Tips on living off grid during a long term power outage or grid failure.

[bravododger]

Great food for thought. Thanks.

[cgillyard]

I'm considering doing a little experimentation with solar. I would like to eventually off the grid and not depend on the power company for electricity. Excellent video. Solar technology is way of the future.

[dannyboihere2011]

oh . and if i run a 5w cfl it runs for 2days lol

[dannyboihere2011]

i have an 1000w inverter on an 12v 18ah 20hr sla battery wen i put me xbox alone on it . it dies within 2mins ? well the cells r messed up lol got no more batteries to use

[bbog100]

Excellent, thanks for sharing your info. I'm in the process of getting my system together and this video has helped.

[Tathagata100]

What is your total watts of your solar panel?

[mack70214]

Question: after you charged your batteries during the day, how long will the batteries last during the night before you charge them the next day?

[OBXSOLWIND]

@mack70214 The battery bank can go for about 3 days without charging. When the bank gets that low it takes alot of sun to recover to 100% state of charge.

[mack70214]

@OBXSOLWIND I plan to get a 45 watt solar panel kit from harbor freight but I got plans to go bigger. will a solar panel(s) with higher wattage make a big difference or is it the same as a 45 watt panel?

[RiaRadioFMHD773]

White LED lighting, Solar water heaters, LCD monitors only (no CRT), NO ELECTRIC HEATERs (natural gas or kerosene), timers on high amp appliances are the best advice I can give. I have been on solar and wind for 4 years now. 25,000 AH battery array with a 9000 watt peak 110 (dual 220 capable with sister inverter) inverter and a 200 AMP double pole double throw relay. I am planning a secondary backup system at half output of my current one. (Cost: ¥400,000)

[TheDigitalWeb]

@RiaRadioFMHD773 Is that $400,000.00 ?

[RiaRadioFMHD773]

@TheDigitalWeb From what I can tell by current conversion is it is: 5,212$

[Pooter1176]

I'm new to this but,could you run your refrigerator on a timer under normal conditions?I guess what I'm asking is how long does it take for your food to start warming up?

[jbandit79]

I cant speak for this man....However the reasons I use multiple inverters are as follows.

Induction loads such as electric motors; one needs to use a true sine wave inverter. and resistive loads such as lightbulbs can use a modified sine wave. True sine waves are way more expensive. So for my bedrooms i use 300 watt modified and in my kitchen i use a true sine wave. I can explain further and in more detail .....just contact me......BY THE WAY THIS VIDEO HAS SOME WONDERFUL IDEAS.

[joshbulldog1661]

why not just use one huge inverter instead of many smaller ones?

[jayde1ash]

Man you did a fine video .. we all have a learningcurve with lighting and all..I don't know hoe to edit.. Mine are all one shot...

[Thepockets88]

I am curious how you did the load balencing on your batterys, any shot at a video showing how they are wired together and to the system?

[ssj4goko4]

@Thepockets88 most charge controllers do it automatic.

[Thepockets88]

@ssj4goko4 no i meant the cabling honestly, are your positive and negative connected at the same end of the battery string? or did you run one to the opposite of the pack? reason for this is when you run batt's in parallel and draw off the two terminals from the same battery, that batt takes the brunt of the load and internal resistance etc.. causes that batt to die first. if you run positive on the batt at one end, and neg at the other end it balances the load evenly across the pack

[ssj4goko4]

@Thepockets88 me i just have a massive 12 volt single but its a huge one sealed gel 250 amp hrs. not as good as a led acid wet cell in terms on how long it will last. but i don't need to worry bought forgetting to fill my battery's. and its more then enough to run my small camper for days with no sun or wind. model UB-8D GEL if you wanna see it. but i figure 600$ every couple years isn't so bad.

[Thepockets88]

@ssj4goko4

Nice nice, not bad at all ;)

[ozzyman1203]

I sure wish I knew people near by and find an experience electrician to teach me this, I have a memory challenge since car accident in 1984, but i hope I can lean this I "KNOW" it is life saving!

