Goodbye Grid: My Rebel Move to Solar Power | Wranglerstar's DIY Freedom Pt. 1
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- Опубліковано 26 гру 2023
- Join me, Cody of Wranglerstar, in "Goodbye Grid: My Rebel Move to Solar Power | Wranglerstar's DIY Freedom Pt. 1." This is more than a video series; it's a declaration of independence from the grid and a journey towards sustainable, self-reliant living.
Why Off-Grid Solar Power?
Escape Rising Energy Costs: Frustrated with escalating electricity bills? Solar power is the answer to breaking free from these financial burdens.
Smart Meters & Privacy: Concerned about privacy with smart meters? I delve into how generating your own solar power can safeguard your data from prying eyes, echoing the cautionary tales of Orwell's '1984'.
Reliable Energy Independence: In an era of uncertain energy policies, generating your own power ensures stability and security for your family.
In This Episode:
Step-by-Step Solar Panel Setup: Follow my journey as I install solar panels, offering tips and insights for DIY enthusiasts.
Battery Backup Systems: Explore efficient lithium battery backup options for uninterrupted power.
Integrating a Honda Generator: Learn how to effectively use a generator as a supplemental power source.
Real Challenges & Practical Solutions: Experience firsthand the challenges of living off-grid and how to overcome them.
Join me in taking a stand for energy independence, privacy, and self-sufficiency. If you're inspired to reduce your reliance on the grid and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, this series is for you. Say "Goodbye Grid" and hello to freedom with Wranglerstar. - Розваги
EcoFlow site: bit.ly/47bf9ov
Wranglerstar's Delta. Pro amzn.to/3RH9C2u
(amazon affiliate link)
Solar is made with hydrocarbons, the inverters fail incessantly, and the batteries are more energy intense to make than they'll store in their lifetimes.
East Coast men use steam driven machine shops.
btw why not install wiper blades on the solar panels?
if you could make a rig to attach to the blades to and divert a little power to them they would solve the snow problem right?
i know this has nothing to do with this video but i hope you read this. I loved watching your content before about tools and when you worked in the forest but now it has mostly turned into you talking about a coming struggle. Your videos even made me like it so much that i chose a school dedicated to forestry. i dont know if many other people wish you returned to that content but im certain im not the only one.
Search free electricity 🧠
@@maxpalmer514 Your channel has nothing on "free" electricity...just like the rest of the universe.
I went off grid 35 years ago, on the Oregon coast. First in my county. Had to source equipment back in the early days. Always have a backup plan. Forty batteries in a configuration of ten strings of four batteries for 24 volts using 6 volt trojan T-105. Each set of batteries lasted 10 years, about 3650 cycle life. The 2.4 kw system continues to charge the batteries and run a 4000 sqft home. Water heater runs on propane, but also employed a woodstove closed loop system for winter, a HDPE pipe system for summer, and a small 115 volt electric tank for summer excess power to be consumed. Stovetop and range ran off propane but did a considerable amount of cooking and baking on the woodstove. Two woodstoves warmed the entire home on two levels. Backup generator topped off batteries in truly bad weather.
That is impressive but quite a large home to heat.
Awesome…
I was close 25 years ago in Oklahoma...then got deathly ill. Batteries exploded in cold but the rest of the system is here in NH with me now. Still have panels, inverter, even a windmill, but haven't hooked any of it up...mainly because I have to reinvest in batteries. When I bought the first set, I still recall the golf cart company I bought them through saying I spent more money on batteries than most spent on a golf cart.😳
By court smart mitters are good to rewrite your counts ... Facts and rumors
I remember when you inspired me many years ago to start collecting manual powered tools to prepare for a zero fuel society, I have taken it seriously and covered a lot of bases now. Crosscut saws, saw maintenance tools, axes, felling equipment, bits and braces, timber slicks and chisels, old fashioned machining equipment, gunsmithing tools. I still use my good old Husqvarna, but when the trucks aren't delivering anymore, I can switch immediately over to man powered mode.
