Gear / Main Components

Main Components

The heart of the system: inverters, batteries, panels and charge controllers.

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them I get a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the videos coming.

Inverters

Victron 48V MultiPlus-II 5kVA 120V Inverter

Standby system (Victron)

48V
4 kW
120V

48V inverter/charger with a built-in transfer switch. Runs the house from the batteries, charges them from the grid or a generator, and can be stacked for split-phase or more power.

Full specs

Battery: 48V (38–66V DC)
AC output: 5,000VA / 4,000W continuous at 77°F
Peak: 9,000W
Output voltage: 120V, 60Hz (pair two for 120/240V split phase)
Solar: None built in (add an MPPT charge controller)
Battery charger: 70A
Idle draw: 15W (10W AES mode, 3W search mode)
Stacking: Up to 6 in parallel; 2 for split phase, 3 for three phase
Weight: 71 lb

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Manual

See it in a video

Current Connected

EG4 6500 EX-48 Solar Inverter/Charger 6.5 KVA 120V AC

48V
6.5 kW
120V
8 kW PV

All-in-one off-grid unit: inverter, MPPT solar charger and battery charger in one box. Two can be paired for 120/240V split phase.

Full specs

Battery: 48V
AC output: 6,500W continuous
Surge: 13,000W for 5 seconds
Output voltage: 120V (pair two for 120/240V split phase)
Solar input: 8,000W, 2 MPPTs
PV voltage: 90–450V operating, 500V max (Voc)
PV current: 18A per MPPT
Solar charging: 120A
Idle draw: 70W
Parallel: Up to 6 units
Weight: 40 lb
Warranty: 3 years

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Manual – 2.3.2 Firmware – 79.71

See it in a video

EG4 6000XP Inverter/Charger 120/240V AC; 6000W Output 9000W Solar

Portable power cart

48V
6 kW
120/240V
8 kW PV

All-in-one off-grid inverter with native 120/240V split-phase output, so a single unit can run 240V loads like a well pump or dryer.

Full specs

Battery: 48V (46.4–60V lithium)
AC output: 6,000W continuous
Surge: 12,000W for about 3.5 seconds
Output voltage: 120/240V split phase from one unit
Solar input: 8,000W (4,000W per MPPT), 2 MPPTs
PV voltage: 120–385V MPPT range, 480V max (Voc)
PV current: 17A usable, 25A short circuit per MPPT
Battery charging: 125A from solar, 115A from AC
Grid bypass: 50A
Idle draw: About 50W on battery
Parallel: Up to 16 units
Weight: 52.9 lb
Listing: UL 1741
Warranty: 5 years

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Current Connected Signature Solar

NHX-10 Split-Phase Hybrid Inverter

48V
10 kW
120/240V
500V PV

Outdoor-rated, UL-listed hybrid inverter with 120/240V output and grid-interactive operation. Four PV inputs up to 500V make it easy to run several array orientations.

Full specs

Battery: 48V
AC output: 10,000W
Output voltage: 120/240V split phase, grid interactive
Solar input: 4 PV inputs, 4,000W and 14A each
PV voltage: 500V max
Idle draw: Under 75W
Parallel: Up to 8 units
Enclosure: Outdoor rated
Listings: UL 1741, UL 9540A
Weight: 100 lb

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Watts247

MidNite Solar TheOne

Primary system

48V
11.4 kW
120/240V
15 kW PV

11.4kW Hybrid All-In-One Inverter

120/240V AC; 15,000W Max PV Input Power

11.4kW hybrid all-in-one inverter with 120/240V output and up to 15kW of solar input — a big, whole-home system in one enclosure.

Full specs

Battery: 48V (40–64V)
AC output: 11,400W with solar, 10,000W from battery only
Surge: 20,000VA for 1 second
Output voltage: 120/240V split phase
Solar input: 15,000W, 3 MPPTs
PV voltage: 70–550V MPPT range, 600V max
PV current: 30A / 22A / 22A
Battery charge/discharge: 210A
Parallel: Up to 9 units
Listing: UL 1741 SB (can sell to the grid)
Weight: 98 lb
Warranty: 10 years

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Current Connected

Victron 10kVA 120/240V Off-Grid Power System

Standby system (Victron)

48V
8 kW
120/240V

Current Connected's split-phase package built around two MultiPlus-II 5kVA inverters. Paired together they give 120/240V for the whole house, and this is the core of my setup.

