6 RV SOLAR MISCONCEPTIONS
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- čas přidán 6. 03. 2021
- New to RV Solar? Check out these 6 misconceptions about RV solar that we've learned over the past four years as full time RVers living off our solar!
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Thanks! Answered many questions!
While the video was well made I think none of these are myths. You are basically saying that you can get away with ignoring “Best Practices”. It’s best practice to keep your solar panels clean and pointed towards the sun. But it will work without doing this.
Lithium ions are the best way but sure you can buy new lead acid batteries every two years. do to it right is very expensive but you can go budget and it will function .
Most people would run their AC/heat whenever in the trailer and of course while sleeping. You simply can’t do it without a ton of solar. Most rigs don’t have a enough roof space to fit enough solar to charge batteries in a single day that are big enough to handle an 8-12 of heat/ac.
The air conditioning one is not a myth. You need a ton of batteries to run it all night. Installing a mini split is a more efficient system and I’m not sure why manufacturers still use that roof top junk. But assuming viewer are using stock systems this is true.
Most useful. Again. I was afraid Sweetie wasn't going to get to say goodbye. So cute!
Totally agree on the dirty and incidence angle takes within reason. If it's like the dirty trucks you can write "wash me" on with your finger or it's near winter solstice then probably do something about them. Also it's usually cheaper and easier to add another panel to make up for it than get adjustable panel mounts and go through the trouble of setting them up. I think we should get in the habit of NOT saying our "trailer is powered by solar". Instead say it's powered by batteries and the batteries are charged by solar. Keeps people from mistakenly thinking it's just a matter of plugging solar panels straight to whatever they want to run.
Fantastic video. Now I can stop being OCD about the dust on my solar panel🤗
Hahaha exactly! I was super OCD about keeping our panels spotless at first. Now I let them get REALLY dirty before cleaning them because it doesn't really help much haha.
All very informative. I ran a 32' fifth wheel with two group 27 deep cycle batteries from Wal Mart (Ever-Start) and two solar panels. I'm not advocating this system but low cost of batteries (under $100.) each allowed me to replace batteries every four years and that system was flawless for the 20+ years that we had the rig. New owners still using original panels.
Great video! We are getting ready to install solar onto our camper this month and using some of your previous install videos to help out with it! Keep up the great content
Wow, this is very timely. We’re getting ready to do a solar upgrade on our camper. Just enough to run fans overnight mainly. Great info.
Thanks David! Bang on, and helping me a lot with my own solar project. Stay safe buddy!
Great info. Thank you so much.
Great informative video David. Thanks for your time and knowledge. Stay SAFE and Stay HAPPY. Steve & Diana :)
Great presentation! Great information! Information is a powerful tool in planning any rv life . Take care and God Bless You and your fur babies.
Thank you Franklin! We hope you had a good weekend 😄
Always love the info. We’ve really been considering adding Solar. Great job y’all!
I dont have an RV but I love solar! So I ended up watching this. Thanks for making the video.
For those not educated as your expertise in solar for RV . It is as follows SOLAR PANEL connects to CHARGE CONTROL (Has led screen and keeps only 12 volts going into battery so not to over charge connects to 12 VOLT BATTTERY connects to INVERTER (2000 WATT in this example with 200 AMP FUSE between red positive wire. then plug in appliances to inverter. OR get renogy 2000 watt inverter HAS a TRANS BOX that can connect directly to outlets in RV for springdale RV hookups. Instead of plugging into inverter now entire RV inverter marked outlets are powered.
I was like you. I spent a fortune. I went all Victron components, Battle Born batteries, with Merlin Flex panels. It cost me over $2,000 in labor by the time it was all done. That includes some generator work too and adding a SoftStart to the AC unit. You were wise to do it yourself, but, if people aren't comfortable with electricity then make sure you get professional help unless you want to burn your place down.
Great information, very good 👍
Great panels out there for much less, IMO. I like higher voltage panels where you can use smaller wire if you choose too. We have Sunpower panels Much higher voltage less loss through the wires. We use the 435 Watt panels, love them.
