Author: BenjaminNelson via YouTube
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This time, we get the RIGHT breakers in place and build a wooden edge for the solar panels to lock to during transport. Please click SHOW MORE!
I mail-ordered the parts for the breaker/combiner box. When I first got the breakers, I didn’t notice that I accidentally received the AC version, and started assembling everything. When I realized that I had AC breakers, instead of DC, I still put everything together, as it would give me the correct spacing inside the box, and I could test everything out.
I finally got the replacement DC breakers and I installed those. AC and DC breakers have different characteristics. One of the main things is that Direct Current can create significant arcing. The DC breaker needs to open the circuit and do it in a way that there isn’t a large damaging arc.
The solar panels create about 8 amps per string, and these are 10 amp circuit breakers.
I’m also getting ready to mount up the second set of solar panels, but I want to make sure that I have a way to temporarily hold them in place while I work on the end swivels and also a way to lock them vertical in the final design.
I install a plank on edge across right-hand side of the trailer. I’ll be able to clamp the bottom edge of the solar panels to this while working on the swivels. On the finished trailer project, clamping this edge will help prevent the panels from vibrating while traveling down the road.
This project is a bit of an experiment in building a portable, off-grid solar system using mostly what I already have. The Charge Controller is one that I’ve already had for years. The battery is made from 7 Nissan Leaf Cell modules. See the video on building the battery at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juk39…
The inverter is a repurposed Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) which ran on 48V and would have originally been used in a computer server room. I’m just using the inverter portion of this unit, but it could also be used as a battery charger if I connected it to wall AC power. I used this same unit to power my house during a blackout from my motorcycle. Learn more about that at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ydKi…
Tools and Materials used in this project:
DC Circuit Breakers: https://amzn.to/3oeUkVL
Circuit Breaker DIN Box: https://amzn.to/2ZHjx0N
MC4 Tool: https://amzn.to/3BrCz9h
Xantrex C40 Solar Charge Controller: https://amzn.to/3F0pJ41
(I later upgraded the charge controller to an Outback Flexmax80. Find out why in a future video: https://amzn.to/3EYDoJ7 )
14S Lithium Battery (Leaf Cell Modules)
2200 Watt UPS (Recycled, Repurposed)
Solar Cable: https://amzn.to/3umPiHC
Replacement tool box gas lifts: https://amzn.to/3zMSVb7
DC Current/Power/Energy Multimeter Display: https://amzn.to/3ikkRwZ
Stainless Steel Cable Clips: https://amzn.to/3ATglwN
Anderson Disconnects: https://amzn.to/3oen7K1
Plug-In Electric Usage Monitor: https://amzn.to/3oeVZKZ
3/4" Pillow Block Bearings: https://amzn.to/3kOxan0
Weather-proof cord grip Cable Glands: https://amzn.to/3iinBej
DIN Rail Terminal Block Kit: https://amzn.to/3CZNBmr
Stainless Steel Zip Ties: https://amzn.to/3EYENiR
Outdoor Rated Metal 2-gang electric box: https://amzn.to/3oeqikV
Two-Gang Weather-proof outlet cover: https://amzn.to/3ojzWTu
Ryobi 18V Drill: https://amzn.to/3A3msxf
Step Drill Bits: https://amzn.to/3abVAAR
2.25" Exhaust clamps with u-bolts: https://amzn.to/3FviykT
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