As always, mount these inverters to a non-combustible surface, such as hardiboard. It costs $10 and will increase your peace of mind. Also, avoid combustible materials within a 4-foot radius. Check out this video where I show how to do this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ZpehjMijzdXWp4k.html The unit was not charging because I forgot what model I was working with. It requires 120VDC minimum at the input to work. And it has a max input voltage of 250V. I don't know how I messed that up. I was just using the 148VDC max model the day before, so mixed it up. Also, use the proper terminal ring hole size for your inverter. I use these on multiple inverters, so they are huge. 48V System Parts List (Affiliate Links): Pro Version 48V LiFePO4 Battery (now in stock!!): www.signaturesolar.us/products/48v-100ah-lcd-battery-by-eg4?ref=cPwLcVc0SW-BjN Budget 48V LiFePO4 Battery (preorder): shop.signaturesolar.us/products/48v-100ah-lifepower4-battery-by-eg4?ref=cPwLcVc0SW-BjN Battery Cables: amzn.to/3zbM6Bd 48V Growatt All in one System: www.signaturesolar.com/products/3kw-48w-150vac-80a-off-grid-inverter-by-growatt?ref=cPwLcVc0SW-BjN 12 gauge extension cable: amzn.to/3jxNxmO Solar Panels: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-panels.html TClass Fuse: amzn.to/3FKtv1p Solar Disconnect: amzn.to/3JvpqAn Combiner Box: amzn.to/3FLL55o Solar Panel Array Voltage Calculator: www.solarchargecontrollercalculator.com/ How to design a solar array wiring configuration: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eZObY7p5r5q2qIU.html *Does off-grid solar confuse you?* Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com *Join our DIY solar community* #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com *Check out my Book* Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar! amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Energy! They will price out a system and get your house offgrid: ts.la/william57509 *My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):* 12V/48V Lithium Solar Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Complete Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html Plug-N-Play System Recommendations: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete "Add to Cart" 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html *My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:* *Signature Solar* Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek *Current Connected* SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp *Litime* My favorite 12V budget battery!: www.litime.com/?ref=XBIA62RFcalHns *Epoch Batteries* My favorite high-quality 12V battery: www.epochbatteries.com/products/12v-460ah-lifepo4-battery-ip67-heated-bluetooth-victron-comms?rfsn=7352625.50494d *Renogy* A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more! renogy.sjv.io/n1VjXx *Rich Solar* Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek *Battery Hookup* Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 5% off code: diysolar *Contact Information:* I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar *FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:* Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

The 'only' downside of touching a 48v full battery is instant death! lol. love your videos man. i've learnt so much from this channel.

Coming from someone that has gone to school for Hybrid vehicles and high voltage systems, always assume there is voltage at the terminals until you check them with a multimeter! (You should always check with a multimeter!) never assume a high voltage switch is operating properly until you verify it!

"With this system you can die!!! [smiles] But that is the only downside!" made me chuckle :) Love your videos, learned so much from them!

Retired elevator man here. When working on live circuits. Keep one hand in your back pocket. Less chance of going thru your heart. When engaging a disconnect turn your face away from the switch. When it goes south they explode like a bomb.

As a newbie, I have never commented on anybody’s videos. Until now. The value that you offer is among the highest I’ve ever seen. Your degree of clarity, matched with your passion, is outstanding. As a general comment, keep it up. We all very much appreciate it.

I suggest a cheap lock out tag on breaker. Even a piece of tape over breaker reminding you to double check before removing tape. Even a quick check list before you remove tape.

Well this is funny timing. But so thankful. We’ve put half of our 10 kw Growatt system. And been using it, a month. We bought the other array and got it installed last weekend. Today, my husband will tie that array in. We’ve gotten 2 of the 6 batteries in. As soon as my husband gets out of bed this morning he’s going to watch this. I’ve been worried about tying all the components together, but Wonderful Will has been helpful all the way. Thank you!

Hi, Will! We are older folks who have interest in this kind of thing, but are rank beginners! It is always a pleasure to watch your videos...you do an excellent job explaining things to us folks just starting out! Keep up the Great Job! God Bless!

Man - I dont personally have a solar system - yet. But the enthusiasm that Will shows during his videos is great. Dude genuinely loves doing what he does and it shows.

Thanks for going over the simplicity of the set up. I will be looking for the video where you build a bigger system with more batteries and can show the proper set up of the bus bars and those t fuses. Thanks for the reliable information Will!

