DIY Solar Generator - Save Thousands by Building Your Own 

Here are the components used in the follow up video Here are the links to the components we used: Battery: ipowerqueen.com/?ref=2o1mpvjk Solar Panels: www.weizeus.com/?ref=BROCKMAGGARD Inverter: amzn.to/3prRhwr Check out our follow up videos. building a better version: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Gxh_2U_fSN0.html Check out more of our tractor videos here: ru-vid.com/group/PLmYnhJtNUq7c2n8UTJASTf9qJQXQ_ngFP Rockhill Farm is a daily equipment and rural living vlog. We mainly focus on tractors and working outdoors. I really appreciate you taking time to watch this video. If you enjoy this type of content Check out some of the following links to support our channel. If you are interested in a rock Hill Farms T-shirt check out our merch store rockhill-farm.creator-spring.com/listing/rockhill-farm-logo Please subscribe to our channel here: ru-vid.com Follow on Facebook at facebook.com/Rock-Hill-Farm-102050688356056/ You can now support the channel by buying us a coffee at the following link: www.buymeacoffee.com/rockhillfarm

And whatever you do--cherish the times you spend with your dad. These moments will come back to you in later years!! I know!!

It's really cool working with your Dad. Love Dad's T shirt message.

We have used the ru-vid.comUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

There can be some issues with charging batteries in parallel. Ideally you should be using a balanced charger, and the batteries should be the same chemistry, capacity, and approximate condition. For periodic use, it's not going to make a big difference. But if you're using a DIY power station regularly, batteries will fail sooner when they're not properly balanced. Search for "charging 12v batteries in parallel", there's a bunch of articles on the topic.

Love Dads shirt!! Praise Jesus Christ. And thank you for this

Even with Bluetti's 2048Wh AC200 on sale for like $1150 ish for prime day, which is actually incredible and hard to pass up, it's just extremely important to me to be able to easily replace broken parts. If something breaks in that thing, you might be out $1150.

Good basic how to, but...1 LiFePO4 100 amp hour battery has more capacity than 2 lead acid, weighs 20 to 25 pounds and will last ten years. The cost is around $300. The max output of 1 would be 1200 watts, so you need two to run 1200 to 2400 watts. If you are starting from scratch and have to buy new batteries, I strongly suggest buying a LiFePO4. You can tip them over and not worry about spilling acid, you can safely use them and store them inside your house, you can run them down all the way and maintain most of the voltage until the very end, and they are so much easier to tote around.

when you connect the inverter you should always connect to positive on one battery and negative on the other one (this will draw and charge evenly from both batteries and prevent you damaging 1 battery or both)

Thank you so much, for someone who has never camped and all of this is new, thank you so much for the simplicity.

Howdy Brock and Keith! Really cool how-to video. Shows what can be done on a budget. A couple homesteaders I follow made something similar. I'd like to make one eventually... be a lot quieter and lighter than toting a generator around the property where I might be needing power for a short time. Thanks for sharing 🤠

You can usually purchase used solar panels from your local solar farm as they replace them yearly and at that point your getting a commercial grade solar panel for next to nothing

That works. Something to keep in mind though is that unlike LiIon those lead acid batteries don't like deep cycling. But if you only use the top 10-20% of capacity, it's a great way to go.

*Thank you for sharing this valuable information in the video. I would like to add that used batteries can often be found in major cities for around $40, and Walmart also offers some batteries priced at $86. Overall, this is an excellent idea for DIY enthusiasts who, like myself, enjoy building projects.*

I'm going to do this. Wow!! We need this in Florida

I like your video but i love your father`s t-shirt inscription: " We walk by faith not by sight "! Amen! Blessings from Greece !

Watching now. Love your Dad's walk by faith shirt. Preparing for the coming days!

I did that ! Powered my in attached garage with 2 I00 watt solar panels via 2 Deep cycle boat batteries & 4000 watt inverter.

Got my 305 lipo4 set for about 500 dollars. Also make sure you are getting pure sine wave inverter. The modified ones can burn up some electrics. I am making a 305 ah (about 4kwh) with pv and 2000watt for a little over 1000.

