Happy Thanksgiving!
The intro to this video was filmed on Thanksgiving Day 2025, and I wanted to take a moment to share something important I’ve learned while upgrading Good Times 2.0:
It is FAR better to buy a complete solar kit than to buy each component individually.
In this article, I’ll explain why — and show you everything that comes in the Eco-Worthy solar kit I’m installing on my boat. This same kit will help power my upcoming Great Loop journey.
Why a Solar KIT Is the Best Choice
When you buy solar parts individually, you need to know:
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Wire gauge
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Connector types
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Charge controller requirements
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Breaker size
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Panel voltage compatibility
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Battery chemistry compatibility
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Mounting hardware
Most boaters simply don’t know all the details. I didn’t either.
If you miss even a single component, you won’t know until installation day — when it’s too late.
That’s the biggest advantage of a kit:
✔ Everything you need is in the box
✔ All components are designed to work together
✔ No guessing, no searching, no last-minute store runs
✔ Faster install — you can finish in a day
✔ Bundled price is cheaper than buying individually
My Inverter Story (and why this matters)
When I opened the inverter — brand new — it didn’t work.
Even worse, my system was nearly a year old by the time I tried it, because building the hardtop and remodeling took longer than expected.
I expected a fight.
Instead, Eco-Worthy sent me a brand-new inverter with no hassle. The only downside is:
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They’re based in China
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Most communication is through email (12-hour delay)
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They have a U.S. phone number, but the operator doesn’t have deep technical knowledge
Even with that, they made it right. That’s worth mentioning.
What Comes in the Kit?
Here’s what you get in the Eco-Worthy bundle:
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2000W pure sine inverter
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Two 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries (lightweight, about 15 lbs each)
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Charge controller (newer, upgraded model)
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Battery jumpers & wiring
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Solar panel brackets
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Long cable runs for roof-to-battery connections
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Reset switch (new in this kit)
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Four 195W solar panels (≈800 watts total)
Everything you need — in one kit.
Installation Coming Soon
I’m currently adding a third battery (300Ah total) with the goal of testing real-world capacity before expanding to four batteries. This will power long days on the River, ICW, and even some silent electric cruising in calm water.
Stay tuned — the full installation video is coming soon.
👉 Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow along!
👉 Link to the solar kit is below the video.
