DIY - Home Solar Hybrid - Standalone - Grid Tie - Done!!

[davidtwillis]

Just a thought. You could run those two fans in series on the 24v, without converting to 12v, and running them parallel.

[rhandsom]

@davidtwillis Thanks, 2 other viewers were thinking along the same lines. At the time that idea didn't occur to me, and I know it would've worked. But in any case, my current approach also gives me some additional flexibility. Take Care.

[Brown969]

Would you know if you can wire the dump load from your charge controller to the Grid Tie Inverter? That way when your batteries are full, you are exporting the energy you're still producing. Thanks for the tour.

[rhandsom]

@Brown969 I don't know if you could wire a dump load to the charge controller. Seems like it would be an excellent way to handle excess power if it works. But again, I've never tried it so I wouldn't know.

[Brown969]

@rhandsom I've never heard of anyone doing it either, but it made sense rather than dumping any excess current to something like a heater.

[davidtwillis]

@Brown969

You can do that, you just need a voltage switch, that turns on a relay when the batteries are full, then shuts off when they start getting low.

[rhandsom]

In response to Prancinglion1, this video shows 2 of 4 panels. 2 panels are mounted on a pole in the yard, and 2 are on the roof. Together the 2 separate solar arrays total approximately 670w.

[Prancinglion1]

All this... and for two solar panels?

[joshbulldog1661]

i think you should have water-cooled :P

[rhandsom]

@joshbulldog1661 Would be a great idea if I could incorporate the water cooling aspect into the design somehow. Take Care.

[P1001AT2]

For the fans you could have just put them in series and connec it to the 24 volt output because in series the voltage add up so 12 plus 12 would be 24 volts no problem whit out burning the fans

[rhandsom]

@P1001AT2 Thanks for the comments, and yes you are correct. I didn't think of that at the time. Also with the terminal block I get a little more flexibility so I can use more 12v items. But again, good catch. Take Care.

[sunsensational]

Great videos! I've learned a lot from you, and now trying to post my own vids to help beginners such as myself. I'm sure you'll admit this is an addicting hobby, but one that pays you back in many ways. At least that's what I'm telling Mrs.

[rhandsom]

@sunsensational Thanks for the comments. And yes I also believe it's a worthwhile addiction. I look forward to your videos so I can also learn a few things from you also. Take care.

[1jbunceiii]

Whats the cost break down for this set-up?

[rhandsom]

@1jbunceiii You can reasonably expect to spend between 4K and 6K on a setup similar to mine. That also includes professional services from General Contractors and Electricians. Also, since this was not done all at once, but in pieces over months, that made the project more feasible. Save a little, buy a little. Also, I will be taking advantage of the Tax credits offered to defer some of the cost. Also, you could also use cheaper components, i.e., batteries, controllers, panels, etc.

[jwaflergmailcom]

whats the difference between a Tie- Grid inverter connected to a battery bank compared to a Normal Sine wave inverter!!!! Just a thought. Pretty cool system. Why do you have two solar controllors??? Just wondering.

[rhandsom]

@jwaflergmailcom In simple terms, a Grid-Tie inverter is a specially designed inverter, that plugs directly into your house outlet to supplement (or add to) the power coming from your utility, thus reducing the amount of electricity used from the utility (grid). A normal inverter is used to power appliances etc separately from the utility (grid), and can not be plugged in to work interactively with the utility grid. I have 2 controllers because I have 2 different types of solar arrays. Thanks

[fernandooka98]

Can you send me the diagram of your solar setup?

Nice video,i hope one day to have something like that in my house!

I have only 14 years old,but already done a mini solar setup with a car battery and a 150 watts inverter to power my things during a power outage.

[rhandsom]

@fernandooka98 If your still looking for a diagram of my current system. A link to the diagram is included in the description of this video. Simply cut and paste the link in your browser. It's under the part labeled "Latest Diagram". Thanks and Good Fortune to you.

[hooterman2828]

nice setup, you could of saved alittle money and simply wire your computer fans in series with each other and not had to buy the power adapter

[rhandsom]

@hooterman2828 Actually, that's a good suggestion and I hadn't thought of that. However, the adapter does give a little more flexibility to run additional small 12v items along with the computer fans. For instance, my wall mounted fan to cool my GTI also runs at 12v.

[akaishs]

can u send me your diagram please.

Thanks.

Great video. Tell me wen u want to come to Jamaica I am hoping to educate the public there.

[PestControl02]

nice set up...going to go back & check the rest of your videos. thanks for sharing!

[MrJohn196741]

good video

[rhandsom]

@MrJohn196741 Thanks.