Loved the part where she is cooking pasta and laughing the entire time she is talking. Katelyn seems so fun and upbeat. Charming and good looking,one of the most likable personalities on youtube. Howard is a lucky man.
You two are lunatics but lots of fun. I love Turquiose Lake and Leadville. We drive up from Durango often. Glad you past your stone. Ugh, no fun. We also have a Navion and just upgraded to Lithium Ion. Fantastic. Well, take care and be safe. STAY WARM!!!
Bruce, congrats on the lithium upgrade! We just love the Leadville area. Not as much fun for us in the winter compared to summer 🤣 but we'll still take a visit anytime! -Howard
Hi Guys, my wife Mary and I cruise about in our 2021 View too. I have a suggestion for freeze protection of the water bay. Instead of a light bulb (so 20th century) I deployed a 20 watt heat mat, Amazon, [vivosun seedling heat mat] or equivalent. I stuff it into the water bay and then stuff bubble wrap or other insulation to fill the space. It's 110 volts but only 20 watts, enough to keep things above freezing. Your new battery is plenty to get you through a blizzard. We also have smaller USB plug in 5 watt mats for all night foot warmers. Cheers, Don & Mary.
Have been loving watching yall! Embrace the cold a little more - in isn’t so bad for ya if you are hanging in Leadville after all ;) That pizza place is always a stop for us too. Soooo good and so much fun.
That said it’s been unseasonably cold here this year. Someday hope we all meet out there on one of your adventures! (Lol I should talk, since I moved to CO to get away from the cold of MN ;)
Do you crack the roof vent a tiny bit at night even when it’s ridiculously cold? I find it helps with the indoor condensation but I have a “square drop” so much less humidity to evacuate…
Andy, we absolutely love Leadville (and CO)! Great suggestion about cracking open a top vent to avoid condensation like that, but our goal isn't to do much of this extreme cold camping in the future. 🤣 Glad you're enjoying the enjoying the episodes and are along for the journey! 👍 -Howard
I just clicked on your vlog for the first time . Heads up . Line your battery box with space blanket . It's really cheap . Don't rap the batteries with it . Then place a led strip light between the batteries . A small change controller from eBay with the light on the load and battery on one of the batteries . Or on 24v for that matter . Will keep the batteries warm . I'd go with read on 12 volts . I'll look on eBay and give you a n example . Ok I checked . You can get four light strips for under $10 .
Ok that solar set up is nice. To have that much power 😍. Still with the generator because in my opinion two is one and one is none. Redundancies. Now Howard didn’t we talk about the place you take that Rv 😂😂. The snow and ice road had me worried. Nice job. The bed 🤦🏼. Glad Katelyn is ok 👍🏼. Keep us updated on the lithium package as the summer comes. How long will it last with the AC going and how are the panels keeping up. I assume the Mercedes alternator and the generator will recharge the batteries 🔋. Stay warm ✌🏼
Exactly right. The generator can still recharge the batteries (and quickly, too! We went with a 120amp charger for our system that covers either being plugged into shore power or the generator). Agreed on AC testing in warmer weather. Napkin math with the solar and batteries looks promising, but won't know until we test! Don't worry, I think we will still keep cold weather camping to a minimum. 🤣 -Howard
Nice job! After recently cleaning up the wiring mess under the passenger seat (2021 View) I was kind of chuckling over the look at all the extraneous wiring. I had previously installed a master battery on/off switch and was able to abandon the remote battery switch (at the top of the steps) and the related relay. (I think the Navion in the video probably also has a Battery Boost relay under the seat, which I would have also eliminated. The fewer (and simpler) the connections between the Sprinter electrical system and the coach electrical system, the better. Feels good, like a fresh haircut, to clean that stuff up!
@@NewstateNomads yesss absolutely!! Though I’ve been very disappointed waking up from DREAMS where we were running the AC and Microwave whilst dry camping sans generator! 🤣🤣 Can’t believe it’s REAL!!!!
I got my first kidney stone in my life at 72 and after passing the sone they did a chemical analysis. Found out it was caused from higher levels of Vit. D the doctor just started me on, combined with the ice tea to cause the stones. So it was a no brainer to stop the Vit. D and cut back on ice tea. Hope you get better and pass them without issues.
Hi Cathy! -40C is just painful to think about, do you also have to have some kind of block/engine heater for vehicles to start at that temp? Thanks for watching! 👍 -Howard
@@NewstateNomads Most autos have a block heater and some have a battery blanket. I'm in the garage so I don't bother plugging in. And of course I usually stay home!
I think you did a little dippin in the wine when you made the sauce for the pasta , And no information at the end about how kaitlin is feeling , I hope all is well you guys take care
Yay! New power, new adventures for the NEWstates! (Just a little from the poet who doesn’t even know it!). Another pizza In Leadville? (I KNEW you would!) TERRIFIC! You two always have the best time! That I-70 Diner looks sooooo cute. We’ll be one I-70 very soon, so will try to stop there for lunch or dinner, as we adore retro-style diners. I am so sorry you had/have that horrible kidney problem! They can be extremely painful and can wreak havoc on your daily life, believe me I KNOW. My mom, my husband, my daughter all had them, mom the worst. (Size of an ALMOND!). Please take it easy honey, drive safely, take your meds, and try to keep smiling, Katelyn! 🥰. Love you guys, Virginia
Haha love that Virginia!!! Oh yes, we couldn't visit Leadville without having that pizza again. Omg still dreaming of it! Wow! Thats a big kidney stone 😳😫 that sounds terrible!! I'm definitely feeling much better now. Thank you so much!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Hmm...why so cold inside your house??? You don't have a house heater? You have a propane stove? No propane heater? You have a vehicle desiel engine. You could tap the fuel tank to feed a desiel heater (Webasto). Duct heat from the house heater into the battery compartment. You now have enough electric power to run a house heater fan for all night! I don't understand why your house is not heated.
Clark, all great points. We rarely camp in extreme cold weather like this, so it wouldn't make a lot of sense for major modifications. Our interior was comfortable, and the batteries were happy, but we hope to not make a habit of below zero camping! -Howard
Me too! I LOVE Colorado! We talked about getting them booties if we were staying in the colder weather for longer. If only to see their reaction to them 😂 Thanks so much!! ❤ -Katelyn
Hmmm wondering if you watch the video of Tom and enjoyed the journey of life I see all of you running to Enduro before the year is out I wonder what battleborn will do. And for Pete's steak stay out of Colorado that girl keeps sending up in the dag gum hospital
Stan, you definitely can make the upgrade and it's being worth the effort for us! For now, we're still using just ebikes but considering another toad if our travel needs change for summer. Stay tuned! -Howard
What watt light bulb do you use? I use 60 watts and find it only gives me about 15 degrees above outside air temp. So I get nervous below about 15. 22D.
