Is DIY Off-Grid Advisor free to use?

Yes. The Scout plan is completely free — no credit card required. You can create builds, run the load calculator, use all the standalone tools, and join the community at no cost.

What off-grid systems does it support?

DIY Off-Grid Advisor supports vans, caravans, RVs, 4WDs, boats, cabins, sheds, and remote properties. It handles 12V, 24V, and 48V systems.

How does the Component Wizard work?

You enter your loads (appliances and usage hours), your location (for real sun hours), and your system type. The wizard then recommends the right battery bank, solar panels, MPPT controller, inverter, and DC-DC charger — all sized for your exact setup. It also generates a wiring diagram and PDF report.

Do I need electrical experience to use it?

No. The platform includes a full beginner-friendly knowledge base — Electrical 101, How-To guides, Troubleshooting, and a Glossary — so you can learn as you build. The tools are designed to guide you step by step.

DIY Off-Grid Advisor

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Glossary

Every off-grid term defined in plain language

150+ terms defined across 9 categories — every abbreviation, unit, and piece of jargon you'll encounter when designing an off-grid system.

How to use it

Search any term

Type in the search bar to instantly find any term by name or definition content.

Filter by category

Use the sidebar to show only terms from a specific category.

Jump by letter

Use the A–Z quick-jump bar to scroll directly to terms starting with a specific letter.

Follow related terms

Expand any term to see related terms — click them to jump directly to their definition.

Tips & things to know

The Electrical 101 guide explains these concepts in context with worked examples.

Standards terms (AS/NZS, NEC, ABYC) are in the 'Standards & Codes' category.

Missing a term? Use the 'Suggest Content' button at the bottom of the page.

Electrical 101

Regulations & Compliance

Electrical Deep Dive

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DIY Off-Grid Advisor

Complete Reference

Off-Grid Solar Glossary

123+ terms defined — every abbreviation, unit, and piece of jargon you'll encounter when designing and building an off-grid system.

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Standards shown include NEC (USA). AU/NZ, EU, and UK users should check the Regulations page for their applicable standards.

Standards: NEC Article 690 (solar), NFPA 1192 (RVs), ABYC E-11 (marine)

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Ready to go deeper?

The Electrical 101 guide explains all these concepts in context — with worked examples and real-world applications.

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Deep Dive

Advanced technical reference

Troubleshooting

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FAQ

68+ questions answered

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Real builder experiences

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Electrical Units & Basics

Voltage, current, watts, watt-hours, amp-hours explained

Electrical 101

Cable Sizing — Beginner Guide

Two simple rules, quick ampacity table, 3% voltage drop limits

Electrical 101

Voltage Drop & I²R Loss

Cable resistance, power loss calculations, 3% rule

Deep Dive

Battery Chemistry Deep Dive

LiFePO4 vs AGM vs flooded, true cost of ownership, C-rate

Deep Dive

FAQ — Getting Started

Where to start, 12V vs 24V, how much solar, DIY permissibility

FAQ

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Off-Grid Solar Glossary

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