Don't recommend for electronics due to the modified square wave output. But for most tools and lights it will work fine!

This is a very helpful video. Great job, guys! Thanks for sharing. Take care 👍

For my tractors I use Grover technology. 12 V. Capacitors where I don't need a battery to start my tractor. Victron charge controllers with solar panels do really nicely with inverters and batteries Good video

Lots of money but for someone like me that is worried about anything electrical it dubs the job for me great job on the video just wish I could do my own 😊

This is much simpler and I can just go ahead and upgrade my car battery early and use that to build my backup battery. Thank you very much to you and to your Dad!

Using Standard batteries with a large inverter will destroy the battery in no time, they aren't designed to push out the large current for a long time like a Lipo4 battery can

I LOVE your shirt! ✝

Great help may the Lord bless

Rock - Great video, very useful. I too can not justify (regardless of whether I can afford it or not) spending 3K for something I would only use occasionally. Are the high-end units nice, of course. Do they make financial sense for ME, not. For the record, I put in a Kohler 20Kw whole house generator with automatic transfer for switch for like 5K a few years ago. Looking at that comparison alone should give a good sense of value. However, I do give the manufacturing world credit for being able to teach the Gen Z'ers that they actually need this... Smile. Thanks for bringing us all alone. Great Video !!!

Awesome information! Thanks for the killer video! It’s definitely worth saving time and money

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT ! That was a great video guys.

Very good information.

yo dope video!!!! shout out to your dad for his knowledge and experience!!!! So cool!!!!!!

Awesome 😎

I use a CPAP and I used to take an RV battery and inverter with me when I went tent camping (I have a camper now, with its own battery). An RV battery will take a deeper discharge than a standard car battery.

Good Idea Brock. That inverter has a cooling fan, do not run with the lid closed unless you add ventilation.

Not a bad price point considering how much folks probably already have laying around. I could build one today with all the stuff sitting in my little shop.

very good option for dig. thank you

Made one years ago, tool box with a truck battery in it. Everything wired through a low voltage cut off so I didn't over drain the lead acid battery. After taking it camping about 3 times I was tired of lugging the damn thing around 😂

Good job sir

I have a small one set up on a shop that isn't located near my house I use it for lights and fire up the generator on the occasion that I need more it keeps me from spending a fortune on wiring and paying a monthly minimum on a building I don't use much.

As Americans, I like the way Americans think. Your the greatest !

Great video! The inverter in the name brand generator is probably a pure sine wave witch is better and more expensive. Something to keep in mind for your electronics. I have been thinking about getting one but I can’t justify the cost. Great video on a cheaper option. Any power is better than no power

Thanks...Just caught this one. You did a great job. Now I'm near 70 and just started my U-Tube. "Tinkering Geezer". You fellows made it look PROFESIONAL. WOW

I would think that you would still have to open the lid so the inverter can stay cool running it's fan. You don't want it overheating!

Thank you for this!

The loose end of that positive flailing around made me nervous LOL! I use a 3 inch piece of heat shrink tubing, tape one end closed and slip it on the end of the cables I am working with. No chance of touching the wrong power post. I have a few made up ahead of time so when I need to connect or disconnect the cables, I slip the appropriately colored tubing on the loose end.

Wow nice power

As a 42 year Master Electrician I can validate this set up!!!!!!!! 100% spot on iv'e been doing it this way for years and years...... I currently have a 1500 Watt power inverter and a huge deep cycle marine battery with the Harbor Freight 100 Watt solar charging system....... It comes with the charge controller and the system works like a charm!!!!!! I can run my fridge and internet and some lights no problem..... No way I was going to spend a couple grand on something like you said I can build from the things I have available to me in my shop.... Great job guys!!!! Very useful and practical set up that will last years and years!!!!!!!

Thank you so much

That was helpful, practical and simple; THANKS

good video

That was interesting!

THis is, by far, the best DIY solar system video I have ever seen on the internet. Nice work you guys!

thanks, great job

Make sure you are getting an inverter that is pure sine wave if you are plugging in sensitive electronics. I am not sure if Harbor freight is making pure sine wave inverters yet, maybe.

