IT'S COMPLETE!! The Off-Grid RV Office Trailer Gets Tested: Yes I Did Recommend a Bluetti Instead
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- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2024
- Here it is. The last video of the series and playlist on my friend's 2021 Jayco Eagle and the 1700 watt 300Ah 48VDC LiFePO4 5500 watt dual inverter setup gets tested out and I found the system to be very easy to operate and it did everything I wanted it to do. Are there limitations yes, but it surpass the original request for the system and now the owner can head north to better weather for the summer and return for the winter. It was a huge project and I will put a whole list together once I make it back into town.
RV Awnings R Us 480 414-2444
Thanks for watching!
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Bluetti Solar+ program: bit.ly/4dH1GIG
Tech support: tech@bluetti.com 
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Get rid of those inefficient air conditioning units and put solar on the whole entire thing and then stick a mini split unit with dual ducting heads
10+
Putting a mini split in my toy hauler was the best mod I’ve done. It doesn’t struggle to keep cool in the Arizona deserts and its silent compared to the rv air conditioner and heater.
@@xXBuckOFiveXx Bingo. I have a 9k btu Pioneer on my 25ft toy hauler. Works excellent, 3 x 2-3 month trips out west and zero issues.
Any model or brand suggestions ? Looking into them myself
@@supersize75k5 I bought one off Amazon. Cooper and hunter, it comes pre-charged, just need hoses and a vacuum pump.
Fantastic. When Stacy upgrades to a luxury vehicle trailer, I call dibs on this masterpiece!
I love my AC300 w/2B300’s and 800 w solar. I use them at home and RV!
The cerbo GX is Bluetooth and WiFi. So you can connect to it anywhere anytime as long as you are within reach. I highly recommend him getting a GX
This guy is a RV mechanic surely there are many ways to skin a cat i am Glad for his RUclips videos 💯
This is very nice, i have a similar system running on 24v. You should reconsider adding the cerbo and a touch controller, it does not need an internet connection to function it works fine on a local network
Great video James. Nice work sir.
I have to admit, I am jealous ! What an array ! And the job/build/design you did is impressive to say the least. You should be proud of the work you put in to it and the results.
Here in Nebraska we get hot, not hot like Az. hot, but, we also have an immense amount of humidity. It’s the humidity that’ll get ya. Drags you down and keeps you there until you get inside in the AC or fall arrives for real.
I’d absolutely love to have a system like that, although I’d never be able to afford it. Just a simple diesel mechanic who still has mouths to feed.
Thank you for the content though. When it comes to RVs James, you are the man. I refer to your content every chance I get when I run into “issues” with our camper. So glad you’re on YT.
James, as always, fantastic work and fantastic break down. I have learned a lot form this and you have definitely peaked my interest on how to do the array on the roof. Thanks for always putting out great content! You should keep putting in solar systems and bringing us along. I would love to see a lot of 24 volt builds.
Great to hear!
You sure do a good job of making sure you explain things to keep the negative comments and internet trolls at bay. It feels like half your commentary is to appease the critics. haha Must be those years of experience. GREAT JOB! I can't wait to see the next project. I would like to see a 24 or 48-volt system using 12 volt batteries and how you would put it together. Totally agree on the portable solar generator, my last RV didn't come with an inverter so I just used a portable solar generator and plugged into that.
You did a great job with this entire setup! Thank you for brining us along the journey. I learned a lot and will definitely be keeping in mind everything you did when I research and install my system in my Tiffin. I to wanted to install server rack batteries, since that it was I did at our cabin, but was a bit nervous installing them in the Class A. You've given me some confidence now. Thanks again!!!
Great looking job there James ! 👍 If you do this again uou should consider NOT using a ORION dc-dc charging a lead acid battery, and just throw out the lead anchor and connect a 48 volt to 12 volt converter ($50or less) connected directly to the 12volt panel. It only converts when nessisary and the resulting conversion loss is Much Much Much less than an ORION trying to charge a lead or agm battery. It takes 3 times the energy to replace the energy used from lead acid or agm compared to to just converting the energy used directly with a regular voltage converter. There is no need to charge anything in that instance. The big win is 80 lbs saved and a square ft more storage space , and No battery to go bad or replace. There is no need for a separate battery too feed 12 volts from a 48volt system. The only use for Orion Dc-dc is alternator charging, where you could use your 12 volt alternator too charge the 48 volt bank . Definitely Not too use 48volt to charge 12 volt. CHEERS AND SAFE TRAVELS Steve h
? He literally went over this entire issue in a previous video. I believe there was a valid concern over the amount of current that a converter would be able to provide in the event that all the high draw 12v loads in the trailer were activated at once, and they just decided to go this route which I think is fine. You might even consider that the 12v battery is hooked directly to the trailer disconnect brake switch as an important safety factor.