And if it comes down to it long term, I will have the ability to be employed without the need for power tools. As you once said, there was a time when a man with nothing but a gardening hoe could find steady work with just that one tool.
From a 23 year old east coast man who has been watching since my early teen years.
Thank you Mr. W.
Well done! You won't be sorry! I've got my granddad's heavy duty hand tools, and I've been collecting more at garage sales and flea markets. They last forever, and as I'm sure you've noticed, everything today is plastic...
@@dragonslayer7587not to mention most people think the old manual tools are junk, you can pick most up on the cheap.
Funny, I have a similar story, definitely became more self sufficient after watching this man years ago!
After collecting your tools, be sure to be able to LOCK THEM UP as my dad used to say. Secured stuff is the surest way to know they are there when you need them. After my dad died, my sister's husband took and pawned them for drugs and booze. When shtf happens, he'll burn in hell for his deeds.
@@pinetree9343 Yep, I keep things very secure, like a bunker, nobody has access unless I let them.
My wife walked in just as you pulled your best hand brake turn. Now she can't stop watching.
I'd like to say, your videos are therapeutic. I found myself rather upset from a situation at work. I let it get to me until I watched this video, I felt a huge shift in my mood. Thank you.
I still remember the con game in the early 2000's when we apparently had an energy "shortage," and monthly bills became nearly unaffordable, while power was randomly shut off in "brown-outs." Utility companies ended up with record profits.
Battery banks are affordable now, reliable and with 10 year lifespans! That allows large surge capacity with solar trickle and generator recharge as needed.
Nope. You are very optimistic. Wait and watch what happens with these.
@@samuelkeystoneyou are partly correct. Usually the first timer with lead acid will blow through their set of batteries in a short time. We do have some friends who are going on 10 years with their batteries. We just switched to lithium. Dealing with lead acid is a pain. The projections on lithium are 10 years plus. Our local solar company is estimating right around 15 years with a proper cycling schedule. Only time will tell. Still not enough data yet to be sure.
Our property has been completely off grid for 15 years. My advice is to use the generator for welding, keep your batteries floating at over 80% to make them last, and finally... Buy spare breakers for the generator... you'll need em.😊
Never be afraid to ask for help. You might feel like an inconvenience, but if its someone that loves you, they won't mind.
Nobody loves me
Tesla Optimus to the rescue! (Some day)
And there lies the problem.
I love when my neighbors ask for help, as long as it is not too lopsided or needy.
“When a man asks for help, you help him”
“Asking for help is the refusal to give up”
The fact that there are power lines right next to the shop is my favorite part.
I have been off grid for 5 years. More solar is the key to happiness. I got a pallet of 31 315w panels for $3800 delivered. Just added a bunch more lithium iron storage. Slowly but surely reducing my need on the Honda eu2000 generator. Fully eliminated the need for larger generators by running large loads off the batteries and slowly recharging with the solar or small gen as needed. The parts are so cheap, easy and reliable that the payback period is only a few years. Makes cutting the cord a no brainer.
Where did find panels that cheap?
Would you mind sharing where you bought the panels and batteries?
@@clarkwilliams3622 panels from pink solar energy asset auction. Batteries from signature solar
@@living-wellon-less5669 pink solar asset auction. Qcells panels
@@living-wellon-less5669he won't tell you, because he never got the panels lol. Lot of incels running their mouths and imaginations in this comment section!
I’m living the dream of having my own property through you, thank you for this. (I will never be able to afford something like this: due to a severe auto-immune disease I’m severely limited vs what I used to be - gone from enduro dirt bike riding to not being able to walk 1km without extreme pain) anyhow - I’m thankful to experience part of your journey through your videos, it brings joy to my heart. My prayers are with you and your family. 🙏🏻👌🏻
VAXXED
@@jeevestherobot Nice fruits.