Full specs

Inverters: 2 × MultiPlus-II 48V 5kVA 120V
Battery: 48V
AC output: 10,000VA / 8,000W continuous at 77°F
Peak: 18,000W (9,000W per inverter)
Output voltage: 120/240V split phase
Battery charger: 140A (70A per inverter)
Solar: Separate Victron MPPT charge controller (kit option)

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

See it in a video

Current Connected

Anker SOLIX E10

Secondary system (E10)

6–30 kWh
7.68 kW
120/240V
9 kW PV

The core of Anker's whole-home backup system: the power module (inverter) plus B6000 battery modules, which stack to add capacity. Mine runs a set of dedicated circuits.

Full specs

Battery: B6000 modules, 6,144Wh each, 400V DC nominal
Capacity: 6.1–30.7kWh per E10 (1 to 5 batteries)
AC output: 7,680W (32A) continuous; 10,000W for 90 minutes with 2+ batteries
Output voltage: 120/240V split phase
Solar input: 2 inputs, 4,500W each (9,000W total)
PV voltage: 30–450V, 450V max (Voc)
PV current: 15A per input
AC charging: 1,800W on 120V, 7,680W on 240V
Generator: 4,500W DC input from the Smart Generator 5500
Enclosure: NEMA 4 (IP66)
Cycle life: 4,000 cycles to 80%
Weight: 60.6 lb power module, 130 lb per battery
Warranty: 5 years (power module and each battery)

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Anker SOLIX Amazon

BLUETTI EP800 + B500

7.6 kW
120/240V
9 kW PV
9.9–39.6 kWh

Home battery system: the EP800 inverter with stackable B500 battery modules.

Full specs

AC output: 7,600W
Output voltage: 120/240V split phase
Solar input: 9,000W
PV voltage: 150–500V MPPT range
Battery: B500 modules, 4,960Wh each
Capacity: 9.9kWh (2 × B500) up to 39.6kWh (2 EP800 + 8 B500)

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

BLUETTI

Batteries

3.2V 280Ah LiFePO4 Cells

Battery bank

3.2V
280Ah
896Wh

Large prismatic lithium iron phosphate cells. Sixteen in series make a 48V (51.2V) battery of about 14kWh — the cheapest way to build serious storage yourself.

Full specs

Cell: 3.2V, 280Ah, 896Wh
Capacity: 280Ah
Energy: 896Wh per cell
Chemistry: LiFePO4
16 in series: 51.2V, about 14.3kWh

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

See it in a video

Alibaba

JK 16S 200A Smart BMS (B2A24S20P)

Battery bank

8–24S
200A
2A balance

Battery management system for a DIY LiFePO4 pack. Protects the cells from over/under-voltage, over-current and temperature, and actively balances them at up to 2A. Set up and monitored over Bluetooth.

Full specs

Cells: 8–24 in series
Continuous current: 200A
Balancing: 2A active
Monitoring: Bluetooth app

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

See it in a video

AliExpress

Orient Power 51.2V 230Ah Server-Rack Battery

Battery bank

51.2V
230Ah
11.8 kWh

About 11.8kWh of ready-made LiFePO4 storage in a rack-mount case with its own BMS. No cell building required — slide it in and wire it up.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 230Ah
Energy: 11,776Wh
Chemistry: LiFePO4
BMS: 200A, with DC breaker
Max charge: 160A (50A recommended)
Inverter comms: I tested closed loop with Victron and the EG4 6000XP

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Orient Power

Vatrer 48V 100Ah Self-Heating Server-Rack Battery

Battery bank

51.2V
100Ah
5.12 kWh
Self-heating

51.2V LiFePO4 rack battery with a built-in 100A BMS, touchscreen display and self-heating for charging in cold weather. I added it when I expanded my battery bank.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 100Ah
Energy: 5,120Wh
BMS: 100A
Self-heating: Heats at 32°F and below, charges above 41°F
Cycle life: 5,000+ at 100% depth of discharge
Monitoring: Built-in display, Bluetooth
Parallel: Up to 10 (51.2kWh)

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Vatrer Amazon

Vatrer 51.2V 100Ah WiFi Server-Rack Battery

51.2V
100Ah
5.12 kWh

51.2V LiFePO4 rack battery with Wi-Fi monitoring, a touchscreen and inverter communication settings, built on a JBD BMS and EVE cells. I tore it down, ran a capacity test, and tested its communications with Victron, SolMax and EG4 inverters.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 100Ah
Energy: 5,120Wh
BMS: 100A
Inverter comms: CAN, RS485, RS232
Monitoring: Touchscreen, Bluetooth, WiFi
Cycle life: 5,000+ at 100% depth of discharge
Parallel: Up to 10 (51.2kWh)
Listing: UL 1973

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Vatrer Amazon

Vatrer 4U Battery Cabinet

Battery bank

Rolling 4-shelf server-rack cabinet sized for rack batteries, with ventilation and locking casters.

