What lessons have you learned working with solar?

[macdaman]

Inverter efficiency or lack thereof

My inverter "loses" 7% converting PV to battery. It then loses another 7% converting battery to load. I read it before I pulled the trigger but for some reason I didn't absorb it. That's a lot of photons that gave up their life for nothing.

 

[Danke]

Inverter efficiency or lack thereof

My inverter "loses" 7% converting PV to battery. It then loses another 7% converting battery to load. I read it before I pulled the trigger but for some reason I didn't absorb it. That's a lot of photons that gave up their life for nothing.

I wouldn’t worry too much about them. Law of conservation and all. They are probably in a better place now anyway.

 

[JJJJ]

No matter how many times you have purchased wire lugs, you will always be one or two short on that next build.

 

[ricardocello]

No matter how many times you have purchased wire lugs, you will always be one or two short on that next build.

Or worse, bought a bunch of new ones months ago and can't find them now. Even with labeled project boxes.

 

[blrmaker]

I learned I really enjoy figuring out my system and doing my own wiring.

 

[OffGridForGood]

No matter how many times you have purchased wire lugs, you will always be one or two short on that next build.

and the size you run short of, is the only size the local supplier is out of stock.

 

[teal95]

Or you can find the boxes of 2x 12, 3x 12 and 2x 10 Wagos, but not the 3x 10 you need.

 

[timselectric]

Or you can find the boxes of 2x 12, 3x 12 and 2x 10 Wagos, but not the 3x 10 you need.

Red wire nuts covers all of those.
Easy Peasy.

 

[Rednecktek]

and the size you run short of, is the only size the local supplier is out of stock.

They have the 2awg OD terminals and you need the 2awg ID terminals...

 

[JJJJ]

When you buy wire, get the good stuff. When in doubt go with the larger gauge. You will sleep better. Also get extra. You WILL find a use for it. Most importantly use quality fuses and or breakers. They help protect those precious copper strands and other things in the area.

 

[455dan]

Another pack with the Pos on the Right.
Maybe I just missed this in the past, thought the Pos is always on the Left...losing my damn mind...maybe.

We may have been derailed on that ever since Ford and GM decided their lead acid batteries had to be opposite layouts for POS NEG.
GM may have one that battle since the Ford batteries often had to have an F prefix in the battery size /type stock number.

 

[wme]

We may have been derailed on that ever since Ford and GM decided their lead acid batteries had to be opposite layouts for POS NEG.
GM may have one that battle since the Ford batteries often had to have an F prefix in the battery size /type stock number.

Positive ground...

 

[455dan]

Positive ground...

Yeah jump started a positive ground vehicle once- and the bumpers touched, Yousa.

 

[Crowz]

Positive Ground Cars

Positive Ground Electrical System In Old Cars, History and Information

www.restore-an-old-car.com

 

[ksmithaz1]

It's only money, and it's always more than you think.

 

[Will Prowse]

That everything in the system should be designed with the ability to scale. One may not think they will increase their battery or solar array, but they will.

Always thinking "this is all I'll ever need! I'll never have to rebuild my system again!" Will create a perpetual loop of building the system over and over again. Lots of wasted time and money. Don't ask how I know.

 

[Rednecktek]

It's not an addiction...
I can stop whenever I want...

Right after those next 2 systems...

 

[fatjay]

I did a 12v one and 24v one and I did as you did: WAY too big a box for both. Got 12v inverter for the 12v battery. Then a 24v inverter on a dolly for my portable. gad its battery is too big, but doable

looking to do a 48v and found this video just today for more experience on the cheaper, and for a 2nd 48v inverter set

$47 for 314ah cells seems very suspicous. Good if true, but the video didn't even show the qr code, it was blank.

 

[Brucey]

$47 for 314ah cells seems very suspicous. Good if true, but the video didn't even show the qr code, it was blank.

Is that ex China plus shipping? I see docan has 280 v3s for $51 ex China plus 5% payment fee:

China Stock EVE LF280K New V3 LiFePO4 3.2V Prismatic Cell with Laser-Welded M6 Studs

Note: This link is for sending inquiries only. We'll provide a complete quotation, including DDP sea shipping costs, within 24 hours.For any online orders paid via DDP sea shipping, we'll double-check and inform you if any extra DDP shipping costs are required. We apologize for any inconvenience cau

www.docanpower.com

 

[Rednecktek]

Gotta get the quote with shipping & fees & such to make a fair comparison.

 

[JJJJ]

Patience is your financial friend. It is SO tempting to pound that "buy now" key before funds are available.

The huge benefit of DIY is that you can configure and reconfigure your build because you have developed the skills.

 

[robbob2112]

Patience is your financial friend. It is SO tempting to pound that "buy now" key before funds are available.

The huge benefit of DIY is that you can configure and reconfigure your build because you have developed the skills.

I was not patient and I have spent $3k on impulse in the last week --- a 6-in-1 plasma cutter/tig welder that will do aluminum - it says laser as well, but only in the title - guess we will see when I unpack it.

6 of the dumfume 300ah batteries - 2 for $244ea and 4 for $282ea - this after a teardown show they have 314ah batteries inside
3 x 4s BMS, 2 x 7-20s BMS - and many other little things that all add up...

I am out of control and need to stop yesterday

 

[OffGridForGood]

DSAM ! DSAM I say !! {Don't Spend Any Money}

 

[455dan]

Ooops, So is it worse if you don't tell the wife?

 

[Brucey]

I was not patient and I have spent $3k on impulse in the last week --- a 6-in-1 plasma cutter/tig welder that will do aluminum - it says laser as well, but only in the title - guess we will see when I unpack it.

6 of the dumfume 300ah batteries - 2 for $244ea and 4 for $282ea - this after a teardown show they have 314ah batteries inside
3 x 4s BMS, 2 x 7-20s BMS - and many other little things that all add up...

I am out of control and need to stop yesterday