Making Solar Work at the Cabin: Slim's Fixer Upper Part 18

[@sjTHEfirst]

Great job Slim! To make the assembly a bit more manageable, perhaps you could have it in 2 segments and pin them together once you get them to the desired location. I did a similar setup a few years back and had each panel in its own frame (6 panels). This also allowed me to set them in a slight curve so the power output was almost even all day.

[@richardthomas1743]

Thank you Slim for all of the time and effort that you put into your videos. I always enjoy and learn something from them. LOVED seeing the Deer and obviously they are not afraid of you at all ! 👍💯

[@richardthomas1743]

HEY! Good morning Slim! Thanks for taking us along on your adventures!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Good morning!

[@Jessticks2319]

These videos are really relaxing . I think it’s the mix of real purpose In the fix up , yet simplicity

[@follybeachprepper]

By the way Slim , keep an eye on the wind coming up the hill , might want to add a couple of ground anchors attached to the chains on either side. Just a thought !! Stay Safe Everyone!!!

[@bettyboop7738]

Very good idea.. anchor whenever possible...👍👍👍👍🤠

[@sunshine3914]

I’m sure Slim is way ahead of the game.

[@MountainParameters]

I had a similar thought. Was thinking sand bags on the cross piece.

[@doncarlton4858]

Good point! A couple of the ground screws for outdoor dog runs attached to the chains would hold it down yet still be considered "portable".

[@andreimoldovan1636]

Hey Slim! Awesome to see you put your old solar panels to good use again. "This is my design, and I'm happy with it!" - and we're happy you're happy, Slim! Say hello to the friendly deer for us - amazing to witness such beautiful creatures visiting your cabin.

[@dewdropn5619]

Your cabin is looking so nice. I'm so envious of your ingenuity! Stay warm and safe. 🕊

[@jonthebru]

One huge irony about solar panels is that they slow down their charging when it gets too hot. You won't ever have that problem. In fact solar if setup properly works really well in Northern climates. What a great project, it fits well with all your other videos.

[@jeffhoward9186]

What is interesting about you, Slim. Is that you are a person who thinks outside if the box. Which is great to solving problems. Great way to save your problem with location and how to do it. Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next project.

[@venicebeachltn]

Slim, here's an idea for your portability issue. You can reinforce the frame a little more and attach hand truck wheels to it.

[@TheMikeseiler]

Wow Sim, 425 comments already! I hope I did not miss somebody mentioning this, but a issue that I had with my frame is that the wind would pick it up and smash it on rocks. One of my class panels developed your typical safety glass cracks all over it. The panel still works for now, but I suspect that I can't leave it out in the rain. I've learned the hard way more than once that solar panels and sails have a lot in common.

[@jefflunt9615]

Due to weight maybe only put two panels together. Instead of folding just put the framed two panels next to the other framed two panels and place them side by side? If you had eight panels you wouldn't put them all together. Plus you wouldn't have to go through making a hinge for the whole thing. Great video and good work on the framing.

[@davidmcclelland9263]

Taking the solar panels out with your helper was really funny slim. 😎

[@doncarlton4858]

Another great video Slim! Perhaps a set of wheels (removable?) would help you roll it around like a wheelbarrow or two wheeler. I'm impressed that you can get a good amount of power for the cabin. With 12 volt LEDs, etc. You should have enough power to make your cabin work! Nice to see the neighbors, both two and four footed, are so friendly! Good Luck!

[@bertkelly7650]

I love when you build stuff just to see your engineering. Don't know why they make separate cables. You'd think someone would come up with both into one solar cables. Thanks for your video!

[@michaelgillespie6526]

Good Morning Slim, from Victoria BC. Love these videos!! Thanks for sharing your journeys and adventures and teaching us your learnings along the way. We appreciate you!

[@SlimPotatohead]

Good morning!

[@kylecormier9930]

Every time I started to think of an idea for this, you actually mentioned the same idea such as adding wheels and moving it closer to the water. This was a great video and I loved the wooden structure you built to contain the panels in.

[@andreaandiwilliams9232]

You sure are a master of putting just about everything together and then having it work out for what you need. The solar panel project is a great idea and my thinking is putting skis under it to guide it where you would want to set your solar panels.You can guide it with wearing a jacket that connects to you with a harness. Just a thought. Thanks again for a awesome video and love seeing the deer, so beautiful !!!

[@martinhebrank852]

So a suggestion on lightening it, instead off having one large unit, turn it in to two smaller ones. You can put each one of them in series and then connect them both up in parallel for all the panels at once. You can adjust the location of each unit separately too.

