Our DIY RV Boondocking Power System - Complete Overview
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See full blog post including parts links - http://www.loveyourrv.com/diy-rv-boondocking-power-system/ In this video, I go over in detail all the components and wiring of my complete boondocking power system including solar panels, controller, batteries, charge converter, inverter and all the fuses and switches. Hopefully, this will be of help to folks who are trying to understand my complete system. Up until now, it's been a series of install posts and videos which can lead to confusion of how everything works together. Especially since I have upgraded and changed things as I've expanded the off-grid systems. Disclaimer: Working with electricity can be dangerous. Performing the modifications detailed in this video may void your warranty. The following is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as instructional. If you decide to do the same modifications I’ve done then research and beware of the risks involved. I accept no liability. You have been warned! – Ray Links to more in-depth installation information on each component of the system. Building a Portable Solar Panel for My RV Boondocking - http://www.loveyourrv.com/building-portable-solar-panel/ Lensun Semi-Flexible 100 Watt Solar Panel Review - Lensun Semi-Flexible 100 Watt Solar Panel Review Champion Generator Review after 5 Years of Use - http://www.loveyourrv.com/champion-generator-review-5-years-use/ 1000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter *Updated* - http://www.loveyourrv.com/1000w-pure-sine-wave-inverter/ Installing an INTELIPOWER Converter for Better Battery Charging - http://www.loveyourrv.com/installing-the-inteli-power-pd9260-for-improved-rv-battery-charging/ Bogart SC2030 CC and Trimetric TM2030-RV Installation - Bogart SC2030 CC and Trimetric TM2030-RV Installation Upgrading our Renogy RV Solar System to 400 Watts - http://www.loveyourrv.com/upgrading-our-renogy-rv-solar-system-to-400-watts/ Upgrading My RV Battery Bank and 12 Volt System - http://www.loveyourrv.com/upgrading-my-rv-battery-bank-and-12-volt-system/ Installing a Renogy 200W Solar Kit in the RV - http://www.loveyourrv.com/installing-renogy-200w-solar-kit-rv/ ----------------------------------- Follow our RVing adventures at http://www.loveyourrv.com and http://rvhappyhour.com Connect with Love Your RV! Pinterest ► https://www.pinterest.com/loveyourrv Google+ ► https://plus.google.com/+LoveYourRVonGPLUS Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/LoveYourRV Twitter ► https://twitter.com/loveyourrv Blog Feed ► http://feeds.feedburner.com/LoveYourRV Monthly Newsletter ► http://www.loveyourrv.com/mailing-list-sign-up/ Don't forget to Subscribe! ► http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=LoveYourRV
Comments
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HI Ray, Great job on the video and schematic! Curious why you chose a fuse vs another breaker for the catastrophic fuse. I see that Blue Sea makes a 200A 187 series breaker that could be an option. Thanks! ..Mike
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Hi Ray, I like your diagram a lot. I'd like to do my own and I'm curious what software you used to do the diagram.
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Great video in explaining all of the steps. Will visit your blog
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Do you have an Amazon Store? You could put one link out to it, and have all this stuff in it.
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I ended up using two boxes by NOCO but will need to fab some king of cover but all is finished and it work like a charm. Headed to the Pisgah National Forest NC next weekend for our first boonedocking adventure. Thanks for all the help.
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I built it and it works! Now I need is a box for the batteries but can't seem to find what I need. A box for 2-12V Trojan 1275 in line 27"L x 7-1/2"W x 11"D. Can you give me a link to where you got your's, maybe they'll have what I need.
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I see your buddy Eddie has the same circuit breakers that you do. What brand are they? I just can't seem to get them clear enough to read the name. Thanks Ray.
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I have my parts and beginning to assemble the system. My original Negative battery lead was connected to the trailer frame. Should I reconnect that to the new Negative Bus Bar? Didn't see that in your video.
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Nice setup buddy and thanks for sharing
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Probably just going to copy your whole set up. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. You explain it so well. And the Bogart Engineering people covered all my other questions in the Frequently Answered Questions. I like their style. So where is the best place to buy the panels and mounts themselves? If you don't mind an unabashed plug for your vendors. Did you mount your panels yourself? If not, and as I recall you summer in BC, maybe we can use the same installer. Anyways, as always, thank you ever so much for your help; I am Grateful.
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I see from an earlier comment you can charge with solar and generator at the same time. And at the same time run all the 12 VDC stuff too I assume. Does all your "gear" stay in 12 VDC mode all the time or do you switch back and forth between AC and DC?
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Well I've begun ordering parts, I went with the PD9260C as I plan some time later to add more batteries when we up grade to a 5th wheel and have more space but staring with 2-Trojan T105RE for now. I'm going with the Xantrex 1000W SW Inverter as it had some good reviews and a good price. but everything else is right off your list except for a Champion 3100i Generator so I can run the AC. But I would like to know where you got that Buss Bar for the negative cables? Thanks for the help, great videos and blog I'm a Electrical Contractor soon to retire and once I read you're a Electrical Engineer I knew, well, your da' man. Happy trails.
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I am a housewife. It's so simple - thank you.
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Great system. I'm beginning to build mine and thinking of starting with 2- 6v batteries like yours but get the PD2945-CV charges that cost less. Would there be any drawbacks doing that other than longer charge time and would it work okay when I go to four batteries?
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i was wondering do you have to unhook your solar when your charging with your intelpower charging the batteries thanks for the great vid
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Very nice and much appreciated. I will be making the jump to solar on my 2004 Roadtrek and the one thing that confuses me is if I have a solar charger connected to my house batteries AND the original factory wiring is also still connected will there be a conflict between the solar charger and the one that came with the coach?
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Just read your news letter and I send you and Anne and her mother my prayers. Also looking forward to what you all are up to next. In due time. God always be with you. Bob
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Ray, I'm installing a similar system to yours but I only have room for 3 - 100 watt panels. Do you think 300 watts can keep 4 - 6 volt batteries charged? I know it depends on usage and I'm only going to be pulling around 200 watts at most. I purchased the intelipower 60 amp charger to supplement the solar panels using my generator. I haven't installed anything yet. Also did you ground everything to the frame of your rv? The intelipower has its own ground connection.
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I just ordered one. The one installed in my RV has an output of a whopping 3 volts at the moment. Not doing so well at charging. And while I was meditating on this singular circumstance I found the electrical connections coming into the breaker box were all fricked up by the installers. They doubled up on every neutral wire when hooking up to the terminals even though there are plenty there to spare and one of them was not tight. This caused heat and almost fire.
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Thanks for the diagram, you always have good info. I was checking Renogy forum and they make a fuse that goes into the MC4 connectors and a waterproof. I am wiring my system now, one thing that I wonder about is can you charge with shore or generator along with solar at the same time without some switching?
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