Handy Man Source » Solar Power Videos » My Solar Power Setup – Part 4 Upgraded System
My Solar Power Setup – Part 4 Upgraded System
My upgraded system showing the two new 70W panels giving out 8 amps, running into the combiner box that I made in another video, then running to my charge controller to charge my batteries. I changed from running my inverter from the charge controller to running it directly from the batteries. I only use about 400w at a time from my 1200w inverter so nothing is at capacity and all of my wires are very cool. I upgraded my cables from the charge controller to the batteries to #10 AWG solid ...
Written by Handy Man
Local Handyman looking for ways to receive free energy and power without the high costs of the power companies.
Filed under: Solar Power Videos · Tags: Amps, Awg, Batteries, Cables, Charge Controller, INVERTER, part, Power, running, Setup, Solar, Solar Power, Solar System, system, Upgraded
you need to change the solid core wire on the DC side to thicker stranded wire and you will get more amps. DC voltage doesnt travel well on solid core wire. nice little setup though.
i just posted my solar video,check it out.
great little system its amazing what we can learn from youtube.
would like to ask you a question what kind of cables from the solar panel using the solar pole regulator tks for posting the video helped me in my project
Mrbuki77
Where the batteries you got able to be charged to the full capacity and the only broblem was the way the looked.
I found out that you should call your local battery dealer direct. In my case Interstate Batteries. And ask to buy “Blems” or blemished batteries. They are new, but have minor cosmetic blemishes to the exterior. I got 2 6v deep cycle 225ah batteries for $94.00. This is less than the price of one batt. Just a piece of advise I got that was well worth it’s weight in gold. Later, from sunny FL
nice set up,i had simillar system like yours,3 -80watt pv. 1200 sine wave inverter&charge controller, batteries.cost nearly 2k. i used a FUSEBOX to connect every equipments to my battery bank. yes its hobby for me to kill time,but safety first. i will post my system soon.
Saving money is a plus, but I agree with you. It is kind of a hobby for me also, and it is kind of cool having the independence that comes with making my own power. I am continuing to grow this system and should be fairly energy independent in a year or two also. Thanks.
For me, saving money is only a plus, i am more interested in solar as a hobby so power failures dont affect me as much. But in a year or two i want to be off grid.
Thanks, I have at the moment 20-10 watt panels and 15-20 watt panels, total of 500 watts…I wanted to buy all 100 watt panels but if I am gonna loose lots of money selling these at cheap prices might as well just build with these..
Thanks for your help…I am going to sams tommorow to look at batteries
I would think that if you ran 1000 watts you would see a large difference. You could also selectively power different devices that are large power users also, like the refridge or a/c unit and make more of an impact. Remember, I really only use mine for lighting and a small TV.
SO if I run 1000 watts in solar panels I should see a big difference in bill….I don’t know how much power you use, but if you notice 15% drop that is cool….
I was told 200 watts would save me maybe $5 a month from some guy, calculating at 800 watts a day from solar power…
Thanks for your answer and video
ive got 280w pv and 400w air-x (still to go up) 144amp/hr of sla batteries ,plasmatronics pl20 controller and 1200watt true sinewave inverter .skippy3840 i didnt see any fuses????
When I run it consistently I see about a 15% drop in my total power bill.
DO you think you actually save money on electricity..
I wanted to use grid tie equipment but I think I will have problems with my light company, so I might try run all outside lights, and maybe other small stuff…
I have 400watts of panels at moment and only 6 batteries that are 42 amps each, have them wired up to 24 volts…
I will see if sames have those batteries like you for cheap,
The angle iron I used first was from a bed frame, I broke 3 craftsman bits, wore out 2 more new craftsman bits, hard metal and only 1.5×1.5 by 1/8 thickness…
We have a metal discount store a few block away I will see them later and see what they say
thanks
That is the only problem with angle, it is a little expensive. I tried wood first, but it didn’t work too well.
The batteries are about $70 each at Sams Club. I got them new, just going on 2 years of service right now and they are working great.
The frame I built for my panels used the same angle iron, to bad home depot had it at $15 for 8 feet, I spent over $50 to tie in my 24 10watt panels for a total of 240 watts, I get around 200 watts out of them most of the day, I may peak up 20-30 more watts but mostly stay at 200 watts
Price are those batteries, did you get them new or used….I have 6 42ah batteries, slowly growing my bank, some my batts read 13.6 volts other 12.6 so I will try to disufurtize them
Very nice system! I’m thinking of getting an mppt charge controller as well. I just haven’t decided on which one. I know they cost a little more than the regular ones. Please let us know what you find. Thanks
Thanks. That is a 1,200w inverter. I really only use about 3-400 watts at a time so it never overloads and the wires never overheat. The charge controller will handle 16 amps coming in, but mine is a 12v only. There are lots of 24v accessories out there if thats the voltage that you are using.
I am building a system and yours looks GREAT !! so what size watt is your inverter and also would your charge controlor be able to adjust itself to run a 24volt panel ??
Think I saw one of those MPPT things on craigslist – fayetteville, NC might be what you are looking for
thanks for the answer. will do as you say.