UPDATE! Many of you keep thinking I "can't" charge my batteries while running the a/c and that is incorrect!. What I said was I don't have enough solar to (fully) charge my batteries while running a/c. My batteries DO in fact charge while running the a/c they just won't "top up" because I only have 1280w on the roof! --- Power Queen Batteries: gohobo.io/pqbf use code HOBO [Canadians: gohobo.io/pqcanada ] SunGoldPower (SGP) Inverter/Chargers: gohobo.io/sgp use code HOBOTECH10 Victron Smart Shunt: amzn.to/3YCcVuT Victron Solar Charge Controllers: amzn.to/3KEzglR HQST Solar Charge Controllers (cheaper!): gohobo.io/hqstmppt code HOBOTECH10 Renogy 320w Solar Panels: renogy.sjv.io/MXe9VP code RENOGYSOLAR10 Ecoflow Power Kits: gohobo.io/powerkits
You ONLY have 1280 watts of solar on the roof so an ac uses more watts than 1280 watts of solar pulls in? So how do full time van life people seem to stay cool all day with 600 watts of solar on the roof of a van? I'm confused now. "ONLY" 1280 watts of solar on the roof?? Isn't that a lot more than average for an rv rooftop? It's sounding like one would need 3 times that amount of solar panels and a 400 foot long rv to mount all this on to run an ac. If 1280 watts of solar is not enough to keep up with one air conditioner then that's horrible. You gotta be wealthy to become a poor minimalistic van dweller if that's true.
For those of you not living in this world, this is likely a Furrion Chill AC which is equivalent to a mini-split in efficiency. I'm guessing here as to the unit but it's likely and likely has a soft start capacitor. All good stuff.
Thanks for showing a real life application for the all the solar, inverter, battery and charger stuff I have been collecting over the years! It sure beats watching a space heater draining a battery to zero. Very cool, literally.
I stumbled upon your channel trying to answer questions on this exact topic of independent power systems in the RV. I live just north of Quartzsite and I anticipate spending a few days down there quizzing people on their setups. They are true boondocks there!
I boondock permanently. I have 5.5kw solar array, 10kw storage and 2x 3kw inverters. I'm in Florida with no shade, my AC is on constantly and only cycles down at night. During the day the outside gets to 100 to 115f and inside is usually 85 to 95 if I start cooking. I believe it is a 14k BTU AC and it consumes around 1.5kw while it's on. From around 10AM till about 5PM I charge around 12% peak while the AC is on, however I never get to a full battery by the end of the day. If we leave the RV for about 2 hours we will come back to full batteries. We are needing to add an additional 5kw of storage and an additional 1kw - 2kw of panels so that we can get to a full state of battery by the end of the day even with the AC on during the day so that we have AC during the night.
We think providing shade like a car port will do more for us vs increasing our off-grid capacity. However car ports for my RV are like 6k$ without the concrete foundation pour and that's pricey, not really willing to pay for that. So if anyone one knows a cheaper alternative please let me know!
I have 900 amp lifepo4 batteries 24 volt 12k mini split air conditioner 3500 watts solar 3000 watt Growatt inverter 30 ft class c motorhome So yea I believe you. Lot of the equipment I have is based on your reviews.
Fun stuff! It's nice we are getting to a point where high discharge batteries can now run the loads we want. As we move forward, I can see videos will be made showing new batteries that are physically smaller in size so you can add more of them in the same space.
We have 2 (300Ah) lithium batteries in our cargo trailer conversion. We have 2 (100Ah) lithium batteries in our van. These are independent systems. 600 watts of panels on van, 600 watts of panels on trailer. 400 watts of ground panels. We run a shore power cable from the van inverter to the trailer. To power a charger which we know wastes some energy, but we have a surplus when the sun shines. As long as the sun shines we can run our 5000 BTU air conditioner which uses an average of 250 -300 watts (450 peak). We can run through the night and recover for a couple days. We can’t run an electric heater through the night because it draws 600 watts. So we do carry a rarely needed generator. We have actually never needed the ground panels but we travel mostly in the winter.
So glad I subscribed to your channel months ago. I just picked up this same Power Queen 300 WH batteries for my class A Motorhome. (On sale $1560 for the pair.) They fit perfectly in my 89 Fleetwoods battery compartment. I modified that space to an HD slide out tray years ago to ease battery maintenance. I'll be installing solar panels on my coach that are mounted in 2 large roof racks that were made to be hay racks on a horse trailer. I'm currently building a raise up solar tracking system for those 2 roofracks that will store the 2 panels (each rack) in flat position then can be raised with actuators to the upright position and allow the EcoFlo solar tracking system to follow the daily sun path. The roofracks will provide a limb proof cage around my panels as well as secure nesting pads for the panels to park on. And will not be any taller than the 2 Coleman 1500 btu ac units that are already up there. I'll probably follow your list you provided as I want to retain my RV's power distribution panel as you did in this video. Wish me luck. It's a slow build that I'm purchasing the pieces one at a time every month. Also repowered the coach (Long story) and need to concentrate on getting it back on the road first....😊 Great videos!
That built-in original RV charger looks just like the one in my 2006 trailer. I know you said your toy hauler is a “newer model” RV. Just noting that some things don’t change too much.
Thanks for the side-by-side comparison. Too often we can get locked in one setup and forget to look for similar options with same desired final outcome.
Such a great video! Worth every minute if watching. Learned so much! Thank you. How does the generator work with the battery setup. Does it charge the batteries
I run my entire off grid cabin off 1.4Kw with 400Ah LIFEPO4 and a Geneverse Pro 2. That powers water pump, lights, microwave, swamp cooler, cooking appliances, and recharges my ebike, tools and gadgets. A swamp cooler in low humidity areas uses much less power but I can run a 500watt window AC in the daytime off that system.