Outstanding job! Fun watching.
Man, it makes my head spin to thing of how much work that was!!!!
Excellent job on this installation! Something to be very proud of even though it was a lot of work. Thanks for all of the videos!😀👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Your 2 hour project took a whole week lmao good job you did great!
Nice looking RV, I hope he has a great summer in it.
I hope so too!
That’s a nice setup. I’m in the planing phase for mine and never considered the Bluetti but plug and play convenience might be worth it. Thanks for this series.
Nice install. You are wrong on the cerbo. It does not require the internet. It just requires a network connection. So having a small 12v router gives you the ability to access it from your phone. And in my opinion well worth it. I use it all the time so as you said I don't have to get out of bed to check anything.
I appreciate the comment. I will push back and say adding 4 more components and wiring doesn't seem like the easier solution
Always like your vids! Great info!
I appreciate that!
Again awesome project. Yes I'm really jealous. 😏
Loved this series. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice job dude!
Thanks!
Great to see it done. Yah, I'd definitely throw on more solar with a second mppt charge controller. And you are bang-on about shadowing. Avoiding all shadows from roof-mounted equipment is really important.
The thing about going off-grid is that you need two things. You need to have enough battery to cover the full daily cycle for convenience (like at worst only having to run the generator once a day). And the second thing you need is to have enough solar to keep up with daily consumption. Inevitably, people who put systems like this together realize that they really want as much solar as they can get, even in addition to what they can fit on the roof.
The problem with bluetti power stations, and other similar gadgets (eco-flow, etc), is life-span, limited expandability (premium costs for expansion), and the cost of maintenance. The bluetti has a short warranty and a relatively short life-span... the power electronics inside are inefficient and probably won't last more than 5 years before things begin to break. And then when something does break you are kinda stuck because the inside is not really servicable. You can't fix things piecemeal.
The life-span of the Victron system you put in there is 20+ years. In fact, even those server-rack batteries will last 20 years if they are taken care of. They are barely being exercised and the Victron charge controller(s) will take very good care of them. That is why permanent installations with discrete gear is far in the way the superior solution.
And all that Victron equipment is massively more efficient than anything inside the bluetti. The inverters alone are something like 95% efficient over most of the load range. The inverter in the bluetti is more like 85%. Inverter idle consumption is also far lower with the Victron, and that's really important when the inverter has to be left on 24x7.
-Matt
Toss the roof AC units with a mini split hanging off the back. Then full roof solar!
I just have not seen a clean mini split install on a rv
Whew. I bet that's a load off. Helluva good job!
I wonder about glue down flexible solar panels. You can walk on them (but i wouldn't recommend it). My thoughts are that heat is a big problem and not having air flow under the panel should make it less efficient.
Like that solar mounting system keeps the sun off the roof too. Kudos on the solar generator future.
Great Job
I agree with the solar generator instead of a built-in system. I converted my previous RV over to a LiFPO4 battery system. It was fun to do but a lot of work and it had to go when I sold the rig. In my current RV I will just get a Bluettit when I need it.
The only thing I want to say is a point of clarification. Common and ground are in many cases connected to the same place in an electrical cabinet. AC does not have to ground back to the source as DC does. For example there is a massive number of old barns around where they wanted a few lights in the barn. They would run one 120 volt hot wire to the barn. In many cases it was a bare wire run over head. For the ground side they would drive a metal rod into the ground and it worked perfectly. Earth ground is an option.
Electrical engineer here. That will not work. You need a neutral for return path. Sure, in the main house, N and G are bonded together, but you cannot rely on the soil. I guess if you live in a swamp😁
great job 👌
Maybe not everyone would pay more for that installation, but I certainly would. Excellent job, James! I'm sure you're glad to see this project in the rear view mirror. That trailer with that crew cab and 8' bed must be easily longer than semis. And then Stacy goes out and floors it right out the gate. LOL! Hey, if you did take any footage of the rear cap repair, that would be really great to see as well. Many congratulations on your accomplishment. Want to do mine next weekend? ;)
You answered the question on my mind as you were installing the trailer system. Thinking of doing the same for my Fleetwood 28MS..
