Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Stop guessing and start measuring. Most people make a massive, expensive mistake when going solar: they size their system based on a hunch. In this video, I’m showing you the exact device you need to install before you buy a single solar panel, battery, or inverter.
The Refoss Open API Smart Energy Monitor is a game-changer for anyone looking to go DIY solar or just lower their electric bill. By collecting a year of data first, you can save thousands of dollars by not overbuilding (or under-sizing) your system. Plus, with its local Open API and Home Assistant integration, you get total privacy and the power to create smart automations that squeeze every watt out of your solar production.
Buy the Refoss Open API Smart Energy Monitor EM16P: refoss.net/collections/open-platform-products/products/smart-energy-monitor-em16p?ref=trick
Be sure and use the code TRICK8 and save an extra 8% off on your order!
OR buy on Amazon: amzn.to/3OI3xF6
(NOTE: Coupon code does not work on Amazon)
Buy Refoss Smart Relay Switches: refoss.net/collections/frontpage?ref=trick
Be sure and use the code TRICK8 and save extra cash on your order!
Buy a multi-meter: amzn.to/4qO3pS8
Buy an EG4 12000XP Inverter: payoffsolar.com/product/eg4-12000xp-off-grid-inverter-eg412000xpv1
Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!
Buy an EG4 Indoor Wall-Mount Battery: payoffsolar.com/product/eg4-indoor-wallmount-battery-48v-280ah-143kwh-fewmt-48143-g1
Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!
Buy an EG4 Chargeverter: payoffsolar.com/product/eg4-chargeverter-gc-48v-100a-battery-charger-5120w-output-eg4cv48v100av3
Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!
But a conduit box: payoffsolar.com/product/eg4-indoor-buildable-conduit-box-designed-for-eg4-wallmount-indoor-battery-eg4spidwmbcndtshrd
Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!
NEED HELP? Ask me a question and get a personal in depth response: ko-fi.com/s/8d8df1880c
OR
Sit down for a personal 1-On-1 hour long video consultation with me and I’ll provide answers and insights to anything you want to ask me about from this channel: ko-fi.com/s/dd139831a7
All donations get 100% re-invested in the channel:
buymeacoffee.com/theresatrickforthat
🔍 Looking for something specific? Search across hundreds of my videos — way better than YouTube search: https://tatftsearchapp.netlify.app/
Chapters:
0:00 STOP buying solar panels and batteries!
0:31 Why you need to do this first!
2:06 What the Refoss EM16P is
3:30 Installing the Refoss EM16P in your panel
8:41 App review
12:45 Local API and Home Assistant integration
15:35 How you can save THOUSANDS using this device!
#solar #diysolar #homeenergy #solarpanels #theresatrickforthat #offgrid
Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of There's a Trick for That, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. There's a Trick for That assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. There's a Trick for That recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of There's a Trick for That, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not There's a Trick for That.
Stop guessing and start measuring. Most people make a massive, expensive mistake when going solar: they size their system based on a hunch. In this video, I’m showing you the exact device you need to install before you buy a single solar panel, battery, or inverter.
The Refoss Open API Smart Energy Monitor is a game-changer for anyone looking to go DIY solar or just lower their electric bill. By collecting a year of data first, you can save thousands of dollars by not overbuilding (or under-sizing) your system. Plus, with its local Open API and Home Assistant integration, you get total privacy and the power to create smart automations that squeeze every watt out of your solar production.
Buy the Refoss Open API Smart Energy Monitor EM16P: refoss.net/collections/open-platform-products/products/smart-energy-monitor-em16p?ref=trick
Be sure and use the code TRICK8 and save an extra 8% off on your order!
OR buy on Amazon: amzn.to/3OI3xF6
(NOTE: Coupon code does not work on Amazon)
Buy Refoss Smart Relay Switches: refoss.net/collections/frontpage?ref=trick
Be sure and use the code TRICK8 and save extra cash on your order!
Buy a multi-meter: amzn.to/4qO3pS8
Buy an EG4 12000XP Inverter: payoffsolar.com/product/eg4-12000xp-off-grid-inverter-eg412000xpv1
Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!
Buy an EG4 Indoor Wall-Mount Battery: payoffsolar.com/product/eg4-indoor-wallmount-battery-48v-280ah-143kwh-fewmt-48143-g1
Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!
Buy an EG4 Chargeverter: payoffsolar.com/product/eg4-chargeverter-gc-48v-100a-battery-charger-5120w-output-eg4cv48v100av3
Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!
