I BUILT A Portable Solar Power Station That Can Charge My EV!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 มิ.ย. 2024
  • I have always been interested in solar and battery power and now I have finally had the opportunity to build a solar generator or solar power station completely from scratch in a completely DIY style. I will show you the components I chose, explain why I chose them and then show you exactly how I built this portable solar cart step by step. I'm surprised how capable this is, especially compared to prebuilt power station (like EcoFlow). This set up is capable of 3000KW continuous output and can store over 5kWh of energy in the battery. I went with EG4 components for the simple reason of great specs for a great price. The battery I chose is EG4 LifePower4 Lithium Battery | 48V 100AH | Server Rack Battery which is UL certified and the inverter is EG4 3kW Off-Grid Inverter | 3000EHV-48 | 3000W Output | 5000W PV Input | 500 VOC Input. Both work in tandem and establish communication making it an easy set up. These are also stackable and capable of MUCH bigger loads and storage limits. In fact, I plan on adding another inverter that will double my output as well as input and power my BMW i3 (EV) as well as half of my house!
    Total Cost:
    Inverter: $700
    Battery: $1200
    Hand Cart: $30 www.harborfreight.com/150-lb-... LifePower4
    PowerStrip: $20
    Connectors and Crimper Tool Kit: $30 amzn.to/3yOg2qZ
    Some Spare Wire and the rest: ~$20
    Total: $2000 (tax included)
    Comparison to EcoFlow Ready To Go Solutions:
    EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station: $2600+tax
    amzn.to/3Xa8Lfk (affiliate link)
    -ONLY 3.6kWh of Storage (compared to 5.1kWh)
    -3600W Output (compared to 3000W)
    -ONLY 1600w Solar Input!! (compared to 5000W)
    Next cheapest option seems to be the Delta 2 Max, which is on sale for $1200+tax right now:
    EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station: $1200+tax
    amzn.to/45hdMEQ (affiliate link)
    -ONLY 2kWh (compared to 5.1kWh)
    -Only 2400W Output (compared to 3000kWh)
    -ONLY 800W charging (compared to 5000W)
    Above, but with extra battery:
    ECOFLOW Portable Power Station DELTA Max 2000 with Extra Battery: $2200 +tax
    amzn.to/3Vts3Lp (affiliate link)
    -ONLY 4kWh (compared to 5.1kWh)
    -Only 2400W Output (compared to 3000kWh)
    -ONLY 800W charging (compared to 5000W)
    It would be more comparable if you get a second battery to go with this set up, but that’s an extra $1000 and you would still have 20% less storage!
    Don’t get me wrong, these are awesome and a very elegant all in one set up, but when it comes to value for money, it’s not even close!
    Wire calculator: solarwiresizecalculator.com/
    *- MUST HAVE CAR ITEMS - *
    My Favorite BMW Scanners: amzn.to/4b6GQBa
    My Favorite Car Scanners: amzn.to/3tR2VTT
    My Favorite CarPlay Units: amzn.to/3Uc8lTZ
    BMW Focused Mechanic's Tools: amzn.to/3krC4J1
    Portable Tire Inflator: amzn.to/3V5F63v (my favorite), amzn.to/3AokFp4 (cheap, but good)
    Portable Jump Starter: amzn.to/3L3YNUX
    Favorite Dash Cam: amzn.to/41EdqWe (under $150)
    Car Phone Mount: amzn.to/44bW1oM (MagSafe Air Vent), amzn.to/3PvG9ck (+Wireless Charger)
    “BMW” Battery Charger: amzn.to/3HahLIi
    GEAR I USE FOR FILMING: amzn.to/3Ex3RyI
    ______
    If you'd like to support what I do, please consider supporting the channel for just $1 a month: / simplecarguy
    / simplecarguy
    simplecarguy.com
    ------------------------------
    Links are affiliated where possible.
    This means if you click on the link and purchase the product, I will earn a commission.
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ความคิดเห็น • 43

  • @Rock_Nemo
    @Rock_Nemo 13 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    By far the best and cost effective components on the market right now for this or any offgrid power, very good explanation on the configuration and set up.

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  12 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Couldn't agree more, it’s such an accessible system for DIYers and those new to solar and power banks etc. thanks for watching!

  • @josephwynn42
    @josephwynn42 6 วันที่ผ่านมา

    IVE TOOK A year of electrical..and wired up some apartments...an houses..so this project is right for me..

  • @khalilpistons1
    @khalilpistons1 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Very cool! Nice job!

  • @C4rb0neum
    @C4rb0neum 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Thanks for going through the inverter settings. I was really curious for that!

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  12 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

  • @josephwynn42
    @josephwynn42 6 วันที่ผ่านมา

    aawesome and compact..........and POWERFUL............yelp I WANT ONE.....A good project 4 me

  • @fluke2814
    @fluke2814 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    NIce setup! I noticed your Illinois Plates, I live in Chicago and also have a BMW i3, nice to see i3 owners here. Thanks for sharing!

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  13 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Ive expanded it further now and its amazing! Thanks for watching and yes, there are DOZENS of us here!

  • @chingyip371
    @chingyip371 11 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    great overview ❤

  • @goodcitizen4587
    @goodcitizen4587 13 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Nice project!

  • @johnqcitizen9177
    @johnqcitizen9177 12 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Great video. IM going to built now

  • @bimmerfan6538
    @bimmerfan6538 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    What an awesome video, I never knew I needed this!