What I want for my roof is flexible solar panels that glue down. With a bit of trim should be able to charge the Bluettis
Tail lights is correct. The thought if it returning for repair would keep me up at night. Everyday I thing what can I delete. Less is more...........I ordered Mulitplus 24v last week and now that Bluetti looks appealing.
👍 Nah, he'll never call. Really nice job. I decided a couple of months ago to go with a solar generator setup. Was planning on doing a Renogy 24v "spaghetti" system like your install but agree with all the points you covered with the portable power stations, the work is already done and it's already in it's own nice, clean casing. I have my eye on the Ecoflow Delta 2 Max with 2 ports for solar panels as well. Good series, enjoyed, thanks.
Check out the Ecoflow Power Kits and especially the DIY install videos before you decide; those are game changers!
Nice 👍
Love the system James thanks so much for sharing. I two do not like all the internet access to my systems as well. Thinking of converting my motorhome into a smart voice command system a little later . Again I still will not interface with internet access to my system , buy that is me . I always want to know who is at the front door.
👍 Be safe in that current heatwave
This is a great common sense install. With overly complicated victron components. Only thing I would different is staying with 12v it’s simpler and matches tow vehicle. You did a great job, and have happy camper friend.
Awesome video of a great install !!! 👍 I’ll go back and look at previous videos, but one thing I’ve never seen enough info on is the integration of shore power into the system and you didn’t even use a Switch ?!? Congratulations on a beautiful job … now I’ll go check out those Bluetti’s !!! 😂😂😂
The shore is hardwired to the A/C input of the inverters, the inverters have the transfer switch built in
You don’t need an internet connection to connect to the Cerbo GX, Cerbo GX-S or the Ekrano GX. It has both WiFi and Bluetooth built into the system. As noted by someone else below, you only need internet to access the Cerbo GX remotely.
And, if the Bluetooth signal is too weak, you can use a router to create a local area network (LAN) to reach great distances. My router sends a signal strong enough to go through my aluminum trailer enabling me to read Cerbo data in my truck while I drive and into my house.
Nice.
Good point about the water heater, i have the same limitation and run off propane instead of the AC. What kind of fridge does he have? I find the three way fridge has the same issue and run off propane too. Only if air conditioning is off will i run off the inverter and then only during sunlight so its rare that O use it that way but im on Long Island not Arizona.so theres that .😊😊
Thanks James, great videos as always. But, 9:29 is wrong, you can connect to Cerbo without internet locally. As long as the Cerbo and the device you use are on the same wifi router (does not need to be connected to the internet), you can access the controls directly by typing in the IP address.
Why would you have a wifi router without intenet
@@AZExpert I have a 4g router (Mofi 5500), of course I would want internet if possible. But when I'm in the area without cell signal, the wifi signal stays on. In fact, I have a lot of IoT devices that relies on the wifi signal to work. So that wifi signal is critical in my RV.
That was an incredible build, very complicated. I like the solar generator idea much better myself also. Why can’t you mount the solar panels over the top of the ac units if hight is no issue . And what solar panels do you recommend for roof mount applications. Are the really thin ones less efficient.
He is an awning installer...a good thing...when they do come online he should swap out the awnings for the xponent solar ones...that will give him quite a bit more needed solar power...
I had over 600kWh on my AC300 before upgrading to AC500 two months ago, up to 280 on it already.
James, where did you find those yellow 50amp plugs you have hanging off of your generator.. I like the folding handles on them.
You don't need internet to run the Cerbo - it runs its own WiFi hotspot that you can connect to and use your phone to see the remote console (the same screen as the Ceebo) . You only need internet if you want to look at the xerbo when nitnat the RV. And of course with the Cerbo mounted in the RV you don't ever need to use your phone you just look at the screen.
It's a much nicer solution than the dongle or all separate Bluetooth connections.
Could you do a video on the blue Eddie battery and how you would use that? Or if you did one post a link?
Looked up the Bluetti stuff 20 minutes ago and they're already popping up in the ads in Instagram and such lol
It would last over 13 hours. The AC unit won't have to run as hard after dark, if any... In the desert as you know it gets pretty cold at night.
Very Nice! I have a question on how you wired in the 50 amp service into the both inverters, are the two 120v legs wired in parallel before they get to the inverters or are the 120v L1 and L2 separate to the inverters?
