Solar Panels - How to build - 45 watt Harbor Freight Kit Review

[Seekerguy1]

Check into LED's ,90% less power consumption than an incandescent, and break proof, waterproof, approx 40,000 hour life. Prices going down all the time.

[Seekerguy1]

Hey guys, great video! Concise, informational, and to the point. No rambling, good "real life" pic's and camera movement. Greatly appreciate it!

[crusader1492]

Yngwie \\m//

[ShootingBlanks00]

Great video! Don't listen to those who know everything about nothing and only have negative things to say. When people do that, you have a pretty good idea of what kind of people they are and when the SHTF, they will be first to go then WE won't have to deal with that kind.

[trustdivinemercy]

do you think super glue would do the trick instead of the welding?

[digdugdiggy]

@trustdivinemercy Maybe some epoxy would work, but I would think that super glue is too runny. Try 2 part epoxy or silicone.

[toddac1]

that is some great editing

[digdugdiggy]

@toddac1 Thanks a lot! It was my first real attempt at editing, and I'm glad to get compliments about it

[AmericanConcrete]

Is that all it will do? Solar power has still got LONG way to go! That lights about as good as a candle. Think of all the candles you could buy with the hundreds of dollars you spent to light that eco bulb a few hours til it died as 11 volts.

[Taud]

@AmericanConcrete those new cfl bulbs have like a 20 year life span.... atleast mine said that on the pack and they werent expensive youd only need it for a while during the night

[krl8814]

Good job thanks for the vid

[ireddiamond]

@AboveUall go watch conspiracy theories jesse ventura 2012 and you'll see a solar flare can black out most of the world. Don't be a fool you'll run out of gas just like i'll run out of propane for my gen even though I have 250 gallons of it stored . Solar is much better long term if shit hits the fan .

[AReptileMan]

Hello I just got one of the Harbor Freight 45W kits for my B-day I also got that battery over charge protecter #96728. Im not sure as to how to hook it up if you could help that would be great. it has 3 set of wires coming off it Battery, Solar, Load I do not know if I need to hook it up before or after regulator. What is the load hooked to?

Thanks a lot.

[digdugdiggy]

@AReptileMan The box that comes with the kit has a "undercharge" protector, to make sure that you dont ever use all of your batteries up. "Load" is the line that you plug items into, IE things using electricity.

[wolfsfire68]

@AboveUall Actually I thought it was very informative, we'll all need to know this when the power grid dies on the earth from massive solar flares spawned by the Sun. It's what caused the rolling black outs in California, now imagine for a minute that it's all over the planet, what might someone as quick as you think that's gonna do???? There ya go, show him what he's won behind curtain number 3 Bob! That's right, zero power for everyone...now your catchin up.

[cdltpx]

I have this kit helps to buy additional 12 volt external socket. The charge controller comes with an outlet it works well.I have tried to use the usb to power the I phone but could hear feedback in the system and didnt get the fon to charge so I got my fon charger plugged it into the 12 volt and it worked fine. I used a 175 watt inverter and could power a radio a fan and string of LED lights didn't use till power went off so I have no clue how long they would last real world. Powered the laptop

[cdltpx]

@cdltpx Kast night I did leave one of the lights that came with it powered all night when I woke presun the light was going strong. I have a 1Kwatt inverter have yet to test the microwave with it might go out there see how heating a burrito works using a true solar oven since the electricity is provided all by the sun. My fear is the battery would drop quickly using a microwave. I think I will go do that tonight WTF. but for just light overnight it more than satisfies.

[cdltpx]

@cdltpx HF 1K watt inverter would not make the trip I may not have it hooked up with large enough wire It might need 2 batteries the one I have is large but its voltage start up was 12.6 that could be a factor. The microwave would begin cooking but quickly draw the batt down below threashold voltage. Need to locate the jumper cables first and see if that will get it up. Running a light and a headphone radio tonight what I would use if I were reading all night it should play all night will see.

[nitehawk85]

Yep, Now I need to get one of these and charge the batteries for my old game boy so I can play Tetris!

