DIY Off-Grid Solar FULL Install & Wire Diagrams - Powering Our Homestead w/ the SUN!
If you’re looking for a safe, reliable way to build your own massive DIY off-grid solar system at a fraction of the cost, you’ve come to the right place. This is a detailed walk-through of the planning and installation of our 7,200W - 28kWH - 5,000W - 120V off-grid solar system that powers our entire homestead. By piecing together our own system from multiple components we were able to save thousands of dollars. Powered by SanTan Solar Panels, REPT LiFePO4 Batteries, REC BMS, @VictronEnergyBV Inverters, Charge Controllers & Color Control GX, and @IronRidgeSolar rack mounting.
SOLAR WIRING ARTICLE: tinyshinyhome.com/diy-off-gri...
SOLAR WIRING DIAGRAM: tinyshinyhome.com/off-grid-so...
SOLAR COST BREAKDOWN ARTICLE: tinyshinyhome.com/off-grid-so...
SOLAR COST CALCULATOR: tinyshinyhome.com/off-grid-so...
UPDATE: GET 1 WEEK DELIVERY IN U.S. SEE DESCRIPTION FOR LINKS
REPT LiFePO4 tinyshinyhome.com/280lithium-...
EVE LiFePO4 tinyshinyhome.com/280lithium-...
Mention Tiny Shiny Home to receive a discount (these are non-affiliate links, you just save $$)
OFF-GRID SYSTEM MAIN COMPONENTS
Solar Panels (SanTan Solar) tinyshinyhome.com/santan-promo
IronRidge Rack System www.ironridge.com/
Combiner Boxes amzn.to/3tYcvSk
REPT LiFePO4 Batteries tinyshinyhome.com/280lithium
REC BMS tinyshinyhome.com/recbms-promo
Victron Color Control GX amzn.to/33OcV3c
Victron Quattro 48V 5,000W Inverter Charger amzn.to/3KTezkK
Victron SmartSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controllers amzn.to/33QI1qD
CHAPTERS//
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - High Level Overview of System
01:19 - Article
01:54 - Wiring Diagram
02:20 - Solar Shed Recap
03:18 - Grid & Power Goals
05:40 - Solar Overview
07:14 - Planning & Building the Ground Mount
08:07 - IronRidge Design Assistant, Parts, & Panel Install
11:57 - Wiring Solar Panels
16:07 - Lithium Battery Bank
19:03 - Buying Lithium Cells from Alibaba
23:21 - Building the LiFePO4 Battery Back
27:05 - Fusing & Protecting the System
29:03 - Battery Management System (BMS)
31:01 - REC BMS
33:30 - REC BMS Wiring Guide
38:24 - Victron Color Control GX
42:02 - Victron Quattro Inverter Charger
43:45 - Grounding the System
44:50 - Victron MPPT Solar Charge Controllers
48:52 - Final Tweaks & Adjustments
50:28 - Real World Impressions & Usage
51:56 - What Would We Do Differently?
54:20 - Wrap Up
55:00 - Thanks
LINKS//
HYPERADOBE BAGS: tinyshinyhome.com/hyperadobebag
MEMBERSHIP: tinyshinyhome.com/homies
WEBSITE: tinyshinyhome.com
NINE NINE : www.strongdoodles.com
INSTAGRAM: / tinyshinyhome
FACEBOOK: / tinyshinyhome
COURSES: tinyshinyhome.com/products
AIRSTREAM RENOVATION: tinyshinyhome.com/airstream
MUSIC: artlist.io
We have an affiliate partnership with some of the links above, and may receive compensation when items are sold. This helps support our family, and we only recommend products we truly love.
#diysolar #offgridsolar #lifepo4batterybank #victronengery #ironridge #recbms #santansolar
Пікірлер: 798
📄 *MAKE SURE TO READ THE SOLAR WIRING ARTICLE, TOO!* tinyshinyhome.com/diy-off-grid-solar-system ⚡️SOLAR WIRING DIAGRAM: tinyshinyhome.com/off-grid-solar-wiring-diagram
@bricelarie6527
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing ... One point here onto parallel mounted solar array is that each string of solar panels absolutely need its own diode . So yours needs 6*10Amps diodes that you should be clicking in between mc4 connectors onto the combiner boxes ... It's just to avoid any failure in any solar panel string to back feed the others, or in case any difference in between production equilibrium ... Dare, care, ride safe, clean, have fun ... From France with .
