DIY Solar R&D Wish List: The Products Manufacturers Have Not Built Yet

What products are the DIY solar manufacturers missing, and what would they make a killing on if they built it? Eric walked in blind to the topic, so every idea is worked out live, with the chat pile of AAA answers folded in.

We cover the centralized communications hub every DIYer wants (the Victron Cerbo model that nobody else copies), the USB dongle grind, a brand agnostic monitoring hub and why it also solves the FCC remote access question, the universal battery communication hub and the battery to battery BMS Tower of Babel (JBD, Pace, Seplos, Pylon), Meshtastick and MeshCore control of inverters with no Wi-Fi, and the two GitHub projects that already exist for it.

Plus Eric's watertight solar pergola roof and panel gasket ideas, the solar company that ships your whole kit with wiring diagrams and permit paperwork, the smart breaker and CT per circuit ideas, the inverter that auto starts a generator and the water heater timer trick for Chargeverter loads, alternator charging for 48 volt banks, a dedicated cell level battery screen that pairs like the Blue Eddy fridge power display, PoE powered monitoring per breaker, a customizable MPPT, a 120 volt smart outlet built into the side of the inverter, EcoFlow's Wi-Fi reconnection flaw, EV to MPPT high voltage handshake ideas, and the sunshine report with production totals from around the country.

Topics in this episode:

• The R&D wish list format: what product should exist but does not
• Victron Cerbo: the single hub model and why nobody else copies it
• Dongle fatigue: four inverters, four dongle setups, zero local buffering
• Solar Assistant and the USB hub question
• Meshtastick and MeshCore: inverter control with no Wi-Fi, two GitHub projects already exist
• The solar company that ships wiring diagrams, labels, and permit help
• Chargeverter timer tricks: 240V water heater timers and smart plugs
• Smart breakers with timers and the whole smart panel price reality
• EV batteries under a trailer floor and the EG4 RX 60 under false floor idea
• Time of day charge windows and Blue Eddy battery maintenance mode
• Universal battery communication hub: JBD, Pace, Seplos, and Pylon all speak their own talk
• Per breaker PoE monitoring and the Emporia view comparison
• Customizable MPPT: low voltage high amps vs high voltage low amps
• Victron 8kW native split phase for the US market rumors
• EV to MPPT: the high voltage handshake problem and two step down idea
• Alternator charging for 48 volt: EcoFlow and Blue Eddie
• Sunshine report: 1.2 MWh channel day, 31 reporting, average 40.5 kWh, weekly highs 775 CTX and 289.4 WI
• RE Plus Vegas mid November: videos, live streams, and a possible meet and greet
• Eric's Solar Ports build on East Texas Homestead, new videos every Tuesday

Links and resources:

• Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/BA2lvB1uTtk
• Eric's Solar Ports build series: https://www.youtube.com/@EastTexasHomestead
• Signature Solar: https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=unplugged&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep38 - use code UNPLUGGED50OFF for $50 off orders over $500
• Current Connected: https://currentconnected.com/?ref=AzzpK9Fl&utm_source=yt&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep38

Watch and follow the Unplugged crew:

• Unplugged DIY Solar
• Adam De Lay DIY
• Rodney Hunt
• Eric | East Texas Homestead
• Home Energy Independence

Watch 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 [email protected] with subject "Unplugged".

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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.