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Build a Handy 12-Volt Solar Generator with LiFePo4 Batteries

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on July 23, 2023 by JimApril 14, 2026
photo of the completed solar generator

Previously, I wrote about Upgrading a Solar Power System and mentioned a cache of new Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) cells. The “ThunderSky Winston” cells had come from a Segway repair operation and were new. A little looking around the ‘net revealed they were still available from GWL Group. With a capacity of 60 Amp Hours (AH) and nominal voltage of 3.3 volts, they looked useful for building a 12-volt Solar Generator.

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Posted in Projects | Tagged battery, bms, build, bus bar, charge, controller, DIY, generator, howto, inverter, iron, lifepo, lithium, management, phosphate, radiob, solar, storage, system, wb0mmc

Solar Power Eases A Bad Ice Storm

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on February 14, 2023 by JimMarch 15, 2026
photo of 5 Kilowatt Solar Array with ice

The Solar Power Resilience Project at Roy Creek Ranch Over several years, we’ve built and expanded a multi-system solar installation at Roy Creek Ranch. In particular, a recent upgrade to the battery and inverter system significantly improved our resilience during … Continue reading →

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Posted in Projects | Tagged charge controller, controller, DIY, electric kettle, hill country, kilowatt, kilowatt-hours, kWh, off-grid, panel, solar, space heater, storage, tankless, toaster oven, update, water heater, wood stove

How to Upgrade a Solar Power System

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on February 13, 2022 by JimSeptember 12, 2025
photo of the "New" solar panels and mount

Upgrading a Solar Power System It was time to upgrade the solar power system installed for the shop almost two years ago. I’ve been happy with original system, but it needed expansion as soon as funding permitted. I also wanted … Continue reading →

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Posted in Projects | Tagged charge, controller, DIY, how to, howto, inverter, kilowatt-hours, mppt, panel, solar, victron, wb0mmc

How to Wire a Solar System – Finished

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on June 10, 2020 by JimApril 23, 2026
photo showing Miles (dog) approving of the Solar Power System

In the last post, I described the DC charge controller and battery wiring for the Shop Solar System. With solar panels and batteries connected, the inverter was functional. A quick test showed the expected 240 VAC at the inverter output, and it was time to connect it to the breaker panel in the shop.

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Posted in Projects | Tagged batteries, charge, controller, deep cycle, DIY, how to, Interstate, inverter, off-grid, power, renogy, solar, solar power generator, storage, sungoldpower

How to Wire a Solar Power System – DC

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on May 29, 2020 by JimApril 23, 2026
Image of Shop Solar System showing the Inverter, Batteries and DC Wiring

In the last post, we mounted the solar panel array. Now it was time for the solar power system low-voltage wiring. The array is about 50 feet from my shop, where the batteries and inverter are located. I planned to use two strands of #6 UF direct-bury cable to conduct the predicted maximum of 36 amperes to the shop.

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Posted in Projects | Tagged batteries, charge, controller, deep cycle, DIY, how to, Interstate, inverter, off-grid, power, renogy, solar, solar power generator, storage, sungoldpower

Solar Water Pump for Well Completed | Solar Powered Rainwater Project

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 15, 2017 by JimApril 22, 2026
photo of Completed Solar Powered Rainwater System

Solar water pump for well—measured power consumption, battery capacity, inverter losses, and real-world off-grid system performance.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, ampere-hours, battery bank capacity, build, charge, controller, deep cycle, DIY, equipment, Grid-assist, grid-tie, ham radio, how to, howto, Interstate, inverter, kill-a-watt, kilowatt, kilowatt-hours, kWh, marine, mppt, off-grid, panel, panel wattage, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, solar panel wattage, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc

Adding Solar Panels to an Off-Grid System | Solar Power Rainwater System

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on November 14, 2017 by JimApril 21, 2026
adding solar panels to the water shed

After testing our off-grid solar system, it became clear we needed more capacity. By adding solar panels, we improved charging performance, and expanded the system for real-world use.

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Posted in Projects | Tagged amateur, ampere-hours, battery bank capacity, build, charge, controller, deep cycle, DIY, equipment, Grid-assist, grid-tie, ham radio, how to, howto, Interstate, inverter, kill-a-watt, kilowatt, kilowatt-hours, kWh, marine, mppt, off-grid, panel, panel wattage, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, solar panel wattage, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc, woodworking

Off Grid Solar System Final Assembly and Testing | Solar Powered Rainwater Project

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on July 15, 2017 by JimApril 21, 2026
the entire off grid solar system

Bringing all the pieces together, we assemble and test a complete off grid solar system—wiring panels, configuring the inverter, and proving it can run a real-world load.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, ampere-hours, battery bank capacity, build, charge, controller, deep cycle, DIY, equipment, Grid-assist, grid-tie, ham radio, how to, howto, Interstate, inverter, kill-a-watt, kilowatt, kilowatt-hours, kWh, marine, mppt, off-grid, panel, panel wattage, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, solar panel wattage, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc

Solar Battery Bank Design and Wiring | Solar Powered Rainwater Project

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on July 11, 2017 by JimApril 20, 2026
photo of Battery cart with batteries

Designing a solar battery bank isn’t just about capacity—it’s about balancing cost, weight, and real-world constraints. Here’s how we built a practical 48 volt battery system for our off-grid rainwater project.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged amateur, ampere-hours, battery bank capacity, build, charge, controller, deep cycle, DIY, equipment, Grid-assist, grid-tie, ham radio, how to, howto, Interstate, inverter, kill-a-watt, kilowatt, kilowatt-hours, kWh, marine, mppt, off-grid, panel, panel wattage, pwm, rainwater, renogy, solar, solar panel wattage, storage, teardrop, trailer, wb0mmc

Buying A Great Solar Inverter Charge Controller | Solar Powered Rainwater Project

Roy Creek Ranch Posted on June 26, 2017 by JimApril 20, 2026
photo of The inverter box

Choosing the right solar inverter charge controller can make or break an off-grid system. This real-world project walks through sourcing a hybrid inverter, evaluating features, and navigating the challenges of overseas ordering and delivery.

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Posted in Projects, Ranch Life | Tagged battery, build, charge, China, Chinese, controller, deep cycle, DIY, hill country, homesteading, how to, howto, Interstate, inverter, panel, rainwater, renogy, solar, Sun Gold Power, Texas, texas hill country

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