400 wind geberator
An excellent rundown. Thanks.
Not as a negative reply but simply an alternative.. Like yourself 5 years ago I studied up on solar & did my own install. I like the LI PO-4 chemistry BUT key term = "given enough time it'll pay for itself". I am not a full timer but out 1x a month for 4-5 days and a 2 month snowbird trip in the winter. Dry camp ~ 75%. Our 2- 6v batteries ($198 total) and 2-100W Renogy solar panels & small inverter do just fine for the last 4+ years. Batteries never go below 65% SOC. I carry a 2000w Champion inverter generator as backup. I have only used a few times though . All in for under $1k using very good (Renogy) components. I've still retained all my pass thru storage as well. I may replace the batteries next year at a cost of $225-$250 for another 5 years. So over 10 years I'm out ~$450 vs ~$850 -$1k. We are far, far from being minimalist, but this it works for us. My bet is most camp with full hookups a majority of the time anyways. Just another alternative.
Really helpful video. Thank you
A trig table shows that a solar panel will get 98% of max power at +- 11° from optimal, 95% at +- 18°, and 90% at +- 25°. So as you said there's lots of room for approximation while still getting good results. Panel tilt matters a lot more in the winter because of the low sun, short days, and probably more clouds. Quartzite AZ is at 33.5° latitude and the max tilt of Earth is 23.5°, total 57° max, less before and after the sun's high point for the day. So a tilt of, say, 45° (I'd go higher than 35°) would be good from mid-fall through mid-spring. Of course with tilted panels it's necessary to park so that the panels orient toward due south. With no tilt we can park so the van door orients towards the view. :)
A friend charges his electric car with panels that track the sun. This allows for fewer panels.
Good video and information.
Thanks for this info!
Having a secondary panel you can place somewhere on the ground around Trailer is also very useful when your rooftop solar is catching a lot of shade and for additional power in the winter if your rooftop solar is mounted flat. Don't forget to replace all of your bulbs with LEDs as getting your power use down is step #1 to going solar.
David, great video with lots of information and insights. I'm still mostly weekend RVing, so two 6v deep charge batteries are sufficient for now. Besides, I have an older RV that would require major changes to support even just a lithium system. But, I appreciate the experienced information. 😘
I was shocked when you said $8,400 for your solar system, but then my mind went straight to how much you could save by boon docking and not staying in RV parks (which can be rather expensive). I’m sure your system has paid for itself 3 times by now. Even in a house or apartment, you still have an electric bill. Despite having a big house in Vegas (with trying to make it efficient as possible), I’m averaging $1,500 a year. After 6 years, you still have me beat. It’s nice that solar keeps coming down in price. Remember how much big screen TVs cost? You definitely made the smart move doing solar. Bless you and the critters 😃
I have about $6200.00 into my 2000 watt system on our motorhome. I also put $6600.00 into my 5500 watt grid tie system on our home. CZcams videos make DIY solar easy.
People have to put in to perspective also that his system cost was Years Ago 🤔
Like everything else as the years go by it's getting easier and a lot more Affordable to build the same system 👍👍
My take:
1. Sandia labs found cleaning dirty panels makes about a +5% difference in solar harvest . I brush off snow and clean bird poop, but otherwise leave them dirty.
2. used and NOS panels can be spectacularly good deals, like $0.30/w. I've lived offgrid for the past 935 days on a solar config that averages out to less than $1/day.
3. Hours of FSE estimates are for flat-mounted panels. In winter or high lats a daily-optimal tilt can increase yield about +30%. I just overpaneled a bit and left them flat.
