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Thanks! Glad it was helpful. So many people try to guess and either undersize or oversize their system, hence the video and all the seminars we offer. Regarding batteries and components overheating, always check the specs of your components before you buy them. They do have min/max temps for safe operation. You'll want to keep some air flowing in the summer in the southwest. Some folks use small cooling fans connected to a thermostat so they automatically come on when too warm. Just build the fans into your average daily watt hours and they can run on solar too. For freezing temps, some LiFePO4 batteries come with a self-heating function. We have Renogy's LFP PRO batteries right now and they've been rock stars. Check out this review video: ruclips.net/video/opRodMYk5io/видео.htmlsi=tHIqwyv8bKxiVhTv

DC to DC chargers can be put in the tow vehicle or the trailer. These devices take the trickle charge from the alternator while you are driving, pump it up, and send it to whatever battery bank you choose. They come in two different styles (standard and dual input) -- and can be incorporated with solar in a variety of ways, making them very versatile, especially when the weather isn't cooperating. This video shows a 20A standard version. He uses it to augment the SOC on his trailer battery bank while driving between campsites, then uses a portable solar suitcase while camping. Alternatively, here's an example of a 30A dual input version with a little hack we added recently. We use ours in a couple of different ways to charge two different battery banks, depending on what needs to be charged at the time. ruclips.net/video/AMFJmfSLJ0I/видео.htmlsi=fA_vV62hVCyIGV-q And, here's the step-by-step installation of the dual input version from a few years ago: ruclips.net/video/ur7gKRKp7aY/видео.htmlsi=ByGLxHgIs5HeP2ee Finally, here's an example of a standard 60A REGO DC to DC charger installed in the trailer: ruclips.net/video/dVD1oRIgBQc/видео.htmlsi=6WXt2oAPNVHBb0mk as well as the wiring installation on the truck: ruclips.net/video/IsRrIKzWpFo/видео.htmlsi=kS0MmNHzXefl6s7e Appropriately sized Anderson connectors between the truck and trailer are your best bet! Hope this helps clear things up! Use our link renogy.sjv.io/LPEyNY and promo code CANLIFE to save 10% on Renogy products.

@@FreedomInACan super helpful thank you!

@milesb4231 Glad to help, holler back with any further questions.

Actually, lots has changed since this video was made. You can just get the reverse polarity adaptor and SAE connector, too, if you need it. All links and info about this are in the comments and the video description. Hope this helps!

For this older unit, yes, it is only designed for use with Renogy LFP batteries. BUT, the updated Renogy ONE Core monitor can be used if you purchase their Battery Shunt 300 to wirelessly communicate with any non-LFP batteries and/or any other manufacturer's batteries. Here are a few links to learn more: *Renogy ONE Core: renogy.sjv.io/jrkQDM Installation & Review: ruclips.net/video/ZQqhuSNEEDI/видео.htmlsi=BfRR3xh2B94KNl8Q *Having used this device for over a year now, we can honestly say we truly love it! **Battery Shunt 300: renogy.sjv.io/1rLo3D Info/Update/Review: ruclips.net/video/NLQ8UAF_hy0/видео.htmlsi=4G6CgyqZPRpAkz01 **This product is crazy popular! As soon as they get them in, they are sold out again. Stay on the lookout for them. Let us know if you have further questions.

@@andrewtaylor5421 Well done! You'll love it. Thanks for using our coupon code too. Let us know how you like it when you've got it installed.

Hi, we're great! You? I don't know, but will find out and get back with you. Stay tuned...

@@eddanca Can you take a picture of the screen where you are seeing the remote control option? Send it to freedominacan1957@gmail.com. Thanks!

@@eddanca Got an answer from the Renogy's engineering team in CA. Here's what they said... "The team tells me it is for a future development and is not a useful function at this time. It is potentially being prepared for some shortcut operations, such as matched scenes, and may subsequently add some energy device operations, such as the inverter switch, the controller load switch. I cannot say whether it will be a retroactive function or moreso supporting new items like a distribution box system that we are currently developing." Hope this helps!

The wire nuts were actually crimped on, so no simple unscrew. The irony here is that within a year of this video they started making very cheap reverse polarity adapters, which are even simpler. We noted this change, even linked, in both the pinned comment and video description, that few people actually read. Thanks for the feedback!

