My Favorite 12V Off-grid Systems for 2024!

*12V Performance Package (affiliate links):*

*12V Budget Package:*

0:00 Intro
1:29 Best Performance 12V System
4:07 Best Budget 12V System
8:49 Why you should switch to 48V

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system blueprints and current 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 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:

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

*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:

*Watts247*
Need international shipping for large batteries and big inverters? Check them out!

*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 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]

*12V Performance Package (affiliate links):*



*12V Budget Package:*




0:00 Intro
1:29 Best Performance 12V System
4:07 Best Budget 12V System
8:49 Why you should switch to 48V

*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

[CosminRotaru]

Please never sellout like other YouTubers... I have no intention on building an off grid system (i have an ongrid system) but i still watch you clips for the interesting, in depth, information. Thank you!

[kevinplunkett]

Will, don’t get stuck on the idea that everyone needs 120 power in an RV or mobile application, the main systems almost all require 12v even if they will run on 120v as well. Slides, furnace, lights, jacks, hot water heater…Here in the summer at 90-103 deg outside, we’re a 43ft rv running 3 rv ACs, no one is running full off grid in an RV, just too inefficient to do so at our temps and humidity levels. Now in the winter a simple 12v system 2-3 lithium batteries (no inverter) 2-3 100w panels and your good to go, paired with propane for heat. So 12v systems still have their place depending on what you need for power. So keep going with the great 12v battery tear downs and videos, the simple system guys like myself really appreciate it.

[leemiller]

One reason people stick with 12v is walmart and auto parts stores don't sell 48v parts. And when you are on the road you need to fix it quickly

[Senioritis]

Will Prowse, youve probably never heard of Keysight Technologies, but here at HQ all the technicians swear by your videos. This means a lot coming from a building full of engineers. Please keep up the great uploads. You got me into solar last month and i just wanted to say you are making a difference on all levels!

[bluejeanvanlife]

I went with a middle ground 24v system 2 years ago in my van as I already had a 24v 2000w inverter, plus the iceco frig I bought can run off 24v. And it’s been working well…I have 2 Victron 75/15 solar charge controllers one for 600w roof panels and 350w ground panels, 16KW of lifepo4 prismatic cells and it’s all worked well.

[threadready]

I'd love to see a video regarding 48V automotive/RV systems covering everything from tip to tail including 48V alternators and 12V stepdown converters. We have a off-road overlanding camper we'd like to charge (the proper way) from the tow vehicle while traveling and from solar while camping.

[quartamile]

Thank you Will! Two extra expenses that were not considered in this video while using 48v battery bank in an RV:
1. 48v-to-12v buck converter for all the 12v loads (fans, lights, fridge, pumps, furnace, etc.)
2. A booster for jump starting the engine battery when needed (I'm guessing most buck converters can't start an engine).
... These plus the 48v alternator I would think could match or exceed the expense of thicker cables for a 12V system, maybe I'm wrong. But I agree, the 48v systems seem better quality.

[robbehr]

Good points! I live in a travel trailer with lots of 12VDC stuff, so I have a split system with both 12VDC and 48VDC. For me, I like the redundancy -- if one system fails, the other is ready to rock. Plus, maintaining 12VDC provides a battery for the emergency disconnect system on the trailer brakes.

[visitingyu]

You're the best and easiest-to-understand electrical power instructor. I knew nothing of 48v solar sys before today, Very informative and useful.

[edwardlulofs]

I have only a small system: charging my phone and laptop.
But it’s honest of you to give us the truth.
Thank you for your work.

[FredricLindberg]

Keep in mind that smaller and older sailboats have 12V systems.
If i should go for a 24 or 48V system i need DC-DC converters down to 12 for my instruments and often VHF.
And to replace, fridges, depthsounder, speed-sensor, wind-sensor, autopilot, MFDs, GPS, VHF, lights etc to something that handles a higher voltage brings with it ALOT of money (guessing somewhere around 10-15k USD).
And allthou i can run it with a DC-DC converter i will loose quite alot energy to heat, with limited space for solar, i do not have energy to spare.

And the inverter for a small sailboat does not hardly get used either, so the focus for us is more often than not on the 12V-system. :)

Thanks for the content!

[lawrencedavidson]

I have a small 12v system, 100ah Power Queen LiFePo4 battery, 60amp LiTime charge controller and two 450 watt panels. When i upgrade eventually, i will go right up to 48v. I also build a few small 12v systems that i give away to less fortunate friends and acquaintances. Thanks for the video Will, you are the man. Greetings from Jamaica.

[milvolts]

Will... you are the man when it comes to solar. You have come a long way. Always with that enthusiasm. Big fan young man. Im really contemplating doing a 48v back up system for my home. And I know I can do it thanks to you. God Bless 🙌 🙏

[mandmmilling]

I can answer some of your 12v questions. I have a large motor yacht that runs on 12v. Changing all the 12v panels and fixtures would be very cost prohibitive. My option would be build a 48v system and step it down to 12v at the panel. Next, changing to a 48v alternator is really expensive. A 48v balmar can run over 3k. To put that in prospective, a renogy dc to dc is a couple hundred. And, its not just changing the alternator. Your engine ecu is probably 12v. Your starter is going to be 12v or 24v. Basically what i am say its not as easy to switch to 48v as you make it sound. If you are building a new system from scratch, go for it, 48v is a great way to go. If you already have a large 12v system on you boat or rv, its not that simple.

I have been looking into a 48v system for my motoryacht. The best i have come up with is a step down converter in front of the 12v panels, and a second alternator in 48v to charge the house bank. That would leave the 12v alternator to charge the start banks of my marine diesels.

[richardcusic]

Hi Will, I have an answer and a reason for using a 12 volt system. When I camp (like at Burning Man), I use a lot of 12 power. I have a CPAP, laptop computer, multiple 12 V LED light strings, a 50 watt VHF/UHF Amateur radio, a 12 V refrigerator, a 12 V USB bank for charging head lamps and bike lights. All of this stuff runs on 12 volts. Why would I convert to 120 VAC and then have to use multiple 120 volt A/C to 12 volt DC convertors? Now I completely agree that for stationary systems 48 volts is the answer, 48 volts is much more efficient and lower losses. But when most of your stuff is 12 volts it isn't efficient to convert up and then back down again. I do also have a 2, 000 watt inverter for charging a couple of tool chargers that only work on 120 volt A/C. So I believe that this is a case, at least my case for building a 12 volt system.

[dennisspino]

I do understand what you are saying about 24V or 48V systems. I built my system listening to you about 4 years ago and now I have all these 12V components, inverters, CC and batteries. It's just hard when money is tight to start all over and scrap the 12V products. I wish there is a way to still use the 12V products. Well don't stop keeping us informed.

[marcusking]

Ham Radio usually requires 12v in the field. Lots of use for a 12v system. You are correct that most of them are small systems.

[bryanjeddy]

I traveled Australia for 12 months in very harsh environment and ran 3x VoltX 200amp, Renogy 2000 + 3000W inverters, Renogy solar Controler. The inverters running fridges 24/7. No issues with this setup at all.

[Shmade]

I just rebuilt my system went from 24v to 48v and ya the wire size is a big difference…love how everything is running using a powmr 5kw and it’s running great so far