Change your diet and exercise
more. I’m immune deficient and these tips saved me. Good luck, pal.
If your saved you got a mansion in heaven. John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
@@ironsharp1475 amen. And that is all I need🙏🏻
Sort of odd to get panels when there are power lines right next to your shop, but I understand not wanting to deal with delivery issues and control. Keep in mind if the power grid ever had lots of problems your panels look to be in full view of the road so someone might "borrow" them if they think you don't need them.
"I don't want to be an inconvenience, and ask for help ": I see it this way, if it's spur of the moment, AND, the person being asked is already doing something, then yeah, it can be an inconvenience, otherwise, you're giving them an opportunity to be a blessing to someone who has a need.
Recently had a job reenforcing a deck for a hot tub up in the mountains at 9,000 feet elevation and the only time I could finish the job was during a storm with 20 degree temps, 40 mph winds and raining chunks of ice. Not the most fun I’ve had while working but It put dinner on the table
10kW of solar with a 2kW wind set up is the best solution if you want to really live comfortably off grid.
Love you sir.
But we don't have your kind of money!...
My son and me watch you religiously...but we can only dream of what you have...
We'll just keep trying...
Thank you...
Don’t leave your fiberglass ladder or tools in the sun for long duration. It will itch so bad you will never want to touch them again.
How nice of Momma to share her toys and snacks. She even left it close to the wood stove to stay warm for him!
Why be negative?
@@miltonbayne6649 What lol? How is his companion pet leaving a present for him by the stove "negative"?
@GoogleRR-ib1xy he's talking about the cat did you guys even watch the video?
Maybe they’re all defensive because they know cats are 👎
FYI- city fireman prefer wooded ladders due to poor conductivity so they don’t accidentally kill themselves by touching power lines.
i constantly buy all kinds of tools because of you, even if i dont need it. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Off grid power systems are the right thing to do nowadays. All the solar equipment is cheap and very reliable nowadays. Efficient energy storage IS here today in LiFePo4 chemistry, as well. I built my first off grid house 10 years ago with 1140 watts of solar, and, 100ah 48v lead acid batteries... I ruined batteries left and right during the daytime because i tried to run my bigger loads depending mostly on the PV... All it takes is one little cloud, and the lead acid discharge over amped. 100ah deep cycle lead max discharge is 20 amps(.2×capacity)... 1000w was max with battery alone, so, i needed solar to run anything bigger to provide power in real time... Lithium iron is capable of discharging intermittently at 1×capacity(no decimal point), or
.5 × capacity continuously without damaging cells, and will last it's rated time at that rate(e.g. 100ah battery will last 120 min @50 amp rate)... with lead acid you only get 100ah if discharging at 1 amp rate... At max 20amp a 100ah lead chemistry battery is only good for about 30 min, then ruined forever 😂. With 51.2v 105ah battery bank, i can weld from my hot tub while waiting on my pottery to finish baking in my electric kiln🤭...
On thing tho.... DC current doesn't have electrocution risk, but, it can start fires in an arc fault situation... Keep conductors separated, and use correct fuses for dc voltage. 12v fuses offer NO protection in a 50v system... When the fuse metal melts in two, the voltage will continue to bridge the gap with an arc even at the distance of the blades.... Blades from higher voltage dc are much further apart than automotive fuses. Like 1.25" space between blades on a 50v rated DC fuse of any amperage.
Treat the solar panels with a ceramic coating. The snow will not gain a purchase and slide right off.
My favorite UA-cam channel. Appreciate your content. God Bless You and Your Family Cody. Got a Wool Crusher for Christmas from my wife. 🙌🙏
Have you seen the channel "Homesteadheart?"
A fantastic installation and a perfect spot for it. I can't wait to get the six 100W panels I got at HF set up, but need to invest in the battery storage for it to go somewhere.
God Bless, Cody. This was a great video and really had that old-passion feel of guys working on a project.