Agreed and ours is either a 60 or 75w bulb, too. We were OK until the temps hit single digits and below and the bulb wasn't enough heat in the wet bay. We've talked about wrapping with DC heat tape the junction point in the wet bay (which I think is the susceptible part) IF we start making a habit of these super cold camping nights. 🤔🤣 -Howard
Steven, thanks so much and glad you found us! Great question. We added a small breaker box for the solar panels (tucked behind a drawer in the remote chance we ever need to reset it). Not sure you could combine that onto an existing breaker panel (the breakers we used were screw type instead of the busbar style that "snap" into place). You would want to isolate the panels and the busbar in a breaker panel wouldn't probably allow you to do that? Lots of people find sneaky ways to hide the breakers somewhere in line from the solar panels. Maybe consider that as you look for ways to route the solar cabling. 👍 -Howard
Great question! Equipment across all components runs about $10k. Since we did the labor ourselves, can't speak to that cost. Great part about a system like this is you can start and scale up over time/season. Prewire for the dream system, but start with batteries, a lithium compatible charger and a battery monitor (very important since it is hard to judge based on voltage like with lead acid). -Howard
Haha, we definitely don't intend to make it a habit of below zero camping! I think our comfortable limit is the single digits F. Below zero, and it is just TOO cold for our systems to keep up and also keep a comfortable temp inside! -Howard
Guy, great point. The lightbulb is to keep the wet bay above freezing since there is a junction point of the waterlines inside it. Totally agree tank heaters are the way to go for batteries over a lightbulb if they aren't in a climate controlled area. 👍 -Howard
Hi Howard, when I wrote the comment I was thinking batteries. Later I realized that you were talking pipes. For pipes I would suggest an infrared bulb. I believe you can get the same wattage that you were using and that would heat the objects (pipes) vs trying to heat the whole space.
@@NewstateNomads as long as you do not use to high of wattage for the bulb, it should be fine. You will need to do some experimenting to see what works best.
Not too shabby! The insulation is pretty good on our Navion, and we were able to keep it comfortable with limited propane and some electric heat. Dogs help keep us warm, too! -Howard
That's exactly it, a lot more power! lol. The goal with a system like this is to worry less about it and just use appliances and electronics how you would normally. I'd say we have achieved that goal! -Howard
Excellent video very enjoyable to watch and educational to boot. I want to do something like that with my 2020 Thor Quantum class C. Is the service you got from Enduro Power with Harrison a service they offer if I wanted to do the same type of upgrade? If so how do I go about contacting them and arranging the upgrade. Thank you in advance for any info.
Thanks so much and great question! Enduro Power can connect you with qualified installers and Harrison is always happy to help answer questions or provide guidance on a new system. These installs are not a typical service Enduro Power provides, since these are designed to keep him and the team current on how customers are using their products and also new components that are available to build a complete system. I would email or call Harrison and he can help get you started with advice and referrals! -Howard
Not a dumb question at all! Our propane furnace burns through a lot of fuel in just a few days of regular use. Given the amount of time, we try and conserve the propane furnace by heating it up once and then using the electric heat to try and keep temp. Saves a lot of fuel that way. 👍-Howard
If you guys are going to need to camp in cold weather you need to curtain off your cab area and put a skirt around your RV, that will keep your pipes and tanks from freezing.
Lisa, all great points. Thankfully, all our piping is inside the RV and the freshwater tank is inside, too. The grey and black are underneath, but do have tank heaters if we know we will be needing to dump them below freezing in the next 24 hours. The curtain idea is great! Maybe we can figure out a modification from the existing curtains that run for the overcab bunk. 🤔 Thanks for watching! -Howard
Also, switch the gas/propane refrigerator for the, Amish condenser upgrade. Well state law requires the propane system closed while traveling, the electric fridge is the ticket. When it is necessary, turn on the gen to charge those new lithium's.
As 'modern' as this upgrade seems, technology has already moved on. We now tow with a hybrid truck (F150 Powerboost) and have all this capability - with zero interior mods to the trailer - simply be plugging the truck into the trailer. This capability is available across all 6 F150 trim levels. Simple, better gas mileage overall and, for a Lariat model, it cost us $1500.
Jack, thanks for watching. I'm not sure I understand what plugging the truck in does beyond just charging the trailer battery when the engine is running? How is that any different than running a generator (either onboard or portable) instead of a solar system and larger battery system like this? -Howard
@@NewstateNomads Being a hybrid F150, Ford added 240V & 120V AC receptacles in the truck bed for construction work, RV'ing, etc. They offer up to 7.2 KW (7200 watts) of power and are fed by an inverter that in turn is fed by the truck's hybrid battery. All automated; the truck engine only runs a few minutes each time the hybrid battery needs to be recharged. RV loads are usually very light relative to the power available so little engine running. Clever, simple, soon to be found on RAM and Chevy/GMC trucks.
Interesting, indeed. In effect you have a much more efficient generator (F150), right? You're still using gas/diesel to create the power for the 7500w inverter. Definitely an interesting option. -Howard
@@NewstateNomads Plus avoiding a lot of expense and complexity. For full-timers, a heavy investment in solar eventually pays off. For 98% of us, what appeals is something simple and suitable.
Hello, my system is almost identical to your system with minor variations. I have a 600amp of Battle Born Lithium with only 360watt solar. No problem, I can run an electric heater, coffee maker, microwave, and an A/C. My experience is that the app tells you the current usable hours at current usage, but it's always less. I run a 600watt 120volt electric heater plus the propane heater at night. Have you experienced a similar experience? So I am installing 2 more Battle Born Battery with a heater built in. We'll see how this goes. Thanks for the informative video!
Omg a video of campers I totally enjoy watching. That pizza looks so good too 😍. Looking to do solar on our camper soon thanks for the cool video for inspiration
Ugh, Donald passed 2 of 3 stones leaving Needles Ca. visiting my Dad. He was sweating, in agony, and white! I drove back 100 mph to Bullhead with lights flashing! Shot of morphine, all better! 2 left for another day!😳
Congrats on your new system. We just installed our first 300Ah Enduro Power battery in our cargo trailer conversion. The second one will be installed in our van. Very excited to get back on the road with power to spare. You have a very nice looking rig and your installation looked great! I had a lot of E-mail conversations with Harrison when we were deciding on upgrading our systems.
