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      "body": "A 600-watt solar system is a small system, but it can be a great place to start. Going off-grid is a journey and you have to start somewhere. This system can cost between $1,500 and $2,000 if you do the install yourself. This article will show you just how to do that.\n\nSome of my articles contain affiliate links. 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They lost everything in the fire but had an old abandoned mobile home on their property. They decided to move into it, but it had no electricity.\n\nThey asked me if I could install a solar system on the mobile home and told me they had a budget to buy materials of $2,000.\n\nThis article is the result of that project. To be clear, this set-up is not the ideal set-up to do solar, but it is what I came up with to fit their budget and to utilize the existing mobile home.\n\nA very large part of living off-grid is making compromises between what is ideal and what you have to work with, so I thought this would make a great article for Offgridmaker.com.\n\nOne very important note: This set-up WILL NOT WORK, if your structure is hooked to the electric grid. If you try to hook a system up like this to a structure currently connected to the power grid you will damage the electrical components of the system.\n\n**How difficult will this be?**\nThis project isn’t difficult if you follow along with this step -by step tutorial. I’ll rate this project on a 1 thru 10 scale based on skills you may have. 1 is so easy you can do it in your sleep 10 being you should get professional help.\n\nIf you’re an electrician or work in the electrical field, this project will be a 2.\nIf you’re handy with tools, but don’t have electrical experience, this project will be a 4.\nIf you have little to no experience with tools, this project will be a 6.\nIf you have no tool experience and you don’t know what a circuit breaker is, this project is a 10.\nIf you would like to take a deeper dive into the basics of solar so you can understand why not just how I recommend the book below. Click the image for the current price and availability on Amazon.\n\n\n**Materials**\n6 – 100-watt solar panels\n1 – 1500 watt pure sine wave inverter\n1 – 40 amp PWM charge controller\n3 – 110 amp/hour 12v deep cycle solar AGM batteries\n4 – battery connector cables\n2 pair– 3 to 1 Y MC4 connectors\n1 pair – 2 to 1 Y MC4 connector\n12 ga copper stranded wire rated for exterior use (length depends on your own projects)\n6 – 3/8” washers\nmounting screws (type and size dependent on your application)\n6 sets of solar panel mounting brackets\n\n**Tools**\nScrew gun/screwdriver\n10mm wrench or socket\n#2 Philips head screwdriver\nwire strippers\n\n**Step by Step process**\n\n**Step 1: Build a rack system for the solar panels**\nI highly recommend having your solar panels attached to a rack of some kind. This allows for more accurate alignment with the sun and makes it less likely the solar panels will be damaged.\n\nThat being said, you can temporarily lay the panels on the ground or lean them against a structure to save the cost of a solar panel rack system. This article is about the wiring and connection of a basic solar system so I haven’t included any instructions about the solar panel rack.\n\nI have written a separate article about how to build a solar panel rack for free.\nhttps://offgridmaker.com/2020/03/10/how-to-build-a-solar-rack-system-for-free-almost/\n\n**Step 2: Connect the solar panels in parallel**\nWhether you have installed your solar panels on a rack or not you have to wire the panels in parallel.\n\nSimply put, this means you will connect all the positive wires together and all the negative wires together. Since we have used 6 solar panels the easiest way to do this is to Connect 3 panels together with the 3 to 1 Y MC4 connectors.\n\n![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmZMbfpQF2tqrig7K3n59a9tXZPzeLt8R5WLgkvP99kURk/image.png)\n\n\nAfter this is done you should have 2 sets of 3 panels. Now connect the 2 sets of panels together with the 2 to 1 Y MC4 connectors.\n\n![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmVxys9VcEq8bZ6FqGS1CeWkkio6UqyjRWfzFpePGEjsuz/image.png)\n\n\nYou should now only have 1 pair of wires (1 positive and 1 negative) coming from the panels and ready to run to the charge controller.\n\n**Step 3: Decide where to store battery bank, charge controller and inverter**\nNow you must decide where to install all the components for the system. Ideally, you want all the components installed as close to each other as possible and as close to the solar panels and the existing breaker box as possible.\n\nThis does two things. It allows for the purchase of less cable lowering the cost of the project and it creates a system with less efficiency loss which means getting more out of the system.\n\nIdeally, you want your components in a closed area like a closet that you can vent later as the system gets larger, but in a location that is easily accessible.\n\nBecause the distances between components are going to be different on your project than it is in this project you will want to check gauges for wiring to make sure you use the correct gauge wires. If the distances from your solar panels to your batteries is less than 30 ft. then you can use the gauges set forth in this tutorial.\n\nCheck this link for a solar cable gauge calculator. https://www.renogy.com/calculators\n\n**Step 4: Install batteries and connect in parallel**\nThere are different ways to configure a battery bank. For this system we want our battery bank to produce 12 volts. This means connecting the batteries together in a parallel configuration.\n\n\n![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmVkqUPGinsdFpaXvaSh12LsnzMLJh1UtviigPNFj9zAHs/image.png)\n\nnotice the black battery cables are connecting all positive posts together and all negative posts together.\nYou will connect all the positive posts together and all the negative posts together.\n\nFor this, you will use the battery connector cables which are heavy gauge and short. This is where you will use the washers. The cable ends will attach to the battery with a washer and battery post bolt. Different types of batteries use different methods for battery post connection, but if you purchased your batteries through the links provided in this article then you can just follow the pictures provided. If you have purchased different style batteries then the main thing is to make sure the batteries are connected in a parallel configuration.