The Testing Kit
This complete DIY off-grid solar power kit is simple and affordable, ideal for one adult using it full time. This is our most popular kit! It's a great way to get solar power for your camper van or house bus, and a great choice for off-grid cabins or baches too!
Kit Contents, Specs, and Manuals can all be found below.
The Standard Bach Kit comes with lead acid batteries and a standalone inverter. Lead acid batteries are heavier, have 3-7 year lifespan, with 50% DoD. A standalone inverter is DIY friendly with a standard 3-pin plug point, but requires a separate charge controller, and a battery charger for generator input. Change ‘upgrade’ selection to see differences.
What can the Bach Kit run?
Below is an example of one day's total power usage, if you're getting at least 3 sun hours - this is ~4,500Wh of energy per day and can be expected for >80% of the year. (Learn more.) These items are a guide to what you might run over one day, and they can be swapped out to suit your needs within the generation estimate. (Read more.) We highly recommend having a back-up generator with these kits if you won't be able to conserve power during low-sun periods.
(Need a jargon breakdown?)
2000W Coffee Maker
4 minutes (140wh)
25W Phone Charger
6 hours a day (150wh)
50W Fan
2 hours a day (100wh)
Efficient Fridge/Freezer
24 hours a day (1000wh)
1800W Kettle
10 minutes (300wh)
60W Laptop
4 hours a day (240wh)
100W Lighting
4 hours a day (400wh)
2000W Microwave
5 minutes (170wh)
600W Water Pump
1 hours a day (600wh)
20W Wireless Router
24 hours a day (480wh)
100W Television
2 hours a day (200wh)
2000W 4 Slice Toaster
3 minutes (100wh)
200W Cordless Vacuum
30 minutes (100wh)
500W Washing Machine
twice a week average (125wh)Not sure how much power you need? Read this article to learn how to calculate your needs.
This example doesn't account for days when you may have to cut back on power use (or supplement with a generator) due to several days of poor weather preventing your batteries from fully recharging each day. Learn more here. Our kits should not be used for vital or life-supporting systems, and we recommend finding alternative solutions for Water/Space Heating, Cooking, or EV charging to maximise your budget - Why?
Not the right kit for you?
How other customers use the Bach Kit:
Bach Kit Specifications
Total Weight: 350 kg
Dimensions
Daily Expected Output
Inverter Output
Storage Capacity
Charge Controller
Choose your inverter
Standalone or Hybrid
Standalone (Standard)
The standalone inverter acts only as an inverter, requiring a separate charge controller (incl.) and optional battery charger (for generator input) to work in an off-grid system. This battery charger will need to be manually started each time it’s needed. The standalone inverter comes with a standard 3-pin outlet for immediate power use, and only requires an electrician if it will be wired into a switchboard.
More info
Hybrid (Upgrade)
The hybrid inverter is a more expensive unit. It combines the 3 components in one, and this allows you to connect a generator that will kick in when your batteries hit a specified percentage. However, it lacks a 3-pin outlet and must be wired into a switchboard, so an electrician is required, resulting in a higher installation cost. A hybrid unit is required for Lithium batteries.
more infoChoose your battery
Gel or Lithium
Gel (Standard)
Our sealed Gel batteries weigh 60kg each, and should only be regularly discharged to 50% of their total capacity. They have an expected lifespan of 3-5 years depending on how well they are treated, and can easily become damaged from regularly being over-discharged or sitting partially charged. They work with either a standalone or hybrid inverter. They are a budget-friendly option for small scale set-ups.
more info
Lithium (Upgrade)
Our Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries weigh 30kg each, replace Gel batteries in our kits at a 1:2 ratio, and can be discharged up to 80% of their total capacity. They have an expected lifespan of 10-15 years with normal usage, and are more resistant to damage from over-discharging and sitting partially charged. They require a hybrid inverter to work. They are more economical in the long run for full-time living.
More InfoHow to choose
Solar Panel Mounts
Universal
The Universal Roof Mount allows you to mount your panels flat on any type of roof along a pair of rails. The rails are attached to the roof with L-shaped brackets, and the panels are clamped to the rails, making it much easier to mount four or more panels on your roof.
Corrugated
The Corrugated Iron Roof mount performs similarly to the universal roof mount, but it is a rail-free option that sits in the grooves of corrugated iron. The mounts are secured to the roof and then the panels are clamped onto them directly instead of rails.
Ground
The Ground mount allows you to mount your panels on the ground along a pair of rails attached to a triangular frame, and the panels are clamped to the rails. The frame is mounted on something secured in the ground, and the angle can only be adjusted during the install.
Tilt
The Tilt mount allows you to mount your panels on a flat/low pitch roof at an angle to maximise solar energy, adjustable by up to 15 degrees after the initial install. The rails are attached to a triangular frame mounted to the roof, and the panels are clamped to the rails.
Equipment We Trust
We use EPEVER charge controllers and inverters, which can be connected to a WiFi or bluetooth module for more detailed configuration and monitoring. The standard inverter comes with a universal wall outlet, so it doesn't have to be wired into a switch board.
Trina Perc Mono solar panels are our panel of choice. They use the latest technology to ensure their panels are as efficient as possible, meaning they produce 380W+ from a size where most panels only produce 270W at the best of times.
All our kits come with our 200Ah 12V battery, specifically designed for solar usage - no trickle charging needed. We are so confident in this battery we offer our warranty based on a 50% Depth of Discharge (DoD), while most companies only warranty a 20% DoD.
