Adding a Solar Roof to our OFF-GRID Container Home
We install solar panels and off grid battery system on our 20' shipping container tiny house! // Thanks to Anker for sponsoring this video. Introducing the Anker SOLIX X1: your ultimate whole-home backup energy storage solution. Request a free quote at ankerfast.club/AmbitionStrike... before June 30th and get Anker SOLIX C800 Plus for free once your X1 is installed.
(This exclusive offer is limited to the first 250 installations. Don't miss out on maximizing your energy independence)
#Anker #AnkerSOLIX #AnkerSOLIXX1 #PowerForTheExtreme #PowerBackup #powerindependence
Solar Panels: www.currentconnected.com/prod...
Microinverters: www.currentconnected.com/prod...
We're a husband and wife team who bought 20 acres of bare off-grid land in North Idaho. Follow along as we learn how to build a home, run heavy equipment and turn this place into our dream property!
► SUBSCRIBE for videos every Sunday: bit.ly/2VUaUOJ
► SHOP Our Merchandise: ambitionstrikes.myspreadshop.com
► JOIN our mailing list: mailchi.mp/ambitionstrikes/si...
Support Our Channel & Get Exclusive Content: / ambitionstrikes
Instagram: instagram.com/ambition_st...
Facebook: / ambitionstrikes
Thanks to Anker for sponsoring this video. Introducing the Anker SOLIX X1: your ultimate whole-home backup energy storage solution. Request a free quote at ankerfast.club/AmbitionStrikesWithX1 before June 30th and get Anker SOLIX C800 Plus for free once your X1 is installed.
I like your sponsored videos because I get to see a real installation of something I didn't know about. Please continue doing more.
KZhead won't let me put some links in the reply, I guess? Anyway, pilot point drill bits from Milwaukee and Dewalt can be found online at Home Depot and Amazon. Both sets and individual sizes.
I think I would have put a metal wall between the batteries and the living space. I just have an aversion to lithium battery fires..
I've noticed... It's like every influencer has an Anker now, and 100 different projects to do with them.
@ambitionstrikes - folks, ca you put links to that water proof strips between the panels please?
@17:06 “I’m building the thing, that’s going to charge the thing, that’s powering what I’m building” - Riley 😂 what a time to be alive!
Did he just explain a perpetual motion machine?
😂😂😂
The backup power manufacturers are really stepping up their game when it comes to these whole house backup systems. Thanks for the videos.
Bailey needs to see a vet , my Labrador had a similar episode and it was a stroke, he had them from 9 years old until we lost him at 16 .
Agreed get him there asap even!!!!
I don't think so. I had a Lab who would run herself until her back legs would just stop working. The first time it happened it freaked me out, I thought she had broken her leg or something awful. I forget the name of the syndrome now but it's just the nervous system shutting down from over exertion/stimulation. It happened to my dog about 3-4 times (she was mad for chasing rabbits on our property) Once they calm down it resolves itself in 5-10 minutes.
Riley, your engineering degree is really paying off with all of the projects you do. We're all anxiously awaiting the next step for the small house.
It's very cool seeing Boone and Bailey out enjoying the spring time. Such a great pair of pups! And, like pups, they're gonna get into whatever they can get into. Glad Boonedog is fine and I'm glad everything worked out; no broken equipment, no injuries, and no unplanned Veterinary bills. It's also very cool seeing all the stuff I should have learned when I was younger, like wiring. Because I currently (see what I did there?) have a rule that I do not do electrical work.
next time skid steer forks for solar Panels
The bed of the Army truck would also be a plus
Jeez…. Your talent and understanding of the electronics, just astound me. All of your comprehension of things astounds me me. You try to rebuild any and all manner of things. I watch with my mouth agape. And always with such good humour. You’re an amazing combo and usually i have no idea what you’re doing but I wouldn’t miss a thing. Bravo from a fan in Ottawa 👵🇨🇦🤗👋👋
As a 19yr looking at home prices, i would really, REALLY love a price breakdown video like you did for your home!!! Great video!!!
Get a battery powered caulking gun… saves on product as you get a much better bead of material etc. plus … who doesn’t want more tools. 😉
haha I agree 100%
reason I bought mine, is 2 words: windshield urethane.
