Simple DIY Solar Power System for Off Grid Cabins!

[@thearrowheadwoodsman3811]

Nice simple system. Thanks for sharing your trials. Cheers !!

[@TheOldJarhead]

Thanks for watching! Cheers!

[@Aceman597]

I like the simplicity. Thats how i do it.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Agreed! Simply is easy and effective

[@jecox6599]

Folks, if you’re interested in a system this size, just buy an all-in-one solar generator with a built-in mppt charge controller, pure sign wave inverter and a LiFePo4 battery (look at Ecoflow, Anker, & Bluetti). A solar generator with roughly the same usable capacity and performance will cost in the $500-$800 range plus the cost of the panels, PV wire, and mounting system (approximately $1000-$1500 total). A modern solar generator and takes up very little physical space and is 100% portable. LiFePo4 batteries can be safely run to a greater depth of discharge and last 10+ years.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Thanks for the comment, however it's not quite correct. The closest Bluetti, for example, is over $3000 and that assumes you do not use more than 50% of the FLA's capacity (6 220AH FLA's in series parallel = 660AH or 7.92kwh) Now, to be clear, I'm not even suggesting to buy this system (the one I show in the video) but rather wanted to explain what it was, how much it cost me 14 years ago and what a similar system would cost today. It's actually VERY affordable but I'd recommend not going with 12v systems today unless you really had to and couldn't spend the extra money to upgrade it to 24v. Furthermore, a system like this is totally scalable in a way Bluetti's and others just aren't (for the money). The system I detailed here could easily take another solar array, or 2 or 3 which would provide much greater solar charging capabilities and bumping to 24v and adding more solar takes it well beyond any 'canned' system. Sure, they are easy and nice but I'd rather have a scalable system which, you'll see, if you stick around for a couple more videos, is what I did in the end leaving myself with 8.64kwh of battery power (LiFePo4) with 1830watts in one solar array and 615watts in the original giving me a system capable of around 75Amps of charging capacity and more reserve that I've even come close to using :) Scalability is important. Finally, I don't want to take away from systems like those mentioned above, they do work and have their place but they are not less expensive nor more scalable. They are however, easy to set up use, no doubt about it.

[@jecox6599]

Yeah, I didn’t correctly factor in the theoretical storage capacity of your system watt hours before writing my previous post. Certainly extra batteries for solar generators can indeed get expensive. I guess the point I was trying to make was that the approach to solar power systems and the underlying technology has changed a lot in 14 years. Today there are many more diy friendly options under the $3500 price point which are better performing and require fewer individual components. While the options were pretty limited when you built your original system, I think you would agree that if you were building your first 600 watt off grid system today, you would not choose to purchase the components quoted in the video (though I could be mistaken about that).

[@TheOldJarhead]

Thanks for replying, glad you did. Today? Honestly? I'd go with what I have now minus a few tweaks. Setting aside that I have a 6kw LP generator with Autogen Start switch and several other goodies, I also have 360AH of LiFePo4 batteries and lots of solar (9 panels generating as much as 75amps@24vdc) I'd have to do a comparison with systems today but I will concede that systems like the ones you mentioned are excellent options for people who likely won't do what I did (expand, upgrade, expand some more) as systems built like mine offer a lot of flexibility. However, I'm seeing online a lot of changes since 2010! So it's hard to say...I guess I need one of those systems to see how well it would provide my power to be sure and then do a cost benefit analysis to see if they are as pocket book friendly as they appear ;) Cheers! More to come!

[@nolagirlhomestead]

You just summed up what my research says: all-in-one generators cost three times as much as a basic system right now.

[@TheOldJarhead]

yup! And DIY systems, if done right, are easy to expand! I added 6 panels and a 2nd charge controller in 2016 or so and it's been great! Then LiFePo4 's and soon a new inverter 😉

[@larrybell1305]

Great system. Thank you for sharing the details and cost of building a system like this.

[@TheOldJarhead]

You bet

[@jughed74]

Glad I found the video. Interesting seeing the old system. I've been in telecom(lineman, Bug hunter, and CO tech) since I got out in 98' Semper Fi brother.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Welcome aboard! and Semper Fi! Glad you found me and don't hesitate to ask! I'm always happy to answer! When were you in? '86-91 for me 2nd LAV/2nd LAI for me (LAR these days).

[@jughed74]

Just missed ya, 92 -98 I and I duty, FLSU 4th MAW Swinging with the wing.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Right on! Semper Fi!

[@leetaves9143]

i have a tristar 45 pwm and love it is doing better then my mppt off brand controller

[@TheOldJarhead]

MorningStar? The PWM controllers work as long as you keep the voltage in the correct range for the battery bank. Then they are more efficient than MPPT is most cases

[@wolfmansgoodies]

Awesome video man

[@TheOldJarhead]

Thanks!!!

[@bobbyemmons2754]

thanks for the video its helpful

[@TheOldJarhead]

You are quite welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@patwright6317]

Ouch😂 my head hurts!!. But great info. Waiting for a system to come along to run half my house during outage for a day or two .

[@TheOldJarhead]

I was hoping it would help folks understand the basics -- and I'll be doing a couple more (maybe 3) on how I changed this system so I could live full time at the cabin and then some upgrades I did to improve it even more. For a full house build there are a lot more $$$ signs ;) Cheers

[@jecox6599]

Look at Ecoflow Delta Pro and their smart home panel. I run half my home’s power needs continuously (not just during power outages).

[@TheOldJarhead]

Those little systems are getting better all the time, that's for sure!

[@TheOldJarhead]

Incidentally, to match what I have today (which all started on the system detailed here but has been upgraded a few times) would require 3 of those Delta Pros plus solar panels and generator auto start etc etc...they are great systems for those that want something simple and fast but they may not be as inexpensive in comparison as many think.