I have thought about doing this for my corn burner stove. I would make a quick disconnect for the inverter, so I could use it on my truck for "portable" power when needed. "My truck" is a 1995 E350 with 7.3 diesel and has a HUGE alternator( it was a cab chassis with an ambulance box on back when new). I'm not sure of the amperge output, but I imagine it's pretty healthy.

New subscriber. Good stuff. Thx!

Great job of breaking it down it is the best video on the subject I've ever seen

I see lots of problems. That inverter is not a sine wave output, it is probably modified sine which is bad for a lot of sensitive electronics and it most likely has terrible overload handling. It's very likely to produce an audible hum on a lot of audio gear. The VRLA batteries you chose weigh a ton versus Lithium and have a poor cycle rate, which you already knew. Mismatching battery sizes in parallel reduces efficiency due to currents that get circulated between the batteries which waste power while discharging. Should use identical batteries when possible. Is that a PWM battery solar charger? You need MPPT or you are just throwing away power with that PWM charger. And that solar panel type is awful, those types of panel have bad efficiency. I'll stop there. 90% of the functionality, I don't think so...but hey for the price what do you expect right? Git' er done...maybe.

I like the concept of "doin' it cheap" but you haven't really come close to the capacity of that more expensive unit. Almost apples to oranges. I like apples. I like oranges. But I kinda think you did a little more blending than is honest. For running a few LED lights or even a bit larger load for just a minute or two, those two lead acid batteries might handle it. If you need to run a refrigerator and freezer overnight, I have a feeling I know which one will hold up. There are reasons why things cost as much as they do and it's not all "corporate profits". Building it yourself can save a little money in most cases. If you're honest about capacities, though, maybe not as much as you'd like.

This good

Never hook loads cables both to the same battery in a parallel configuration. Same with chargers, always spread to opposite ends of the battery bank.

this is what im going to do once i finish my house. reuse my current system from this old camper and use my craftsman tool box the wife got me years ago.

LOVE THE SHIRT!!!

Add 12V ports and then you can also charge from your vehicle and easily use 12V accessories. USB ports are a useful as well.

Just make sure the inverter has pure sine wave or you could fry your electronics, PC, TV, ect.

I think we may be missing the point i have thrown one of these together ina few minutes during a power outage out of things i had and that exact geniverse with pannels list for 3700 it is an amazingly powerful product we aren't really saying something put together on the cheap is better but it ain't bad for the price

I love Keith's Shirt. That is far more powerful than either inverters.

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So educational and helpful! Appreciate you guys!!

You can buy reconditioned batteries at auto salvage yards. for $50 or $40 with core. Good as new. 😊

A long way from ideal I put an old Car Battery I had in an old Cooler I had then mounted an Inverter I had to the lid of the Cooler,...Ran my Internet Router/Gateway for 8 hours with more to spare :)

LIFEPO4 batteries like what are used in nicer commercially-available power stations are safe for indoor use, charging/discharging lead-acid batteries can release gas - might not want hydrogen gas in your home - Also something to keep in mind when in a box like that when housing certain types of batteries that can produce gasses. If kept in a sufficiently vented garage or shed or something, deep-cycle lead acid batteries are a great choice with a MPPT controller.

yea those inverters

Brock the diy version needs battery terminal insulators and the box needs to be ventilated as charging batteries release hydrogen sulfide gas! Don’t use in an unventilated space!

👍Thank you neighbor, this video is really helpful could be a life saver 👍

I have both set ups. A Bluetti 200Max generator then my own set up. Renogy solar charge controller. 2 agm batteries and a 3k watt power inverter from harbor freight. The Inverter is not pure sine wave and I’m scared to plug anything into it,,specially small items like charging laptop and phone. Since I have the Bluetti my homemade set up I’d only for emergency use. Don’t want all that weight and used up space in my cargo trailer that is off grid. 😊 Thanx for the rolling battery cart idea.

Get a lifepo4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery, good for 3k cycles, much lighter too. About $120 for a 30ah unit

Put some referral link is the description, I’d rather give you a % when I buy another inverter or battery. You can put what you would buy if money was endless, and what you would do if you had zero funds. Everyone wins by your experience, thanks! ❤

Very good.