\n\n**Step 5: Mount charge controller and inverter**\n\n![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmWb73bkku4QpqEVYzfYDq4dUKbwAzgYpCFtbztNFNjKHb/image.png)\n\nNotice the 1x4s on the wall that the inverter is mounted to.\nNow it’s time to mount the charge controller and the inverter. You want them mounted as close to the battery bank and the A/C breaker box as possible while also in a place that can be easily accessed because from time to time you will need to check on the status of the system by looking at the display on the charge controller.\n\nThe charge controller is very small and light so it can be easily secured with small screws into wall paneling or using sheetrock anchors if needed.\n\nThe inverter is large and heavy so, it will need to be mounted with more attention to stability. In this project, you can see I attached 2 1x4s to the studs of the closet wall and attached the inverter to the 1x4s. The inverter has receptacles and the on/off button on one end, so be sure to install the inverter with that end up for ease of access.\n\n**Step 6: Connect battery bank to charge controller**\nNow you can start connecting all your components together. It is best under most circumstances to connect the battery bank to the charge controller before you connect the solar array to the charge controller, but if you are following this tutorial and have purchased your charge controller through the resource links provided at the end of this article then be sure to connect the battery bank first.\n\nYou can connect the battery bank to the charge controller using leftover wire from the solar panel connection cables or you can use a section of an old extension cord. Just make sure the wire you use is at least 12 gauge copper stranded wire. There is a section on the bottom of the charge controller where you make all the necessary connections. There is an icon over each set of connections to let you know what to connect where. You will connect the battery bank to the set of connections indicated by an icon of a battery using one wire for both the positive connection and the negative connection. You only need to connect to one of the batteries in the battery because they are connected together in parallel.\n\n**Step 7: Connect solar array to charge controller**\nIt’s time now to connect the solar array to the charge controller. You should have one pair of wires coming into the structure from the solar panel array outside. These wires will connect to the charge controller connections indicated by an icon of a solar panel. Make sure that positive goes to positive and negative to negative. Bringing the solar array wires into the structure can be done in several different ways; through the wall, roof or floor. Just make sure however you choose to make the penetration in the structure that it’s watertight and doesn’t allow for rain to get into the structure.\n\n**Step 8: Connect Inverter to existing A/C breaker box**\nWith the battery bank now connected to the charge controller, you can connect the inverter to the A/C breaker box of the structure.\n\nI want to stress again that you can not connect the inverter to an A/C breaker box in this fashion. If the A/C breaker box is connected to an electric utility provider. It can damage or ruin your new solar equipment and it can be very dangerous to you. Make sure the existing breaker box isn’t connected to the utility provider.\n\nIf you aren’t sure about this then go no further with this project until you are.\nAt this point in the system the highest amps will potentially be running, so use the heaviest wire you can. Anything above 8 gauge won’t be necessary on this exact set-up. At one end of the wire, you will need a male receptacle plug the other end will hardwire directly to the input side of the A/C breaker box.\n\nThe end with the plug will plug directly into one of the 3 outlets on the inverter. On the other end, you will connect the black wire one pole of the main shut-off breaker in the breaker box. Connect the common wire (white wire) to the common wire bus in the breaker box. The common bus will be on the side of the breaker box and will have several other white wires connected to it. The bare wire, also known as the ground, will be connected to the other bus in the breaker box with other ground wires connected to it.\n\n![image.png](UPLOAD FAILED)\n\n**Step 9: Connect battery bank to the inverter**\nThe last connection to be made is connecting the battery bank to the inverter. If you used the links provided in this article to purchase your components then the inverter you purchased will have the cables needed to connect the inverter to the battery included. Connect the red cable to the positive post on one of the batteries and to the red post on the bottom of the inverter. Install the black cable to the negative post of the same battery and to the black post on the bottom of the inverter.\n\nCongratulations, You have now installed a 600watt solar system.\n\nFinally. You will need to plug the remote power switch into the inverter. This power switch has a long cable so you can run it to a convenient place to quickly be able to shut down the inverter which will separate the flow of power from the battery bank to the inverter.\n\nSince we have only run power to one leg of the breaker box only half of the circuits in the breaker box will have power. You can use only these circuits or you can duplicate step 8 and connect it to the other leg of the breaker box. This will allow the use of all the circuits in the breaker box, but it will also increase inefficiency through increased loss due to resistance.\n\n**Summary**\nThis system is a barebone type of system meant to get power going with 600 watts of power and a budget under $2000. There are different downfalls to this system that can be improved with a higher budget and would be recommended if a higher budget is possible. Contact me through the contacts if you have questions about what I would change if more money to purchase components where available.\n\nThis system is also designed to connect to an A/C breaker box to supply power to a structure. This is a less efficient way to supply power than a D/C system, but there are several different reasons to do it this way. Contact me through the contacts if you have any questions.\n\nClick here to view all the products I used for this project https://offgridmaker.com/resource-page/",
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      "title": "How To Install A 600 Watt Solar System On The Cheap",