Brother, you would be fascinated at the 6v and 2v battery advancements. Coupled with a dedicated golf cart trickle charger, pros are looking at battery lasting a decade.
There are lots of ways to skin the storage solution, but for longest lifespan/duty cycle efficiency. Id say take a look into that, especially if you can swing a modular system to take that HF from the shack to the pack.
So sweet of mama to share her kill with you! Enjoy that fresh bird
My gripe is being someone of lower income, a full solar system is nice, but I will never see the cost benefit in my lifetime.
That is with the assumption the grid remains stable.
Once again, another great video. Praying for you and your family, Cody. I was expecting you to paint the support pole.
Love watching you such a father figure!
Solar? OK, I get it. It's an option on sunny days. But surely biomass is the best, reliable solution when you have acreage to supply the plant matter.
Biomass is good for heat but problematic for electricity....unless one wants to build and maintain a steam engine.
Cody also there is the factor of cold on the battery's ? They won't work when cold ? You might have to go with AGM in the winter or keep the lithium heated ! TIME WILL TELL
Not sure if that unit has a built in heating wires but that would be a good idea and wouldn't consume much energy. If not just wrap a heated blanket around it.
Beloved, you should have a magnet tool to pick up and find your screws. You can also use it over an area to keep it safe for barefoot walking. They’ve been a lifesaver for me.
Stainless steel is not always magnetic. If it's an austenitic type it won't be picked up.
MAGNETS!!! YES!!! I grap speakers people toss and use those.
Sadly SS is non-magnetic, BUT that is a great tip nonetheless
West- Coast man don't do magnets! 😂 Feet are calloused leather.
We have lived off grid for over 30 years and tried it all and have a affordable system.
Go AGM battery for better cost and small back up generator and a big one for big power tools.
Keep your panels under 5mt from your battery or you will lose power and simplify everything by using a inverter rather than running different voltages
Great video! One of my favorite in a long time for some reason
Love these homestead videos, thank you so much! I have learned so much from you!
I am a single man for now, could live in a bus, easy to please. Maybe I would have a shop on property. I love the idea keeping it simple. Thanks again, nice power slide! A friend use to have video of a power slide I did on a mower, not sure which is easier a mower power slide or atv power slide. No brake pads on mower. 🤔 😆
Happy New Year Cody!
How do I get the verified check mark?
My main power draw will be air compressor and welder..240 is a must there also large machine tools being 240 is a must.. a guy can use a phase converter to obtain 3 phase for lathe/mills..I'm interested in solar myself..hope to acquire a decent array myself..glad to see you forging a clear path for us..a guy can learn alot from what you've done.thanks..proho baby
Poetic justice setting up a solar system in the literal shadow of power lines on your road!
Well done!!
Sadly, I've got lots of sun, as well as thieves near the house I'm in now. However, my mountain farm will be off grid completely. There is NO WAY I'm paying for someone else to limit my power usage, or have to deal with outages anymore. Moving my 91 year old parents up in the Western NC Mountains won't work, but everything is ready for the house. Both hydro and solar are the plan.
That newest Ecoflow is sweet! I remember when they first started the crowd funding for the Delta.
Very cool. I’m just guessing by eyeing it, but if you plan to adjust the tilt from season to season, you would want to go a bit steeper. You would get the extra benefit of snow sliding off easier with a steeper angle. The down side is you’d have to readjust the angle a couple times a year.
A good old-fashioned episode. Boy, I love these.
FYI signature, solar makes a ac / dc mini split 9k and 12k that is a direct solar panel hookup. Heat/ dehumidify and cool directly off the sun. The unit is about $1500.00
Correct as usual King Friday. Another outstanding video! Thank you for making and sharing with us! Best wishes to you and yours!
I really only use this platform so I can watch your videos. I'm not great at remembering to like your videos, I genuinely appreciate reminders, especially the way you deliver them. Thank you for all you do!
Another great video thank you for the effort. You have helped guide my family's homestead adventure and continue to inspire with these awesome videos.
