Off Grid Re-Power

[dread Pirate]

With all the solar and off grid/rv systems I've seen posted lately, I figured I could share my homestead repower. As some of you know I'm off grid meaning the nearest power lines are over 7 miles away. Neighbors are almost as far. Going on 25 years at this place and the power system I have is outdated and obsolete. Batteries are shot etc. Mostly been relying on generator power and with California fuel prices we pulled the plug and started over completely. This company offers some nice stand alone systems and as I unbox the stuff I'll post more as well as the instal.

This is the kit we started with and added a few things as well as upgraded the batteries.

Off-Grid Solar Power System [OGK-PRO] - ShopSolar.com

Off-Grid Solar Power System [OGK-PRO] | Looking for a complete off-grid solar kit that's simple to setup & install, comes with lithium batteries and has the ability to hook up to solar, wind, fuel/backup generator and/or utility power? Our complete solar kits include free shipping and were...

shopsolarkits.com

 

[rightytighty]

Very interested. Thank you for posting.

 

[Backlash]

This thread is definitely going to be one to follow!!

 

[Morehart]

With all the solar and off grid/rv systems I've seen posted lately, I figured I could share my homestead repower. As some of you know I'm off grid meaning the nearest power lines are over 7 miles away. Neighbors are almost as far. Going on 25 years at this place and the power system I have is outdated and obsolete. Batteries are shot etc. Mostly been relying on generator power and with California fuel prices we pulled the plug and started over completely. This company offers some nice stand alone systems and as I unbox the stuff I'll post more as well as the instal.

View attachment 1287979

This is the kit we started with and added a few things as well as upgraded the batteries.

Off-Grid Solar Power System [OGK-PRO] - ShopSolar.com

Off-Grid Solar Power System [OGK-PRO] | Looking for a complete off-grid solar kit that's simple to setup & install, comes with lithium batteries and has the ability to hook up to solar, wind, fuel/backup generator and/or utility power? Our complete solar kits include free shipping and were...

shopsolarkits.com

I'm also off grid 7 miles down a dirt road that gets sckechy with all the rain we got in CA. I'm looking forward to what you got and pricing as well as install. the cabin needs a new roof any way so im going to tune in thanks or posting!

 

[dread Pirate]

It started raining as I got the last pallet into the garage. I need to make some more space so I can open up everything and check for damage. The solar panel crates look untouched, but the company we bought everything from said to mark it unseen/possible damaged. Which pissed off the driver understandably which sucked. Bought him lunch from the taco truck and said I'd get it open asap to clear it up. He also admitted that a lot of the "new" drivers suck and he also gets it,,, anyway, thats for another thread,,,

I was a nervous wreck hauling this shit home though,,, Hauling an $80k skid steer,, no problem,,, A shitload of solar panels, f me,,,,


Went out and opened the crates. Was bugging me. Nothing damaged which is great. The batteries are huge! Pics tomorrow,,,

 

[Ace in the Hole]

I'm also off grid 7 miles down a dirt road that gets sckechy with all the rain we got in CA. I'm looking forward to what you got and pricing as well as install. the cabin needs a new roof any way so im going to tune in thanks or posting! View attachment 1288032

The firm I’m at now (distributor) I’m able to dabble more in direct supply (not my role), but if someone from RDP was doing DIY Solar or off grid only stuff I’d be willing to help. It would have to go through our normal one off counter sale policies however I would make sure that you got a fair deal.

Dropping off some Solark stuff in the morning for an off grid project…


@dread Pirate Looking forward to your progress I love watching DIY projects come together

 

[Morehart]

The firm I’m at now (distributor) I’m able to dabble more in direct supply (not my role), but if someone from RDP was doing DIY Solar or off grid only stuff I’d be willing to help. It would have to go through our normal one of counter sale policies however I would make sure that you got a fair deal.

Dropping off some Solark stuff in the morning for an off grid project…


@dread Pirate Looking forward to your progress I love watching DIY projects come together

I should clarify I'm only caretaking for this ranch. I'm not currently living off the grid. I have a career that is going great. I have young children. I would love for my kids to enjoy this ranch as I did when I was young. We currently run generator power exclusively. @dread Pirate has a very serious unit going in. I would like to treat my own home on the grid to be off with the storage options. Not to mention I've been quoted close to 25k for panels I don't own. For 30 years

 

[dread Pirate]

Been at this over 25 years and the changes haven't really been that drastic aside from the lithium battery packs. The L-16 golf cart battery was the staple for decades. I hate those things,,,, These have a 10 year guarantee and 15 year expectancy. We'll see how it goes but I am hopeful.

