ChizzlerCB
New Member
Hey All,
I am new to the forums here, my name is David and I am from Nova Scotia.
My goal is to install an off grid solar setup in my barn. What I want to power is tough to say, the whole barn, lights etc would be nice haha but ill be realistic and start with a 200 ft string of led patio lights that I have run up a trail in the woods im building, and plan to add upto another 200 ft to it.
Starting out I have very lil knownledge and just bought items needed, assuming they would all work together, and from my research, everything should work fine together, however maybe I should look into a better controller? I orignally got the 1000w inverter, but found a great deal on the 4000w and grabbed that too, not sure which to use for this installation, probably the 4000w?
Here is a list of what I have:
Giandel Pure Sine Wave Inverter 4000w
Input 12Vdc, 400Amp
Furrion Pure Sine Wave Inverter 1000w
Model FIVBDP10A
Input 12Vdc
2X Lisuateli LiFeP04 12v 100ah
Renogy Controller 12v 50amp
Model RBC50D15
Max Solar Input Power 660W @ 50A / 400W @ 30A
The barn is not heated, and here in Nova Scotia we get very cold temperatures through the winter , like down to -30/-40 with the wind chill. Batteries and equipment will be stored in the barn of course, and I am thinking on building a box enclosure for the batteries using 2" foam board, and placing my barn mini PC inside this box with the batteries as it gives off heat, and im sure the -20 or so temps is not good on the PC, so it can serve 2 purposes. I also plan to add a heating pad or something if the batteries still need more heat.
The Renogy Controller came with 0 cables, missing the battery monitor cable etc.
The Inverter came with a small bus bar I believe, and 3 red and 3 black cables.
Link to any items I should buy would be greatly appreciated.
I do not have any solar panels yet, not sure how to proceed on this one... I dont want to go with cheap ones from Canadian Tire etc. unless if thats recommended. I would like to build with expansion in mind down the road. Solar sites have high shipping for 1 or 2 panels, and I haven't had any luck finding any on the marketplace. I got about 16ft by 20ft roof space on the barn to work with, maybe fill it with panels, so its future proof and can add batteries over time? but guessing thats very dependant on the inverter and controller I have. I am not sure what size panels I should buy or how many, maybe my controller can only handle 1 panel at like 440w? If im doing the math correctly. Looks like ill need a breaker too, not sure what to get, guessing DC 50amp? The barn roof which is metal, I find it confusing trying to figure out what I need to buy to mount panels on the roof, but maybe I can get a panel to start and work towards getting online then figure out the mounting later.
I have watched the safety videos in the beginners forum, I plan to take this slow and carefully and do the install myself if I can, but I do have an installer on standby if I decide I should hire him instead.
Any help or advice is greatly recommended.
Thanks,
David/ChizzlerCB
I am new to the forums here, my name is David and I am from Nova Scotia.
My goal is to install an off grid solar setup in my barn. What I want to power is tough to say, the whole barn, lights etc would be nice haha but ill be realistic and start with a 200 ft string of led patio lights that I have run up a trail in the woods im building, and plan to add upto another 200 ft to it.
Starting out I have very lil knownledge and just bought items needed, assuming they would all work together, and from my research, everything should work fine together, however maybe I should look into a better controller? I orignally got the 1000w inverter, but found a great deal on the 4000w and grabbed that too, not sure which to use for this installation, probably the 4000w?
Here is a list of what I have:
Giandel Pure Sine Wave Inverter 4000w
Input 12Vdc, 400Amp
Furrion Pure Sine Wave Inverter 1000w
Model FIVBDP10A
Input 12Vdc
2X Lisuateli LiFeP04 12v 100ah
Renogy Controller 12v 50amp
Model RBC50D15
Max Solar Input Power 660W @ 50A / 400W @ 30A
The barn is not heated, and here in Nova Scotia we get very cold temperatures through the winter , like down to -30/-40 with the wind chill. Batteries and equipment will be stored in the barn of course, and I am thinking on building a box enclosure for the batteries using 2" foam board, and placing my barn mini PC inside this box with the batteries as it gives off heat, and im sure the -20 or so temps is not good on the PC, so it can serve 2 purposes. I also plan to add a heating pad or something if the batteries still need more heat.
The Renogy Controller came with 0 cables, missing the battery monitor cable etc.
The Inverter came with a small bus bar I believe, and 3 red and 3 black cables.
Link to any items I should buy would be greatly appreciated.
I do not have any solar panels yet, not sure how to proceed on this one... I dont want to go with cheap ones from Canadian Tire etc. unless if thats recommended. I would like to build with expansion in mind down the road. Solar sites have high shipping for 1 or 2 panels, and I haven't had any luck finding any on the marketplace. I got about 16ft by 20ft roof space on the barn to work with, maybe fill it with panels, so its future proof and can add batteries over time? but guessing thats very dependant on the inverter and controller I have. I am not sure what size panels I should buy or how many, maybe my controller can only handle 1 panel at like 440w? If im doing the math correctly. Looks like ill need a breaker too, not sure what to get, guessing DC 50amp? The barn roof which is metal, I find it confusing trying to figure out what I need to buy to mount panels on the roof, but maybe I can get a panel to start and work towards getting online then figure out the mounting later.
I have watched the safety videos in the beginners forum, I plan to take this slow and carefully and do the install myself if I can, but I do have an installer on standby if I decide I should hire him instead.
Any help or advice is greatly recommended.
Thanks,
David/ChizzlerCB
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