[DAKOTANSHELBY]

Hello. I subscribed to your videos this evening because I very much liked the manner in which you described things and provided explanation. I couldn't but help notice the 3 cylinder diesel generator tucked away in your basement and would like to know what brand, Kw output and rpm it is rated. I assume it's a 4 pole generator and the engine runs at 1800 rpm. Thank you.

[MrGochiefs1]

Like your vids and now a subscriber.  Ever consider doing a "bug-out"/portable power how to?

[ssj4goko4]

@MrGochiefs1 believe it or not but bug out rvs are even easier then a house. being they are aruldy rigged for dc and can be setup to be very low power. i have a 200 watt panel on mine its only a ft truck style so not alot of roof space. plus a 800 watt wind turbine i can setup when parked it even has a quick connect so no dealing with rewiring it when i put it up. i roof mount it i know not the best setting for one but it works well enough.b

[johnnylifeson]

Great Stuff.. Only running 100 watts worth of panels and 2 deep cycle Batteries and a 1000watt inverter.. Powers quite a bit , of not a frige or anything like that.. Comes in handy ...

[ssj4goko4]

@johnnylifeson you can go with a bigger inverter you don't need to match that to the charging rate. but note the bigger the inverter the more power gets lost when inverting. so only use it when running things that would need 2000 watts like a ac unit.

[Rocky1765]

Love your vids. My goal is to be able to run a fridge and a separate freezer, and maybe one or two lights. But dont know how much and of what I really need. Pure sine wave or modified? 6v or 12v batteries? etc etc... Plz help, again, thanks for the vids...

[ssj4goko4]

@Rocky1765 modified is fine for all but the most sensitive devices like a computer. find out what eatch devices uses in watts and dubble it that will be the size of the panels needed. why because panels don't always run at full power bad weather postation of sun etc. as for the battery's see how many amps each device runs if a fridge uses 6 amps that's 6 amps a hr 6x12=72 amp hrs that will be the size of the battery.

[Rocky1765]

@ssj4goko4 Thank You!

[ssj4goko4]

@Rocky1765 6 volt battery's tend to be far cheaper and take more abuse then there 12 volt counterparts. in most cases 2 6 volts cost less then 1 12v of the same amp hrs. note you will need 2 6 volts to = 1 12 volt and there amp hrs in series do not increase only there voltage. you would need 4 in series and parallel to dubble there amp hrs.

[ssj4goko4]

@ssj4goko4 of course a fridge does not run all the time so really the math isn't correct on there total amp hrs. thats total amps for each hr its acully running.

[lpdavisakgto]

Have you seen the batteries they use in tug boats 1000 amp hours in reserve one battery IM trying to figure out how I'd work in solar system

[agentofgoldstein1984]

all you need now is to get that genny on wood gas and you are set my friend

[OrlandoSystems]

Hi kevin,

I am working on a 15kw, 70 panels, 250w each, Mobile System. I can use some help to figure this one out. I have the offer for panels (SBM), the batteries (VALENCE) but I am stuck on the Inverters and Integration, 220Volt/60Hz. The system is divided in 14 racks of 5 panels each, about 40" x 80" per panel. We plant about 24 batteries, at 138ah, for 2hours UPS minimum.

Your video and install is very professional. I had no time to visit the Great Banks Yet. Tks. Theo.orsys@yahoo.com

[Innotechsolarusa]

We have great solar panels at an even better price. visit my channel

[weeder609]

please highlight the book and read snippets , thanks

[iamsnake21]

i thank your video is great info, if you can tell me how much i may need to run a small chest frezer, batery ,s and solar, i am going off grid and not needing much,it,s just me and small needs, lights, laptop and frezer,i am working on a cabin, check out my video,s, thanks,

[fishfrizbee]

Check out Gasifiers! you can run your Gas Generator off Wood Gasifiers. You Probably already know But it looks like something you Would Like.