Thanks for posting this video! I also have a SunGoldPower 3000/9000 inverter-charger. Ours is a year newer and it has the lifepo4 charge setting although I use the AGM setting. It does a very nice job of powering our camper, including the rooftop air.
Victron makes such awesome gear! I mean, ALL that gear is pretty awesome, but when it comes to homebrew, I have found Victron to be an excellent bang for the buck. Enjoy your vids as always!
Great video!! For me it is all about heat and AC usage and how much power I need. Can’t you run the AC of Solar during the daytime when it is sunny? Basically barely using any battery usage, since your solar input is less then the AC wattage use. Correct? Then when it comes to night, you would have to use the stored batteries for the AC.
I think you easily could. I have 2 years worth of data on a 12k mini for our master bedroom (also have a 24k that heart and cools the big chunk of the house). Basically after the bulk of the cooling on the bedroom is done, it only draws 400 watts. And....there is no inductive load like typical ac units. I see between 200 and 1300 watts on that 12k unit. 1300 watts is it in turbo mode heating. And that is in short stints...a lot like you might do to knock the chill down in an RV in the morning. My hope would be to run a mini with the baseboard unit in place of a fireplace in fithwheel. Not sure how mounting would be, usually the fireplace is in a slide. Guess we will see.
I have solar on my rv. I will say the best upgrade you can do on solar is the batteries. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries or called lifePo4 batteries. Only because of how they discharge and charge up. The take longer to drain them ( discharge) and they actually charge better due to their design .
Cool setup! Out here in SoCal electricity is getting crazy cost wise. I was running an off-grid MPP with a Li Time 12V for my office to help supplement. After my last electric bill (😒), I decided to up the game a tad. Got me a V 24v Li Time and a Growatt All-in-one. With 1200w's of panels in series {Current MPP Imp(A): 12.60A Voltage Open Circuit Voc(V): 20.52V }, it easily powers my 12k Mini-Split in Eco mode and my office all day with juice left over for charging the battery. Obviously toward the end of the day, what's coming in is upside down to what's going out and the battery will start going down and I have to start picking and choosing as you mentioned..but thats about 700 -900 watts not coming from the utility now for a large part of the day. Panel power is the key to success~ BTW, Love the videos, have a good one.
I will be building a similar system this winter and I'm wondering what brand and model mini split you have? Also, what inverter are you using to power it? I am planning on using a 30.5 SEER Blueridge 12k Btu mini split (220v) powering it with a dedicated 2,000w 220v inverter. I will be using an all-in-one Sungoldpower 5,000w unit powered with a 305ah 48v battery made with 16, 280ah prismatic cells. I will retain the small 620w liftable solar array mounted on the side of my MH that I use to charge my 560ah 12v LiFePo-4 battery. I mounted it on the side of my MH to leave the roof free for a large array of 8, 460w Blue sun bifacial panels racked about 13" off the roof. I expect to get about 10% additional power off the back of these modules for about 4kw of roof mounted solar to charge this 48v bank.
That's a pretty big system! Mine is nowhere that elaborate. My roof space is somewhat limited and ground mounts would have too much shade. I'm using 220W Panels at the moment, I might be able to fit another 400W up there, that's all. The Growatt is the 24V Growatt SPF 3000TL LVM - 3kW 120Vac Stackable Inverter 2kW MPPT Charge Controller picked up from Ian at watts24/7. The AC is a 110V by design {didn't want to push into 220V}. It's a Senville Leto with about a19Seer, cools down about 600Sf in eco very well, usually run my thermostat around 76-77 if we don't get into triple digits. It supplements my main unit very well. I hear good things about the Bifacials, but I'm just not quite sold yet on the bennies. 48V is a much more efficient system, but..being retired now, I was trying to keep the initial cost in check with the budget :P. Good luck with the system!@@SuperSushidog
The biggest problem with adding solar panels to your camper is that you mostly park it under trees while camping. My rsvp has 2000 watts of panels on the roof, and I typically get 2 -300 watts. Keep a large battery bank and a backup generator.
Hey, Bud. Nice seeing you out there again. I've been you gotta hold. Gotta hold of a couple of jackeries 15 hunters. They don't have a solID Card panel with them. I do have other panels, but I need a connection. And you said you could always contact you, so I'm trying.
Thank you for your video! I'm a solo traveler in a 29ft 5th wheel. And I would love to be off grid, so I have been researching what will it take to be off grid. Space would be an issue since the cabinet where my 2 batteries are is a small space. I also have a concern if I'm boondocking in areas that have high temperatures, especially where all of the power equipment is. Thanks for reading!
@@HOBOTECHlol.....its not a matter of need. 😂 Of course you do. And double your solar. If you did that then you could basically use your electric car free and not have to even look at it. If you wanted to run your AC...run it!
What we learn is what we know ? Yeah, I'm idiot 🙄 But , I'm getting smarter watching this guy's videos ? Thanks Professor Hobo for sharing your knowledge and honesty. It's been very helpful .
THANK YOU! I am trying to figure out how to get over 2400 W solar in my 22 foot RV...ANd i want the ability to shut it OFF when i am on shore power (like, when i am at work) I also noticed you do the same thing i do.....the dog leash is hung on the fire extingusiher. "great minds"....and all. (side note, i just upgraded my rig to a 15K BTU Coleman Mach and i am using my original Dometic thermostat.......i have an AMAZING RV Tech who does magic AND teaches me.!)
Great show. I have a question, I now have 800watts of solar. NOT all connected together. 200w for My Growatt, 200w on another power station and 100w for fridge/freezer. That leaves Me with 300w extra unused. My goal was to hook them all up together and let the devices take what they need I was told " it doesn't work like that. I've watched Your videos for a while. I trust Your knowledge. My question is: What do I need to get to connect all My panels together and regulate the watts going to each device? Thanks in advance.. R Mack
Your channel has been awesome for someone like me who’s completely new to all things battery and solar related! Thanks! One question: You don’t happen to have a video on how to slow down charging speed of a solar generator when charging from a wall socket? Mine(Marxon G1500) charges at 1000w and I’d like to halve that😅 Cheers!