The pre fab aspect of this one is appealing. I've always cut and done my own cables, etc, but this is all layed out plug and play. Happy with the quality so far.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Thanks for bringing this thread to us, DP.
Looking forward to learning more about this stuff, and watching you proceed.

 

[crzy2bealive]

Super excited to see this thread progress

 

[Willie B]

Been at this over 25 years and the changes haven't really been that drastic aside from the lithium battery packs. The L-16 golf cart battery was the staple for decades. I hate those things,,,, These have a 10 year guarantee and 15 year expectancy. We'll see how it goes but I am hopeful.

The pre fab aspect of this one is appealing. I've always cut and done my own cables, etc, but this is all layed out plug and play. Happy with the quality so far.

View attachment 1288068 View attachment 1288069 View attachment 1288070

….I am impressed..: The advancements in solar power systems…Is amazing…
… I built my own solar power system 23 years ago…under the guidance of a German electronics engineer, who sold me all of the components… the man was and probably still is a genius…
… The components were all Trace… I have no idea as to whether Trace is still in existence???..: I had bought 27 acres up above Lake Oroville… ended up having 100 acres to myself… I knew I would best be off grid… As it would’ve cost, at least 100 grand to run Edison up to my building site… I came back down to where I was living in Big Tujunga Canyon and what I did was …I built my entire solar power system into a motorhome that I had had for quite some time…A 2500 watt Trace inverter/charger… A Trace charge controller…and 8 Trojan T105 batteries…and five 70 watt BP solar panels… a very simple system… I wasn’t running any washer or dryer or things like that… all my lighting was 12 V…Satellite TV 12V…For power tools… Fire up the M/H generator… there were only a few days… Rainy days where I had to run on just generator power …mainly to keep the battery bank charged… I later added two more batteries for a total of 10…
… It was a fun time for 21 years up at Lake Oroville…
… I almost forgot …my total investment for all the equipment ..wiring …batteries everything was $4000…I’m pretty sure my Direct TV satellite dish was a freebe promo deal…I am going to have to try to re-think what my total investment was… that was a long time ago???…Total invesment may have been $4400???…including 7 very good used tires for the Motorhome…I have no idea what that same set up would cost in today’s world???…

… I hope you will post a lot of pictures and dialogue on your system… there was no plug and play when I did mine???…

 

[dread Pirate]

….I am impressed..: The advancements in solar power systems…Is amazing…
… I built my own solar power system 23 years ago…under the guidance of a German electronics engineer, who sold me all of the components… the man was and probably still is a genius…
… The components were all Trace… I have no idea as to whether Trace is still in existence???..: I had bought 27 acres up above Lake Oroville… ended up having 100 acres to myself… I knew I would best be off grid… As it would’ve cost, at least 100 grand to run Edison up to my building site… I came back down to where I was living in Big Tujunga Canyon and what I did was …I built my entire solar power system into a motorhome that I had had for quite some time…A 2500 watt Trace inverter/charger… A Trace charge controller…and 8 Trojan T105 batteries…and five 70 watt BP solar panels… a very simple system… I wasn’t running any washer or dryer or things like that… all my lighting was 12 V… For power tools… Fire up the generator… there were only a few days… Rainy days where I had to run on just generator power …mainly to keep the battery bank charged… I later added two more batteries for a total of 10…
… It was a fun time for 21 years up at Lake Oroville…
… I almost forgot …my total investment for all the equipment wiring batteries everything was $4000… I am going to half to try to re-think what my total investment was… that was a long time ago???…I have no idea what that same set up would cost in today’s world???…

Trace was bought out, then they were bought out, rinse repeat. Had almost the same Trace 2500 system you had with a now vintage Honda 3300 generator for the laundry about the same time. I believe it was a little more than $400 though

27ish years ago we put a 12k system with 24 L-16's in and if I remember it was around $22-25k? This one with the upgrades was just over $34k and is overkill for what I need. Told my wife we can run a hot tub and thats all it took,,,

 

[rrrr]

Been at this over 25 years and the changes haven't really been that drastic aside from the lithium battery packs. The L-16 golf cart battery was the staple for decades. I hate those things,,,, These have a 10 year guarantee and 15 year expectancy. We'll see how it goes but I am hopeful.

The pre fab aspect of this one is appealing. I've always cut and done my own cables, etc, but this is all layed out plug and play. Happy with the quality so far.

