How I Power The Off Grid Cabin & Why I'm Thinking About Upgrading

[@NatureInspiredSnipsnSnaps]

This is an interesting topic, thanks for the tour and like the set up on the movies, etc, will be following to see what you upgrade to.

[@jerrychiasson9857]

Thanks for the video it’s great to see someone keeping it real…. Been on the same kind of journey…. when I got my first 200 amp hr ion lithium battery I couldn’t figure out what took me so long…. knowing what I know now I would never use lead acid AGM batteries I just gave them away what a waste of money….. as to blue yeti don’t do it…. build your own way cheaper get a 300 amp hr ion lithium battery definitely a 3000 W pure sign wave inverter you don’t want your precious electronics to get damaged…… just find yourself a plastic toolbox to put the battery in a inverter solar charge controller and a little monitor on the outside and Walla….. as simple or as complicated as you wanna make it…. you don’t need all the bells and whistles you’ll never use at a quarter of the price…. don’t be fooled by the ratings on the wattage some of them only equal 100 amp lithium battery it sounds impressive but really not….. hundred amp ion lithium battery it’s really cheap nowadays…. bare minimum get a 200 but 300 is better…. Just a sidenote get yourself a lithium battery charger a 70 or 80 amp would be great it doesn’t take you long to charge…

[@cleverjoe]

Great points, thank you.

[@Scott-ig1zd]

No to a 12v 3000 watt inverter, 2000 watt is plenty, solar generater are way too much $ for what you get. 82% of rated amp hours is aveage what get with ecoflow/bluetti.

[@jerrychiasson9857]

@ exactly to my point that’s why I I’ll build my own…

[@yarpos]

you deserve , and I hope you get, more subs. Realistic and well explained.

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks so much! I put a lot of effort into my off grid videos, nice to see the positive feedback. Cheers

[@kenastl]

There are so many good options now, it will be interesting to see what you end up getting.

[@cleverjoe]

It is definitely a tough choice, but also pretty cool there are so many options.

[@robharrop8929]

I recommend researching the temperature range that the LiFePo4 batteries can function effectively. It is my understanding that these batteries can't run below -3 degree C. Keep your deep cycle batteries for colder weather. If you get a solar generator, look at a dc/dc converter to add extra capacity to the unit. Freely Roaming has a great video on this. great video.

[@cleverjoe]

Excellent points, thanks for the tip on the video link.

[@hardymichael533]

EcoFlow delta pro 3 and EcoFlow delta smart Duo fuel Generator 4000W great idea 💡 👍

[@cleverjoe]

That would be a decent combo

[@kenniharder1680]

I love my lithium batteries. It is a day and night difference from the lead acid batteries. If I get a power station, I am not sure which one I would get For convenience wise, I wouldn’t mind getting another power station but otherwise I am very happy. I got 500 W of solar on my two batteries and my inverter and power The deep freezer no problem.🇨🇦MB

[@cleverjoe]

Sounds like you have a great off-grid setup going!

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

I love my lithium batteries too, i made the switch last year. Im running four 100ah Power Queen in parallel for a 12v system. Four 450 watt panels charge them fully almost every day here in Jamaica.

[@Ben-ry1py]

