Van Life Solar - Basic Solar Explained
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- In today's video I begin to lay a groundwork overview for solar by answering very basic Frequently Asked Questions about the system. We cover very practical and simple questions about solar that get us started on our solar journey.
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Thanks for watching!
When we started building our van we looked into many different solar situations and ended up going with components. We bought the 2 100 watt panels then saved for a while bought a controller, saved for awhile, battery, saved, misc parts. It works great and we're glad we did it this way because we got to learn as we went.
I'm glad I watched this to the end. I learned a few things. Thanks Bob
Really good information. I lived for years, as a family of 4 with a tiny 130w solar setup, I would say if you can start with a 200w system. I have also used auto batteries, but they do not hold much charge, but if you were broke like I was, then it works! Charging batteries with a generator is slow, charging when driving worked well.
Thanks for breaking this down for the solar-impaired. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Best series ever! Thank you so much. I may get a small solar setup to run some things in my backyard now. ie - fountain, twinkle lights. Then, in the future, I may be able to run much of my house ( if I ever get out from under the trees that are currently shadowing my entire roof)
Again, this is the video series I have been looking for to get me started. You are right on time Bob, thanks.
Thanks Bob very informative,Thank you for all you do,you are very caring, to us soon to be Newbies,
Love the legend at the front of your videos so we can go right to the spot we want to watch to help for our build.
A kit is surely easy... but: I strongly recommend avoiding the ‘packaged’ ready to go systems. Suggest doing a little research and putting your own together, not only to save a fair bit of money, but more importantly to be able to trouble-shoot any problems yourself. That’ll save time and money in the future.
I’ve seen pre-packaged solar setups that aren’t anywhere near what I put together myself for over 200% of what I invested. But just as importantly, if I run into a problem, since I had to do a fair bit of research and learning in the process, I’m pretty confident that I’ll be able to trouble-shoot and solve the problem myself instead of having to wait till I can find help (not to mention the cost of the help)… DIY! Learn and Save!
Just a thought to consider before you spend more than you should, or need to, getting juice from the sun.
Yes, I like the idea of spending more time learning in order to gain problem trouble-shooting skills.
I do wanna learn but it's not that easy for you if you don't have an interest in electronics. I can barely understand it but I'm learning even if I'm slow. I just keep trying and I'll eventually get it.
So informative as usual! Thank you Bob!!🙏🏻🙏🏻
As always, well done and informative Bob.
Thanks for taking the time.
Bob you are the number one guy on utube for me you've taught me a lot thank you sir
Thanks Bob! I understand a little better now.
Thanks for sharing Bob Wells. You are truly the Master of Living full-time in a van, camper, car or truck. Amazing guy! 👍😎
Hi Elmer, you follow a lot of the same channels i do, Rusty, Rob etc etc, great minds think alike !!
Thanks, Bob! I'm looking forward to learning everything that you are willing to take the time to teach us!! You're the BEST!!
This is what I needed to understand....so many thanks for helping so many people..,.,.we are grateful...Happy Turkey Day...
Wow, I have been watching this series this morning and it is wicked good. Your analogies really help. Also love how this video let's me start understanding what I might be able to do to be comfortable with just solar. Thanks so much.
UR THE BEST BOB 😃😄& THANKYOU for ANSWERS about Solar Components 👍 AWESOME Dr. Wells 😁 ✌..
This is a really important series Bob. Thanks. I think if I lived in Alaska I would add a wind turbine to the solar kit.
Hope that you used the kit used for wind and not solar, or purchased a hybrid kit for both solar and wind.
Very informative! Thank you!
Excellent video Bob and fantastic presentation all the best 😃
Happy and Peaceful Thanksgiving to my van camper friends on this channel. This lifestyle is amazing to me and others who are not happy in this crazy world. Granted it's not for everyone. It has solved a very big problem though for a lot of folks; how to live a very high quality life with a level of freedom and happiness that would otherwise be just a dream for a fraction of the cost. Blessings 👍🏼😌
Thanks Bob! Looking forward to the next video.
Thank you, Bob-your whole solar series is excellent!
Camping solar panel shootout
Great video, lots of people are wanting to learn about the solar subject and how they can apply it to their needs.
