2nd Battery Fretting

[TamAlexander]

I’ve read and read...

If I wire this equipment into my 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan will I be able to run my cpap machine and my usb opolar desk fan?

Please prevent me from wasting money.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bullfrog]

As the only charging I see is the vehicle it will depend a lot on how much you will drive each day and I do mean drive not sit and idle as well as how well your alternator charges the newer style battery which I know little about it’s charging needs. Most require at least a portable solar system or generator if several sitting cloudy days.

 

[Sofisintown]

You need a Bluetti AC100 and a solar panel
$899 for both . Some lights included too. It is plug and play, and it is good quality system with enough power for your needs. You're welcome!

https://shopsolarkits.com/products/...MIqZTL2J6X7AIVUr7ACh3HYAIYEAQYBSABEgJ11_D_BwE

 

[TamAlexander]

To clarify, I already bought (in trial run) a Jackery 500 battery and a Jackery 100 solar panel. My hope was to have enough electricity to be able to last a week. Then once a week do significant driving (for supplies or to the next campsite) and use the Honda’s alternator to charge:
1. The starter battery
2. The isolated Battleborn lithium battery 
3. The Jackery battery (being charged off the lithium battery.

I will certainly set up my stand alone solar battery while camping - but I’m only getting enough juice (here in Northern California) from the stand alone Jackery system to function for three or four days.

I’m worried I should skip a monitor, or chose a cheaper one?
I’m worried the isolator is for a different electrical dimension (and is a bad choice for me)
I’m worried I should have a heavy duty alternator (but the auto electric specialist in my town never heard of such a thing)
I’m worried the Battle Born battery should be in a battery box (but I can’t seem to find a “group 27” one)

I have a large roof box on the Odyssey - no room on the roof for solar (and I want to have a stealth option).

Is there anyone that can advise me on how to wire and lithium battery to my existing electrical system?

Thanks in advance.

Tam

 

[user 423]

Depending on how big the box is and unless you really need the extra storage space, you could cut out or remove the box top and set a panel inside.
Add a couple of holes for drainage. Perfect stealth.

 

[MrAlvinDude]

Hmmm... it sounds to me like you are trying to fix a problem, without knowing which bottle neck is causing the problem.

In principle, then getting one (or possibly two more) fold away solar panels , will solve your problem about not being able to capture enough energy from the sun, in order to stay out for the duration you are looking for.

Next question is, how do you manage to push energy from two (or three)  solar panels into the jackery500 (or some other solar generator battery box) ?


Also, did you write down numbers, when you used the Jackery500 to power your CPAP machine, so you now know how many watts you need on a daily basis?

Like: At first; determine how much energy you use on a daily/weekly basis.

Once you know these numbers, then it is much moire likely that you will get a system the works for you (at a reasonable cost).


Because your solution might very well be: sell the jackery, and get a different box, where it is possible to hook up 2-300W of solar.

And most likely, a box that can handle 300W of solar input, will also be able to charge faster, while you drive.


If only the Jackery500 would have had a MPPT controller built in, then it would probably be able to charge at the same speed from car or solar, as it is possible to charge it from the AC charger.
And it is more likely that it would be possible to connect two or three 100W portable solar panels to it.


Either way.
Knowing your daily/weekly energy needs, will make it much more easy for all of us to help you find a good (and okay cost) solution.



Because another solution might also be, to get another Jackey500 (or an other solar generator box), because this will definitely make it possible to use two solar panels.  

And because you are charging two units, while you are driving. Then it very likely that the amount of energy stored will be doubled, in the same 1-3 hours of driving. 

And who knows, perhaps you only need 2x Jackery300 units. 



But all of this starts out, by knowing how much energy is needed on a daily/weekly basis. 

So how many % of energy is used from the Jackery500, in just one night ? 
In one 24 hour period (without solar charging)?

 

[bullfrog]

If your existing system works 3 or 4 days and you don’t get enough sun or have enough space for solar, you only drive once a week and it would have to be a substantial drive then there is a chance you will run out of power. With a small propane (propane is cleaner running and easier to store in my opinion) powered generator you could recharge the existing system every 3 or 4 days and not have to buy anything else besides propane and oil for the generator. Once a week if you drive 4 hours or so would mean you only need to use the generator once a week or 4 times a month. Knowing you can charge your system anytime, probably will take up less space and cost less initially is a good thing. If you could figure out a way to get enough panels for solar and a way to store them it would be better and in the long run possibly cost less. But until you get a bigger van or hang large solar panels off the rear, the generator would work.

