Energy
Off-grid power, portable stations, solar setups, fuel storage, and grid-down priorities. The category where buying smart means understanding watt-hours, not just brand names.
Showing 335 videos · runtime 5–15 min
Top picks in Energy
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Free Off-Grid Solar Calculator App for iPhone and Android
Eight-minute walkthrough of a free app for sizing battery banks, solar panels, and charge controllers, plus sun-path analysis and weather monitoring for off-grid system design.
Blacktober: Prepare For Total Grid Lockdown
Preparation strategies and considerations for extended power grid failure scenarios.
These Solar Panels Are HUGE
Overview of large-capacity 590W solar panels, mounting options, and budget microinverter considerations for DIY systems.
Why You Don't Need Expensive Gear to Survive a Winter Blackout
Low-cost strategies for staying warm during winter power outages in cold climates: shelter setup, body-heat conservation, and small heating devices without a generator.
The Wattcycle Problem Isn't What I Thought
Will Prowse tests and evaluates lithium battery performance, uncovering unexpected issues with a popular Wattcycle model.
48V DC Solar Power in a Minivan: Testing Eco-Worthy Cubix LiFePO4 Battery for Off-Grid Mobile Systems
Hands-on exploration of adapting a 48-volt DC solar system into a minivan for off-grid camping and backup mobility, including battery mounting and DC bus design concepts.
What We Do With Sawdust After Cutting 15 Cords of Firewood
Eight minutes on processing and reusing sawdust from firewood preparation, including storage rotation and multi-year usage strategy for an off-grid mountain homestead.
Server Rack vs Wall Mount Batteries — Which to Buy for DIY Solar
Comparison of battery storage form factors for off-grid solar systems: space, expansion, cabling, and inverter bottleneck considerations for DIY builds.
MakeSkyBlue MPPT 60A V124 Solar Charge Controller Review
Eight-minute walkthrough of the MakeSkyBlue 60A MPPT charge controller: physical specs, wiring, configuration, monitoring via mobile app, and real-world off-grid installation.
If I Had to Start Off Grid Again, Here's How I'd Do It
Eleven-minute retrospective on building a sustainable off-grid homestead from scratch in the Arizona high desert, covering land research, shelter, water, food, power, and income systems.
Heating My Greenhouse for Free All Winter: DIY Wood-Burning Stove Install
Step-by-step installation of a wood-burning stove in a greenhouse to provide free winter heat for year-round food production.
How I Power My Camper Off-Grid: Solar, Propane, and Backup Power
Walkthrough of an off-grid camper power system using solar panels, Jackery battery, propane appliances, and backup generator—with lessons on real-world challenges and why campers merit consideration for emergency shelter.
Forever Candle: Reusable Carbon Felt Wick
How to make a perpetual candle wick from carbon felt and vegetable oil that never burns down or needs replacement.
It Doesn't Have to Look Pretty. It Just Has to Work.
Fence repair, off-grid solar troubleshooting, and meat processing on a half-acre: practical homesteading skills learned through mistakes and iteration.
Splitting & Stacking 15 Cords of Firewood for Cold-Climate Heating With a Wood Stove
Twelve-minute walkthrough of processing and stacking firewood for a wood-stove heating system in a remote mountain homestead, including practical workflow and cold-climate considerations.
The Fights Start: Pumps Are Empty
Early warning signs of fuel supply disruption and the cascade effects on critical infrastructure and civilian access.
OUPES Guardian 6000 V2 Portable Power Station Review
Eight-minute review of a 6000W portable power station with 4608Wh battery capacity for home backup during outages, grid failures, and off-grid living.
Testing 6-Year-Old Stored Gasoline: Long-Term Fuel Storage Methods
Real-world test of six-year-old stored gasoline, plus step-by-step methods for long-term fuel storage using stabilizer, proper containers, and generator maintenance to ensure fuel reliability.
The Best Budget Dual-Fuel Camp Stove: Alcohol + Solid Fuel
Build a lightweight, dual-fuel camp stove from an Esbit stove, aluminum tin, denatured alcohol, and solid fuel tablets for backpacking, wilderness camping, and emergency preparedness.
Battery Storage Preps: Taking Inventory and Checking Rotation
Five-minute walkthrough on organizing, cataloging, and rotating your stored battery supply to maintain readiness.
One Bad LFP Cell: How to Diagnose and Fix
Diagnose and repair failed LFP battery cells in DIY solar systems; learn when a cell is truly bad versus other failure modes.