      "body": "A 600-watt solar system is a small system, but it can be a great place to start. Going off-grid is a journey and you have to start somewhere. This system can cost between $1,500 and $2,000 if you do the install yourself. This article will show you just how to do that.\n\nSome of my articles contain affiliate links. Click here to learn more.\nhttps://offgridmaker.com/affiliate-links-on-offgridmaker-com/\n\n**Contents**\nWhat situation this set-up is for.\nHow difficult will this be?\nMaterials Needed\nTools Needed\nStep by step process\nStep 1: Build a rack system for the solar panels\nStep 2: Connect the solar panels in parallel\nStep 3: Decide where to store battery bank, charge controller and inverter\nStep 4: Install batteries and wire in parallel\nStep 5: Mount charge controller and inverter\nStep 6: Connect battery bank to charge controller\nStep 7: Connect solar array to charge controller\nStep 8: Connect Inverter to existing A/C breaker box\nStep 9: Connect battery bank to the inverter\nSummary\nResources (direct links to all the parts used in this article)\n\n**What situation this set-up is for**\nThe exact situation for this project is retrofitting solar to an old mobile home that was originally set up for A/C power connected to a public utility grid.\n\nOne of my neighbors who lives up on the mountain near us lost their home to fire. They lost everything in the fire but had an old abandoned mobile home on their property. They decided to move into it, but it had no electricity.\n\nThey asked me if I could install a solar system on the mobile home and told me they had a budget to buy materials of $2,000.\n\nThis article is the result of that project. To be clear, this set-up is not the ideal set-up to do solar, but it is what I came up with to fit their budget and to utilize the existing mobile home.\n\nA very large part of living off-grid is making compromises between what is ideal and what you have to work with, so I thought this would make a great article for Offgridmaker.com.\n\nOne very important note: This set-up WILL NOT WORK, if your structure is hooked to the electric grid. If you try to hook a system up like this to a structure currently connected to the power grid you will damage the electrical components of the system.\n\n**How difficult will this be?**\nThis project isn’t difficult if you follow along with this step -by step tutorial. I’ll rate this project on a 1 thru 10 scale based on skills you may have. 1 is so easy you can do it in your sleep 10 being you should get professional help.\n\nIf you’re an electrician or work in the electrical field, this project will be a 2.\nIf you’re handy with tools, but don’t have electrical experience, this project will be a 4.\nIf you have little to no experience with tools, this project will be a 6.\nIf you have no tool experience and you don’t know what a circuit breaker is, this project is a 10.\nIf you would like to take a deeper dive into the basics of solar so you can understand why not just how I recommend the book below. Click the image for the current price and availability on Amazon.\n\n\n**Materials**\n6 – 100-watt solar panels\n1 – 1500 watt pure sine wave inverter\n1 – 40 amp PWM charge controller\n3 – 110 amp/hour 12v deep cycle solar AGM batteries\n4 – battery connector cables\n2 pair– 3 to 1 Y MC4 connectors\n1 pair – 2 to 1 Y MC4 connector\n12 ga copper stranded wire rated for exterior use (length depends on your own projects)\n6 – 3/8” washers\nmounting screws (type and size dependent on your application)\n6 sets of solar panel mounting brackets\n\n**Tools**\nScrew gun/screwdriver\n10mm wrench or socket\n#2 Philips head screwdriver\nwire strippers\n\n**Step by Step process**\n\n**Step 1: Build a rack system for the solar panels**\nI highly recommend having your solar panels attached to a rack of some kind. This allows for more accurate alignment with the sun and makes it less likely the solar panels will be damaged.\n\nThat being said, you can temporarily lay the panels on the ground or lean them against a structure to save the cost of a solar panel rack system. This article is about the wiring and connection of a basic solar system so I haven’t included any instructions about the solar panel rack.\n\nI have written a separate article about how to build a solar panel rack for free.\nhttps://offgridmaker.com/2020/03/10/how-to-build-a-solar-rack-system-for-free-almost/\n\n**Step 2: Connect the solar panels in parallel**\nWhether you have installed your solar panels on a rack or not you have to wire the panels in parallel.\n\nSimply put, this means you will connect all the positive wires together and all the negative wires together. Since we have used 6 solar panels the easiest way to do this is to Connect 3 panels together with the 3 to 1 Y MC4 connectors.\n\n![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmZMbfpQF2tqrig7K3n59a9tXZPzeLt8R5WLgkvP99kURk/image.png)\n\n\nAfter this is done you should have 2 sets of 3 panels. Now connect the 2 sets of panels together with the 2 to 1 Y MC4 connectors.\n\n![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmVxys9VcEq8bZ6FqGS1CeWkkio6UqyjRWfzFpePGEjsuz/image.png)\n\n\nYou should now only have 1 pair of wires (1 positive and 1 negative) coming from the panels and ready to run to the charge controller.\n\n**Step 3: Decide where to store battery bank, charge controller and inverter**\nNow you must decide where to install all the components for the system. Ideally, you want all the components installed as close to each other as possible and as close to the solar panels and the existing breaker box as possible.\n\nThis does two things. It allows for the purchase of less cable lowering the cost of the project and it creates a system with less efficiency loss which means getting more out of the system.\n\nIdeally, you want your components in a closed area like a closet that you can vent later as the system gets larger, but in a location that is easily accessible.\n\nBecause the distances between components are going to be different on your project than it is in this project you will want to check gauges for wiring to make sure you use the correct gauge wires. If the distances from your solar panels to your batteries is less than 30 ft. then you can use the gauges set forth in this tutorial.\n\nCheck this link for a solar cable gauge calculator. https://www.renogy.com/calculators\n\n**Step 4: Install batteries and connect in parallel**\nThere are different ways to configure a battery bank. For this system we want our battery bank to produce 12 volts. This means connecting the batteries together in a parallel configuration.