I’ve updated my system by adding more components, this is to bring various parts of my house (mainly my home office) off the grid. I now have dual MPPT charge controllers, 2 new 200W (400W in series) panels. This will give me 670Watts total capability. I’ve also included more safety features such as equipment grounding, and better disconnect switches. Safety is critical when dealing with any type of electricity. I’ll include a link to my new schematic diagram for any who wish to see a diagram of the component layout. Any questions or comments please feel free to leave a note or two. Other useful links; photovoltaics.sandia.gov photovoltaics.sandia.gov Link to schematic: dc415.4shared.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5
A look inside the off grid camper where I will spend my summer to prove that you can go fully off the grid on a budget. I have moved everything I have into the trailer where I will continue to perform experiments and share projects in off grid living and alternate energy. From now on everything will be solar powered from my food storage to my computer to my lights. A cell phone will provide an internet connection so I can update everyone on the progress. www.thediyworld.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5
49 comments
No ping yet
rhandsom says:
January 16, 2013 at 4:26 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks.
847MicRoss says:
January 16, 2013 at 4:59 pm (UTC 0)
Nice Batts
claudia gamino says:
January 16, 2013 at 5:18 pm (UTC 0)
Question for you my friend. Is the box in the middle of the two identical charge controllers that is reading voltage and intertie monitor to dosconect from grid during city outage????
rhandsom says:
January 16, 2013 at 6:15 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks for your comments. Please check out my channel for more up to date videos on my solar system. For purchasing solar panels and equipment I recommend ecodirect, wholesalesolar, and sunelect. I have dealt with each of them and so far I haven’t had a problem with them. Google those 3 to get the direct links to their sites.
ricky gentle says:
January 16, 2013 at 7:08 pm (UTC 0)
Great vid Show more & where you buy them. I have put you on my Group On FB facebook.com/pages/Solar-Wind-Projects-Home/268488803203806 So check it out & Like me,
rhandsom says:
January 16, 2013 at 7:58 pm (UTC 0)
@Adonis Vyers That inverter appears to be a good one. 2000w is definitely a good start.
Adonis Vyers says:
January 16, 2013 at 8:12 pm (UTC 0)
Nice build. I’m starting a build myself, and I have a vector 2000 watt inverter. Would this be good for a start up system? Thanks in advance, all help appreciated.
rhandsom says:
January 16, 2013 at 8:49 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks for your comments, The panels in series increase voltage, the higher voltage allows me to have panels at a greater distance from the charge controller, and they allow me to have a 24V system. The higher voltages also allows my MPPT charge controllers to use their internal DC to DC convertion circuit, to convert the excess voltage into higher amperage boosting charge current, those amps are what you would expect from panels in parallel. MPPT controllers do very well with higher voltages.
HungryGreeny says:
January 16, 2013 at 9:12 pm (UTC 0)
“2 new 200W (400W in series) panels” But you can’t summarise power output via series connection. By series connection you can only summarise voltage.
2012USB says:
January 16, 2013 at 9:35 pm (UTC 0)
thank you , keep good videos 🙂
rhandsom says:
January 16, 2013 at 10:03 pm (UTC 0)
Not sure if I understand the times you get sun. But in general, from what I understand Mono Crystalline panels are better than the Poly Crystalline, and the Thin Film’s are good if your going to have shading issues and or temperature issues, but they are not as efficient. If money is not an issue you could go with the Mono’s, next I would consider the Poly Crystalline type (which is what I own), the Thin film would be my last choice. In your case, try and get the most out of a panel.
2012USB says:
January 16, 2013 at 10:20 pm (UTC 0)
what you think which panels will be good for me Im not able to have all day sun just after 14 PM i start to get sun , is it bether to take mono , poly , or film solar
rhandsom says:
January 16, 2013 at 11:11 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks.
MrFlench says:
January 17, 2013 at 12:00 am (UTC 0)
Good video .
rhandsom says:
January 17, 2013 at 12:35 am (UTC 0)
In the description of my video “DIY-Home Solar-Why do it and What can it power” are links to my schematic and free ebooks that tell you how to design, operate, and maintain stand alone solar systems. Should be more than enough to get you started.
sammyuccijr says:
January 17, 2013 at 1:25 am (UTC 0)
would have been interesting but you spend to much time telling people to contact the MFG.
makeSOLARPANEL says:
January 17, 2013 at 1:58 am (UTC 0)
Your video is very interesting,thanks ★★★★ It’s much cheaper just do it at home – I have 6 solar panels…and I posted my plan how to..
★★★
rhandsom says:
January 17, 2013 at 2:46 am (UTC 0)
Thanks, yes I know you were just kidding. Also, it was a very fun thing to do. Take Care.
Prancinglion1 says:
January 17, 2013 at 2:54 am (UTC 0)
well done. Of course you know I’m simply yanking your chain. It actually looks like a well thought out system, and a lot of “Guy Fun” to put together.
rhandsom says:
January 17, 2013 at 3:45 am (UTC 0)
Your right it can seem a bit convaluted, but it does work. Take Care.
Prancinglion1 says:
January 17, 2013 at 4:23 am (UTC 0)
Wow… seems a bit convaluted. Beware of the uranium isotope 141.
rhandsom says:
January 17, 2013 at 4:27 am (UTC 0)
Thank you for your comments. God Bless and Take Care.
jesus77755 says:
January 17, 2013 at 5:15 am (UTC 0)
Outstanding video, very informative! Thanks for sharing.