Came here to suggest this. I got one a month ago and I went through 9 tubes in half an hour on a project. Wish I had gotten one years ago. I actually got the $79 Ryobi model instead of Milwaukee and am very impressed
Yeah I agreed it's a no brainer....had to do 60 tubes on one job .....after that bought the Makita one .
Dewalt make a good one
Courtney & Riley are amazing! Since the truck video’s to this😮This build is going so quick..Oliver is always the star of the show. Hope Pup is still ok🙏🙏🙏Blessing’s
All the tape measures in your pockets....PRICELESS! That seals the deal, you are definitely a true craftsman.
Every employer I’ve ever worked for, I’ve had to tell them just because it’s in my pocket and I leave the job site doesn’t mean I’m stealing it, I just forget its there! Lol😂
It's a good thing your head is screwed on Riley! Imagine losing it and finding it in your coat pocket?😃
Gen4 Milwaukee drill has kickback prevention. It can tell when it bites and instantly stops so you don’t have to worry about just punching it which ironically makes kickback less likely. Has already saved my teeth several times
Wow, that is a very cool feature!
One of my favorite youtubers, always look forward to Sunday mornings, coffee with a little Ambition Strikes :)
I bet I’m not the only person dreaming of winning the lottery and hiring this family to create from scratch 2 tiny off grid houses in my back yard… someday! ❤
The Anker system looks genuinely awesome, well done Anker. Glad no serious injuries but would recommend going to the vet just in case, sounds a lot like the sweet floofer had a mild stroke. Great work on the tiny house so far you guys! What an awesome little project.
Or a spicy fly
How in the world are you going to move this wonderful tiny home? You guys always do a top notch job.
And I'm interested in this too
Next episode … Riley buys a broken down rusty old crane to move the container shed ! Will it lift it or will it fold like a cheap lawn chair … tune in and find out 🤣
Well there is that big army colored rig in the background of all these shots. I'm waiting for it to get a proper introduction.
I’ve moved shipping containers and sheds many times with equipment. A pair of chains anchored to both corners at one end, being drug by a decent sized excavator, makes for easy work. The advantage of a skidsteer or excavator is the ability to lift the end up slightly and then pull. Unlike using a tractor or large truck or similar, it keeps it skidding lightly rather than digging in like a giant plow. If they’re smart, they’ll move it into position as early as possible. Before adding too much weight to it. I’m sure they’ve given this step lots of thought, since they tend to be pretty sharp.
A company makes bolt on axles for a few hundred... then you can lift it with skid steer and wheel it anywhere.
Those panels would work great on a 4wd short schoolie overlanding vehicle.
Quick tip for you when drilling with twist drills... Make life a bit easier. When you're drilling a large hole through sheet metal (where the material thickness is less than the chamfer on the end of the drill) drill through a small piece of rag. Drill the pilot hole, then just fold a 3" square of rag in half twice, put it on top of the pilot hole and then drill through the rag and the metal with the larger drill bit. It will stop it from grabbing and give you a round hole instead of a slightly triangular shaped one. You'll get a few holes from each little piece of rag, just refold it. The only catch is that it will give you a hole that's a couple of thousandths bigger than it would otherwise drill. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not. If drilling a locating hole for a dowel pin for instance, it can allow you to drill (or ream) a hole slightly oversized for a perfect fit. Or if the drill is already the right size, it could end up loose. (The rag trick works on thicker material just to oversize a hole when it's thick enough to drill round) Not going to stop a step drill from biting you, but you'd have felt more in control when doing the holes in the panels.
Watching the drill battery hit Riley in the mouth brought back memories of my Dewalt doing the same thing more than once. I realized that DeWalt included the auxiliary handle for a reason, and once I started using it when drilling through metal, I stopped breaking drill bits, and no longer almost broke my wrists. The auxiliary handle is adjustable which makes it comfortable and easy to use. Try it.
yes sir. I remember getting spun while standing on a ladder due to not using the handle to keep control. That grip at 90 degrees to the spin makes a world of difference. When your feet are four foot off the ground getting spun off the ladder sucks.
I can’t wait to see where y’all set the tiny home on the property! Use the 4 other panels to make a small sitting area near the tiny home location and do an outdoor kitchen that’s solar powered.
