Off Grid Because We Can!

Installing one of the biggest off grid systems we've ever done!
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[@engineer775]

Installing one of the biggest off grid systems we've ever done! Pytes V5 Lithium batteries: practicalpreppers.com/product/pytes-v5-lfp-battery/ Buy a Sol-Ark 15k! practicalpreppers.com/product/sol-ark-15k-120-240-208v-hybrid-solar-inverter-all-in-one-pre-wired-outdoor-rated/ Let's discuss your solar goals: practicalpreppers.com/consultation/ Order KB Solar modules practicalpreppers.com/product/kb-solar-450w-solar-panel/

[@Pahrump]

How is the Keto going?

[@Theycallmeernie88]

Have you guys looked at the numbers/specs of an electric excavator or tractor to run the post tool thing. You could charge with the solar array while it’s out there as savings to you and the customer. 🤷‍♂️ It’d be cool if the numbers added up to give it a shot. Noah the ebikeschool guy seems to have found some decent looking ones.

[@engineer775]

@@Theycallmeernie88I have only seen small machines. The machines weigh less than my post driver. They would never pick it

[@ThePirateGod]

That customer needs to mass produce those racks. So clean and solid.

[@chadengemann8237]

I would keep this guy on retainer for the next rack build

[@brians8664]

That’s what I was thinking. I would imagine turning up a production process for those is going to be expensive, even if he already has a fab shop. Volume brings cost per rack down, but they would have to move some serious product to bring it down significantly.

[@sspyder181]

Super nice racks!

[@spiralout112]

Beautiful setup! That rack of batteries... OMG

[@ftlaud911]

Wow - nice build. Only thing I would have done differently was put racks on a stand or built a bigger gap at the bottom. The batteries on the bottom rows seem really close to the floor. Any type of flooding would make me extremely nervous.

[@evil17]

Good idea and with opening top & bottom would potentially help airflow too.

[@puirYorick]

I was checking to see if anyone else saw those potential issues.

[@hogwild9408]

Besides venting in the races I would recommend leaving 6 to 8 inches off the floor for first batteries. Looks good.

[@TheVaga9]

Needs more heat sink on the rack! Really do!!! Slots, vents, something!! Great setup though, and the best solar contractor on planet earth!!!

[@antronx7]

$32k solar+racking, $21k inverters, $74k batts = $127k equipment cost plus hardware, install. Divided by 20 years expected lifetime that's $6350/yr annual equipment cost. Solar array will generate 55,000 kWh/yr = 11.5 cents / kWh electricity cost (not including labor + BOS hardware). 30% federal tax credit will pay for install cost and chunk of equipment cost. So final electricity price will be slightly less than utility and you are protected against cost increases. And this system uses premium equipment. A DIY system using less expensive inverters and a battery assembled from single cells can be had for half the price.

[@zr1411]

I'd really appreciate some suggestions from you for less expensive equipment for a DIY system (just started my research on this, which is why KZbin brought me here).

[@antronx7]

@@zr1411 6x Growatt 5000es would provide same power as 3 solarks but for $4500 total vs. $21k. They are not as nice as solarks for sure. You can build your own equivalent battery using 240x LF280K battery cells for $24k plus BMS cost vs. $74k for Pytes. Just few examples.

[@hcjpbluesky9916]

If it can make sense at 11.5 cents/KWh, imagine 3X'ing your payback speed by doing this where some pay 30c.

[@LittleSpot]

@@hcjpbluesky9916 in Germany the kWh price is in 2024 around 30 to 50 ct. Depending of the region where you life.

[@MitchOfCanada]

$0.30/kwh in canada after fees and that is $0.11 base +fees....

[@AdamDeLay07]

Beautiful install! Thanks for sharing! I always get lots of ideas when I see what all y'all do!

[@michaelchownyk5255]

That is such a Beautiful installation. Good job. you have a good crew.