Thanks and congrats on yours! Yes, Harrison is such a great resource for figuring out a system or upgrades. Thinking back, I believe our first email or call was in September to plan our system. Lots of components and decisions to be made. Are you planning to tow the trailer behind the van?? -Howard
@@NewstateNomads 20,000 miles so far with the trailer. We built the van 4 years ago and the trailer was new in 2021. We picked it up in May and Started our first road trip in September, then we left in December and returned home the last day of February. So 100 days on the road.
Great video! Glad Katelyn is feeling better. What a great upgrade for your batteries / electrical. Would love to make an upgrade like that to my RV someday. We're also stuck needing the generator to run the microwave or AC!
Thanks and we love the upgraded systems! Even if you start with new batteries (and confirm you can change the settings on your charger along with a battery monitor that can tell you state of charge percentage since you CAN'T easily use voltage to determine battery level on lithium) that will dramatically improve runtime and reduce maintenance compared to lead acid. Over time you can upgrade your inverter, etc if it isn't powerful enough to run the microwave, for example. If you ever have questions, reach out to Enduro Power! They are well versed in different potential setups. 👍 -Howard
Very cool install and good to see the setup and experience once done! What exactly were those metal feet/blocks that were stuck down to the roof and where can one find those and the 3m tape?
Great question! The feet are machined by a fellow View/Navion owner that sells them at cost. I'll check and see if he has them listed anywhere! The tape is VHB tape by 3M, very strong stuff. You apply the tape to the metal feet and then bolt the panel on top. We still Dicor around the metal feet for water seal, but it also is adhesive which doesn't hurt. 👍 -Howard
@@jdkmboy yes, here's the link to a full install article using the blocks, and the link to order is at the bottom (under "Mounting Plates") -Howard www.viewnavionmotorhomes.com/solar-install/
I just put in 2, 200 amp ah batteries in my DP. I'm mooch docking at a friends so I haven't tried them yet. I'm not looking forward to the fuel prices.
So 400 AH total, right? That's what we installed if so. I'm guessing you use much less energy than we do (lots of electronics, a 12v fridge, etc) so you should have plenty of capacity with that. Congrats! -Howard
@@NewstateNomads I have a 120V fridge in a 40ft DP so the same inverter/charger you have is on 24/7. I also have a Projector for my TV and it uses about 20amps through the inverter. I went from 250ah AGM batts to 400ah Lithium so I should be good hopping they charge faster off of my 700W of solar. I also have a aquahot for heat and hot water but I still don't camp in the snow unless I would be plugged it to A/C. Dual pain windows also help with the cold and heat. Stay safe.
@@timaz1066 gotcha, that sounds like a great setup. Is your solar charge controller MPPT? If so, that will help eek out max recharging. Aquahots are great, and they recently came out with a smaller version for diesel rigs like ours! We love our Truma hot water, but it's a tempting option.
Haha, thanks! We don't sugarcoat life on the road, that's for sure. There's so much to see and do that it all balances itself out! Hope you'll continue on the journey with us. 👍 -Howard
Well, great effort, great 'testing' of yourselves & systems, and well done getting professional installation assistance. LiFePO4 is a great storage medium and advances have given it even greater flexibility (cold hasn't been helped yet) and Victron makes some pretty quality gear that just works- all of the time. Super attitude, outlook & enthusiasm- some rough times amid the testing! I love the Navion/View platform- you guys are doing it up!
Thanks, David! It was fun to share how we tested the system and ourselves under extreme circumstances. We didn't mention in the episode, but during the solar install we also added tank heater pads to the new batteries. Coupled with the insulating of the battery compartments, we had no problems recharging even in temps below 20F (the batteries absolutely had no problem discharging even below zero during our first test trip). We're supremely happy with the new setup. Looking forward to testing runtimes on our AC as the weather heats up! 👍 -Howard
@@NewstateNomads I find the heater pad install close to edge of cost/value/function intersection, but- there ARE circumstances where it makes sense! I think the ability to recharge provides a peace of mind that surpasses its cost/functionality value. It's knowing that you CAN, more than actually needing it! Good on ya (couldn't have been inexpensive) and it genuinely extends the range of a great RV!
@@DCGULL01 a three pack was $40 (plus a couple dollars for a new switch). Definitely worth it for us! To your point, with the capabilities to discharge in very cold weather, our batteries are large enough to give us over 24 hours of runtime, but being able to recharge certainly alleviates any anxiety when they get low.
That's interesting, and a great idea about the window unit. We've already run the AC (compressor 100% of the time) for about 2 hours as a test. Solar was limited at the time, so it consumed about 125A per hour from the batteries. With solar production, I'm thinking we could cut that draw 30-40% which could give us a compressor runtime of about 4-5 hours. Since the compressor doesn't typically run all the time, that might give us a pretty lengthy amount of AC. We did design our system to be able to add more 200Ah in the compartment with the inverter/charger. Thanks for watching! -Howard
Feels like temps only affect humans, inanimate objects are not affected by wind chill except radiators, which will cool quicker down to ambient temps around it but not go below. Great video. Congrats on the new solar system!. I just did 2 Expion 360 cubes for 760ah. It was almost 3k a battery, so I splurged. Won’t have to worry about power if overcast for several days.
You are brave for venturing out in those cold temps. Don't need specifics, but can you share ballpark or range spent on the solar (panels, invertor, converter, monitoring, batteries, etc.)? love your videos.
If you have insulated your battery bank, I put a small heater in the battery bay or a light bulb will do in the compartment to keep the lithium above 32 degrees.
We've looked into the mini-splits, but our floorplan doesn't really have a great spot for the internal unit! Will be interesting to test how our Coleman performs running off the batteries (and with recharging from the solar). -Howard
Cool video and gives me some ideas. I also have a 19D View. I notice you have bicycles on the back, so do we on the Winnebago factory rack. What brand cover do you use? We have gone through one so far that was somewhat a pain to install and remove over our two bikes.
Hey Mike! Glad you found it helpful! This is the link to the cover we use. We love it! A big draw for us was that we can keep this cover on the bikes during travel days. There are straps and ties underneath it to keep it snug. It's easier to take on and off with 2 people, but one can definitely do it. amzn.to/3iByFDe Hope that helps! -Katelyn
As someone who’s had kidney stones, it’s no fun. It’s why I quit drinking pop and went to coffee/tea/water. Flomax and pain meds will def. help!! Glad you’re on the mend!!!