This is the simplest explanation and use of components ive ever seen on KZfaq.

I enjoy hearing you say tighten.

I like the simplicity of teaching here. Another thing to consider is if the person is still leery working with the voltage on the solar panels, they could wait until it's night so the voltage and amperage of the panels is at its lowest.

The hardest part is coming up with the coin to buy all the components. :)

First time I've ever felt like I owed someone money for knowledge.

I’m a Union electrician in NYC. 35 years experience in ALL phases of electrical work. 48V is the line of delineation between “high” voltage and “low voltage. It also separates electricians from data technicians mostly because back in the day most telephone circuits ran on 48V systems. And to be honest 48V kinda tingles a bit of you get hit by it. You would never want to be holding it when the phone rings. That closes the circuit and that’s when it hit’s you. It’s a long running joke amongst veteran electricians. I would love to help you out when you decide to start enclosing your wiring in some conduit. Good job Will ✊🏿

Will! You're amazing. I have a similar history as you, with the medical issues and surviving in an RV without family help. Doctors have been no help, so I started reading medical journals and dictionaries to figure it out for myself. After years of struggling, now I'm healthier and have my RV gutted, about to buy a 48v hybrid system and a mini split to install. Thanks for putting your inspiration out there for us. :) I'm glad you're getting along better now.

I know when I see the 'plywood blank canvas' up, I'm in for a Will-full edu-ma-cation fer sure! Thanks and gratitude for all your enthusiasm, open-source info and holding these manufacturers to account for shortcuts and shortcomings. You da man Will!

"if you touch and it goes through your heart you are dead. BUT thats the only downside" ahahahahah. a little bit drastic but funny. Love your videos. keep it up.

You do a great job explaining very complex and dangerous equipment. I appreciate the way you emphasize safety and explain how o.1 amps of current can kill you. Thanks for making this so easy to understand.

With your help I built a 6 kw split phase system using 2- 24 volt 3 kw Growatts . It powers my entire shop. Thanks Will.

Would love to see a larger 48v system for off grid home, especially how to wire the panel if thats possible.

I built an off-grid solar battery (after the great Texas Freeze last year), have 6x100W panels and a 300amp/h battery connected. Spent about 3K total on the project and super happy that it can take anything I throw at it. Not a 1-1 grid replacement but definitely piece of mind.

Can't wait to see more on this series. I really appreciate your help in understanding these components and how they operate!

A lot of times I don't ever plan on building some of the things you have videos for BUT I still watch them because I ALWAYS learn something new. And also your presentation is awesome! Thanks Will...

I used Will's suggestions to build a solar system for an off-grid property. Dude knows his stuff. Will, could you do a guide on an off-grid battery set-up for cold climates (not in a heated house or anything)? Thank you again!

You know, when I first found your channel everything was so damn daunting. Felt like the first time I build my computer all over again, after some months though, the hardest part is saving up for all the parts in one go.

Thank you for the safety tips. When I was a young guy still in elementary school 4th grade. I was outside flying my kite one day in Irving Texas. Somehow my kite got stuck on top of the school house building. Only way I could see to get up there without a ladder as I was quite the climber young and agile. Not so much at age 62. Anyway I saw a place I could put my hands in to climb up. Me a ignorant fourth grader I put my hands inside this somewhat small box to pull myself up further to potentially climb on top of the roof. I quickly found that it was an electrical meter without the face cover on it. Needless to say I got hit with some serious electricity. Which caused my hands and muscles to immediately clinch I felt the current very strongly all the way up to my shoulders. As my feet were on the aluminum sided building fortunately I had enough leverage to break free and fall on my back. I can't recall even thinking about this event since that day and some weeks after. For some reason you're very intelligent teaching brought it to memory. Thank God I had my tennis shoes on if I hadn't I wouldn't be here today. We used to run around in bare feet quite often in the hot Summers of Texas. Over the period of my life I've had many close calls with death which I'm not going to bore you with now. Clearly our creator has plans. I'm in the process of building a 48 volt system with a battery Bank of 48vx304ah. For my box van RV conversion.

Great and needed video, Will. Solar is a great hobby but high voltages will kill you. These all in one systems are very safe if you are careful. I am an electrical engineer and Will’s practices in this video are rock solid.

Thank so much Will, your videos helped me put a 300 watt solar system on my teardrop trailer for of grid camping. now it’s time to add a 48 volt solar system to my house. You have given me confidences to try it on my own.