God Bless!
rhandsom says:
January 17, 2013 at 5:34 am (UTC 0)
The website is speaking in general terms in relation to the numbers, and is using those numbers as examples. Not all MPPT controllers use the same algorithm to determine the max power point thus making the DC to DC conversion different for each, but generally you can reasonably expect a 30% boost from good controllers. The main point of mppt’s is that watts in = watts out, they lower the voltage to increase amps, decrease amps to increase voltage, the power (watts) stays the same.
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 5:52 am (UTC 0)
I do not. I may be removing it this summer and selling it. It is useless to me in the camper. This summer I will be making a budget geothermal cooling system using simple pipes underground to pull up 50 degree cold air into the camper.
Dale Shackelford says:
January 17, 2013 at 6:05 am (UTC 0)
how do you run your ac in the summer?
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 6:57 am (UTC 0)
The summer went very well. I got a lot finished. But I still have a lot of projects I want to complete. Winter makes it hard to work on things like water collection and filtration. I will also be improving all of the systems in the off grid trailer starting in the spring.
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 7:26 am (UTC 0)
Thank you.
HappyandAtheist says:
January 17, 2013 at 7:50 am (UTC 0)
nice and interesting vid , thank you. How did the summer go ?
zerogpoo says:
January 17, 2013 at 8:49 am (UTC 0)
Good looking project Techman.
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 9:19 am (UTC 0)
Correct. The batteries are now outside. But they can be kept indoors if they are in a well ventilated area. Warmer batteries perform better than frozen ones in winter. I will be bringing them back inside, in a closed box with ventilation to the outside. Best of both worlds.
shebastar7 says:
January 17, 2013 at 9:32 am (UTC 0)
you need to put battery in another location. A charging battery puts off toxic and flammable gasses.
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 10:17 am (UTC 0)
Well, now I guess I am no longer just that voice behind the camera 😉
rcgbangin727 says:
January 17, 2013 at 10:39 am (UTC 0)
Haha I see you at 8:17
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 10:39 am (UTC 0)
Thank you. Hope you make it.
El Hijo de says:
January 17, 2013 at 11:14 am (UTC 0)
Congratulations buddy…you’re lucky!!!…someday i will do it…
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 12:09 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks for the sub. Checked out your channel. Keep the vids coming.
I make my own solar panels. Have a look at thediyworld for my book on how to make them yourself for $1 per watt.
Happy camping.
sunnylandcamper says:
January 17, 2013 at 12:20 pm (UTC 0)
looks good, I spent last winter in my 18 foot camper…..it was plugged in. I have plans on getting solar panels for it so it can be off grid…I subed ya take a look at my vids if ya get a chance,
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 12:25 pm (UTC 0)
:)
brooklynlulu says:
January 17, 2013 at 1:23 pm (UTC 0)
aww, thanks so much. I appreciate it big time.
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 1:32 pm (UTC 0)
Happy to help. Hope it all goes well for you.
brooklynlulu says:
January 17, 2013 at 1:43 pm (UTC 0)
Beautiful!! I’m going to do some research right now! I can’t go too far off nyc as my Mom is in a nursing home here, so she needs me to keep things in order, meaning the staff ahaahahha. I appreciate all your help and responses. 🙂
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 2:01 pm (UTC 0)
I do understand. Look on craigslist, hudson valley. There you can find a bunch of campers. I got both of mine free, but they needed some work. $100 each and they were both fine.
Suffern or Harriman NY are quiet and have trains going into the city. That is a way to get out, but ride trains to work. Its a start. It is beautiful up there in the mountains. Take a ride out and look for an apartment or camping site. Rent is cheaper out here too.
brooklynlulu says:
January 17, 2013 at 2:25 pm (UTC 0)
rather than rent on a new expensive apartment. I’m starting to pack now and will be out of here the end of the month. I refuse to pay rent in a place that is negative such as this place. I’m coming up shy on plan b though lol, I am starting to wonder if I’m a little nutty or something. It’s just the money I have saved will go to waste getting a new pad.
brooklynlulu says:
January 17, 2013 at 2:39 pm (UTC 0)
Sounds like you phased into it logically rather than a rash run off the grid. I want to live in a more country setting but there is a huge set back. I cannot drive lol. I lived in NYC all my life and never got on to learning properly. I do trans, not crazy about it but it’s how I roll lol. I literally have to learn to drive before any of this can take place because this is something I cannot do in NYC. I’m about out of my apartment and no where to go and want to spend my bucks on a camper…
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 3:06 pm (UTC 0)
Harriman is just outside the city enough that I could commute, but it was quiet and I could enjoy nature. I kept my job in the city for a while until I settled down in the country.
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 3:56 pm (UTC 0)
Start out small. Get a solar path light from the dollar store and play around with it. Learn a bit about solar power. Take baby steps.
Work up to a larger solar light with a battery. Start experimenting with other things that interest you. Start out small and work your way up to freedom.
Living in the city is restricting tho. I know. In the country I have the freedom to experiment and learn about nature.
If you do move, plan it. Find a nice town. I started in Harriman. Peaceful and pretty.
brooklynlulu says:
January 17, 2013 at 4:51 pm (UTC 0)
😉 I wish I could do what you do. I have a closed mind in what I can do I am realizing. Today was rent day and I have not paid I’m planning an escape LOL. It is not good here, so I have a good reason to do so actually.
techman2015 says:
January 17, 2013 at 5:21 pm (UTC 0)
Awe, blushing
😉