Just getting caught up on videos and saw you were about three miles away from our house when you were at the Colorado Heights campground. Monument is not known as a winter destination. Sorry to hear about the health problems. I hope you have recovered.
Hi Mike! Haha, oh yes... we certainly wouldn't have been there in the winter if it weren't for the install. But it was worth it in the end. And thank you! Feeling much better :) -Katelyn
I have just discovered your videos today. You make me excited about travel.We have a lithium system and it’s so convenient. Makes it more comfortable.Now I’m looking forward to binge watching all of video.
Excellent video. However, recommend another 200ah for min 600 Ah to be comfortable running your rig. I installed 600,Ah, and all Victron components: 3000 multi II Plus, 3 solar controllers to minimize solar shading, DC to DC convert to protect alternator, 712 indicator. Put 6 solar panels on roof and use the solar aux port to add another 200 to 400 Watt ground panels for a total of 640watts on roof+200 to 400 on ground. So, now can run A/C for 3 to 5 hrs depending on outside temperature, tv, and parasitic loads (like stby items, inverter consumed amps) w/refrigerator on gas. Awesome upgrade but expensive...worth it cause needed for wife's health issues.
Earl, great to hear about your install! Interesting about your run time for A/C. We have only done a few tests and managed around 6 hours without fully draining the battery (that was with our 800w rooftop solar getting ample sun and the fan running between compressor kicking in to help keep air moving) on our 400ah. Outside temps definitely have an impact, and in our case this was with outside temps at 90 and we've tried setting the thermostat at both 75 and 80 degrees. Finally, we take advantage of the rapid charging from the diesel generator (Victron set to 90 amps) to get us topped back up. Our setup sounds pretty similar with the exception of the 3 solar controllers. Do you feel like the difference between 1 and 3 to make it worth it? Thanks for watching! 👍 -Howard
@@NewstateNomads Howard, Theoretically, separate controllers for each pair it makes a difference. I'm an electrical geek and engineer, so paired two panels to One controller And wired in bypass diodes and blocking diodes as explained below and in the link. Yes I can run the air conditioning for at least 6 hours as long as sunny the solars working. However, 3 to 5 hours on straight batteries no charging from solar panels, generator, or alternator. I have a solar panel on either side of the air conditioner; therefore, one solar panel will be eventually shaded when the other is in full sun. So I put a blocking diode on the + output so the high voltage does not push current through the low voltage solar panel. Additionally I put a bypass diode in parallel with the outputs of my series wired solar panels. Please check out the best explanation at the below link. Really enjoy your channel and your adventures. ruclips.net/video/5rYy0gHZepI/видео.html
If you all know how cold it is there why are y'all not starting the vehicle every 3 to 4 hours then you wouldn't have ice on you on your windows and your water lies would not be freezing up on you now that's what you have to do in extreme cold that RV can make it but you have to make it with it and I'm not trying to be disrespectful but you have to take Extreme Measures so you RV won't freeze up
Loved the part where she is cooking pasta and laughing the entire time she is talking. Katelyn seems so fun and upbeat. Charming and good looking,one of the most likable personalities on youtube. Howard is a lucky man.
Thanks, Just received my Enduro 12V 300AH shipped to Hawaii. Wow these guys are GREAT! used your discount code and saved $$ Thanks again...
James love hearing that, enjoy! How are you using it, for a home install, RV, or a boat? Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 👍 -Howard
Howard being all bundled up, and looking annoyed, just cracked me up! 🤣 Keep up the great videos.
Hahaha, thanks, Ed! 👍 -Howard
You two are lunatics but lots of fun. I love Turquiose Lake and Leadville. We drive up from Durango often. Glad you past your stone. Ugh, no fun. We also have a Navion and just upgraded to Lithium Ion. Fantastic. Well, take care and be safe. STAY WARM!!!
Bruce, congrats on the lithium upgrade! We just love the Leadville area. Not as much fun for us in the winter compared to summer 🤣 but we'll still take a visit anytime! -Howard
That diner is an old Denny's building. When they first came out our town built one. Our's is still the original Denny's.
Hi Guys, my wife Mary and I cruise about in our 2021 View too. I have a suggestion for freeze protection of the water bay. Instead of a light bulb (so 20th century) I deployed a 20 watt heat mat, Amazon, [vivosun seedling heat mat] or equivalent. I stuff it into the water bay and then stuff bubble wrap or other insulation to fill the space. It's 110 volts but only 20 watts, enough to keep things above freezing. Your new battery is plenty to get you through a blizzard. We also have smaller USB plug in 5 watt mats for all night foot warmers. Cheers, Don & Mary.
We live in Colorado. Leadville is a hidden gem! We love camping there!
Have been loving watching yall! Embrace the cold a little more - in isn’t so bad for ya if you are hanging in Leadville after all ;)
That pizza place is always a stop for us too. Soooo good and so much fun.
That said it’s been unseasonably cold here this year. Someday hope we all meet out there on one of your adventures! (Lol I should talk, since I moved to CO to get away from the cold of MN ;)
Do you crack the roof vent a tiny bit at night even when it’s ridiculously cold? I find it helps with the indoor condensation but I have a “square drop” so much less humidity to evacuate…
Andy, we absolutely love Leadville (and CO)! Great suggestion about cracking open a top vent to avoid condensation like that, but our goal isn't to do much of this extreme cold camping in the future. 🤣 Glad you're enjoying the enjoying the episodes and are along for the journey! 👍 -Howard
Love seeing Scout, behind you, looking out the window.
Me too! So sweet how she loves to sightsee 😍
Haven’t camped that cold, but I crank the heat and I am good. I carry 2 extra 20 lb tanks. I may even blow the lines to save me, but I love the snow.
Yes, ice scraping inside my motorhome here in Michigan. I've been living off grid for over 8 plus years.
🥰🥰. Thanks for another great video!!!
Glad you are feeling better!
Thank you, Sue! 💗
Wow that’s a big big job. Amazing
Thanks so much Lou! It's such an awesome transformation, we're so happy with all the new capabilities!
I just clicked on your vlog for the first time . Heads up . Line your battery box with space blanket . It's really cheap . Don't rap the batteries with it . Then place a led strip light between the batteries . A small change controller from eBay with the light on the load and battery on one of the batteries . Or on 24v for that matter . Will keep the batteries warm . I'd go with read on 12 volts . I'll look on eBay and give you a n example . Ok I checked . You can get four light strips for under $10 .