\n\n\n![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmVkqUPGinsdFpaXvaSh12LsnzMLJh1UtviigPNFj9zAHs/image.png)\n\nnotice the black battery cables are connecting all positive posts together and all negative posts together.\nYou will connect all the positive posts together and all the negative posts together.\n\nFor this, you will use the battery connector cables which are heavy gauge and short. This is where you will use the washers. The cable ends will attach to the battery with a washer and battery post bolt. Different types of batteries use different methods for battery post connection, but if you purchased your batteries through the links provided in this article then you can just follow the pictures provided. If you have purchased different style batteries then the main thing is to make sure the batteries are connected in a parallel configuration.\n\n**Step 5: Mount charge controller and inverter**\n\n![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmWb73bkku4QpqEVYzfYDq4dUKbwAzgYpCFtbztNFNjKHb/image.png)\n\nNotice the 1x4s on the wall that the inverter is mounted to.\nNow it’s time to mount the charge controller and the inverter. You want them mounted as close to the battery bank and the A/C breaker box as possible while also in a place that can be easily accessed because from time to time you will need to check on the status of the system by looking at the display on the charge controller.\n\nThe charge controller is very small and light so it can be easily secured with small screws into wall paneling or using sheetrock anchors if needed.\n\nThe inverter is large and heavy so, it will need to be mounted with more attention to stability. In this project, you can see I attached 2 1x4s to the studs of the closet wall and attached the inverter to the 1x4s. The inverter has receptacles and the on/off button on one end, so be sure to install the inverter with that end up for ease of access.\n\n**Step 6: Connect battery bank to charge controller**\nNow you can start connecting all your components together. It is best under most circumstances to connect the battery bank to the charge controller before you connect the solar array to the charge controller, but if you are following this tutorial and have purchased your charge controller through the resource links provided at the end of this article then be sure to connect the battery bank first.\n\nYou can connect the battery bank to the charge controller using leftover wire from the solar panel connection cables or you can use a section of an old extension cord. Just make sure the wire you use is at least 12 gauge copper stranded wire. There is a section on the bottom of the charge controller where you make all the necessary connections. There is an icon over each set of connections to let you know what to connect where. You will connect the battery bank to the set of connections indicated by an icon of a battery using one wire for both the positive connection and the negative connection. You only need to connect to one of the batteries in the battery because they are connected together in parallel.\n\n**Step 7: Connect solar array to charge controller**\nIt’s time now to connect the solar array to the charge controller. You should have one pair of wires coming into the structure from the solar panel array outside. These wires will connect to the charge controller connections indicated by an icon of a solar panel. Make sure that positive goes to positive and negative to negative. Bringing the solar array wires into the structure can be done in several different ways; through the wall, roof or floor. Just make sure however you choose to make the penetration in the structure that it’s watertight and doesn’t allow for rain to get into the structure.\n\n**Step 8: Connect Inverter to existing A/C breaker box**\nWith the battery bank now connected to the charge controller, you can connect the inverter to the A/C breaker box of the structure.\n\nI want to stress again that you can not connect the inverter to an A/C breaker box in this fashion. If the A/C breaker box is connected to an electric utility provider. It can damage or ruin your new solar equipment and it can be very dangerous to you. Make sure the existing breaker box isn’t connected to the utility provider.\n\nIf you aren’t sure about this then go no further with this project until you are.\nAt this point in the system the highest amps will potentially be running, so use the heaviest wire you can. Anything above 8 gauge won’t be necessary on this exact set-up. At one end of the wire, you will need a male receptacle plug the other end will hardwire directly to the input side of the A/C breaker box.\n\nThe end with the plug will plug directly into one of the 3 outlets on the inverter. On the other end, you will connect the black wire one pole of the main shut-off breaker in the breaker box. Connect the common wire (white wire) to the common wire bus in the breaker box. The common bus will be on the side of the breaker box and will have several other white wires connected to it. The bare wire, also known as the ground, will be connected to the other bus in the breaker box with other ground wires connected to it.\n\n![image.png](UPLOAD FAILED)\n\n**Step 9: Connect battery bank to the inverter**\nThe last connection to be made is connecting the battery bank to the inverter. If you used the links provided in this article to purchase your components then the inverter you purchased will have the cables needed to connect the inverter to the battery included. Connect the red cable to the positive post on one of the batteries and to the red post on the bottom of the inverter. Install the black cable to the negative post of the same battery and to the black post on the bottom of the inverter.\n\nCongratulations, You have now installed a 600watt solar system.\n\nFinally. You will need to plug the remote power switch into the inverter. This power switch has a long cable so you can run it to a convenient place to quickly be able to shut down the inverter which will separate the flow of power from the battery bank to the inverter.\n\nSince we have only run power to one leg of the breaker box only half of the circuits in the breaker box will have power. You can use only these circuits or you can duplicate step 8 and connect it to the other leg of the breaker box. This will allow the use of all the circuits in the breaker box, but it will also increase inefficiency through increased loss due to resistance.\n\n**Summary**\nThis system is a barebone type of system meant to get power going with 600 watts of power and a budget under $2000. There are different downfalls to this system that can be improved with a higher budget and would be recommended if a higher budget is possible. Contact me through the contacts if you have questions about what I would change if more money to purchase components where available.\n\nThis system is also designed to connect to an A/C breaker box to supply power to a structure. This is a less efficient way to supply power than a D/C system, but there are several different reasons to do it this way. Contact me through the contacts if you have any questions.\n\nClick here to view all the products I used for this project https://offgridmaker.com/resource-page/",