Good tutorial. The only addition I would add is to use some red electrical tape to wrap the positive conductor of the solar input. The method you used, with the polarized plugs, makes it almost impossible to make a mistake, but if all the rest of the low voltage wires use red for positive, you should continue to use that throughout the system.

Thanks for this! We are planning to go this route for an off grid growing dome that we are building in our community. I think it's important that solar feels accessible to the average person and you are definitely making this a reality!

Read my mind with this one! Loving what seems like an increase of videos from you lately. Some would say that you could of watched the 24v video but you supplied so much more information that a beginner like me absolutely NEEDS! Thanks for being awesome

Very good video, short and to the point. Yes you can go on for considerably longer, but for a basic system it really is that simple.

I'm an old guy that has actually learned much from you regarding PV panels and storage batteries and has built a small 12 volt back up system for tornado season here in Kentucky using info I got from your channel.. My wife and I both are grateful for your channel for that reason. A really silly thing that I would like to ask you, that has zero to do with solar or batteries is, where did you grow up? The reason I ask is because the way you pronounce words like "tighten" is much more "precise" that anyone here in Kentucky would pronounce them. It may not be a regional thing, because you seem to be very well educated and may just say things "right" for that reason, but I'd really like to know, if you don't mind sharing. One of my "things" that I tend to pursue when I meet new people.

So far the best and clear explanation without unnecessary information. 10/10

Organized and well explained as always Will, I'm glad you keep us novices in mind when explaining these systems.

Objection. You can turn off solar panels. Either work at night or throw a thick blanket over them and they output no power :P Jokeing asside I do get your point on those being the most dangerous.

Thank you soooooo much for doing these videos. For us who do not know anything about a solar systems and living off grid this is a gem. I am watching your tutorials for over a year and finally decided to make one of my own following your videos.

Wow, this might be my favorite video yet. It's hard to make things simple. This is awesome!

I am bringing my RV to you to get my 1000 A/H System up and running ;) Love all your vids!

Great job of pointing out the advantage and safety of a 48v system. Will, will you ever do any videos on grid intertie ? Maybe some advice for on-grid folks who want to go solar but don't want a giant bill ?

Just beginning to watch your videos. Each one builds my confidence every time. Soon, soon, I'll take the plunge. Thanks, Will!

I love it, we got this system in October - 12kw inverter, 6x 100ah batteries, and 8kw of solar panels. Really great to see you put it together before we do. Thanks!

Great video. I looked on their website and saw they also sell a shelving unit which contains to the bus bar for multiple batteries. Maybe they'll be nice enough to send you one so you can show that. I truly enjoy your videos and thank you for sharing your intelligence.

Excellent video Will ! Great to see how things have evolved over the past 2 years and how it is becoming relatively simple to put together a real-life capable system

Thank you, Will. For someone who has never done it before, specifying and putting a system together can be totally mind numbing, so this video in particular has convinced me that I can get a system like this, probably the same as this, up and running and doing the job and helping me understand and get used to how it all works. Really really helpful!

Always being forefront on safety tips helps put to rest some of the worries of a 48v system. Thanks!

The fact that it's getting easier to assemble these systems is great. The one thing I need more guidance on how to size the system I need based on usage. For example, I'd like to start with an off-grid system that powers my refrigerator in the garage. Then later, power my outdoor power tool battery chargers, then ultimately, charge my Tesla.

The all in one inverter package is the way to go. Keep it simple

Hi Will. Greetings from New Zealand. I'm just a beginner in DIY Solar power. I have learnt so much from your great videos. You do an excellent job explaining things that is easy to understand. You're the best I've seen. Keep up the great work you're doing! God Bless!

“if you get enough current to flow through your heart you are instantly dead 😶… but that’s the only downside! 😄” something about his delivery on that line cracks me up

I finally got my system built and operational in October. I studied for 3 years, buying panels and watching you and David Poz. I made my own adjustable array with a combination of sixteen 350W and eight 315w panels, 2 strings of 12 each. Went with two 48v banks of Rolls S6 L16 FLA batteries @ 445AH for a total of 890AH. Went straight to the top and got a Sol-Ark 12K. Added a Winco propane 8K standby generator. Love the SOl-Ark. It's not "set-it-and-forget-it", but it's ability to direct the greatest input to the most needed output is outstanding. The auto start feature for the genset is just fabulous. The videos are unlisted, but if you should have any interest in seeing the build, I'll send you the links! Learned a LOT about FLA's. Properly maintained, You can get better than 10 years out of them. Believe me, I did some thorough researching before choosing FLA. They match my personal parameters for output, maintenance, cost and life expectancy!