[Badboy7357]

Can you do or link me to the workings of the wired control panels I see in a lot of videos. Lots of meters and switches. The control panel with inverters kind of looks like a missile launch system. I can see the solar panels, charge monitor, batteries, and the inverter (tied or not) but the electric panels make it look complex and I am in the electronic electrical service business.

[8592291613]

love to read that book need all the help I can get about all this have habor frieght panels installing in my shed out side my house 100 percent solar thanks for posting

[77wimmut]

Hey Kevin how was it during Hurricane Irene? Were you maybe the only house that didn't miss a beat as far as power?

[mgdrobert1]

so the deep cycle batteries will not last as long as a golf cart battery?

[jwaflergmailcom]

hey man Awesome system!!! Just an idea for your next video would be a walk through on a diagram oif you system, Hwat does whhat and so on. What is the name and Authur of the book you started to metion?? thanks

[TheMaelmuire]

What would the odds be of getting you to install and teach me how to use a system like yours at my home, including the wind turbine?

[SolarSteveUSA]

Hey Kevin, watching this one again today and thought to comment for others watching that is maybe a good idea to get a small cheaper battery bank for your first bank. Solar Living Institute recommends this so that a new person to managing batteries will no doubt learn a lot and most of the time make several mistakes (over discharging, electrolyte levels, over charging, etc). That way you arent spending so much money to learn before you make the big bank investment

[Mr1setup]

WHERE CAN I GET THIS BOOK

[fishfrizbee]

@Mr1setup I saw some electricity books at Lowe's Maybe even Home Depot Maybe That'll Help

[doompadoo]

great video but dont forget that gas generator can be fueled by wood smoke if the need arose. cheap convert too

[akaishs]

hey nice video bro I am from Jamaica and I now resides i the US. I intend to set up a system like yours back home thanks for the info. What is the name of that book in this video.

[redsox09876]

im gunna be 18 next month, ive spent Alot of money on learning how to do solar power systems, im gunna be a senior in high school and i plan on going to college for electrical engineering. i must say, out of all the videos i have seen on solar, your's made the most sense. great video and keep it up!

[HappyEndingsRescue]

like to run several box fans to keep the inside kennels cool and maybe a couple of freezers. Any advice you can offer as to size of solar panels, how many I need or if I can ever get off this gas generator. It's eating up our funds at $15.00 a day and although were making payments to the electric company each month to pay down the balance. It might take another year or so before we can have electric or be back on grid again. We have to figure out a cost effective way or close the Rescue.

[HappyEndingsRescue]

Part 2 - My questions are - we have 2 Inverters one is 1500 watts and the other is 2000 watts and both are the Chicago type from Harbor Freight. I am using the cables from the golf carts and actual battery cables to hook up the batteries to the Inverters. I am currently charging the batteries with a 2400 watt gas generator with hopes of eventually getting solar panels to go the job the gas genereator is doing now. We run lights, mini fridge, a computer, a TV and would like to also - end part2

[HappyEndingsRescue]

I run an Animal Rescue and due to the economy and a drop in donations it forced us to have our electricity turned off. Were now operating this Rescue totally off the grid and it has been an experience. We were lucky enough to hook up with a golf cart dealer who loves animals and gave us used 12 volt Trojan T-1275 Batteries. Currently we have 9 of them and I am still learning about amp hours but I think these produce 225 total amp hours. Correct me if I am wrong. Part 1

[the5k0k3r]

What book is that? Whats the Title?

[tvswnet]

By the way, it seems to me that if H2O is still working, it would be better to run one small freezer and make ice to use in coolers rather than run the batteries down on refrigerators (as you mentioned, they take a lotta juice). Do you agree?

[tvswnet]

I'm glad you're not doing videos about guns--I truly think that people shooting around will be most unhelpful during an emergency. Wind & solar simply makes sense--I'm stunned more people don't use it. I don't own a home, but just yesterday I bought a portable, folding solar panel to charge laptops & small electronics, run small appliances, etc. Our grid is ancient...it'll surely blow out soon. Even small measures will make a big difference in a time of need, I think. Thanks for the video!