A good video guys but a few things you do or omit are not necessarily good advice. You cabled the two batteries together in parallel good but, the inverter and any solar controller should always go to positive of battery A and negative of battery B so both batteries draw equally. Fuses are required on all positive cables to protect the cables. Cable sizes need to be as short as possible and the guage needs to reflect power draw. For example that 1500W inverter is going to draw 125A with 250A start up surge so that needs 00AWG cable and 300A fuse. Pairing batteries should only be done after ensuring their condition SOH is virtually identical. I appreciate what you are trying to do but if you factor in the real cable cost, fuse cost, cable connectors etcetera your budget will be a lot higher. Mount the inverter on top of the box, not inside as it will get hot. Most have suggestions of gaps required. I have a 200AH LFP battery and 2000W inverter (240v here in Australia) and am going to build my own battery box. These aren't generators BTW as they merely convert 12V DC to 110v or in my case 240v AC supply. I like your plastic trolley box! Please accept my comments as constructive criticism not meant to sound nasty. Be safe guys. Shalom

I will say this. There's a reason for spending the money on the LiPO4 (Lithium-Ion Phosphate) batteries instead of car batteries. When you use a lead-acid battery, the voltage drops almost immediately. When you use the Lithium-Ion battery, it' maintains the voltage until it's about 80% depleated--then starts dropping. Also, the minimum voltages are different. You can run a Li-Ion battery down to a lower voltage before it damages the battery.

Cool Power Station

outstanding

Pure Sine Wave Power inverters are the new big thing. ...but great video.

Love the bible verse on your dads t-shirt 👕 🙏

Love your dad's shirt. Solid verse. Old man tech is solid and somehow we lost that smarts.

this is excellent. thanks fellas

You are right and even if you are using new lighter LiFePo4 batteries that cost is less than 1/3 of those ridigilously prized plastic boxes! Just hope some of those are not made with low grade batteries and they are junk after 3-5 years!

I know this video was made a month ago but right now you can get 4 lifepo4 100AH batteries for 1057.00 Not bad really. 4 gel batteries cost that much.

Here’s a Cost effective idea: how about using street rental escooter Li-ion battery packs?they’re practically free😊

Just sub due to your dads shirt. First time viewer less than 2min in

Nice video. In Australia your dad would be known as a bush mechanic. Just gets it done!

Do you need air flow if in a box 😊

I subscribed because of this video for my pop up camerer that I live in

This set up is fine, if you are using 2 used lead acid car batteries laying around. But you can't mix regular car batteries with deep cycle batteries, or lead acid with LiPo batteries. And if you have a used regular car battery, and a new, or newer deep cycle battery, you will reduce the deep cycle batteries lifespan. It would be better to only use deep cycle batteries for this type of use, and put trickle chargers on your tractor and whatever else you have on the farm. We take every battery out of the farm equipment that isn't used during the winter months, and keep them indoors, and individually hooked up to trickle chargers. We made 4 of these, and made sure the batteries were compatible with each other, by charging them up, and checking the voltage the next day, and putting batteries together that were the same voltage, or the most closest to each other. There is a charging station for the portable power carts, like the one these guys made. We have both solar and wind turbines. So, no matter what, we have a source of power to charge things, and run hous3 and shop power. We also have a good wood heater that has a pellet feeder, to keep it burning at night, when nobody can feed it chunks of wood. And this saves us a lot of money for warmth. Summer we use a water Solar heater, hooked up to a 24v power. We are also making a couple power walls, like Tesla sells. And use 18650 batteries.

You really should consider putting fuses on the output of the battery. I built one of these about 20 years ago. I wish I could send you pictures. I made it on a battery box.

I like this set up. I think I'll add a regulator from the inverter to the battery too. Right?

A better lead-acid solution would be golf cart batteries. They're designed to put out a substatial amount of current for a muxh longer period of time than an automotive starting battery.

I'm pretty sure the positive to that inverter should go to the positive on one battery and the negative from the inverter should go to the negative on the second battery. Also, it should have a 100 amp fuse on the positive. Probably a good idea to have a fuse on the positive coming from the solar as well... I'd definitely be spending a few more dollars and not just throwing electrical together halfassed...