I have a small cabin and want to use off-grid solar power.
Can someone guide me on which specific parts I need to set up a system capable of powering just a water kettle and toaster.
Thanks.
Off Grid Solar Power
Comments
I'd look at a solar camping kit, battery and a battery box. Something like these three (I didn't do any research on prices). Also not sure if you need an inverter in there somewhere. No idea if this is legal where you are, I definitely wouldn't do any manual wiring into the cabin itself.
https://www.bcf.com.au/p/xtm-300w-solar-blanket/655867.html
https://www.bcf.com.au/p/engel-series-2-smart-battery-box/56…
https://www.bcf.com.au/p/hardkorr-lithium-battery-100ah/6309…If you want a socket inside that you can just plug into, you need the full shebang on electrician, inverter, battery, wiring, it would cost at least $10k.
Nah can be way cheaper if OP is a bit handy.
Solar panels (glass 20kg ones which produce 400W in good light) - A small 1.6kW system hooked into a battery controller to charge an array of LFP batteries (depends on usage - can probably get away with 1x200AH battery.)
Hook the batteries into a 2000W inverter
Make sure OP only uses 1 appliance at a time
Off-grid solar is really expensive in Australia for some reason (think roof install + 50%) … weird, because in the US it's like half the price of a roof installation!
Believe it or not, but a kettle and toaster are quite high wattage devices, meaning you will need quite a big solar panel array to power those two devices at once and obviously it won't work at night or with cloud cover :/
As above, the best bet would be a high wattage generator, fire it up when wanting to use those devices …
For reference, most kettles and toasters are 2000+ watts each, meaning you will need a system to deliver sustained 4000W for both to run!
As above, kettle and toaster and a couple of the highest power draw appliances you can have in your home. Probably need a minimum 3kw inverter, you will then have to figure out your battery needs based on what you are going to be running, and how long those things will be running for.
Buy a MG4. I believe it can power a toaster, probably a kettle. Bonus: It also doubles as an Electric Vehicle.
Or a Byd atto 3?
54k
Or 47k demonstrator
A small portable stove is a cheap and effective solution for toasting and hot water
Yep, definitely just easier and cheaper to go with gas.
A fire is even better.
Electric heating is very energy intensive. You would be better off with a gas stove & setting up a cheap DIY 12v system to power lights/devices as required.
A 12v solar charge controller paired with a few second hand roof panels & an AGM/lithium battery (or even a few second hand car batteries will do just fine for glorified camping in a cabin. If you want to use it for kettles/toasters you would need to up size the system then get an inverter meant for a car to run your AC240v appliances, one at a time only.
My family has an off grid property basically with this setup, small 2 bedroom home . LPG gas for Stove/Oven, Fridge and Hot Water. A couple of solar panels and battery for lighting and basic appliances. Wood fireplace for heating during winter.
Works great as a weekender, though if you wanted to live there longer would invest in larger solar and battery system.
Imagining OP just think a couple of solar panels only will let them boil water and toast bread early in the morning lol
Need a battery and a 2kW inverter minimum.
Gas stove suggestion makes more sense
solar panel —> solar charger —> battery —> inverter
There are plenty of batteries on the market which you can plug directly into such as this: https://www.ugreen.com/products/ugreen-powerroam1200-power-s…
You should be able to hook this up to some solar panels and then run some extensions from this to your sockets.
I have a small cabin and want to use off-grid solar power.
Do you live in it or just visit on the weekends etc?
If only the odd night here and there, maybe something like a ecoflow power bank would be better. Charge it up at home, and take it to the cabin. You can even add solar panels etc to them to charge up during the day while there.
If you just want to boil water and toast bread buy a butane gas stove.
$25-$30 vs $2500-$3000 for electric.
How often it used? Could a generator be cheaper in the long run?