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      "title": "HOW TO INSTALL A 600 WATT SOLAR SYSTEM ON THE CHEAP",
      "body": "<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><img src=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/600-watt-solar-array.jpg\" alt=\"600 watt solar panel array  homemade on the cheap. The inexpensive way to do solar\" class=\"wp-image-827\" srcset=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/600-watt-solar-array.jpg 666w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/600-watt-solar-array-300x169.jpg 300w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/600-watt-solar-array-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; height: auto; width: inherit;\"></figure><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">A 600-watt solar system is a small system, but it can be a great place to start. Going off-grid is a journey and you have to start somewhere. This system can cost between $1,500 and $2,000 if you do the install yourself. This article will show you just how to do that.</p><p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(6, 147, 227); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><a href=\"https://offgridmaker.com/?page_id=319\" class=\"steem-keychain-checked\" style=\"color: inherit; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s;\">Some of my articles contain affiliate links. Click</a><a href=\"https://offgridmaker.com/?page_id=319\" class=\"steem-keychain-checked\" style=\"color: inherit; transition: all 0.5s ease 0s;\"></a>&nbsp;here to learn more.</p><h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Contents</strong></h2><ul style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">What situation this set-up is for.</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">How difficult will this be?</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Materials Needed</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Tools Needed</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step by step process<ul style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; list-style: disc;\"><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 1: Build a rack system for the solar panels</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 2: Connect the solar panels in parallel</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 3: Decide where to store battery bank, charge controller and inverter</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 4: Install batteries and wire in parallel</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 5: Mount charge controller and inverter</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 6: Connect battery bank to charge controller</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 7: Connect solar array to charge controller</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 8: Connect Inverter to existing A/C breaker box</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Step 9: Connect battery bank to the inverter</li></ul></li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Summary</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Resources (direct links to all the parts used in this article)</li></ul><h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>What situation this set-up is for</strong></h2><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">The exact situation for this project is retrofitting solar to an old mobile home that was originally set up for A/C power connected to a public utility grid.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">One of my neighbors who lives up on the mountain near us lost their home to fire. They lost everything in the fire but had an old abandoned mobile home on their property. They decided to move into it, but it had no electricity.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">They asked me if I could install a solar system on the mobile home and told me they had a budget to buy materials of $2,000.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">This article is the result of that project. To be clear, this set-up is not the ideal set-up to do solar, but it is what I came up with to fit their budget and to utilize the existing mobile home.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">A very large part of living off-grid is making compromises between what is ideal and what you have to work with, so I thought this would make a great article for Offgridmaker.com.</p><p class=\"has-background has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 20px 30px; line-height: 1.8; background-color: rgb(142, 209, 252); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><strong>One very important note: This set-up WILL NOT WORK, if your structure is hooked to the electric grid. If you try to hook a system up like this to a structure currently connected to the power grid you will damage the electrical components of the system.</strong></p><h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>How difficult will this be?</strong></h2><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">This project isn’t difficult if you follow along with this step -by step tutorial. I’ll rate this project on a 1 thru 10 scale based on skills you may have. 1 is so easy you can do it in your sleep 10 being you should get professional help.</p><ol style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">If you’re an electrician or work in the electrical field, this project will be a 2.</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">If you’re handy with tools, but don’t have electrical experience, this project will be a 4.</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">If you have little to no experience with tools, this project will be a 6.</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">If you have no tool experience and you don’t know what a circuit breaker is, this project is a 10.