@Cleversolarpower by Nick
— · 24 videos curated
Off-grid solar systems for household energy independence and preparedness.
All 24 videos
PV Disconnect vs. DC Breaker: Which One for Your Solar System
Side-by-side comparison of a $27 DC breaker and $38 PV disconnect: voltage ratings, overcurrent protection, waterproofing, UV resistance, certification, and installation.
Best 12V 100Ah Lithium Battery: Testing 9 Models for Off-Grid Solar
Teardown and comparative testing of nine 12V 100Ah lithium batteries for off-grid solar systems, with focus on balancer reliability and capacity retention.
Renogy DC to DC Charger Review (40A): Installation, Setup, and Victron Comparison
Complete walkthrough installing a Renogy 40A battery-to-battery charger: wire sizing, crimping, configuration for lithium systems, and how it compares to the Victron Orion.
LiTime 12V 100Ah Trolling Motor Battery: Honest Review and Teardown
Eleven-minute teardown and capacity test of a LiTime lithium battery for off-grid trolling motors, comparing performance and usability against lead-acid alternatives.
Does the Victron Battery Balancer Actually Work?
Twelve-minute test of the Victron Battery Balancer on two 12V lithium batteries in series: how it works, wiring setup, what the LEDs indicate, and its limitations.
Your Battery Fuse Will Not Blow At Its Rated Current
Testing NT fuses under load to understand why they may not trip at rated current, and how voltage drop affects indicator wires and inverter shutdown in off-grid solar systems.
JK BMS Settings for DIY LiFePO4 Batteries
Step-by-step walkthrough of JK BMS app configuration for DIY lithium iron phosphate batteries, covering balancing voltage and other critical settings.
Junbpaw 24/48V 2000W Inverter Review + GFCI Safety
Fourteen-minute bench test of a dual-voltage inverter: idle consumption, efficiency curves, surge capacity, sine-wave quality, and crucially, how to add GFCI protection and size your cables correctly.
Pytes E-Box-48100R 5kWh Teardown: Build Quality After 3 Years
Nine-minute teardown of a 5kWh lithium battery system showing internal engineering, component quality, and durability after three years of off-grid service.
LiFePO4 Degradation After 3 Years of Daily Use
Real-world capacity test on a Pytes 48V LiFePO4 battery after 3 years of daily cycling: 99% remaining capacity, 5.7% degradation, and what the data reveals about calendar vs. cycle aging.
VATRER 300Ah Battery Review: Teardown and Performance Testing
Detailed teardown and capacity testing of a 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 battery for off-grid solar systems, with analysis of BMS, temperature protection, and cost-per-kilowatt-hour.
Basengreen 12V 300Ah Lithium Battery: Teardown and Performance Review
Capacity test, teardown, BMS evaluation, and QA findings on a budget LiFePO4 battery for off-grid solar systems, with manufacturer discrepancy analysis.
The Hidden Danger of Plug-In Solar
Seven minutes on electrical hazards in plug-in solar systems: how backfeeding can overheat household wiring, why Europe caps output at 800W, and US regulatory limits.
Yixiang 12V 628Ah DIY Battery Box Assembly and Testing
18-minute walkthrough assembling a high-capacity lithium battery box, testing its performance with thermal imaging, and evaluating the fuse system for off-grid solar setups.
I Tested the Portable AC from Bouge RV PC35: Is 3500 BTU Enough?
13-minute teardown and field test of a 3500 BTU portable AC: power consumption (~420W), runtime on battery/inverter, efficiency mods, and practical limits for off-grid or rental scenarios.
12V 314Ah Eco-Worthy Battery: Capacity Test, Build Quality, and 3 Problems Found
Detailed teardown and performance test of a budget off-grid battery, including capacity verification, current handling, BMS behavior, and identified safety concerns.
How Many Batteries Do You Need for a 5000W Inverter?
Thirteen-minute walkthrough: sizing batteries for a 5000W inverter on a 48V system, calculating current draw, BMS ratings, wiring diagrams, and proper fusing for safety.
Is Your 100Ah Battery Really 100Ah? Here's How to Test It
Seven-minute walkthrough on capacity-testing LiFePO4 batteries using a $20 shunt, covering setup, discharge procedure, and interpreting results.
The Cheapest Way to Buy Solar Panels (Per Watt)
Comparison of solar panel costs per watt across 100W to 590W sizes from 10 brands, with bulk pricing tiers and real-world sourcing options.
I Read the NEC for Solar Systems: This Is What I Learned
Eight-minute breakdown of NEC Articles 690, 705, 706, and 710 covering rapid shutdown, arc fault protection, disconnects, grounding, battery ventilation, and labeling for DIY solar installs.
How Big Should Your Solar Battery Be?
Step-by-step method for sizing battery storage in off-grid and grid-tied solar systems, with real cabin example and LiFePO4 considerations.
28 Bypass Diodes: Does the Renogy ShadowFlux Actually Work?
Technical breakdown of how the Renogy ShadowFlux panel uses 28 bypass diodes to maintain power output under partial shading, with MPPT testing and voltage calculations for different system voltages.
Bulk, Absorption, and Float Settings Explained for MPPT Charging
How MPPT charge controllers manage battery charging in three phases: bulk, absorption, and float. Practical voltage settings for LiFePO4 systems.
Solar Pump Without Battery for Farming or Swimming Pool
Evaluation of a 750W solar pump and controller system ($300, Dexzon brand) suitable for off-grid water pumping without battery storage.