diy solar

diy solar

2024 YouTube Video Ideas

Yes here's 14 video suggestions, following! We're buying a 6000XP from Emily at Signature Solar in a few months, just bought 9 EG4 LL-S 48V 100Ah lithium batteries yesterday from her. We'd love to see these videos: 1) One 6000XP installed in your workshop, and what capacity you can run until you see difference. 2) Two 6000XP and what capability it gave you the other didn't (like your car lift, induction loads....). 4) hand truck for RV/Camper Van with one 6000XP and minimum # of EG4 LL-S batteries on it 5) same hand truck for RV but used to charge a friend's prius prime, not often but 3-4x a year, for when friends stop by, they can charge their car occasionally. Or simply to recommend to other friends who don't have a house system, maybe they'll lay solar panels out temporarily,, and minimum and maximum # of solar panels to use with it for temporary stacking and removing, and perhaps they only charge on better sunnier days 6) creative ways of using bifacial solar panels like vertical for fences or shading backyards where picnic table rolls/slides to current shade underneath it, or even garden salad greens produce more in semi-shade area underneath it, 7) how bidirectional charging will be available on Prius Prime in 2026 ( I prefer but would rather have the cargo Volume that cancelled model V had in 2015), and 2025 in Rav 4 Prime (which is too big, and if rumor is true that Toyota won't meet those dates but will stall by a few years. 8) realistic limits of car camping inverters installed on which model PHEVs and limitations of warranty, if any, from manufacturers 9) Realism of Aptera coming to market, how many kW, car camping capabilities of the car (yes 2 adults can fit in the back), 9) why Toyota doesn't come out with a Sienna PHEV, and if Chrysler Pacifica PHEV has worked enough problems out of their software, and why doesn't Toyota feel the need to compete with Pacifica PHEV 10) why Toyota seems to be limiting Prius Prime PHEV imports and RAV4 Prime PHEV imports, and 11) Is Hyundai still working out battery issues on Tucson PHEVs or does Hyundai seem to finally be producing a stable product? 12) try to recycle more of the metal and cardboard in your golf cart haha with metal recyclers. 13) Many of us already have AC that we don't have to use in Colorado except 2 weeks a year because we open our windows when the sun goes behind mountains and all night long for fresh air, and close them up during the day, keeping cool air in our well insulated home. But we have friends with older poorer-insulated homes that have AC, that might benefit from adding mini splits and heat pumps like you did, in conjunction with their AC. Please explain breakeven point when it is beneficial to do this. 14) When adding Primus Wind turbine for cold Colorado winter at 9600' elevation, is it better to add dissipative resistive heat or dissipative hot water heat, pros and cons (resistive heat seems less expensive up front cost, hot water heat would save us more propane). 15) Ground mounted but still tippable solar panel mounts for string of 10 - 12. We like to keep the snow off them in Colorado with a steep winter angle. Many thanks, Cheers!
 
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circuit breaker and fuse testing. lots of bad breakers out there and there's the debate over class T vs. ANL etc. would be cool to compare LFP vs. AGM/FLA, too (as that goes towards AIC ratings). Probably would have to run some of those tests multiple times each. Over-current as well as full short-circuit.

Also, DC-DC converters ... there are the victron 48/12's which are limited to 30 amps but there are other brands which do like 150+ amps but I don't trust them ... can they really do 150 (48v -> 12v; 150a at 12v) is the power output clean? etc...
yes please do DC-DC converters video, thanks
 
What would you like to see? This thread will be seen by myself and a few other YouTubers, so let us know what you guys want :)
How about reviewing and testing some 12 V air conditioners? Also testing and comparing several smart shunts and various battery monitors. Similar to the video that you made comparing solar charge regulators including the cheapie blue one off of Amazon lol.
 
I honestly want to get rid of 12 volt systems entirely. And focus on a new method of system design for 48 volt systems. But man people still like the 12 volt stuff. Hmm
Please don't. There's still a large community of 12v fans out here. If anything maybe just update with newer products. Same with the 24v systems.

Van builds, RV's, solar generator builds you can actually carry around, utility sheds, small cabins, campers, utility trailers. There's a lot of places where a 48v system is just overkill, and the step down converters to make 48v and 24v systems work with existing 12v equipment are still a dark mystery.

Besides, poor @12VoltInstalls would have to change his name and that's a LOT of paperwork!
 
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Yes, keep doing 12 volt videos. Plenty of people still use it and it's just more familiar with the new DIYers. Just don't ever go 6 volt with golf cart batteries :LOL:
 
I honestly want to get rid of 12 volt systems entirely. And focus on a new method of system design for 48 volt systems. But man people still like the 12 volt stuff. Hmm
I've enjoyed watching your video 'My Favorite 12V Off-grid Systems for 2024!' a lot.

Very interesting topic, but from my point of view, the biggest hurdles for getting into the DIY 48V are the initial cost, the main disconnect switch, and the battery main fuse(other than T class) options.
 
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Why you can't put an alternator on the wheels of a tesla to infinitely charge the batteries while you drive.

I can't believe how many otherwise seemingly intelligent people have brought this up during chats about EVs. I'm getting sick of explaining WHY THIS CAN'T HAPPEN :sick:
 
Is there one that is actually available? Everyone talks about it but I can't seem to find one.. I thought the F-150 or rivian would have it by now but none of them seem to
I have not seen one available yet, but am hopeful it should be soon
 
Why you can't put an alternator on the wheels of a tesla to infinitely charge the batteries while you drive.

I can't believe how many otherwise seemingly intelligent people have brought this up during chats about EVs. I'm getting sick of explaining WHY THIS CAN'T HAPPEN :sick:
My thoughts exactly, it's like they can't see the trees for the forest.
Maybe they are working on charging options in R&D but don't want to let secrets out until perfected.
I have a few more ideas on the subject but the engineers are smarter than I am but maybe not as creative!
If I had time, I would buy an old electric car & test out some of my theories🍻
 
How about reviewing or DIY setups for "AC Solar Panels". Seems like it will be a great DIY option for everyone to adopt that don't need batteries. Easier set up/installation and cheaper

(basically panels that come with microinverters already installed)
 
How about reviewing or DIY setups for "AC Solar Panels". Seems like it will be a great DIY option for everyone to adopt that don't need batteries. Easier set up/installation and cheaper

(basically panels that come with microinverters already installed)
Aren't those illegal in the US? Might be hard to test on film.
 
AC Solar Panels are a thing, no different from Enphase + a panel. Then they go through some aggregator and connect like a string inverter would.
SunPower has some model DC panels, some model AC.

The issue is simply plugging inverters into an outlet. That does have the potential to deliver excessive current, if excessive loads are downstream.
 
How about a video explaining how some aspects of solar are universal (sun movement, laws of electricity) and some are local (power companies, municipal by-laws)
I feel a lot of people don't appreciate the difference.
 
A good explanation of running two eg4 6000xp inverters running a grid pass through. Wiring diagram explaining the ground neutral issues. Also breaker sizes
 
A good explanation of running two eg4 6000xp inverters running a grid pass through. Wiring diagram explaining the ground neutral issues. Also breaker sizes
Does that mean you can get the 6000XP to feed back into grid?
 
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