No, You're the best, Em!

Huh?

Hey, thanks for the nice comment. We're able to run a lot with this 400W panel - when we put it out we're able to top up our battery bank even while we're working. Here's a link to everything on our system, freedominacan.com/solar-powered-by-renogy keep scrolling down to the bottom. One thing to keep in mind is that this particular panel (400) doesn't come with an included Charge Controller, so you'll need one if you don't have it already. Good luck and Let us know if you have any other questions. And use CANLIFE promo code at Renogy to save an additional 10%! renogy.sjv.io/LPEyNY

You're very welcome, and thanks for the comment. We're going to be sharing some more videos later on in the summer. Stay tuned!

Thanks! This comment made our day. We hope you figured it all out, but let us know if you have any questions. Also, if you choose to go with Renogy, be sure to use our promo code "CANLIFE" for an additional 10% off. Plus they've got a wicked sale going on right now, from June 12th - July 3rd! Good luck with the project!

Thanks for the comment. We never tested with BT-1 module. When we were testing the Battery Shunt 300 , (see video ruclips.net/video/NLQ8UAF_hy0/видео.html) we had our 2 x 100Ah LFP w/ Self heating function LFP Batts connected to the Core monitor via BT-2 and the shunt at the same time. We found that the shunt was slightly less accurate than what the BMS was communicating through the BT-2. I don't know if that claim was about SLA batteries, or not, perhaps it is more accurate with those? FYI, we now have 2 x 100 LFP PRO batts installed, with built-in Bluetooth. These are awesome batteries, give them a look - ruclips.net/video/opRodMYk5io/видео.html Let us know if you have any further questions, happy to help.

@@FreedomInACan I'm running 2 of the renogy 200ah with built-in blue tooth currently. They have been great. I have the shunt but not the bt1 was just curious

Fake camper? Haha, you clearly haven't watched our channel. How does 12 years on the road in our Vintage rig sound, plus a lifetime of backcountry? Check out our website freedominacan.com. We work with several brands, but only one Solar company. Keep on rolling!

Thanks!

No worries! Just a helpful tip, go ahead and ground the DC to DC all the way back to the Starting Battery!

It's an 8 quart Lodge! Had this thing for about 20 years, and should easily outlast me!

@@FreedomInACan Thank you sir. That's definitely the beauty of cast iron.

Hey there, thanks for the question. While we don't have another video, we just wrote a blog concerning this issue -- freedominacan1957.blogspot.com/2024/05/summertime-strategies-for-staying-cool.html#:~:text=System%20Integration%20Options,a%20few%20ways%3A Concerning your issue. How many panels do you have on the roof? I'm guessing 2 x 200W. So when connecting all of your panels together, roof and portable, they will need to be similar wattages. If you want to simply go through the same controller, use a 200W portable. Or you could have a separate controller for the 400W portable, (see our review of the Renogy 400W Lightweight ruclips.net/video/dDgs9RaqUkA/видео.htmlsi=mQX0D4-50Sc0dKwI), or lastly do the hack we showed in this video to isolate your panel arrays so that you won't loose the efficiency of the 400W. And if you want to go with Renogy, be sure to use our affiliate link: renogy.sjv.io/LPEyNY and promo code "CANLIFE" for 10% off. All the best, and let us know if you have any further questions.

@@FreedomInACan Thank you!!

Thanks for the help, no one reads the video descriptions... haha! We made this one way before these small, cheap, adaptors were readily available.

P-cord is short for parachute cord, which really just means a thin nylon braided strand of rope, available at any hardware store.

Thanks so much for your kind words.

I think that it only communicates directly with Renogy batteries. However there is a work around. The Renogy Battery Shunt 300 will connect to any battery and provide the communication to the Renogy ONE Core. The shunt does not work with the Renogy ONE M1.

Here's the link for the Battery Shunt 300, renogy.sjv.io/1rLo3D use promo code CANLIFE for 10% off. Let us know if you have any further questions and good luck.

thank you alot 💙

Thanks for the feedback. This was hardly a laboratory test, and we never intended it to be. We were merely trying to compare the percentage of the "real world" conditions vs. the rated watts of the two types of panels, 100W portable and 220W bi-facial. We're not comparing the two panels, rather under what conditions did one panel perform better with regards to the observed percentage of its rated wattage. And in terms of covering the front of the bi-facial, much of the power from the back comes from light passing through the panel itself -- it is clear glass, so we did not think that doing a test like you suggested would show much. Again, thanks for your insight.