[@stevebailey7633]

Yes, that was my thought as well, why one big structure, break it down to 4 units.

[@alisalavine1052]

Nice work, Slim. And thanks, for not messing with the trees! They are true beauties. I'm so jealous that you have such an amazing space to enjoy nature.

[@Mark-nt1jf]

I would love a cabin like yours. FYI, we put solar panels on our house almost 4 years ago and we're very happy with our system. We have 15 panels of 290 watts each for 4,350 watts. It's a lot because it's for our entire house and we produce more than we use. After tax credits and such, it cost us about $9,500 US. We are about halfway through the payback time. We plan to stay here for some time to come and eventually will give the house to our kids so they will enjoy the benefits.

[@martink9785]

Solar is great, I have a 330w panel on my van and love monitoring my power harvesting. It makes sunny days even better knowing that I’m getting a good charge 😊 Great video, thanks

[@vonrollveeg]

I enjoy your videos so much that I am replaying them starting from the beginning. BRAVO - What a record and accomplishment for you! It feels like I am watching them for the first time. I'm taking careful notes to add to my wish list of places to visit.

[@insaynbcr]

Two ideas for you to play with. 1.) You can lighten up the wood frame by taking a 1.5" hole saw and adding many many holes down each 2"x4". 2.) A very very inexpensive way to calibrate your panel angle to the sun is with a can of soup. Just set the base of the soup can against the panel face and look at the can shadow. Adjust the panel up/down and left/right until you reduce or eliminate the can shadow as much as possible. This will get your panels facing directly at the sun.

[@johnm2056]

What a sweet build and design. Maybe a generator wheel kit and 2 wheelbarrow handles would make it easier to move around solo.

[@danmanx2]

Slim, I would put handles on top and you said it at the end: Wheels! Of course, if it's left outside, those wheels are going to get gunky fast. Still though, fantastic job on building the frame and getting those babies to 300w. I was excited when I saw you generating that much. Good luck!

[@hopeheavenonplanetearth1417]

I love your design! You have taught me so much over the years!!! I think I will use your design with two glass panels and then add two more in the future… because of the wiring and weight. Thank you so much 🙏

[@jimp.7286]

Thanks for caring about the trees. Maybe make interchangeable skies/wheels for the panels. Or some kind of hand cart? Tow it around the property? As always, excellent video. Cheers.

[@thomasmurray4407]

Hello Slim. Prudence may appreciate the panel array as something to scratch her ears on. The weight of the array will soon be undesirable to portage up and down the hill.Best plan would be to move to a permanent pole mount.Strong enough to stand the wind and height enough to avoid damage from your "deer friend" Prudence. Give her some apples instead. Have a great day enjoying the soletude at the cabin. Tom from across the province at the NB-NS border.

[@suerop]

Slim said he's not allowed to install anything permanent.

[@SetitesTechAdventures]

The trick with solar is to put in more solar :) It is recommended to design solar for the winter expectations. The cheapest way to do that is look for used panels in your area. You can usually get used panels for half the price you paid for the 100w panels. But this is how I started with solar too and it's an excellent entry point. Though I will admit that there is a difficulty with that suggestion. Many power stations have a very narrow range of voltages they will accept so you have to keep that in mind. More amps than it allows are fine, it just won't use the extra amps, but if you apply too much voltage things can break. I would keep an eye on your local facebook marketplace and try to snag a few extra panels to add to overcome the winter.

[@vickypastrana1245]

It’s 5:00 in the morning from California, what better way to perk my day up! Good morning.

[@jasonwilliamson8346]

Good morning slim

[@SlimPotatohead]

Good Morning Jason!

[@Gettra64]

Love the DIY attitude! One suggestion (and hope I can word this so it's understandable): Have a list at the back of the frame and rest the panels on that list. Then use a smaller toggle-list that's fastened with one screw on the front of the frame so you have one at the top, and one at the bottom of each panel. That way you can twist the front list to be horizontal to the frame and remove the panels when you need to move the frame, and then lock the panels in place simply by resting them to the back-list and twisting the toggle-lists by 90 degrees. This way you can remove all panels when and if you need to move the frame.

