GRID DOWN UPDATE.A KICK IN THE TEETH 🥺🥺🥺

[@MattLesak]

Prayers from Florida my brother. Praying for all impacted.

[@SuperSushidog]

I just found your channel and subscribed. You've got a sweet system there, Mike. We're old, retired folk who live in our motorhome full time. We're in Shelby, NC right now visiting family. The RV park we're in has lost power, along with everyone else, but we're good to go due to our solar system. Despite the lack of sun, we're able to run everything in our MH just like we were hooked up to the grid. In fact, our batteries hit 100% today now that we got a little sun. We've got 95 gallons of water onboard, and have just dumped our tanks, so that's not a problem either. We designed and built our solar system ourselves, on a tight budget. It took us 5 years to gather the resources and finally complete the project. But now that it's finished, our solar/battery system allows us to live off grid just like we were plugged into a power pedestal in an RV park. No more sweating at night for us as we almost always run our 12k mini split heat pump in the bedroom all night long, using less than 10% of our 48v battery while we sleep. My wife likes the thermostat set to 72 degrees, but it sometimes gets too cold for me, so I'll often run my electric blanket a little to stay warm as we now have power to spare. We started 6 yrs. ago by building a 620-watt liftable solar array on the side of our motorhome. Our side array makes a nice bedroom window awning, practically lifting itself with a couple gas struts, and it's easy to clean, standing safely on the ground. Next, we built a 12v, 560ah LiFePo-4 battery using 8, 280ah prismatic cells and a Heltec 330amp BMS. These cells fit perfectly under the steps of our MH where our old pair of golf cart batteries used to reside. We insulated the battery compartment, cut a small hole in our step risers and installed a tiny computer CPU fan to keep this space at close to room temperature, so we don't have to worry about the BMS shutting down charging due to low temperature - or their life reduced from getting too hot. Our 12v system uses an 80A Progressive Dynamics LFP converter/charger, a 1,000w Renogy inverter, a 50a Epever MPPT charge controller and a Lnex battery monitor. This system powers all of our 12v appliances and can even run our residential fridge, computer and TV, if necessary, yet only cost us about $3,500. By mounting the solar array on the side of our coach, we left the roof free to rack 8, 550w solar panels down the length of our 35ft Class A, 15" off our roof, above our AC, vents, etc. It shades our entire roof, allowing plenty of cooling air underneath, increasing solar output and reducing the heat load on the air conditioners, yet our overall height is still just under 12 ft. Our 4,400w array can run both our A/Cs, household appliances and charge our batteries from solar at the same time. We mounted a Sungold Power all-in-one 48V, 5,000W Inverter/100A charge controller/battery charger, breakers and a Lnex battery monitor on the wall in our bedroom. It saves us space as well as money compared to a system built with individual components. We chose this model because it supports our 400voc solar array. Our 48v battery uses 16 of the new 320ah EVE MB-31 cells and has a 200amp BMS. Together with our 560ah 12v bank, we have a total of 23.5 kwh of batteries onboard, charged by 5,020 watts of solar. Not nearly the size of your system, but sufficient for our needs. We removed the rooftop A/C we had in the bedroom and replaced it with an EG4 28.5 seer-2, 12k btu mini-split heat pump on the upper rear of our coach. It's super quiet and cools as well as our 14.5k btu Furrion rooftop unit we have up front, using about 1/3 the power. This 48v system provides 24/7 off-grid air conditioning and heat from the heat pump, saving on propane use too. We have a total off-grid electrical self-sufficiency without the need to run our generator. Both 12 and 48v systems cost around $11,500, including the $1,500 high-efficiency heat pump as we did all of the work ourselves saving us a ton of money. If we were to do it all over again today, we could do it about $400 less, as some of the components we used, like our initial batteries, solar panels and even the heat pump have dropped in price since we bought them. I figured our ROI is less than 2 years, compared to spending $500 monthly in RV parks, (if you can find them that low) and it pays for itself within a year compared to a $225 weekly RV park rate. But the biggest advantage is the flexibility it gives us, as we are free from RV parks and RV park fees. How can you put a price on self-sufficiency? We now stay in some of the most beautiful wilderness areas imaginable, mostly free on Forest Service and BLM lands, regardless of the season. Last year we visited 11 states, without plugging into a power pedestal the entire time. Last winter we boondocked near Yuma, AZ. We're visiting family now in NC where boondocking places are pretty rare, so we're staying in a spacious, no-hookup site at a convenient RV park for only $100/mo., saving us $500/mo. off their normal rates. It's good to have options. Take care. Hope you and yours fare well.

