Not a Typical RV Solar Video. Dry Camping Off Grid.
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- Опубликовано: 14 авг 2024
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ℹ️ About the Episode:
We were not always fans of dry camping. When we first started RVing, it was more about visiting new places and having adventures than "camping." The kids were also younger, making it harder to entertain them with the wilderness alone. But as we traveled more and the kids left the nest, we learned to appreciate camping in state and national parks. Without question, that's our preferred camping style today. In this episode, we encourage RVers to get to know their personal dry camping limitations and the limitations of their RV before investing in a solar system. It's essential to get to know your RV and how you like to camp off-grid so you can find an appropriate budget for solar. The first question to answer is: do you even like dry camping? Keep in mind that with more experience-and maybe a portable power station or generator-off-grid camping is something you may learn to enjoy. We discuss what you need to get started, if solar adds value to your RV, what you can run on solar, and DC to DC truck charging. We also provide an overview of the system in our Airstream and our favorite off-grid camping gear.
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Chapters:
0:00 KYD
1:24 "Solar"
3:04 Do you even like dry camping??
4:32 What do you need to get started?
7:31 Does solar add value to your RV?
8:25 What can you run off solar?
11:02 DC to DC truck charging
14:31 Airstream solar overview
19:39 Dry camping gear
![Chuckyy - Devil Hours [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/f3wZGj0VnZU/mqdefault.jpg)
Best line in the whole video --
Q - What runs off of solar?
A - NOTHING!
Perfect!
Love your channel so much.
Talked to my mom yesterday. My folks just bought their umpteenth new 20' tow trailer. They pick it up this Wednesday.
Mom has a new Honda Pilot to tow it with.
Mom will be 85 on New Year's Eve, and dad will be 83 in June. Go figure... 👍
They're still "kickin' it" with their 12-year-old long-haired Chihuahua.
I love your youngest, he is very appreciative of the life he has with yo guys.... Not saying your other kids are not.... But your youngest has that extra of loving his life.
Glad you mentioned a power station. I have a 17’ Casita, 30 amp. I got a Bluetti 2,000 solar generator with 3 120 watt solar panels. I can run a hair dryer, coffee machine etc., off of the Bluetti and have even charged my house battery from it using a dogleg adapter and could probably run my air conditioner for an hour. And for just over $2,000 about 3 years ago, I think it was one of my best investments. Another thing you didn’t mention is the enormous weight a big solar system adds to the roof and carrying capacity of an RV. I think some don’t consider what the capacity of their axle(s) is/are, the capability of the roof, and the towing capacity of the tow vehicle itself. Great video!!!!
Excellent episode! This is a discussion for camper people. As you probably know (I've posted many times) I have a 25' Airstream. I spent weeks considering what to do. I like being able to boondock. I started with nothing, like you said and started thinking what I needed to camp any way I wanted. I camp in campgrounds, lots and open areas. I only needed to run coffee, media/TV, fan and any appliances I use. I also cook but I have retained LP. I added a 1500 watt inverter and covered my bases. I purchased a generator tri-fuel option for power regeneration and added a third large AGM battery to the system for more Amp/hr. That worked but I found that I still needed another option for power regeneration. I went with a hybrid solar system - 150 watt roof and an additional portable array of 200 watts that I can set up in open area if camper is in shade. This worked well for five years then I purchased one of those lithium power bases 1300 watt Bluetti (like your Southwire) Last July I got my hybrid F150 with a built-in 7.2kw silent inverter generator. This allows me to have AC in a park with a generator rule if needed. The truck idles very quietly and can run for 32 hours at max load (my ac unit @1400 watts operation is only 19% of max load) so the automatic engine cycling is longer intervals saving fuel. COFFEE! Yes, I bought a hand grinder and aero press- wonderful for no power except heating water. I also have a full blown barista super automatic that I used on AC power, now, any time with inverters. I dont cook much with micro but use LP stove and oven frequently. I really like your light. Thanks for sharing. Sometime perhaps I will meet up with all of you. I am from St. Augustine, moved from Fort Myers/Naples area.