[@thomasaccuntius9946]

Slim, I enjoyed this video a lot. I like to come up with solutions to problems that I can build. I started to describe how to build a wagon here, then I realized the cost and the time to do this. Then I thought why not buy a garden wagon and mount the panels on it. Most of these wagons are around 42" long so, take one of the panel sections and cut it in half and remount a half section on each end of the big one. This will allow you to mount the center section with hinges to the wagon and the ends fold in on it. Locate the hinges so when the panels are upright they are in the center of the wagon. You will need to add some braces to keep the panels up right when moving. Then when you unfold the panels they will extend past the end of the wagon. Your braces to hold the panel at an angle will need to be longer since the panels are up higher on the wagon, but off the ground which I thing is better. You also may want to use some stakes and adjustable tent ropes to secure the wagon down to prevent rolling and from wind. I have seen these garden carts for sale at landscaper supply stores for around $250 I hope this helps you out in some way.

[@djpollyester]

direct sunlight and bouncing off the snow. thumbs up

[@ferky123]

Don't forget to put some type of preservative on the wood so it lasts.

[@suerop]

That's what I was thinking.

[@timmarsongs]

The deer at the end… what a nice touch!

[@projekt6_official]

Hey Slim - good video. Might want to consider anchors to keep the panel from catching a gust and flopping over causing damage. You can also consider bolting two of the panels to each other, and then hinging or latching the two sets of panels together and ditch the wooden frame to save some weight.

[@copious_amounts-unknown8897]

Great video Slim, I'm learning SO much from you! Really enjoy your instructions, you explain everything clearly and even sometimes show us your mistakes too. You always leave me wanting more! 😁

[@angelambca]

Ingenious as ever! I thought wheels also. But first I thought you were going to go UP above the trees or along the shoreline, but those panels up high would make a great wind sail unless you welded them in place. I'm enjoying your cabin series.

[@bmoore3199]

Really appreciate your practical approach to things. Makes it realistic for the average person. Great video Slim. 👍👍

[@denisemoynahan2879]

Lol, your friends, at the end, were probably trying to figure out who you were talking to. Awesome cabin.

[@MrLangDog]

A type of dolly made with bicycle wheels would help in moving it around. Cool video!!

[@follybeachprepper]

Thanks Slim, what a great learning video. I love the framework. Where I live the only difference I would make is to use treated lumber and galvanized or stainless steel hardware. We constantly battle salt air and insects, Yuk !!! Stay Safe Everyone!!!!

[@jgvtxman8659]

Hi Slim. Always enjoy your videos. I was thinking “unhinge” the two sections and move them around separately, then attach them back together with a bolt latch or some such when they are in the right place. That way they are 50% lighter to handle. Of course you would have to unplug and replug a couple wires. No big deal there. Thank you and best wishes from Oregon.

[@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549]

As a fellow Potato, I can confidently say that Spuds really has it _Made In The Shade!_ Yeah Baby yeah!

[@kostura20]

I feel that a hand truck with a ratchet strap or two may secure it enough for you to handle it yourself. Love the videos!

[@grayrabbit2211]

Fwiw, we used to make portable solar setups using hand trucks. The battery and inverter went on the bottom, panel strapped to the upright portion. Extremely easy to move around and easy to angle. In your case, two hand trucks might be the best solution. One person can maneuver them at that point and they're portable.

[@claramullen]

I am sure that you will get your solar figured out to the point you want it to be. Take care Slim

[@clarkleakins879]

Good idea with the portability. Suggest that you separate the two frames, replace the hinges with door hinges with removable pins. Buy a hand truck/dolly to haul around/bring inside/upstairs, also useful with other projects. All depends how often you need to relocate. Someone might complain if they notice the panels on the shore multiple days in a row. Think about making a padded camo cover (pine cone/debris protection) then you could just lay them flat/inconspicuous, instead of relocated often. IF the cables are outdoors rated.

[@asaprocky8195]

Might want to anchor it down so that wind doesn't flip it over and damage your panels. Great episode. Very creative and informative. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and adventures.

[@bradsunderland681]

I love your videos. You inspired me to get out and camp. I would add a set of wheels to one side to your solar panels. That way you could roll the solar panel with one person.

[@RossTheGenMan]

Great design. If you have a simple two wheel dolly it would probably make it alot easier to move on your own folded up. Or you could put wheels on it somewhere.

[@williamthawley9251]

the cabin on the outside looks really nice, then inside will get done, you do a great job.

[@henryreed5641]

might I make a suggestion of adding dolly wheels to the pannels to make them easier for you to move around there slim, we dont need you getting hurt living your dream.And I think of you add a few small wind generators to the supply rig you'll have back up power to help trickle in on low sun days.

[@mannyfragoza9652]

Slim put your panel on a sled to move it around. Also you can also buy a DC to DC voltage booster when its dark and cloudy.

