ASK ME ANYTHING : Solar + Battery back-up systems

Doomsday Prepper Forums

Help Support Doomsday Prepper Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

TG_Solar+Battery

New Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2020
Messages
1
Reaction score
2
Location
North Carolina
Like many of you I'm sure, the pandemic and resulting crisis has spurred me to start an account here. I've been dabbling/collecting what I can for a few years after I lived through Sandy in NYC and became painfully aware of how unprepared I (most of us) really are.

My reason for this post is to learn/share what I know about back-up electricity systems.
I work for the only nationally accredited solar company in NC (RDU area) - we've also designed and installed hundreds of lead-acid back-up battery systems and are the leader in Tesla Powerwall installations.

It's certainly been a tumultuous couple of weeks, as folks are facing extended periods at home it has become evident that the need for a seamless, uninterrupted power source is more critical than ever. I am on the market for my first home at the moment, so no grid independence for me yet - but I'm very curious about the existing battery/generator set-ups for the average prepper.

Battery systems can earn a $3,500-$9,000+ federal tax credit if you already have or decide to also install solar panels.

Has anyone installed a Tesla Powerwall or alternative lithium-ion battery system? It seems most folks in the prepper world still focus on DC/lead acid.

Would love to discuss this topic with folks with existing systems and folks who want more information about how battery system, and battery + solar systems work. (and how they compare to generators)
Happy prepping!
 
It's good to see you on here. I have ordered the following and will be my first solar setup.
I'm a little nervous and hope I have ordered everything I need to get some backup power. This would be running a small 19" t.v. and a light, maybe a fan?
Any suggestions? I may have questions for you after my solar setup arrives.

Harbor Freight
12 Volt, 35 Amp Hour Sealed Lead Acid Battery (2)

750 Watt Continuous/1500 Watt Peak Modified Sine Wave Power Inverter
100 Watt Solar Charge Regulator
100 Watt Solar Panel Kit
 
It's good to see you on here. I have ordered the following and will be my first solar setup.
I'm a little nervous and hope I have ordered everything I need to get some backup power. This would be running a small 19" t.v. and a light, maybe a fan?
Any suggestions? I may have questions for you after my solar setup arrives.

Harbor Freight
12 Volt, 35 Amp Hour Sealed Lead Acid Battery (2)

750 Watt Continuous/1500 Watt Peak Modified Sine Wave Power Inverter
100 Watt Solar Charge Regulator
100 Watt Solar Panel Kit

You'll have to let me know how this set up works for you. I was looking at the same thing. I figured the lower cost Harbor Freight set up would be a good place to start. I can always add on with better gear after I get the learning curve out of the way. I would like to get a couple of these. I figure if I can get enough juice to run a few electronics like kindles and phones I'd be happy. Add gear to ultimately run a freezer overnight, so I dont have to run the genny after dark... that sort of thing...
 
I have 2 of the Harbor Freight kits. They work ok for charging batteries. They are very thin and not made of the best cells. I have the older metal aluminum framed panels, now there made of plastic, not as sturdy. The brackets are plastic, also not good.
 
I have been considering getting panels for a while and have compared many from amazon. Does anyone recommend a good place to buy them? Something middle of the road is fine for me, don’t want the cheapest nor the best.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top