Unplugged Live - DIY Solar

Unplugged Live

Unplugged Live is a weekly livestream and podcast for DIY solar enthusiasts, off-grid builders, and anyone working toward real energy independence. Each episode features practical discussion, real-world experience, and honest conversation around solar power, batteries, inverters, home energy systems, and the lessons learned along the way. Hosted by Adam De Lay, Eric from East Texas Homestead, and Rodney Hunt, the show focuses on what actually works in the on your property, not theory, hype, or sales fluff. Expect breakdowns of current builds, viewer questions, troubleshooting, industry news.

  1. 5d ago

    Plug-In Solar Q&A: 120V vs 240V, Zero Export, and Grid-Down Workarounds with Jeffrey

    Plug-in solar is the fastest growing corner of DIY solar, and Jeffrey from There's A Trick For That is the guy who tests it hardest. He's back for round two, and the whole episode is plug-in solar: your questions, his real data, zero hype. We cover the 120V vs 240V question (including the two-circuit trick that gets real 240V from two micro-inverters), whether plug-in solar can pair with a whole-home standby generator, battery pairing with portable power stations and raw LiFePO4, what happens when the grid goes down, anti-islanding and why your inverter must shut off, the best zero-export options on the market right now, and why plug-in solar costs what it costs. Plus: Jeffrey walks through the plug-in solar laws sweeping the country (Utah first, roughly nine states with official laws now), the 1,200W continuous rule on a 15A circuit, why balcony solar kits get throttled, a buyer's warning on panel prices (the tariff-driven price floor and what to buy before December 4, 2026), and the sunshine report with weekly production totals from around the country and the world. Topics in this episode: Jeffrey's path from camping channel to plug-in solar specialistWhat plug-in solar is and why states are legalizing itUtah's first-in-the-nation law and the 1,200W continuous rule120V vs 240V plug-in solar and the two micro-inverter 240V workaroundEV charger outlets, 30A circuits, and garage installsAnti-islanding: why grid-tie solar shuts off when the grid goes downGenerator pairing and the backfeed warning on non-bidirectional metersBattery pairing: portable power stations, raw LiFePO4, and the balcony kit battery-buffer trickZero-export options on the market right nowWhat plug-in solar costs and who it's actually worth it forPanel prices: the tariff cliff and what to buy before prices climbSymmetrical 240V loads and pool pump mathSunshine report: 2 MWh channel call, Arizona 218 kWh, international roll callWhere plug-in solar goes next: distributors, panel stocking, and the balcony solar waveLinks and resources: Jeffrey's channel (There's A Trick For That): https://www.youtube.com/@theresatrickforthatJeffrey's website: https://theresatrickforthat.comJeffrey's 6 months of real plug-in solar data: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JQKUQZOMmgJeffrey's first Unplugged appearance (Episode 26): https://youtube.com/live/C8_ghCURkAsSignature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep37 - use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep37Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam De Lay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Have a question or a solar setup to share? Email us at live@unplugged.solar with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel and CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows.

  2. Sep 4

    DIY Solar Trivia Night: 13 Questions, One Winner, and a MidNite SPD Giveaway

    In this Unplugged LIVE replay, it is DIY solar trivia night. Adam De Lay runs the crew and the chat through 13 scored questions on panels, batteries, wiring, and safety while a live leaderboard builds all night. Perfect scores landed in the wheel of luck for a MidNite SPD giveaway, and @52gulfpapa took it home. We also run the sunshine report with weekly solar production totals from around the country, answer a super chat about the EG4 string calculator, and celebrate the channel crossing 1,000. Topics in this episode: What actually powers a solar panel, and how irradiance is measured with a pyranometerSeries wiring and voltage mathWatt hour math at 50 percent state of chargeWhat a shunt does and why it mattersStandard test conditions vs real world panel outputBMS basics on lithium batteriesWire gauge for low voltage DC runsHeat derating and why panels lose output in extreme heatBypass diodes and shadingSurge ratings and SPD protection120V vs 240V standardsParallel battery capacity mathThe MidNite SPD giveaway wheel and the winnerLinks and resources: Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep36 - use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep36Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam De Lay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Have a question or a solar setup to share? Email us at live@unplugged.solar with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, and backup-power systems can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code.

