Tiny Homes / ADU
Tiny houses are great for solar power because the smaller space needs less power to meet your energy needs. A tiny homeowner can reduce their energy usage and power consumption. The electrical solar power system of an off-grid tiny home is very similar to that of an RV with the following exceptions: there is no alternator charging, shore power is a generator, and the roof surface for mounting panels is typically metal or asphalt shingles. A solar installation a great way to use renewable energy to power your adventure. Join the tiny house movement with a solar solution and minimize your energy consumption while improving energy efficiency.
1. Select a battery bank: If you plan on running high current loads like a microwave, blender, or coffee pot, you will need at least 200Ah of battery capacity. If you plan to have an air conditioner or induction cooktop, we recommend at least 300Ah.
We sell LifeBlue batteries individually, or as a base kit, which includes one battery, a Victron BMV-712 battery monitor, cable, lugs, and heat shrink, plus expansion kits, which include one battery and parallel cables. For two batteries, select one base kit and one expansion kit. If you want three batteries, get one base kit and two expansion kits.
LifeBlue batteries come in three size configurations, choose what will fit best for your application.
100Ah: H 9.4" x W 12.5" x D 6.5" 28lbs
200Ah: H 10.8" x W 20" x D 6.9" 57lbs
300Ah: H 9.5" x W 20.25" x D 11" 83lbs
LifeBlue lithium batteries have integrated controls to automatically protect against overcharging, overly discharging, and frozen charging. This integration makes installation much easier for DIY projects. LifeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage, current, cycle life, battery health, Faults and state of charge.
This is a complete LifeBlue lithium RV battery base kit with a Victron BMV-712 Bluetooth battery monitor. The monitor is included to provide cumulative battery bank data, compatible with Victron VRM monitoring. When expanding the battery bank, do not mix battery models and limit the battery bank to four batteries.
This kit is designed to be an add-on to an existing LifeBlue battery system.
2. Design the solar charging system: Most of what AM Solar sells is designed for mobile applications, which are similar, except for the roofing and panel mounting methods. AM Solar RV mounts will attach to flat metal, or they can be bolted to a wooden frame. Mounts for asphalt shingle, or tile roofs would have to be purchased separately.
Tiny homes tend to have a lot of roof space which allows for a wide variety of solar array configurations. One of our favorite systems is 4x 200W solar panels on an 85A solar charge controller. This gives you room to add more panels in the future if you find you need more energy.
For a complete explanation of everything you would want to know about how to design a solar charging system, check out our Solar Charger Design Guide.
The Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers are compatible with any battery type, can work on 12V or 24V battery systems, and communicate status via Bluetooth.
Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 700W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted
Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 1200W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted
Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 1400W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted
3. Select an Inverter/Charger System: The 3000VA and 5000VA options combine and inverter and a charger in one unit. The charger/shore power portion would be applicable when plugging into a gas generator. If a smaller system is preferred, stand-alone chargers/converters can be purchased along with stand-alone inverters.
The MultiPlus is a powerful true sine wave inverter, a sophisticated battery charger that features adaptive charge technology and a high-speed AC transfer switch in a single compact enclosure. Rated at 3000VA.
Note: Some Keurig coffee makers are known to be incompatible with inverters. In some cases, this will just result in a loud buzzing noise while operating, and in other cases, it will result in inverter overload and failure to operate. This doesn't mean your inverter will be damaged or that trying to use your coffee maker is dangerous; however, AM Solar cannot support compatibility issues resulting from a Keurig coffee maker. We recommend doing some research and purchasing a different coffee maker if you find yours to be incompatible with your inverter system.
If you have a 50A coach, we recommend looking into our MultiPlus-II 12/3000/2x 120V VE.Bus Inverter/Charger kits for 50A coaches.
Please note there is currently a nation-wide shortage of Duplex AC breakers (primarily 15/20). Our kits are designed to include these, but we may need to make substitutions due to stock level. Please email info@amsolar.com if you have any questions about this.
Steady State: 2400W
Surge: 6000W
Voltage Output: 120V AC
Voltage Input: 9.5-17V
No Load Draw: 8-20W
Waveform: Pure Sine
Frequency: 60hz
Charger: 120A
Passthrough: 50A
Efficiency: 93%
Dimensions: H 14.3" x W 10.2" x D 8.6"
Extra: PowerAssist
Similar to the MultiPlus, the Quattro is also a combined inverter and charger. Additionally, it can accept two AC inputs and automatically connect to the active source. Its many features include a true sine wave inverter, adaptive charging, hybrid PowerAssist technology plus multiple system integration features such as three or split phase operation and parallel operation. Rated at 5000VA.
Please note there is currently a nation-wide shortage of Duplex AC breakers (primarily 15/20). Our kits are designed to include these, but we may need to make substitutions due to stock level. Please email info@amsolar.com if you have any questions about this.
Steady State: 4000W
Surge: 10000W
Voltage Output: 120V AC
Voltage Input: 19V-33V
No Load Draw: 10-30W
Waveform: Pure Sine
Frequency: 60hz
Charger: 120A
Passthrough: 2x 100A
Efficiency: 94%
Dimensions: (24V) H 17.5" x W 13.0" x D 9.6"
Extra: PowerAssist
This kit includes all the standard components for the do-it-yourself installation of a Victron Phoenix 1200 inverter system. This inverter offers Bluetooth communication compatibility through a dongle and is ideal for refrigerators, laptops, entertainment centers, and cell phone chargers.
Steady State: 1200VA
Peak Power: 2400W
Voltage Output: 110V AC
Voltage Input: 9.2-17.3V
Waveform: Pure Sine
Frequency: 60hz
Efficiency: 92%
Dimensions: H 4.6" x W 9.1" x D 12.9"
4. Add the DC Distribution Kit: The DC Distribution kit protects your battery from over discharge and starts you off with one DC outlet (Dual USB & 12V) coming from a six position fuse block.
This kit includes everything you need to connect DC loads to a battery bank. A Victron Battery Protect prevents the batteries from being overly discharged.
PreConfigured Complete System Examples (Obsolete kits)
- 4x 170W Solar Panels for tiny house with mounts and wire harnesses
- Mounts for metal roof included
- 50A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication
- Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication
- 2x Lifeline 400Ah AGM 6V Batteries
- 1200W Victron Phoenix pure sine inverter with AC outlet
- 60A DC Battery Protect with remote disconnect prevents over-discharge
- 6 position DC fuse block with DC outlet offering dual USB and standard 12V
- Lugs, heat shrink, cables, etc. All included
- 8x 170W Solar Panels for tiny house with mounts and wire harnesses
- Mounts for asphalt shingle roof included
- 100A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication
- Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication
- 4x Lifeline 400Ah AGM 6V Batteries
- 2000W Victron Multiplus pure sine inverter / 80A charger with hybrid 30A generator connection
- 60A DC Battery Protect with remote disconnect prevents over-discharge
- 6 position DC fuse block with DC outlet offering dual USB and standard 12V
- Lugs, heat shrink, cables, etc. All included
- 16x 170W Solar Panels with mounts and wire harnesses
- Mounts for asphalt shingle roof included
- Dual 100A Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller with Bluetooth Communication
- Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Communication and Color Control GX Monitor for full animated full system monitoring
- 6x Lifeline 400Ah AGM 6V Batteries
- 3000W Victron Multiplus pure sine inverter / 120A charger with hybrid 30A generator connection
- 60A DC Battery Protect with remote disconnect prevents over discharge
- 6 position DC fuse block with DC outlet offering dual USB and standard 12V
- Lugs, heat shrink, cables, etc. All included