[IronRangeSurvival]

Having a hard time finding some video's on using a 36volt system that I just got from a golfcart. 6-110 minute at 75 amp batteries.

I have the 36volt charger with it, and want to use it for my off the grid cabin.

I will used a gen, and solar, to charge them.

Let me know if you have some vids or other vids for doing such a thing. I will start checking out your vids right now. Thanks.

[marvinz71]

Kevin, my name is Jason. I'm 30 and about two years ago I built a small 300 watt system for a friend for his house on an island. You are so right when you say size of wire and learn your system. We started out cheap with wire we had around. Worked great but not great enough. Once we manned up and got the right cable the system took off. Learn your system and watch it is a must. We left somethings on all day once and just drained the system to where we had nothing for a day or two. Great Videos!

[kimmer6]

I like your videos. Well done. I was looking at how people set up battery banks. Calif is earthquake prone and I fused mine with 175 amp fuses "just in case". Everything is bolted to the concrete and tied down. My charger/inverter came off a boat along with a 150 amp 12 volt alternator driven by a Kubota marine diesel, and huge cables. I am in a valley with no wind, poor solar exposure so I store diesel fuel. Hey! I put your 905 Kubota gen engine in my Geo Metro for fun. Gutless, but 70mpg.

[BurtBartlow]

Your system is top notch. You should, however, get a case for your iphone.

[CoppThomas]

I'm 13 and i love solar power. I have spent $400 of my own money on solar power and I run my whole room on solar power. Thanks good video!

[OBXSOLWIND]

@CoppThomas That is great. When I was your age I was doing the same kinds of things.

[js111410]

@OBXSOLWIND I'm 14 lol, i spent 2,000 dollars and killed a battery before i figured my charge controllar was wired wrong but im still waiting for 1 dollar panels.

[js111410]

I wanted to say that the inside of the controller was wired wrong.

[joshbulldog1661]

@CoppThomas I'm 15 doing the same thing i just started at a 15 watt system and I'm upgrading to 30 soon my question is whats the best way to mount panels inside

[Tathagata100]

@CoppThomas What is your wattage of solar panel?

[HabbWood1]

Good layout! will build my system around the same principle

[HabbWood1]

Good layout! will build your system around the same principle

[RayBthesecond]

thank's for the encouragement,dude.I'm gonna give it a shot in the near future but I need to learn as much as I can,first.

[kjpaint8]

Are You the Electricial or Have You Call the Electricial To Wiring your Circurt Box main Box and RCD and Circuit Breaker? and ROC or COC Certificate By Your Local Electricial Inspector.Thanks

[kjpaint8]

Can You Tell Me How You Wiring Up From Your Inverter to Your Power Box and RCD For Your House Thanks

[Jthetinman]

TEN STARS!!

Question for the OXMAN..... Is there a inverter out there or is there a way to turn on a inverter when you call for power? I'm a single man who is hardly home. Don't need a inverter always goin. How? Please respond!

[searp2]

I noticed you reference that book often. Can you tell us the name of it and the author?

[gilyardk]

timers on refrigerators. great tip, never thought of that.

[eiriz123]

awesome system obxsolwind thanks for you vids, yours is one of the best and cleanest systems i've seen. very thorough explanation for beginners or experts, thanks for making your video.

[marthale7]

Sweet setup. I am starting to learn the limits of my batteries. I think I am not charging them to full charge. They are 8V batteries and they charge up to like 9.2 V I have a bank of 12 of them I guess I need to do more homework on them to see what max charge is.

[hpw59]

What happens to your system in event of a solar flare/emp?

[bobdeniro55]

I am looking to do a cottage development in Nova scotia off grid. 6 cottages on a lake off grid. I am told a hybrid system will work best. the cottages are going to be 16 x 20 full foundation .... it looks complicated to the average person.

great video

[cruz47144]

I've watch many PV video's this one is very informative. I'm going to install a 230 watt 12volt system. Thinking of growing it to 24 volt. Do you really need a true sine wave inverter for high def TV's and computers? Thinking of installing 6 volt gc series batteries, 4 bank and parralling for 880 AH's with two 2000 watt inverters. Running maybe 1500 watts AC at night. Thanks

[laidofftomass]

There you go teasing me about guns again lol jk good video.