I know that this is an old video, but I would just say that I have many types of pwms and mppts around my place. They are all used in many different projects. The cheap Chinese pwm controllers do have their place and can work for many years as well as the battery they charge. This is proven around my place. Why is this? I use them for very small projects with a focused task. Batteries always maintain there 100% charge as the loads are very small, never dropping my battery charge below 50% on my lead acid batteries. My lithium batteries use much better mppr controllers because they have larger loads and different tasks. To sum up: The cheap pwm controllers do have their place like with anything. Good video
Thanks Bob. I got my Van and hope to join you all in Jan. RTR as I have been planning for the last 3 years ( seems as if this Van search has taken for ever ) I found a 2005 E-150 Econoline and I have fallen in love with it. I have bought a 120 watt solar case very cheep off brand and am trying to finish the inside but I think it will be a rough job and look that way also. I will be real primitive but I can live with it till I learn better or find help along the way. Oh yes a big P.S You know me on line as member Tweedle2 from Sacramento (Sacramento Bob, or Sacramento Rob I forget )
Good stuff, thanks. Keeping it simple helps. I’m saving all your podcasts
Still wrapping my heard around the solar powers stuff before I install mine. Thanks for explaining things so clearly.
I’ll be watching the entire series and taking notes. Thank you Bob.
thank you BOB! i fear that i would spend way to much and not have quality products, thank you for the video
This is a much needed video, Bob. Well done! I'm looking forward to the upcoming videos on this topic!
I love this video !!!!! I’ve seen a lot. And by a lot , I mean A LOT. I loved yours the best because it was very black and white, and even though I know off the grid electrical is a little more complicated than that, it helped me understand my boundaries and perimeters. Thank you 😊
Thank you soo much for this series. I want to learn solar and know your comprehensive approach will allow me to get it!
Thank you Bob for your time on telling us about solar.
Thank you Bob! Learning a lot.
Thanks for such an informative and entertaining video 👍
Good information, Bob! Thank you. I need a couple of those flexible solar panels. Thin, light, durable and stores easily when not in use.
Keep it up Bob. Thanks very much. I do not know very much about solar & want to learn. Stay well & happy.
thanks, Bob, loving your channel, binge watching and researching. Its all really helpful!
You really have a way of explaining things/teaching very well. Thank you!
Just what the doctor ordered. Thank you.
Great information papa bear!
GREAT, simple video Bob, Very educational
Thanks Bob ! Great video.
Well done, Bob!
Great information Bob. Thanks!
Good Morning. W40Vhat is the best way to work out the fuse from the solar panels. I will Have 4 HQST 100W panels.
10A 40V . 2 panels series and then put them in parallel. Jack
So glad you put out this information; I was hoping for a video like this. :)
thank you good info and hello from quebec canada
great channel. ☺
Thank you for sharing good information.
That looks like my town in the southern part of AZ.
Whats with the shirt? Business in the front, Party in the back ? LOL
Thank you Bob, really appreciate all your knowledge and look forward to your videos 😄
This helped answer a lot of questions for me, thank you sir!
Thanks Bob, another great and informative video.
Thank you so much. Happy holidays. Take care.
This is very valuable info ! Thank you Bob !
Thx Bob that was useful and concise...well as concise as you can be....lol
Do you have any videos highlighting induction cooking? I know Lee, the electrical engineer has one, but are there many others who aren't electrical engineers that manage to cook with induction instead of propane? Open flames in vans etc. sort of frighten me. Also, do you know of any nomads who use swamp coolers in the desert in the summer?
This is good information as far as I can tell, but the comment section makes my head spin.
Enjoy your thanks giving.
Thank you, Bob. Good information!
Hey Bob - would this be in addition to a Jackery - everyone talks about the Jackery
Sooo Helpful, thanks, Bob!!!
Awesome, thanks for breaking it down.
i am not a preper , but some of this is not bad infor to have and buy, esp if you live in an area were the electricity goes out often.
Good info. A bit confusing tho. 100W, 200W or 400W of which component. Being more specific about panel vs battery storage vs inverter capacity... "How many WATTS of panels & minimum battery amp hours do I need to run a Dometic 45L 12v fridge fulltime?"
Brilliant video, ... thank you, sir!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Bob!
Hey Tim, thanks for this link from your thumbnail. I have an 40ft Fleetwood. Now new hobby. Will Focus on this and not females (love young women,legal of course ). Thanks again, Logan Masterson of the Masteron Family.
Anytime, man! Lots to learn on this channel!
Oh Sir Tim, got the link from Sandman, He is a very knowable Man...I am Focused to wrap my mind around MGTOW. Sorry about John,at MGTOW is Freedom,he just got banned. Dam.But I will find him. Any info I would appreciate it. At Whitbuff@icloud.com...thanks Logan.
John's videos were backed-up and they are reposting his videos. You can find the links in the mgtow comment sections. Ill send you the link when I find it again.
Always giving great advice! Thank Bob, I will be using your channel a LOT when I put solar on my rig! #Bobthebuilder
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for the info. Very helpful.