Just melted my head e bike ride,thanks for the reply. Also wondering what you think of Redodo batteries. I got 3 200ah and they seem kinda weak or something do you think I got hornswaggled?
You can add a $300-$400 soft start if you like or just do what I do and spend that money on a larger inverter that will let you run multiple appliances.
I enjoy the information content of your videos. I also have taken advantage of the recent (October 2023) Discount Code, on top of the EcoFlow Discount that was offered at that time. I am wanting to fully convert my travel trailer to Solar. I was wondering a good source to look up so I can make this happen. I'm not sure how to connect a transfer switch up to the panel, like I would in my house. If you happen to know any resources on TH-cam that you yourself would recommend, then that would reduce the amount of "Filtering" I would have to do find the information. I would trust anyone you would trust. Thank you..
@@HOBOTECH thx for the reply! Love the channel, new sub.... I guess the soft start would only help, and I understand what you mean about solar now. I misunderstood what you said at 9:48 ish...
WHOOOOOOOAAH! Ok, you dropped a VERY significant comment about not charging the battery while the A/C and Microwave etc… are running. Kinda makes sense, but does that really matter if we’re only running devices that don’t draw much current like a refrigerator and water pump like i do in my small teardrop camper? What is the current withdraw vs charging capacity limits that won’t destroy your battery or solar charging controller?
If your using an inverter to create 120v off the 12v batteries. Then using the converter to charge said batteries.. It won't work. Only if your using a gas generator.
I love my renogy panels . quick question professor . cant you do a 24 volt system in trailor and use one of those step down devices to go from 24 to 12 volt?
Can u share the specs on the AC unit? I have a smaller solar/battery system than you so I need an ultra efficient 12v AC unit. Watching with great anticipation as they roll out better units all the time!
About 3 years ago a TH-cam channel called “Gone Boondocking”, he had a class C RV with 1,440 wats of solar mounted on the roof. He had removed the roof top AC and then mounted a mini split AC on the back. He said he could run the efficient air conditioner 24/7 off grid. Would this be possible in some place like Texas? I think it would be best to mount the solar panels on rack on the roof for air circulation maybe adding solar panel awnings to increase wattage. I want the rig to be self contained with no solar panels on the ground. Is this possible, a self contained 24/7 air conditioned RV off grid?
To do that in Texas with a large rig, I think you need 2000 watts and 900-1200 Ah of battery to get through the cloudy days, you would have a surplus with the sun shining.
At ~ the 7 minute mark ... Could you explain why you do not want to be charging (I assume from shore power or generator?) why you do not want to charge the batteries while the batteries are powering the inverter ? does your inverter have a transfer switch ? TIA...
The batteries are already sending 12v power through the fuse box which in turn would run the converter/charger to try to charge the batteries. You flip the breaker to turn off the charger to prevent this loop. If charging with shore power you could leave it on to charge the batteries but my SGP inverter/charger is twice as fast so I use that instead.
Great video we live offgrid in a 5th wheel camper can i run my shore power directly frm inverter and if so will converter charger handle charging several batteries tia
Have you ever compared an RV to a similar foot print tiny house? I saw a video on another channel where they were in an RV, and had trouble charging their batteries with 4000w of solar with the need for air conditioning. I don't know their other loads but I thought that was odd and I wondered how much harder it is to cool an RV due to the thin walls with metal exteriors. Though I suppose other RVs might be made of something that isn't metal.
Depends a lot on the RV. Some 4 season models with dual pane windows are better insulated. Others like Class B vans have thin walls and a lot of single pane glass are meant for camping and not full timing. When I was living in my Roadtrek van the heat was horrible. I had to use a lot of tarps and window coverings with a/c running 24/7 to stay cool.
Question: Now, in a hot day, with GOOD SOLAR COVERAGE, you could charge the batteries "and" run the A/C at the same time, right? If not, is that because there is NOT ENOUGH solar power coming in to charge the batteries? I'm interested in developing a full-time system that WILL RUN MY A/C on batteries. During the day, when there is ample sunshine, I would be maintaining the batteries and providing power for the A/C (and other things) with the solar panel, which keep the batteries "up" which are actually running everything. In YOUR experience, would this work ok? (as long as I have an over-abundance of solar charging power)
Seems to be a lot of confusion on this video. "I" don't have enough solar on my roof to run the 15k BTU air con and top up my batteries at the same time. Anyone can do it with enough solar.
@@HOBOTECH… I'm thinking the best choice would be to make sure whatever solar panels you put on the roof, have a good high output, and I have seriously considered may be a small trailer with solar panels that fold in collapse so that when I get somewhere, I can position the trailer out in the sun while the RV is parked in the shade.
Hey Hobotech, I watch a lot of your videos and comment a lot but now have a question. I bought an Anker f2600 to run my rv, but now concerned that it may need that bonding plug, either to run it, and/or make the GFCI circuits operate properly? I guess I can always just try it but don’t want to blow out anything in a brand new Jayco, thanks.
Good video HT! Do all RV breaker panels have a breaker for the charger? I plug in my Pecron to run my 12V fridge the night before a trip, without the main coach switch on, and it passes power to my coach batteries, so I’m guessing it’s charging the coach batteries?
@7:15 Your explanation about shuting off the charger was not clear. If I understand you correctly you shut the charger off because the charger is trying to charge the batteries which are running the inverter which supply power to the charger, i.e. the loop. Correct? Also, but on shore power you will leave that breaker connected so you use the converter for rig power while charging the batteries? Is there an issue if you have your batteries on charge for days while in a campsite with power?