[jcruzmavis32]

nice video

[Lanny615]

Nice system u got there bro, thanks for sharing. Greetings from sunny Jamaica.

[starfiremale]

You have just amazed me,Why didn't I think of it!! A switch for fridges and freezers half hour on 1 and half hour off,,,,,Brilliant! I'm off to buy some right now,, I am on the grid but that will still cut that part of my bill by over 50%,thanks.

[davevanden1]

great vid informative

[321Aceking]

Great Job man 10 stars~ You always inspire me to be safer with my almost off grid system ~ after watching your videos I went out and got dc breakers on my battery bank. I feel good now I know its double safe ha ha~ Great video~

[ArashiNage]

nice set up. I like the idea about the timers for the fridge. Thanks for the vid

[MrMG1973]

Another great video Kevin. I have posted my small system. Please have a look at let me know what you think. Look forward to you next video!

[dpdevil1]

What can I say but another excellent video from The OX.

[kary1982v6]

hey, you have a beautiful system! do you have any sources on how to make a home made charge controller, also tips on how to hook into the grid to feed power back?

[OBXSOLWIND]

Hey Paul Volts are not as important as amps as long as your pannels acceed your batterys highest voltage wich for 12v lead acid is about 14.6 than you ok but it dosnt hurt to go higher if your charge controller will accept higher voltages.

[hooptejoe]

Great vid

[hippyraverocker]

Good Video, Thanks for sharing.

I have since done my own small 20w solar powered shed project. Please have a look at my video.

I'll be putting up a new video this weekend as the system is being upgraded to 100w total via a new 80w panel which will be joined with the existing 20w panel.

[OBXSOLWIND]

I wached your video well done you seem like a very well rounded young man I wish we had more on our side of the pond.

Take care.

[stayingawake20]

Great vid!!! Thanks for the info!!!

[ThePoliticlyinsain]

Great system, Great video. Manny thanks.

[OBXSOLWIND]

Your welcome.

[michael970]

Hey OBX awesome video.I just bought a cheapo weather station I used it for 3 days then put it on ebay and bought myself a davis vantage vue and I love it.thanks for sharing you videos with us.TAKE CARE

[OBXSOLWIND]

That is a great system.

[GoatHollow]

Appreciate the plug my friend!  As you are aware... I AM concerned that there is a possibility of something really bad happening, (Might, might not). I am fairly certain that the economy will not be recovering for the near future. (Maybe for the fat cats... but not for the common man). Anything we can do to lessen our dependence on the frail distribution systems, is simply insurance against a possible disaster.

[OBXSOLWIND]

I just have a huge amount of respect for peaple who give solid and safe advice. I dont think it matters what size a system is safty comes first, and you did it right. CHEERS my friend

[doug2877]

So your autonomy is about 1 month or so?

[Stime64]

I just wanted to say thank you for your vids and if I may ask what is the title of the book your using ?

Thanks again

Karl

[natedogg1026]

LOVE your video's. Always one of my favorites. Lot's of great tips. Sweet set up. You don't half ass anything. One Q about a previous vid. Why would you need a permit to grid tie with plug and play inverters? What they don't know wont hurt em, right. Waitin for you to get a bigger mill or more of em. You got ton's of wind. Take care.

[OBXSOLWIND]

Thank you If I had a smaller array it wouldnt matter but when you put 1200w into the grig theres a good chance the mter reader would notice your meter going backwards.

Thanks again CHEERS

[vention4wh]

A very impressive system. Most off grid types just do solar but you've got wind. When solar drops off, often wind is picking up.

As a condo owner I have to keep my backup power system mobile. I can load it in my truck and bug out if I have to. Eventually I'll own a house but not yet. I should have the condo paid off by November. Then I can start saving for a house. After 2 years of saving, plus selling the condo, I could move into a house without having a mortgage hanging around my neck.