@stevelamperta865
2 жыл бұрын
@@bricelarie6527 Solar panels come with diodes built right into each panel ..... Are you getting panels without diodes in them somewhere ?? I don't even know of solar panels without diodes ... Please explain . I may not understand. I have 21 210 watt panels , there in 3 strings of 7 panels each . Each string has a 15 amp fuse , then each has its own 15 amp breaker before going into the smart solar charge controller , which is mppt 150/100- TR VE.can by victron energy
@bricelarie6527
2 жыл бұрын
@@stevelamperta865 Hello, well i'm currently running 3 strings of 7*265w each photowatt solar panel ( it's Spanish cells and french panels ... the sandwiches are made in France, and cells in Spain ) which I don't know if they have an in built diode . So each string of 7 should have its own diode mainly cause they are not reacting the same ... I strongly recommend you put diode at least on each string of panels when connecting them to the same mppt . I don't intend to bother mostly cause I don't run victron ... But strings of 7 panels leads to a circuit voltage under load at approximately 210v Dc and an open circuit at 260v Dc . If you tied those 7 panels string to a victron 150/100 mppt you overloading it . Cause it is designed and sold to accept a max voltage of 150v under 100amps ... 150/100 ... The current unit I use start at 90v up to 500v Dc . It's A 7048max Mpp hybrid inverter . It's a dual mppt . I got 2 strings facing south and one facing west . Point stand ... If your don't have diodes on the tied strings, when the mppt boost the voltage to start the production, the non producting panels will kinda absorb the energy that could have been produced till all the string are able to produce ... It kinda "eat" the benefits . For instance try to have different string orientations on the same mppt without diodes, you'll be surprised to have almost nothing at all as an energy production ... Plus, in any case of a panel failure, you don't loose the benefit the others connected strings ... You will identify the faulty one easily if needed . ( we got case of overheated connecting encasing ... sometimes here ... ) I might be wrong, but I doubt all solar panels got their own diode . Most of common panels don't have integrated diodes by here . Please, check the info . Thanks.
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
Like Steve mentioned, any recently produced solar panel has bypass diodes built right in. Blocking diodes aren't needed anymore either because solar change controllers include them by default. But also the combiner box can have them as well. It's possible the Spanish and French panels are built differently, but here in the US diodes aren't some the we really have to think about much anymore. Check out this video from Will Prowse: kzread.info/dash/bejne/X6yTmLGFlKTVlNY.html
@RND17
2 жыл бұрын
I am also making plans to use solar panels, but for use on fishing boats. The power required is about 40,000 watts. I'm still studying it. Because it is still a question for me about the safety of lithium in the fiber ship. I'm afraid, the battery will get splashed or there will be moisture that can make the battery burn in the hull of the fiber ship as a place for storing lithium batteries. Is there anything that can help me?
As a Registered Professional Electrical Engineer in CA & NV, you built a spectacular solar system. Al Siniscal, RPEE
After having watched countless (I do mean countless) off-grid solar system videos, I must say that your video was the most informative, clearest and best presented video that I've seen. The production and graphics were excellent and engaging. Well done! This is the video that I will recommend my friends view when they're seeking information. Truly well done - thank you.
@chimpo131
2 жыл бұрын
Maybe you should learn how to count 😂
@dailylife6432
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the step by step break down. It was very informative. I have subscribed and will continue to follw you. Thanks again. Roy
@andrew2004sydney
2 жыл бұрын
An excellent, entertaining,, well produced video with great desert sunset scenery shots, nice editing, great audio and entertaining commentary from your wife.
@byondlight
Жыл бұрын
Very informative...
Your videos beats a regular television program any day if the week. Cudos on your homestead.
In last 10 years, all the videos I watched didn’t give complete picture but your video covers all aspects with proper guidance. Great work!
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks :)
I do solar for a living and man that ground mount is awesome. That’s exactly how we build ours. Great work
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks man! It was a beast 😂
Your homestead "reality show" is the BEST. You have a little piece of paradise, created with your own hands and minds.
24 years living off grid and 20 years as an off grid installation contractor and I have to say good job dude! That is technical stuff and you did a really nice job.
