DIY 200 Watt 12 volt Solar Power System 'The Minimalist' Beginner Tutorial

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[WillProwse]

If building your own system sounds like a pain in the butt, check out these pre-built systems:

[Hobi]

Hello youngman, I am from South Africa and want to share with you. 35 years ago we started installing a solar system at home. Think about it, 35 years ago Solar was still brand new technology and extremely expensive. We installed the biggest panels we could find at that time weighing in at 85W each, we installed 3. And that is what I want to talk about. South African sun is very similar to where you live, in other words harsh at best of times. These three panels a still on the roof after 35 years and even with the harsh conditions it maintained integrity surprisingly well. The voltage on the panels when new was 22 Volt ( I know it sounds odd) @ 85 Watts. The Amps delivered at that time was 3.8 A each. Now after 35 years the cells have degraded a little. I tested the panels last week and was surprised to find the deterioration was only approximately 4%. If my math is correct the supply voltage is still 22Volt @ 3.7 A. The manufacturer of these panels do not exist any longer if memory serves but it was BPSolar SA. Just thought to share and show that if you take care of a system it can last almost forever. These panels are still chugging along happily. Keep up your good work.

[sbdr.]

I did this exact project for my parents in puerto Rico after hurricane for their tiny home to power 2 led lights, fan, small flat screen tv, small fridge w/timer, now the village on her road went solar after they saw what she had( what i put up) 8 houses so far all with small solar kit setups 200-500 watts...

[garrydossous]

In only one day, I have learned a lot from you. You make it simple for everyone to understand. Thanks for everything.

[brian_abroad]

This is exactly what I have been thinking about and need for my van (yeah, I'm a not-by-choice vandweller). Having watch all of your solar-power videos (supported by my own understanding and experience in electronic/electrical assembly) I have total confidence in your knowledge and expertise. You are my one-stop source for solar video tutorials.

[eliirvin]

Will - I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for one specific bit in this. I constructed very nearly this exact system in my cargo conversion trailer. One thing that I dorked up was connecting the battery leads to the charge controller. I accidentally created a dead-short at the terminals. Because I'd put the output to the battery through the fuse block, I merely poped a fuse which saved me from cooking my brand-new MPPT charge controller. I might not have wired the thing this way if I hadn't seen your video and followed the best practices you set forth. I owe you one. Thank you for all you do.

[shanedownes]

I'm as dumb as a mule when it comes to electrics but your video was precise and very helpful, I have the confidence to build my own set up now, thank you Will.

[richdobbs]

Thanks for this tutorial. I did my first solar experiment today with 2 "100W" flexible panels, a Victron MPPT controller, two 10AH LiFPo batteries and Iceco Go20 refrigerator/freezer. Nothing started a fire and I was making ice all afternoon. Didn't notice any wires heating up. Need a little bit more packaging, and confirmation that I can keep the freezer below freezing all night, and I should good to go for some car camping.

[jay-rus]

Velcro brand industrial velcro my friend. Awesome stuff. The adhesive is crazy strong, and the velcro is super strong.

And those BlueSea systems fuse panels are really nice. Used them in a recent project

[egnb]

Make sure in a long term install to use some grease on the connections to stop corrosion.

[Silveradost]

First time viewer here. Thank you for all your time and effort. I'm a retired Army electrical engineer and this video was totally awesome, packed with valuable information and design ideas. The furthest I went with solar was for my motor home. 3 175 watt panels, 4 12v gell cells and a 5kw inverter. Came in real handy when out of gas for the 5kw generator and no mains to tap into. But now looking into putting some panels on my small shed for my mobile home. We get winter storm outages now and then. Thanks again for a great vid and loads of info!

[LucianSchmit]

Just built my first system after watching this, my favorite video to date. So simple and elegant and future updates can be done easily. I think all in I'll be just short of $800 after I buy a battery. Using a lead acid deep cycle that is close to it's end for now.

[mariaesteladeluna]

Thank you for sharing, you're a good person with a big heart. More patience to the seniors with solar panel installation.
God bless

[fillbrainnow]

You are awesome Will ! Q: Could you have connected the negative charge controller wire to one of the negative screws on the fuse box instead of the negative terminal on the fuse box?

[Melvinschroeder]

How much your life has changed from than to now. Been following you since living on the streets. Great inspiration.

[jgarcia]

You show and explain things really, really well. Thanks Will!

[davidlanglands]

Why did you connect the fuse block to the battery outlet on the solar controller and not the load outlet?

[purpsusanoo]

I’m new to this and I’ve been wanting to learn about all this for a while especially since I have a house now. These summer light bills ain’t no joke. Last bill cost me 900. I might as well invest in some solar panels while learning

[downsyndromebear]

I've been looking into solar for about 2 years now. I just found your channel and it may get me to dive in this summer!

[yankyjoe]

Thanks alot for all your tutorial on solar... You indeed a blessing to our generation.... More wisdom