We have a few locations in mind! Riley’s latest idea is that he wants to put it up on stilts among the trees. 😳
@@AmbitionStrikes If you do that then I would use the other panels and place them on the ground in a sunny area so they can assist when the ones in the "trees" are being shaded out. But I love your tree house idea. What a view too being up higher.
@@AmbitionStrikesThat would be cool, but as an older person, climbing stairs or ladders is no fun esp if you have to carry anything. The house looks great!
I think an outdoor kitchen close by would be awesome. Use the solar panels to provide the necessary electricity and save space inside the tiny home. Or maybe do an outdoor entertaining space as a separate project in the future.
Solar powered Gazebo so you can keep working on the laptop longer than the laptop's battery.
Very exciting time with all of you today and always. Your mom is so appreciative of her tiny house. I believe Oliver will be a tall person too and will work as hard as his mama and daddy. Thanks for all these visits with all of us.
A trick that I saw on another to save a little time while framing. Put your header and footer boards next to each other to measure and mark both at the same time.
Your humor is on point, always puts a smile on my face!
Jack of all trades, master of any you want to be. You are an exceptional person, I would say your name but I am almost 73 and 1/2😊, and i set here many hours trying to remember some of the most simplest things that I kno, I just can not remrmber untill it just hits me.😢 oh well. My moms dad was over 100 years old, my dads mom was over 100 years old, my mom was almost 97, and they had good memories. I think if I get off my meds, my memory will get better, I hope. Great videos
For the extra four panels, build a topper that goes on top of the F-150 Lightning...and then wire them into an onboard battery system that can charge the truck. Enough days sitting parked, the truck will be fully charged. It's not a fast charge, but no gas truck fills itself up just sitting around.
OG follower here and YUP! As SOON as she said “pulleys”all I could think of was hoisting the sliding door up to install on the outside of the building and how that went. 😂
I bet Courtney mom is going to love 💗 this tiny house 🏡
Courtney sure looks like her mother. Also, Oliver looks like such a happy baby. He is cute.
Yall are awesome! I hope Boone is ok. Got to hear Riley’s “dad” voice for a second there calling for the dog. Love the builds! Thanks for all you do
Excellent video! Great work guys. Love watching all your projects.
Your videos help me get through so many 19hr shifts.....
Yay, wow happy man tears. I get to watch this family's home and property build project. It is a grand Sunday morning. Thank you!
always nice to have free electrical systems, they should give all of them away for free, lol. Lucky you! thanks for the video
the house literally took blood sweat and hard work to make
Beautiful building my friends, remember don't cut or weld near those beautiful new windows or solar panels, because of metal spalks melting into the glass incase it damages it self. love from ireland 🇮🇪
I think this my favorite build so far!! Well maybe the snowblower…or shop/house?….or the machine shop?….or wait maybe the truck camper?! Hmmmm
I award you three man points for the busted lip and driving on
I am so impressed with how fast these whole home battery systems have progressed
Your skill, humour and character serve you well. I hope you get the odd 'off' hour to enjoy your amazing home. ❤
Great times watching another build taking shape. You two are for sure the best at thinking on your feet, but I do have to mention, you could have loaded the panels into the army truck dump bed, n had lots of achieved lift already!!! But I do also know it is full of winter fun!!! Keep up the great content and awesome work!!!
I like that Oliver already has something to say it's cute.
Cool little house for Grandma!
So glad Riley wasnt injured severely!!!
I love both of your consistent positivity and such capacity for tackling any kind of project. Massive kudos to both of you. So cool making a mini house for gran. I called it when I first saw the container.
Electricity from the sun is VERY cool.
This one is coming along FAST!!
It’s amazing how fast a tiny house can come together!
I've done almost the same exact thing with a drill while lowering my trailer stabilizers. Literally thought I had broken my jaw!
Good Sunday morning to you all
It's evening already in the Netherlands 😀
Mmm solar tracker for the cabin, diy style with the 4 left over
We vote to use the extra solar panels for a playhouse/treehouse for Oliver
If only you had a bobcat with forks that could have lifted all the panels up to the roof... : p I did use a pulley rig to lift my smaller panels up to the roof of my home using an extension ladder as a slide for them. It went really quick moving 30 of them (took longer to place them in the clamps and wire). Love the project. I went with a Sol-Ark because I have grid power, but that Anker is a nice design which might even work in an RV nicely.