Thanks for all the awesome videos! Nobody does it better. The one thing I would like to see added to your channel is more discussion of hybrid systems. I want to use a system such as the one described in this video, but slightly larger, connected to the main panel in my home. I don't wish to feed power back to the grid, but do want to use solar as a primary source for whole house power with grid backup and supplementation. I know I cant afford an off grid system that will meet all my needs, but do believe that I could build a hybrid system that would meet 80-90% of my needs, offset my utility bill dramatically, and provide a day or two of backup power for when the grid goes down. However, I've seen conflicting information regarding components required and would love to hear your professional opinion. Cheers!

My dad mentioned you could connect your final solar array MC4 at night. Then you wont have any power... The other thing I was going to suggest is adding red tape to your MC4 adapters so that you don't get it wrong. Thanks Will, great videos. Super helpful for sure.

Always exceptionally detailed keeping safety as a priority. Keep it up Will, you're a great inspiration.

I’m getting closer to installing my first solar on my house to run the heat pump and minimum lighting around the house. Your information is invaluable there’s just so many choices and selections of set ups and equipment to choose for a first time learning system off grid on a house in San Francisco

THANK YOU Will. We need more focus on 48v systems using server rack batteries! Videos on cheap 12v batteries being cut open are soooo 2020.

Im about to build a 48v solar system just like this one, straight up, step by step. Thanks for the video Will!

I can't wait until I can get some property. One rack of solar, another of virtual machine hosts!

Looks good, 100% agree with the Class T fuses, We have 4 strings of cells here and each string has it's own fuse. I have seen some systems using standard auto type fuses and those will not break the current.

Brilliant! These instructional videos are invaluable as they save many lives in addition to educating millions. Teachers like you do great public service and I hold you in high regard. You are like the Khan academy for this domain.

Been shocked many times by 240v, only kicked like a mule and my heart is still functioning. This same thing has happened to manyy electricians I know and they are still alive.

I am sticking to 12 volts for the time being as my system is very small, just 240 watts of panels. But good advice for when i want to upgrade to a higher voltage system. Nice informative video thanks and Greetings from sunny Jamaica.

That’s the best set up system I’ve ever seen!!! Simple, quick, straight to the point, and good to go!! Thanks for sharing!! 👍🏼😎🇵🇷

This video is pure gold. Educational without any b.s.

You da' Man! I have been watching your videos for almost a year now, I like how you approach projects by breaking them into their individual components. Great videos. I feel like I have gained real-time knowledge that I can build on after watching your content. I am left hungry for more of your generated content when I am done watching an episode. And just like eating at a great diner, I cannot stop thinking about the food I had for the rest of the day, lip-smacking good as they say. That is how I feel about watching your channel, the more I watch, the more I thirst for more of your excellent content. Thankyou for making the University of KZfaq so much better than the sum of it's parts. Some (Not all) of the channel creators produce 57 minutes of blathering about their obvious neophyte inexperience that cloaks bad content; that could be edited down

instead of using an extension cord, it is better to cut the plug off a power strip. It may be a cheap overcurrent protection device but better than nothing! It is also a good idea to tin the leads so strands don't separate. It can be difficult to get all the strands in

Its always a good idea to use the correct size ring terminals to ensure enough surface contact to prevent creating a point of resistance that can heat up and choke current flow. Even with the nuts on I can see a gap between the terminal. I know you know this and that cable looks oversized but it would be great to make a mention about terminal connections as they are almost more important than the cable itself as they can often create bottlenecks. Great video though Will, The cost in copper alone is enough of a justification to use a higher voltage system and cheap CCA don't cut it.

Brilliant, funny though the only major drawback is death through voltage . Such a valuable demo . Thank you

Great simple video. One suggestion, connect your loads prior to sources when possible to further eliminate any potential of electric shock.

Hi Will, the safety points are very important. While some people survive shocks, others don't. It's best to treat anything over 30 volts the same way you handle a gun -- like it always has the potential to kill. Over 30 volts can overpower your nervious system and result in the can't-let-go effect, resulting in extended shock and high potential for death.