[@beebop9808]

There are some all in one controllers out there in that ballpark that'll track 4kw or 5kw and give you 3kw clean power out. Got no skin in the game but Signature Solar has the best prices on panels I've seen in the past bit. I got 400w bifacial panels for about $110 bucks a piece. I got a pallet of them but I think they will sell as few as 10 of them? 10 of those will give you 4kw to 5kw in a single string. Bumping to 48vdc battery system will save money on wiring and components too. Inverters also if not doing all in one. If you've got the gumption for it you can build your own LFP 48v battery pack, 304ah, 15kwh for about $1900 bucks. Cells can be gotten at the moment for about $105 ea. Good BMS with active balancing about $250. If you can spare the cash it'll save you much in the long haul over lead.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Thanks for the reply. My system today (while still older) is running 2.4kw of solar array feeding a 24v LiFePo4 battery bank with 4kw of purse sine wave inverter. It's not the most modern system but certainly meets my needs :D However, you are correct that there are a lot of new options. I'm not a fan of 'all in one' systems though and prefer separate components myself but do understand there are less expensive ways to build systems today however, as pointed out recently to another my old system (from this video) was running 660AH which is almost 8kwh of battery reserve (I have to always convert kwh because they aren't the most efficient way to express power -- I'm amazed that so many use them now as really Amps are more efficient to use and easier to understand) and while my solar power at the time was only 33amps of power it is/was scalable and could have easily jumped to several times that. Using modern panels (way less per watt today) I could build a similar system for less than what most think.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Just was looking at a 1kw complete system using an inverter/charger that was $2400 complete with batteries. One of the things I noted at the end of my video was to do the research as I was just going over my system from 2010 but may have to do another one on new systems I've found once I finish the next few on how my system grew. Thanks again!

[@dlloyd6300]

Great video and great info! Is there a reason not to just use deep cycle 12v marine/RV batteries?

[@TheOldJarhead]

Thanks, and yes, those Marine batteries don't have the cycle life or total capacity of GCBs

[@TheOldJarhead]

I should add that the GCB's are pretty cost effective way to go too. If you look at Marine batteries they typically run around 185AH of capacity vs 220-240AH for 6v GCB's..but look at the physical weight and size of the GCB's in comparison. That weight equates to cycle life :) I finally gave mine away after 8 years of use because they were getting weaker and I could afford LiFePo4's (which will last 3 to 4 times longer or more) but the marine style would never give you that many life cycles/years. Make sense?

[@jws3925]

What pole solar panel mount is that?

[@TheOldJarhead]

That a home made one 😉

[@BucolicAholic]

If I were a solar panel, would you add me in series or parallel?

[@TheOldJarhead]

lol depends on your output

[@BucolicAholic]

@TheOldJarhead that depends on whether I'm moving really really fast or not, but generally I don't play well with others. Might have to go with parallel because I can park really well.

[@TheOldJarhead]

🤣😂😅 parallel it is! Or maybe just solo 😁

[@budmartin3344]

May I ask why not upgrading the inverter to a pure sine wave?

[@TheOldJarhead]

This was just the 1st in a series of videos, next comes out Thursday but I thought I discussed upgrading to pure sine wave in this video, if not it's coming ;) But yes, I did and would do so. Modified is ok and works for a lot of uses and is considerably cheaper so with this system, on a tight budget it's a way to start off but I absolutely recommend going to Pure Sine Wave if it is within your budget.

[@michellelaclair]

ever heard of will prowse? he is the guru on youtube and i think you should access his knowledge

[@TheOldJarhead]

I've watched several KZbin gurus but not him. I'll check him out.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Ahhh, I see he's a solar guy. I'll check him out, but my system is complete and doing well! I've got a couple more vids on mine yet to put out. Cheers

[@beebop9808]

Will does some good vids. Remember watching him long ago when he was playing with battery packs he was building from zillions of baby used cells. If you haven't ran across Andy at the Off-grid garage you might give him a visit. He does a lot of deep dives into testing and configuration parameters. Good place to go if you have interest in the nitty gritty details that makes it all tick.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Thanks -- I'll check them out. I've been mostly concentrating on running my sawmill to continue my offgrid build but wanted to share my solar power system as I think it can help some who are looking at doing similar. I'll have to do more though (have 2 or 3 planned and in the works now) as I see a lot has changed over the years and my system can be had with newer components for less than I thought. I'm looking now at a system with 1kw of solar, 6 GCB's and an MPPT charger/inverter all for $2400! That's really awesome though admittedly the inverter/charger might be a limiting factor.

[@bounce12]

Let’s all hope it’s not an emp that takes out the grid when it goes out!!

[@TheOldJarhead]

Amen

[@georgeshotrodbarn2113]

Does your daddy Joe know you have that solar.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Oh, I got it. I try not to talk politics publicly 😉 but I hope not

[@ThomasNowicki-m5s]

you example not works. top brand 200 watt panels with ~2021-2022 tech cells cost ~80 bucks if i take a 430 watt panel from trina with 2023 tech in i get it for s80$ so 2x 430 watt trina panels 160 bucks , why waster money for outdatet tech? 12 years ago i get ~ 240 watt on 2 square meters today i get 430 on the same 2 square meters. who will buy today outated tech and pay for it horrible prizes? then a 40 Amp MPPT charge constroller is ~50 bucks not 500 bucks.... today you get outstanding great tech for the buck that the truth your example that nowadays anyone habe to pay for 600 WATT solarpanles 600 bucks is pure nonsens.

[@TheOldJarhead]

Thanks. I have changed, but I highly doubt that a $50 charge controller can match the performance of a Morningstar CC