Home Real Estate My Off Grid Solar Setup Explained in Simple Terms + Bluetti AC200MAX Review

My Off Grid Solar Setup Explained in Simple Terms + Bluetti AC200MAX Review

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My Off Grid Solar Setup Explained in Simple Terms + Bluetti AC200MAX Review

Choosing the specs for an off grid solar system for my tiny house in Portugal was something that filled me with great dread! I felt like numbers were coming at me that I didn’t fully understand and it took me ages to wrap my head around things. I didn’t want specifics, I just wanted to know if I could power a fridge and other useful stuff but there was so much noise to sift through.

Eventually I got to a point where I understood the important things and I’m hoping that this explanation will help other total beginners like me understand the basics. This explanation won’t go into the nitty gritty of the numbers, but I’m hoping it’ll show enough to give you a starting point for your own research that’s a bit more clear.

I ended up with a system that I love and have had zero problems with (knocking on wood as I type this…) so I’m hoping that by sharing the details of my system, pros and cons, costs, etc. that it will help anyone else who is in the market for a solar setup. I share my experience in terms of the actual things I can and can’t power, rather than talking in a bunch of numbers so I hope this approach is helpful.

I’m certainly no expert and I’m very open to corrections and questions in the comments, so please don’t be shy!

If you’re interested in the Bluetti AC200MAX* power station or any of their other products, you can check their website:

Bluetti –
AC200MAX –

* I’m waiting on a discount code and will post that here when I get it.

source

35 COMMENTS

  1. Você é uma menina muito trabalhadora, tenho pena que esteja sozinha nesses projetos, é muito trabalho para uma única pessoa, não queira fazer tudo ao mesmo tempo, se tiver possibilidades pague alguém para ajudar, super mulheres ou super homens só no cinema. Tenha cuidado consigo, beijinhos de uma portuguesa da Serra de Aire e Candeeiros🤗🇵🇹❤️🌼

  2. Like diabetes in a jar haaaa , nice one . Loved the video. Packed with interesting helpful info. I run an old 1950s single banger diesel lister, at times, as back up generator system to recharge battery bank . Slow revving motor (650rpm max= 6hp). Totally different noise outcome too. Vastly better than the screaming unbearably noisy extremely fast revving engines used on the modern generators today, in my view. And i can utilise a whole range of oils too, for choice of fuel, if ever its necessary.

  3. Thank you for sharing the information is going to be very usefu.l I found solar panels kind of confusing maybe because it's not interesting and I don't find it interesting so it kind of my brain gets bored so starts wondering and doesn't concentrate on things I need to know about solar panels that I need to get. your information today really helped it really simplified it .
    Thanks! 🌻

  4. I spy a eglide box. 😮 )
    I run some solar here on the homestead. Enough to power my well pump and shop including an efficient split system AC. Cool stuff.
    As far as reviews go imo as long as you're giving your honest opinion take the free stuff. Just don't sell your soul. : )

  5. I suppose if you had a large property and wanted to use power tools away from the house, a Bluetti unit would be useful. I like the idea of a backup system that equals your current (ha) system. I lived in Maine for 11 years and maple butter is a favorite on ployes (buckwheat pancakes) and toast.

  6. hi Kirsty, thank you for the effective explanation of the solar system, I think given the number of hours of sunshine and the intensity of it in Portugal that solar is the best solution. i am in the area now (Vale de Prazeres) and experience the same sunpower as you and i’m loving it while i’m reading a book in the shade.

  7. Pure sine wave is related to ac power (alternate current) the type we use on all sockets (in simple terms current gows back and forward in the fase cable). The solar panels and batteries produce continuous current. ( The current moves from negative to positives poles)
    Voltage is the equivalent to water pressure, Ampere is the equivalent to water flow.
    Wattage is the most used metric for appliances and it's what's in a hour. Say your battery is 2.4 KW/h it can power a 1000 W device for 2,4 hours… (If you run the battery to 0)

    You probably can charge the new battery from your existing solar panels and your system probably can manage that, ask the installer to set it up. That's something the charge controller can probably do.
    That yeti thing is pretty much your current system in a single box.. inside you would find all the same components you do in your wall..

    Hope it helps.

  8. Pure sign wave means more pure power it means you can operate televisions or washers at the same time and you won’t get feedback, also some things just won’t work unless it’s a pure sign wave inverter. 😁

  9. I’m a new YouTube channel too, wish they’d offer me one lol. We used to be solar only, then had to get a generator as batteries failed slowly some got struck by lightning ⚡️! Eventually we got the power put on and it cost a fortune, but we are getting older and hubby is not well, now I don’t even need to chop logs which is good, but I do miss the self sufficiency of wood heat and solar power. I’ve got chickens left and three steers. 😁

  10. Try to put the electric bike together that will be interesting to from more continent maybe the next video who knows this will be a game changer for you next is a solar Air condition they sell them in Algar Premium sun check them out if you need one🧊🧊🧊🧊👍✌️🤙❤️🇵🇹❤️

  11. Kirsty your explanation was at least for me excellent. As someone considering off grid and understanding very little. Having someone in a similar (no disrespect meant) knowledge level sharing their own lived experience has been just the ticket for me. I feel for the first time I have a better understanding of how it all works.

  12. Thankyou for sharing,,I'm still in the dark with how electrics work, like you I'm kind of afraid and doubt want to mess with something so dangerous. I'd be happy with a bluetti, so glad you got one.

  13. Hello Kirsty
    Good afternoon
    I'm not an expert in this solar system, despite having training in electricity and electronics, however, it seems more rational to me to have more lithium batteries in parallel and a few more solar panels, in the end what Kirsty bought was another battery that is powered by your solar system, and as any electrical device has its own consumption, so it will spend more energy than it can supply, it would then be logical to reinforce the set of panels and add a few more batteries equal to the one you already have installed to have a greater reserve of energy for poorly lit days, because when you charge that system that Kirsty bought, its solar panels having only 1.6KW, there is not much left for the remaining electrical consumption needs.
    That's what I think, but as I said, I'm not an expert in this sector.
    Best regards

  14. I see someone else is curious about how you wash your clothes….. I'm wondering how you cook your meals. Not that you would want hot meals right now. I have been thinking about you during this heat wave. It is affecting us here in central U.S. as well. Today will be between 98 -100 degrees F. I was reading an article yesterday and it said that the heat wave in Portugal is the cause of app. 1000 deaths so I immediately started to worry about you. While not as fun as fiddling with springs and planting and building, it is really helpful and I think I have decided to use something like this for a project I am going to be working on. A big thank you. I wonder if one of those small 5KW wind mills would help your system during the gloomy winter?????

  15. THis is a wonderful addition to your system. Now to building the workshop, adding solar panels, and there will be no stopping you. Even I learned something. I had no idea that heating appliances drew so much power.

  16. Hi Kirsty. Yes, your video was very helpful and informative. Like you, I wouldn't have a clue and only want it to magically produce power. But the one question I am curious about is, how do you wash your clothes? 😆

  17. You mentioned hot water wash. I’ve been doing cold water washes for years, since you where a baby and they get the clothes just as clean. So maybe it wouldn’t use as much power. Glad maple butter was a hit and will bring you and your friends more next year. The new solar system looks great and sure will help you with things around your place Could you put a solar panel on your tool shed when it’s built to power the Bluetti? ❤

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