My wife and I are boondocking next week with our Powerboost F150 Hybrid and plan on using the 7.2 watt generator. I also have two Bluetti AC200Maxs and plan on using them at night. My question to you did anyone complain with the truck running and did you ask Management if it was a problem with using the truck generator?
We took the solar /generator approach. 600W built in200w portable and a generator to cover the rainy days or HVAC needs. Victron systems are fantastic. Remote monitoring is a great capability
My wife and I like to have the option of reading a book or watching TV like we’re at an RV park. So we have plenty of solar on our 5th wheel.
We've camped in snow and slept well. Also have a coleman 10 cup drip coffee maker that sits on the stove. We've considered an rv...which would require a second truck, and even a living quarters horse trailer...but we like our camp. We make an annual trip to the Northern California coast at Crescent City, where we camp at a private campground/boarding stable. Then we ride in the redwoods, in the dunes and on the beach...while camping in a Grove of Sequoia trees. Ever eat fresh cought salmon or ahi grilled on a campfire?
Great explanation of solar and boondocking! Usually, these subjects make my eyes glaze over, but I actually now understand it now. Thanks for all you do!
Love your videos. And I love you guys. I know that might sound weird, but you have been so helpful in our adventures in the RV experience. We are not full time RV'ers. We recently upgraded to a 5th wheel 35 footer and have returned from a 3 week trip. Your videos have been a resource for us and we have used the information to make our experiences better. Thank you. Our daydream is being realized because of you and your videos. At almost 70 years old we are traveling to watch our grand kids row in competitive regattas all over the country.
My wife and I camp often...our life is geared towards camping...We have three horses, a 2017 Trails West four horse gooseneck horse trailer with a "dressing room ". Our camp consists of a 10 person Coleman tent to sleep in, with a queen size airbed cot, a three burner "Camp Chef" propane stove and a 14 ft square pop up gazebo...(first year)...also a 12ft old population gazebo...one for the kitchen, and one in case it rains while we're sitting by the fire. Everything fits easily in the tack...uh...dressing room. We CAMP and ride horses in the Northern California mountains.
Loved this video! Finally a RV power conversation that’s not wire installation! Getting the big picture, making personal decisions on how to camp, and then going from there! Loved the generator 20%!!
We loved this video! I've heard it said that you don't really know a topic until you can explain it simple enough so a child could understand, you did that here. Amazingly detailed and well explained info! We have delved some into the dry camping world, we have a lot to learn but have enjoyed it so far!!! We have some solar but primarily lean on our generators for power when dry camping.
This is a great video. My solar (280w roof; 200w portable) and 400AH of lithium with a 3,000w multi-plus cost me US $15k and I love dry camping on Crown and BLM land (to fly fish). I do have a generator but have never used it in a year. And I also run my A/C off my batteries for short stops. It draws 1700w to cool my 20' Flying Cloud down in about an hour then draws 450w to keep it cool, so I have plenty of power for short stops. I do 2-3 weeks dry camping, 1 night in a motel/hotel and 7-10 days with hookups. Plus Harvest Hosts while driving - and don't care about cellular or internet while dry camping, but I do have a Garmin InReach for emergencies. Again, great video!
Interesting. Dry camping is all we do, however we are not full time. For us, it is nice to leave the computer behind, enjoy the outdoors and a book or two. Intrigued by the coffee pot. We use a coleman drip on the LP stove. Thanks for sharing.
Fine presentation. There is an alternative to a full Victron multi-component system, which is very capable, but very complex and expensive. An easier, less expensive option is to use a portable power station such as the Ecoflow Delta Max with extra batteries. I installed this in my Airstream FC28, with an inside power inlet and transfer switch. This provides 6kw of battery storage, 2400 w inverter, 800 w MPPT solar controller, and multiple charging options. With 600 watts of rooftop solar, it is a very satisfactory “80% solution”. I do sometimes carry a gasoline generator for extended rainy situations, depending upon our camping area. Another benefit of my system is portability. When the trailer is in winter storage, I carry the Delta Max and batteries to our home for use as emergency backup power. I also installed a Delta Max and extra batteries under the cap of my RAM 2500, with 320 w of rooftop solar for stand alone truck camping as well as supplementary power for the Airstream.