[@SkypowerwithKarl]

I think that since this is a garage that I would have bollards in front of the batteries to protect them. Probably some thermostatically controlled fan to remove the combined/accumulated heat from the racks (with a thermal fire fuse) or allowance for convection cooling. A combination ionic and photoelectric smoke detector plus a heat detector above the batteries and inverter tied into the house network or internet would be a nice touch.

[@ozark1981]

I've done IT for a number of years. A 4 post server rack with slide out rails is what you should look for. The 2 post even for IT use is only good for light things. They make some beefy rails since some servers can be 200 lbs or more.

[@Senthiuz]

Plus thermal management. Plus parts availability. Custom is pretty, and cheaper if you don't account for value of labor and tool time.

[@rei9915]

Nice Project! Nice to see that in the US are Pioneers like that. I appreciate

[@hendersonsobers396]

This setup is really impressive.

[@chadengemann8237]

Would love this dream system

[@amateurwizard]

We love to see it, we love to see it.

[@kylesinclair5350]

ENGINEER 775 with the T-775 Skid-steer. Good Combo for success!

[@robertduffy5805]

I love the layout, clean and professional.

[@merlesomero7807]

Looking good!

[@davelindgren5245]

Really clean looking install. Nice job on it.

[@awbean5254]

SCOTT, YOU & YOUR TEAM DO GREAT WORK! [as you stated trough wire management is a bit challenging] THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING YOUR AWESOME PROJECTS! WE LOOK 👀 FORWARD TO THEM! 👍 👍

[@stili774]

Is this not just a rebranded deye Inverter?

[@Senthiuz]

It is, but Sol-ark provides their own support and warranty for the product and are reportedly very good to work with. Pretty much every hybrid option in the states is a rebrand. I think Midnight might be a custom job, but it's mostly made of Chinese parts.

[@LeviWritesBooks]

Beautiful!

[@4evermetalhead79]

This is the dream.

[@mattgirgenti3595]

wow. What a great system, but the wow is for the install, organization, and attention to detail. Very impressive!! Curious the value/need for the transfer switch. Seems like both solar and generator are direct wired to the Sol-Arks all the time, yes? Trying to follow the wiring paths in my mind.

[@markp9083]

as others have suggested I would put bollards inside and on the external wall seems like everything on a farm will get backed into at some point.

[@martingregg9970]

Awesome look - very neat, absolutely beautiful

[@twinshobbytwinshobby3863]

Awesome JOB !

[@Greg-bx4id]

Very clean. Gives me some great ideas.

[@TheRedneckprepper]

Man that much stored power Ied put a Halon System in !

[@ALink2Zelda]

yolo hope everyone is doing great

[@estesfamily6761]

Looks good but perhaps it would be prudent to cleanup and label the wires in the trough. Just a suggestion from someone with mild OCD. Appreciate your videos!

[@pytesecho1876]

great installation!

[@solarforfuture]

Beast mode! i only have one battery... wow..

[@Roll2Videos]

That is beautiful; come up to Canada 😂 Great job.

[@robertsteich7362]

I would fabricate a protection bar/face for that rack. Especially since it’s in an open garage rather than a mechanical room.

[@chutch332]

SPEECHLESS!! Nice work!!

[@defjamsgreen]

INCREDIBLE SOLAR INSTALLATION !🤗MAY THE SOLAR BE WITH YOU .

[@sspyder181]

Clean job!

[@Ted_E_Bear]

Beautiful work ! Are these Solar Panels safe in a heavy hail storm?

[@diySolarPowerFunWithRay]

So cool. That's a nice system! Do you know what just the equipment side of things would cost for this build?

[@simonpaine2347]

Being as though the Sol-Arks ask for 2 battery connections on each input, I wonder with the amount of power flowing through the battery cables, whether it would be better to run 6 positives and 6 negatives from the busbars to the inverters. After all Sol-Ark presumably put a double input there for a reason?

[@StevenC1961]

It’s time to move to 30k Sol Ark with high voltage batteries, way to much wire cost

[@HarryL2020]

LiFe batteries have come down in price so much it's insane, actually very affordable to go off-grid these days considering the insane energy prices (UK)

[@RolandW_DIYEnergyandMore]

Beautiful job!