James, what would THAT WHOLE INSTALL COST WITH NEW PARTS ETC EXACTLY HOW YOU DID THIS JOB? Please…
So what was total for all equipment......and how many hours did it take you.....looks very professional...great job
Does he need 2 more panels and 3 more batteries? To run AC during the day and still get recharged during the day!
Im curious what was the total weight added to the toung of the trailer?
That truck sure looked low in the back
He needs to take that setup to the cat scale, may be over GVWR now
Never call again 🤣😂
Wait the 110v distribution is BELOW THE SINK DRAIN? Umm I dunno if I like that.
Is your friend Stacy going to travel the country or stay close to home? We could use a good awning guy….lol
Hey AZ, does Stacy travel? :O Or would i have to go to him to have all my awnings replaced on my 98 Allure?
Thanks for sharing. Like 708
I think the MPPT is too small unless the current output of the panels is rather low. It's not a bad thing to be overpaneled, but it seems like a lot is being wasted with the small MPPT
That mppt controller is plenty big for the array....he stated nominal open circuit voltage was about 80 volts from the panels and the panels are 445 watts each with 4 total panels...that makes 1780 watts max....so with 80 volts the amps are no more than about 23 amps traveling through the wires...that was a 150 volt/70 amp rated controller....it could take almost double that array from a voltage stand point......
Can the Bluetti batteries be combined to provide the larger wattage pool?
No, the bluetti batteries have custom networking and plugs to be used
All these great videos but it is proving difficult to find a number to call him to discuss work needed.
Man hours?? I am thinking 35? Have you ever installed the 12v mini splits in RVs? I installed 800 W on my roof with an additional $800 that I can clip directly onto the batteries with 500 amp hours. I went the El Cheapo route with a 3,000 watt inverter off eBay 12-volt and batteries came from Amazon..... all 12-volt I can run my 2500 watt AC just fine but not at night for very long. Thus I'm going to upgrade to the 12-volt Mini Splits take about 800 watts for 15,000 BTUs
By the way, if you said 50 hours I totally believe that
I am fortunate with my rv, 2023 17JG Wolf Pup, it came with a 12-volt compressor refrigerator with a 12-volt AC unit all I really need to do is to power the TV and a few small appliances
Bluetti's do break and are only good for about 2-3 years until you have problems with them. He is much better off with a component system, especially Victron.
I've yet to see one break
Hopefully I won't be along him on the road, no bars no sway bars not safe
Do these solar panels survive hail storm's?
Yes
Run that ac when it's cloudy rainy 100 plus degrees It won't run long even with a mini split I'll use my reliable dependable generator over all this expensive unreliable system you cannot depend on a single generation source hybrids are what works hence our power grid depends on hybrid solutions
I feel the same way about our Jay Command system. Bleh!
Hi i like yours videos i donot want to ask the price around $5000.?
Man, waaaay off.... more like $15,000 if not more.
Some day very soon someone is going to invent a single solar panel that will create enough energy from our wonderful sun to power up a whole house, its just a matter of time before someone figures it all out❤❤❤
💜🙏💜
If man is around long enough, sure, but we're talking at least another couple hundred years for that. This planet is gonna' swat humankind off it's shoulder like a fly. Actually we're doing to ourselves.
That is actually not possible. You can easily calculate the amount of solar radiation energy that hits the panel and the most it could ever do is 3-4x of current models. There is lots of room to improve but it is limited by physics just like everything else.
So you have 1300 watts from the solar panels and he wants to run 2 AC units? LOL Good luck charging the batteries with 1 running. #1 mistake everyone makes, including me at first, you need twice as much solar panel power than your loads or you cannot get the batteries charged and on hot days the panels can reduce output as much 60% of rated and then you have the short production time during the day and the reduced production (or none at all) due to the flat mounting 6 months of the year.
Solution: Get 10 to 12 500 watt panels mounted on hydraulic actuators to angle them up to approx 30 degrees and park with them pointing south. You cannot fit that many on the top of an RV even with a amazing designed extension system, not to mention the distance needed between panels to avoid shading. Make sure your generator is wired to charge the lithium batteries as well as everything else. How? That is way too long and answer for here. Should have started with All In One unit like EG4 to start. With Victron expensive equipment, well, you figure that one out LOL.
Thanks for your input. You might be surprised to know everyone has different desires and needs.
Is really towing that with no EQ?
You are getting too old to be lifting over 100 lbs. I try to lift nothing over 50 lbs.