Many folks died and it took years to recover from our grid shutting down. The wind and solar that we had to purchase with tax money didn't keep the grid up. TX was minutes from a statewide shutdown. It would have taken months to get back online. Be thankful you have your own power and do not rely on the liars at the power company. We didn't have power for 3 days when temps were near zero. When you called them they told you nothing. The streets were covered in ice. So, it's always better to be prepared. Solar won't work for me. So, it's great that you can cut them A-hats out of money and your support.
Ahhh, the joys of rear wheel drive and drifting in the snow! I love it!!!
It's about time. I asked you years ago why you didn't go with solar and you said at that time that you were looking into it. Good to see that you have finally seen the wisdom of moving to more self sufficient means of power generation. Another plus is that solar is scalable and the tech is improving.
Easy choice when it’s all sent to you LOL
Small system that is a good start.
Been Running my whole farm off solar and wind for a few years now. Would never look back.
The back up generator has done nothing but collect dust for a while now.
Utilizing technology like the internet and UA-cam to fund your way off grid and away from the dangers of modern society brough upon us all by technology and UA-cam. What a power move, godspeed Wranglestar, you remind me of my grandpa who passed about 20 years ago.
I worked for a wireless company with lots of wireless dishes. You can spray pam on a wireless dish to keep the snow off, there might be a compound for solar panels to help distribute the snow when you cannot.
Hey CODY-
I install SOLARK inverters often for my business,
They are great inverters with lots of capability. Battery- solar-and wind
Definitely interested in this series. Got to build another shed on my property but don’t have power anywhere near where it would be and can’t run power to it. But I did just pick up an ecoflow river 2 and was thinking I would use that to power a few lights in the shed.
Just today I was fixing my 4 wheeler plow, 120 MiG was not enough! About sheet metal max! And yes sometimes I do weld excavator buckets, sometimes I weld semi truck frames, little more than prohibiting but I do know when it’s enough current.
If you’ve a moderate budget and wish to have an even more flexible but permanent/static solution - I’ve been utterly blown away by Victron’s kit and support team. Plenty of documentation and community support is great too.
Victron is the best stuff, but EcoFlow is just a bit more plug and play :-)
This is why I started watching.
Love to see the practical projects. Also Merry Christmas!
Maybe use a steel garden rake and rake the area where the screws flew into, this way you do NOT risk getting a flat tire when driving in the area. Just a suggestion....🙂
Totally relatable his reasoning not to get invested right away needing to learn a whole new trade. Now im going to be motivated to do it myself most likely after this series
God bless you, thanks for this new video ❤
I'm installing a similar but smaller energy system for my shed. Single 100 watt panel feeding a 12v deep cycle battery with a contoller and 2500 watt inverter. Backup is a small 2000 watt gas generator. No welding, but power tools.
You can solar your home for under 2k pretty easily.
8 batteries, 2-300w panels, inverter, charge controller, and 10g wire is what you'll need.
The trick with batteries is, turn your fridge off when the sun isn't charging your system. It's plenty insulated to stay cold for 36 hours.
For a little more cash, you can mount those panels on a swivel, to face east, south, and west. You'll pick up 4 more hours of direct sunlight this way.
Last guy I seen go "off grid" water, power, and sewer in Arkansas got 20 years in the state penitentiary. Stay safe!
I doubt he got 20 years a best he got a fine refused to pay it and it compounded he failed to go to court and penalties added up.
Thanks for the thumbs up reminder 😊
Doing the same thing here on my property here in Missouri on slightly smaller scale. Options and more options…
Always great content, Brother!
Peace and Love in the crazy coming year!
Joel
Man I hear you about wind in Oregon. Been out in the Columbia gorge for around 30 years, when that east wind picks up it'll move things with ease
That’s amazing. I love it. I’m happy for you. Great setup
I already have the Ecoflow Delta Pro. The Ultra isn't available to us now, yet you have it already. You must be special. Must be nice.
