Rain Barrel Solar Panel System Upgrade

[@TrehanCreekOutdoors]

As a former home builder, I'd really would have liked to have you on my payroll when I was still in that business. You do clean, neat, solid, and safe work. Very nicely done job!

[@NicolaMs007]

I'd say, it looks very professional the way he has done it.

[@ApocalypseLounge]

The wrench trick was great advice for when you're working alone! Nice tip!

[@GreenTechTown]

:D Great to hear!

[@MissAynneK]

Great video! And this comment section is so refreshingly positive 🙂

[@jeffmorris348]

"Analysis paralysis" yes sir I know that feeling. Thank you for the video good stuff.

[@tomklingel6011]

I don't usually comment much, but after watching a couple of your videos, and as a fellow DIY selfer. I gotta say that you really cover all of the bases! Keep up the good work.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks tom klingel!

[@mikevp5303]

From all the videos, blogs I've seen. This man is by far the most advanced and informative. I will be attempting this for my garden. Thank you sir for your time and information

[@dingymon]

Analysis paralysis - WELL described!!

[@jblewis1975]

Your solar power system is badass! Now you should upgrade your rain collection to an IBC Tote or several 55 gallon drums 😁

[@danmalloy6908]

I just found your channel...have an off grid property in Haliburton, Ontario , Canada so I'm quite interested in what you are doing. You get a bit more sun than we do 🤣 I'm going to watch some of your videos. Cheers.

[@GreenTechTown]

Awesome 😀

[@mobayguy]

Always enjoy your videos. Lots to learn from them and really admire the neat, careful and professional job. Well done & thanks.

[@peterwagner4538]

Thank You Guy, it's a fun and very meaningfull to watch you only working. Tim Tayler and Al Borland should hire you...

[@TheDazzletrap]

You are such a great teacher providing needed info and are so very easy to follow and understand..please keep it up the world needs more like you.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Dazzletrap for the feedback!

[@mikestiffin9684]

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[@mikestiffin9684]

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[@NicolaMs007]

With the simple setup you had initially in the first video, with the small solar panel, I am thinking bout doing this setup on my 16 ft Viscount Caravan, as it is a site caravan at the moment with an angled paradise roof, to collect the rain water, I was thinking of a setup that I could have to feed the water from the rain water tank into the tanks on the van and then I could use a 12 volt system to bring the water from the tanks into the van itself, Thank-you for the video, it is giving me an insight in to doing a solar power for a small pump, to feed the rain water tank....something I have been thinking bout since putting the 2nd roof on....will take pics of it later on when doing it then forwarding them on.

[@GreenTechTown]

Awesome, always glad to hear the content helped in some way. Good luck with your project.

[@jimanddiana4103]

Wow! We love this guy's work! Okay, we're fans now.

[@GreenTechTown]

Awesome, thanks and welcome!

[@timelapsefilms3526]

Great video mate 👍

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Earth Master!

[@debbies3763]

WOW!! GREAT JOB, I too need this same set up but automated for my harbor freight green house.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Debbie. Good luck with your green house project also!

[@ThePatrick42044]

Looks like you did a great job. I've often looked for solar installation videos and have hard time finding videos where people actually go through the process. It's like the electrical set up gets skipped altogether... Lol

[@GreenTechTown]

Haha, I know the feeling!

[@kennethcoman2080]

Another great video. You are the real deal. Respect!

[@ogsan1296]

Outstanding DEMO. Proud of you.

[@elizle]

I have a shed right next to my garden, which I would like to do something similar. Would also be nice to have power in the shed.

[@AskIveSolar]

This is super cool! Glad yt showed me this video

[@ericapelz260]

Nice tidy install. Beautiful work.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thank you!

[@acinfla9615]

Clean install 👍

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks ACinFla!

[@jeremywright1351]

I really enjoy these videos. They give me lots of ideas for our garden. I'm not quite ready to tackle this kind of electrical job, but I'm definitely going to work my way up to it over the next year or so. Thanks!

[@Intellistan]

Man you're legit. Thank you for these videos.. exactly what I've been looking for

[@Paranexium]

Nice upgrade, and another informative video to show us how you did it. Thanks again. My pump is with the electric like your first set up but I think its fine with the 20w panel and I liked your idea when I saw it. For sure it's about taking action. Plan it out and go for it. If your not making mistakes your not trying to do anything new is my take.

[@GreenTechTown]

Very well said!

[@Neolantis]

im impressed and shared with my friends. outstanding

[@bronsonstein7724]

that's sharp man! Solid job!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Bronson Stein!