View attachment 1288068 View attachment 1288069 View attachment 1288070

Looks like a manly project.

Are you gonna read the directions or just start bolting stuff together?

 

[dread Pirate]

Looks like a manly project.

Are you gonna read the directions or just start bolting stuff together?

I'm still trying to figure out how I'm getting the batteries in the shed. My shed is an old Crystal Milk refrigerator truck body. Stainless and aluminum vintage redneck/hillbilly type shit.

 

[Orange Juice]

I'm still trying to figure out how I'm getting the batteries in the shed. My shed is an old Crystal Milk refrigerator truck body. Stainless and aluminum vintage redneck/hillbilly type shit.

Are they heavy?

 

[Willie B]

Trace was bought out, then they were bought out, rinse repeat. Had almost the same Trace 2500 system you had with a now vintage Honda 3300 generator for the laundry about the same time. I believe it was a little more than $400 though

27ish years ago we put a 12k system with 24 L-16's in and if I remember it was around $22-25k? This one with the upgrades was just over $34k and is overkill for what I need. Told my wife we can run a hot tub and thats all it took,,,

…lol… I actually meant $4000… a friend of mine, …Bill Rocket… Blackhawk Solar… Meadow Valley… up in the Quincy Ca. area… Told me that there was no way he could’ve beatin the price that I got into my stuff for…
… Ulrich Buehl Of Buehl Solar in Topanga Canyon California… wasn’t in it to get rich… he had amazing connections… And would wait until he had several people together to buy from the distributors or the manufacturers…
…My generator was a 4KW Onan… The one that came with the 1981 motorhome… one of the first aluminum Onans…A bit noisy… But it worked great up until the Northern Complex West fire…burned everything to the ground

 

[Willie B]

Looks like a manly project.

Are you gonna read the directions or just start bolting stuff together?

… well, that comment just cracked me up…lol…

 

[wash11]

Looking forward to watching this!

 

[Sleek-Jet]

I'm interested in the batteries, that has been the key for off grid power, agree that lead acid sucks.

Seems like a nice package, 38kWh in two 300 lbs packages. Could easily fit in a garage.

 

[dread Pirate]

Are they heavy?

450# each. 48'x24'x18'.

 

[dread Pirate]

Now I'm at a crossroads. Have always hated my blue metal roof and planned to change to brown on the garage before we mounted the panels.

The recent events in Hawaii have me wondering if blue isn't such a bad idea?

 

[mesquito_creek]

I have batteries from that same manufacture. They are 3 years old and a slightly different configuration.

Four HSKY- 48v 5.12 ah … so about 21kw total.

2 are giving me problems but customer service seems to be working though it. It’s a minor PIA going through a lot of trouble shooting via email and phone calls, but I am holding out for a good resolution.

 

[dread Pirate]

I have batteries from that same manufacture. They are 3 years old and a slightly different configuration.

Four HSKY- 48v 5.12 ah … so about 21kw total.

2 are giving me problems but customer service seems to be working though it. It’s a minor PIA going through a lot of trouble shooting via email and phone calls, but I am holding out for a good resolution.

One of the reasons I went through this company is every time I have called or sent an email over the last 6 or so months I have talked to the same guy. Communication has been excellent.

 

[petie6464]

Cool thread. .

 

[mesquito_creek]

First step for anyone is to figure out how much power they use and when they use it.

Get a watt meter/power meter and check individual devices…
An Amp clamp will work also but there will be a little more guessing involved in terms of run times.
You can start reading the placards on stuff or pulling out the manuals to get the spec also…

Then from there you can have a shot at getting close to the right amount of panels and batteries. Panels never give you the full amount of wattage they are rated at (the rating is at 70 degrees in a lab)

My 4000 watt array does max 3800 in the winter when I don’t need it. When I really need it in the summer it does about 3400

 

[bonesfab]

Now I'm at a crossroads. Have always hated my blue metal roof and planned to change to brown on the garage before we mounted the panels.

The recent events in Hawaii have me wondering if blue isn't such a bad idea?

if you notice the UN uses blue helmets for some reason also.

 

[PRIMO]

I'm also off grid 7 miles down a dirt road that gets sckechy with all the rain we got in CA. I'm looking forward to what you got and pricing as well as install. the cabin needs a new roof any way so im going to tune in thanks or posting! View attachment 1288032

Nice Place / Love the River Rock !

 

[Morehart]

Nice Place / Love the River Rock !