Great film you two. Marc you are spot on with the Solar. Looks like everyone is out camping! LOL.
Been RVing for 58 years. Not giving it up. Wish you two and Family the best.
Mark, please consider mentioning the freedom of travel for persons disabled and/or seriously illness the installation of a lithium/ solar system offers. My precious wife would be housebound and unable to travel even to grocery stores without the upgraded power system. Like you, we run the AC off the batteries for meals, in the dog parks, and in parking lots during medical and dental appointments. I installed a system almost identical to yours back in 2020 in our class C Navion. Parts alone cost $10, 000: 6 Battleborn batteries @ $800 each, SunPower high efficiency 110w flex panels @ $150 to $180 ea, 2 rigid panels, 4 MPPTs to minimize shading and maximize power output, plus the myriad new cable runs, upgraded wire sizes, blowers, temp sensors, and DC to DC charge converter, and much more. So, $20,000 is very reasonable to have a certified electrician, an engineer, and experience labor install the system to code. I even found the installation a challenge and I'm an engineer and certified aviation electrician. The installation must ensure all codes and manufacture specifications are adhere too for safety and efficiency.
Good episode. I actually like the community of RV resorts, so dry camping is not in my future. BUT DC-DC charging is a must! as I want to run my 12V fridge while on the road, and the current "smart" alternators cut that charge down to nothing. I actually installed my DC-DC charger on my truck, that way when I sold my previous camper and got a new one, just had to transfer the cord from my old camper to the new one.
Thanks for the info about solar. I appreciate it. I now believe now to start out with what you have and then build as needed. Love that light.
Marc It is a process. I do think the new battery powered generators are going to be game changers for a lot of people but they can add up $$$$ quickly. But then everything is a balance. Correct.
Good job! I really appreciate your encouragement to just camp for awhile and then see what you need with regard to power management. We find with 200 amp hours of lithium that we can go 4-5 days dry camping. We use the generator for hair drying and curling every few days and take that opportunity to recharge the lithium since the generator is hooked up already. We find that fresh water and gray water waste limit us far more than power. Thanks again!
Great video. A lot of great info. I really appreciate reminding everyone that we don't run things off solar. It is just another way to recharge the batteries, which is what we use to run the things we love. The spare 5 gallons of water is a great idea. Thanks for sharing all this with us.
> we don't run things off solar.
Some of us do. If there is excess solar power the panels will support the loads rather than depleting the batteries. Right now I am running a crockpot with zero impact on the battery bank.
Just got back from a 2.5wk trip to kick off S2R23 😊 all hookups (not versed in dry camping yet) - rocked that same pour-over coffee setup the whole time too 😊
Last week you mentioned getting delayed in Florida with all the problems and work to do and you said you might have to send Trish on ahead and fly up to meet her…..I hope this means you aren’t going to do that ! As much as we love the travel videos, it’s no big deal that you fill in with these amazing informative videos……I think it’s great to see the systems and all the work behind the scenes !!!
Anyhow, no matter how delayed you are, I hope you just wait and head out together ! …..maybe by now you are on the road 🤷🏼♀️
Blessings
Great video guys. So many options depending on what you like to do. We get by with 200 amp/hours of battery and 200 watts of portable solar to keep them topped off. Also carry a jackery 500 for keeping the devices charged. Hand coffee grinder and percolator solve that issue. Only thing really have to do without is AC. Folks survived for thousands of years before that was ever invented, so always figure we can get by for a few nights :) With propane and charcoal it is no problem to meet the cooking needs. Love getting off grid once in awhile for a few days for sure. As always, safe travels.
Very strange, I entered a first comment then followed with the comment on batteries, but my first comment is gone. I’ll try again.
We have a very similar setup without the Orion DC-DC Charger. One significant behavioral difference is our Victron Inverter is Hybrid. When connected to a lower power post, if I turn ON the Inverter, it will augment the post power up to 50%. For example, if I’m connected to 15A at someone’s home I can add 7.5A additional current from my batteries. If it’s a 30A post then the Inverter would bring it up to 45A. It’s a very useful Victron feature.