Does Your Solar Setup Need A Charge Controller
Learn what charge controllers do, why they matter for battery longevity, and when you actually need one in a solar power system.
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.
What About No Fuel? Bali Is Shut Down
Case study of supply-chain disruption and fuel scarcity in Bali; explores real-world implications of energy shortages on regional economies.
Clean and Paint Hinges on Vertical Solar Panels
Five-minute walkthrough on rust removal and corrosion prevention for hinged solar panel mounting hardware in humid climates using basic tools.
Is This Solar Power Bank Really 50,000 mAh?
Independent teardown and capacity test of a 50,000 mAh solar power bank: does the weight match the claimed specs, and how does it compare to older 5,000 mAh models?
I Stopped Chasing the American Dream and Built My Own
Fourteen-minute walkthrough of one homesteader's transition to off-grid self-reliance: shelter, water, food, power, and income systems built for simplicity and control.
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.
I Built a Website to Expose Solar and Battery Scams
Learn how to identify fraudulent solar and battery products using an independent review platform with evidence-based ratings.
Cheap Greenhouse Pond: One-Year Update
Follow-up on a DIY greenhouse using a pond for thermal mass and passive solar heating to extend the growing season.
When the Grid Goes Down, Here's How to Keep Cooking
Learn practical cooking methods for power outages that conserve fuel, water, and energy while maintaining nutrition.
The Only 12V Battery I Recommend — ECO-WORTHY 280Ah Tested 290Ah
Teardown and capacity test of the ECO-WORTHY 280Ah LiFePO4 12V battery; why the creator now recommends only this model for off-grid systems.
Russian Refinery Strikes Put Trump and Ukraine on a Collision Course
Analysis of Russian refinery attacks, their impact on energy markets, and geopolitical implications for US-Ukraine policy.
Can You Actually Cook a Meal With Nothing but Sunlight?
Eight-minute test of solar ovens as a backup cooking method during grid-down scenarios, demonstrating effectiveness with water and beef.
Off Grid Solar Problems? Removing Old Panels & Troubleshooting
Twelve-minute walkthrough of diagnosing and troubleshooting underperforming solar panels on an off-grid system, including what to check and how to evaluate panel age and condition.
I Was Scared It Would Happen This Quick. I'm Buying Everything I Need.
Survey current shortage signals and build a practical household reserve across food, water, power, and essential systems before demand spikes.
Offgrid Homestead: Winter Prep, Water Catchment & Generator Protection on Raw Land
Twelve months into an Arizona off-grid build: RV tank maintenance, rainwater collection setup, generator insulation, solar wiring organization, and winter preparation on raw land.
Get Free Hot Water From Your Air Conditioner
How to capture waste heat from air conditioning systems to provide hot water, reducing energy consumption in off-grid setups.
Solar Generator Comparison: Prime Day Deals Across Power Categories
Side-by-side comparison of Jackery, Bluetti, and EcoFlow solar generators organized by use case: emergency backup, refrigeration, long-term power, and whole-home 240V systems.
Powering Different Items at Home Using the Ecoflow Delta 3 Max
Real-world demonstration of a portable power station running multiple household devices for backup and off-grid power.
Amazon Big Deal Prime Days
Survey of radios, test equipment, power banks, tools, and lights suitable for amateur radio and emergency preparedness.
Bluetti FridgePower Portable Power Station: Keep Your Food Cold in a Power Outage
Review of a portable power station designed to run refrigeration during grid outages, with discount codes for purchase.
OuTask TD2 Telescoping Tripod Lantern: Quick Review
Five-minute evaluation of the OuTask TD2 telescoping tripod lantern for emergency lighting, EDC kits, and hiking applications.
Getting My Family Ready: Americans Are Stockpiling Gas and Diesel
Analyze fuel-supply signals, grid-reliability concerns, and practical household preparations across fuel, generators, food, and equipment.
Burn the Candle at Both Ends: Accelerated Property Preparations
Tour a working homestead's bulk fuel storage, soil building, backup power systems, and animal feed sourcing amid supply chain pressures.
10 Practical Items to Prioritize for UK Home Preparedness
Nine-minute walkthrough of essential gear and supplies for UK households preparing for short-term disruptions to power, water, communications, or transport.
Long-Term Power Outage Solutions: Keeping Your Power Station Charged
How to maintain a portable power station during extended grid-down scenarios using solar panels, backup batteries, generators, and alternative charging methods.
Mobile Grooming Business Powered by Battery and Inverter System
Case study of a mobile business owner's transition from gas generator to a SunGoldPower inverter-battery system for reliable off-grid power.