We have a 2015 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 with 4.2 engine. I believe we have what is considered a "Smart Alternator" but we only installed the ignition signal wire for this unit, and it seems to be working great. It's been awesome for 3 years of full-time living.

Any time! Let us know if you have any questions, and we've got a ton of resources on our website, freedominacan.com/solar-powered-by-renogy

interesting, so you want to be able to set up a relay to come on, which would turn on the water heater, when the battery is at 100%? Lemme ask the Rengineers about this one and see what we can mess with?

@@FreedomInACan thats exactly it. i currently dont have any smart accessories, so i cant test. also, do you have to pay for subscription to use their smart accessories? plugs/relays...etc?

Got it. And no, you don't have to purchase a subscription plan to use these accessories, online or offline. The plan is only necessary if you want to track specific parameters, like solar planning, historical data, and if you want to control several different Core monitors from the same place.

Yes, but you have to have it connected through a charge controller. These inexpensive devices are the real brains of the system. It will make sure that the battery doesn't get overcharged or overheated. Best of luck!

Interesting, I would have thought that refreshing the screen would have countered that. The first test was actually about 3-5 minutes because we kept refreshing every 5 steps or so. Obviously, we didn't show that in the edit. In the other two tests we did about the same time, kept refreshing the connection. There was a negligible difference between all three tests which actually kind of surprised us. Thoughts?

Is yours the renogy e.flex core?

Yes correct. Zero issues but only ran it for a couple weeks last season.

Thanks for the feedback. We definitely would do it differently if we did it again. We've learned so much since then by doing it ourselves, making mistakes and fixing them. You probably didn't look into the description, but in the update from a few years ago, I describe how we bypassed the 7-pin and hard wired the DC to DC through an Anderson connector. It works great now! Thanks again!

So when you have a solar panel connected to this 30A DC to DC Charger, it divides the two charging sources at 15A a piece. If you need more solar, you can get the 50A version, which gives up to 25A of a solar charge. Let us know if you have any questions.

This was expected to be compatible with the M1, this April. I will check in on this update and will get back to you. Thanks for the poke.

Okay, just got confirmation, you are correct. The Smart Shunt and Renogy ONE M1 will not be compatible. We were told that this was going to happen. It will only be compatible with the Renogy ONE Core model. Sorry for any misinformation.

Hate to bring the bad news, apparently plans to make the shunt compatible with the Renogy ONE M1 are not going to happen. It will only work with the CORE monitor. (4-16-24).

@@FreedomInACan Ye its rubbish as it was promised somewhere I read. Will go all victron in the future on my next one

@@adamridsdale1392 It does seem like a cop out, so what you need to do.

Yes, it does. If it doesn't do it automatically, you can select the battery info source in the settings. Let us know if you need anything.

Hey there!

What kind of battery do you have? Please be specific to the model number.

@@FreedomInACan thanks for the response it's the renogy smart battery 100ah smart battery RBT12100LFP-BT-US

Okay, so it's their latest version the 100Ah LFP PRO battery? renogy.sjv.io/0Z5oXP You shouldn't have to do anything with the battery, because it doesn't have an on switch or pairing mode setting. Does it pair with the DC Home App, on your phone? Also, ensure that you have the latest CORE firmware. On the CORE, click on Settings -> System -> About -> Check for Updates -> Update. This will restart your CORE, then try pairing it again. If none of that works, send me an email at freedominacan1957@gmail.com and we'll get you connected to folks at Renogy.

@@FreedomInACan yeah, exactly the newest model I got on sale. I'll make sure the firmware is up to date. It did connect to my DC home app just fine which was good but not the core, making me think there could be a pairing mode but it paired just fine to the app. Anyway, I'll give it another try tomorrow. Thank you, I'll email too if it doesn't work out !

Awesome! Have a blast, I'm jealous!

What an awesome comment! Thanks for reaching out and letting us know that this is useful for you. Be sure to use our promo code "Canlife" should you choose to go with Renogy gear, it helps us out and keeps our resources free for all. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via email or youtube! Best of Luck!