Hi Bob! Thanks for the info. I am upset because my forest river class c is broken. Most opinions are that it's a fuel pump issue. I hope it's ok soon.
Great Bob ! Thanks !
Great information. Thank you.
Nicely done. Very clear, well prepared and well organized. No wasted words; very succinct. Quite enjoyable. Thank you for being who you are.
Wow, I just now saw how expensive solar panes are
Thanks Uncle Bob!
Great video! Thank you!
Renogy 400w kit comes with mppt as well if you want
Very informative thanks
New bee here on solar pannels and batteries.
2 questions: 1-if the charger controler gets faulty, will it stop the batteries from charging from the solar pannels? As we can only use 50% of the batteries power, are there any devices that can manage the batteries voltage in order not to over discharge the batteries?
Can I mix solar panels. For example, Can I combine 2 100 watts panels with a 200 watt panel?
Merci
Great info
in Alaska could you not use wind in Winter and solar in summer?
How many batteries do you need for 400watts of Solar and how would you connect them all together and use in a 13ft travel trailer?
If I have a 2x300 panels hooked to 4x100 batteries, should my MPPT charge controller on a bright day show somewhere close to 600? The most I ever see is around 235. Note that my RV is usually hooked to power. I am wondering if the batteries need to be holding less charge to show closer to the 600. Hope I explained well.
Thank you!
Bob the only thing i want to know is can i run my TV and one light that's it and for how long
Im a bit confused. How come you cant have luxury with solar? Your buddy Jim is running AC and he sys everything. Did I misunderstand something? Also what about heat? Did Jim or anyone figure out how to get heat
Bob just an FYI about some of your links, I click on then and get an alert that there is potential malware, phishing? attached at that link not sure if it’s just me or others are getting those alerts as well. David
I wished i could get a list of what i need to put it in my jeep
If your trying to have a solar setup on a shed do you think a 200 watts would be enough for basic power tools and lights trying not to over do it cause budget lol
Does my choice of kits depend upon the weight of the vehicle
p.s. the link you've provided here to the luggable loo is out of stock.
👍🍁🍃🍂🍊good infor!!
is it unreasonable to think 1100 watts will run an AC all day with 8 lipo battery bank and still charge batteries?
Can I power an electric blanket for 6hours with a 200 watt panel? I will be living in a minivan starting in January 2018 in the Northeast, so I'm a bit concerned about keeping warm.
I'd like to know the answer to your question too!
No. I'm assuming you have 200 amp hours of batteries. You can safely use about 20% percent of that which is 40 amp hours before the flooded lead acid batteries start to become damaged. That is 480 watts of available power. An electric blanket runs at about 60 watts, which would be 360 watts of power over 6 hours. If you had three great hours of sun to give a bulk charge then 2 or 3 more hours to top off the charge, then you could maybe do it, but when losses are factored in, I don't see it happening in most areas of the north part of the country during winter. (Summer, yes.) This is borderline at best. If you had a DC powered blanket, that would help a bunch. I wouldn't go less than 300 watts in panels and 300 amp hours of batteries and ideally 400/400. That is using top end components and quality, newer batteries. If you want to use any form of electric heat, you can't skimp anywhere. Then you would be hard pressed to using lights, your computer, and other items except on the nicest of days. Lithium batteries look like a better choice, but that is something that is kind of new and I am wary about making opinions on those batteries in the long term.
Winter sleeping bag
Obviously, there are many different opinions. No matter what the facts are, it comes down to whose opinion you want to believe. I am getting tired of the ignorance of people. I am really hating any comment section. Using 30 amp hours of a 36 amp hour battery will _destroy_ it. Don't believe me? Try it and see how far you get. I haven't even considered the Peukert Effect yet. And a battery that has that much juice pulled out of it won't have enough juice to power a power-hungry device like an electric blanket. You wouldn't even be able to power a simple 150 lumen led light. That would never, ever happen in a billion years. Why? Because we can't defy the laws of physics. Until we can start to manipulate matter at a quantum level will we be able to actually do some of the things people are suggesting in the comments section. The only thing that I saw that helped is if the electric blanket is on all the time. If it is on only half the time, you are in a much better position. If it runs 100% of the time, you are going to be hard pressed at 200 watts in the winter. Maybe a few days of perfect northern winter weather could do it, but that's it. There's little harm in trying a blanket. They are cheap. If the blanket sucks too much power with a smaller solar/battery set up, add more solar. It is super easy to expand as long as you have the money and enough real estate to lay down enough panels. I suggest you try it for yourself instead of listening to people like me get mouthy and degrade other commenters.
nkreseknowledge Maybe get a bigger dog? Lol