Harbor Freight Solar Panel System (SHTF)

[gthomas15229]

Nice job. Is your wiring diagram available for download? Your application is encouraging for us newbies. Now that these kits are on sale for $149.99 it is good time to aquire them. I bought 1 with the 8 position hub andd an inverter. Need some batteries and a couple more kits maybe. How many solar panel kits are you using?

[RDELAPLAZA]

How about use LED light bulbs for the solar power..

How do you handle the biggest power suckers at home, Air conditioner, water heater, Range, Microwave oven down to computer and TV, sound entertaining center ?

[jlsumme]

How did you screw down your panels to the 2x4s? I noticed another guy used washers/lag bolts and brackets. Yours looks clean with no boltheads showing at 2:14. Thanks.

[jcovello]

Love the concept,I didn't read all the comments but I am pretty sure when you charge a battery it releases potentially explosive hydrogen gas, It looks like yours are inside. I moved my deep cycle batteries outside and put them in those waterproof boxes I also got from Walmart for about 8 bucks each.

[jesus77755]

Outstanding video, you did a great job! It helped me a lot. Thanks for sharing!

God Bless!

[Lumbre1969]

Nice electrical work. Most all of the solar battery power is consumed by lighting, it would be more efficient to run 12v CFL or LED lighting. This system has an efficiency loss in conversion to 110v. You can delete the worry of powering up or down your inverter and use the inverter only during an outage to power your 110v needs.

[TURBOMAGNUM]

Kenny Powers has solar power!

[grassoviso]

Would you be willing to share your design diagram and notes?  I would love it if you could email me with details. You have done a great job here! Thanks, Nick. grassoviso@email.phoenix.edu

[giftsfromtheholyland]

Hello there what a great work you have done

is this the 45W system you got?!!

I got 2 myself but I have not got the time to install them as yet

any advice?

Thank you

[ewillden]

Hi! Nice video. You've done a great clean job integrating everything! I don't mean to sound disrespectful by asking this.... but would feeding the solar pane back into your grid, and skipping the batteries, accomplish the same thing (in the long run), and maybe could be a bit more effecient, because once your batteries are "full", where's that power overage going to?

[weri812]

love it good job

i have 7 kit at my home  2 kits i use in my shed to power lights and drill press and grinders

keep up the good work

[MrPapawsmail]

Great start well wired thru out the house. I saw one guy who just had exstention cords running thru his house very dangerous I would think but you have done a very good system, and using the green outlet covers. Are cools thanks for sharing

[ArmedCivilian556]

I'm sold, my next question was how do I wire it? Than I saw your How to Wire video, awesome. Question do you have anything on a protable, and I do mean portable solar system? Somthing like the flexable ones you see on TV

[SCUBONZIES]

I DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS SO HARD TO SHOW THE RESULTS EASY TO SET I SEE WHAT CAN IT DO THANKS 4 POSTING

[tigermaples]

OK it's been over a year and a half since you posted this video....so tell us, how much money has this saved you? I know the point was for a SHTF situation but I am curious of the savings.

[MacOSJoey]

Really a nice system. So organized! One thing that might help is getting a better charge controller. The ones that come with the harbor frieght kits are really pretty cheesy. A much nicer one would have 3-stage charging. I personally like the Xantrex C35 for my system. 125 watts and still going strong!

[Innotechsolarusa]

Solar works!

[19Photographer76]

Well Matt, nice wiring job! I curious why your doing the lights? If you loose power for a week, you could light with many different sources. I'm surprised your not focusing on the fridge, freezer, water and stove? Neat and tidy work, your hired!

[TJTheNotSoSane]

I would suggest UPS batteries. I work with them all of the time. They are a deep cycle battery that constantly charge and discharge. We mainly use C&D technologies, but other brands like Deka or Data-Safe are also good. There are many different sizes (physically). Most of our systems use around 30 batteries in series charging at 540V. Not the exact same application, however these may help.

[lastquest]

Very nice job. I have been thinking about buying the Harbor Freight system for awhile. Your video has convinced me. Lots of great ideas. Check out X10.com for some great wireless control systems and wireless cameras. THANKS!

[jeeping32810]

Your video really helps me. What I would like to know is how long can you run the lights in the kitchen, living room, and bedroom on those two batteries? I am building a shipping container home, and I prefer to never have grid power. Feel free to check port my vis on my 10 acre homestead. Thanks.

Wallace

[SuperIMALWAYSRIGHT]

Great solar system ....this is the best solar video on YouTube showing the protential of small affordable systems

[survivalists2012]

@SuperIMALWAYSRIGHT 

[badmoonryzn]

from 5:15 to 6:20 it sounds like someone is talking a wee. I had to get up and go myself hearing that water noise. lol Oh yea, nice job on your video and the installation of your solar backup. You did a very professorial job. Thanks for sharing!