My install was done by AMSolar in Eugene, OR.
You can do solar for a lot less than $20,000. I’m in a class a 33 foot motorhome. I have 640 W of solar on the roof and 300 amp hours of lithium batteries and a 3000 W inverter. Total cost for equipment was around $4000. We installed it ourselves. My guess is if you have to pay for labor, you can probably double the cost. I never run out of power while dry camping. And I live like I’m at home.
Yes but technically that is considered a small to medium size system. The large systems where you have 1000-2000 watts of solar with 1000 amp hours or more of battery power and two multi plus inverters is very expensive. Probably close to 20,000 dollars. But that system is designed to where you can run everything you would ever want and never need to run a generator. Again like he was saying you can spend 4000 dollars and that will do 80% of what you’ll need. But that last 20% just use a generator because it can save you 10,000 dollars or more.
@@Hesthegreatest1 yes. That’s true.
1000 w panels 3000 w inverter and 980 amp hours of lithium total cost $3340 however I spent between 2 to 3 weeks researching and finding deals I sourced multiple different brands and used them together all of my solar panels are the same brand, and all of my batteries are the same however my batteries and solar panels are different brands from each other and my inverter is an even different brand so far I can run anything I want as much as I want
There are options on your continuum. We are not full time. We take a 2 week vacation off grid with one portable solar panel and a lead acid battery (no generator). We can do this and charge phones, laptops, kindles, a DVD player and occasionally run a fan. We don't use any other appliances and our trailer is old enough it does not even have a microwave! Even with clouds and rain we have never had a problem keeping the battery topped off. My parents did the same without a solar panel but changed campsites 2-3 times over 2 weeks so kept battery charged by driving connected (they did not have anything to charge in those days!)
Time for a simi upgrade. Set up your system to use solar before shore power. You leave for a hike and your batteries are fully charged. You wouldn't be using any shore power because you shut off everything and your solar is providing more power at the time.
If you get enough amps or watts from your solar panels, you can run a microwave without batteries. If the inverter accepts solar with no batteries connected.
Making an awning out of solar panels. Retracts back on the roof under the roof solar panels.
We’ve been RVing for seven years now and fulltime for two years. Following you for 3 or 4 year's and I can’t believe I actually learned a few things on tonight‘s episode. Thank you. Safe travels. Look forward to your next video.
Glad you did this Solar episode. Good to see you Mark & Trish! Have a good week!
Another great video....exactly the reason I purchased a powerboost F150 to go off-grid.
Happy Sunday everyone! Can't wait for my summer to remember merch!
Thanks for the video. We recently purchased a travel trailer after 10 years of non-RV ownership. We have a dog and dry camping and park setting campgrounds work the best for us. For power, we went with an all in one system, battery-inverter-controller, because we plan on upgrading the trailer within a couple of years and wanted a multi-tasker system. It works very well for us. The Ecoflow Delta is in our storage compartment with 200 watt solar panels feeding it. The trailer shoreline cord is plugged into the back. We turn the switch off when the Delta needs to charge and can run everything in the trailer but air conditioning and microwave, including my wife's hair dryer. We don't have to move the unit around, just flip the ac switch in the app. I plan on upgrading the panels to 500 watts so we can keep it on more throughout the day and save on refrigerator propane. I know this not the most efficient system but it provides a lot of bang for the buck for $1,000.
Love these videos! We are new to RVing and have quickly become huge fans of KYD! Being tent campers until now, we love being able to be 'indoors' during the rain and play a game or read a book! I have to ask about your coffee situation ... have you ever used a percolator for your coffee? We LOVE our 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Percolator! It makes better coffee than home (or maybe there is just something about having hot coffee while camping)! We pour it into a thermal coffee carafe and it says hot!
@MonteMrs so much of your comment resonates with us. And the percolator wins! We use a regular electric coffee maker for our RV, but I grew up boating with my dad making coffee from a percolator which tasted soooo good and I have great memories of “boat coffee”. The smell, the taste, nothing beats it! ❤
Incredibly informative as always KYD!