[@SkypowerwithKarl]

I didn’t notice a main DC disconnect or any fuses. Yes each battery has a current limiter, but the overall combined current output is massive. Could probably vaporize 4/0. Perhaps a T class fast blow fuse between each vertical sever row and the buss. From the buss to main DC disconnect then a T class fast blow to each inverter. Maybe not necessary for code in your area, but it would make me feel better if it was mine. Yeah I know a UL DC disconnect costs as much as an inverter but some DEHOOL makes breakers rated up to 630 amps and 1500 Volts DC for under 250$ (Amazon) could easily be fitted into the wire way. I have used these breakers and they are very well made, but take care not too over torque the terminals. When you manually operate the breaker it makes a clunk that’ll wake the dead.

[@antronx7]

Combined DC disconnect is unnecessary. Each battery has 100A electronic "disconnect". Each inverter has it's own DC breaker.

[@SkypowerwithKarl]

@@antronx7 I don’t think you understand. Each battery IS rated at 100 amps continuous AND 180 amps for 15 seconds, probably a lot more inrush for shorter periods. The bms is not user configurable so the current can’t be individually reduced for a lower overall. That means 42 rack batteries times 180 amps = 7560 amps for 15 second. There looks to be three 4/0 cables so each one would attempt to carry 2520 amps, however thou that would be a possible but unlikely scenario, it would probably be a more exciting as only one 4/0 would potentially be shorted. Probably just blow the crap out of anything that accidentally gets in the way or turn the 4/0 into a smoky glow worm joining with everything in contact. Most inverters have the chassis ground bonded with battery negative to what extent is unknown. The vertical short conduits between inverter and wire way plus the inconsequential little bonding ground means that the wire way is also by de facto not just grounded but also NEGATIVE. So you see my concern if someone got a wrench in the works so to speak?

[@antronx7]

@@SkypowerwithKarl BMS trips in under 1ms when current is > 250A. That's 10kA * 50V * 0.001s = 0.14 watt/hours of energy induced into a fault. It will make a spark and that's it. It will not even trip a mechanical breaker rated for 1kA. BMS will trip first.

[@SkypowerwithKarl]

@@antronx7 Now times that by 42 rack batteries

[@antronx7]

@@SkypowerwithKarl nope that already includes 42 batts. 250a*42=10.5kA.

[@Wasthatreal76]

I like the way David Pozs makes videos.

[@onthelake9554]

I like Pizza .

[@willistisdale4293]

you ever see the bottom of a sandwich?

[@Wasthatreal76]

@@willistisdale4293 only behind the sun I have.

[@NewLightEnergy]

The USA rules. We are only allowed max 80kw battery in Canada. I run 45 kw which is awesome, wouldn’t mind another 15kw.

[@richardoder3459]

I would be interested in knowing the charging difference from the top battery and the bottom battery since they are not connected to a bus bar along the side with short cables.

[@SolarTechFL]

Nice work man

[@jamestiberiuskirk5994]

Great job!!!

[@daniellinville4637]

Be nice to get that one

[@mattbrew11]

What the peak output of this system and time to fill batteries from empty with no load?

[@showaltermicro]

Looks Great

[@h2opower]

You should have placed them a lot higher above the ground so that the ground underneath can have other uses for the owner other than just sitting there doing nothing. Think of those parking type setups where the panels are above the cars and trucks making that land have more than one use for the owner of the land.

[@OG_Gamers_Live]

Do wish I had the means to do something like this on my two lots next door.

[@klaatu2]

I put the batteries in a separate structure, one I can afford to lose to fire and distant enough not to spread to other structures. Even if they are Iron Phosphate, if and when they fail, they produce tremendous amounts of Hydrogen gas...think Hindenburg. You can mitigate this with a clear path for the hydrogen to escape upwards, as opposed to a confined sealed space

[@maverickmacgyver]

“Moment truth… little glitch… “. I’m glad not all the smoke came out something… 😳🤓😂

[@Tezza66]

Amplifier racks as used in audio industries. Look int those

[@smacfe]

This is pure off grid with generator back up. How would a hybrid system be different where the grid was also used as a secondary backup on a system this size?

