Off Grid Solar and Wind Installation Part Two

[DisabilityFraudKJW]

Thats not a t105. 

[Volcano2014]

Where do you live? Can you come connect my panels? 

[MrMagicseeds]

@solarcabin ok i looked it up 8 gauge wire is 45amp capacity the wire i have is 200amp capacity and i also have 600amp capacity wire can the wires be to big? i am using car jump leads as its much cheaper and i have a lot of conector blocks

[solarcabin]

@MrMagicseeds

The heavier the better. DC electricity is like water so you want a big hose to deliver it fast and smooth.

[MrMagicseeds]

@solarcabin thankks alot m8 i sunscribed

[tomperanteau]

You've done your homework. Good to see. I have been an EE for many years and am impressed with your level of knowledge. Good job!

[SouthernPioneer1965]

No sorry thats not a Trojan t-105 its a Trojan 12 volt Marine battery,the t-105 is a 6 volt golf cart true deep cycle battery i buy them in pairs to make 12 volts..I'm sure you know this and i'm not busting on you but lets try not to confuse people as this solar stuff is confusing enought, and buy the way your vids rock!!!

[solarcabin]

@SouthernPioneer1965

Trojan made T-105 12 volt up until a few years ago and I have 4 of them. The new T-105 is only available as a 6 volt.

[GK007001]

Should I wait for another year to see the rate of panels go down.

I am planing for 250W * 2 panels, about 6 12V * 135Ah deep cycle batteries, with 1kw sine wave inverter.

I appreciate your suggetion.

kmgnath@yahoo.com

[solarcabin]

@GK007001

Pretty good prices at $1 a watt right now. You get a better price if you buy in bulk.

[cypherf0x]

I actually know the guy who did the firmware for your inverter.

[solarcabin]

@cypherf0x

Cool- tell him I said he did a good job!

[GRDuhon]

Hey Lamar,

A good rule of thumb for every 1 amp of AC current it takes about 10 amps of DC current. This iS for a 12 volt system, 5 amps for a 24 volt system. This is an approximate. Calculation for an inverter with 90% efficiency, which is what most inverters run these days. A good addition to any solar wind system is a Trimetric 2025 battery monitor system. Just think of it as a gas gauge for battery bank. I hope this helps everyone. Good work .

[solarcabin]

@GRDuhon

Thanks, that is a good explanation.

[BullittMcQueen1]

Can you run your microwave oven off that 600 watt inverter?

[solarcabin]

@BullittMcQueen1

Probably not because of the start up watts. They make RV microwaves that use less watts.

[BullittMcQueen1]

@solarcabin -- I know the larger inverters cost more money, but it seems you could use maybe a 1,500-watt inverter so that you could run anything in your house. You mentioned that you can run all your power tools off the 600-watt inverter, so that's good.

[solarcabin]

@BullittMcQueen1

You can get a larger inverter if you will be running more appliances at the same time or heavier loads. Nothing I run uses 600 watts.

[BullittMcQueen1]

@solarcabin -- You mentioned that it is good to keep the inverter cool so that the fan doesn't run all the time. How has the inverter been working? Do you know about how often, if ever, the inverter's fan comes on?

[solarcabin]

@BullittMcQueen1

The fan only runs when the inverter gets hot and I keep it cool in a shed. So far it doesn't run very often.

[sabud74]

@solarcabin are those speaker wires you are using to make the connections? I recall you saying 8 gauge wires. I did buy some 8 ga standed @ local home store but it is rather stiff. It looks like yours are just speaker wire of which is more flexable. Where are you getting your wire? Thanks.

[solarcabin]

@sabud74

The heavier gauge the wire the better but from each panel you can use smaller gauge wire and then run them together into an 8 gauge wire or heavier. The wires in this video are just to demonstrate the panel.

[BullittMcQueen1]

With your power controller, how many watts of solar and wind power can it handle?

[solarcabin]

@BullittMcQueen1

I have two controllers one for the solar and one for wind. You should match your power amp output to the amps the controller can handle plus give yourself room to expand.