You teach us a best simple way as plug-and-play. Can we use this system on the van conversion??

Thanks Will! I know about low voltage current and it is a topic that is worth repeating over and over. Looking forward to watching your upcoming video with multiple 48v batteries! Happy New Year!

Thanks! I'm literally setting up my own system in 2 weeks so this video is going to be my chest sheet!

Wish I'd gone 48v instead of 24v for my system. I'd have gotten ~2x the capability for no more cost, and possibly lower cost.

Will, thanks for this video. In addition to running my Small building (man shack and ham Radio Station) With a 48v battery setup how would you suggest a way to run 12vdc appliances ( 20A loads) in addition to the GrowWatt inverter for 120vac? I want to use 12vdc for radios and a few 12vdc items. The max load on the 12vdc side will be about 40amps TIA Lloyd KO4L

Thanks, I just bought the Growatt 5K and 3 rack batteries . I'm a DYI guy and didn't have a clue... Love your tutorial !!!

Will, what kind of solar electric setup would be needed to keep a 2022 Sienna running full time in EV mode?

Excellent video and explanation. I think I’m going with a 48v system on my 12x40 cabin. My main energy needs are, mini split air conditioner, a refrigerator and TV. Can this be achieved with a 24v system?

Thanks Will, I was hypothesizing a build like this when I had my house 120v wired for a generator (220v is still grid tied). The logic was to utilize a generator initially for emergencies (120V with 30A) but it would later facilitate the transition to a setup very much like what you have shown on this video. The one difference being that instead of wiring an extension cord like you did, I would wire in an L14-30P cable to connect to the same. On days where solar charging is poor we can direct charge the batteries with no draw during the day and run the generator during the day or as needed.

👍thanks for the heads up on the dangers. Getting ready to build a 48volt system for my off grid cabin

Drink every time he says "tighten"

Hi Will , i really enjoy your videos . I recently subscribed to your channel . I think my needs are less complicated . I am off grid and have been for 5 years now . I installed two sets of used solar panels , 1000 watts each . I use the power as 12 volts to run all my lights and charge ports . I did have 5 deep cycle batteries and now only have one . I was using my fridge but now i can't . The fridge is both 12 and 24 volt , the brand is UNIQUE . I live small in everything 24 " tv 35 watts , water pump not connected and an on demand hot water tank LPG i still need to purchase . That is all i have . Would you be able to suggest a system for my needs ? I will be applying for a government grant for repairs that i would like to include this part of the expense . I am on a disability pension . Any help will be greatly appreciated . Thank you so much . Perry .

Excellent, very easy to understand even for a total novice like me. As I watch more and more of your videos I’m game to set up my own system. Cheers!

Thank You! I have recently bought a Growatt as well. I have no knowledge of electricity at all, but I managed to connect an Axpert inverter 2kv. Using two 12v connected in series. The Axpert died on me recently! So I bought this Growatt! But all of a sudden I am fearful to connect this! First is that I may damage the unit, secondly its death ... I am currently connected using one of those boat inverters! This one does not scare me at all!

Thanks Will. May the force be with you.

Purdy slick! Thanks for safety warning, I'm confident it will put some folks at ease

Lol! why would we criticize such a beautiful works sir? No need but only to appreciate your effort. Your explanation is amazing. i am an electronic trainer by profession but you are the best. Keep it up. I follow and watch your videos ever since I knew you.

I appreciate this very simple video. It's the simple things that are often overlooked.

Thank you Will. I'v been watching you on KZfaq for 2 Years. Your information in simple but very valuable. I'm going to be putting a solar PV system in the Philippines to power a house. Your information has made me feel more confident with building a system.

I did all the HEV and BEV diagnostics for Ford from 2010MY through 2016MY. Nominal pack voltage was about 320VDC if I remember right. Anyway, I always used an old trick of Nikola Tesla's, regardless of whether the service plug was pulled or not. When working with HV conductors, keep one hand in your pocket.

Great beginner video Will! very informative and to the point. Looking forward to the buss bar set-up video.

Brilliant idea. Been looking at adding a separate system to my roof purely for charging my plug in hybrids.

Your presentation has given me the idea that I can install a system on my own home Thank you.

Good video for showing how easy the growatt systems are to hook up. Thanks 👍

Thanks Will, you make it seem so simple!

The assembled rack battery systems are so attractive now, for medium size systems.

Thank you for all you share! Wishing you a happy, prosperous, and healthy 2022!