[@andycordy5190]

I have a total blind spot about electrics. Partly fear, partly conditioning to 'leave it to the professionals'. I just love the way you have reduced these tasks into manageable sections where your research online has filled in the knowledge you first lacked and which gave you the confidence to put it all together. The newly added electrical components are also unknown to me. I would be most interested to know about the battery storage for the more powerful panel. I am hoping to use a similar system to power an aquaponics circulation pump and need to work out the potential pumping 'head' height for a given wattage available in order calculate how to design the flow of water from fish to plants. I have made use of online communities in learning about gardening generally and aquaponics in particular but had never thought to look for a similar knowledge sharing community for the solar. Good luck with your plans for further development. Here in the (mostly) damp and cold environment of Wales (UK) there will, I'm sure, be local information of great value regarding electrical safety and condensation.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Andy for sharing and good luck with your aquaponics project! And yes, I definitely recommend joining an online/local solar community.

[@WJCTechyman]

Awesome. Very detailed, especially when you said you followed the US NEC. I have a rain barrel pump too, but it connects to household electricity. My setup is a bit different where I ran a cord from the outdoor GFCI that has a "while in use" cover to some PVC conduit boxes, one containing a light switch with an outdoor switch cover (the one with the red toggle) and the other having another "While in use" cover with a single outlet. The cord runs into the first box through a gland fitting, and the outlet has another piece of the cord coming out of the switch box through a gland and to the outlet box through another gland. The plug on the other end of the cord is of the outdoor termination (Leviton black rubber plug) as well.

[@fangzea]

A lot of work put into this. good job man, I wont be doing nearly 80% of the extra you put into it. haha

[@zpoedog]

Nice job! You must know a lot about wiring because the insulation looks professional. Thanks!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks zpoedog. I would say I know more than the average person, but there is still a ton I still need to learn on a professional level. Thanks for the feedback!

[@TOTALLYRELAXED]

Excellent clean and orderly installation! Very nicely done! Thanks for sharing! ~Jim @ TOTALLY RELAXED!~

[@mktwatcher]

Very nice work. Thank you for sharing.

[@xringeagle]

Excellent video and thorough information. Thank you.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Mike. Are you currently using solar panels to power something, or planning on it?

[@xringeagle]

@@GreenTechTown Just starting the process. I have thought about solar panels, but I have not been able to move forward on that yet.

[@robertobrien4799]

You rock! Love the info, love your verbal delivery!

[@HarshHazeStudios]

Love what you say about not becoming victim to Analysis Paralysis I am building my 1st solar system, and since it is a 5kw system out of necessity [off-grid]... i think I have got myself in a little "Analysis Paralysis Rut". After watching your video - I think I have been motivated to just build it out - component by component [sectionaly]. Thank you for the Vid... here is crossing fingers to my first system [21 x 250w panels]

[@GreenTechTown]

Wow...Awesome! And no problem. Good luck with your system and stay safe! :D

[@MrLordofwar23]

Very, very nice job... Your work and installation looks great...thx

[@haydnlawrence8167]

Nice work , great videos.👍

[@icakinser]

These videos are amazing. Informative and very high quality.

[@woodspirit98]

Love your videos

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Woodspirit98!

[@franzitaduz]

You are sooooo thorough. Thank you!

[@aaronag7876]

Absolutely great information. Some good info in the video, even if for USA requirements, the info does give food for thought of forward planning for expansion for future bigger projects. Thanks for sharing. Sub'd and notified all set.

[@cesarperez10]

great video super professional upgrade inspiring stuff for future setup

[@bawbjusbawb6471]

A well thought-out project and well explained video. Great job!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks!

[@TheOriginalJenafire]

I'm new to solar and will be soon installing a 12kw solar/wind hybrid setup. I really enjoyed how informative this video is and, if you don't mind me saying so, your installation is very neat and well planned. I'm also interested in installing a rainwater system but I fear I've probably already bitten off way more than I can chew so will stay with well water for the time being.

[@GreenTechTown]

Awesome to hear. Just continue to take it one step at a time. Break up the task into smaller parts, and dedicate a reasonable amount of time to the project each week, and if you stay consistent with that approach, you'll have more complete than you realize in a few months. Also, do not be afraid to make mistakes. We all make them, and a critical part of learning.😀

[@TheOriginalJenafire]

@@GreenTechTown thanks so much! I really appreciate your feedback! Under normal circumstances, that's defintely how I would have approached it (desperately trying to keep the gray hairs at bay as much as humanly possible) but I'm doing this project in the Bahamas where utilities are so expensive and where importing items is very costly. I have one shot at getting an exemption as a returning resident so I'm doing my best to look as far into the future as possible and ship everything at once. But there's only so much one can do without completely overwhelming oneself. In the meantime I'll stay tuned to watch and learn as your projects progress. Hopefully by the time I'm ready to take on the rainwater portion, it won't be super expensive.

