My solar panel setup

[shartne]

nice solar set up good job on your panels check out my channel to see my homemade panels, charge controller and inverter.

[tpodi]

Hey dude, I've been meaning to ask this question. How did you connect the DC inverter? Did you connect it directly to the battery or to the Solar Charger? Reason I ask, is because I am bit confused whether the DC inverter should be connected to solar charger or to the battery itself.

[FreeSolarEnergy]

@tpodi I connected the inverter directly to the battery because it's a 1000 watt inverter in this video, which on a full load can pull 100 amps and the solar charger is only rated at 8 amps max. Most inverters have low voltage shutdown protection to stop the batteries from being discharged too much so these no need to connect it a solar charger. My solar setup has charged a lot from when I made is video, I just haven’t got round to posting an update. Hope this answers your questions.

[tpodi]

@FreeSolarEnergy, thank you very much for replying, it did answer my question. However I have one more question. On a Solar Charger Controller - SBC-7130, it comes with 6 connectors, 2 for connecting the solar cells, 2 for connecting the batteries and another 2 for connecting the appliances. On the last 2 connectors, can they be used to connect an Inverter or only less amp consuming appliances? sorry I am just new to this technology and I am really interested in learning more.

[FreeSolarEnergy]

@tpodi You could connect an inverter to the charge controller as long as the total amps being consumed by the inverter and anything plugged into it doesn’t go over the max amp rating of the charge controller. For example say you had a charge controller which is rated at 12 volts 10 amp max and you connect a 500 watt inverter which consumes 0.5 amps when turned on, you would then have 9.5 amps left to run appliances anything like a TV or lights.

[toobroke2fight]

@FreeSolarEnergy Not a good idea! if the inverter is on, but only .5A then why have it on that circuit! Your limited to 7 or 10 A running it through the "load" tap on the charge controller! DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY WITH A FUSE!!!!!! Read the owners manual if your not sure! If your a desk jockey and dont understand electricity then.....STAY IN THE OFFICE AND GET SOMEONE TO DO YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS!!!! This wire is too small, aligator clamps are evil, and research goes a long way! Joe

[toobroke2fight]

@tpodi use the "load" connections on those cheap 7 or 10 amp charge controllers for lighting or a fan, but NOT AN INVERTER! It cant handle the wattage!!!! You can find better controllers, unless your just using a cheap Harbor Freight kit! If your serious about solar MPPT is the ONLY WAY TO GO!!!! Joe

[toobroke2fight]

@tpodi connect it to the battery! the load circuit on the charge controllers are only for SMALL circuits like lights or a fan! Joe

[khillosoubra]

very cool system! might have some safety issues inside though.

[ozesalsa]

I see you have a large loop in the battery cables to the inverter. The inverter user book says to keep the leads as short as you can. Under five feet is best. Cheers.

[321Aceking]

great! Love it solar Rocks I got about 80 watts here plus some homemade jobs Rock On!! :)

[lezbriddon]

Rated, what part of yorkshire you in?

[FreeSolarEnergy]

from derbyshire m8

[joe18370]

keep up the good work,i also made a 105 watt panel,i have the regulater you have ,.

[ellassofrito]

Dude you rock. Maybe you can post a tutorial of the basics of solar power and how you put yours together. Thanks for sharing.

[225Vikings]

Can you tell me step by step how connect each item such as the panel to the controller to the battery to the inverter, ect.. I want to build a smail system but dont want to short circut or have somethng go wrong/

[Lanny615]

Very nice little system you got there.

[FreeSolarEnergy]

Thank you

[BJLDD100]

where did you get the volt meter ?

[FreeSolarEnergy]

I got this volt meter off a friend, I thing it came out of an old 12v battery changer. You could try your local electrical store or look on eBay for analogue volt meters or why not use one of those cheap digital Multimeters as a permanent way for testing your battery voltage.

[mrbuki77]

Excellent work. The home made solar is the best way to go. That's how we weekend solar enthusiasts keep things within our budget. I also have a small solar setup.

[FreeSolarEnergy]

Making your own solar panel is a lot cheaper than buying a new one, as long as you know what you are doing and Thank you for rating my video. I am currently finishing my second homemade solar panel. I am also making a solar air heater made from recycled cans.