His explanation is all about boondocking. But your correct. leave the converter off when boondocking because he has solar charging those batteries. When he has shore power, leave the converter on. The bms won't allow the batteries to overcharge
They are more efficient but you have to run some monster cables over long distance to install. Very expensive setup. I'd rather install a mini split for the same money.
7:20 - my 2015 has two house batteries (i replaced them with marine) and i am on shore power....so when i am plugged in, the battteries are fully charged and the power "passes thru" so my converter on the fuse box runs house. when i run the rig, the batteries will charge (but are always fully charged) - it's a feature, not a bug.
Question. If I'm using my solar panels to charge my batteries but turn the load off because I'm not using the rv will that damage anything or should i keep the load on even though I'm not using the rv ????
Meh, Threw in an ecoflow delta pro and extra battery and 1500w of solar. I can run the AC all day long in the sun and about 7-8 hours in the night. I put in a full system in a unit a few years ago and will never go that route again. Wire in a plug to the transfer switch, setup the solar panels and I am up and going. No need to setup a battery bank, shunt, charge controllers, etc. no need to worry about all the wiring, lugs, etc.
EcoFlow all the way! I camp with a Delta 2 although I have a DC-DC Ctek system + battery + solar in the 4x4. Will never install a full system again. And EcoFlows are portable - you can use in the house/beach or even lend one to Granny. Your Delta Pro with extra battery is an awesome set-up!
Question: I have a Mustang 4800 2" water pump, the best I can tell it requires 110V 1hp pushes 80gpm. what solar and batteries would i need to run this 24/7
Hey prof, you did not show how you wired the panels on the roof. I am trying to duplicate your setup and don't know if they are parallel, or series parallel, or series? and is this a 24volt system or 12v. Would love a wire diagram of the setup. I realize this is a year old but it worked then so I suppose it will work now.
@@HOBOTECHThanks so much for the reply. I am trying to duplicate the system you showed but could not tell what size fuses you used and where you put them. I have been watching videos for days and the info is either too complex or too vague. Can you tell me what you used for fuses in that setup and where? I understand if this is too much to ask.
If I can use my renogy 3000 watt inverter charger for my lithium batteries ,what setting would be best to charge 4 x100 ah renogy smart batteries if there is no lithium setting ? Everything I read says it might hurt them,if it wasn't a lithium charger...
I want to set up an rv for off grid living but i have no idea how to do this still, it feels so overwhelming and I'm scared I'll blowing my rv up lol, who would i able to ask for assistance with this and getting it set up ? an electrician or a car shop ? lmao
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
UPDATE! Many of you keep thinking I "can't" charge my batteries while running the a/c and that is incorrect!. What I said was I don't have enough solar to (fully) charge my batteries while running a/c. My batteries DO in fact charge while running the a/c they just won't "top up" because I only have 1280w on the roof!
---
Power Queen Batteries: gohobo.io/pqbf use code HOBO
[Canadians: gohobo.io/pqcanada ]
SunGoldPower (SGP) Inverter/Chargers: gohobo.io/sgp use code HOBOTECH10
Victron Smart Shunt: amzn.to/3YCcVuT
Victron Solar Charge Controllers: amzn.to/3KEzglR
HQST Solar Charge Controllers (cheaper!): gohobo.io/hqstmppt code HOBOTECH10
Renogy 320w Solar Panels: renogy.sjv.io/MXe9VP code RENOGYSOLAR10
Ecoflow Power Kits: gohobo.io/powerkits
yeah but is it any good ?
How much are those 3ah batteries?
You ONLY have 1280 watts of solar on the roof so an ac uses more watts than 1280 watts of solar pulls in? So how do full time van life people seem to stay cool all day with 600 watts of solar on the roof of a van? I'm confused now. "ONLY" 1280 watts of solar on the roof?? Isn't that a lot more than average for an rv rooftop? It's sounding like one would need 3 times that amount of solar panels and a 400 foot long rv to mount all this on to run an ac. If 1280 watts of solar is not enough to keep up with one air conditioner then that's horrible. You gotta be wealthy to become a poor minimalistic van dweller if that's true.
"Only have 1280w"
Zing! Right over my head. I really need the nursery school version of this.
For those of you not living in this world, this is likely a Furrion Chill AC which is equivalent to a mini-split in efficiency. I'm guessing here as to the unit but it's likely and likely has a soft start capacitor. All good stuff.
Thanks for showing a real life application for the all the solar, inverter, battery and charger stuff I have been collecting over the years! It sure beats watching a space heater draining a battery to zero. Very cool, literally.
Im sure i will have to watch 1000 more times to get an understanding of using solar energy and equipment.
Mi no get it
I stumbled upon your channel trying to answer questions on this exact topic of independent power systems in the RV. I live just north of Quartzsite and I anticipate spending a few days down there quizzing people on their setups. They are true boondocks there!
Loved the Back to the Future reference, but I don’t think those batteries can generate the 1.21Gigawatts necessary to run the Flux Capacitor.
I boondock permanently. I have 5.5kw solar array, 10kw storage and 2x 3kw inverters.
I'm in Florida with no shade, my AC is on constantly and only cycles down at night.
During the day the outside gets to 100 to 115f and inside is usually 85 to 95 if I start cooking.
I believe it is a 14k BTU AC and it consumes around 1.5kw while it's on.
From around 10AM till about 5PM I charge around 12% peak while the AC is on, however I never get to a full battery by the end of the day. If we leave the RV for about 2 hours we will come back to full batteries.
We are needing to add an additional 5kw of storage and an additional 1kw - 2kw of panels so that we can get to a full state of battery by the end of the day even with the AC on during the day so that we have AC during the night.