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  11 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks for watching!

  • @Row23
    @Row23 4 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thanks for the demo and tips. Super helpful, especially with programming the inverter.
    Are you going to leave both greens into the ground?

  • @joeabad5908
    @joeabad5908 10 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Good video…
    Gives me an idea.. I have a just converted an ICE mini pickup. A 5kW + 5kwh inverter/battery is planned and this video just came at the right time. Thanks for up loading..
    Oh BTW, I have a cheapo hand cart laying somewhere in the garage.

  • @bkanegson
    @bkanegson 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Awesome build. Beautifully simple. I might be tempted to upscale to taller cart and up to 6500 EX or similar to get 240v/ faster charging.

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  12 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Great idea! Post your results if you build one. Thanks for watching.

    • @MyCabinLife
      @MyCabinLife 6 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Also, you would get faster charging if you had bigger panels and more panels. You don't necessarily need to go to 240v. This inverter can output 3k Watts......

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  6 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I have since added panels and wired up a 15amp charger, so charging at 1.83kW for about 8 hours from the sun! More than enough to cover my commute!

  • @B0X2002
    @B0X2002 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Can you do 2 of them sitting next to each other and get 240v for ev charging?

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  12 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Yes, you can. In fact, that’s exactly what I’m doing at the moment!

    • @B0X2002
      @B0X2002 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@SimpleCarGuy but how you going to be like hooking up together? 🤔

  • @NicolaMs007
    @NicolaMs007 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    nice project ..
    actuallly charging your EV directly from the sun and storing it in a battery that is complexly portable, WOW...I would like to build something like this for my EV, good thing too is that I can also charge the battery on my eBike as well brilliant....
    just one question: as I live in Australia could I buy the EG4 in Australia or where would I buy it from, and would they ship to Australia....thanks again for the video

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  12 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I've been using it to charge my eBike as well and now powering a mini split also. I've added a few panels and it's powering everything without any issues!
      As far as shipping to Australia, I have no idea.. I imagine you guys have other brands with similar set up there that would do the job just as well.

  • @commuterbranchline8132
    @commuterbranchline8132 7 วันที่ผ่านมา

    A nice little system, however it’s a little small to effectively charge the i3 fully. Are you planning to scale this up?

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  7 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I added a bunch more panels and wired up a 15amp charger. Now it charges at 1.85kW. So, it takes 10 hours from 0-100. I drive around 15-20 miles a day, so this system fully recharges the car each day for me, unless it’s raining.

  • @steveadal4735
    @steveadal4735 7 วันที่ผ่านมา

    What if its a cloudy day how does it preform ❤❤

  • @happyhamster1411
    @happyhamster1411 9 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Wouldn’t it be better to use a breaker box for the solar input for connecting and disconnecting them? Also, is there an app that you can use to adjust the settings? Thanks

    • @MyCabinLife
      @MyCabinLife 6 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Eg4 has a Wi-Fi dongle and app you can use.

  • @WakeUpPeople1776
    @WakeUpPeople1776 4 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Hi. Curious if the outlets and usb are for 48v appliances? Would my computer fry if I plug it in to the outlet? I figured I would need some 48V to 12V down converter?

    • @WakeUpPeople1776
      @WakeUpPeople1776 4 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I think I just realized why my question. The 48V is converted to DC and will run most appliances on DC until.3000W are taken?

  • @dancingrick9627
    @dancingrick9627 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    What solar panels do you suggest? You said those were portable 300 watts.

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  12 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Anything you can find for cheap that will have enough voltage. I got 15 of these for $50 a piece and I’m building up a much bigger system with them.
      You need minimum 120 volts from the panels to start this inverter. These produce about 40 volts so I put 4 of them in series for the test and demonstration. If you can find some 500w panels for like $100/each, 3-4 of those would give you 1.5-2kw of solar at peek sun.
      There is some math involved here and Will Prause just did a great video on this topic, so check it out.

    • @user713Blvd
      @user713Blvd 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

      ​@@SimpleCarGuy thanks for sharing this start idea for charging EV and I subscribed. As you mentioned this inverter has 3000 watts out and 5000 watts fro PV Max. Just curious, if I have 5k watt PV, but only able to use 3k watts. Seems like I didn't use my max PV or other words, I lost 2000 watts. Should I buy solar panel for 3k or 5k watts to work best with this EG4 Inverter? Again, thanks for sharing and please post more.

  • @PaulPaid
    @PaulPaid 6 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Now check out Rich rebuilds to see how you can get 400 Mi range out of the i3😊

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  6 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I used to watch his channel all the time, but haven’t in a while.. now I have to check back again! That sounds amazing

    • @PaulPaid
      @PaulPaid 5 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@SimpleCarGuy A pleasure..👍🏾

  • @mary74724
    @mary74724 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    🧡🧡🧡💯💯💯👏👏👏👍👍👍

  • @dalel2810
    @dalel2810 6 วันที่ผ่านมา

    This same set-up has been done like 100 times on TH-cam already. I'm sure you know this

    • @SimpleCarGuy
      @SimpleCarGuy  6 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      What hasn’t been done on TH-cam, though? It’s all about documenting it for myself and expanding the project further as I’m building it up.
      Thanks for watching!

  • @noluck33
    @noluck33 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Sorry ALL EV's Need to be Outlawed and removed from the roads!!!