Found the Dewalt Pilot Point drill bits on sale at Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon, Rural King, Ace, you name it. Love this channel and have really been liking this tiny house build. I am disappointed with the choice of power. I'm sure the X1 is a great choice for a paid promotion but in that Anker won't even share a price until you send them your life history I'm fairly certain that this system will not be the first or fifth choice for most DIYers watching this channel. Would have been nice to see an EG4 or something approachable by most of your viewers.
I finally saw enough of Courtney's mom to get a good look at her! The resemblance is strong among these these ladies! Did Riley learn enough about roto-mechanics in this video to subsequently keep his mouth away from the potentially rotating drill handle?
Good glad you got the solar panels on the tiny house.
glad to see some battery packs are bumping up the voltage finally.
SO agree. 48v is a huge improvement over 12v systems, and I understand why that was the highest for so long (50v being roughly when bodies conduct, yes it's a rough estimate and less can cause injury, but 50v is the "rule of thumb" for such things). But especially with a mostly contained system like this? Those higher voltages are MUCH more efficient.
You guys should build your own RV bus from scratch. That'd be an awesome video series
Really appreciate the transparency about sponsorship!
Guys, love watching all the amazing projects you get into. What a fun life to only stay at home playing with the toys. Neet to see your future shop helper out with you.., especially the baby in the bag thing. Most moms wait till the 2nd or 3rd one to start putting them in a bag ; ) Extra solar panels could be put to good use to power a well pump. And I am sure Riley could automate it like a pro.
I was gonna give you beans about not using clamps to hold the panels down, until I saw the rubber strip that seals them together... Genius. I am an electrician, who installs solar and batteries. That connecting stripis indeed called a "doodacker" (spelling may vary per region) New subscriber from South Africa Love your work. Extremely jealous🙃
Courtney! My second comment i didn't want to edit! I've noticed the Music is much better or more of it! Definitely more postive and upbeat and compliments 500K your Content and Creativity! Dean(Soul) Toronto
Thanks Dean! I recently started using a different music source that had a lot more options.
Wow, what a great project. Envious doesn't begin to cover what I feel. Kudos, what a wonderful thing to do for your Mom.
Labradors can sometimes get a condition called EIC - exercised induced collapse. It can be detected through a blood test. It might be something to look into if it happens more often.
The caulk gun breaks, do we buy a new one? Heck no, this is Ambition Strikes, we fix and improve the one we have. The build looks great!
I highly recommend the Milwaukee M12 caulk gun. Once you use a battery powered caulk gun you'll never go back.
I hear you on drilling holes from a ladder. I picked up a DeWalt stud and joist drill with clutch. If something catches it just clicks and shuts off rather than hitting you in the face or throwing you from the ladder. Worth every penny.
Amen! We deserve honest elected officials.
Great to see Bailey is ok. Thanks for sharing your adventure with solar. You’ve given me the confidence to tackle some of the issues I was wasn’t confident in performing myself. Keep up the great content!
I came on board around the time of the “pulleys”! It was impressive what you accomplished with what had. That said, pulley system, 1 rock, 1 day. D8 system, 1 rock, what rock? I love you krazy kids do. Mom will be snug as a bug. 🥸👍👀✅
i just can't wait to see how your going to move the tiny house.
The MacGyver A-team. Excellent. The O Boy rules from the stroller.
It's time for you to invest in some scaffolding ! Or a cage for the skid steer forks , enable you to have a secure platform to stand on ,lift things like solar panels up onto the container etc etc ,even the 4x4 truck could be used as a platform ,much less risk than what you presently do . Step drill bites you,maybe drill with the clutch set to a lite setting,so it doesn't bite so hard ? Luckily it didn't get you in the eye , sometimes you can't laugh these things off ! Are we going to see another container room made for Oliver ? attached to the shed /home ?
"..Riley patented Skilsaw test..." LOL Great project. Really enjoy watching this come together.
To bring back to your pulley joke. I remember watching Riley go on the roof for the first time putting in the chimney for the woodstove!