We think providing shade like a car port will do more for us vs increasing our off-grid capacity. However car ports for my RV are like 6k$ without the concrete foundation pour and that's pricey, not really willing to pay for that.
So if anyone one knows a cheaper alternative please let me know!
They sell portable canvas garages online.
I have
900 amp lifepo4 batteries 24 volt
12k mini split air conditioner
3500 watts solar
3000 watt Growatt inverter
30 ft class c motorhome
So yea I believe you.
Lot of the equipment I have is based on your reviews.
Fun stuff! It's nice we are getting to a point where high discharge batteries can now run the loads we want. As we move forward, I can see videos will be made showing new batteries that are physically smaller in size so you can add more of them in the same space.
I predict the eternal electric bill will go the same way as the land line phone.
@@gsp49 that wont go away without a fight though, far too much money and control attached to power
We have 2 (300Ah) lithium batteries in our cargo trailer conversion.
We have 2 (100Ah) lithium batteries in our van.
These are independent systems.
600 watts of panels on van, 600 watts of panels on trailer. 400 watts of ground panels.
We run a shore power cable from the van inverter to the trailer. To power a charger which we know wastes some energy, but we have a surplus when the sun shines. As long as the sun shines we can run our 5000 BTU air conditioner which uses an average of 250 -300 watts (450 peak). We can run through the night and recover for a couple days. We can’t run an electric heater through the night because it draws 600 watts.
So we do carry a rarely needed generator. We have actually never needed the ground panels but we travel mostly in the winter.
So glad I subscribed to your channel months ago. I just picked up this same Power Queen 300 WH batteries for my class A Motorhome. (On sale $1560 for the pair.) They fit perfectly in my 89 Fleetwoods battery compartment. I modified that space to an HD slide out tray years ago to ease battery maintenance. I'll be installing solar panels on my coach that are mounted in 2 large roof racks that were made to be hay racks on a horse trailer. I'm currently building a raise up solar tracking system for those 2 roofracks that will store the 2 panels (each rack) in flat position then can be raised with actuators to the upright position and allow the EcoFlo solar tracking system to follow the daily sun path. The roofracks will provide a limb proof cage around my panels as well as secure nesting pads for the panels to park on. And will not be any taller than the 2 Coleman 1500 btu ac units that are already up there.
I'll probably follow your list you provided as I want to retain my RV's power distribution panel as you did in this video.
Wish me luck. It's a slow build that I'm purchasing the pieces one at a time every month. Also repowered the coach (Long story) and need to concentrate on getting it back on the road first....😊
Great videos!
That built-in original RV charger looks just like the one in my 2006 trailer. I know you said your toy hauler is a “newer model” RV. Just noting that some things don’t change too much.
Thanks for the side-by-side comparison. Too often we can get locked in one setup and forget to look for similar options with same desired final outcome.
Such a great video! Worth every minute if watching. Learned so much! Thank you. How does the generator work with the battery setup. Does it charge the batteries
Impressive performance by your Power Queen batteries. You should be proud of your set up.
I run my entire off grid cabin off 1.4Kw with 400Ah LIFEPO4 and a Geneverse Pro 2. That powers water pump, lights, microwave, swamp cooler, cooking appliances, and recharges my ebike, tools and gadgets. A swamp cooler in low humidity areas uses much less power but I can run a 500watt window AC in the daytime off that system.
Could tell how much would cost all sollar system to set up and run?
Thanks for posting this video!
I also have a SunGoldPower 3000/9000 inverter-charger. Ours is a year newer and it has the lifepo4 charge setting although I use the AGM setting. It does a very nice job of powering our camper, including the rooftop air.
Victron makes such awesome gear! I mean, ALL that gear is pretty awesome, but when it comes to homebrew, I have found Victron to be an excellent bang for the buck. Enjoy your vids as always!
Victron +1
7680 wh on the Power Queens and 5,000 wh on the EcoFlow. Not bad.
Great video!! For me it is all about heat and AC usage and how much power I need. Can’t you run the AC of Solar during the daytime when it is sunny? Basically barely using any battery usage, since your solar input is less then the AC wattage use. Correct? Then when it comes to night, you would have to use the stored batteries for the AC.
The Winnebago Brave sized generator box was designed around the 750 watt surplus Navy Onan generator you correcty see in the movie "Father Goose".
would be interesting to see these new 12V ACs and/or mini splits. Curious if you COULD run those and still get a charge to the batteries.
I think you easily could. I have 2 years worth of data on a 12k mini for our master bedroom (also have a 24k that heart and cools the big chunk of the house).
Basically after the bulk of the cooling on the bedroom is done, it only draws 400 watts. And....there is no inductive load like typical ac units.
I see between 200 and 1300 watts on that 12k unit. 1300 watts is it in turbo mode heating. And that is in short stints...a lot like you might do to knock the chill down in an RV in the morning.
My hope would be to run a mini with the baseboard unit in place of a fireplace in fithwheel. Not sure how mounting would be, usually the fireplace is in a slide. Guess we will see.
Oh....two years worth of data.....I run an Emporia Vue to track some of these interesting want to know circuits.
I have solar on my rv. I will say the best upgrade you can do on solar is the batteries. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries or called lifePo4 batteries. Only because of how they discharge and charge up. The take longer to drain them ( discharge) and they actually charge better due to their design .
Cool setup! Out here in SoCal electricity is getting crazy cost wise. I was running an off-grid MPP with a Li Time 12V for my office to help supplement. After my last electric bill (😒), I decided to up the game a tad. Got me a V 24v Li Time and a Growatt All-in-one. With 1200w's of panels in series {Current MPP Imp(A): 12.60A Voltage Open Circuit Voc(V): 20.52V }, it easily powers my 12k Mini-Split in Eco mode and my office all day with juice left over for charging the battery. Obviously toward the end of the day, what's coming in is upside down to what's going out and the battery will start going down and I have to start picking and choosing as you mentioned..but thats about 700 -900 watts not coming from the utility now for a large part of the day. Panel power is the key to success~ BTW, Love the videos, have a good one.