Hats off for the video and for the system!
Its crazy with the number of videos out there on youtube, that THIS is the only one that takes us from start to finish (explaining all the way) to give a overall view of what's involved. And its under an hour long too!
@TinyShinyHome
5 ай бұрын
:) glad you enjoyed it
I'm just amazed that humans go through the effort to make such detailed videos
Wow! Thank you so much for the video, info, and diagrams. You two are very kind to give us noobs a great starting point. 😁👍
Love that you mentioned all the other KZreadrs who inspired you in your solar build. You’ve inspired me as well and I hope I’ll get the chance to thank you soon as I start working on my off grid home ❤️
This was one of the most valuable and amazing start to finish videos that I have ever seen! Bravo to you and your family for getting this done. I hope to follow your instructions and do the same in NC. Bravo!!!
@DChrisRasmussen
2 жыл бұрын
82
THIS IS FANTASTIC. Thank you so much for doing this, and explaining it so well. Best of luck in all your endeavors. Good healh and happiness to you!
This is the first video I've watched from your channel. Lots of useful info here. Thanks a million. Keep up the good work. I subscribed to your channel just because you put so much effort into helping folks with all the info. Not easy making videos like this. Respect.
I don't have any plans of building a solar system but I thoroughly enjoyed watching this and learning. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to create something so useful.
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
You are welcome, thanks for watching!
The best solar DIY video I've seen! Excellent, thanks for posting.
The look on your face Jonathan at 19:13 talking about the search for Alibaba lithium batteries is priceless! I am amazed how much you figured out to protect the system. I would have never thought about the protection factors you build into this. The pre-charge delay is great to protect the contactor hooked to the BMS and is brilliant! All the breakers and switches to turn off power to the various portions of the system makes working on the system easy without getting shocked! Getting across DC voltage is no fun. The A/C output you wouldn't want to get zapped by either because the alternating current will put your heart in filbrilation. Having the shunt to check for voltage is also brilliant. That's how a multimeter works too. With such a high resistance the voltage drop is huge but the current flow is low so voltage can be measured across the resistor. I assume that the REC Wi-Fi module is password protected! That is nice that you can use any device to look at the system. Thanks for including all the steps in turning on the whole kit and kaboodle! This seems so daunting and I give you lots of kudos for getting all this figured out! That's a bummer that the settings for your back-up generator is difficult to make in the Victron Quattro Inverter. I never even knew there were solar power controllers. So what does MPPT stand for? Too bad the voltage wasn't sensed at first when you turned it on. Wow, that's so much to think about. Nice to know that REC will help with the BMS settings. So glad you have a huge system for less cost! Congratulations! I loved that pesky T-Rex sticking his head out from behind the solar panel mount at 54:17! I loved this guys! Such a huge bunch of information but very well diagrammed and explained! Jonathan you should be very proud of yourself for creating this excellent video!
Holey Moley! What an excellent video. This answered so many questions in an easy to understand, no nonsense way. I wish you guys all the very best in your future projects.
I built my own off grid system over the course of 5 years . It took me that long due to lack of money. during my build I researched different video's for information on how to . I have to say I believe this video is by far the best ! Very well done.
Solid informative video. All relevant content. No fluff. Nothing useless. Never too technical. I wish more people did videos like this.
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
I got a tell ya, I love you guys. I look forward every day to seeing your progress. I can go on and on and on about how much I’ve learned from you guys but I just wanted to say that you’ve become important in my life. The fact that you’re doing what you’re doing you’re living your life & that you’re so funny at times, thank you just thank you for letting us have a window in. It’s greatly appreciated!
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Amelia 😊❤️
Hands down, the absolute best video that I have ever seen on the solar and batteries (and the rest). Outstanding work, thanks for sharing.
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Sean!!
Hard work pays off, your family is lucky to have great parents and such a beautiful backyard
FANTASTIC VIDEO
This is the only video I've seen from you and I subscribed ! I never do that ! Thanks again for all the time and effort you put into your video for us. I will recommend this video to anyone building solar project . Very well done. great presentation .
Really awesome video!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to put this all together and share with us!
What a fantastic public service announcement! Helping people find freedom - and giving them the tools - nothing better.
Great video Jonathan! Quality production and information.
Thank you for all of this info. So nice to see it laid out step by step.