Awesome job! Excited to see how yall handle the plumbing and AC side of things.
Your projects are always so cool. Makes me want to buy a piece of off-grid land.
Look up "Brad point" or "dowel" drill bits -- might be close to what you're looking for!
I had a doggie like Boon in my twenties and thirties. He had mild epilepsy and once in a while he would have an episode like Boin had on the video, Looks worse than it is. He would kinda lock up loose muscle control sometimes when he got excited. It was only once in while and we would just jet him rest it off. Vet suggested some medication but we never needed it. He lived a long 15 years so it went a big deal. Keep an eye Boon dog. Great project guys!
Hi Riley, just a thought while watching you cut the studs. You know the studs will be one length so why not rack them together and clamp them, once the bottoms are aligned, mark them at the required length and cut them all at the same time. I did that when building my own home, all studs were of a uniform length and it saved lots of time and the frustration that multiple repeat cuts would create. This is a great little cabin, love your work.
Your dream job. ""I hate you Riley". No, seriously I'm happy for you guys. Being able to work with your family and doing cool jobs is the best!! Plus having sponsors is frosting on the cake. 😃😃
You saw our last winter, put those extra panels on mom's house. Another fun video, I am sure she will love the suite. I use 14kw a day includes the Omnimax 350w heater running 24hr a day heating a 28' trailer. Low was -27F. Rug buddy 5x8 with thermostat $$$$$ is a nice option too, 340w, maybe even the 170w 3x5' could heat enough and within the systems limits.
Great video! I hope Boone is doing better. Our Holly is closing on 14, so we know what it's like to see her suddenly have a problem out of the blue, and the worry that results. Great job on the electrical system. But while your skills with that are impressive Riley, best leave the dental work to the professionals.
That is a very neat power system! Step bits are handy but I suggest getting yourself a set of Greenlee chassis / conduit punches. That way you only have to drill a 3/8” hole and then you punch what ever hole size you want or need with a wrench. They also have a hydraulic ram that is great!
Awesome video. You both could use a couple of 6 foot stackable scaffold that you can buy for about $250 each at your local Big box or hardware store. The wide platform makes it much safer to work on.
I like to see those extra solar panels used on a Skoolie build so the family can take trips together in. My thoughts is you make it so your Son and Courtney sleep on the big bed for the time being and Riley you sleep on the converted bed by the table. When you son gets older than he can sleep where you are sleeping Riley. I would put down gate at night incase he wants to get out and wonder around at 3am.
Love you guys… This is the life I want to live!!! Off Grid Living..
Nice design with the Anker system inside.
stoked boone is ok! that is a brilliant and gracious build. and cortney, i just have to say that you and your m💗m have some seriously great hair. continued blessings.🕊
Hey Riley the amount of time you got damaged on your projects, truly this sweat and blood 🇯🇲🇯🇲💯😆😆
Birch rules for finish look. Just add it to 1/2 inch plywood for a 3/4 thickness. Lauan panels look ok to. Can't go wrong with 3/4 tongue and groove either. This is a sweet build.
Pushing the tube instead of pulling will produce perfect beads of sealant
These systems have come a long way! Thanks for the detailed information on this!
OG mode unlocked ✅
Anker have come a long way, this looks like a great system
Been ages since I have visited your channel! Lovely to see the new little one!
Very nice!!! I love the idea of a self contained mini house like this one…
It is very interesting to watch your instructional videos like this one. And I'm glad your poor dog is alright, that is scary to see them go through an incident like that one! This will be one sweet little project when it's done, and your mom will love it Courtney!
Ground-mount installation is SO much easier: I mounted all 24 of our panels by myself. I used standard array rails with clamps you tighten from above. Putting it on a South-facing slope meant no ladders at all.
I would like to see a video about interconnecting all three solar and battery systems (The House/Shop, The Container Shop, and The New Tiny House), So that they can load share/energy curtailment and what not. I think it would be a very interesting video and may come with some unforeseen benefits down the road? It would also give the container shop and tiny house access to the back up generators.
You guys have the tools and experience to build a houseboat. I bet you guys can find an old 24ft pontoon boat, strip it to the pontoons, and build a lightweight cabin on top that the whole family can fit into.