great idea. super easy to make. The few portable ones I make I used a plastic 50 Cal ammo-can . rain proof. 2 of them have small LiFePO4 in them. for larger charging current I just open lid for venting for Victron MPPT . I wanted rain/snow prof for camping .
This is great. As I’m watching, I was thinking if you did, in fact, put a breaker between the charge controller and the battery terminals, and then add alligator clips to the battery cables instead of the eyelets, it would make it truly portable with no tools needed to recharge the batteries. Especially if the battery is currently connected to something else. Simply clip your boards clips to the battery and flip the battery breaker on to start charging. No tools needed. 😊
Very cool idea. I think I'll try that. I've got a 200w panel that's just sitting around, doing nothing and this would be a great way of putting it back in service, when needed.
I have a 12v SLA (just because I had one spare) It sits with a sun facing 5w panel -no controller! The battery is always full and always good for emergency use. Your board needs (IMO) a case on the back to hold and carry a portable (foldable?) panel and a single prop stand to hold the panel facing the sun whenever you need.
I'd put this in some kind of a box and use Anderson power pole connectors so that I could swap out the output leads so that I could use battery clamps or ring terminals, etc. Adds to the cost but is more convenient.
Perhaps a 50 A Anderson output and 50 A receiver with short leads that stays bolted to your various batteries' terminals would make life a bit "quik 'n easier"...? Aloha 🤙 🍍
Don't you need to swap the wires going into the circuit breaker from the solar panel? The positive connector on a solar panel is the same connector you have going into the breaker. Good video, thank you.
Looking good. 0*. Degree. Here this morning. I am not charging my batteries under 40* degrees. My question to you is. Does it hurt the lithium iron phosphate batteries to be. STORED below 32 degrees?
Every manufacturer publishes their specifications. I own two different LiFePO4 batteries that claim you can store all the way down to zero F for up to three months. However, store them with a full charge. IF the per cell voltage drops below 2.4 or so you may have to WAKE the battery up using a specialized LiFePO4 charger or other device for the BMS to start up again. Some BMS (JK) have a critical flaw on the default voltages, so make darn sure your charger settings are correct before charging the battery bank. Your mileage will vary, but a very good question.
Newbie to solar here, but I have a question. Does it matter which direction the current flows thru the circuit breaker? I would think the MC4 connectors should be going into the c/b thru the bottom and to the controller from the top of the c/b. Are c/b's bi directional, or is that the standard for that kind of a c/b?
For DC breakers the safer question is "DOES the breaker extinguish the DC ARC?" IF it does NOT, then don't ever use one in an enclosed structure. In this example and using the breaker on the board that Bob is using they CLAIM it can extinguish a DC ARC then polarity (direction) probably does not matter. However, some DC breaker manufacturers mark their breakers with -- and ++ with - and +. My understanding is the double markings to to imply the higher voltage potential. IF you DONT know IF the DC breaker is NOT capable of extinguishing an ARC, then NEVER break the current under full load and IF it catches fire, CUT one cable! I am more paranoid for in the home use, and have external combiner boxes and SINGLE pole breakers to eliminate a DC ARC between positive and negative or in a situation where a component fails (inverter, controller, or panel). Therefore, if you are buying DC breakers off Amazon, assume that the DC breaker is cheap and won't extinguish an DC ARC or just buy Q-series or midnite solar DC breakers that are certified for DC circuits. Hope this helps you out and gives others something to think about as you only get one chance to minimize fire risks in your home......
@@Gary-wh7ce Thank You. I really appreciate your feedback. I dove into solar with just a basic knowledge of DC. Since my setup will reside in my garage, fire and arcs are my greatest concern. Doing due diligence to do everything right, thus the query. I will put your advise to work and do more research. Thank you.....Safety First
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Man, how satisfying it must be to be in control of your own utilities! 👌
I do get great satisfaction on that! Relied 100% on solar for 30 years now! Aloha!🤙
Good Evening ! This came up in the play list, so I had to watch as well. That looks pretty handy. TAKE CARE..
great idea. super easy to make. The few portable ones I make I used a plastic 50 Cal ammo-can . rain proof. 2 of them have small LiFePO4 in them. for larger charging current I just open lid for venting for Victron MPPT . I wanted rain/snow prof for camping .
Just tinkering around in the shop. But I can really use this around the property some! Aloha!🤙
This is great. As I’m watching, I was thinking if you did, in fact, put a breaker between the charge controller and the battery terminals, and then add alligator clips to the battery cables instead of the eyelets, it would make it truly portable with no tools needed to recharge the batteries. Especially if the battery is currently connected to something else. Simply clip your boards clips to the battery and flip the battery breaker on to start charging. No tools needed. 😊
I did an inline breaker to the battery with an xt60 connector for quick connect. "No tools"
Nice!🤙
I like that idea! Aloha!🤙
Very cool idea. I think I'll try that. I've got a 200w panel that's just sitting around, doing nothing and this would be a great way of putting it back in service, when needed.