  3. Aug 29

    Grid Failures and Backup Power: What DIY Solar Actually Fixes

    Hurricane Lala knocked out power to more than 180,000 people in Hawaii, and a derecho with 70 to 100 mph winds left 374,000 without power across 53 counties in Indiana. Gary, Indiana waited 14 days for the lights to come back on. Rodney, Eric and Adam break down what these 2026 grid failures mean for people who want real backup power. We get into the practical side: why a 72-hour kit is a good start but two weeks is the goal, which loads matter first (fridge, internet, lights, CPAPs and other medical devices), why a generator is only as good as your fuel supply, and how a solar roll call from the community stacks up. Plus a V2H reality check and what everyone is working on next. Topics in this episode: Hurricane Lala in Hawaii: 180,000+ without powerThe Aug 11 derecho: 374,000 outages across 53 Indiana countiesGary, Indiana: 14 days without electricity72-hour kit vs a two-week backup planMedical loads: CPAPs, oxygen concentrators and consolidatorsGenerators vs solar: fuel dependency and pairing bothV2H reality check after a Tesla Model 3 purchaseSolar roll call from the communityWhat each host is working on nextHave a question or a grid-down story to share? Email us at live@unplugged.solar with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep35Use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500. Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep35

  4. Aug 21

    12 DIY Solar Rookie Mistakes We Made So You Don't Have To

    Community Night! Eric and Adam walk through 12 DIY solar rookie mistakes from the forums and share their own experiences. EVMux had other plans tonight, so we pivoted to a phone stream. Rodney was out this week. We cover the big ones: starting at 12V instead of 48V, fake MPPT controllers, counterfeit wire gauges, bad MC4 connections, no fuses, reverse polarity, and skipping your power audit. Plus viewer stories from the chat. Topics in this episode: 12V vs 48V systemsWrong breaker for the jobStarting too smallFake MPPT controllersFake rated solar panelsFake wire gauges and copper-clad aluminumBad MC4 connectionsLoose connections and thermal camerasInverter too small / no headroomNo fuses or wrong fusesReverse polarityNo power audit before buyingHave a question or a rookie mistake to share? Email us at live@unplugged.solar with subject "Unplugged". Disclosure: This description contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep34Use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500. Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep34

  5. Aug 14

    Do Solar Panel Optimizers Actually Work? Real DIY Solar Data

    Adam has 24 solar panel optimizers sitting in his shop, ready to install on his coop array that battles tree shade all day. But before he climbs up and wires them in, he wants to know: do these things actually work? In this DIY community night, we break down what DC optimizers (Tigo TS4-A-O) are supposed to do for partial shading, string mismatch, and monitoring. Rodney shares real-world Tigo monitoring data from his parents' house showing 5-6% reclaimed energy. Viewers report 12-15% gains with optimizers on their arrays. We discuss when optimizers are worth the money, when you are better off just buying more panels, partial deployment strategies, the warranty impact of running without TAP and CCA, the high-pitch whine issue on ground mounts, rapid shutdown code requirements, and where to source wire for your solar project. Adam also confirms he has the Anker E10 Power Dock for an upcoming review. Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEast Texas HomesteadShop solar gear with our affiliate partners: Signature SolarCurrent Connected

  6. Aug 7

    EG4 Responds to the FCC Inverter Ban

    In this Unplugged LIVE replay, Dylan Rup, Director of Technical Marketing at EG4 Electronics, joins the show to answer the DIY solar community's questions about the FCC's ban on foreign-produced solar inverters. We cover EG4's Commerce, Texas manufacturing facility and the path to 65% domestic content, what happened to the Nova and the new XR60 all-in-one 60kWh energy storage system, firmware updates for existing products, wired vs wireless connectivity, the LuxPower partnership, what to expect at RE+ in November, and a rapid-fire viewer Q&A on Tigo, buying decisions, and the future of inverter innovation. Read Eric's full article with primary government sources: FCC Bans Foreign-Made Solar Inverters (East Texas Homestead)Topics covered: EG4's response to the FCC inverter ban and existing product complianceWhat EG4 manufactures in Commerce, Texas and the Solar76 partnershipDomestic content tracking and the 65% threshold through 2028The Nova to XR60 strategy shift and the XR60 all-in-one 60kWh systemFirmware updates for existing EG4 productsWired vs wireless: air-gapped systems and the EG4 dongleLuxPower partnership and the EG4 product pipelineGridBOSS, 12KPV, and 6000XP safetySodium ion batteries and inverter innovationWhat to expect at RE+ in NovemberRapid-fire Q&A: Tigo, buying decisions, and firmwareWatch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWatch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: Unplugged DIY Solar Want to share your own solar setup? Send pictures to live@unplugged.solar with the subject "Unplugged". Affiliate links: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com (use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500)Current Connected: currentconnected.comDisclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, inverters, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel/CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code.

