Off Grid Cabin - Solar Electric Power System overview

Here is the much requested overview of my solar electrical power system...

Here is where I purchased my solar panel and charge controller from : http://sunelec.com/

And here is the jump off page for my solar setup with the plan and links : http://www.bethnchris.com/category/construction/sps/

If you have any questions just let me know and I will do my best to answer them...

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[goboats]

nice set up but why the 150 amp breaker before the inverter ? thanks

[buffcleb]

@goboats so I could remove the inverter from power when i am not there... when gone the only things powered up are the charge controller and batteries...

[mikemorrison281]

how many panels would you have to add to run a/c units? I'm trying to design something that will work here in the heat in Texas...we had over 60 days of 100+ degree heat plus humidity. It can kill you, literally. Any ideas? Great video and appreciate you explaining in such detail...some of us are just getting started and are dummies at this off grid thing:)

[buffcleb]

@mikemorrison281 short answer... lots :)

AC would require a huge battery bank and probably 10kw of panels... you can do the computations if you get the specs off of you ac unit but in the end it will be really expensive... you might want to have a pro come in and size a system for you... they will be much better at coming up with what you need...

[darkeyes206]

Is your 2 guage wire stranded or solid copper wire

[buffcleb]

@darkeyes206 strand

[goboats]

ahhh good idea ..also protects the inverter from shorts and any overload mishaps. Im setting up a similar system at my remote cabin and one cannot get too much info and ideas from others ..thanks very much for your info ..it helps :)...also have a wind genny I made,Its on my channel..its been charging my batteries all winter ..central ont Ca..brrrr lol

[icecreammanmanman]

thanks so much for the info, i have yet to find solar panels remotely that cheap until now!! thanks again!!!

[KevinRayKnight]

You may want to bond the neural to ground on your DC/AC converter unless you left the bond screw in the panel, if so your protected. Also, it was a good idea to ground the solar panel frames but im not sure of the reasoning for grounding your DC negatives in the elec. room. This is not normally done. You need to keep AC and DC systems seperate, If you are going to bond them there, do not bond them in the AC panel. Just some friendly advice, Commercial/industrial electrician for 25 years. KRK

[michael970]

great job on the video and system glad to hear it works so well.

[DaMenaCe3]

Hello, First of all thank you for an informational video. I am actually looking to go "off grid" in my basement.. i have washer and a dryer, about 10 bulbs including the garage area and an LED TV. i am still doing a research on how much power would i need..but if you can sharing anything you might know i would appreciate that.

[PigNorton]

@mikemorrison281 look up "redneck air conditioner" on you tube and that might do you just fine.