Another great episode I have been researching and watching RUclips videos on solar I have a large system on my Ranch on the central coast of California. I have been wanting to put a system in my Laredo Fifth Wheel. I guess it’s time to stop thinking about it and go for it thank you for all your tips and information. I miss your travel adventures I know you’re busy with life and can’t forget Charlie safe travels 🙏🏼❤️🤙🏼
Hmmm, never thought I'd say Marc knows more about solar than me. Ok, I'm not gonna say it but hey, he has come a long way in the past few years! Bravo.
lol. That's true. I still can only provide a layman's solar video, but as I said (in Italian) you shouldn't be watching this one! ;)
Another great Sunday night video! Lots of great information ❤
FSI is the ONLY !! people I would ever consider for any solar needs. I found them through you guys past video. They re worked my system that had been hacked together by other companies and got me running properly. Thanks for sharing there information. Safe travels. 👍🏻
This was sooo interesting. I didn't think I'd get into this episode. But, yeah. I learned a lot. Thanks Guys!
We are full-timers and we love to boondock. Our Super C has great fresh water tank capacity as well as huge black and grey tanks. And, we have added lithium and roof top solar panels. We would rather boondock than be in a koa or campground any time.
Actually, we can run our air conditioners in our motorhome directly off solar. We have an all-in-one Sungold Power 5,000w inverter/charger that allows us to disconnect our batteries from the system and still provide 110v ac power directly from the 4,400 watts of solar we have on the roof of our MH as long as the sun is shining, and our power draw doesn't exceed the 3,500-4,000 watts or so that our solar array happens to be making at the time.
This is just the episode we need right now.
Thanks so much for all the great information, advise, and the the product list.
We’re very looking forward to Harvest Hosting, and off-gridding.
Wishing you all well, and Happy Camping!
I like being able to go camping even with no electric sites left. We have also found that some of the state parks have great primitive campgrounds, too! Maybe we will do a harvest host, too…. Thanks for the great video!
I saw a couple of cavemen at a primitive campground, once.
People always ask how much solar do we need. Truth is not as much as you think. Your advice to camp with what you have before you decide how much you need. We had a 30ft travel trailer with a deep cycle battery and a Jackery 500. We went to Quartzite and first chance I got was to go to Harbor Freight and pick up the 100W solar kit (they currently cost less than $200) and a second battery. Neither battery was lithium. The 100W kit kept both batteries and the jackery topped up and we didn't need to move for a week and a half. I did reorient the panels into the sun a couple ot times a day, but it ran our 12v fridge, water pump, lights, phones, and computers. Pro tip is to get 2 of those 5 gallon jugs because it is easier to balance if you carry one in each hand do it is way more efficient.
"If you have the budget then all power to you . . . " Mark says. Good unintended pun!
Ah yes...the memories of when you went from the Momentum to the teardrop...that was a shock! Glad that was a short phase!
Hi. Have you seen the latest battery from Bluetti and Echoflow Delta. The
Bigger batteries are over 3000 watts. Echo flow also has a wheeled
Combo refer freezer with a small ice
Maker.
I have to say on these episodes that are more technical. I hardly understand a thing but still I enjoy them. Thanks for sharing. Hope the bungalow is coming along.
You guys have the best music!
We sometimes camp where there is no water supplied. I have a fix for this, as well. I spent $60 for a food grade plastic barrel, drilled some holes in it in the proper spots. Bought a 12 volt rv water pump, wired it with a toggle switch and rigged it with a plug that is compatible with the 12 volt outlets in the pickup. Put that barrel next to the cab and tie it down, then fill it up. Also, the Horse Trailer has a 35 gallon tank in the tack room. Plus a few 5 gallon plastic water cans, I'm at over 100 gallons. If the barrel gets low, I can drive close to a creek and reverse the pump an get Horse Water. The horse trailer tank and can5 are ONLY for camp. I've camped for a week with no available potable water.