Ok that solar set up is nice. To have that much power 😍. Still with the generator because in my opinion two is one and one is none. Redundancies. Now Howard didn’t we talk about the place you take that Rv 😂😂. The snow and ice road had me worried. Nice job. The bed 🤦🏼. Glad Katelyn is ok 👍🏼. Keep us updated on the lithium package as the summer comes. How long will it last with the AC going and how are the panels keeping up. I assume the Mercedes alternator and the generator will recharge the batteries 🔋. Stay warm ✌🏼
Exactly right. The generator can still recharge the batteries (and quickly, too! We went with a 120amp charger for our system that covers either being plugged into shore power or the generator). Agreed on AC testing in warmer weather. Napkin math with the solar and batteries looks promising, but won't know until we test! Don't worry, I think we will still keep cold weather camping to a minimum. 🤣 -Howard
Victron is the best as far as I’m concerned. I’ve got a Victron system
In my truck camper.
Here in Montana it gets to -40 in the winter. I am doing research to figure out how to improve the insulation of my rv.
Nice job! After recently cleaning up the wiring mess under the passenger seat (2021 View) I was kind of chuckling over the look at all the extraneous wiring. I had previously installed a master battery on/off switch and was able to abandon the remote battery switch (at the top of the steps) and the related relay. (I think the Navion in the video probably also has a Battery Boost relay under the seat, which I would have also eliminated. The fewer (and simpler) the connections between the Sprinter electrical system and the coach electrical system, the better. Feels good, like a fresh haircut, to clean that stuff up!
Yeah, me too. Long 500 mile day, driving, pain started and not drinking water. Apple juice saved me of some pain and loaded up. Kidney stone, yes.
Hope you're feeling better too Keith, they are no fun! -Katelyn
Omg we want it all. Same same. Double their order plz! 🤣👏😍
Haha, oh we hear ya! Definitely a game changer, even just starting with battery upgrades for y'all! 👍 -Howard
@@NewstateNomads yesss absolutely!! Though I’ve been very disappointed waking up from DREAMS where we were running the AC and Microwave whilst dry camping sans generator! 🤣🤣 Can’t believe it’s REAL!!!!
best comment "i've done enough 4 ott" LMBO....probably lugging that crap around a film set!
Back pain is classic Katelyn is in labor,lol, you knock her up. Hehehe.
I got my first kidney stone in my life at 72 and after passing the sone they did a chemical analysis. Found out it was caused from higher levels of Vit. D the doctor just started me on, combined with the ice tea to cause the stones. So it was a no brainer to stop the Vit. D and cut back on ice tea. Hope you get better and pass them without issues.
Oh wow! Had no idea that could happen, good to know..hope you're all better now. I'm feeling back to normal! Thanks so much ☺️ -Katelyn
@@NewstateNomads I’m doing good but kidney stone hurt like heck. Glad you didn’t get real bad.
Had to scrape inside car windows many a morning (-40 C). Hello from Winnipeg, Canada
Hi Cathy! -40C is just painful to think about, do you also have to have some kind of block/engine heater for vehicles to start at that temp? Thanks for watching! 👍 -Howard
@@NewstateNomads Most autos have a block heater and some have a battery blanket. I'm in the garage so I don't bother plugging in. And of course I usually stay home!
I think you did a little dippin in the wine when you made the sauce for the pasta , And no information at the end about how kaitlin is feeling , I hope all is well you guys take care
Davey, thanks for watching! We're glad to report Katelyn is doing well. Maybe it was the Taco Bell meal that did the trick? 🤣 -Howard
Yay! New power, new adventures for the NEWstates! (Just a little from the poet who doesn’t even know it!). Another pizza In Leadville? (I KNEW you would!) TERRIFIC! You two always have the best time! That I-70 Diner looks sooooo cute. We’ll be one I-70 very soon, so will try to stop there for lunch or dinner, as we adore retro-style diners. I am so sorry you had/have that horrible kidney problem! They can be extremely painful and can wreak havoc on your daily life, believe me I KNOW. My mom, my husband, my daughter all had them, mom the worst. (Size of an ALMOND!). Please take it easy honey, drive safely, take your meds, and try to keep smiling, Katelyn! 🥰. Love you guys, Virginia
Haha love that Virginia!!! Oh yes, we couldn't visit Leadville without having that pizza again. Omg still dreaming of it! Wow! Thats a big kidney stone 😳😫 that sounds terrible!! I'm definitely feeling much better now. Thank you so much!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Hmm...why so cold inside your house???
You don't have a house heater? You have a propane stove?
No propane heater?
You have a vehicle desiel engine. You could tap the fuel tank to feed a desiel heater (Webasto).
Duct heat from the house heater into the battery compartment.
You now have enough electric power to run a house heater fan for all night!
I don't understand why your house is not heated.
Clark, all great points. We rarely camp in extreme cold weather like this, so it wouldn't make a lot of sense for major modifications. Our interior was comfortable, and the batteries were happy, but we hope to not make a habit of below zero camping! -Howard
don't forget to put silacon under the screw on parts
I hope Colorado stops being a curse! Hi from Boulder 🌞😁 Maybe the dogs could use some booties.
Glad you’re better and have such a cool setup!
Me too! I LOVE Colorado! We talked about getting them booties if we were staying in the colder weather for longer. If only to see their reaction to them 😂 Thanks so much!! ❤ -Katelyn
Looked like you pulled out a Lion Energy lithium battery to start with.
Hmmm wondering if you watch the video of Tom and enjoyed the journey of life I see all of you running to Enduro before the year is out I wonder what battleborn will do. And for Pete's steak stay out of Colorado that girl keeps sending up in the dag gum hospital
So you CAN go LI in a Navion! Any word on the new toad? Or sticking with ebikes?
Stan, you definitely can make the upgrade and it's being worth the effort for us! For now, we're still using just ebikes but considering another toad if our travel needs change for summer. Stay tuned! -Howard
What was the total cost of the conversion ? 9 Grand ?
What watt light bulb do you use? I use 60 watts and find it only gives me about 15 degrees above outside air temp. So I get nervous below about 15. 22D.
Agreed and ours is either a 60 or 75w bulb, too. We were OK until the temps hit single digits and below and the bulb wasn't enough heat in the wet bay. We've talked about wrapping with DC heat tape the junction point in the wet bay (which I think is the susceptible part) IF we start making a habit of these super cold camping nights. 🤔🤣 -Howard
Now I want to know Katelyn the ratio of white wine went into the sauce and went into you ? lol
I just ordered a $950 100ah Battleborn LiFePo4... should I cancel and go with Enduro??
