Building a 3000W Portable Solar Power Station, Great for Power Outages!

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Today we're going to be building a portable power cart with solar input for use during extended power outages, such as natural disasters. This is the second version of my hand truck-style power station. This design features a 3000W pure-sine inverter and a 5120Wh UL-listed lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4).

*WARNING:* Lithium batteries are dangerous and can result in fire! This video is NOT intended to be instructional or a "how-to" lesson. I am not a professional. Do not attempt anything you see here without first contacting a certified and/or licensed professional.

*Chapters:*
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Choice of Components
01:57 Battery Install
03:23 Inverter Install
07:25 DC Cabling
08:42 AC Wiring
11:24 PV Solar Input
12:39 First Startup
13:04 Configuration Items
14:34 AC Charging
14:49 Air Compressor Test
15:31 Conclusions & Pricing

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*Disclaimers and Statements:*
► I receive a small commission on purchases made using my affiliated links shared the video description and comments section. The views and opinions expressed here are my own, unbiased, and not influenced by this commission in any way.
► My videos are in no way intended to be instructional "how-to" lessons. I am simply documenting my project for informational purposes. Property damage, personal injury, or death may result, even when following manufacturer's instructions. I cannot be held liable for such damage or injury. It is YOUR OBLIGATION to ensure that you are complying with any local and federal laws as well as code and permit requirements.

[LithiumSolar]

This is a super quick and easy build. Let me know what you guys think!
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[pyronmasters]

Watching this video during a blackout in PR. These videos actually helped me build a small system after Hurricane Maria.

[joatmofa]

THIS IS EXCELLENT!
I suspect I may have commented the same previously : Your videos are to the point, void of unnecessary time-wasting talk and just packed with useful information - ALL crunched into a short, concise, easy-to-understand video!
THANK YOU - PLEASE KEEP IT UP!!!

*EDIT* :
Your video has inspired me to build my own mobile powerstation which turned out to be so popular that I have had to build a few for family & friends too!

[QuTeBug]

I absolutely LOVE this, especially because it’s so mobile! I’m over 65 and just don’t have the strength to move this stuff around and I’ve been wanting to provide myself with a backup emergency power. However, my husband passed last year Im alone and have nobody around to help me do this project. Someone ought to find a way to help those who can afford it but don’t have the help to do it themselves. Calling a ‘Solar company’ wouldn’t do something like this..this is Brilliant!

[BVLVI]

FYI the growatt is a BEAST! 2 years in my boat on the ocean. No issues

[patrickkenny]

One modification I might recommend is mounting the EG4 battery backwards so you have clear circuit breaker access-- breaker on front/top and lug on back/bottom. Also, the Costco 3-in-1 hand truck might make a few things easier-- using self-tapping screws instead of U-bolts as an example, but also easier to use it to haul panels at the same time. It's a little more expensive, but a good value none the less.

[Works]

Love where these cart builds are going. It's like the beginning of hotrodding all over again, same with ev swaps into old cars. Every one start learning to weld let's build America into a highly modified craftsmen culture it should be.

[scottflatland]

Thank you for an easy and wonderful design. I built the portable solar generator, but used 2 EG4-LL batteries to have 10kw. I bought a garden cart (supports 400 lbs) to mount everything on. I used my EGO ZTR mower to pull it around. I also bought 8 (used) 455w panels from SanTan solar for $175 each to recharge it. I estimated the ROI is 5 years for the whole setup. Thanks!

[dailyrider]

This combo would work for outdoor parties and the components could be made to fit on a bike trailer for camping

[smjewett]

I am very thankful you are so thorough in your procedures. I wish more people on the tubes did it like you!

[robjanusch]

Thanks for including your costs associated with this build. So many people that do DIY builds, don't.

[Spenny]

This is exactly what I was hoping to find. The technical and physical setup were each explained in a clear manor with the right amount of detail. Liked & Subscribed!

[bousabousa]

Great stuff ! Love it. To make it electrically safe and compliant, you are are required to add an RCD protected power board instead of that black one you have. Also a 6mm2 earth lead connected to the inverter, that you can roll out and connect a portable earth electrode to and bash it into the ground. This is extremely important. If the outer case of the inverter or trolly were to become ‘live’ and someone touched it, this would prevent electrocution, otherwise the human body would be become a part of the circuit to ground. Gotta be careful with these you tubers !

[eddiekytia]

WOW, WOW, WOW.... I'm just about to buy the bluetti ac200 max but after seeing this I'm torn.... this is 5000wh compared to 2000wh with the ac200 max this has a 3000watt inverter compared to the 2000watt ac200 and this is capable of more solar more ac charging and I can add MUCH MORE watt hours in batteries all for ABOUT THE SAME PRICE. the only plus I see with ac200 max is compact has 12v and looks I don't know what to buy THANKS ALOT!

[solarforfuture]

running the growatt 3k. same bat.. one cable and they communicate! . wall mount, it runs my whole house 24/7 with 1, 300 watts pv.. big fridge. toaster. electronics. electric blankets... could charge from the grid ... but no need . luv it signature solar.

[sholland]

I have the exact same handcart and love it. Buying the stuff you need for solar is rather expensive, but the ability to generate electricity for free whenever the sun shines regardless of the grid is totally worth it.

[OffGridEssentialsbyFirebear]

So we’ll done!!! My EG4 is being delivered on Wednesday, I am making my house a hybrid part off grid/part on grid house. I really like this design & great job on the editing. You have earned another subscriber!

[troyyarbrough]

This is the best portable power station build I have seen so far. Many of the ready made power stations cost over $800 per kWh. This one comes in at about $521 per kWh and has more than double the capacity. The only thing I would add to this setup would be a copper ground rod with a lead. Then I could push it into the ground before starting up the system. Just an extra safety step.

[ItsEverythingElse]

This is exactly what I need. I will have a 30A plug to plug this into my manual transfer switch for critical circuits.

[edmundgarcia]

Just did this set up a few weeks ago works great. We live in a 5th wheel with some land we have 10 410watt bi facial panels and growatt 3000es it powers the whole 5th wheel including the 13.5btu ac during the day and have enough battery to run all basic appliances during evening hour's. We do have to turn some things off with higher loads not a big issue we will probably do split phase with another growatt in the future. If you have the space to do it just do it you'll be amazed what solar is capable of. Pay back period for us will be less than 2 years.