We're on our 3rd year RVing with our 297RSTS Grand Design Reflection travel trailer. We did about 4 months in '21, a solid 5.5 months in '22, and we're currently on a 6.5 month tour in '23. Boondocking / off-grid is NOT something we're into at this point in our lives. We're 69 and 65 and enjoy having full-hook ups at our stays. Since we're spending a couple months in the SW (Utah and Arizona), air conditioning (for us) is a 'gottta have it' thing. We have our 34 year old daughter and her ugly neurotic French Bullldog along with us on this trip (not an ideal situation but ya gotta do what ya gotta do for family). Still, I gotta say I really enjoy the video.
Great video on solar! For starters, we purchased 2 Firman generators and added an additional battery to the bank. The batteries were connected to provide tandem power for 50amp service. This is how we will dry camp for a while until we can afford a full solar system.
We do a lot of dry camping. Up here in the northeast most of the campsites are shady. We have 100w mobile solar panels that we move around to catch the sun and that charges our batteries. We went on a 7k trip last year and used our generator twice. You have to decide what you want in life and what you can afford to do as you go along. We like to keep things simple.
Thanks for the info. It can be so intimidating when you start talking about upgrading to solar. I love how you promote the solar plus a generator. This has worked for several years for us. Loved this one guys, great job! Safe travels.
Great Video.
For us we started with a Tent Trailer and always Dry Camped (No Electricity or water). In fact, we never did use the water system in the 10 years we owned the Tent Trailer.
We are Vacationers, so we normally can survive 20 days without TV and many other convivences. When we upgraded to a small Travel Trailer, we now camp in Electrical sites, and only once with Water. Since we normally spend about 7-10 per site, we can survive without having to Dump and Refill. We manage by using the Campground Comfort Station for showers and carrying a couple of Water Jugs (20L) for Potable Water.
Next summer we are going to have to put some of the lesson learned (especially regarding Batteries & power) on your channel to work, as we are retiring and wanting to do some long distance trip. We are really looking forward to your videos on Nova Scotia, as that is one of our planned destinations. Enjoy your travels.
Great recap Marc!!! Thanks!!
Great basic primer on solar. I'm about to make the leap with a 600W system but no inverter. That will be my phase II. Bill
We chose a 2nd regular battery and a 3300 watt generator. We can dry camp for 3 days easily in colder weather, and break out the generator to cool the 25 ft travel trailer down in the summer. Slow start modification in the A/C makes the generator handle it fine.
Why do we all have the, “Remember that one time……” stories? So so true.
Always enjoy your videos. I grew up camping and my kids have also and I'm a very handy person so we've always been able to fend and stand on our own when need be, re. generator/ inverter. Your solar talk is interesting but wow, so much Greek. I was lost in parts.. lol. Congrats on the engagement.
We use an 8-gal cube of water from home, primarily for drinking water it extends our time before we have to refill, and we like our hometown water taste. We have 600W solar and just added our 4th BB lithium - probably spent about $5-$6K. It’s generally more than enough, and we rarely, very rarely have to use a generator, don’t even bring it most times. We HATE RV parks! Will only go there as a last resort or are desperate for laundry or some other amenity.
One thing to point out is that if you a fully electric refrigerator (like in newer Airstreams) you’ll use a lot more battery than with the older models with propane. I have 500w of solar and 200Ah or lithium and my battery still gets pretty low overnight thanks to the fridge.
I won’t do solar on my house or travel trailer unless I am forced into it due to cost. It is not worth the expense or hassle at the moment. You CAN get by without solar if it is not too hot. A small generator is really all you need.
KYD, y'all just make me so dang happy.
Looking into just taking our tiny Taco and figuring out how to get out into the woods more. Some of your tips for dry camping will come in handy. Thanks!
Hubby just finished building a decent sized portable power station. The power is out at the house while they get a tree off of a power line. So, we are testing it now.
Oh yeah he’s happy with himself right now. That’s man food for the soul when your hard work finally saves the day.
@@forester057 everything worked great for the 8 hours we were without power. Today he recharged with the Renogy solar panels we have had for years. That also worked great. He is very very happy.
Helping so many people,have a blessed week!