First of your videos I've seen, and I really enjoyed it
Steven, thanks so much and glad you found us! Great question. We added a small breaker box for the solar panels (tucked behind a drawer in the remote chance we ever need to reset it). Not sure you could combine that onto an existing breaker panel (the breakers we used were screw type instead of the busbar style that "snap" into place). You would want to isolate the panels and the busbar in a breaker panel wouldn't probably allow you to do that? Lots of people find sneaky ways to hide the breakers somewhere in line from the solar panels. Maybe consider that as you look for ways to route the solar cabling. 👍 -Howard
Can I ask how much this cost? I am guessing at least $10K. Thanks.
Great question! Equipment across all components runs about $10k. Since we did the labor ourselves, can't speak to that cost. Great part about a system like this is you can start and scale up over time/season. Prewire for the dream system, but start with batteries, a lithium compatible charger and a battery monitor (very important since it is hard to judge based on voltage like with lead acid). -Howard
Hope you're feeling better and were able to get some medical help, stones can be extremely painful.
Thank you very much! I appreciate that. All better now ❤️
It's never good when you have to scrape the windows on the inside! tooo cold!!
Haha, we definitely don't intend to make it a habit of below zero camping! I think our comfortable limit is the single digits F. Below zero, and it is just TOO cold for our systems to keep up and also keep a comfortable temp inside! -Howard
Wouldn’t a tank heater for the batteries be more efficient then a lightbulb?
Guy, great point. The lightbulb is to keep the wet bay above freezing since there is a junction point of the waterlines inside it. Totally agree tank heaters are the way to go for batteries over a lightbulb if they aren't in a climate controlled area. 👍 -Howard
Hi Howard, when I wrote the comment I was thinking batteries. Later I realized that you were talking pipes. For pipes I would suggest an infrared bulb. I believe you can get the same wattage that you were using and that would heat the objects (pipes) vs trying to heat the whole space.
@@guywood67 wow, I'm definitely going to look this up. Safe for metal and plastic?
@@NewstateNomads as long as you do not use to high of wattage for the bulb, it should be fine. You will need to do some experimenting to see what works best.
6 degrees outside, what's it like inside? That's my question.
Not too shabby! The insulation is pretty good on our Navion, and we were able to keep it comfortable with limited propane and some electric heat. Dogs help keep us warm, too! -Howard
@@NewstateNomads So literally proof on concept of how the band "3 Dog Night" got their name.
@@kelanth462 haha, exactly! You're probably onto something there. 😂
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4-Custom solar panel offsets (each kit has 4 offsets and matching bolts)
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What does this full set up. Parts & labor cost?
Yes, I would like to know as well what a ballpark parts / labor for similar setup would be? Under 10k?
At what cost. 4000?
Didn't understand a thing, lol, except there's a lot more power.
That's exactly it, a lot more power! lol. The goal with a system like this is to worry less about it and just use appliances and electronics how you would normally. I'd say we have achieved that goal! -Howard
Excellent video very enjoyable to watch and educational to boot. I want to do something like that with my 2020 Thor Quantum class C. Is the service you got from Enduro Power with Harrison a service they offer if I wanted to do the same type of upgrade? If so how do I go about contacting them and arranging the upgrade. Thank you in advance for any info.
Thanks so much and great question! Enduro Power can connect you with qualified installers and Harrison is always happy to help answer questions or provide guidance on a new system. These installs are not a typical service Enduro Power provides, since these are designed to keep him and the team current on how customers are using their products and also new components that are available to build a complete system. I would email or call Harrison and he can help get you started with advice and referrals! -Howard
this is why i have an airstream that has been winterized, don't be like these fools!
I like the way the solar panels were installed on the roof - no drilling holes. Where did you get the metal blocks, or were they custom made?
Mike, it's from a fellow View/Navion owner. I'll check and see if he has them listed anywhere! We love no drilling, and ease of service. 👍 -Howard
I’m gonna ask a dumb question…why didn’t you use the propane heater in the RV?
Not a dumb question at all! Our propane furnace burns through a lot of fuel in just a few days of regular use. Given the amount of time, we try and conserve the propane furnace by heating it up once and then using the electric heat to try and keep temp. Saves a lot of fuel that way. 👍-Howard
At 15:50 you speak of awesome meatballs from COSTCO. How could something as mundane as meatballs inspire awe??😀
Your videos are always so entertaining and detailed. That was some cold weather you put the Navion through. Take care of your health!
Thanks and we've definitely found our temp limit for camping! 🤣 So glad you enjoyed the episode and we're glad you're along for the journey. 👍 -Howard
Yikes! What a great, breath-holding, worrisome, interesting video.Katelyn, how are you now, kidney thing cleared up?
All better!! ❤️ Thanks so much for asking! It was not a fun time! But definitely a good reminder to drink water!
I'm pushing my weight limits do you have any idea the weight of the solar system you had installed..
If you guys are going to need to camp in cold weather you need to curtain off your cab area and put a skirt around your RV, that will keep your pipes and tanks from freezing.
Lisa, all great points. Thankfully, all our piping is inside the RV and the freshwater tank is inside, too. The grey and black are underneath, but do have tank heaters if we know we will be needing to dump them below freezing in the next 24 hours. The curtain idea is great! Maybe we can figure out a modification from the existing curtains that run for the overcab bunk. 🤔 Thanks for watching! -Howard
@@largemarge1603 hahaha!
Also, switch the gas/propane refrigerator for the, Amish condenser upgrade. Well state law requires the propane system closed while traveling, the electric fridge is the ticket.
When it is necessary, turn on the gen to charge those new lithium's.
Already have a 12v only refrigerator, comes standard on the Navion! Thanks for watching. 👍 -Howard
Great video as always. Sorry Katelyn had the pain and health concern.
Thanks so much, Tim! Feeling much better now and drink that water!!
As 'modern' as this upgrade seems, technology has already moved on. We now tow with a hybrid truck (F150 Powerboost) and have all this capability - with zero interior mods to the trailer - simply be plugging the truck into the trailer. This capability is available across all 6 F150 trim levels. Simple, better gas mileage overall and, for a Lariat model, it cost us $1500.
Jack, thanks for watching. I'm not sure I understand what plugging the truck in does beyond just charging the trailer battery when the engine is running? How is that any different than running a generator (either onboard or portable) instead of a solar system and larger battery system like this? -Howard
@@NewstateNomads Being a hybrid F150, Ford added 240V & 120V AC receptacles in the truck bed for construction work, RV'ing, etc. They offer up to 7.2 KW (7200 watts) of power and are fed by an inverter that in turn is fed by the truck's hybrid battery. All automated; the truck engine only runs a few minutes each time the hybrid battery needs to be recharged. RV loads are usually very light relative to the power available so little engine running. Clever, simple, soon to be found on RAM and Chevy/GMC trucks.
