Installing your own homemade solar power system involves multiple steps. Previously, I wrote about how to install the DIY solar panel up on the roof. When the panel is up, the next step is to wire it up to the charge controller. Here’s the simple instruction for the process.

What you need to do is slip in the BX cable from the solar panel to the charge controller. It is a good idea to insulate the tip so you don’t create a spark on the device.

Feed the wire through a strainer lead and tighten it up. This is to prevent the BX cable from being accidentally yanked off the charge controller.

With the Direct Current (DC) coming from the solar panel, you should use some kind of fusing system. Just in case something goes wrong, the fuse will burn off rather than your solar component.

For the fusing mechanism, you can use a standard car fuse rated 40 amps at 32 volts. What you really need is about 15 amp and the car fuse is more than enough to give your system some measure of protection.

Now, attach the fuse to the positive wire on the BX cable and the protection system is done.

If you are building a large residential solar power system, the fuse protection mechanism will have to be done in a separate box. For a small DIY system, a simple connection on the live wire should be fine.

Next, use a small jumper wire on the fuse mechanism to connect it to the charge controller. Look at the charge controller circuitry and locate the positive terminal. That is where the wire should be attached to.

Next to the positive terminal should be the negative terminal. Connect the negative wire from the BX cable to this terminal.

Finally, connect the ground terminal to the ground wire from the BX cable. Usually, the ground wire is green in color.

When you’ve finished connecting the cable from the solar panel to the charge controller, the next step is to do the battery connection.

DIY Home Solar System Guide

Are you planning to make your own home solar power system? If you are, check out Michael Harvey’s Earth 4 Energy e-book.

The manual comes with step by step instruction showing you how to make a solar panel with minimal cost. Check out the Earth 4 Energy review post on this blog for more information.

Many home owners do not know this, the power outlets on your home are actually air leaks. The amount of air leakage may be small, but multiplied by the number of power outlets at your home, the amount can be substantial.

During cold weather, you may not be able to feel the cold air coming in through the power outlets, but your thermostat will feel it.

In order to maintain the ambient temperature, the thermostat will make the heater run longer and harder thus costing you money.

When a house is built, throughout the power outlet electrical boxes, the insulation goes around it and there’s only about 2 inches thick. That is not enough to retain much heat.

How do you check for air leaks from power outlets?

You’ll need to get the TLD100 thermal detection device from Black & Decker.

Shine the TLD100 about 1 foot away from the power outlet to get a temperature reference. Go around the outlet cover and see where the light turns blue. That shows the area is colder due to cold air seeping in.

Note down what is the temperature difference. If it is more than 3 to 5 degree, you’ll need to seal it.

How do you prevent air from coming in through the power outlet?

You can solve that problem very easily and cheaply.

Get some of those baby safety plugs that you put into the outlet holes so babies won’t be able to put their fingers in and get electrocuted.

Believe it or not, putting the plugs into the outlet really do help to prevent air seepage. These safety plugs are very cheap. You can get them from Amazon.com.

When you’ve sealed the outlet, use the TLD100 again and check the temperature difference. There shouldn’t be much temperature variance now.

Where can you get the Black & Decker TLD100?

You can get it also from Amazon.com with free shipping.

Related web pages:

1) Earth4 Energy Scam – Is The Earth4Energy E-book A Fraud?

One of the key components of a home solar power system is the power inverter. The Photovoltaic (PV) cells on the roof will convert the sun energy into Direct Current (DC). The current will then be stored in deep cycle battery.

Since most of our home appliances use Alternate Current (AC), the power inverter will be used to convert the DC to AC.

So how do we choose the best power inverter for our residential solar power system?

If you need some really clean power similar to the type of power you will get from the grid, you will need an inverter which is capable of producing a sine wave with the same characteristics.

Why do you need an inverter which can create similar sine wave from the power grid?

The reason is because you’ll need clean power to effective operate the electrical appliances at home.

Let me explain.

The sine wave from the power grid has very low harmonic distortion. If you are using inductive load such as microwave oven or any devices that use a motor, good sine wave will let it running faster, quieter and cooler. It will also reduce audible and electrical noise on fans, florescent light, amplifier, TV etc.

An inverter capable of matching the sine wave from the grid will let your electrical devices run as if it is getting power from the grid.

The process of setting up the power inverter is actually quite easy. At one end of the device, you will see the terminal that will be connected to the batteries.

Most power inverter will generate heat when converting DC to AC. That’s why, most inverter comes with built in exhaust fans. Make sure there are no obstructions on the fan or it will affect heat dispersion.

On the other end of the inverter, usually there will be a 110 or 120 volt output. This is where you can connect a power outlet extension adapter where your electrical devices can be plugged in. You will also find the on and off switch on the side of the inverter and the grounding point.

Power Inverter For Solar System

If you are looking for a reliable power inverter for your home solar power system, check out the Solar Solpi 10000X.

It is capable of delivering 1000 watts of continuous power and up to 2000 watts peak power. The inverter will be sufficient to meet the demand of a medium size home.

The Solar Solpi inverter is available from Amazon.com. Click on the link below for more information.