4. Most people are overly optimistic about how much power a panel will make. It's hard to have too much panel.
5. Lithium is great. Flooded 6 banks and LFP banks have the same lifetime costs per kAh, though.
6. splits are nice, and hella expensive. Probably cheapest just to run the roof unit[s] on generator
We are full time RV'er, and have 4,350 watts of solar on our roof (10- 435 watt sunpower panels) with 6000 watt 240 volt split phase inverter, and 10,200 watts of lithium battery storage. We use everything on solar on a sunning day, AC, electric hot water, washer and dryer. Works great. I am planning a youtube video on the install and operation of it soon.
more theñ ßolar rv
You paid a lot for your system, I’ve got Battleborns (same 400 AH to a 3000w inverter) with Victron Bluetooth components for less. Also, on cloudy days more panels save generator time. Nice video, thanks.
Is your inverter a Victron 3000 by any chance? I noticed when researching that they're a 2400 W inverter.
Awesome awesome video
Good video and of course Sweetie!
Great job, very useful!!!
The dog is thinking: "who's my master talking to, anyways?"
I boondock 90% of the time, (the other 10% is when I met up with family). Love my solar power system!! Mine is a Zamp system with Trojan 6 volt batteries! The freedom to camp wherever is freakin awesome. But I’m in the Adirondacks and you’ll need more than one panel and battery to run the furnace.....it gobbles power up!!
All I can really say about the video is that is one great dog
VERY GOOD video!!! - Thanks!
Thanks for the helpful tips.
This gives me more confidence in building a smaller system, for my project (an extremely small well insulated teardrop camper with 1 induction hot plate, 1 laptop, a phone, and a mini split heat pump)
Good advice on batteries. We have AGM in one vehicle and Lithium in the other. Guess which one we take out more often? Yep you got it, the Lithium.
Great video David. We have a relatively new trailer which did not come with solar. I am all-go for solar power, but so far, DH is not on board. It sure would open up more camping opportunities if I can win him over, and your video should help! Thank you.
Another misconception is installing solar is very difficult. We are part time RVer's and have two 100 watt windy nation solar panels for $80 each wired in parallel, a cheap $15 PMW controller and three deep cycle Walmart lead acid batteries for $80 each. The whole system was about $500 and the system runs my LED 32' TV, two laptops, lights, fans, refrigerator and charges all my devices. The wiring was real simple and fun and I'm a retired physician not an engineer. Of course it wouldn't run an AC or microwave. I still bring a small inverter generator as a backup in case of cloudy or rainy days.
Great comment! I have a similar system and love it. It makes all the power I normally need. If one of my lead acid batteries goes bad I can replace it for about 100 bucks in any town in America. I'm sure allot more RVers would use solar if they understood this.
teçhable aàç batery power 150 watts too 1000 wats 1300 satts
@@sharonbraselton4302 English please
OMGosh! This is fantastic information! When are y'all coming to Florida or are you waiting for Thomas and Stacy to go to you?
David, your information is, as far as I am concerned, 100% perfect. GREAT VIDEO, GREAT INFORMATION! I have studied RV solar for about six or seven years. The only thing you did not say was for everyone to some type of POWER AUDIT. You have said that in the past, that is the only thing you left out but like I said GREAT VIDEO AND INFORMATION!!!
Hey thanks for the info..
We spent only $300 to build our solar system and it works great
That's awesome? What is your system?
We use a pure sine wave inverter with our 200 watt solar panels. It's been our go to for power. We do have a backup "solar generator ". Only used it one time. Great information!
Hello. can you help me with info. I have a 200-watt solar installed. what type of inverter did you get and is it easily installed by a diy ?
Love your channel. Great setup! Could you mount you inverter and other boxes to the wall of the passthrough to gain back some passthrough space?
Love your videos. Noticed you only have one ad which is great but I'm sure people would still watch if you threw in another.
Salty. Yes salty 😂. Definitely a helpful video 👍🏼
I don’t have the channel name handy, but there is a diy solar channel that evaluates solar components and shares the best deals. He also priced out AGM v. Lithium and lithium are more expensive initially, but cost less over the life of the battery. A single lithium ion can store what multiple AGM batteries can store because they absorb energy easier and they can last 10-15 years; this can be 9-12 AGM batteries easily. If you want to build your own batteries from single cells, you can build them for 5-600
We love our Solar System and like you could not boondock all Winter in our Truck Camper in Baja without it. Since we are so far south we can run our Electic Coffee Pot, two laptops, two monitors with 640W / 200Ah lithium system. Safe Travels.
