Can someone explain to me why this isn't awesome?

[sometimesido]

Everytime my wife says she's overwhelmed about a project and asks for help, I try to break it down into small chunks for her.

What are your needs? refrigerator, charge computer, phone, etc. Add them up.
What are some components other people used who's needs are similar to yours?
Make a list of stuff you need and I bet people on here would make suggestions.
Ask for wiring diagram suggestions with the components you gathered.
Make a "mock up" of your components and wires in front of you.
Start mounting them up one by one.
Ask for suggestions with pictures on here when you get stuck.
Profit.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Is there not a way just put together a system without  getting so technical?

You can slap together anything you want depending on the desired result.

I put a heavy group 27 battery in a battery box, attached a controller, and then built up my own 200 watt 'suitcase' panel.

There is no inverter here, but it would be simple to add one. This stuff is fairly heavy, but you could do the same thing with a smaller or lithium battery, and smaller panels. Total cost, about $400.

 

[kllcbosmetris]

A Kodiak solar generator.

https://www.inergysolar.com/product/kodiak/ref/6/

One thing I like the most about this is device is that you can take it with you (in a backpack) and charge it at the office or hotel or starbucks etc. That is the differentiator for me, compared to the units you build on your own and keep it in your van. It is expensive for sure but one YouTube reviewer said all the components (battery, inverter, etc.) in a small package would cost over $1000 anyway. I don't know enough to verify that. If there is a way to do this in a portable movable pack, do let us know please.

 

[Belinda2]

In this situation you pay a lot for the convenience of a small package. Come to think of it if you added another grand or so you could have built my complete 1185 watt system with a big ass battery bank and all.

I actually thinks it's too big for my lifestyle. I got  rid of one and got one that could be disessembled. When I want to use it, I put it together.

 

[kllcbosmetris]

This is what I have - LOVE it - lazy, I know ... but I like the convenience.

Would you mind sharing your appliance/electricity needs in your vehicle/can/camper? I want to understand how long this lasts for what type of usage. Thank you.

 

[Gypsy Clipper]

I think my needs are going to be pretty high but I won't know for sure until I pick up the bus. I was really just thinking about this particular generators capacity as a starting point. I think I am going to be tied to using a generator to run the bus. It's set up already tied into everything in the bus. Supposedly the bus is wired for solar but I'm not sure what that could mean considering there is no batteries or controllers. I know there is an inverter tied into the bus and a generator but adding solar capacity is going to be tricky. I would think I want two separate systems. One to run the main living area of the bus and one to run the dog grooming shop. I'm not even sure if anything runs in the bus if it's not running.

 

[Almost There]

You're probably going to be tied to a REAL generator, not something like this.

That unit does NOT generate a darned thing except profit for the company. If there was truth in marketing it wouldn't be called a generator at all!!

The size of the generator you will need will depend entirely on your usage. If you're not running things in the house area at the same time as you are running things in the grooming area you can get away with a smaller generator.

Size wise, you're probably looking at a good size on board Onan like they put in big RVs. It will easily fit in one of the storage compartments in the bus. Push button start, fueled from your gas tank and no moving it around.

Solar is only 1/3 of the power generating system, charging tge house system while driving and generator/shore power are the other sides of the equation.

You may want to start with the generator because it's easier to figure out than solar for a newbie and for the size of system you need, may even be less expensive than the solar set up you'll end up with. It's also usable no matter where you are or what the weather is. Solar in the southwest is invaluable but of little use to me here in the pacific northwest for a good part of the year. My solar panels have only been deployed a handful of times since June whereas they are used every day in Arizona in the winter.

 

[PattySprinter]

Would you mind sharing your appliance/electricity needs in your vehicle/can/camper? I want to understand how long this lasts for what type of usage. Thank you.

I have 60W (on tripod) and two 100W Renogy solar panels to power it.
I am going to need it (so far) for Dometic cc40, Laptop, Phone, bluetooth speaker, power tool batteries, Kahuna shower ... not a whole lot I think so far.

I have been experimenting with it now at home before I launch and it never goes below 97% charged and solar charges it back up quickly.
As I add more I am sure it will go lower - but even on semi cloudy days I get small charge coming in from the solar.

... I am wanting to get a heating element for the kahuna and use my vitamix once in a while - so I am looking at adding the 2000i generator - good to have for emergencies too I think.

 

[John61CT]

> I think I am going to be tied to using a generator to run the bus

Please do not adopt the asinine marketing usage of "generator" to mean a portable battery in a box with ports, maybe other gadgets.

I use "power pack" as a generic term.

If such a kit comes with solar panels, then **maybe** call it a "solar generator".

But "generator" by itself is a device that creates electricity by burning fossil fuel.

----
If you will have loads like a 12V compressor fridge, TV and stereo, decent CFM fans etc, then nothing you'd feel comfortable carrying around will be sufficient capacity.

**maybe** if LFP, but just the bare cells are $700+ for 100AH, and likely double that for the other bits you need.

Skip the DIY learning curve and you're very likely to get scammed.

Best approach is to actually build a list of what you'll be running and avg how many hours a day, from there we can help you figure out ballpark how many AH you need.

 

[John61CT]

> Looking at adding the 2000i generator - good to have for emergencies too I think.

Now **that** is a generator

Yes, excellent investment for higher loads and supplemental charging in the morning on overcast days.

Just don't expect it to get a lead bank full, still need solar for the long tail.

But that and LFP, the need for solar goes away.

Or even Firefly Oasis, long as you get to shore power once a month or so. At "only" $500 per 100AH, and don't need extra protective hardware for LFP.

 

[MrNoodly]

...this seems like a great options for someone living in a car....

Someone living in a car already has a power-generating device: the engine.

 

[John61CT]

I guess you mean running the engine in order to use the alternator's power output?

If you spend many hours per week driving, it may be worth setting things up for that to work well.

But sitting with the engine running for that purpose is a very expensive and inefficient power source.

 

[Weight]

I am not reading this thread, so am sorry if this repeats someone. How can they call it a solar generator when it has no included means of charging the battery?