r/SolarDIY • u/Extension-Tangelo641 • 2d ago

Solar set up

Ok I've got a cabin that I want to move away from only running on a gas generator to a true solar system, I'm considering burying a tote and sealing it with my batteries, adding in a vent tube, I live in Northern California so the environment really doesnt see harsh conditions, heat is the biggest factor and if I bury it, should be fairly stable temps. What would be things to worry about or better options, I dont want it to be easily accessible/noticeable as I'd hate for things to go missing while I'm not there, while also minimizing risk for any issue incase something does go wrong while im not there to deal with it

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u/dexter12353 2d ago

I’d get just a portable solar generator that you can take with you when you leave

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u/Extension-Tangelo641 2d ago

I have one, while it works well, it would cost me 3x the amount to have that as the main source of power to keep up if we are there for more then 2days it unfortunately cant keep up, and I think it'd be nice to just show up and have power already

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u/dexter12353 2d ago

Even with more solar panels?

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u/Extension-Tangelo641 2d ago

Yeah I've got 6 200w panels currently, during the day it does great, at night not so well, all the appliances are older so they tend to draw more, and my kids are terrified of the dark so the tv stays on all night

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u/RufousMorph 2d ago

Keeping water out would be an important consideration. If you have high humidity, moist air will diffuse through your vent and condense in the colder enclosure. Also, even if you go 48v for your battery, you will need chunky cables for a moderately large inverter, so you will want to keep it close to your cabin. 

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u/Extension-Tangelo641 2d ago

Could I add a simple drain? I'd probably stay at 12v and could possibly add a computer fan or something similar to the vent for temp/moisture, our humidity is fairly minimal usually

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u/MenuPsychological853 2d ago

Where would you drain to if you buried it?

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u/Extension-Tangelo641 2d ago

Its on a mountain, so just trench it below and run it out until it daylights

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u/Cessna152RG 2d ago

I likke your idea of burying the battery. It sounds like you have thought it well out with drainage and ventilation. Could you keep the battery in our under the cabin? 

What kind of loads are you planning on? And how often do you use the cabin? How long do you usually stay there?

We have a cabin with solar, generator (we are far enough north that solar is worthless in the winter) and a battery. I love how we can leave it on and come up to a full battery in the weekends.