[hp11208]

can i use reg car 12v battery

[CoolDre80]

@hp11208 Its possible, but not ideal. It wont take the deep cycling solar systems usually do for very long

[jatarri2]

@hp11208

You need the deep cycle battery.

Automotive battery will not hold up to a lot of draining and refilling, gets destroyed pretty quick.

[hp11208]

@hp11208 Where can i get them?

[latinonyc7]

Great Job !!!!

[mmabaddass]

Very nice set up and some great ideas. I have been toying with simple solar yard lights as a back up LED lighting system in the house. Very small profile on the bulbs and only .7 volts to activate them. A single 12 vdc deep cycle battery, chared by a single solar panel could provide LED lighting for the entire house for an extended period of time and no inverter needed. I'll let you know how it works.

[yzerman1997]

Great vid brother. I'm torn between the HF kit and some 'real' panels. I'm reading online that the HF type of panels lose a lot of efficiency when they get hot. (sorry, I forgot the term they used to describe the HF panels). 

Anyway, great vid and great setup. You got me motivated to do something similar. I'll have to do the convincing game with my wife too I'm sure.

[metro2002]

very nice and clean setup.

[MrJohn196741]

hi you should try some 12 volt lights 13 watts you will not need a inverter for that and it will save a lot of power good video please make more

[RCvolunteer1978]

It is unbelievable that i watch one video and people state that it is a FACT that Solar can not power the House that It is a waste of time to try Then I watch Your 's and others that show yes it can not power everything but solar panels and a battery bank of two and/or three deep cycle marine Batteries that You can have some lights and one TV and.or Radio There is a lot of IFs and Maybes I want to go to wind we get 20mph winds every day

[foggy12346]

put a bar Fridge down in the sport room.

[getdownbro]

So how often do you have to replace those batteries?Are you saving money when you figure in the price of the batteries?

[metroplexchl]

Awesome! You've inspired me to do more than my little set up that I just installed to power some landscape lighting for my house. Link to my newly installed set up below.

Now I can't wait to do a similar home wire job for interior lights and outlets.

[StarBaseBlvd]

Great Job., Excellent Work.

[spbigmoney]

What wattage are the bulbs running on your solar power?

[survivalists2012]

@spbigmoney 13watts

[Fekillix]

Use led bulbs!, a led bulb that draws 5W will emmit light like a 20-25 normal bulb!

[ericsean67]

Very nice.. I have a 60w system that I have not installed yet but will soon.

[tla37]

I like your setup Mat. I have also just purchased a harbor freight solar panel system too, and I was wondering if I could get a copy of your wire diagram.

[thefulmers1]

Matt - Great Job - nicely presented - how did you go from the inverter to the outlets?

Is your inverter MODIFIED SINE or PURE SINE? Please let me know. Thanks Dude.

[survivalists2012]

@thefulmers1 Hey bud I got a ''how to wire'' video comming soon so stay tuned..... thanks for stoppin by!!!!

[Beestieboy1]

@survivalists2012 Did you ever get that "how to wire" video up? If so, I'd love to check it out. Thanks.

[survivalists2012]

@Beestieboy1 yes sir check it out bro!!!! just stop by my channel... thanks

[romnsch13]

@Beestieboy1 Will my harborft pnls power my flat screen w/2 batt's and 2 kits?

[vman613]

Matt, very nice work. Like everyone else I would like to know how you ran the wire from the inverter to the wall receptacles? I just purchased my HF system and would like to do the same type of setup. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[arty6793]

do i need to send you my email address or how do i go about that

[arty6793]

just saw your video i think its awesome really clean set-up is there anyway you can email me the way you did the wiring from inverter to house plugs i just got three harbor freight kits and cant wait to set them up but i want to do it the way you did that way the wifey likes it just as much as i do. lol! awesome job buddy.

[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.

[christophercraig84]

I watched the video and see you do have an alternative for the generator. It wount power the whole house but at least you will have lights and a means to recharge batteries for flashlights, radios, and such. I had the same Harbor Freight system but have since upgradeed to larger panels, check out northern tool & eqip. they have some nice 110 watts panels for 450 if you are interested in upgradeing in the future, I can now run my refer and lights for about three days without charging.

[survivalists2012]

@IndaEyezofDaBeholda Hey bud! I used the wires that came with the panels... They were just long enuf to where I didnt have to extend them.......Try putting the charge controller closer if you can... If not just use some 10 or 8 gauge wire from homr depot :)

[IndaEyezofDaBeholda]

@survivalists2012

Thanks, this will help. I need about 10 more foot.

[kimmer6]

Nice job. If there's any chance of earthquake where you live it might be nice to strap the batteries to the box so they won't jump off! I went thru the Sylmar quake in 1971 and Loma Prieta in 1989. Anything that isn't strapped down will end up broken in the middle of the floor. My AGM batteries are strapped to the laundry room floor and wall.

Do you use the 12 volt lights that came with the panels?