Thanks for the video! My wife and I are also full time RVers. We just purchased a 200 watt (2x100) system with a 20 amp MMPT charge controller and a 100 amp hour AGM battery to replace our lead acid battery. I considered upgrading to lithium batteries until I realized that I would need to replace my 1000 watt inverter, converter and solenoid which ties my house battery to my chassis battery. Rather than investing a lot of money to replace many components, we decided to get a Bluetti 200P power station. It is a fraction of the cost of replacing the above mentioned components. There is no installation and I get a 2000 watt inverter and a lithium battery. We also have a Onan 4000 watt gasoline generator so we run that as required.
I have to agree with you. There are a lot of alternatives w/o spending nearly as much in a lot of cases. Most forget about having to change out the original onboard factory converter as well.
yes chíéf use that
Good video
OK, I have heard and seen test where there is a voltage difference between a clean and a dirty panel. But I think this was funny that you realize... yeah maybe it’s not something that you have to be quite so OCD about. Thanks for the update. As always you are a wealth of knowledge!
Love your videos..but can you guys include your cats if you walk them and let them out and walk around outside!?? Loved your bunny video!!❤
There are a lot of ways to optimize RV solar/battery systems based on how you want to camp. I have a small hard sided pop up trailer called an Aliner, which I have installed 400Amp hrs of lithium batteries (home made from cells with BMS), 200 Watts of solar, a 1000 Watt inverter and a solar charge controller/DC to DC charge controller. Total cost was a little over $3000 and I can run 5000 btu AC and my AC compressor frig just fine. Batteries can recharge from solar, car alternator or shore power.
Consider Victron gear. Great h/w, high quality. My complete solar system was less than $2000 for a 660 watt system, which included internet connectivity (Cerbo unit) and a 500A shunt to monitor the batteries from anywhere with my phone. This price includes 2/ea of 330W REC high quality panels, but doesn't include the lithium batteries or inverter, which I already had.
Do some looking around for price comparing. Example is when in stock San Tan Solar offers 400 watt panels for $200.00 each. SOK batteries has a 200 Ah lithium battery for about 50 bucks more than a 100 Ah Battle Born. 4 years ago I paid $525.00 each shipping included. For 100 Ah Herewin batteries with zero issues. So shop around there are some great product for less money.
4 years !! Dangggg bad ass 100%
I'm on 4 months now
Nice vlog
Hi David - wondering if you forgot go add the link for the solar delineation charts. It doesn't seem to be in the video description. Thanks for the interesting topic.
Thanks for reminding me because I did forget hahaha. So many extra links to post for this video. It is in the description now, have a good one friend.
-David
Great video as usual. One question on the cleaning of panels. I’ve seen a 10-20% increase doing the same thing as you described. Is it possible your batteries were near a high state of charge where they would be limited?
A valid point. We also have cleaned off our panels and seen an increase. Not a significant, but it adds up over the long haul.
We are weekend warriors and for us a single 120W panel has been life-changing. But we also have very low electrical demand.
Lov e the shadow in the beginning.
I was always surprised to see those on the food going down the road and not being damaged by the wind.
How do you have the smaller panels hooked up? Are you running everything in parallel?
It hasn't been practical until recently, but all in one systems are the way to go these days. You can get very nice and reliable units in 120V and 240V varieties.
Cleaning Solar Panels tip, if weeds start growing, it's time to clean...
What happens if weed starts growing?
@@petebradt in some places you might be arrested... LOL!
Weeds also collect sunshine, so there will be less sun going to the panel.
(now let's see who believes this)
As a full timer with a curved roof and unable to find tilting hardware that works on curved roofs, I did as many others do and buy another solar panel to compensate for the lack of tilting if you have the landscape. Then again I don’t have $500 panels like you do and mine are a few watts larger and aren’t over priced like GoPower. 90% of solar panels come from China. The key is finding a reputable dealer that stands behind their product with no exaggeration on their wattage. Paying over a $1 per watt is just a waste of money.