Watch my review

Vatrer Amazon

TechCella 48V 100Ah Server-Rack Battery

Battery bank

51.2V
100Ah
5.12 kWh

51.2V LiFePO4 rack battery with a 100A BMS, inverter communication and a built-in display. The cheapest rack battery I've tested.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 100Ah
Energy: 5,120Wh
BMS: 16S, 100A
Monitoring: Built-in display, Bluetooth
Inverter comms: Yes

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Amazon TechCella

WattCycle 48V 100Ah V2 Server-Rack Battery

Battery bank

51.2V
100Ah
5.12 kWh

Rack battery with Bluetooth monitoring. In my testing, both units beat their rated 100Ah, and the BMS protections worked as advertised.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 100Ah
Energy: 5,120Wh
BMS: 100A
Monitoring: Bluetooth

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

WattCycle Amazon

Eco-Worthy Cubix 100 Pro

Battery bank

51.2V
100Ah
5.12 kWh

51.2V 100Ah rack battery built to charge safely below freezing. I covered the cold-weather fix in a follow-up video.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 100Ah
Energy: 5,120Wh
Max charge: 100A (50A standard)
Charge temperature: -4°F to 131°F (rated)
Inverter comms: CAN, RS485, RS232
Monitoring: Touchscreen, Bluetooth, WiFi
Cycle life: 6,000 to 80%
Parallel: Up to 32

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Eco-Worthy Current Connected Amazon

Gobel Power 51.2V DIY Battery Kit (EVE 314Ah)

Battery bank

51.2V
314Ah
16 kWh

Battery case with BMS and breaker plus 16 EVE 314Ah cells — everything needed to build a roughly 16kWh 48V pack yourself.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 314Ah
Energy: About 16kWh
Cells: 16 × EVE 314Ah LiFePO4
Included: Case, BMS, breaker

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Watch my review

Kit with cells Case kit only

MidNite Solar PowerFlo 5

Battery bank

51.2V
100Ah
5.12 kWh

5kWh, 48V server-rack battery from MidNite Solar.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 100Ah
Energy: 5,120Wh
Discharge: 75A continuous, 100A max
Cycle life: 6,000
Parallel: Up to 16
Form: 3U server rack

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Spec sheet

Watch my review

Buy

MidNite Solar PowerFlo 16

Battery bank

51.2V
314Ah
16 kWh

16kWh wall-mount battery from MidNite Solar.

Full specs

Voltage: 51.2V
Capacity: 314Ah
Energy: 16kWh
Cycle life: 8,000
Enclosure: IP65
Weight: 284 lb

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

Spec sheet

Watch my review

Buy

Solar Panels

SolarEver 455W Panels

Solar arrays

455W
Voc 49.35V
Isc 11.44A

High-output monocrystalline panels. More watts per panel means fewer panels, rails and connections for the same array size.

Full specs

Rated output: 455W
Open circuit voltage (Voc): 49.35V
Short circuit current (Isc): 11.44A
Max power voltage (Vmp): 41.51V
Max power current (Imp): 10.96A
Max system voltage: 1,500V DC
Max fuse: 20A
Model: SE-166*83-455M-144N (from the label on mine)
Size: 2094 × 1038 × 35 mm
Weight: 23.0kg (50.7 lb)

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

See it in a video

SanTan Solar

Renogy 100W Panels

Solar arrays

100W
12V
Voc 22.3V
Isc 5.86A

Compact 12V monocrystalline panels — good for small systems, sheds, RVs and portable setups.

Full specs

Rated output: 100W
Nominal voltage: 12V
Open circuit voltage (Voc): 22.3V
Short circuit current (Isc): 5.86A
Max power voltage (Vmp): 18.6V
Max power current (Imp): 5.38A
Max system voltage: 600V DC
Max fuse: 15A
Model: RNG-100D-SS (from the label on mine)
Size: 1076 × 509 × 35 mm
Weight: 6.5kg (14.3 lb)

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

See it in a video

Amazon

Used SanTan Solar 250W Panels

Solar arrays

250W
Voc 37.6V
Isc 8.85A

Used panels pulled from commercial arrays and tested for resale. A very low cost per watt if you have the room to mount a few extra.

Full specs

Rated output: 250W
Open circuit voltage (Voc): 37.6V
Short circuit current (Isc): 8.85A
Model: SSG250P60 (the ones I bought)

From the manufacturer unless noted. Check the current spec sheet before sizing a system.

See it in a video

SanTan Solar

Solar Charge Controller

Victron MPPT RS 450V/100A SmartSolar Charge Controller

Standby system (Victron)

48V
100A
450V PV

High-voltage MPPT solar charge controller for 48V batteries. Accepts PV strings up to 450V and charges at up to 100A, with Bluetooth and VE.Can for monitoring.

Full specs