I will be building a similar system this winter and I'm wondering what brand and model mini split you have? Also, what inverter are you using to power it? I am planning on using a 30.5 SEER Blueridge 12k Btu mini split (220v) powering it with a dedicated 2,000w 220v inverter. I will be using an all-in-one Sungoldpower 5,000w unit powered with a 305ah 48v battery made with 16, 280ah prismatic cells. I will retain the small 620w liftable solar array mounted on the side of my MH that I use to charge my 560ah 12v LiFePo-4 battery. I mounted it on the side of my MH to leave the roof free for a large array of 8, 460w Blue sun bifacial panels racked about 13" off the roof. I expect to get about 10% additional power off the back of these modules for about 4kw of roof mounted solar to charge this 48v bank.
That's a pretty big system! Mine is nowhere that elaborate. My roof space is somewhat limited and ground mounts would have too much shade. I'm using 220W Panels at the moment, I might be able to fit another 400W up there, that's all. The Growatt is the 24V Growatt SPF 3000TL LVM - 3kW 120Vac Stackable Inverter 2kW MPPT Charge Controller picked up from Ian at watts24/7. The AC is a 110V by design {didn't want to push into 220V}. It's a Senville Leto with about a19Seer, cools down about 600Sf in eco very well, usually run my thermostat around 76-77 if we don't get into triple digits. It supplements my main unit very well. I hear good things about the Bifacials, but I'm just not quite sold yet on the bennies. 48V is a much more efficient system, but..being retired now, I was trying to keep the initial cost in check with the budget :P. Good luck with the system!@@SuperSushidog
The biggest problem with adding solar panels to your camper is that you mostly park it under trees while camping. My rsvp has 2000 watts of panels on the roof, and I typically get 2 -300 watts. Keep a large battery bank and a backup generator.
Especially in Olympic national park. It's dark at noon in Manchester State Park.!!!
Sounds like you need some of the newer panels that are not as affected by shade.
True, that's why I'm also installing an outlet for portable panels, 4 of the harbor freight 100w panels, and a 30 ft extension coord
Hey, Bud. Nice seeing you out there again. I've been you gotta hold. Gotta hold of a couple of jackeries 15 hunters. They don't have a solID Card panel with them. I do have other panels, but I need a connection. And you said you could always contact you, so I'm trying.
I'd like a Flux Capacitor. Can you do an episode comparing various brands?
Prof Hobo, thanks for all tips and tricks lots of good info 👍🏽
Thank you for your video! I'm a solo traveler in a 29ft 5th wheel. And I would love to be off grid, so I have been researching what will it take to be off grid. Space would be an issue since the cabinet where my 2 batteries are is a small space. I also have a concern if I'm boondocking in areas that have high temperatures, especially where all of the power equipment is. Thanks for reading!
Can you shoehorn 6 or more of the Powerqueen 200s in that space? Of course with the Ecoflow out Nice comparison!
If I pull the Ecoflow I can certainly fit 1200Ah or more but I don't really need it.
@@HOBOTECHlol.....its not a matter of need. 😂
Of course you do. And double your solar. If you did that then you could basically use your electric car free and not have to even look at it. If you wanted to run your AC...run it!
I had a girl once I needed a "shoe horn" for
What we learn is what we know ? Yeah, I'm idiot 🙄
But , I'm getting smarter watching this guy's videos ?
Thanks Professor Hobo for sharing your knowledge and honesty. It's been very helpful .
THANK YOU! I am trying to figure out how to get over 2400 W solar in my 22 foot RV...ANd i want the ability to shut it OFF when i am on shore power (like, when i am at work)
I also noticed you do the same thing i do.....the dog leash is hung on the fire extingusiher. "great minds"....and all.
(side note, i just upgraded my rig to a 15K BTU Coleman Mach and i am using my original Dometic thermostat.......i have an AMAZING RV Tech who does magic AND teaches me.!)
If you use an inverter with a built in transfer switch it makes shore power easy.
@@marsrover001 THANK YOU!
Great show. I have a question, I now have 800watts of solar.
NOT all connected together. 200w for My Growatt, 200w on another power station and 100w for fridge/freezer.
That leaves Me with 300w extra unused. My goal was to hook them all up together and let the devices take what they need
I was told " it doesn't work like that. I've watched Your videos for a while. I trust Your knowledge. My question is:
What do I need to get to connect all My panels together and regulate the watts going to each device?
Thanks in advance..
R Mack
I need a class in this stuff - volts, amps, matching batteries to solar panels ….
Primal health. Smart man.
Awesome video. Nice summary. Similar to my 5th wheel set up.
High ceilings is more to heat.
Exterior hose bibs aplenty!
Thank you for that I'll be watching you knew. Do I really need 300 W of power for batteries and things are spending?
Any chance of reviewing the BougeRV portable AC? Theblittle unit looks super promising and you do a FANTASTIC job with the reviews!
Your channel has been awesome for someone like me who’s completely new to all things battery and solar related! Thanks!
One question:
You don’t happen to have a video on how to slow down charging speed of a solar generator when charging from a wall socket?
Mine(Marxon G1500) charges at 1000w and I’d like to halve that😅
Cheers!
In order to slow down charging you need to buy a name brand unit like Bluetti or Ecoflow that offers that option in their app.
@@HOBOTECH Thanks for the reply!
Looking dapper as usual, El Profesor. Thanks for the information.
Good video, when you charge your batteries what amps do you charge them?
85A from solar 45A from shore.
Just melted my head e bike ride,thanks for the reply. Also wondering what you think of Redodo batteries. I got 3 200ah and they seem kinda weak or something do you think I got hornswaggled?