That being said I wouldn’t skimp on the charge controller or inverter. I’m running a Xantrek combo inverter/charger because I got a great deal on it but if I have to replace it for any reason it would be a Victron for both the efficiency and most of their components work with each other, but they are pricey.
Going mini split on creature comforts is a great idea. Been thinking about that for a couple of years. 500-600 watts is on the high side unless you’re in extreme temps or your Rv is less insulated than most. Once your temperature is met it should be pulling about 300 watts unless your seer rating is less than 20. Then again that’s what I’ve experienced from others that made the change from the roof top mounted a/c’s. You also can take advantage of the heat pump for a few more watts.
Another appliance that can take advantage from solar is the refrigerator. Those so called 3 way standard absorption Rv fridge that is ok on propane but really sucks up the ac power is now slowly being replaced by good ole fashioned compressor type instead of absorption with much lower ac draw with a smaller foot print. Think about all that extra room we have behind and above where the vents are if we modify from the old style.
Sorry if I stepped on your toes about GoPower but the then again Victron which I prefer is over priced as well.
How I mounted and tilt my panels. Video on the channel.
Awesome vid!!
Quick question because I am really really new lol.
Just to make sure I am in the right direction, when installing solar and getting battery bank , the 1 house battery that came with Rv just gets removed and all wires from that battery to new battery bank ?
Lithium because of the weight. AGMs are great if you don't have a cargo carrying capacity constraint. Full timers will truly appreciate the weight savings of Lithium.
David, you mention dirt on the solar collector surfaces, but what's your take on when they start to show discoloration from age? I know your system is still pretty new so shouldn't be showing those signs of age yet, but it has me curious since my small panel on my rig is pretty faded looking (thus making me wonder if it would be worthwhile looking into replacing it, or leave it be until it fails) (we are the "occasional" RV users). There was a LOT of really good information and insight in this podcast - thanks!!
I have a ? I have 4-100 w panels on my rv. can I put 2 more at the same voltage but at 200w each
I have a question.... Do I leave my solar hooked up when on shorepower? Can I have solar charge controller on the batteries at the same time hooked up to 30 amp shorepower???
Yes you can leave them hooked up with no issues.
This a great show thank you. What do you think of LTO batteries 🔋🤔
We've never heard of LTO batteries, sorry.
I live in the deep south, i also was heavey involved in power production in the offshore oilfelds for decades -
I have good understanding when it comes to power generation sence every thing offshore is off grid -
If you live in areas as we do that the humidity averages 60%, solar panels perform very poorly - the moisture in the air deflects the UV and it does not strike the panels directly - on average your panels will generate 20% of there rated output for 2 hrs a day - if there no clouds in the sky and that rare -
As for air-conditioning - there are AC units that are 2500 BTUs there marketed for dog houses AC units - in areas of high humidity it is difficult to sleep in the summer -
Those 2500 BTU AC units marketed for Dog Houses could be an option - they draw 2-300 watts - in reality those AC units are used to keep electronics in commercial & industrial panel or enclosures cool & dry
At night 2500 BTUs might not be enough to cool a camper but it will remove moisture from the air - so you can sleep through the night - it's often 90% humidity at night down here - it's very difficult to sleep when the humidity is high -
In other countries they sell 2500 BTU AC window units ,but not in the U.S. -
Hi David, wondering if you have any idea why my Furrion all electric refridgerator won't do anything other that start briefly and then stop when on battery power only?? I have 300 Ahr of batteries hooked up with an 8 gauge wire. Tried a 6 gauge wire, nothing any ideas? thanks
hi all new to the game by 2 weeks , just bought a winnebego spirit 29b. I'm handy enough to do the install myself, but I'm asking about mounting to the RV.... is there a structure plan I should follow? maybe some pass through lag bolts? or is there something similar to trusses I need to look up to lay out the mounting... thank you for any info, and thank you for not treating me like an idiot, really really like this community for ALL OF THE HELP!! so far everyone has been awesome and thankyou!!