[@Tugedhel]

Is that guy going to build battery racks for you as clients want them?

[@fadhilally-bb8oo]

Proud of it, I like to be some of your Team😅

[@xzibit8614]

I would have replaced that packaged unit’s aging capacitor

[@mwilhelmpa]

Beautiful installations but Pytes flexible Busbar are rated 300 Amps and you are connecting 12 x100Amp V5 in parallel.

[@antronx7]

Inverter will not pull more than 300A continuously so each outermost busbar will be within max rating.

[@mwilhelmpa]

@@antronx7 1 Inverter Yes, but I see 3 in parallel 900 Amp then

[@antronx7]

@@mwilhelmpa you also see 3 battery stacks in parallel giving you 900A total and

[@Foxfried]

How is this allowed? the UL Rules say max 20KW / unit and then it must have a 12' space also max 50 KW in a house. I just wanted to know.

[@Idahoprepper71]

This is not in a house.

[@MisterPikol]

that's some MASSIVE storage amount hoooly

[@TheWolfster001]

With that much power, wouldn't it be better to sell the excess power back to the grid.. I seen a video, about a year ago. They spent over 1 million dollars, had a few array's that were all solar tracking, all the panels were top of the line, there was 3 houses a pole barn and a machine shop was powering, they were connected to the grid only to sell unused back, they estimated they would, in a couple years make upwards of $1,000.00 a month in revenue.. Is that really possible, to make money on selling excess power.. Loved watching.. Thank you for sharing...

[@margarita8442]

massive system

[@niktak1114]

Very similar usable capacity to the Silverado EV (214kWh)

[@FullSpectrumWarrior]

Here I thought my planned 92kwh battery install was big

[@mfaulk6526]

Thanks for what you do. I have a battery question. In your opinion which is the better purchase, Pytes or HomeGrid? Connecting to SolArk 15.

[@samgillis6224]

I know how great the Solark is, but do you ever use low frequency based inverters in your builds? Would they not be better/more durable for high surge loads like those AC units?

[@dbird29]

Any fire suppression for the battery racks?

[@freighter1097]

Most people don't have fire suppression in their home.

[@johnmiggins9431]

nice as usual, question does the micro air also help in surges when system is on or heat strips? two separate quesitons. I know it helps with start up surge, for heat pump that is not that bad but it also surges when heat strips come on. They may be more of a constant load but is there a surge when they come on too? thanks

[@EngOne]

How much does a system like this cost ??

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

8:45 it’s not wired any different than most other 1ph 230VAC PSC compressors. The contactor “R” terminal is the same as “C” terminal on the dual run cap. Some manufacturers run the run winding “R” from the compressor back to the contactor “R” and some take it back to the “C” terminal on the dual run capacitor. It’s standard wiring practice in the HVAC industry.

[@engineer775]

It actually is. There are a lot of variations. Yes, generally they're all the same but they are not wired the same. That is why when you install a micro Air you have to pull the wiring diagram. Not all manufacturers wire their systems the same even though they work the same.

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

@@engineer775for us pro hvac guys, it should be basic wiring knowledge.

[@whitlockbr]

Do you all install heat pumps, heat energy storage, wind, or hydro power? Once those batteries are full and all the loads are satisfied what happens to excess energy?

[@theps3fanzz]

What kind of waistline phone holder is he using at 10:26?

[@gncl7599]

I would have made the first bottom row of the racks just a bit higher.

[@engineer775]

I agrree

[@wdwtx2.0]

Big job.

[@VidarTeiseniHeisen]

I didn’t see any hrc fuses, isn’t that needed? What is this banks short circuit current? And won’t the batteries in each end of the racks get more cycles when they’re not balanced 100%?

