Solar Generator - Battery Bank & Solar Panel Expansion

This is part of my video series on how to build a large solar generator. In this step we will show you hot to expand the solar charge capacity up to 4 100w solar panels, using the solar generators integrated MC4 connectors. We will also be expanding the battery bank using our high current connectors to connect multiple batteries in parallel to our diy solar generator. We will be using the SLR-125 AGM battery for our expansion units.
Amazon Links:

See the full component list and build instructions here:

Music:
Cold Funk - Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license

Always understand and follow all safety precautions when working with tools or electricity. If you are uncomfortable performing any of the steps in this how to series, please seek assistance from someone who is.

[ModernSurvivalists]

Let me know what you guys think, and if you have ideas for what I should build next I'd love to hear them!

[zwarst]

Really appreciated the detail & camera work showing all the details, this was exactly what I want to add in my DIY-SG - thank you.

[b.conscious]

I am an electrical engineering student. You are truly an inspiration ! I cant wait to get enough funds to do this same project. I will be sure to givve you credit.

Thanks

[tonycantrell]

i purchased a used Pelican remote lighting unit a few years ago. it is the old style before they added all outlets. anyway, after watching your series i have decided to resurrect the unit by adding the capabilities of your box.

i want to thank you for your simple explanations and imagery you included here. it shows a lot of things other videos on youtube do not explain or skip over because they are too lazy to change camera angles.

check out the pelican rals lighting system. i think you would benefit from having the lighting up higher on a pole like that. the poles on my system came stored in a cut out foam insert inside of the lid itself.

any way thanks again. if you have an email address on your blog, ill send you some pictures of mine when its done. if you would like to see it.

[milvolts]

Hello, great video series. I definitely picked up some ideas off your build. Except I'm going more towards lithium batteries. Will last much longer and have 80% capacity usage as opposed to SLA and deep cycle batteries which have much less. And not to mention alot lighter in weight, unfortunately not in cost. Well that being said you really should consider implementing a capacity and usage meter. The meter is called a coloumteter. I believe that's the name for it. Take it easy and good luck.

[absolutecowitness]

You gave me a smoking hot idea to bring my solar conductors into my box with the trailer plug. HOWEVER after doing some math I realized that more than one panel in parallel or series will overload or over-voltage the plug. . I just finished installing. An RV 120 volt 50 amp twist lock plug. Good for more than my 100/35 solar charger and watertight. Thanks for the great idea., don't overload your plug though.

😎😎😎😎😎😎

[gabew]

love the videos, i really need to make my own. you have many more phone charges than you state, due to your system being 125ah 12v vs the 5v 15ah power bank. 5x15=75 watt hours vs 125x12= 1500 watt hours.

[scottmcknight]

Very nice video, audio is good, editing is well done and your narration is clear and concise .Nice work ! Thank You

[denniscranor]

Great series of videos here. Very inspirational and informative. I have a 3000/6000 inverter and 4 deep cycle batteries I am planning on building a very similar project. After watching your series and collecting materials I have everything I need now except the box to house it all. I want to be picky about the housing and find just the right mobile unit to fit my needs. Keep up the great work.

[luuvinhtam]

You sir, are so frickin' awesome! Thank you for making these great videos!

[bigcan]

great video series, learned a lot from them, excellent build, thanks!

[AJ-dsxq]

I love all of your videos!!! Thank You!!!

[sNEAKYnIGHTmUPPET]

for what it's worth, when comparing your USB battery to the 12volt one, you can't directly compare Ah. What you should be comparing is WATT HOURS. to get this, simply multiply the Ah x Voltage = Wh.
The reason you want to do this is that Ah doesn't tell the whole story as it omits voltage. so your USB Charger is 15, 000 mAh which will be CELL rating and not output. So, 3.7 x 15000 = 55.5Wh
Now your AGM Solar battery is 12 x 125 Ah = 1500 Wh. Now being AGM, you can only use HALF of that with a 50% DOD so 750Wh so it has 13.5 times the stored USABLE energy as the usb battery.

Hope that all makes sense. ps, ditch the PWM solar charge controller and get a MPPT one so you can Series run your panels. This may not be as obvious of an advantage on the surface, but it means smaller solar panel wire, and also no undersized splitters.

Yes I know this video is 3 years old, but I just saw it now.

Cheers!

[botat]

Already started plans for my own. Great video series. I am looking at the Kobalt 50gal tool box. Has a 400-600 weight capacity. Still might put better wheels on it which is what I was going to suggest for easier and more movement of the case.

[eduardkeller]

Brilliant series! Thank you! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Will this setup be able to power a 210 liter chest freezer?

[bruceforster]

I REALLY like what you're doing with this series!

MY build, though not as versatile as yours, consists of a Pelican 1560 Case in which I have placed TWO 40 Amp Bioenno Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries, and a 1, 000 Watt PURE Sine inverter. LOVE their batteries. Do NOT buy their Inverter! I regret having bought the 1560 Case, as it is not quite large enough for all the gear I want to pack into it.
In my next build, I plan to follow a little more closely, YOUR method.

[danielpawowski]

great video! tell me please as I didnt find the answer, what is the indicator for you to reacharge battery?
11V gauge? other?

[johnm]

Awesome build. Thanks for posting this series.Have you had any problems with the inverter getting hot? I've seen that some people put venting in their boxes. I really would like to avoid that but I am afraid of burning up my inverter. Thanks again.

[chukslis]

I follow all your videos and indeed they are highly enlightening. I would like to know where you bought the 4 AWG cables and connector heads. Thanks

[richardsmith]

HI, I thank you for the Great and informative videos on the solar generator I will build one soon. But, the Music playing in the video makes it hard to hear & understand you and is not needed in my opinion. Great Job though!!