</li></ol><p class=\"has-background\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 20px 30px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px; background-color: rgb(255, 247, 174);\">If you would like to take a deeper dive into the basics of solar so you can understand why not just how I recommend the book below. Click the image for the current price and availability on Amazon.</p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><a href=\"https://amzn.to/3921rFH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"steem-keychain-checked\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 127, 40); transition: all 0.5s ease 0s;\"><img src=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Off-grid-solar-power-simplified-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-847\" srcset=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Off-grid-solar-power-simplified-200x300.jpg 200w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Off-grid-solar-power-simplified.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; height: auto; width: inherit;\"></a></figure><h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Materials</strong></h2><ul style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">6 – 100-watt solar panels</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">1 – 1500 watt pure sine wave inverter</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">1 – 40 amp PWM charge controller</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">3 – 110 amp/hour 12v deep cycle solar AGM batteries</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">4 – battery connector cables</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">2 pair– 3 to 1 Y MC4 connectors</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">1 pair – 2 to 1 Y MC4 connector</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">12 ga copper stranded wire rated for exterior use (length depends on your own projects)</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">6 – 3/8” washers</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">mounting screws (type and size dependent on your application)</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">6 sets of solar panel mounting brackets</li></ul><h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Tools</strong></h2><ul style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">Screw gun/screwdriver</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">10mm wrench or socket</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">#2 Philips head screwdriver</li><li style=\"padding: 7px 0px;\">wire strippers</li></ul><h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\">Step by Step process</h2><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 1: Build a rack system for the solar panels</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">I highly recommend having your solar panels attached to a rack of some kind. This allows for more accurate alignment with the sun and makes it less likely the solar panels will be damaged.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">That being said, you can temporarily lay the panels on the ground or lean them against a structure to save the cost of a solar panel rack system. This article is about the wiring and connection of a basic solar system so I haven’t included any instructions about the solar panel rack.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">I have written a separate article about how to build a solar panel rack for free.</p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><a href=\"https://offgridmaker.com/2020/03/10/how-to-build-a-solar-rack-system-for-free-almost/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"steem-keychain-checked\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 127, 40); transition: all 0.5s ease 0s;\"><img src=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-to-build-a-solar-panel-system-thumbnail.jpg\" alt=\"How to build a solar rack system for FREE, almost.\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; height: auto; width: inherit;\"></a></figure><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 2: Connect the solar panels in parallel</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Whether you have installed your solar panels on a rack or not you have to wire the panels in parallel.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Simply put, this means you will connect all the positive wires together and all the negative wires together. Since we have used 6 solar panels the easiest way to do this is to Connect 3 panels together with the 3 to 1 Y MC4 connectors.</p><div class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"max-width: 100%; margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\" style=\"margin: 0px auto; clear: both; text-align: center; position: relative; width: auto;\"><img src=\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71F%2B7vArQkL._AC_UL400_SR300,400_.jpg\" alt=\"Signstek Y Branch Solar Panel Adaptor Cable Connector (1, M/FFF and F/MMM)\" width=\"159\" height=\"212\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; height: auto; width: inherit;\"></figure></div><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">After this is done you should have 2 sets of 3 panels. Now connect the 2 sets of panels together together with the 2 to 1 Y MC4 connectors.</p><div class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"max-width: 100%; margin-bottom: 1em; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\" style=\"margin: 0px auto; clear: both; text-align: center; position: relative; width: auto;\"><img src=\"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51HAYaA6j8L._AC_UL400_SR300,400_.jpg\" alt=\"ZOOKOTO Solar Connector Y Branch 1 to 2 3-Way Connector Adapter Splitter Combiner Parallel Adapter Cable Wire Plug Tool Kit for Solar Panel 1 Pair（M/FF and F/MM）\" width=\"248\" height=\"329\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; height: auto; width: inherit;\"></figure></div><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">You should now only have 1 pair of wires (1 positive and 1 negative) coming from the panels and ready to run to the charge controller.</p><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 3: Decide where to store battery bank, charge controller and inverter</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Now you must decide where to install all the components for the system. Ideally, you want all the components installed as close to each other as possible and as close to the solar panels and the existing breaker box as possible.