Great informative video! Solar is one of the next things on our list to upgrade to remain off grid. We've been so impressed with our small ones we got in the mean time!
You are the most awesome person in the world for doing this. All of this info you are providing is a ridiculous amount of work. Thank you!
y'all are amazing!!!!! thank you so much. i am so darn envious. good for you and your desire for what you really want!!!
This is absolutly the BEST BEST video EVER!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing
We need more nerdy videos like yours. Your mistakes, corrections to the mistakes and shared knowledge helps educate people like me. It makes the process of wiring a solar system less stressful. Thanks =)
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
You are welcome!
Thank you for all this information. You, your family Amaze me.
Thanks for sharing you setup. It will help Manu people.
My husband plans on building a solar system and this is the best video out there, thank you for being a good CC.
I needed this information so bad. Thank you so much 😊👍🌵🦖 Hope Mable gets well soon 💕
Well done, this is a great watch and demystifies a lot of the technical issues that are very confusing to most.
Thank you for sharing your experience and all detailed information 👍
Excellent video guys. Super helpful for when I do my build. Thank you!
Excellent video, I'm thoroughly impressed with your detail and thoroughness. Thank you for sharing, earned another like/subscribe after this for sure. Look forward to seeing what's next!
Awesomeness. Thanks for breaking this down. I watch the KZreadr you mentioned. But you did the WHOLE enchilada! Thank you. I can’t wait to begin my build in Gila county Arizona.
I have been looking at this stuff for years. I will be watching more of your videos.
A great fan, and finally a clear and detailed description on solar. Other channels have had my head spinning. Thank you.
Best off-grid solar video ever. Thank you. I am a do-er and making the videos is harder than the actual work.
Pertinent, genuine and useful. Very, very well done. Thank you for your effort and info. Gloriously appreciated.....
I found this really informative - even though I live in an ordinary suburbian house and will end up with a couple of Tesla Power Banks which are installed by people that do it for a living - this has given me an understanding of the how and why and alternates
Excellent production of your system! Thank you and congrats!
The more I study your battery build the more impressed I am.
This is the best video i have come across on off-grid inverter installation, simple and direct
Thank you very much for the info and mini do it yourself solar power lesson documentary, very kind of you all. You are a lifesaving lifeline. Living of grid veganic vegan (mainly raw) is a freedom from environmental traps and a freedom from tyranny. My dad Brian Robert Oury brought down Saddam Hussein with forensic accounting.
When I was 10 years old in Tijuana, my parents rented a house but had purchased land on the way to Rosario. The rental house owner needed the house, so my father chose to build on the purchase land within the time frame given to him. We moved into a neighborhood that was not fully developed and lacking the electrical utility. Though we did not have electricity, my dad had had the tv connected and a few lights to a car battery. Today I am a CA certified electrician and I do not own a solar system. It is insanely stupid how many hands dip their hands to take a profit from an install. I was feeling pressured to make a choice due to our stupid high bills and reducing incentive of 26%. Your video is such an inspiration to me, because it reminded me from where I come from and how at 10 yrs old I already knew how to run my dads system, a simple one but when he was working and we got home early from school I would power it up to watch after school cartoons. Thanks guys for the beautiful work you have shared, feeling blessed.
the best solar panel explanation that I have received on youtube. Than you so much
Wow! You guys are amazing ! I love this stuff.
Thanks for making the video guys.
Love the picture on the thumbnail. It is a Hugh deal so thankful you had the help from friends. Chicken garden is big, so big it seems enough area to be the footprint of a home. Massive work! Go Tiny Shiny.
Ditto Manny Mota. Great production! The layout represents an immense thoughtfulness, it's obvious. Just super great!
yall are doing great work. I love the genuineness in your videos. Im a lic Electrician with my own company and im using this information to learn on thanks.
This is the video I have been looking for these last 3 years. Thank you. And not nerdy. Very mellow and thorough. I'm in the Antelope Valley, so I will be imitating your work as much as possible. I got my 10 solar panels for free so that's one big expense dodged. 345 watt Jinko's. But what I am truly looking forward to watching are your construction videos. I'm starting out with a 20 foot cargo container which has been home since COVID hit. I have collected lots of building materials and lumber, mostly from abandoned pot farms in and around the valley. Every year, about 300 or so spring up, harvest a million bucks and then just split leaving most of the investment behind. Or they get busted and it all gets bulldozed and piled up. Either way they leave behind lots of stuff. Also, I have a feeling that I've met you before. Ever live in the Redondo Beach or Lancaster areas or worked in the movie business? I saw what I thought was Trona Pinnacles in one of your drone shots, so I figured out paths may have crossed. I was a location scout for 25 years.