Tilting is way better but if you are unable to get on the roof then get a few portable pannels and add them to your system and just move them around.! that way you can also park in the shade a little bit too!
Great video, David. But I'm not gonna lie - I missed Roe's top in this video. :)
We are looking at installing a battery monitor, do you have one installed in your unit? What do you think of the GO Power BATTERY MONITOR GP-BMK-25. Thanks
buy e bike regeñ braking add çhareg
Dirty vs muddy is the difference. For the most part, a hard rain will clean them enough... At todays prices, what you have can be bought for about a third less, even with the added monitors and remote controls. If I am wrong, show us more detail as to what we need for a complete setup.
Did you ever put together a schematic of your final system?
For the average RV'r, is battery complex battery monitoring necessary? Do I really need to know, amps in or out all the time, or is keeping track of charge state all that is needed. battery.
I'm thinking that a remote on/off for an inverter is a must since they can have a significant parasitic drain.
How about an automatic transfer switch? Or are they inexpensive enough compared to a manual switch between shore power and inverter output?
Vanlifers do source 12 volt ac units... rooftop and minisplits
How much solar energy are you using on a daily basis? We are getting ready to go fulltime and i am not sure what i am going need.
Wow you spent a lot of money on your solar! I agree that the lithium ion is the way to go but not necessary. I bought a 200 amp hour hybrid gel battery and I have 400W of solar on my roof. There are very few times when I actually need to run my generator and that is when I have to run my air conditioner for more than a few hours at a time. If my air conditioner is not involved I do not have to worry about my battery charge ever at 400W. Running my computer, watching TV, running my microwave all day and my battery never gets below 90% or so. All in all I spent about $1500 into my solar. That is a long way from $8500! I may add another battery and 200 more watts eventually and then I would never need a generator. As it is now I might run my generator once every two weeks and that’s only if we’ve had clouds for a few days in a row. Just my two. I realize that your set up is permanent and that’s why you spent so much money and I am a full-timer as well. I may end up upgrading but I just wanted to put this out there for people who are just getting started that you do not need to spend all that money right upfront. You can spend $1500 and do very well until you can afford to upgrade. I wish I would’ve known this from the beginning instead of having to piece together the information by myself.
If you are not in a hurry you can also wait and catch solar components when they are on sale. I prefer to use higher watt panels so you can buy less of them. Example: 435w panels. It's been several months ago but I did put together a 1740w system for about $1060 for the panels and around $2200 for the rest of the system. Four good 200 amp AGM battery's for around $700. All totaled $3960. This is a good system using name brand components. It can be done.
Windy nation 78 bucks a panel total cost for me 2,100 and I added 2 more 6 volt batteries every thing works so good going 4 months on camping
I have seen Sandia solar lab in Albuquerque testing dirty vs clean solar panels
I'm full solar RV converted to a tiny mobile home got 3 24 volt 290 watt mono panels got those for 75 each and 4 100 watt panels total 1470 watts .with inverters battery's panbels controlers total around 5000 bucks
Great vid.
I still can't quite afford with a very tight budget, to replace my AGM batteries, 12v charging system (dirt cheap) and solar charging system in my car and camper trailer for recreational use.
I currently have a calculated usable AGM capacity of 38AH between 2 batteries and have a folding solar panel rated at max 160 watts.
The lithium charging and systems have to be added to the cost of the lithium batteries when changing from AGM.
I completely understand that people living off grid in a caravan or motor home will need to invest in large capacity lithium systems.
I do look forward to one day finding good but cheaper lithium systems.
Regards, Jas.
VK4FJGS
Rockhampton Queensland Australia
I have a cheap solar setup, but we are weekend warriors only. I have 2 100 watt flexible solar panels and 2 100 AH AGM batteries and a 1500 watt inverter. I have a 1977 21 foot Terry trailer. This is not our forever trailer, so I'm not putting a ton of money into it. I gutted it and completely remodeled it. Part of the remodel is I don't have any propane on my system, all electric. We bought a high efficiency refrigerator that a 40 watt incandescent bulb uses more electricity than our fridge.
