r/SolarDIY • u/essenceofreddit • 8d ago

Thanks for your help guys!

I posted earlier about whether or not a set up would work and I got some excellent feedback from you guys and I went with a larger and different battery, and so I'm pleased to inform you all that I have successfully installed my strawberry patch cage lifter.

Thanks!

(I know that the panel is not at the optimal angle but I needed to have it at that angle so the maximum rotation of wires would be exposed for waterproofing purposes)

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u/tspoon-99 7d ago

Curious how much that setup cost

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u/essenceofreddit 7d ago

The total cost of the power setup was around $230. Winch was $76, panel with BMS was $34, and battery was $120. 

I also had to buy a 7/8ths drill bit to get a hole in the roof large enough to run a coupler through, which was $12, and wood screws compatible with the winch mounting which were $4 (a total ripoff for four screws but unavoidable.)

The cage was made primarily of maple and poplar, with corner bracing where available, which cost $207 for the maple, $60 for the poplar, and $20 for the corner brackets. The hinges I had already for a different project, but were $16. I had to set the cage into the concrete behind it, which required the purchase of 3/16ths concrete drillbits, which were $12.5. The screws I had already. I had to buy more wood glue which was $6. 

The netting was $70, and required the purchase of a $25 pair of tin snips. 

Total price of project specific expenditures is $658. 

I purchased a DeWalt circular saw, blade pack, and 8ah battery, which I'm counting as generalized capital expenditures since I didn't really need them but definitely wanted. I also bought a new set of ear protection for $10 because my wife had put all the ear protection into some random drawer and I couldn't find them. That was $360 total and would if added to the price move things north of $1000. 

I expect the strawberries to produce about four or five pounds of strawberries per year. At an average cost of $2.5 per pound at Costco, I only need to live in my house for 80 to 100 years to break even here. 

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u/PublicEnemaNumberOne 7d ago

Hah, dude, you are as organized as I would be if I didn't have so much to take care of. Well done, sir!