[@mikeg2321]

Very nice I lived in a 38 foot RV for 7 years while I built my land and solar system.I kinda miss the RV sometimes because too me I liked the coziness of it.But living self reliant is so stress relieving.Fantastic setup.If only most Americans thought like this.Thanks for the sharing of your story.God Bliss and thanks for subscribing.Mikeg

[@SuperSushidog]

@@mikeg2321 I understand the allure of being self-reliant. I once thought this way too. till the government raised my property taxes 1,000% forcing me to lose my rural home and property. This happened to my neighbors too. Remember the globalists stated goal, "You will own nothing and be happy." Well, it's starting. I hope you get to keep your place. I wasn't so lucky.

[@mikeg2321]

@@SuperSushidog yes I just had a neighbor buy land next to me with a home and then sold it for double for what he bought it for a short time later.they are using the greed of people to destroy the country

[@hegefarms4260]

My Wife goes Crazy every month when I order Solar panels/ Parts / Inverter/ parts Battery / Wire/ Cable just stuff to upgrade our solar system I told her it's Not like I'm Drinking or Gambling one of these Days She will understand I'm Running 2 Chest Freezers and 2 Full size Refrigerators we Grow and Butcher our own Hogs and Can about 200 quarts and pints of food a year investing in my own Solar System is as good as money in the Bank

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

@@hegefarms4260 you are 100% correct. 75% of marriages end in divorce. Usually due to people playing their game at your typical gatherings or using them as excuses to get out alone with someone else. I’m usually playing with electrons, having a beer, listening to some tunes or watching how-to or educational videos. Pretty safe.

[@eatttherich4653]

Wives are overrated. Meat is not. Do it yourself

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

@@hegefarms4260 I chose cheap vehicles, drive them for 20 years, liability insurance, dine at home 99% of meals, became debt free at 38 (poor little banks) and put the savings into OG solar system.

[@F3hunter-2024]

Your right, sometimes people don't get it, but she will be grateful when the unexpected happens. 3 essentials everyone needs for emergencies- power= (Solar system with batteries/Power stations/Dual fuel Gen), Food= (Can/Dry foods, Frozen meat- if you have the power to support it ,etc.), Water= (Lots of water). Hope for the best but plan for the worst~

[@hegefarms4260]

@@F3hunter-2024 well Said well said

[@Solar2go]

Prayers out to you and your neighbors, Mike. Take care.

[@michaelchownyk5255]

I am from Ontario Canada and I have a low voltage DC solar off grid system that actually runs at 24 to 32 volts and I charge my Chevy bolt and Mitsubishi, iMiev with solar energy from my off grid system, and it works great and I’ve been doing some for the last 12 years. I welcome power outages since it does not affect me. My freezers are working my well pump is off grid. Energy independence is a must.

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

@@michaelchownyk5255 great. OG 2.5 yrs.

[@solardiyhobbyandrevies8118]

Smart to have more than one solar system. I’m up to 4 systems lol but if one goes down I got 3 more.

[@mikeg2321]

Redundant systems always top shelf.Backup of a backup

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

I agree on redundancy. I have three with a fourth in storage.

[@solardiyhobbyandrevies8118]

@@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity I have only systems for power down or camping setups but lots of panels and a 3,000 watt a 2000 watt and a 1500 watt and 1000 watt system. And 400AH 200AH 100AH and 100AH for batteries for them. 2700 watts of panels. Most I need to run in grid down is a freezer, refrigerator and the natural gas heater fan. Coffee in the morning of course and some meals. Kind of fun to play with and I have a solar chuck wagon for camping.

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

@@solardiyhobbyandrevies8118 yes, it’s an addictive hobby and good for marriages too.

[@leetaves9143]

MIKE YOUR BLESSED

[@kerrycarver]

Mike thank you for what you do. You have taught us allot.

[@AdamB9574]

Stay safe, Mike. As prommised, I am working on my video.I need a little more time. On my first 48v test build, I had used a Sungoldpower 6kw low frequency inverter. It had no problem starting 2.5ton AC and backing up the house through an interlock plate on the main panel. It's a great idea to have a smaller system on hand, for a light loads in case if you need to work on your main system.