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">This does two things. It allows for the purchase of less cable lowering the cost of the project and it creates a system with less efficiency loss which means getting more out of the system.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Ideally, you want your components in a closed area like a closet that you can vent later as the system gets larger, but in a location that is easily accessible.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Because the distances between components are going to be different on your project than it is in this project you will want to check gauges for wiring to make sure you use the correct gauge wires. If the distances from your solar panels to your batteries is less than 30 ft. then you can use the gauges set forth in this tutorial.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Check this link for a solar cable gauge calculator.&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.renogy.com/calculators\" class=\"steem-keychain-checked\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 127, 40); transition: all 0.5s ease 0s;\">https://www.renogy.com/calculators</a></p><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 4: Install batteries and connect in parallel</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">There are different ways to configure a battery bank. For this system we want our battery bank to produce 12 volts. This means connecting the batteries together in a parallel configuration.</p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><img src=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Battery-bank-for-600-watt-solar-system.jpg\" alt=\"3 100 Amp/hour batteries wired in parallel for 600 watt solar system\" class=\"wp-image-829\" srcset=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Battery-bank-for-600-watt-solar-system.jpg 666w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Battery-bank-for-600-watt-solar-system-300x169.jpg 300w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Battery-bank-for-600-watt-solar-system-600x338.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; height: auto; width: inherit;\"><figcaption style=\"margin: 10px 0px;\">notice the black battery cables are connecting all positive posts together and all negative posts together.</figcaption></figure><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">You will connect all the positive posts together and all the negative posts together.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">For this, you will use the battery connector cables which are heavy gauge and short. This is where you will use the washers. The cable ends will attach to the battery with a washer and battery post bolt. Different types of batteries use different methods for battery post connection, but if you purchased your batteries through the links provided in this article then you can just follow the pictures provided. If you have purchased different style batteries then the main thing is to make sure the batteries are connected in a parallel configuration.</p><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 5: Mount charge controller and inverter</strong></h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><img src=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/mounted-charge-controler-and-inverter.jpg\" alt=\"40 amp mwp charge controller and 1500 watt pure sine inverter\" class=\"wp-image-830\" srcset=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/mounted-charge-controler-and-inverter.jpg 488w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/mounted-charge-controler-and-inverter-286x300.jpg 286w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; height: auto; width: inherit;\"><figcaption style=\"margin: 10px 0px;\">Notice the 1x4s on the wall that the inverter is mounted to.</figcaption></figure><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Now it’s time to mount the charge controller and the inverter. You want them mounted as close to the battery bank and the A/C breaker box as possible while also in a place that can be easily accessed because from time to time you will need to check on the status of the system by looking at the display on the charge controller.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">The charge controller is very small and light so it can be easily secured with small screws into wall paneling or using sheetrock anchors if needed.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">The inverter is large and heavy so, it will need to be mounted with more attention to stability. In this project, you can see I attached 2 1x4s to the studs of the closet wall and attached the inverter to the 1x4s. The inverter has receptacles and the on/off button on one end, so be sure to install the inverter with that end up for ease of access.</p><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 6: Connect battery bank to charge controller</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Now you can start connecting all your components together. It is best under most circumstances to connect the battery bank to the charge controller before you connect the solar array to the charge controller, but if you are following this tutorial and have purchased your charge controller through the resource links provided at the end of this article then be sure to connect the battery bank first.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">You can connect the battery bank to the charge controller using leftover wire from the solar panel connection cables or you can use a section of an old extension cord. Just make sure the wire you use is at least 12 gauge copper stranded wire. There is a section on the bottom of the charge controller where you make all the necessary connections. There is an icon over each set of connections to let you know what to connect where. You will connect the battery bank to the set of connections indicated by an icon of a battery using one wire for both the positive connection and the negative connection. You only need to connect to one of the batteries in the battery because they are connected together in parallel.</p><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 7: Connect solar array to charge controller</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">It’s time now to connect the solar array to the charge controller. You should have one pair of wires coming into the structure from the solar panel array outside. These wires will connect to the charge controller connections indicated by an icon of a solar panel. Make sure that positive goes to positive and negative to negative. Bringing the solar array wires into the structure can be done in several different ways; through the wall, roof or floor. Just make sure however you choose to make the penetration in the structure that it’s watertight and doesn’t allow for rain to get into the structure.