[@MyFamilyGarden]

Really useful information, I'm thinking about doing something like this in the future so really handy

[@rolandready3207]

Incredible job! I have learnt a great deal from watching your videos. Thank you for doing them.

[@fltrfrsh7]

Fantastic! Thanks!

[@jillysd884]

Great video Robert, Thank you 😊

[@georgemaze7926]

Nice job ! Please keep up the good work, thanks for making this video.

[@BelindaD80]

I love these videos! Two thumbs up 👍 👍

[@danweaver3581]

Wonderful information - you have a great vision and creative. You did a wonder job in organizing these videos to build these systems. I love the designs.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Dan for the feedback.

[@edbuurman3262]

Each and every video is fantastic, and I wonder whether I can/should do this as well. I have yet to install the smaller solar panel and in that video it seemed it charged the battery pretty quickly. Therefore I don't see a need to use a larger panel myself. I understood you had a larger panel laying around, but other than that, can you explain why you decided to do this? For example, you frequently referred to future plans and that context may be helpful.

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey Ed. Yes, it was for 2 primary reasons. To increase my knowledge in the area, as well as be able to recharge the battery quicker since I plan to run a few other nearby components off of it in the future (outdoor LED lights, security camera, etc.).

[@vikingwind25]

I really appreciate your video on this system, including the Lessons Learned. I am putting together a similar system. One small point. While your grounding rod and GFI system is a safe idea for a lighting strike, I don't believe it is necessary, by code for a low voltage (under 24 V DC) system. I'm not a pro so this is just my thought. We all learn as we go. Regards....

[@wattheheck6010]

Beauty

[@noirprncess]

This makes me want to try

[@RASDB7]

Nice work!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Ras Ox Tafari!

[@offgridwithdj4877]

I really like how you do these ,I'm trying to learn it for my cabin build and having trouble ,but you help alot ! Good stuff!

[@GreenTechTown]

Nice to hear Rush! And thanks for the feedback!

[@leifhietala8074]

If you don't have a convenient ledge somewhere to hold your bracing wrench still, just clamp a big Vise-Grip on the nut. That's usually heavy enough to resist the Nylock's torque.

[@GreenTechTown]

Great tip Leif!

[@lavenderpearlvintage1846]

🤯Genius!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Lavender Pearl Vintage!

[@dwoodog]

Awesome. Looks overkill for a garden pump, but thats the fun is to go overkill.

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey dwoodog, you are right, the size of the system is overkill for just a water pump system. Another reason I planned to upgrade is for a few other projects I plan to use the system for coming up 🙂

[@Zbee167]

This was great! Thanks for sharing.

[@GreenTechTown]

Great to hear and no problem :D

[@chalkleyjm]

Nice job! I have learned a lot from your Rain Barrel series and the video editing and overdub of audio was fantastic.

[@longinus58]

Great tips.

[@kitogrova435]

great job man.

[@dgarvin57]

Great content. Very inspiring. I'll be trying this and you've helped a lot. Thanks.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Dan for the feedback.

[@tommwilly]

your videos are the best.

[@bastir.3693]

Nice video 👍

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Basti R.

[@kyzlekiko]

might be a good thing to make a drip loop on the solar output cables before they go into the wall, less water getting inside and on your cutoff switch

[@TheEmbrio]

In a pinch I have used zip ties facing /sloping down to stop drip back.

[@gerards9263]

Great job!!!!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Gerard!

[@CarlStreet]

Well Done Sir

[@maguettecisse4578]

So professonnal !

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Maguette!

[@bbikermama]

Yay! New video!!

[@addammadd]

Great content. Subbed.

[@GreenTechTown]

Awesome, welcome aboard Addam!

[@RaiUriarte]

I´m there!, analysis paralysis, I want to install a solar system for a pump I need to install in my pond, but I don´t what I need to buy, what potency, no idea. Normally I will do all electrical steps myself but this is overwhelming. Thanks for the video.

[@GreenTechTown]

I know the feeling. Sometimes what I'll do is write down all the questions I have about a task and then 1 by 1 start trying to address them by reaching out to online forums, local experts, Google, etc. until eventually all the questions are answered or I at least have more confidence to take action.

[@dougarnold9337]

Mate, I love your videos and you inspired me to put in my own solar water pump that is working a treat! That's why I'm a subscriber! But, I didn't understand why you felt the need to upgrade your system if it is only powering a water pump. I know you obviously researched everything and challenging yourself to make it better (really well done, BTW! 😃👍) but is there an advantage for your garden having the bigger solar system? Looking forward to the next video!

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey Doug. I plan to run a few more items off the system in the future, so was just thinking ahead. :D

[@mailjabber]

Great content. Subbed & liked!

[@jeve8706]

This video is great … will u be doing more solar installations like LED lights???

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey J Eve. Yes, at some point in the near future I would like to run some LED deck lights from this system.