[@mikeg2321]

@@AdamB9574 HI Adam and your right especially since I have these extra batteries cells.Yeah when your ready .We will see the big reveal.Dont push yourself only when you are ready thanks MikeG

[@TeslaRebuilders]

So True Mike, its a blessing to have your own backup power. Still wanting to get started on my 20kw system but been a rough summer. My little 6kw has done well as backup even with the recent storm that hit Louisiana also we lost power for almost 2 days. The other good thing to have is a small 2k-5kw gas/diesel generator to charge up the battery bank during a extended outage. If you get enough clouds for a few days at least you can top off without much cost. What having a solar system allows you to do is say run the 5kw for 10 hours and get 50kw of pure stored usable power. Rather than the generator sit idle running a few lights and light loads all day, very inefficient and waste of fuel. Really good to run at night when battery is low so by morning it won't go to 0% and everything shutdown. I'm running a little 2kw gas and 2kw Military Surplus Diesel generator with a 48V charger plugged in to fill battery bank. Not sure how you could use one on the Sandi with the high voltage but there should be a generator option for charging. Anyways take care, Casey

[@mikeg2321]

💯 tesla.iam going to get a generator.i already have a charger on the wall next to the battery shelf

[@adon8672]

Thanks for the video Mike. I get the idea of this high voltage systems and I like and want them. Each time I ask for where to get reliable (and affordable) high voltage BMS though, nobody seems to have the answer or they are simply not interested in helping out.

[@mikeg2321]

You can use Orion BMS and you can go on Alibaba and find quite a few of them.Hope this helps

[@cyumadbrosummit3534]

Im not sure why this is a kick in the teeth, if you have power? This is what you and your family invested in and prepared for. Noah didnt care what other people thought, he built an Ark anyway. I haven't been connected to the grid in 4 years in East Tennessee, so when the power goes out I feel fine. I am a christian, but if people in the southeast talked about solar and batteries half as much as they talk about Jesus the utility companies would all go bankrupt and nobody would ever lose power.

[@mikeg2321]

@@cyumadbrosummit3534 Yes I owe my very breath to JESUS.I was talking about my neighbors not having power or water.they where hopefully thinking it was going to be tonight to get power back.

[@leetaves9143]

HEY I LIKE IT KEEP THE LIGHT SHINEY IN FL

[@royamberg9177]

no water and sewage for an extended time is a disaster a back up system is invaluable

[@JonOffgrid]

👍

[@blainecelestaine4543]

We were down for Laura 27 days in my neighborhood. Some people in my area were down 6weeks or longer. I ran on a diesel gen 24 days. Get prepared family don't wait

[@DonnieThomas-m2y]

Nice setup ! Is your shed climate controlled? God bless praying for y’all!

[@mikeg2321]

@@DonnieThomas-m2y yes insulation,heat and air👍

[@Gary-wh7ce]

Having solar / battery backup is an investment. I did it in 2015 and after being without power for six days, no one here bitches about my solar arrays.

[@mikeg2321]

Yeah when the power goes out that's when I get the thank you baby for taking care of us.LOL😊😊😊

[@leetaves9143]

that what i do is buy damage bat , all the bms are bad so put back in 10amp bat balancer going on the cheap works great, in FL IT MISS US THIS TIME

[@mikeg2321]

@@leetaves9143 Iam so glad it did .just wish it would of missed a lot more.But yes 10 amp NEEY going in.LOL👍

[@royamberg9177]

are uou goimg to use a magnum inverter for your small 48 volt system

[@mikeg2321]

No.I haven't decided yet.still contemplating which. One I want.i might test one of these Xp 6000.Not sure 😊

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

I have Sol-Ark 12k’s, Schneider XW’s and for my work van 1620Wp, Magnum 24VDC/4000W/120VAC. No problems with any of them. I had EG4 6500ex’s…pure junk. They may have improved on the newer models, they change every year.

[@royamberg9177]

magnum pae4400 has the transformer and made in US as you already know it needs the heavy duty transformer in it​@@mikeg2321

[@eatttherich4653]

Thank god for the fed govt. Doing more than you

[@eatttherich4653]

Grow a pair and go solar