DIY 400 Watt 12 volt Solar Power System Beginner Tutorial: Great for RV's and Vans! *Part 1*

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
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Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar!

*My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*

*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:

*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:

*Epoch Batteries*
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*

*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,

[WillProwse]

*Click "Read More" for Complete Guide/ Safety Instructions to this video below:*




Video Table of Contents:
Recommended Tools: 1:52
Recommended Components: 6:19
Arranging Components Strategically: 7:37
Mounting Components: 10:51
Mounting Circuit Breakers: 11:02
Wire Organization Strategy: 11:25
Measuring/Cutting/Stripping Large Gauge Wire: 12:46
3 Point Crimper Demonstration: 14:22
Hammer Crimper Demonstration: 17:40
Connecting Components together with Crimped Wires: 18:38
Covering Positive Terminals for safety: 22:38
Connecting the System to the Battery: 23:35
Testing Components: 24:05
Connecting Solar Panels: 24:34
Installing MT-50: 26:22
Attaching DC Appliances to the Fuse Box: 28:59
Cutting and Crimping an appliance to the Fuse Box: 29:33
Stripping 12 gauge wire for DC appliance: 30:30
Crimping 12 gauge wire for DC appliance: 30:39
Using Crimp connector heat shrink on a stove: 31:04


*Safety Considerations:*

In this system, I sized the fuse for the inverter. In most off grid vehicle mounted systems, this is fine. If you are pulling a lot of current through the fuse box, you will need a larger fuse or circuit breaker. Technically you could take out the 175 amp circuit breaker, and only use the main bolt-on fuse, but thats up to you and what gauge of wire you are using, and how you plan to use your system.

I did not ground the inverter or the charge controller in this video. If the manual of your inverter tells you to ground it, then run a nice little wire to chassis or ground. Just one extra wire. Follow the inverter directions. It may or may not come with the wire.

The large 2 gauge wire that goes to the positive terminal of the battery is black because that's all I had on hand. I could not source it locally. I did not think that it would cause confusion, but some people commented about it.

The main fuse that attaches to the battery and protects the 2 gauge wire is specifically a bolt- on fuse. You can use a similar sized fuse and fuse holder instead. Use whatever you have available.

I did not use heatshrink for the 4 gauge wire because I ran out. Heat shrink is preferable. Use it if you can!

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more!

*Join our DIY solar community*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:

*Check out my Book*
Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar!



*My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*








*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:

*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:

*Epoch Batteries*
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*


*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

[jasonward]

45 year old dad of 6 here and just wanted to say for a young man you are a very good instructor knowledgeable and well spoken.

[dolfans]

It's so rewarding to listen to someone explain something without all the "ummm" and "like" and other ways to pause to think of what to say next. you know what you need to say and you say it well!

[bonefishboards]

Well I am an electrical engineer and this video was right on the money. Well done.

[Dew_-kmgr]

It’s so satisfying seeing someone handle electronics so cleanly

[maxinekurtz]

I could cry. This has always been the most intimidating aspect of starting van life for me and you’ve just completely eliminated my uncertainty.

[jhemnes]

Thank you. I'm determined to learn to all these things and do this by myself.
Since being widowed in 2011 I've learned to fix and install things...in fact when the ice storm hit the southeast a few years ago EVERY pipe froze and burst. I plumbed my whole house... I replaced every pipe to sinks, tub, toilet, and washing machine. I spent alot of time under the cold house crying and cussing but was really proud of myself in the end.
I've also learned that the right tools are the most important thing. I plan to wire my tiny house and get used to the solar process so by the time I get a van and do my build I'm an old pro at it.
Thanks again

[BillLowenburg]

Hey Will, thanks so much! I’m a 65 year old retired teacher, who’s reasonably handy but has never done any electrical work. Thanks to your step-by-step instructions and demonstration I feel confident I can assemble a system just like this for my art studio and workshop. Your presentation is excellent - perfectly organized, logical, and, most importantly, your demonstrations are easy to follow and contain exactly the right amount of verbal description. Most YT demonstrators can’t talk very well to begin with and try to charge up their delivery with fake enthusiasm they probably get from watching too much sports on TV. So keep up the great work! I look forward to learning more from your website and other videos.

[bruceswabb]

Dang Will! I have been “messing” with 12v stuff on my boats for years, but you have taught me more in 24 hours! Gonna buy all my stuff through your links! You’ve earned it. 🤓

[howdydo]

Awesome. I now understand how 2 build a system & what 2 buy. TY. Im a 74 yo lady & didnt have a clue of what i need 2 bldg a system 4 my minivan camper. Great instructions!!

[GarySmith-upun]

I appreciate the way you enunciate properly when you speak. I was raised that way, but I’m losing it due to age LOL. It’s very rare to hear someone speak clearly & properly these days. Thank you Will.

[joshyoon]

You've definitely got a talent for communicating and teaching. Keep it up!

[afxr]

This is probably the best YouTube video of how to do this I have watched. As he says, "It's perfect".

[perezm]

I'm gonna be building a solar system for my RV based on this video. May the force be with me.

[aaronclarkt]

i've been doing this stuff for 35 years and always just hacking my way through! I can't believe how much I got outta this "beginner video" thanks. those tools are dope! omg. I had no idea. been suffering all this time.

[AKHI]

I'm a commercial fisherman in Alaska that has some land in Hawaii and I'm gonna build this system in my guest house this winter, thanks so much this is awesome

[EstrellaCaban]

Hi! I am a 69 years old grandma. I feel confident I can make any of these gadgets with your instructions. A breath of fresh air to listen to someone that can speak as well as you do. Sound like you have taken voice lessons, very professional!

[hallhouse]

Best solar class I ever took!
Thank you for explaining it with detail for dummies like me step by step.
Personally I grasped it quite easily as I worked for years as an auto mechanic and did side work as an automotive gadget installer on highline vehicles so I already have most of the tools but I do want one of those three way crimpers.
I hope you are making a ton of money selling products and doing your thing helping people harness the sun☀️ as it’s obvious you like to help others and you’re a very good teacher.
Cudos to your Parents for raising such a nice young man with such talent.

[gloribellMD]

Only youtuber that actually explains this, without glossing over.. best by far

[billr]

I am a 75 yoa DIYer who is embarking on my first van conversion. I have watched so many videos about developing the electrical system and their product suggestions. To my relief, I have watched several of your videos within the past few days. You are an excellent teacher, very knowledgeable, common sense and apparently frugal (within safety parameters). THANK YOU…my brain fog has cleared and I am so appreciative for you / your channel…and saving me lots of $$$$. THANK YOU!!