[digdugdiggy]

@nitehawk85 Haha! Great idea!

[joe18370]

i own 2 off them and they work great i have a 100 watt solar panel that i built i light my house with it ,day time i run my pc with it and charge everything that needs to be charged,i have a small flate screen tv i run from it..cant wait to get more and more batteries,i like that you are welding the fram like that..

[docchocobo]

Make sure you install the panels with the junction boxes at the top or peak as opposed to the bottom. I found the chink in the armor with these things. they dont caulk the edges of the glass inside the extruded aluminum frame and your wires will corrode off if water stands on them down there at the bottom edge. I have one in the barn that failed and found this after an 'autopsy', so to speak. I managed to save the other ones in time and still have them running. Just be aware of this.

[BamaKattt]

this is on sale this weekend at Harbor Freight, down from $250 to $170.

I'd like to get one of these to be able to charge the AA and other batteries, but I'd need some kind of 12v outlet adapter, is there a way to do that?

Or are there other videos on how you can use this for everyday home-use energy needs?

[digdugdiggy]

@BamaKattt

We had good luck using a 12v 90W lighter power inverter sold at harbor freight.

It runs a laptop and charges a video camera, but that about all we've done with it.

[BamaKattt]

the only inverter I see on harbor frieght is a 12 volt lighter to usb, is that what you have? I'm guessing they don't make one that is lighter to 2 or 3 prong outlet?

[digdugdiggy]

@BamaKattt

Im not sure if its in their catalog, but its near the automotive stuff. 12 volt lighter to one 3-prong outlet. I can find it every time at my harbor freight. Best of luck!

[BamaKattt]

awesome, thanks!!

[RobertRFalk]

Do you know if the controller draws any juice from the battery if it's on but has nothing plugged in?

[1x93cm]

lol the frame for this thing is a joke- I built a decent wooden one

[digdugdiggy]

@1x93cm

I agree, Our solution was to nail 2X4's onto the roof, then lag bolt the frame onto that. With the 4 holes its pretty sturdy when bolted down. Thanks for the comment!

[pgm98387]

Just saw these on sale 159.

[Pat5725]

$149.99 If use this coupon code# 31385578 on the site, Valid thru 07/20/10.

[webchez69]

The solar panels are good for the environment. You can save the environment even more by not ripping up the packaging and throwing it on the ground! LOL

[digdugdiggy]

@webchez69

Haha! That part makes us crack up laughing every time. We DID pick up all the garbage, we just left that footage in because it was comical. The scene is more about the frustrating packaging they use.

[doug2877]

I can dig it

[possenti]

I'm considering buying this same kit, and now I think I will. I'm a welder by trade so I don't think I'll have the same assembly problems. Thanks for sharing in an entertaining way.

[digdugdiggy]

@possenti

Great! The welding here was done through the magic of editing. It really took alot more hassle with rusty rods, etc.

Glad that you liked it!

[datasouth]

Thats allllllllllright :)Shine Brite Nite Lite

[cornsqueezins]

Hey your video doesn't show up when you search "panels" instead of just panel

Nice cutwork on the video

[toodlesaunt]

Funny and informative too!

[toodlesaunt]

Ya'll are too funny! I just cracked up at this video. Real informative though, on how to assemble the solar panel kit and I love the ending of the hoisting up the solar light and showing it in the dark illuminated!!!!

[musicisloveislove]

I liked it. Nice job! =]

[digdugdiggy]

Thanks for the view! This is my second attempt even picking up the camera, as well as windows movie maker.

I appreciate the encouragment. Thanks.

[fmcoomer]

Cool nicely done.very informative. love the welding and music.

[michael970]

great job I have 3 sets and one sharp 80w panel they seem to work fine.check out my videos if you get a chance you might get some more ideas for your next alternative energy project.keep us posted

[hogandm1]

Sharp and useful. Well done with a tinge of quality. I love the video and sound effects including *boing", and old music.

[cornsqueezins]

ARRBER FREIGHT!