Interesting, indeed. In effect you have a much more efficient generator (F150), right? You're still using gas/diesel to create the power for the 7500w inverter. Definitely an interesting option. -Howard
@@NewstateNomads Plus avoiding a lot of expense and complexity. For full-timers, a heavy investment in solar eventually pays off. For 98% of us, what appeals is something simple and suitable.
Hello, my system is almost identical to your system with minor variations. I have a 600amp of Battle Born Lithium with only 360watt solar. No problem, I can run an electric heater, coffee maker, microwave, and an A/C. My experience is that the app tells you the current usable hours at current usage, but it's always less. I run a 600watt 120volt electric heater plus the propane heater at night. Have you experienced a similar experience? So I am installing 2 more Battle Born Battery with a heater built in. We'll see how this goes. Thanks for the informative video!
Can you share how much you get paid to endorse their products? I'm curious how that side of the business works.
Great video ,keep it up!🤷♀️
Thanks, Cristina! 👍 -Howard
Omg a video of campers I totally enjoy watching. That pizza looks so good too 😍. Looking to do solar on our camper soon thanks for the cool video for inspiration
Ugh, Donald passed 2 of 3 stones leaving Needles Ca. visiting my Dad. He was sweating, in agony, and white! I drove back 100 mph to Bullhead with lights flashing! Shot of morphine, all better! 2 left for another day!😳
Wow, that sounds horribly painful! Was it from hydration or diet? We never knew there were different types of stones! -Howard
Oh, I put my inverter in with my batteries. It gives off heat, to keep them warm.
What happened with the kidney stone?
Congrats on your new system. We just installed our first 300Ah Enduro Power battery in our cargo trailer conversion. The second one will be installed in our van. Very excited to get back on the road with power to spare. You have a very nice looking rig and your installation looked great! I had a lot of E-mail conversations with Harrison when we were deciding on upgrading our systems.
Thanks and congrats on yours! Yes, Harrison is such a great resource for figuring out a system or upgrades. Thinking back, I believe our first email or call was in September to plan our system. Lots of components and decisions to be made. Are you planning to tow the trailer behind the van?? -Howard
@@NewstateNomads 20,000 miles so far with the trailer. We built the van 4 years ago and the trailer was new in 2021. We picked it up in May and Started our first road trip in September, then we left in December and returned home the last day of February. So 100 days on the road.
Great video! Glad Katelyn is feeling better. What a great upgrade for your batteries / electrical. Would love to make an upgrade like that to my RV someday. We're also stuck needing the generator to run the microwave or AC!
Thanks and we love the upgraded systems! Even if you start with new batteries (and confirm you can change the settings on your charger along with a battery monitor that can tell you state of charge percentage since you CAN'T easily use voltage to determine battery level on lithium) that will dramatically improve runtime and reduce maintenance compared to lead acid. Over time you can upgrade your inverter, etc if it isn't powerful enough to run the microwave, for example. If you ever have questions, reach out to Enduro Power! They are well versed in different potential setups. 👍 -Howard
I guess, if you ask how much? You can't afford it.
Srapped ice in side my landrover in the uk.
I grew up in Minnesota, that is why I live in the southwest. Glad to see you back in the good ole USA.
Makes sense, Bob! 🤣 Thanks for watching and glad you're along for the journey. 👍 -Howard
Very cool install and good to see the setup and experience once done! What exactly were those metal feet/blocks that were stuck down to the roof and where can one find those and the 3m tape?
Great question! The feet are machined by a fellow View/Navion owner that sells them at cost. I'll check and see if he has them listed anywhere! The tape is VHB tape by 3M, very strong stuff. You apply the tape to the metal feet and then bolt the panel on top. We still Dicor around the metal feet for water seal, but it also is adhesive which doesn't hurt. 👍 -Howard
@@NewstateNomads any update on where we can find those mounting blocks? Thanks!
@@jdkmboy yes, here's the link to a full install article using the blocks, and the link to order is at the bottom (under "Mounting Plates") -Howard www.viewnavionmotorhomes.com/solar-install/
@@NewstateNomads thanks Howard!
I just put in 2, 200 amp ah batteries in my DP. I'm mooch docking at a friends so I haven't tried them yet. I'm not looking forward to the fuel prices.
So 400 AH total, right? That's what we installed if so. I'm guessing you use much less energy than we do (lots of electronics, a 12v fridge, etc) so you should have plenty of capacity with that. Congrats! -Howard
@@NewstateNomads I have a 120V fridge in a 40ft DP so the same inverter/charger you have is on 24/7. I also have a Projector for my TV and it uses about 20amps through the inverter. I went from 250ah AGM batts to 400ah Lithium so I should be good hopping they charge faster off of my 700W of solar. I also have a aquahot for heat and hot water but I still don't camp in the snow unless I would be plugged it to A/C. Dual pain windows also help with the cold and heat. Stay safe.
@@timaz1066 gotcha, that sounds like a great setup. Is your solar charge controller MPPT? If so, that will help eek out max recharging. Aquahots are great, and they recently came out with a smaller version for diesel rigs like ours! We love our Truma hot water, but it's a tempting option.
@@NewstateNomads Yes it is a Victron 100/50 MPPT.
I'm happy for you.. Good trip... And have fun...
Thanks! Glad you're along for the journey! 👍 -Howard
U guys are funny but truthful about rv living lol.
Haha, thanks! We don't sugarcoat life on the road, that's for sure. There's so much to see and do that it all balances itself out! Hope you'll continue on the journey with us. 👍 -Howard
Well, great effort, great 'testing' of yourselves & systems, and well done getting professional installation assistance. LiFePO4 is a great storage medium and advances have given it even greater flexibility (cold hasn't been helped yet) and Victron makes some pretty quality gear that just works- all of the time. Super attitude, outlook & enthusiasm- some rough times amid the testing! I love the Navion/View platform- you guys are doing it up!
Thanks, David! It was fun to share how we tested the system and ourselves under extreme circumstances. We didn't mention in the episode, but during the solar install we also added tank heater pads to the new batteries. Coupled with the insulating of the battery compartments, we had no problems recharging even in temps below 20F (the batteries absolutely had no problem discharging even below zero during our first test trip). We're supremely happy with the new setup. Looking forward to testing runtimes on our AC as the weather heats up! 👍 -Howard
@@NewstateNomads I find the heater pad install close to edge of cost/value/function intersection, but- there ARE circumstances where it makes sense! I think the ability to recharge provides a peace of mind that surpasses its cost/functionality value. It's knowing that you CAN, more than actually needing it! Good on ya (couldn't have been inexpensive) and it genuinely extends the range of a great RV!