[@hroman5]

I really like your videos!

[@GreenTechTown]

Great to hear! Thanks Henry for the feedback!

[@mikejones3560]

Great vids, thanks!

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks Mike!

[@ebazz5704]

Was the 20w panel enough to keep the battery charged for use or did you need to upgrade to keep up with your usage?

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey E Bazz. Yes the 20w panel was enough to keep my battery charged, but I have some up coming plans for some other small projects I would like to power off this near by solar system (i.e. deck led lights, security camera, etc.).

[@ebazz5704]

@@GreenTechTown that sounds awesome and can't wait to see what else you do

[@jillysd884]

QUESTION … I live in South Dakota … how do you protect Solar panels from Heavy hail storms 🌨🌨🌨 thanks jilly

[@JLowe-uu8lr]

Wow very neat job great video !=8)

[@rknyum7177]

very professional done! In your cost estimate was the battery included and what type of battery are you using?

[@GreenTechTown]

Yes, I am using a AGM battery since I already had it on hand.

[@tony113000]

Thanks for this - very informative - just one question - does the ground wire not need to be insulated or is it OK to leave it as you have it

[@ebazz5704]

Ground wires don't need to be insulated because they are about dispersing the energy from a faulty electronic out. If you are wiring something up near other sensitive electronics that your ground wire is near then you may want to insulate it but not really needed

[@tony113000]

@@ebazz5704 Thanks for the info - appreciate it

[@luckydogfarms]

Forgot to ask you... What editing software do you use? Thanks, J

[@GreenTechTown]

Final Cut Pro X

[@charitysmith7486]

Niiiice! 👍🏾

[@charlesost7497]

Roughly how many feet of piping was that pump supplying and was it putting out sufficient pressure at the farthest point?

[@kaminoshi713]

I’m not sure what the code says about lightning protection, but I believe it has to be separated from the power ground system, and the rods for the two systems have to be separated. At least when we were running temp power that’s how we’d do it.

[@skunked42]

Guessing the ground wire was for the GFCI?

[@GreenTechTown]

Yes I installed the grounding rod and conductor due to using the GFP.

[@claytonjenkins4431]

Very informative video. Great content. Do you have an estimated total cost for the whole system you have setup up to this point?

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey Clayton! Some of the items I already had on hand (solar panel, battery, electrical hardware), but if I started from scratch, and bought everything new, I would say this project is now in the neighborhood of $500-$600.

[@claytonjenkins4431]

@@GreenTechTown with the energy it generates how long do you think it would take to recoup that initial investment and how long do you suppose it will last? BTW that was some extremely professional and tidy looking cable management lol. I would expect nothing less from you though lol

[@Well_This_Guy_Says]

Are you going to be doing a video on how you wired your electrical panel?

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey Chris. Possibly later in the future.

[@Well_This_Guy_Says]

@@GreenTechTown that would be awesome!

[@stoobin58]

Did you get into some kind of trouble with your old setup that resulted in this upgrade (like a visit from a county inspector or something)?

[@GreenTechTown]

Hey A S. No, I did not run into any issues. This has just been something I've wanted to research more about for a while to make sure I have the right safety measures in place (so I do not run into potential trouble) and expand my knowledge. Most people tend to skip these steps, and finding reliable, easy to understand, and consistent information online about some of these topics is quite the challenge.

[@seriousorry]

I'm not too sure about grounding the sp frame. Maybe insulate from ground would be a better approach. It's mounted to wood, that's a good start. Let it float, then it won't attract lightning. Ground potential is as dangerous as anything else when lightning is the concern.

[@JAllyFarms]

:) now its time for a bigger pump

[@ruthiebmnf7711]

I came for the knowledge. I stayed for the dump truck

[@barnes80]

He got one don't he lol

[@dper1112]

Did you mix stainless steel fasteners with an aluminum frame? This tends to lead to galvanic corrosion. It would be better to use galvanized fasteners.

[@GreenTechTown]

Thanks dper1112. You are correct. Not sure how I forgot about this, but I will definitely look into that option. I will add this update to the description later as well. Thanks for the reminder and for taking the time to share!

[@E-bikeeverything57]

Don't listen to diaper dan it's not a big deal. Funny how I dissamble aluminum head motors with steel bolts. Must be ok for the auto industry but not for you siding. I just hope this lowers his stupid comment

[@douglaswindsor120]

Better to have both crescent wrench and vice grips saves a couple of trips

[@JAllyFarms]

word of caution when installing solar panel(s) put a towel over the panel to prevent electricity running thru the wires

[@GreenTechTown]

Good tip JAlly.

[@JAllyFarms]

@@GreenTechTown Lived on a boat with Solar power during the install you can get shocked by the power the panels produce