But a conduit box: payoffsolar.com/product/eg4-indoor-buildable-conduit-box-designed-for-eg4-wallmount-indoor-battery-eg4spidwmbcndtshrd
Be sure and use the code: TRICK5 at checkout and save 5% on your order!
NEED HELP? Ask me a question and get a personal in depth response: ko-fi.com/s/8d8df1880c
OR
Sit down for a personal 1-On-1 hour long video consultation with me and I’ll provide answers and insights to anything you want to ask me about from this channel: ko-fi.com/s/dd139831a7
All donations get 100% re-invested in the channel:
buymeacoffee.com/theresatrickforthat
🔍 Looking for something specific? Search across hundreds of my videos — way better than YouTube search: https://tatftsearchapp.netlify.app/
Chapters:
0:00 STOP buying solar panels and batteries!
0:31 Why you need to do this first!
2:06 What the Refoss EM16P is
3:30 Installing the Refoss EM16P in your panel
8:41 App review
12:45 Local API and Home Assistant integration
15:35 How you can save THOUSANDS using this device!
#solar #diysolar #homeenergy #solarpanels #theresatrickforthat #offgrid
Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of There's a Trick for That, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. There's a Trick for That assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. There's a Trick for That recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of There's a Trick for That, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not There's a Trick for That.
![TINY BLUETTI Replaced My $1,700 PC Battery Backup [TESTED]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yVwxhb1Tua0/mqdefault.jpg "TINY BLUETTI Replaced My $1,700 PC Battery Backup [TESTED]
The BLUETTI Elite 100 Mini is the smallest, lightest portable power station Ive ever bench tested in it’s battery size class with 1,004Wh and a 700W inverter in a 24 pound, 9.5-inch package. I put the Elite 100 Mini up against my 600W triple-monitor 4K gaming workstation, and it handled a live grid disconnect without dropping a frame.
Measured results: 903Wh usable from a rated 1,004Wh battery (90% efficiency, above average), 700W AC turbo recharge, clean pure sine wave under an 800W load, hard shutdown at 900W, and 9% parasitic drain over 12 hours with the inverter idling.
Buy the Bluetti Elite 100 Mini: https://tidd.ly/45PxmJp
Be sure to use the code: TRICK5OFF for the best price possible!
Want something a little more powerful? Check out the big sibling to the 100 Mini…the Bluetti Elite 100 V2: https://tidd.ly/4bQJAVy
OR buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4zkbNhq
Buy the Bluetti Fridge Power: https://tidd.ly/4hB524E
OR buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4614HRv
Buy a watt meter: https://amzn.to/4qj5NS8
By an oscilloscope: https://amzn.to/460dpzt
Buy an Anker Solix C1000: https://amzn.to/4qnjsaW
Watch my solar powered mini-split videos:
https://youtu.be/qdQJwryRAa4
https://youtu.be/NZuLyzh71JM
Buy Bluetti Elite 300: https://tidd.ly/4speryd
Code: TATFT8OFF (8% off for the Elite300 series)
OR buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S8NJwS
Watch all of my portable power station testing videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-2uuHDasQcr0pa4IMBj4kcjxSdNlGpr1
NEED HELP? Ask me a question and get a personal in depth response: https://ko-fi.com/s/8d8df1880c
OR
Sit down for a personal 1-On-1 hour long video consultation with me and I’ll provide answers and insights to anything you want to ask me about from this channel: https://ko-fi.com/s/dd139831a7
All donations get 100% re-invested in the channel:
https://buymeacoffee.com/theresatrickforthat
🔍 Looking for something specific? Search across hundreds of my videos — way better than YouTube search: https://tatftsearchapp.netlify.app/
Chapters:
0:00 Tiniest, lightest weight 1 kWh power station Ive ever tested!
0:29 Unboxing & Specs of the Bluetti Elite 100 Mini
2:41 One of the biggest strengths of the Bluetti Elite 100 Mini – size & weight
4:32 AC Battery Capacity Test
5:24 Max AC recharge time test
6:21 Parasitic Drain Test
7:00 Heavy load testing
8:24 2nd biggest strength of the Bluetti Elite 100 Mini – UPS Testing
11:17 The best settings in the app to use
12:56 Heres who I think this power station is best for
#Bluetti #Elite100mini #SolarGenerator #PortablePowerStation #UPSBackup
Affiliate Disclosure
As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you! Thanks for your support!
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of There’s a Trick for That, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. There’s a Trick for That assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. There’s a Trick for That recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of There’s a Trick for That, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not There’s a Trick for That.")