[@odiesclips7621]

This was a very informative video. You did a wonderful job on this, Slim!! Thank you.

[@cindybryant1584]

You always have such interesting ideas and solutions to your needs.

[@jsim5000]

Great job as always meeting a challenge through practical and simple solutions. We watch your videos all day sometimes and never get tired of them. I love picking and grinning blues and country so I really liked when you built your cigar box guitar. Priority first I’d like to see you get the cabin fully sustainable.

[@kirkmarrie8060]

I am living vicariously through you! Thank you for another wonderful presentation!

[@joewoodchuck3824]

There are web resources for determining solar panel angle settings by latitude and season. You can also set them empirically with a shadow rod. We're coming up to the spring equinox which is a good time to measure an angle setting to use for year round. As long as you're around however, you can set the panels seasonally or even monthly if you want. The amount of angle change is greatest around the equinoxes and least around the solstices. Good luck!

[@luk_deg]

I love your design because it's YOURS and made by you! Yes you can always buy but where is the satisfaction of creating something useful and for your needs?!

[@ejcastro9518]

Perhaps in the future you can upgrade to the panels that charge from both sides to take advantage of reflecting sunlight. You could easily make your own reflector to help out. Just a thought

[@genekied]

Might want to consider protecting the cables from critters eating on them, might not be too much of a worry in winter but I'm sure there's many around in the warmer months.

[@tundramanq]

Glass is a lot more scratch resistant. Great move! When you brush off snow or clean the panels there always seems to be some gritty stuff getting on your towels and brushes. The flexible panels are about as easy to scratch as computer screens that require special mild cleaning chemicals and special synthetic cloths.

[@larrymiller8210]

You have alot of good ideas! My sons tell me I can build something out of a couple of boards, some bailing wire, and make it functional. I believe it's a God given talent. Who knows? Take care, and carry on!

[@ralphsmith8682]

Mount a couple of skate boards on the bottom of the panel. Take the wheels off and ski it down hill. In the warmer weather put the wheels back on the skate board and roll it down hill.

[@dangerdavefreestyle]

A fridge is really your biggest challenge. Heh, you could perhaps use at as an icebox in the winter and get your ice from outside. Bravo for going offgrid! Soooo many advantages...

[@SlimPotatohead]

The fridge for the cabin is the same one I use in my camper. 12V, doesn't use too much power. SP

[@dangerdavefreestyle]

then you have it figured out extremely well. most 12v fridges still suck enormous amounts of power for people who live in vans and such and are too small to be practical (size of a cooler).... The ones they have in high end campers with 12v, 120v, or propane are also way too thirsty, and a 120v fridge a third the size of a regular fridge is usually out of the question, but i could be wrong and you seem to have a relentless knack for figuring it out....

[@Morongobill]

I am glad we got to see the official mascot for your channel, Slim.

[@skiphamblin6938]

Great video Slim. It is great to see how your engineering works with the finished product but also helps us in if some time in the future we need to do the same thing it helps us to estimate how many solar panels we will need. Thanks so much. This is Skip from Michigan.

[@azcamperjohn1079]

Hello Slim. I did a similar set up. It is heavy so I folded the outer panels into the inner two. Then I put a handle on the lower side and a wheel barrel wheel on the upper end. It's easy to move around by myself.

[@rustammelion1721]

Love your solar video's Slim. I 3D printed some hinges to turn 2x100W panels into a 200W folding case and some other bit's to turn a couple sections of PVC pipe into kick stands. Happy to print you some if you wanted to break those up into 2 separate units for easier handling. Still love the ingenuity and engineering work. If you plan to have it up for extended times, the heavier setup is probably the way to go

[@papajeff5486]

Slim, just thinking out loud, you might have already considered a big wheel dolly. It has big pneumatic tires for moving over ground, outside. Thanks for sharing this solar panel idea. You might also consider charging your battery with a gas powered generator. That way you get the 120 V, power for tools, when you want. You also get the battery charged. You can also run it for hours, from your porch, running a cord to the inside, where you’re keeping you battery warmer. Yep, it’s a bit expensive….

[@SlimPotatohead]

No Generators!!!!!

[@solvend]

Nice to see you adding to the cabin. Being self sustainable is great where you can do it.

[@gingerman5123]

19:00 You can always add more panels if you need to recharge faster when you're there. When you're not there just let it slowly charge, it'll be topped off by the time you make it back.