What a sweet setup. Hobotech, the Road Warrior.
What about the Easy Start or Soft Start to bring the A/C compressor up to speed? You didn't mention them up until the time I left your vlog.
You can add a $300-$400 soft start if you like or just do what I do and spend that money on a larger inverter that will let you run multiple appliances.
I enjoy the information content of your videos. I also have taken advantage of the recent (October 2023) Discount Code, on top of the EcoFlow Discount that was offered at that time. I am wanting to fully convert my travel trailer to Solar. I was wondering a good source to look up so I can make this happen. I'm not sure how to connect a transfer switch up to the panel, like I would in my house. If you happen to know any resources on TH-cam that you yourself would recommend, then that would reduce the amount of "Filtering" I would have to do find the information. I would trust anyone you would trust. Thank you..
Thanks for the video and two quick questions:
Do you have a soft start on the AC?
Why can't you charge from solar and run the AC at the same time?
Soft start is unnecessary. I never said I can't charge with solar and run the AC.
@@HOBOTECH thx for the reply! Love the channel, new sub.... I guess the soft start would only help, and I understand what you mean about solar now. I misunderstood what you said at 9:48 ish...
WHOOOOOOOAAH! Ok, you dropped a VERY significant comment about not charging the battery while the A/C and Microwave etc… are running. Kinda makes sense, but does that really matter if we’re only running devices that don’t draw much current like a refrigerator and water pump like i do in my small teardrop camper? What is the current withdraw vs charging capacity limits that won’t destroy your battery or solar charging controller?
If your using an inverter to create 120v off the 12v batteries. Then using the converter to charge said batteries.. It won't work. Only if your using a gas generator.
I love my renogy panels . quick question professor . cant you do a 24 volt system in trailor and use one of those step down devices to go from 24 to 12 volt?
Can u share the specs on the AC unit? I have a smaller solar/battery system than you so I need an ultra efficient 12v AC unit. Watching with great anticipation as they roll out better units all the time!
It's a Furrion 15k btu ... that's all I know.
About 3 years ago a TH-cam channel called “Gone Boondocking”, he had a class C RV with 1,440 wats of solar mounted on the roof. He had removed the roof top AC and then mounted a mini split AC on the back. He said he could run the efficient air conditioner 24/7 off grid. Would this be possible in some place like Texas? I think it would be best to mount the solar panels on rack on the roof for air circulation maybe adding solar panel awnings to increase wattage. I want the rig to be self contained with no solar panels on the ground. Is this possible, a self contained 24/7 air conditioned RV off grid?
To do that in Texas with a large rig, I think you need 2000 watts and 900-1200 Ah of battery to get through the cloudy days, you would have a surplus with the sun shining.
Yes, very possible. Just the roof space should be enough.
Hi hobotech when will u make a review of Yoobao powerstations like the Yoobao en1200q en2200q etc
Never
Thanks for all u do t help us understand solar power!
Thumbs up for the information, I’m looking forward for the future of your house project with the new solar system.
Terrific overview. What makes a battery charger special for LiFePo4 batteries? The voltage (14.5 vs 13.8)? Thanks for sharing
Pretty much it will do 14.6v and restart a dead battery by itself.
Microwaving salad dressing for scientific purposes gave me a chuckle 😄
Good informational video. Nice set up. How do you like the Bluetti PV420 panel?
It's my go to portable the last several camping trips.
At ~ the 7 minute mark ... Could you explain why you do not want to be charging (I assume from shore power or generator?) why you do not want to charge the batteries while the batteries are powering the inverter ? does your inverter have a transfer switch ? TIA...
The batteries are already sending 12v power through the fuse box which in turn would run the converter/charger to try to charge the batteries. You flip the breaker to turn off the charger to prevent this loop. If charging with shore power you could leave it on to charge the batteries but my SGP inverter/charger is twice as fast so I use that instead.
Great video we live offgrid in a 5th wheel camper can i run my shore power directly frm inverter and if so will converter charger handle charging several batteries tia
New to all of this. I'm curious, why is 80 percent charge an optimal soc for lifepo4 batteries? Thank you and I love your videos!
Has to do with cell voltage. If it's too high and the battery is stored in a hot environment it can swell or even leak inside.
What is the total weight of solar equipment &, install materials vs a generator? I have a single axle PUP. I am very limited on extra weight.
Can you review UGREEN Portable Power Station PowerRoam 1200? It's new and I am skeptical. Lol
Can you run the time machine off of your inverter as well?
We are interested in putting solar on 2001 horse trailer. Where would we start?Thanks in advance.
Have you ever compared an RV to a similar foot print tiny house? I saw a video on another channel where they were in an RV, and had trouble charging their batteries with 4000w of solar with the need for air conditioning. I don't know their other loads but I thought that was odd and I wondered how much harder it is to cool an RV due to the thin walls with metal exteriors. Though I suppose other RVs might be made of something that isn't metal.
Depends a lot on the RV. Some 4 season models with dual pane windows are better insulated. Others like Class B vans have thin walls and a lot of single pane glass are meant for camping and not full timing. When I was living in my Roadtrek van the heat was horrible. I had to use a lot of tarps and window coverings with a/c running 24/7 to stay cool.
Would have any suggestion for a portable system 100 to 150 wats with which mppt charge controler
Question: Now, in a hot day, with GOOD SOLAR COVERAGE, you could charge the batteries "and" run the A/C at the same time, right? If not, is that because there is NOT ENOUGH solar power coming in to charge the batteries?
I'm interested in developing a full-time system that WILL RUN MY A/C on batteries.
During the day, when there is ample sunshine, I would be maintaining the batteries and providing power for the A/C (and other things) with the solar panel, which keep the batteries "up" which are actually running everything.
