]

Outback radian 8KW, 16 Trojan L16RE-B 48V 8 x 2, 32 Grape Solar 265W

[@maxbiagi3091]

Wow thats prices 🥵. I live in Asia and just make PV system from Growatt 6000es Plus just fot 700 USD and just use like off-grid.

[@matthewuribe9867]

Thanks for the video. I have 2 MPP LV6548s in split phase running my home. They're in my garage so I don't have to hear the fans, but the air isn't the cleanest. I have to clean out the little foam filters monthly. Overall, I'm very happy with them, but I do wish they had more than 250V PV input.

[@kitersrefuge7353]

dude, it was very very informative thank you. What would be nice is a website where you could plug-in one's own spec (inverter, batteries, pv panels) and get suggestion for upgrade or replacement. There are a zillion configurations out there running.

[@jtb2586]

I prefer Victron yes more expensive but you get so much better stuff.

[@midwestworkshop2863]

I want to spend alot of money, sadly bank account dont agree with me. Lol... good video

[@Off-Grid]

I'm still on a Schneider XW Pro. They did a firmware upgrade that scrambled the software and I lost the ability to view the system online. Once it finally dies I'll be looking at an 18k system.

[@robertsimmons3556]

Good discussion Will! Thanks!!

[@jamisontobias2752]

In the design phase of my off grid home in Western North Carolina. Planning on storing 1000+ gallons of hot water for radiant floor heating etc. Can I use the Hybrid inverter to run electric heaters instead of feeding the grid when the batteries reach 100%? Love your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@loristyles7786]

I have the money to buy the 18k but I like having redundancy. When I first built my system for my off grid home in Mexico I used two mpp solar 6548wps. They worked great but I apparently broke one of them when I turned it off with inverter still on so I am using the one inverter while I get the other repaired (which takes a while in Mexico). The one unit runs my entire house fine so the redundancy (ie 2 units) has been a life saver for me. It looks like the 18k will NOT have problems though so maybe I don’t need redundancy any more. If that was the case then I would probably go with the 18k. I think the redundancy issue is something that those of us with complete remote off grid set ups think about but Will didn’t mention (I still liked the video though!). But as I said, maybe the redundancy isn’t an issue any more with these inverters becoming very reliable??

[@EduardoRodriguezRocks]

Usually in the past on grid inverters had very little support for critical loads I think that is not the case of your super expensive equipment. But there are people out there with sub thousand dollar inverters

[@davidrogers-b1r]

I learned that you need to buy the top inverter first raver than buy as you go to save money.

[@techmaster_sree]

Normally 6kw 48V transformer less will take around 50 to 60W no load power but 6KW Deye (Sunsynk)(eg -Model - SUN-5k-SG01) Hybrid inverter will take more than 100W no load power so unless we he net metering the additional cost that we are paying may not be that much useful. OR We need specific features like more control and monitoring options but DEYE (Sunsynk ) Hybrid has more than 5 Minute delay to sent data to cloud so they need to change the update interval to at least 1 minute

[@nicksanta]

Hello in Colorado there is a 120% rule. This means You might be suplemented for power up tp 20% over your solar production. There is paperwork and documentation to prove you have a 'safe' grid-tie system. This includes a base 17 dollar fee to be a customer. Regards