Thanks I'll probably start a thread on the whole renovation.

 

[v6toy4x]

I will be following, great thread topic!

 

[done]

I bought the same one with the rack of six batts instead, Trying to figure out where to put 24 panels is also fun.......Good luck . Still working on mine also.

 

[dread Pirate]

I bought the same one with the rack of six batts instead, Trying to figure out where to put 24 panels is also fun.......Good luck . Still working on mine also.

I have a 24'x48' garage with a south facing roof, so fortunately I don't have that issue. I expect to order another 12 panels eventually as we get a lot of cloud cover.

Been cleaning out the shed getting ready to start laying things out. Door has seen better days and if I'd shut the damn thing it would probably still be in good shape.

 

[Willie B]

I have a 24'x48' garage with a south facing roof, so fortunately I don't have that issue. I expect to order another 12 panels eventually as we get a lot of cloud cover.

Been cleaning out the shed getting ready to start laying things out. Door has seen better days and if I'd shut the damn thing it would probably still be in good shape.

View attachment 1288697

… I rebuilt the entry jdoor on my motorhome after a bear cub destroyed it …I used the existing frame and just replaced the wood… and the inside and outside skins…

…I don’t know anything about the batteries that you will be using but the T105’s in my motorhome,system …emitted quite a bit of gas when charging…and they were in a storage compartment of the motorhome…, I put a heavily louvered panel on the door of the storage compartment and getting gas emissions inside the motorhome never happened …
…if your batteries will emit gas when charging and the inside of the unit where your batteries will be, is, wood you might consider lining it with Visqueen… so the gases don’t absorb into the wood???…
… i’m guessing that you would need to vent in someway where your batteries are going to be stored… Several louvered panels on the door you’re going to have to rebuild or replace might be enough???…
… Somewhat guesswork on my part here???…

 

[dread Pirate]

… I rebuilt the entry jdoor on my motorhome after a bear cub destroyed it …I used the existing frame and just replaced the wood… and the inside and outside skins…

…I don’t know anything about the batteries that you will be using but the T105’s in my motorhome,system …emitted quite a bit of gas when charging…and they were in a storage compartment of the motorhome…, I put a heavily louvered panel on the door of the storage compartment and getting gas emissions inside the motorhome never happened …
…if your batteries will emit gas when charging and the inside of the unit where your batteries will be, is, wood you might consider lining it with Visqueen… so the gases don’t absorb into the wood???…
… i’m guessing that you would need to vent in someway where your batteries are going to be stored… Several louvered panels on the door you’re going to have to rebuild or replace might be enough???…
… Somewhat guesswork on my part here???…

These being lithium cells aren't going to vent like the old lead acid batteries fortunately. I used to have a small fan blowing across the cells and another pulling it out of the shed. Nothing large just a constant airflow to try and save the other equipment from the acid.

I vent the shed through the opening from the original AC unit on the front.

 

[Willie B]

These being lithium cells aren't going to vent like the old lead acid batteries fortunately. I used to have a small fan blowing across the cells and another pulling it out of the shed. Nothing large just a constant airflow to try and save the other equipment from the acid.

I vent the shed through the opening from the original AC unit on the front.

… Got it… I have a feeling there’s gonna be quite a few people following your lead on the putting together of their solar power systems…
And thanks for bringing back a lot of good memories of the purchase… assembly… and 21 years of usage of my system

 

[dread Pirate]

Cleaning out the shed and pulled some of this old stuff off the wall. Talking dinosaur era solar stuff here. None of this has been in use for 25 years.

These old Trace inverters used to be great. Not a perfect sine wave, but pretty good signal and efficient. That is up until they burned your house down. They became known for catching fire. Notice this one melted down the positive terminal...

Then before quality charge controllers they had these load diverters. Batteries are full? Ok throw a load to nothing and make a bunch of heat,,,,, These were also responsible for several fires bitd..

 

[Willie B]

Cleaning out the shed and pulled some of this old stuff off the wall. Talking dinosaur era solar stuff here. None of this has been in use for 25 years.

These old Trace inverters used to be great. Not a perfect sine wave, but pretty good signal and efficient. That is up until they burned your house down. They became known for catching fire. Notice this one melted down the positive terminal...

Then before quality charge controllers they had these load diverters. Batteries are full? Ok throw a load to nothing and make a bunch of heat,,,,, These were also responsible for several fires bitd..

