2024 YouTube Video Ideas
- Thread starter Will Prowse
- Start date
Which 40-60amp charge controllers do you recommend now that epever is discontinuing there BN series & victron slashed there prices. This could be a new video or series on the 40-60amp 12/24v controllers as I feel the market has changed & there’s new products out.
Build the cheapest system possible to run a full size refrigerator. & give a recommendation on what brands/ kinds of full size fridges would be best to run solar on ie a linear/inverter fridge or a chest freezer/fridge with no defrost & thermostat.
(If your in the market anyway for a fridge)
(If your in the market anyway for a fridge)
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OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
Let's see, YT video ideas...
Not too many in the general public are like us on the forum, they don't know all the details, they may not want to invest a few years learning either.
Most people that ask me about my system only get as far as 'and how much would a system like this cost' - that usually ends the discussion.
What do people want to see and learn about?
Well, I think a lot of average people are interested to have a small back up system for just the fridge, a few lights and be able to charge an I-phone if there is a power outage - storm. They see the fancy Ecoflow/Jackery/Bluetti stuff but that stuff is pretty expensive.
Then they see the milk-crate build but that is kinda small capacity.
What is between these extremes?
Say a budget of about $1,000 USD. (Say about half of the cost of typical solar generators?) what can they learn to build, in a 45 minute video, that would work, and can fit in the back of their mini-van or SUV for camping, but will get them through a winter storm or couple days of bad weather kinda event? Provide the links to the parts and off they go.
{Best of all, at the end of the vid, suggest they join DIY Solar for more in-depth experience into the exciting and rewarding world of DIY Solar!}
Not too many in the general public are like us on the forum, they don't know all the details, they may not want to invest a few years learning either.
Most people that ask me about my system only get as far as 'and how much would a system like this cost' - that usually ends the discussion.
What do people want to see and learn about?
Well, I think a lot of average people are interested to have a small back up system for just the fridge, a few lights and be able to charge an I-phone if there is a power outage - storm. They see the fancy Ecoflow/Jackery/Bluetti stuff but that stuff is pretty expensive.
Then they see the milk-crate build but that is kinda small capacity.
What is between these extremes?
Say a budget of about $1,000 USD. (Say about half of the cost of typical solar generators?) what can they learn to build, in a 45 minute video, that would work, and can fit in the back of their mini-van or SUV for camping, but will get them through a winter storm or couple days of bad weather kinda event? Provide the links to the parts and off they go.
{Best of all, at the end of the vid, suggest they join DIY Solar for more in-depth experience into the exciting and rewarding world of DIY Solar!}
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Checkthisout
Emperor Of Solar
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2021
- Messages
- 5,438
I thought for sure, someone would have made this suggestion by now...
Screw YouTube! Go Onlyfans!!!
Solar panel peak-a-boo
Eber
Student of YouTube University
I have been wondering about a power output comparison between high wattage panels and low wattage panels. The conditions would be cloudy days only. Which would give more power?
In order to have the same wattage for 250 watt panels, (then say 450 watt panels) you have to have more panels which means more surface area .
We all know that in the sunlight the 450 watt panels make more power hence fewer panels.
Will that extra surface area of the 250 watt panels grab more power on a cloudy day?
Less power? Or the same power? And why?
Where I live, it isnt about power in the sun, its all about power with clouds.
Just curious.
Exclude bifacial.
In order to have the same wattage for 250 watt panels, (then say 450 watt panels) you have to have more panels which means more surface area .
We all know that in the sunlight the 450 watt panels make more power hence fewer panels.
Will that extra surface area of the 250 watt panels grab more power on a cloudy day?
Less power? Or the same power? And why?
Where I live, it isnt about power in the sun, its all about power with clouds.
Just curious.
Exclude bifacial.
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AC wiring from solar (i.e. just a some different configurations to help noobs get started)
I don't really need this now so much, but I struggled when starting out watching the YouTube vids...the solar panels/inverters/batteries where well covered but not so much the AC wiring. I know it falls more in the field of electricians work, but if you mention some of the things to consider, terms like voltage drop, ampacity, conductor count in conduit, generator lock outs, sub panels and load balancing, adding up loads to inverter capacity, etc., might help enough and reduce some of the strain on the electricians (@timselectric ) on the forum.
I don't really need this now so much, but I struggled when starting out watching the YouTube vids...the solar panels/inverters/batteries where well covered but not so much the AC wiring. I know it falls more in the field of electricians work, but if you mention some of the things to consider, terms like voltage drop, ampacity, conductor count in conduit, generator lock outs, sub panels and load balancing, adding up loads to inverter capacity, etc., might help enough and reduce some of the strain on the electricians (@timselectric ) on the forum.
Checkthisout
Emperor Of Solar
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2021
- Messages
- 5,438
No.
Partimewages
Solar Addict
Expand on this by showing bad crimps and show how hot the get and how to identify a poorly crimped connection.