In YOUR experience, would this work ok? (as long as I have an over-abundance of solar charging power)
Seems to be a lot of confusion on this video. "I" don't have enough solar on my roof to run the 15k BTU air con and top up my batteries at the same time. Anyone can do it with enough solar.
@@HOBOTECH… I'm thinking the best choice would be to make sure whatever solar panels you put on the roof, have a good high output, and I have seriously considered may be a small trailer with solar panels that fold in collapse so that when I get somewhere, I can position the trailer out in the sun while the RV is parked in the shade.
I didn't realize the EcoFlow system does 12v DC output. is that something new in the prototype version you are testing?
Do you sell any of the tested product you receive? Homeless guy in NEED
Is there anywhere to get the Eco Flows worked on besides sending back to the factory?
Hey Hobotech, I watch a lot of your videos and comment a lot but now have a question. I bought an Anker f2600 to run my rv, but now concerned that it may need that bonding plug, either to run it, and/or make the GFCI circuits operate properly? I guess I can always just try it but don’t want to blow out anything in a brand new Jayco, thanks.
Glad to see another great video
Can't seem to find the video of the PowerKit review. Is it a good system for boondocking?
Good video HT! Do all RV breaker panels have a breaker for the charger? I plug in my Pecron to run my 12V fridge the night before a trip, without the main coach switch on, and it passes power to my coach batteries, so I’m guessing it’s charging the coach batteries?
Every RV I've seen has a breaker for the converter.
Yes, but not for the charger itself. If I flip the converter breaker switch off won’t it not pass any power from the shore line through the RV?
@7:15 Your explanation about shuting off the charger was not clear. If I understand you correctly you shut the charger off because the charger is trying to charge the batteries which are running the inverter which supply power to the charger, i.e. the loop. Correct? Also, but on shore power you will leave that breaker connected so you use the converter for rig power while charging the batteries? Is there an issue if you have your batteries on charge for days while in a campsite with power?
His explanation is all about boondocking. But your correct. leave the converter off when boondocking because he has solar charging those batteries. When he has shore power, leave the converter on. The bms won't allow the batteries to overcharge
Would there be any benefit to running a DC AC unit? Would it be more efficient since you wouldnt have to convert?
They are more efficient but you have to run some monster cables over long distance to install. Very expensive setup. I'd rather install a mini split for the same money.
7:20 - my 2015 has two house batteries (i replaced them with marine) and i am on shore power....so when i am plugged in, the battteries are fully charged and the power "passes thru" so my converter on the fuse box runs house. when i run the rig, the batteries will charge (but are always fully charged) - it's a feature, not a bug.
How long can u run the air conditioner
Question. If I'm using my solar panels to charge my batteries but turn the load off because I'm not using the rv will that damage anything or should i keep the load on even though I'm not using the rv ????
Meh, Threw in an ecoflow delta pro and extra battery and 1500w of solar. I can run the AC all day long in the sun and about 7-8 hours in the night. I put in a full system in a unit a few years ago and will never go that route again. Wire in a plug to the transfer switch, setup the solar panels and I am up and going. No need to setup a battery bank, shunt, charge controllers, etc. no need to worry about all the wiring, lugs, etc.
EcoFlow all the way! I camp with a Delta 2 although I have a DC-DC Ctek system + battery + solar in the 4x4. Will never install a full system again. And EcoFlows are portable - you can use in the house/beach or even lend one to Granny. Your Delta Pro with extra battery is an awesome set-up!
Excellent presentation. Thanks for sharing.
Question: I have a Mustang 4800 2" water pump, the best I can tell it requires 110V 1hp pushes 80gpm. what solar and batteries would i need to run this 24/7
So will the solar panels charge the batteries with the converter off
Converter has nothing to do with solar.
Hey prof, you did not show how you wired the panels on the roof. I am trying to duplicate your setup and don't know if they are parallel, or series parallel, or series? and is this a 24volt system or 12v. Would love a wire diagram of the setup. I realize this is a year old but it worked then so I suppose it will work now.
I run series parallel 2S2P
@@HOBOTECHThanks so much for the reply. I am trying to duplicate the system you showed but could not tell what size fuses you used and where you put them. I have been watching videos for days and the info is either too complex or too vague. Can you tell me what you used for fuses in that setup and where? I understand if this is too much to ask.
Why not run the Air Conditioner and the Solar Charging both at the same time?
You can charge and run the a/c at the same time if you have enough solar.
why have two separate systems with batterry power and inverter? Advantage? Thx, Ed
Old Navy Seal saying, "Two is one, one is none".
2 questions, do you still have your Van? And if so, is the vhb tape holding up? Thanks
Yes and I did a 5 year follow up video back in 2022.
Do you recommend Ford Transit over used Sprinter ?
Hobo doesn't do Ford.
Thanks and its understood but I have no skills to install items like this. Who does this work if I were to first purchase the items myself?
Sometimes a local solar retail shop or RV mechanic shop will do it.
What did it run you?
How much weight does this add to your camper?
If I can use my renogy 3000 watt inverter charger for my lithium batteries ,what setting would be best to charge 4 x100 ah renogy smart batteries if there is no lithium setting ? Everything I read says it might hurt them,if it wasn't a lithium charger...
You said BadaBing....❤
Get u a mini split
Thanks Tom
Hiding under the table in the day room
Well now….that was clear as mudd!
Positive Comment!!!
I missed it why can't you run the AC and charge your batteries at the same time?
I want to set up an rv for off grid living but i have no idea how to do this still, it feels so overwhelming and I'm scared I'll blowing my rv up lol, who would i able to ask for assistance with this and getting it set up ? an electrician or a car shop ? lmao
Find a local RV shop or solar installer.
@@HOBOTECH ok thanks 😊
Does that system work well with your A/C as is or do you have a soft start kit?
I did show it twice starting the 15k btu a/c perfectly without any $300 soft start module.