@@DCGULL01 a three pack was $40 (plus a couple dollars for a new switch). Definitely worth it for us! To your point, with the capabilities to discharge in very cold weather, our batteries are large enough to give us over 24 hours of runtime, but being able to recharge certainly alleviates any anxiety when they get low.
400Ah is not enough to run the roof AC for any length of time; but I was able to run a 5000BTU window AC all night.
That's interesting, and a great idea about the window unit. We've already run the AC (compressor 100% of the time) for about 2 hours as a test. Solar was limited at the time, so it consumed about 125A per hour from the batteries. With solar production, I'm thinking we could cut that draw 30-40% which could give us a compressor runtime of about 4-5 hours. Since the compressor doesn't typically run all the time, that might give us a pretty lengthy amount of AC. We did design our system to be able to add more 200Ah in the compartment with the inverter/charger. Thanks for watching! -Howard
how much?
Feels like temps only affect humans, inanimate objects are not affected by wind chill except radiators, which will cool quicker down to ambient temps around it but not go below. Great video. Congrats on the new solar system!. I just did 2 Expion 360 cubes for 760ah. It was almost 3k a battery, so I splurged. Won’t have to worry about power if overcast for several days.
You are brave for venturing out in those cold temps. Don't need specifics, but can you share ballpark or range spent on the solar (panels, invertor, converter, monitoring, batteries, etc.)? love your videos.
Welcome to 4-season camping. My son used a cargo trailer conversion at -25F for one winter in northern New Hampshire.
If you have insulated your battery bank, I put a small heater in the battery bay or a light bulb will do in the compartment to keep the lithium above 32 degrees.
Congratulations!
Now you're ready for another upgrade.
Remove the Air-conditioned system and install the Min-isplit.
We've looked into the mini-splits, but our floorplan doesn't really have a great spot for the internal unit! Will be interesting to test how our Coleman performs running off the batteries (and with recharging from the solar). -Howard
Leadville part of video, nervous wreck here kids
Fabulous video,thank you!👍👏🌞
Cool video and gives me some ideas. I also have a 19D View. I notice you have bicycles on the back, so do we on the Winnebago factory rack. What brand cover do you use? We have gone through one so far that was somewhat a pain to install and remove over our two bikes.
Hey Mike! Glad you found it helpful! This is the link to the cover we use. We love it! A big draw for us was that we can keep this cover on the bikes during travel days. There are straps and ties underneath it to keep it snug. It's easier to take on and off with 2 people, but one can definitely do it. amzn.to/3iByFDe Hope that helps! -Katelyn
As someone who’s had kidney stones, it’s no fun. It’s why I quit drinking pop and went to coffee/tea/water. Flomax and pain meds will def. help!! Glad you’re on the mend!!!
No fun at all! Definitely a good reminder to drink more water. Thanks so much, definitely feeling better ❤️👍☺️
Just getting caught up on videos and saw you were about three miles away from our house when you were at the Colorado Heights campground. Monument is not known as a winter destination. Sorry to hear about the health problems. I hope you have recovered.
Hi Mike! Haha, oh yes... we certainly wouldn't have been there in the winter if it weren't for the install. But it was worth it in the end. And thank you! Feeling much better :) -Katelyn
I have just discovered your videos today. You make me excited about travel.We have a lithium system and it’s so convenient. Makes it more comfortable.Now I’m looking forward to binge watching all of video.
Hi Sue! So glad you found us! The lithium upgrade is SO nice, definitely an improvement. Hope you enjoy our other videos! Happy travels! :) -Katelyn
wow, what an adventure! Glad for batteries and solar power, but no more Colorado for you! Trust you're feeling much better!
Thank you so much Cathy! I am ☺️ and we're SO happy with the new setup.. definitely taking a break from Colorado for a while 🤣
Excellent video. However, recommend another 200ah for min 600 Ah to be comfortable running your rig. I installed 600,Ah, and all Victron components: 3000 multi II Plus, 3 solar controllers to minimize solar shading, DC to DC convert to protect alternator, 712 indicator. Put 6 solar panels on roof and use the solar aux port to add another 200 to 400 Watt ground panels for a total of 640watts on roof+200 to 400 on ground. So, now can run A/C for 3 to 5 hrs depending on outside temperature, tv, and parasitic loads (like stby items, inverter consumed amps) w/refrigerator on gas. Awesome upgrade but expensive...worth it cause needed for wife's health issues.
Earl, great to hear about your install! Interesting about your run time for A/C. We have only done a few tests and managed around 6 hours without fully draining the battery (that was with our 800w rooftop solar getting ample sun and the fan running between compressor kicking in to help keep air moving) on our 400ah. Outside temps definitely have an impact, and in our case this was with outside temps at 90 and we've tried setting the thermostat at both 75 and 80 degrees. Finally, we take advantage of the rapid charging from the diesel generator (Victron set to 90 amps) to get us topped back up. Our setup sounds pretty similar with the exception of the 3 solar controllers. Do you feel like the difference between 1 and 3 to make it worth it? Thanks for watching! 👍 -Howard
@@NewstateNomads
Howard, Theoretically, separate controllers for each pair it makes a difference. I'm an electrical geek and engineer, so paired two panels to One controller And wired in bypass diodes and blocking diodes as explained below and in the link.
Yes I can run the air conditioning for at least 6 hours as long as sunny the solars working. However, 3 to 5 hours on straight batteries no charging from solar panels, generator, or alternator.
I have a solar panel on either side of the air conditioner; therefore, one solar panel will be eventually shaded when the other is in full sun. So I put a blocking diode on the + output so the high voltage does not push current through the low voltage solar panel. Additionally I put a bypass diode in parallel with the outputs of my series wired solar panels. Please check out the best explanation at the below link.
Really enjoy your channel and your adventures.
ruclips.net/video/5rYy0gHZepI/видео.html
If you all know how cold it is there why are y'all not starting the vehicle every 3 to 4 hours then you wouldn't have ice on you on your windows and your water lies would not be freezing up on you now that's what you have to do in extreme cold that RV can make it but you have to make it with it and I'm not trying to be disrespectful but you have to take Extreme Measures so you RV won't freeze up