View attachment 1289834 View attachment 1289835 View attachment 1289836 View attachment 1289837

… Just got to this… Thanks… My Trace did not look anything like that and it would’ve been 23 years old now… the guy I bought my equipment from was brilliant… he steered me away, from some other peoples equipment… And really knew how to simplify a system…

 

[dread Pirate]

… Just got to this… Thanks… My Trace did not look anything like that and it would’ve been 23 years old now… the guy I bought my equipment from was brilliant… he steered me away, from some other peoples equipment… And really knew how to simplify a system…

This was a model before your cool green and white model. Those were excellent inverters. these not so much,,,,

 

[Morehart]

found this in my dads cabin. Looks to be in good shape. I think is the outdated rinse repeat company

 

[dread Pirate]

View attachment 1290346 found this in my dads cabin. Looks to be in good shape. I think is the outdated rinse repeat company

I bet those fire right up. Nothing wrong with the green label Trace equipment.

 

[Morehart]

I bet those fire right up. Nothing wrong with the green label Trace equipment.

The batteries are toast though. Must weigh 5k lbs. In a steel container that filled with water. What a shame

 

[Willie B]

View attachment 1290346 found this in my dads cabin. Looks to be in good shape. I think is the outdated rinse repeat company

… Can’t tell how many watts that inverter is… But it appears to be about half the size of the 2500 W Trace inverter that I had???…. Looks like the same charge controller though…
… In truth… I only used the AC side of my inverter.once… just to see if it worked… I just used the battery charger side of it… there was no need to use the inverter side as all my stuff was 12 volt…lighting…TV… my refrigerator was propane…

 

[Wheeler]

I bet those fire right up. Nothing wrong with the green label Trace equipment.

I'm still running the Trace inverter. 20 + years It was here when I bought the place in '05 the system was installed in '98 or so. It's time for an upgrade but I'll leave that for the new owners to deal with.

 

[Willie B]

I'm still running the Trace inverter. 20 + years It was here when I bought the place in '05 the system was installed in '98 or so. It's time for an upgrade but I'll leave that for the new owners to deal with.

View attachment 1291156

… Hey what’s wrong with you… Clean up that wiring…lol… I forgot if it works don’t fuck with it

 

[Canuck 1]

What is wrong with lead acid batteries and do the lithium work in the cold?

 

[Wheeler]

… Hey what’s wrong with you… Clean up that wiring…lol… I forgot if it works don’t fuck with it

The high voltage system will be moved out of the house and into the barn or an out building. One solar array will remain on house to charge a battery bank for the low voltage power needs. That is the plan anyway.

 

[dread Pirate]

What is wrong with lead acid batteries and do the lithium work in the cold?

Good question on the lithium and colder weather. We will see,,

Lead acid will last 5 years if you're lucky, need constant maintenance and if you lose a cell you cannot just replace it as the whole bank will drag the new battery down. Every month you need to test the water levels and I don't care how careful you are whatever you have on will rot from acid exposure.

 

[Willie B]

The high voltage system will be moved out of the house and into the barn or an out building. One solar array will remain on house to charge a battery bank for the low voltage power needs. That is the plan anyway.

… I have a couple of switches that I think turn things off and on… But I’m not too sure in my old age…so I will have to wait till after dark to find out… wait… What was I gonna do???…

 

[Willie B]

Good question on the lithium and colder weather. We will see,,

Lead acid will last 5 years if you're lucky, need constant maintenance and if you lose a cell you cannot just replace it as the whole bank will drag the new battery down. Every month you need to test the water levels and I don't care how careful you are whatever you have on will rot from acid exposure.

… I got seven years out of my first batch of lead acid Trojan T105’s… but I was on top of them…

 

[mesquito_creek]

What is wrong with lead acid batteries and do the lithium work in the cold?

Nothing is wrong with lead if you maintain them and don’t do the math on the money over time…

Lifepo4 works fine in the cold down to -30 on the discharge side, but you can’t charge them once the temp hits 30 degrees. Good ones have low temp protection but you will need to have them in an area where you can maintain 30 degrees to charge them.

If I was in a predominantly cold area (<30) I would use lead/agm

 

[dread Pirate]

… I got seven years out of my first batch of lead acid Trojan T105’s… but I was on top of them…

I've milked a bank for 7 years, but the charge wasn't holding nearly as long as they should.

I've seen several variations of power banks including Milwaukee battery walls and smart car cell walls where you can change a cell as they die. Looks cool and not cheap. So far they're working well, but I have no idea what technology will be available in 10 years, so it's kind of a experiment anyway you go with it.