[survivalists2012]

@kimmer6 No chance of a earthquake where I live :) I only use the 12v light if I have to in the garage........

[survivalists2012]

@nightmiketoo Thank you...

[davidsmith42]

how did you run the wire from the inverter to the wall receptacles? What type of wire, just an extension cord? If so did you just cut the end off and wire it in? Some detailed instructions would be great. I'm looking at doing the exact same thing you have done.

Also are the batteries in your house? I read batteries are supposed to be in a garage or outside for venting reasons.

Thanks in advance.

[survivalists2012]

@davidsmith42 check you inbox bro....I sent you a message....Thanks for watching  :)

[arty6793]

can i get a copy of the way the wiring is hooked up from inverter to house

[awomansworld123]

Matt, of course you know I love this video. Thanks so much for posting it. Great info dude you rock!!!

[NoMoWires]

Nice Video.

You should copy and sell those plans to married guys. Could make a fortune. "Look at these "Plans" Honey!" YOU MAY BUY THE SOLAR SYSTEM!!

[3charter]

Nice Reef Tank

[survivalists2012]

@3charter Thanks bro...Thats my hobby..... I got more money than I can even count  in that thing...lol......Thanks for noticing.......

[chrizvg]

what Gauge wire should i use with the 45 watt kit

[survivalists2012]

@chrizvg Are you talking about the wire from the batteries or the in house wires?

[chrizvg]

@survivalists2012 from the panels to the battery

[survivalists2012]

@chrizvg I'm pretty sure it was 2Gauge battery cable wire... I got it from autozone.. I only used the 2Gauge from battery to battery and then to the inverter.. I think the panels came with like 16 or 18Gauge that go directly to the charge controller...

[survivalists2012]

@thehilitereel No anything we wanna buy we ask each other b4 we buy it...We budget and save our money very well because of that.........

[survivalists2012]

@thehilitereel I have had them run up to 10 hrs on one night b4 the batteries got low... normally I'll run them for an average of 6 hrs a night because that all we really need... Thanks for the comment.......

[vman613]

Very nice setup you have, im new to solar power and like the way your systems looks. Do you have a schematic of how you wired the system to the outlets and switch. If possible can you give me an estimate of how munch it cost to run this type of a system so i can justify it to my wife. She like the way you did the outlets and not just cord around the house as seen in other videos. Thanks for any help.

[WORRO01]

Well thanks Matt, I appreciate that, also IM subbing to keep up with what you got going on, you have a great channel going on here!

Take care, and God bless,

John

[WORRO01]

Hey, thanks for this video, I really liked this. I've been wanting a kit by HF for a while, the price went down to like 159.00 a month ago,,IM setting on ready for the price to drop again, then I'll get 1 or maybe 2!!

Are you still using this system, if so is she still perking along good? Thanks, put this in my Fav's!

[survivalists2012]

@WORRO01 thanks for the response.. My system still works awesome.... We still use it every night... It's definitely a great deal... I swear by it... I plan on getting more very soon.. I got mine on sale for $200 1 year ago,and since then I seen the price go up to $250 all the way down to $159........I'd get them at $159 while you can... That's the lowest I ever seen them.... Trust me up won't be disappointed,and if you ever have any questions I'll be more than happy to help.... :) Matt

[WORRO01]

@WORRO01 MATT! Dude I ordered my a kit like this LAST NIGHT!! I got it for get this now (149.00) !!!! A guy that seen my comment on here sent me to a link with special coupon codes, the rest is history. UNREAL DEAL 149! Wish I could have got 4 or 5 of these lol... IM not sure if your interested, but I'll send you a link so you can see it. Rock on solar power :)

[kaakashi86]

do you live in FL?

[survivalists2012]

@kaakashi86 no I live it ohio.....Why?

[1kzrider]

my wife was not into me getting solar stuff. So I got side work and paid for many things with that money. Now she enjoys the stuff and don't mind so much when power is out and we have fans lights and OH YES TV

[survivalists2012]

@1kzrider Thats awesome man.. It always seem like our wifes dont understand what its all about untill the lights are out.. then they like it... It was the same way with the generator I got as well....

[1kzrider]

Good job keep up the vids and add to the ideas also if you can join the

solarpanelkitatharborfreight.n­ing add the . c o m

[ss109guy]

Nice job Matt.

[survivalists2012]

@ss109guy thank you sir.....

[mrbuki77]

Really nice and clean install. It would be nice if everyone put this much time and effort into this. I would recommend a couple things. Do get a heavier duty charge controller, add about 2 more batteries, and about abother 200watts of PV panels. And you will find that you can power small appliances and lights almost all the time. You have a very nice looking system; and I understand about the wife's $ crunch. Later from sunny FL! (Sam)

[offthegridsurvival]

Clean setup, I still use the stock charge controller... If you ever buy more panels, you'll need to buy a different controller because the harbor freight controller can handle only about 3 amps... Good job!