@TinyShinyHome
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for the kind words :) Well, we sure do have a lot of building videos for you to watch so that's good 😂. We've been to Trona a bunch of times, but just because we loved boondocking there when we traveled full-time.
So, so helpful! Thank you guys very much.♥️
As already said by others, this is an absolutely amazing presentation… such clarity & attention to detail… all delivered w/charismatic intelligence & production quality! Thank you!
@TinyShinyHome
11 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Shoutout to SanTan Solar. Panels from them are working great for me too. Great info here!
Love your informative videos they're very helpful thank you
Legit solar video. Thank you.
I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Thank you so much for sharing all this. I'm so happy I found your channel!
Well done, this is an impressive install and your vid was high quality!
Not nerdy at all guys, thanks for the detailed info!
Thank you for sharing this long nerdy video! It was great.
Thank you so kindly, as my Wifee and I are also going to be building Off-Grid too!!! Be Happy, be kind!!!
this is the best explanation i have ever seen . Well Done thank you
The T-Rex at the solar panels @ the end
incredible info and detail. thank YOU !!
Haha, I saw Rex! My husband loved this video. Thank you for sharing all of your experience!
Very knowledgeable and highly informative video. Thank you for taking your time in sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for so much detail it will help a lot in my project
Very nice. Probably the best solar system article out there.
Nicely done! Great video! I could follow along easily! 👍👍👍
Excellent step by step! Great information!
Excellent video. Thank you for sharing.
Sol-Ark eliminates all that complication and saves money!
@TinyShinyHome
2 жыл бұрын
Like I mentioned in the video, this is DIY based. There are certainly all-in-one systems that are compelling to those that don't want to learn how everything connects together - but can make maintaining and understanding what's going on if something stops working incredibly difficult. In fact we know a few people here locally who have had issues with Sol-Ark all-in-ones for that exact reason. When you live off grid getting support and warranty work done can take a long time. My hope with this video is to teach people the full details of how and why all these pieces work together so they can maintain their system themselves.
You guys are awesome.
Watching this today from sub Saharan africa where the heat from the scorching 12hrs of sun light is rather intimidating... planning to try out this project for my off-grid power system and also spare some power to run water pumbs for my irrigation system
bonjour la famille. so i spend my Saturday morning watching your 'nerdy' and yet, comprehensive vidéo. although technical, i'm about 70 percent sure of the terminology and how-to. thanks for the vidéo. i'll watch is again and again in order to fully understand what i must do to rig up my house in the south of France. cheers
I was just excited and asked before i forgot. Im still watching. Thanks
Excellent presentation. I Respect your hard work
I did not understand and will not be able to build a solar system. But, I watched right through to the end. Your explanations are clear and detailed. If only I had some basic understanding of watts, etc. Your visual was superb!
Thank you very much. It is sooooo generous!!!
Thank you for a great video! We will be starting our off grid cabin/home next year in the mountains of New Mexico. This video is exactly what I was looking for plus your diagrams which I will by when the time to build gets closer. Thank you again!
@TinyShinyHome
Жыл бұрын
Awesome!!
awesome video. thanks so much for sharing!
Very nice, extremely informative video. Only thing different i would do is: build the panel array above the house as a "second roof" which would shade the house from heat and reduce cooling power consumption. However, you did an excellent job anyway. Greetings from sunny Jamaica.
Amazing instructional video dude. Amazing! It deserves millions of views...seriously. Top notch public service video! s2
living the dream! thanks for posting
This is the best segment on installing a solar setup I have ever seen and I’ve seen a bunch. I’m just installing a small setup 10 240 panels to install on carport hopefully to run my shop unfortunately shop is in shade. But thank you very much
you are really champions and inspirational. hope for you all the happiness
This is not just for entertainment it a lecture, thank so much
One of the best vids I have seen on solar
Great video... Thanks for all of the info.