Wranglerstar slowly turning into heisenberg
Drive it like ya stole it! Haha! Solar is perfect for what you are using it for, Cody! Nicely done!
We use solar for our house emergency power, gate controllers, and diesel fuel pumps. Nothing like it. Great video and content!!! As always.
BEAUTIFUL VIDEO 👍🙏❤😇
I'm not a fan of solar at the grid level, but at the homestead level it's a fantastic solution.
AMEN! Same for wind. Independence FROM the grid, vs. Public tax boondoggle supplying it!
Luv that panel mount !!
Merry Christmas Brother. Hope you have a wonderful 2024❤
Cody...you crack me up...God Bless you and the family, and I wish you all a Happy New Year.
Love seeing you finally using that pocket clip on your knife.
I've been offgrid with solar for a few months now and love it
We’ve been off grid for 12 yrs. Looking forward to seeing how your modular system works, and if it’s a good option for our new shop (or if I should expand my existing system and run a sub-panel). Thanks!
Like Jesus carrying the cross when you put up that pole. I really appreciate your videos, my brother, very inspiring to all the other prohos 🤝
Great video as usual, thanks for the education Champ,, God bless wish I lived near you! You could impose anytime. Cheers.
I love your work, my man.
I love your videos! Thank you
We use chain-vises all the time in the film industry, even have special ones with 5/8” pins welded on them for our other gear
The portable generator is a solid idea with solar... Nice work!
Amen brother!!!
Jumping a fiberglass ladder in below freezing temperatures with snow and ice on the ground. What could go wrong?
That's how us East Coast men get things done. Welcome to the club, sir!
The best of friends will always drop everything to help with the smallest tasks.
Right on, Sir….
Cody is a truly amazing person.
👍
I hipe you have good security Cody, that sheed is a sitting duck for thieves being so close to the road and the contents being visable from the road
"do it all myself my whole life" I felt that.
I needed a first ladder so I built a 8 foot wooden one. Guess I need to cut it down to 4 feet lol
Power to ya Cody. But my tech abilities fall short for DIY and at $32K cant afford contractors.
Thank you I have been looking into these ! Just to help run refrigeration units in case of grid down !
ProHo, if you really want to stick it to the system stewards and show them how grounded you are, I highly recommend picking up an old school 2 stroke diesel generator to run on waste oil or veggie squeezins!
Did this about 12 months ago, off grid with generator back up.
YOU ARE ALWAYS READY TO HELP . IT PLEASES YOU . GIVE OTHERS THE PLEASURE OF HELPING AND YOUR COMPANY AND EXPERTICE .GOD BLESS . WE WISH YOUR FAMILY AND YOU GREAT HEALTH AND A SAFE HAPPY NEW YEAR .
I always lose metal items in the yard and the best thing I’ve bought is a cheep handheld metal detector! Great video!!
Hydroelectric is really the way to go if you have a year-round flowing stream or creek on your property!
And you'd be amazed how simple and cheap it is to DIY build one and maintain spare parts for it with off the shelf parts too.
Oh yeah I forgot where you live at...
I could be wrong but I think I recall him saying at some point that whoever is in charge of the river is really strict about putting things in it and not open to people doing that
I started me journey for energy independence a year ago, phase 1 was a 12KW grid-tie PV system to reduce my monthly electric bills, actually the past year I was energy positive for 8 of 12 months. Where I live the power company charges a delivery fee no matter what. Depending on the rates, expect ROI in 5 years based on the past year numbers. We will see. Next phase is storage batteries and adding more panels on the shop roof or may clear some land and put up a frame. Them replace the ICE vehicles with EV’s which may be a conversion. Do not need the fancy electronics. So will end up with my own power station for home, shop, vehicles and diesel for tractor and back-up generator. Now all we need to do is get rid of property taxes to remove that chain on our leg.
Excellent video sir.
You’re inspiring to me and my family