Nice little setup. It's amazing how little power we have limited power available. I live in western North Carolina where we just got rocked by a hurricane, and lots of flooding. My power was down for almost 3 weeks. I've been wanting to get some solar for years, and this experience has me even more motivated. My brother in law has the 1000 watt eco flow, and I was thinking it could be very useful in a power outage or on a trip. I like to tinker though, and I also like to save money. I ordered a 100ah ,128Owatt hour,LiFePo4 battery, a pure sine wave inverter, and a plug in charger for just over $300 delivered. I have more battery capacity than his at about half the price. I can also double my capacity for $160 instead of over $400, which is nice. I was running my generator for a few hours when the power was out, but didn't need the 3000watts that that puts out. I can use the generator to charge the battery and run my lights and computer off of the inverter while saving gasoline. I then purchased 2 100 watt panels and a charge controller for about $160 so I can use the sun when I don't want to use the generator. I'm starting a home build next year and plan to buy about 4800watts of bifacial solar panels and 20000watt hours of lifepo4 batteries. I should be able to generate all of my power in the summer, including high efficiency AC and most of my power in the winter, with a high efficiency heat pump. I will be using a wood stove on the colder days to save power. I should be able to get the solar panels, inverter/charge controller, and batteries delivered for around $6000-$6500 dollars. I haven't picked out the exact batteries just yet, and I plan to buy on black Friday to catch some sales. Anywho. I am curious to see what you decide to go with. I really like geeking out on systems of all kinds, and making my own power for decades is going to feel amazing. When everyone else is down I will still have refrigeration, lights, and some heat with no problems. I do plan to run a line from my sisters place in case I need to use the grid, and my inverter/controller has the settings to automatically switch to grid power if the batteries get too low. I will keep an eye out to see what you do with yours. Thank you for sharing. Ben

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks for sharing your setup. That's a great deal on the battery and inverter. I think that having a generator as a backup is always a good idea. I'll share my new setup in a video once it's up and running. Cheers.

[@richeastmain4031]

I have both a homemade battery/inverter/solar charge controller setup and several Bluetti products. I like the portable power stations because I can use them wherever I want to in the house as well as outdoors for both AC and DC. They aren’t prohibitively expensive and compliment a stationary system. Also when on sale I have purchased LiFePo4 batteries for less than deep cycle lead acid ones and you can use 100% of the capacity of them. The whole system can be indoors as well since they don’t off-gas like lead acid.

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks for the input, I agree that having both a stationary solar setup and a portable power station is a win win. Cheers.

[@campbellsoup4910]

What up Doe CJ off grid!? I think you named the best of the best in the power station/ home backup world and you definitely will not go wrong with any of those choices. I have also have a few; Ecoflow, Bluetti and Allpowers systems. A few other good budget power stations are the Pecron E1500lfp, and the OUPES Mega1 just to get you off to a decent start... Good vid👍🏻

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks!

[@gabrieldoesyoutube]

just picked up the anker solix f1200 for $699 on sale. 1200ish Wh. I'm not living off grid yet but man do I dream of it.

[@cleverjoe]

Nice, that's a good price. Good luck with it, and with off gridding.

[@wardraven8755]

Jackery has a new system out designed for whole home power and off grid living. It’s expandable just like the other three you are looking at.

[@hollisbartlett]

I picked up an Ecoflow Delta 2 with extra battery, giving total 2048 wh for $1349 CDN on prime days sales about a month ago. I like that it's 2 units that i can leave in place, but just take the one main unit to build sites / camping when I don't need all the power. Stay away from the cheap off brand ones, I learned the hard way that they don't have the protection that an Ecoflow does.

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks for the tip, I’ll keep that in mind. I was looking at that same deal in fact - it was a good price for 2k+ in power.

[@miken7629]

You can combine a power station or lithium battery with your existing system. Hook up a small pure sine wave inverter to your existing system then run an extension cord to a battery charger inside hooked up to your lithium battery or power station. You can then run your appliances off your new lithium or power station. I have 200w solar panel with mppt controller charging my outside deep cycle battery, hook up 600w inverter and use outdoor extension cord to 10A smart battery charger which is charging my house batteries.

[@cleverjoe]

That's a great idea to combine both systems, thanks for the tip.

[@Texas_Radical]

something to keep in mind if you do liPo4 is you are not going to be able to have it outside in winter. they will not charge in cold. Id personally stay away from the blue yeti style and just go with a DIY battery bank with a BMS. you can save a ton of money if you build the battery yourself. Im offgrid on a 5kW system with 48V liPo4.

[@cleverjoe]

Excellent point and I'll address this in an upcoming video. Something to think about for sure in colder climates like Canada, and it's rarely talked about in the 'review' videos for these new powerstations.