We have two long runs we have made. Once to AZ and once to MI. We were able to drive to AZ from TN and when we got to AZ, we didn't have hookups. I only ran the generator for a few hours one day and that was to run the heater. At the end of the night without hookups, we had about 85% or 90% of the batteries left. So by the time it turned dark, it had charged 100% when there's full sun. But of course, it turned stormy. We even had to leave early to make sure we didn't get snowed in on I-10. Our last night on the road, we did the no no of running the AGM batteries down because we left a fan on.
What impressed the me is if there is light, the solar panels are generating power. Not a lot during a storm but still charging the batteries.
4 wàtt leds beter
Couple of things:
1) The days you really need AC are the days you have 100% solar power available. So I agree, if you shop for high efficiency AC units, you CAN run them on solar.
2) You can only use about half the capacity of your lead-acid batteries without cutting seriously into their life expectancy, while with lithium chemistry batteries, you can use the full rated capacity. So if you want to save money by buying lead-acid batteries instead of lithium-iron-phosphate, you have to purchase about twice the capacity.
3) If you do want to go with lead instead of lithium, be aware that AGM is more expensive and also more sensitive to overcharge than flooded lead-acid. The no-maintenance aspect doesn't just mean that you don't have to do any maintenance, it also means that you CAN'T do any maintenance. Any water lost due to venting due to overcharging, which can just be topped off on flooded lead-acids, is just lost in AGMs.
Try lithium in Northern Ontario Canada in winter. Great when you can "heat" them.
If you are using an RV, you are either not in Canada in the winter, or you are a fringe case who is not the target audience
You can run any laptop for hours and hours before a normal car starting battery needs charging. I do it all the time. Always enough juice to start the car. What drains batteries is AC, cooking with microwave, magic pot, bigscreen tv, etc.
Wow i'm glad we are building the battery's with cells ourselves, our price came in at $1000 for the cells and $350 shipping for total of $1350 for 840 ah.
Think this is what we’re doing.
That is exactly what I am doing.
what kind of cell, and from where?
@@littlebill2601 basen technology 280ah and ill add a overkill BMS to each 12v battery. You need 4 x 3.2 cells to make a 12v battery. Right now its $482 shipped.
@@littlebill2601 We used 12 Eve 280 amp cells from Alibaba.
Do you still use a surge protector when you are plugged in?
We sure do
buy ups 300 too 1800 wat batetuss
4 years ago I paid $525.00 each for six 100 Ah lithium batteries with shipping included. 345 watt solar panels for $125.00 each. Was able to pick them up so no shipping cost. I have just over 2000 watts on our motorhome. Because not everyone is in the desert southwest.
Not too change the subject,but please do. I wrote an e-mail about 2 or3 weeks ago about the window shades in your camper. They were a double shade, with a slow re turn. 1 shade was a dark shade,where you can see outside,but doesn’t let the hot sun in. The other shade is a privacy one. I do not know how to navigate through u-tube to see this video again. Did this shade work for you, and do you like them?
I thought I seen a video where you did install solar to run your a/c, you added that thing that lowers the power it takes to start up and said you can run your a/c?
Any dirt is going to affect their efficiency. It has to. It just may not be enough to be measured on your meter. I'm curious to know what resolution your ammeter is.
So how much power do you use a day especially when running your fridge? We have a residential 10 cu Ft. that uses about 900 watts a day. Driveway testing using the rv the way we mostly likely would we averaged around 2000 watts a day. Then again ours is still winterized so neither the water pump or electric water heater was used which is a 10 gallon. Bet that 10 gallon water heater has you jealous...........lol. My testing was done between about 32 to 70 degrees because I figure that's close to the weather we will be chasing. If we can ever make it happen I'm thinking about building 2- 280 amp hours batteries in series and going 24 volt system with a 2000 watt inverter or Growatt makes a great 24volt all in one system. Appreciate your content!