I dont do a lot of comments but i feel i need to chime in here. A $20,000 price tag will scare off most people but its not absolutely true. For an ultra fancy system like you guys have that2 probably what you will pay but thats not the only way. I started with solar and lithium 5 years ago. I have a 28 foot lance with 600 watts of solar. I built the system myself so there is a big labor savings. I 3- 100 ah Life Blue batteries with Bluetooth. I just use my phone to monithe batteries. I have a renogy 40 amp mppt solar controller also with Bluetooth. A Renogy 3000 watt inverter and a manual shore/inverter switch. Last fall i added the Victron 30 amp dc to dc charger. Thats been a game changer. Ive built the system over time but could do it from scratch now for around $6,000. Now we only have one ac unit and our power system is 30 amp. What im saying here is its not $20,000 or nothing. We started with 300. Watts of solar and 2 batteries. Something that many RUclipsrs neglect to mention is that lithium batteries charge so much faster then lead acid. In the old days We would spend half a day running the generator to charge our lead aci5 batteries and they wouldnt even be completely charged. We just got back from a four week trip and ne er ran the generator. Happy travels everyone.
I was implying that it's a continuum from 0 to 20k. It can be anything. It's hard to be perfectly understood in video.
I bought a 30 amp hour lifepo4 battery and the 12 volt power supply for my cpap machine. It'll power it for 40 hours. The battery only weighs 7lbs, there are 2 lakes I like to Camp at that are 5 and 7 mile hikes to get to. Nothing like getting to sleep way off grid. 😊
Great episode!!! Thanks!
Great video. We have boon docked a bit and we're pleasantly surprised that we had learned some of the things you talked about. Like pour over coffee😊 I think it becomes simple, keeping batteries charged and making sure you have water. Both require a mix of conservation and replenishment, I think you covered that well in your discussion of compromise.Cheers!
Great content guys-thank you!!!
Great information. Y'all make great videos. I did find a coffee press that uses the K-cups and that is what we use when dry camping. We have 2 lead acid batteries and 100 watts of solar. so we won't be dry camping (unless we are running the generator) in the hot summer months...
Very nice and concise content. Enjoyed your explanations! 😘🖖🏻🙏🏻👍🏻
We've camped with people with off grid RVs...they always seem to want to drink our coffee in the morning...and cook their supper in our camp kitchen, with us.
I have been RVing for many years and I found very helpful things in your video, I can always learn something new. I was particularly interested in the Victron Orion Dc to DC converter to charge from my truck. I was looking at the schematic that you showed compared to the image your Orion installed and it looks like there is a mis-wire. Both breakers are in series and not one on each the input and output. The larger manual breaker should be on the input and the small auto breaker should be in the output.
You guys are great. Love your videos. Very informative for new RVers. However, a $20,000 delta from rudimentary boondocking to boondocking with all the comforts of home might scare some people off. We go off grid for several days limited only by the size of our waste tanks having all the comforts of home with 400w solar, LiFePo4, and inverter. Our total upgrade costs were about $5,000 DIY.
Ah but you can run the whole camper off a portable power station. Buy a male plug end and attach to a cord with a male plug end. Plug the power station in any outlet with that male/ male wire and wala, you can run the whole RV off electric. I've done it. Thanks for the tips!
True. You'd be limited by whatever the limits are of the power station, but it would certainly work. Great for short term, maybe not so much for full timers like me. 😅
Your view of reality is interesting
happy Sunday
🏆 One more for the collection.
@@KeepYourDaydream I should make a album and start doing screenshots
I know you say it all the time but you can run off solar without batteries. Connect your positive and negative from your controller direct and you'll see. Probably only lights. Some manufacturers also use universal lights that run off 12/36/48 volts so you may be able to fo direct from a panel to the rv and run lights ( don't recommend it but you can)
One other difference in our systems is we used Victron batteries instead of Battle Born. Specifically Victron 200A batteries, which are very close the the same physical size of a 100A BB. So our 600 amps of battery fit in the space of three Battle Borns.
Solid info. Good stuff. Thanks, Marc and Trish.