[@DIY_versus]

Its easy nowadays to buy 12,24 or 48v lifepo4 battery , an MPPT charge controller and an inverter. And u have a powerful system but if u decide to go with the portable power stations Anker , Eco flow and Bluetti are the best . But also consider Pecron , its a good option as well

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks for the tip, and I hadn't considered Pecron but will take a look.

[@denisestarr2314]

I also have a small system that needs upgraded . I will go 48v . And use lithium batteries . It is way more power and cheeper than a all in one thingy

[@cleverjoe]

@@denisestarr2314 There are certainly advantages in going that route. Good luck!

[@mikesimms2250]

Eco Worth Solar tracker with 1200w BiFacial panel's, and 4x 12v280ah lifepo4

[@cleverjoe]

That’s a great setup, thanks for sharing!

[@kenniharder1680]

🇨🇦🇨🇦 got 2 lithium batteries hundred amp hours each with a separate power inverter because I believe it’s a cheaper way to go maybe not as convenient as a power station but definitely cheaper

[@cleverjoe]

That's about the same amount of power I'd like to have. Agreed, building your own system is cheaper for sure. It's a bit of a learning curve to do it yourself but the savings are there. Cheers.

[@mattb7406]

look at the fremo x700. its a beast for $199

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks, hadn't heard of Fremo and will have a look.

[@jackgoldman1]

On my off grid I upgraded to 48 volt battery, lithium iron phosphate. Cost was $3,3000 for 10 48 volt panels, one EG4 all in one converter inverter, the yellow one, and one EG4 48 volt 100 amp hour battery. I will NEVER look back. Best thing I EVER did. Can run fridge, CPAP, everything, no problem. Will Prowse showed me this system. I copied it. Link to the system on Wills You tube channel is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpWYeqSbd9ZnaM0. Highly recommended. Bought at Signature Solar in Texas.

[@arnoldreiter435]

one advantage portable power stations have over DIY is they are very portable.....i have used a Jackery 1000 for years with my camper on late fall hunting trips. i recently upgraded to a Bluetti ac180 the best part i can use them at home or on picnics also.sure they cost more but if cost was the only factor in life we would all be driving a 1940s fords.....

[@cleverjoe]

Ha, good analogy. I hear ya, portability is a big deal and was a factor in my decision to upgrade. I also want to pick up a smaller power station for quick overnighters and use around the property outside of the cabin.

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

You can easily build a portable solar power system for half the cost of a power station.

[@cleverjoe]

@@lawrencedavidson6195 True, especially if you already have the inverter and mppt solar charge controller.

[@trevortrevortsr2]

Joe make your own battery and buy 280ah cell and a BMS if you want the most capacity for your buck - I have on my RV

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks for the input!

[@jonathancarter2349]

grab an EG4 rackmount 48V battery and EG4 3000w inverter/all in one

[@cleverjoe]

Interesting, I didn't know about rack mounted batteries.

[@gfl1957]

To me powerstations are just stupid expensive for what you get. I built my own (280WH) for $190 with Lithium battery and pure sine inverter. My cabin is powered by 2 lithium 220AH batteries. These do better that the massive 880AH golf cart setup I did use.

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

Power stations are waay too expensive. I would suggest you build your own solar power system. Small 2000 watt or so systems are easy to build, just watch a few DIY videos for good ideas.

[@cleverjoe]

Good points to consider, thanks.

[@regenerativelifewayne]

lol don’t do it , your way better off buying 100amp lithium batteries 🔋 buy 2 get inverters get Victron small MPPT wireless smart controllers and safe way more money have 2400 watts of storage capacity, you can easily fix them yourself,

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks, there are pros for going that route for sure.

[@joseenrique582]

Stay away from it, owner and van life camper B type and blueitt sucksband all the rest just same deal different collar.

[@cleverjoe]

Thanks for your thoughts.