Just a lightweight grab and carry where er needed. Pretty handy. Aloha!🤙
Great video on a portable setup. I do the same thing for field day and solar demonstrations to the seniors in my community here in SE MI. Aloha, Gary
Makes for a nice show and tell yeah! Good you are sharing what you know my friend! Aloha!🤙
Thank you so much for this, great teaching ability!
My pleasure, mahalo!🤙
I have a 12v SLA (just because I had one spare) It sits with a sun facing 5w panel -no controller! The battery is always full and always good for emergency use.
Your board needs (IMO) a case on the back to hold and carry a portable (foldable?) panel and a single prop stand to hold the panel facing the sun whenever you need.
Great project - thanks for showing !
My pleasure! Aloha!🤙
I'd put this in some kind of a box and use Anderson power pole connectors so that I could swap out the output leads so that I could use battery clamps or ring terminals, etc. Adds to the cost but is more convenient.
I agree, and plan on adding those!🤙
That is one impressive beard!
It's gone to seed!🤙
Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure! 🤙
Very useful when off grid
Been using it everyday. Very handy!🤙
I got a small board similar to what you want to build. I can always move it if i need to.
Nice!🤙
Super fun stuff 🎉
Having fun in the sun! Aloha!🤙
I had same setup for my Durian orchard...👍👍
Nice 👍 Aloha!🤙
Perhaps a 50 A Anderson output and 50 A receiver with short leads that stays bolted to your various batteries' terminals would make life a bit "quik 'n easier"...? Aloha 🤙 🍍
That is exactly what I plan on doing my friend! Aloha!🤙
Don't you need to swap the wires going into the circuit breaker from the solar panel? The positive connector on a solar panel is the same connector you have going into the breaker. Good video, thank you.
What are the limitations to a solar panel you would connect to that CC?
Excellent 👍👍
How do you get your lithium batteries delivered local ?
Totally free- Aloha
🤙
great video
Mahalo!🤙
good work
Mahalo...fun times🤙
Nice. ✌
🤙
That'll be handy. Never know when you might need a small charger for a little juice. 🌤🌤🌤
Indeed!🤙
Looking good.
0*. Degree. Here this morning.
I am not charging my batteries under 40* degrees.
My question to you is. Does it hurt the lithium iron phosphate batteries to be. STORED below 32 degrees?
Every manufacturer publishes their specifications. I own two different LiFePO4 batteries that claim you can store all the way down to zero F for up to three months. However, store them with a full charge. IF the per cell voltage drops below 2.4 or so you may have to WAKE the battery up using a specialized LiFePO4 charger or other device for the BMS to start up again. Some BMS (JK) have a critical flaw on the default voltages, so make darn sure your charger settings are correct before charging the battery bank. Your mileage will vary, but a very good question.
Newbie to solar here, but I have a question. Does it matter which direction the current flows thru the circuit breaker? I would think the MC4 connectors should be going into the c/b thru the bottom and to the controller from the top of the c/b. Are c/b's bi directional, or is that the standard for that kind of a c/b?
For DC breakers the safer question is "DOES the breaker extinguish the DC ARC?" IF it does NOT, then don't ever use one in an enclosed structure. In this example and using the breaker on the board that Bob is using they CLAIM it can extinguish a DC ARC then polarity (direction) probably does not matter. However, some DC breaker manufacturers mark their breakers with -- and ++ with - and +. My understanding is the double markings to to imply the higher voltage potential. IF you DONT know IF the DC breaker is NOT capable of extinguishing an ARC, then NEVER break the current under full load and IF it catches fire, CUT one cable! I am more paranoid for in the home use, and have external combiner boxes and SINGLE pole breakers to eliminate a DC ARC between positive and negative or in a situation where a component fails (inverter, controller, or panel). Therefore, if you are buying DC breakers off Amazon, assume that the DC breaker is cheap and won't extinguish an DC ARC or just buy Q-series or midnite solar DC breakers that are certified for DC circuits. Hope this helps you out and gives others something to think about as you only get one chance to minimize fire risks in your home......
@@Gary-wh7ce Thank You. I really appreciate your feedback. I dove into solar with just a basic knowledge of DC. Since my setup will reside in my garage, fire and arcs are my greatest concern. Doing due diligence to do everything right, thus the query. I will put your advise to work and do more research. Thank you.....Safety First
You're welcome and good luck with the project!@@AUizGOLD77