 

[MrAlvinDude]

One reason I mention the Jackery300, is because it has a MPPT solar charge controller built-in.

See this review for more details on why it is a good idea to use a solar-battery-generator that has a MPPT charge controller.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Have you considered a battery-powered travel c-pap?

Will probably cost less that all of that stuff, and you will have a spare c-pap, and if you have or buy a small jackery or similar power pack, that unit will power a fan and phone charger easily.

 

[Moby T]

Don't know what CPAP you have but here is an excellent resource for battery requirements for Resmed CPAP units.
https://www.resmed.com/us/dam/documents/articles/198103_battery-guide_glo_eng.pdf

 

[jonyjoe303]

I’m worried I should skip a monitor, or chose a cheaper one?

Get a tk15 coulombmeter, its all i use to monitor my 220ah lifepo4, you can get the 50a version on ebay for about 30 dollars. I been using them for about 3 years and they are very accurate. No need to spend 200 dollars for a monitor with features you don't need. I have about 5 of these tk15's and use them on all my lithium batteries. They got versions that can handle more then 100 amps for about 50 dollars.

I like that you see all the important readings on the screen at the same time, you don't have to press buttons to cycle between readings. Once you program the battery's capacity and the the battery's min and max voltage, you don't have to press buttons again. The tk15 lcd is blinking on/off while charging, it's off when it's neutral no amps in/out, and lighted when using power.

And for lifepo4, you do need a monitor/coulombmeter, the voltage on lifepo4 is about 13.1 volts all the way down to about 20 percent then it drops quickly to 0 percent. Without a monitor, you would never know the battery's status by just using voltage as a guide. Even a cheap tk15 is better then nothing and it does a good job of counting amps.

All I can say is you need a good way to charge your lifepo4, I only use solar (240 watt panel), because of the hot weather and constant use of my fans/swampcooler/fridge I drained the 220ah battery to 37 percent and with the cloudy weather it took me 2 weeks to get it back to 100 percent. I don't drive enough to use the alternator as a charge method. A 100 watt panel would do nothing for such large battery's as lifepo4, it might top it off barely if you rarely use it. Like someone mentioned a generator would not be a bad idea, except for the space issue.

 

[highdesertranger]

jonyjoe, does that measure amps in and out simultaneously? and keep track?

highdesertranger

 

[TamAlexander]

Thank you one and all for your kind advice.

My CPAP machine draws 27W. My desk fan, draws 3W or 6W depending on the setting. I also charge my iPhone and iPad.

I am happy with the portability of my Jackery 500/Jackery 100W solar panel.

I know from experience that 500W will meet my needs for 3-4 nights. In my bricks and sticks - leaving my solar panel in the sun all day (in Northern California) adds about 1/2 day electrical needs.

I’m hoping not to do any permanent modifications to my 2011 Honda Odyssey (for one) and after I’m settled in as a nomad - trade it in for a ‘Phase 2’ stealth cargo van (for two).

I think the solution to my power needs (portable, extra capacity for phase 2) is a small generator. Then, when my Jackery battery is low, I can add shore power, solar power, alternator power, or generator power.

So, the new plan:
1. Honda EU2200i generator
2. Hutch Mountain Tri-Fuel Conversion Kit

Then - I can live off my Jackery battery - and refill it (one way or another) as I go.

Thank you again to everyone sharing your hard earned wisdom with a newbie.

Any thoughts on my new plan?

 

[bullfrog]

That is a nice generator which I believe you could even run a soft start small air conditioner off of as well. Only thing I would be concerned with is lifting it so maybe see about a wheel kit? If you are just charging batteries you could use a much smaller and lighter generator, but if the weight and size are not a problem the setup you chose is a real dandy and should be able to handle most future needs as well.

 

[MrAlvinDude]

I think it is a very versatile plan, as it will serve you well, both for your phase1 and phase2 situation.