Also a poor threaded connection.
Really teach some troubleshooting skills.
Not what?
MajicDiver
Solar Enthusiast
Agree. Except partner with a “real” electrician- someone like @timselectric - someone like Will who has presentation skills partnered with someone who has the electrical craft skills would make a good team. Focus on the types of electrical connections that are somewhat unique to solar.
Another vote for DIY systems that power an entire home, including garage. Preferably off grid but maybe a mix of off grid and grid tie. @HighTechLab did a video or two with the Ambition Strikes couple out in Idaho that was interesting, but a bit too high level and entertainment-focused (not Dexter's fault - that's their style). I think it would be nice to see more of the nuts and bolts, in the weeds of a system like theirs (because selfishly, it's what I'm thinking of building).
Quattrohead
Emperor Of Solar
Exactly what I am doing, but I am no video expert so it will be basic and rough.
Fully inspected and up to 2023 code in a 2500sq/ft Florida home.
OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
This could be the basis for a series of several videos:
Each one has an invited guest who is an expert in their field, make the first video with Mike Holt and discuss safety, the code, why the regulations are what they are.
Video #2 in the series - have @timselectric as the guest to discuss the practical applications and best practices for electrical work,
Video #3 in the series - have an expert in residential solar design - run through three common senarios from small to whole house - how to design the system based on your local conditions and desired output, how to account for seasons...
If you don't mind, I may need to pick your brain in a few months. We have a 32-acre piece of land ~ 5 miles from our current home, here in rural Maine. Current home is just too hard to access in winter as we age (1.7 miles of private gravel road that I must plow and maintain), and not enough space for solar (restricted on ability to take down trees because we're on a lake). The "new" property has a 10-acre blueberry field where the house will be, and we're willing to convert a little bit of blueberry production to solar production for our own use. Heating is the big challenge, of course, but we're working through that. Just not too keen on connecting to the power grid if I can avoid it. Most friends say I'm nuts to not use the grid as my winter battery, but there's something about just not caring about (being dependent on) the grid that appeals to us.
Hank Waconda
New Member
Good morning Will,What would you like to see? This thread will be seen by myself and a few other YouTubers, so let us know what you guys want
I'd like to see more simple systems that will just run and not have to be updated or modified all the time. Split phase with enough power to at least partially charge an EV auto overnight. Thanks, very much enjoy your forum
OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
If a utility connection is not super-expensive 10's of thousands for your new place:
In the same way you can benefit from someone else providing the road snow plowing, for low cost; you can also benefit from someone else providing a utility connection for low cost when you need it. Something to consider. Like you I want to be as independant as possible, however there is no harm in having a connection as a low cost back up system, and supplement the solar during say 15-days in a row of cloudy weather during December...like we recently experienced. To my thinking, it is quite different to have grid available (if needed) than being dependent on it.
In a similar way, if you have natural gas available for heat, but use minisplit and firewood as you primary systems, you are not dependant on the gas, and not forced to baby-sit the wood burner either.
Add oscilloscope too...I'm always looking for examples to use mine more.
Home Assistant for Dummies!
Will has great communication skills, and doesn’t edit out many oops ( which is learning!)
Start with the components and connections, then the actual integration ( entering the desired device/data to be monitored).
The later is where I’d be stumbling.
Will has great communication skills, and doesn’t edit out many oops ( which is learning!)
Start with the components and connections, then the actual integration ( entering the desired device/data to be monitored).
The later is where I’d be stumbling.
chrisski
Solar Boondocker
I would like to see a tear down video of equipment that looks the same, but priced different.
I was looking at these two inverters that were exactly the same except for the paint job on the outside.
AIMS 6000Watt Split Phase $2026
Sungold 6000 Watt Split Phase $1299
I hope for the extra $800, there's more than just a Better paint job on the outside.
I was looking at these two inverters that were exactly the same except for the paint job on the outside.
AIMS 6000Watt Split Phase $2026
Sungold 6000 Watt Split Phase $1299
I hope for the extra $800, there's more than just a Better paint job on the outside.
Mike Holt specifically might not be the right person for that; I don't think he is especially supportive of DIY electrical work.
For me, the code issues that are most deserving of a video center around fire code more than electrical code: the rationale of NFPA and UL treating LFP the same as NMC Li-Ion, reviewing old, current, and upcoming regulations and actual fire statistics.
I would also love to see a video comparing Type X drywall, fire rated 3/4" plywood, Unistrut standoffs on 1/2" drywall, and cement board for fire spread with a simulated piece of burning equipment mounted to them.
Partimewages
Solar Addict
Maybe compare some meters for accuracy and number of digits. If you are doing lifepo4 batteries you better have a good one.
chrisski
Solar Boondocker
Pretty sure @sunshine_eggo meant to not make public his system in Will's video.
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