[@bettyboop7738]

Panels were repurposed....that was almost salvage Also....thanks for really useful and interesting videos slim....I like the innovation and frugality you use...I love seeing how we can come at thing's from two ways...use less and thinking outside the box...this is so important in these days for MANY things 👍 BB from somewhere in Louisiana ❤️🤠... thanks again 👍👍

[@donnasnorthernlights2089]

Great idea. My deer is named Fuzzy Face. I have him on some of my KZbin videos. Take care.

[@AndZephyr]

Its good to see you using the knowledge and ingenuity with making sure that you can cover your basic needs and your honesty in exactly what you've learned with this saysa lot about your character. Thanks for a very good video on meeting your basic power needs.

[@papajon62]

Very clever project! Maybe some type of “beach buggy wheels” could be attached to get up and down the hill or 12” pneumatic…

[@landonashby2029]

To get your best angle on your panels you can use an empty beer can. Hold it on the surface of the panels and adjust the angle until there is no shadow cast from the can. That will.maximize your power intake when you're charging. Of course it will change but it will give you the best results when you are collecting.

[@SlimPotatohead]

Awesome. Any particular brand of beer you recommend?!?

[@landonashby2029]

A cold one! 😉

[@agesadventures]

Looks like a good setup! I'm really impressed how you take on these projects and find a way to be successful.

[@christinevictorian8743]

Excellent work as usual slim. Perhaps adding some wheels may make the panels easier to move on your own. Good luck.

[@nancyst.john-smith3891]

Friends of ours have a small 4’x8’ trailer with solar panels and deep cycle batteries mounted to it. It has the solar panel charge controllers, inverters, 110 outlet and 12 volt outlets on it, sort of an a frame looking set up with secure locking doors. They have 5 acres in the mountains and do lots of upkeep with power tools. They have a campsite with their camp trailer on it, a garden, a garage, a shooting range, chicken coops and a nice home on the property. They can hook up to the little trailer and place it wherever they need power using their 4 wheeler (aka quad). I could see it being a good option for you if leaving your setup on the river bank is a security risk.

[@Jeffrose_]

Great start slim.

[@thelwell256]

I am happy you are happy. Great setup and as usual a nice entertaining video. Thank you and enjoy your panel setup 💞💞💞.

[@matthewprather7386]

Grade a nice path from wherever you store the panels to where you sun them. Then either add wheels or get an inexpensive hand truck (dolly) to roll them back and forth. Having a dolly around can be useful for moving other heavy things too.

[@lindawoods6841]

Wow thank you Slim for making this video,, great idea with the solar panels. You have put alot of hard work into building that cabin.. it is looking awesome..

[@pagewhite61]

Interesting video, thank you Slim. Beautiful shots of the snowy trees in the beginning.

[@maxst2]

Make a small steam generator to run off your wood stove? Wind turbine as well, seems like its always windy there at the cabin. Some vertical helical wind generators are very quiet and can be DIY made.

[@bboice08]

Way to go Slim!! Check out those folding panels too!! Find a good spot and anchor her in!!! Hi Prudence such a cute dear look at that face!!!!

[@dragonskunkstudio7582]

I see your co-star showed up. 😄 Can't wait to see you drive around in your solar panel go-kart. 😁

[@RichieRich-l6s]

Maybe a zip line down to the sunny spot. Could double as a clothes line in the summer. Enjoy the projects!

[@billroche449]

Put a couple wheels on the end when it's folded. Tilt it back and push with the wheels.

[@lindahopson5003]

I'd put big old locking wheels on that solar array. Interesting video.

[@barfass]

You will notice quite a drop, but with 4 panels, it will be fine. I have mine at about the same distance and I lose about 8amps for a 200watt setup. I just added 2 more panels and dealt with it. However, I will be switching most of my interior stuff to 12v as you did. So much more efficient.

[@rollie3383]

You could have a couple eyelets a piece of ready rod and wheel barrow wheels with a pin for lugging that pannel board around

[@bosse641]

What a lovely little friend you had visiting.

[@laurafranco7408]

Your Handy abilities are amazing! How awesome and satisfying to make your own power for free, Great job!

[@feathers352]

Folding panels are a good design. I would make a set of wheels for it to set into. Kind of a u shaped design with at least 6" pnuematic wheels so they roll easily. You could clip them on to move it and then lift them out to set them up.

[@russveinot5754]

Great video (as usual). Suggestion: split the monster panel into 2 panels. put on shoulder straps to carry and you might even be able to carry them in and out in 1 trip still. There will be days you will need only 1 panel (sunny days) to collect a required amount of daily wattage. Maybe you can expand your number of panel sets later as your needs increase.