[BradinOkinawa]

Did you pay for all this equipment or did the companies you used hook you up? Just wondering if it effects objectivity of certain companies.

[solarcabin]

@BradinOkinawa

I received some equipment but most equipment I purchased. I make suggestions for many brands people can consider and I always recommend people do their own research and shop around.

[henryzimmer]

Super awesome!!! Its free, meant to teach to evolve. Thanks from a fan from Sweden

[TheNitababe101]

Great video!!! I new to learning about off grid living. I was wonder how long does it typically take for a battery bank to fully charge??

[solarcabin]

@TheNitababe101

It would depend on the size of your solar array and battery bank but a 100 watt panel can usually recharge on average deep cycle batt in about 3-4 hours of good sun.

[marthale7]

You can get more life out of your batteries with a good desulfator. Great info, thanks for sharing.

[Shar4ie]

@solarcabin

What do you think about 48V systems with a 48V inverter and four 12V batteries?

Are they the same but just larger?

[solarcabin]

@Shar4ie

Generally speaking a 48 volt system would be two 24 volt panels wired in series and you would need a power controller and inverter designed for 48 volts.

[428ghost]

Consider the Optima marine batteries too. They're a 'dry' battery and can be drained all the way down without damage. I have the automotive version in my truck and burned the battery down twice due to a bad relay. It charged right back up again and holds its charge.

[stephen3398]

Great Video!! I love seeing that tough lookin bicycle hangin on your place! There's no doubt, You make the best off-grid videos Ive ever seen.

[solarcabin]

@stephen3398

Thanks!

[pgm98387]

Very good explanation of a basic system setup. Just make sure ABSOLUTELY NO MOISTURE gets in or on the controller or inverter.

[gmsllc]

LaMar you said early in the video the panel provides 12VDC but the panel looks like it has 36 cells. This would provide 18VDC which is optimum to charge a 12v battery bank. Maybe I am splitting hairs but just thought that was pertinent information. You also spoke of computers. I know you don't proclaim to be a technical guy but I say you are brilliant. Desktop computers can be easily converted to run directly on DC. You have a laptop so you don't have to worry. Great video! Thanks

[solarcabin]

@gmsllc

Yes the panel actually produces mvt 17.4 volts but trying to explain what all that means in a video is too difficult.

Thanks

[dirtddoctor]

Good, I have noticed that alot of folks have the miss conception of Solar Living meaning that you eat in the dark. Lot's of the older systems were grossly undersized.

Showing folks what you can do to live in a "normal" setting. We run three fridges, one freezer and the regular household items.

I was told that loading the batteries was like filling a glass of beer. letting it settle and continue filling it up until the glass is full.

[solarcabin]

@dirtddoctor

That is a good analogy for a battery!

[dirtddoctor]

Your system is interesting, I would suggest that to run a few lights, and computer, your single panel might do. But if your trying to live and run appliances, I would go for more panels, and batteries, using a commercial inverter, and charge controller, OUTBACK POWER has great products. My off-Grid house, farm, and office use 48V panels and battery storage with generator backup. Find some good forklift batteries 12v, 24, 36, 48v. depending on your setup.

[solarcabin]

@dirtddoctor

My system is 570 watts solar and 400 wind. You are just looking at the new equipment I am adding.

Outback is good products and Northern Arizona Wind & Sun carries Outback products.

[jmmurdy]

nice video

[backwoods223]

Very nice video. I've said it before and I'll say it again, thank you so much for these videos. It really helps to understand when you can actually see the process.

[w1ldyovvnz]

Doesn't DC current only travel for aprox. two Miles? and AC travels over longer distances?

[solarcabin]

@w1ldyovvnz

It would take huge wires to transfer DC current any long distance which is why the grid uses AC not DC current.

[keith19692]

Nevermind Lamar, you ended up answering my question at end of video.

[WORRO01]

Thumbs up!! Great video buddy.

[keith19692]

What did this setup cost If you dont mind me asking?

[PigNorton]

Lamar for president!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

More great info! It makes my day to see a new video from you. Thank you so much! I look forward to the next part!

[Frosttty]

Awesome videos, LaMar. I'm enjoying the book too.