Adding Solar Panels and Outlets to Shed

In this video I go over how I installed a battery, inverter, controller, and solar panels into my shed.

Very similar 100W solar panel kit:

Inverter:

12V Lights:

_
If you found this video valuable and wish to support the channel, below is my Amazon affiliate page. By purchasing anything through this link, I will receive commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

[GR-mwtk]

Finally found a clear concise straight forward intro to this solar set up. Thank you!

[spyderco]

Dude, simple and easy. Thank you 2 years later.

[acuratltypes]

Great video. Good job explaining the kit. It's a great kit to begin with. We started with that kit and a 100ah AGM battery. Same inverter. We used it camping. And for me to test and learn from. Since then we have upgraded to a 210w panel connected to a 30a mppt charge controller and 2 100w harbor freight solar panels connected in series to another 30a mppt charge controller. This ran to 4 115ah agm batteries connected in parallel. Upgraded to 2 100ah lifepo4 batteries in parallel. And a 1000w pure sine wave inverter. This has been running 24/7 for the last year in our shed powering everything in our bedroom from a heated blanket to a 45in tv and sound bar. Led lights. Fans. Charging batteries, phones tablets. Even my girls curling irons. Just to name sum stuff we use on a daily basis. That one kit became my introduction to solar. And my addiction. Lol. Enjoy.

[joshupperman]

This is awesome, I never thought of solar. And I sure as hell didn't think I could do it under $500. These are cheaper then they used to be. I was terrified of dealing with my electrical panel this summer. You helped me avoid my wife yelling at me

[mrkrasker]

This is a great use of inexpensive solar panels. At least you were not hustled by door-to-door scammers hawking solar that would have roped you into a 70 year lease, encumbering your home if you try and sell it. You may want to cut off the battery clamps and hard wire the connections to the battery. This would improve current flow a little better and reduce oxidation, but I am quite sure you are well aware of this. Also, you presented an excellent explanation of transformer losses.

[salsamanp]

Great explanation of solar powering basics. Your breakdown of how the components interact with each other was very helpful.

[bonniemechefske]

I agree with the others. This was so helpful. I've watched many videos on solar but I feel like with your explanations it's finally making sense. I was always confused about the purpose exactly of controller vs converter and how to know what size or power I needed. I feel like I could figure this out now! You've got a gift. Thanks for sharing!

[debbieandmarc]

Thank you, very good explanation, I appreciate you posting this simple task.

[phuot]

Great info. I'm looking to install my own solar on my shed. Thank you!

[BULLETENVY]

Very nice vid. Enjoyable to watch. I'm wanting more power and same thing as you. Don't want to dig a trench. Also explain that modified and pure sign wave inverters make a difference too. I'm gonna be working with 1000 watts ideally. Just batteries are so expensive nowadays.

[tonyv]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I just installed an Arrow Newport 10 x 8 shed and want to run mainly LED lights. I have 2 1.5watt trickle chargers from HF and they work just fine keeping my AGM 18Ah batteries topped off. I want to set up a 7.5Ah gell cell just for the lights and I think the two solar panels will be just fine. The shed is just for storage, not as a work shop like yours.

[gsp]

My shed is solar powered, I put in a regular light switch, like they sell at Walmart. I have a separate switch for AC stuff, only when I'm using AC stuff. Most of the time I just leave the LED lights on 24/7 since the power is free.

[ptrckhsr]

what a great job! thank you for sharing my friend!

[Marcel_Audubon]

cool. Now I guess I have to buy a shed? 😆
But the _real_ value of this post to me? ... I finally got to hear someone pronounce 'hysteresis'! It's one of those words I had only ever seen in print and was never quite sure 🤔 how to pronounce (and was 'pronouncing' wrong in my head).

[demonboyroxky]

Love the video explained a lot but the solar panel kit comes with 4 25 watt to equal 100 watt not 4 100 watt. So you are off by 300 watts

[jadd]

On that bench grinder, I bet if you spun it up with a drill before turning it on, I bet you could run it. At least under a light load maybe? That might be something to try anyway.

[josephdykes]

Great video. Nice simple explanations. I just ordered 2, JJN brand 100 watt panels to put on my shed roof for only $141. I'm going to use them to power a lifePO4 solar generator (between 500 and 700 wh). Like you, I'm going to use it for lights; to charge tool batteries; and to power small power tools. I'm going with the solar generator option because of the portability. I'll be able to take it places with me and to put it in the house during the winter. Have you expanded your system since making that video?

[PeterJames]

is there a load output on the controller? did you consider plugging that directly into something you want to charge or run.

cool setup.

[kylehansvall]

Awesome video, what do you normally use to run your power hungry tools? Extension cord?

[sam]

Is the shed too hot for the battery in summer?