Great informative episode! We much prefer dry camping/boondocking and plan to add solar to our Airstream next year…mainly due to the all elec fridge.
Great timing, we just got 2 Battlebornes with plans for a third in the future. We have a small inverter to run our residential refer. Right now researching DC to DC charging from the truck. Hoping to join Harvest host and Boondockers and have enough power to run the refer for one night and get a shower. No solar yet but maybe in the future.
I’ve been watching you legends from day 1.. keep up the amazing work. Just wanted to say that you NEED to take that cute little 30 amp Orion DC-dc charger and put it in Trish’s little purse and install Victrons 100amp Buck Booster. Hmmmmmmm
Here in Australia we have this thing called Scotty Ai from Safiery . Makes all other Dc/Dc look silly. They make 12v to 48v systems. Look.
I regret not getting our model with the juice pack solar option. Also, I didn't look at grey water tank size being only 35 gallon tank. Other Alpha Wolf 26+ models have dual tanks for 70, but our 26DBHL bunkhouse model is only 1. This makes taking showers almost impossible off grid without sewer.
I love the concept of dry camping, not a fan of the concept of relying on a generator as a primary source… maybe like you said… that “last 15 to 20%”.
Early in the video, when you first started talking about what the trailers could handle as they are… you said they could power your water heater. I wasn’t aware they had a 12VDC water heater. Ours is definitely 115VAC or propane.
The control board requires 12vdc to run on propane, it doesn't heat with 12vdc.
@@jasonwheeler4225 yeah… I am aware that the board requires 12VDC. Maybe just a misunderstanding on my part.
love the camping videos...but these videos are invaluable. thanks guys!
Full onward ⏩ *Techno guru ...."thumbs 👍 up" Mark‼️
Wow, you were way over my head. I’m a 24’ class C with no tow behind. I need to find more spots in SoCal to camp that aren’t packed. And the temp is not over 80. Ok I might be asking a lot. I can’t sleep in heat. Need to run the AC without running down the batteries.
Thanks for this video. I am planning on solar when I go full-time this fall & your advice to see how much power I actually use before I install a system is good. I want to never need hookups & will install a mini split to lower power useage for a/c. Luckily, the cost of batteries has gone down a bit.
I love your traveling videos and the how tos. Keep 'em coming.
Another great video, look forward to you to start traveling again For your Victron setup I understand what you mean to be able to visually see the setting on the Multi control but have you ever heard of GUIMods for the Cerbo GX? This is a mod loaded on the Cerbo that adds all those features to the Touch 50 screen, I did it on mine and love it. Tap shore on the screen and you can set your limits, tap yiu inverter and you can turn off, on charge only. You can also add Ruuvi tags to the Touch screen which are temp and humidity on the screen, I have them for the fridge, freezer, outside and storage bays….enough geeking out 😅
It doesn't cost $20k to do solar and an inverter if you can do it yourself. We've got about $6500 in our Victron inverter, 3 SOK lithium batteries, Cerbo, touch 50, shunt, and wiring. $3k to $4k will easily cover the solar panels, charge controller, and wiring. Also, the statement that nothing runs off solar is completely wrong. Your output from your charge controller ties right in with the bus where your batteries, inverter, and all 12v loads connect. The electricity doesn't have to go to the batteries, it can go to any of those devices.
First rule to save money on solar, don't replace anthing that you can do with propane (cooking, coffee, heating, propane fridge). This keeps your whole system smaller ,& cheaper. Second, don't design for 120v AC, unless you need a computer for work. If you do need AC, use the smallest inverter that works, and don't get a coffee maker #1 above. Third, if you need air conditioning, move (up or north) or use a campground with hookups. I have 50k miles using 100 amp lithium and lithium compatible controller. A dc/dc controller would be nice. I use one for the truck fridge battery and it works great.
KYD has a Cadillac system, but they have youtube $, industry contacts and use their trailer almost full time. I hope they don't have to sell it to pay for the wedding,,,😢
Hey, y'all. You know, of course, that if we all shared with three (3) people and get them to subscribe, we could get this channel to over 1M subs...
Let's Do This, right?
I'm in. Anyone else??