Rainwater Harvesting Tank - solar panel & pump setup [OFF GRID]

Рет қаралды 17,993

3 жыл бұрын

This OFF GRID rainwater harvesting tank collects water from our garden pavilion roof. In this fourth part of the series I install all the solar controller, panel, battery, fuses and wiring. This tank is for harvesting rainwater for our flower and vegetable gardens. An off grid solar system will run the DC pump to feed the irrigation system around the pavilion.
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FUSE BLOCK: amzn.to/3iNTed0
ANL FUSE HOLDER: amzn.to/33J4h2O
SHUNT: amzn.to/2SFyo55
DEEP CYCLE BATTERY: amzn.to/3jKDclB
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LUG CRIMPER: amzn.to/30OnU7U
WIRE CRIMPER: amzn.to/3nt0kr7
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RAINWATER BLOG POST: manabouttools.com/tank500/
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#watercrisis #tankwater #rainwaterharvesting

Пікірлер: 56

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

See the full written BLOG POST for the 500 gallon tank installation here: manabouttools.com/TANK500 If you would like to support the channel and future content then please go here: www.patreon.com/manabouttools

@timffoster 3 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate the professionalism of your DIY projects, your attention to detail, and best of all, your zeal for good-looking projects. Hats off! Subscribed.

@lindalisting7338 3 жыл бұрын

You make it look so easy! I can see myself doing this with the right tools.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

You can do it!

@natemorlock2379 2 жыл бұрын

Love your videos man. Thanks

@TheAzachiel 3 жыл бұрын

You are little bit more perfectionist than me. Love your videos. Thanks.

@stephenmabry2866 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, ur becoming a master in video production. Skills are undeniable. And innovations in concrete, water storage and now solar power management. Just exceptional. Another great video. Edit: Will Prowse - tremendous electrical knowledge. Get solar/battery knowledge here.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! I so appreciate the support!

@stephenmabry2866 3 жыл бұрын

@@MANaboutTOOLS really can't say how well you make things, Kent. Makes my attempts look like I'm doing it for the first time - which is usually the case. Great work.

@bobbtheman54 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, these videos are awesome. I am about to setup a 1,550 gal rainwater system and your tips, design and build are exactly what I need. Also, for the rainwater irrigation/solar setup, I am also doing that. I just installed a drip irrigation system for all the raised beds and looking for a solar setup pretty much as you designed. I will be using an "on-demand" pump with a timer which I think is the only difference. Again, great job and I am much impressed.

@ChickaWoofRanch 3 жыл бұрын

Love it!!! got some projects I'd like to do this coming spring. Thank you!!!

@djaspurh 3 жыл бұрын

Very nice clean setup. I was looking at those Renergy panels for my off grid camp.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I have two on the RV roof that I installed 5 years ago. They are still working very well.

@jameschristian8117 2 жыл бұрын

Love how neat your work is but i would have put the panel on the pump house,, but really nice work ,thanks again for the video .. 👍👍👍👍👍

@MANaboutTOOLS 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍 There's some huge cedars due south of the pavilion that shade the pumphouse. Much more than the roof of the pavilion.

@MarkParkTech 3 жыл бұрын

That one shunt on plywood base.... That could be a fire hazard if it starts to get hot on a very dry day. If it gets wet, that plywood won't make a very good insulator anymore. I mean, it's great for mock-up, and your wiring is excellent, but your choice of materials makes it less than ideal. I would recommend you replacing the plywood with PVC. A 4'x8', 3/4" thick sheet of it is about $100 at home depot ( They'll even cut it down to size for you if you need ), and for this application, I think it's worth it. Other than that, great job man! Truly excellent layout there. I love it!

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comments here Mark! I will keep an eye on that shunt. I bet I have some PVC around somewhere that I could replace that plywood with.

@MarkParkTech 3 жыл бұрын

oh, side note, they do have smaller sheets, so if you need less than a 4x8, you have options.

@johncotten7204 3 жыл бұрын

Mark is right.

@fleaniswerkhardt4647 3 жыл бұрын

PVC is also flammable as well as quite expensive. A non-flammable , non-conductive and inexpensive material like compressed cement sheet would be good in this application. It can easily be drilled and painted and will never rot.

@keithmoore5512 3 жыл бұрын

Looks great. I am a perpetual worrier and would probably not put a lead acid battery in the same compartment as any of my other hardware or electronics due to corrosion concerns. Maybe the compartment is well vented enough. Your call.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! There are enough cracks in the wooden box to allow air flow. So I don't think it would be an issue.

@idontthinkso666 Жыл бұрын

What doo you think automobile engine compartments are?

@JonLoeffler62 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent work. Will Prouse is great.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! And yes he is a fine young man with a ton of enthusiasm!