</p><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 8: Connect Inverter to existing A/C breaker box</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">With the battery bank now connected to the charge controller, you can connect the inverter to the A/C breaker box of the structure.</p><p class=\"has-background\" style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 20px 30px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px; background-color: rgb(247, 255, 93);\">I want to stress again that you can not connect the inverter to an A/C breaker box in this fashion. If the A/C breaker box is connected to an electric utility provider. It can damage or ruin your new solar equipment and it can be very dangerous to you. Make sure the existing breaker box isn’t connected to the utility provider.</p><h3 class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(207, 46, 46);\"><strong>If you aren’t sure about this then go no further with this project until you are.</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">At this point in the system the highest amps will potentially be running, so use the heaviest wire you can. Anything above 8 gauge won’t be necessary on this exact set-up. At one end of the wire, you will need a male receptacle plug the other end will hardwire directly to the input side of the A/C breaker box.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">The end with the plug will plug directly into one of the 3 outlets on the inverter. On the other end, you will connect the black wire one pole of the main shut-off breaker in the breaker box. Connect the common wire (white wire) to the common wire bus in the breaker box. The common bus will be on the side of the breaker box and will have several other white wires connected to it. The bare wire, also known as the ground, will be connected to the other bus in the breaker box with other ground wires connected to it.</p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><img src=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/breaker-box-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Breaker box showing how to wire inverter to A/C breaker box\" class=\"wp-image-831\" srcset=\"https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/breaker-box-576x1024.jpg 576w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/breaker-box-169x300.jpg 169w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/breaker-box-768x1365.jpg 768w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/breaker-box-864x1536.jpg 864w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/breaker-box-1152x2048.jpg 1152w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/breaker-box-600x1067.jpg 600w, https://offgridmaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/breaker-box-scaled.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" style=\"vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; height: auto; width: inherit;\"></figure><h3 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 32px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Step 9: Connect battery bank to the inverter</strong></h3><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">The last connection to be made is connecting the battery bank to the inverter. If you used the links provided in this article to purchase your components then the inverter you purchased will have the cables needed to connect the inverter to the battery included. Connect the red cable to the positive post on one of the batteries and to the red post on the bottom of the inverter. Install the black cable to the negative post of the same battery and to the black post on the bottom of the inverter.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Congratulations, You have now installed a 600watt solar system.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Finally. You will need to plug the remote power switch into the inverter. This power switch has a long cable so you can run it to a convenient place to quickly be able to shut down the inverter which will separate the flow of power from the battery bank to the inverter.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Since we have only run power to one leg of the breaker box only half of the circuits in the breaker box will have power. You can use only these circuits or you can duplicate step 8 and connect it to the other leg of the breaker box. This will allow the use of all the circuits in the breaker box, but it will also increase inefficiency through increased loss due to resistance.</p><h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 0.7em; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.2; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; padding: 0px; letter-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);\"><strong>Summary</strong></h2><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">This system is a barebone type of system meant to get power going with 600 watts of power and a budget under $2000. There are different downfalls to this system that can be improved with a higher budget and would be recommended if a higher budget is possible. Contact me through the contacts if you have questions about what I would change if more money to purchase components where available.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">This system is also designed to connect to an A/C breaker box to supply power to a structure. This is a less efficient way to supply power than a D/C system, but there are several different reasons to do it this way. Contact me through the contacts if you have any questions.</p><p style=\"margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.8; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\"><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">Click here to view all the products I used for this project&nbsp;</span><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https://offgridmaker.com/resource-page/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"steem-keychain-checked\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 127, 40); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); transition: all 0.5s ease 0s; letter-spacing: 0.15px;\">https://offgridmaker.com/resource-page/</a><br></p>",
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      "body": "Thanks.",
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