[@ScheldonR]

That's one sexy installation

[@Subgunman]

Are those microstart units available for use on European 230 volt 50 Hz systems? Does this customer think of fabricating and selling these racks? They are not cheap BUT well worth the money if they do a good job for those rack mount batteries.

[@greengooseman]

What is a good ratio for set up like this? I see your battery bank to inverter size is about 5 to 1. Did you say how many panels @ what wattage? What daily use did you use to come up with this size system?

[@RhacsandMTG]

Nice install, how much it cost them?

[@MrAlejandro787]

Hi keep loading videos , got questions last week took training with Pytes over here Puerto Rico then say only three batteries together bus bar only hold 300amp

[@yourpcmd]

When the solar costs more than the house!

[@raptormatt21]

Looks beautiful, and those DC busbars look sweet! Who makes them?

[@nathanphay]

Those look like Blue Sea 1000A bus bars.

[@ronwatkins5775]

Im running a 1MW facility off the grid currently. We have been discussing Solar as an option for some of that consumption. The issue we face is that Solar is roughly 8 hours/day, and we would only decrease our grid usage during the daylight hours. Im wondering what a batter solution might look like which could handle some of our capacity during a 24-hour window.

[@isovideo7497]

1 MW continuous? 24MWh each day! 16MWh overnight in Winter. 5KWh per typical LFP battery, so 3200 batteries needed. At say $1400 each, that's $4,280,000 in batteries, though you may get a quantity discount ;^) Or maybe four Tesla Megapacks (3.9MWh each)?

[@ronwatkins5775]

@@isovideo7497 Yes, incremental is the best approach. Im not convinced about batteries though. They are a consumable, so need to be replaced periodically. They have a cycle life, which is limited. So that factors into the cost of the electric over time.

[@gregorythomas333]

Porsche systems & Toyota systems? Dude...I'm working on a Yugo budget!

[@dogandhisboomer]

What type of surge protection do you use if any and do you put at the Sol-Ark and Array ?

[@engineer775]

It is an EMP hardened system. That is the only protection installed.

[@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity]

Total 49kWp, 240kWh diy LFP. Yeah, you did a big one.

[@UK-Expat-in-USA]

Curious why you use individual Inverters and do not use Enphase Mini Inverters, for more redundancy, is it because you want to stay with DC to charge the batteries and not have the loss of converting from AC to DC?

[@onthelake9554]

Off grid

[@crosisofborg5524]

For my area no solar system pays off. My grid power costs me only $1000 a year with all maintenance costs being on the power company not me. A solar system to cover my needs would take 45 years to break even. Given the life span of these systems being half that, I would lose money consistently.

[@robertmatthews4285]

At 13:33 are those donuts noise cancellation magnets? What drives the need for them. Don’t recall seeing them before on other installations.

[@onthelake9554]

Part of the EMP hardening . Ferrite cores .

[@geli-wq1sb]

是否有电池需求可以提供电池等设备

[@carlossousa3285]

when money is no issue... Impressive, with nothing else to say ;-)

[@Deveak]

How do you even safely fuse a lithium battery bank that big? Individually? The amount of current a short circuit would make would be insane. Way beyond most common DC breakers and fuses. Highest I've seen is 50k IAC. usually its 10-20k.

[@leexgx]

In this video you don’t I guess,I didn’t see any high amp fuses and dc cutoffs (you can get 500A fuses for short protection or lower per battery group or just hope the 7000A can melt the cables fast enough or that the bms cut out if the short is pulling enough current for it to turn off output but needs to be around 150A per battery for 15 seconds or higher for instant cut off) the flexible bus bars probably vaporise before anything else It’s a nice and extremely rapid setup, but it’s missing short fuse protections

[@shmayazuggot8558]

Nice looking racks but my gosh, no fusing or direct battery busbar connect lanes and having them all daisy chained like that is way past my threshold of risk.

[@Sylvan_dB]

Still 48v nominal on the battery? Seems like a system this size is begging for a much higher D.C. bus.