@frankligas2249 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Useful project for the avid gardener. Followed your Amazon link. Not buying solar today, but I am buying curtains. : ) Hope you earn a commission.

@rickleffel256 3 жыл бұрын

I would have mad the pump house front removable but other than that I like your set up. The only reason I make this suggestion, at 60 I need easier access.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

I had that thought too. And it's still possible. I did something similar with a compost bin in the past. The top opens; as well as the front.

@DustyRusty81 3 жыл бұрын

Put some LED lights near your pump/power box with a switch for night time emergencies or maintenance

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

ohhh...I like that! Thx

@JGUNW1R3D 2 жыл бұрын

Based on the orientation, I’m curious why you couldn’t have mounted the solar panel to the roof of the pump house behind the tank. It appears that both roofs are oriented the same direction.

@MANaboutTOOLS 2 жыл бұрын

There's big cedars due south. Up on the pavilion is far less shaded.

@pottsy3765 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Kent, You had mentioned in previous videos that you live in Canada. Does the harsh winters affect the above ground plumbing? What do you need to do to winterize. Maybe make a video about readying for winter. Does the solar panel need to be removed before the first snow? Anyway. I love the video. You are on my top 10 list!!!

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kevin! We are on Vancouver Island and our winters are usually mild. I will do a winterizing video -- it was on my list of things to shoot. The panel is fine in the snow. The two on my RV have been through a few snowy winters and still look great. I brush off the snow so they still charge the batteries. I appreciate your comments and support! Cheers, Kent

@spacewolfjr 3 жыл бұрын

Feedback: - not enough kitty cats. - is that a MasterCraft mitre saw? How do you like it? - are you planning on automating the system at all? - more kitty cats please

@idontthinkso666 Жыл бұрын

@@spacewolfjr Agreed. This video was lacking adequate cat content. :)

@C4GIF 3 жыл бұрын

How many amperes do you expect from your solar panel? Less than 500 amps? Are you sure that the wire AWG is enough?

@tfildaed 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Was the distance from the roof to the tank not worth burying the pipe?

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Burying the pipe would be an option as well. Was close enough.

@twinprimeable 3 жыл бұрын

consider moving the cables to run on the bottom of the downspout to protect them from UV

@twinprimeable 3 жыл бұрын

you can also cut a pvc pipe in half (paint if you like) and use it to cover the length of cable from the panel to the housing.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

Great idea Ryan! Thx!

@idontthinkso666 Жыл бұрын

I agree that UV is a risk, but those cables are rated for that exposure. They will outlast all other components of the system. The risk to the cables are animals--especially squirrels. I had to replace my entire solar array after squirrels chewed through 75% of the wires. Amazing!

@mattevans-koch9353 3 жыл бұрын

Was that a duct tape bandage I saw while you were connecting the terminals in the box? I've used a lot of those over the years. Very nice and clean installation of the solar panels and the pump and filters. Question-will you see any significant heat build up behind the panel from the color of the roofing or does it stay relatively cool during the summer season? Thank you for this video series. Take care and stay well.

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

That was some painters tape around a knuckle bandage. Thanks for the support and taking the time to comment! The roof might get hot and decrease the efficiency of the panel. I'll take some temperature measurements over time and see how it is.

@flowergal5354 3 жыл бұрын

Do you have a plan for the tank and plumbing set up? If not would it be possible to make one for purchase?

@C4GIF 3 жыл бұрын

Have you calculated how many square meters of roof you need to fill your 500tank? It seems to me that your 25 square meters are not enough. Maybe the water tank can be filled after one year only if do not consume any water during that time..

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

The roof is definitely undersized for that tank. But sometimes in the spring we can get some long, heavy rains. We are on the west coast living in what is technically a rain forest. Also, I have it set up that I could also use this tank as extra storage from our irrigation well and the other larger tank.

@peterdement 3 жыл бұрын

Since the box floor is elevated above the grade does it act like a drum surface and amplify the pump vibration? Would solid blocking under the floor down to grade at the pump location further reduce vibration/noise?

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

I would agree with you here. And more blocking may reduce it further. Thx!

@kaydonahue Жыл бұрын

How due you keep a pump from freezing?

@MANaboutTOOLS Жыл бұрын

I run some RV antifreeze through the pump in the fall.

@hyfy-tr2jy 3 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't it have been just as good to fasten the solar panel to the lid of the pump house? Far less wiring to manage that way

@MANaboutTOOLS 3 жыл бұрын

I was considering that or having a sloped roof on the surround. But, I think I'll add more panels in the future so will need more space. Also, we have some massive cedar and fir trees to the south of the garden and they would shadow the pump box more than the pavilion roof.