  7. Jul 31

    FCC Inverter Ban: What It Means for DIY Solar

    The FCC just banned approval of all foreign-made inverters. Here's what that means for anyone doing DIY solar right now. Read Eric's full article with primary government sources: FCC Bans Foreign-Made Solar Inverters: DIY Solar Guide On July 28, the FCC ruled that no new foreign-made inverter can receive FCC certification unless 65% of its component value is US-sourced. If you already own an inverter with an FCC ID, you're fine. But new models, hardware revisions, and anything with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular communication may never reach the US market. We break down the actual ruling text from FCC.gov, talk about who's affected (EG4, Victron, SMA, SRNE, and every power station brand), and share our predictions for what comes next: communication-less inverters, a boom for Solar Assistant, and a possible component-based workaround via Victron's Cerbo GX. Plus: Adam's 12000XP is finally running, Rodney drove a Tesla Model Y Performance, the Sunshine Report hits 2 megawatts, and we answer viewer questions about solar yield reporting, adding a second FlexBOSS 21, and dongle setup on the V2 12000XP. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome and what's happening this week2:40 Rodney test-drove a Tesla Model Y Performance4:09 Adam's 12000XP is running (6000XPs are out)7:14 The FCC inverter ban: how we found out8:12 TL;DR: what the ruling actually says10:00 65% US-made requirement and who's affected (Victron too)12:30 The DJI drone ban parallel15:30 Existing inverters are safe, but what about updates?18:25 Chat Q: What does FCC have to do with solar?19:07 The Wi-Fi dongle workaround idea20:08 Reading the actual FCC ruling text25:00 Wireless vs. wired: where's the line?28:30 Power stations (EcoFlow, Anker) are affected too29:00 We're going to RE+ 202630:00 Predictions: communication-less inverters and Solar Assistant31:00 Victron's Cerbo GX loophole38:48 Tangent: Flock cameras and surveillance39:10 Sunshine Report: community solar production45:25 Mid-show recap and podcast reminder52:22 1984 and George Orwell53:54 Q&A: How to read your solar yield55:15 Eric shares screen: 12000XP solar yield (43.9 kWh)57:17 Q: Orient Power battery settings on Mac vs PC58:52 Q: Adding a second FlexBOSS 21 and dongle setup1:01:12 What's coming up next1:02:08 Adam: Starlink 1-year review, FCC video, EV side-by-side 90 days1:04:50 Rodney: Bluetti charge controller testing1:05:31 Sign-off Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar Watch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy Independence Want to share your own solar setup? Send pictures to live@unplugged.solar with the subject "Unplugged". Affiliate links: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com (use code UNPLUGGED50 for $50 off orders over $500)Current Connected: currentconnected.com Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, inverters, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel/CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code.

  8. Jul 25

    Hidden Budget Killers in DIY Solar: What You Forget to Plan For

    When planning a DIY off-grid solar setup, most people price out the "Big Three": panels, hybrid inverters, and battery banks, and think they have their total budget figured out. The reality? Balance of System costs, heavy copper wiring, specialized tools, and ground mount prep can easily add thousands to your final bill. In this Unplugged LIVE replay, Adam and Eric walk through the hidden budget killers that catch DIY solar builders off guard. They cover where you can safely save money, where cutting corners will cost you big time, and the 30% rule: plan to spend at least 30% more than your Big Three components cost. Topics covered: The "Big Three" vs Balance of System: what you forget to budget forExtra wires, battery cables, and AC wiring costsCopper wire pricing: Eric's real-world #6 to #3 AWG upgrade storyCircuit breakers: why cheap DC breakers are dangerous and name brands matterClass T fuses and surge protection devices (SPD) as cheap insuranceMultimeters: why you need a DC clamp meter, not just a cheap onePanel mounting: roof vs ground mount, torque specs, and fire ant damageInverter self-consumption: how idle draw changes your battery sizingThe 30% rule: budget 30% on top of your Big Three for hidden costsEric's 12000XP upgrade from 6000XPs: breaker and wire gauge changesLightning and EMP protection: SPD ratings explainedAnker Solix E10 battery monitoring limitations vs server rack batteriesSolar roll call: weekly production dashboard and community updatesEric's upcoming content: 17 episodes of porch build and solar shed projectWatch and follow the Unplugged crew: Unplugged DIY SolarAdam DeLay DIYRodney HuntEric | East Texas HomesteadHome Energy IndependenceWant to share your own solar setup or be considered as a guest? Email live@unplugged.solar with the subject "Unplugged". Affiliate links: Signature Solar: signaturesolar.com - use code UNPLUGGED50 for $50 off orders over $500Current Connected: currentconnected.comDisclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, inverters, and electrical wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code. Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: youtube.com/@UnpluggedSolar

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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Unplugged Live is a weekly livestream and podcast for DIY solar enthusiasts, off-grid builders, and anyone working toward real energy independence. Each episode features practical discussion, real-world experience, and honest conversation around solar power, batteries, inverters, home energy systems, and the lessons learned along the way. Hosted by Adam De Lay, Eric from East Texas Homestead, and Rodney Hunt, the show focuses on what actually works in the on your property, not theory, hype, or sales fluff. Expect breakdowns of current builds, viewer questions, troubleshooting, industry news.

Information

  • Creator
    Unplugged Live
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Unplugged Live
  • Show Website
    Unplugged Live - DIY Solar

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