Battery Powered Air Conditioning? Redodo Battery Upgrade & Boondock Test

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  • Опубліковано 21 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 111

  • @SuperSushidog
    @SuperSushidog 7 місяців тому +1

    Fantastic job guys! You've sure got lots of deployable panels to boost your roof array! Your solar should do just fine for your 10.5kwh battery bank running a single A/C - especially if you're not FT like we are. Sweet doggies. I'm sure they loved a taste of that cheese steak too. I really enjoy seeing the different power solutions fellow boondockers use.
    We're retired FT RVers who discovered we love to boondock. We've been FT for the last 5 years in a 1999 National Tropical. It was the best decision we ever made. We have recently expanded our solar system as we find ourselves boondocking more often - for 10 months last year. We designed and built our large solar system ourselves, which allows us to be electrically self-sufficient, without the need to connect to the grid anymore.
    We started by building a 620-watt liftable solar array on the side of our motorhome using 2, 310w panels. Our side array makes a nice bedroom window awning too, practically lifting itself with a couple gas struts, and it's easy to clean, standing safely on the ground. Lifting the array to the exact angle needed improves its efficiency 20-30% compared to horizontally mounted panels, even more in the winter, when the sun is lower in the sky as you guys know from your deployable panels. This website tells us the precise angle we need based upon our location and month. www.solarelectricityhandbook.com/solar-angle-calculator.html You might find it useful.
    Next, we built a 12v, 560ah (7.1kwh) LiFePo-4 battery using 8, 280ah prismatic cells and a Heltec 330amp (1,200a surge) BMS to start our generator. These cells fit perfectly under the steps of our MH where our old pair of golf cart batteries used to reside. We insulated the battery compartment, cut a small hole in our step risers and installed a tiny computer CPU fan to keep this space at close to room temperature, so we don't have to worry about the BMS shutting down charging due to low temperature - or their life reduced from getting too hot. If you add all our 12v system components together including the liftable array, wiring, converter/charger, inverter, charge controller, breakers, wiring, battery monitor, etc. this system cost us under $3,500. It has already paid for itself several times over the last 5 years, not just in the cost of electricity, but the cost of staying in RV parks.
    By mounting the solar array on the side of our coach, we left the roof free to rack 8, 550w solar panels down the length of our 35ft Class A, 15" off the roof, above our AC, vents, etc. It shades our entire roof, allowing plenty of cooling air underneath, increasing solar output and reducing the heat load on the air conditioners. Our 4,400w array can run both our A/Cs, our household appliances and charge our batteries at the same time, even in winter. We can even run our mini split heat pump 24/7 providing both A/C and heat powered by the sun. We use a Sungold Power all-in-one 48V, 5,000W Inverter/100A charge controller/battery charger, saving us space as well as money compared to a system built with individual components. We chose this particular unit because it supports up to 500 volts of solar power which was needed for our 400voc solar array. This all-in-one unit has the same 99% charging and 95% inverter efficiency as the Victron, though it lacks some of the bells and whistles to come in at only $764. Our 48v battery uses 16, 320ah prismatic cells and a 200amp BMS to keep it safe. Together with our 7.1 kwh 12v bank, we have a total of 23.5 kwh of batteries onboard - kept charged by 5,020 watts of solar.
    We removed our old rooftop bedroom A/C and replaced it with an EG4 28.5 seer-2 mini-split heat pump on the upper rear of our motorhome. It's super quiet and cools as well as our 14.5k btu soft start equipped Furrion we have up front, but only draws about 1/3rd the power. It heats efficiently too, reducing our propane usage. Our total budget for both 12v and 48v systems was around $11,500, including the $1,500 high-efficiency heat pump. We have no need to hook-up to power pedestals or run our generator anymore, as we run everything in our MH strictly off the sun.
    We travel around the country, visiting National Parks, and doing the tourist thing, mostly boondocking out west. We spent last winter in Yuma, AZ, but we're visiting our son in NC now, where boon-docking places are pretty rare. We found an RV park that is letting us camp in a spacious site without hook-ups for only $100/mo., saving us $500/mo. off their FHU rates. Having options is good.
    We hope to see you on the road one day! You can make us a couple of those great looking cheesesteak sandwiches and we'll make you some sushi, as I'm a retired sushi chef and still make it often. You should see what our freezer looks like - everything from squid and octopus to fermented soybeans and real wasabi. Take care.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Thanks for taking the time to leave us a comment! We have been very happy with our battery/solar setup and honestly never thought we'd have a system this "big" haha it's perfect for what we do and even last summer when we were out west with our "smaller" system, doing mostly all boondocking/dry camping, it was great! We are dry camping in our new video coming out tomorrow (Monday) as well to continue testing the system.

    • @SuperSushidog
      @SuperSushidog 7 місяців тому

      @@WanderingWagners We boondocked for 3 years with only our 620-watt array and 2 flooded lead acid golf cart batteries. Replacing our lead acid batteries with lithium was a game changer for us. Everyone's needs are different, but we made do with what we had till we could afford to do better. We couldn't have done it without a generator, like we do now.

  • @nowweride3094
    @nowweride3094 7 місяців тому +2

    Another great job! It might be time for Mike and Lynn to start a side business installing solar on rv's !

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Haha that would be pretty time consuming but could be lucrative

  • @loriw2661
    @loriw2661 7 місяців тому +2

    So, so good to see Piper running around!!!!🐾❤️

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      I know!! She was so happy to be able to be off leash at her favorite place again🐾♥️

  • @davidcline9547
    @davidcline9547 7 місяців тому +3

    I think you are officially a solar and battery addicted!! Lol good vid!

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Thanks! I think we are going to be set for a lot of boondocking and off grid camping😎👏🏻

  • @johnhbuiltnotbought4924
    @johnhbuiltnotbought4924 7 місяців тому +3

    Hi both. Nice job looking forward to the next one. Stay safe and well 🫶👍🇬🇧

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Thank you! This is one awesome setup we have now... Can't even tell if we are hooked up to shore power or not anymore🤣

  • @susancrane9207
    @susancrane9207 7 місяців тому +1

    Everyone talks about chairs having mesh for ventilation. Those look sooo comfortable. Let us know if they’re hot to sit in. I really like them.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      We've never had a want or desire to have mesh chairs and with the dogs it is easily snagged and ripped so we always want solid material. We don't find them too hot but that's subjective to the person sometimes. We are really liking them!

    • @susancrane9207
      @susancrane9207 7 місяців тому +1

      @@WanderingWagners thanks!

  • @earlhunt2815
    @earlhunt2815 7 місяців тому

    Glad for your solar lithium Victron power system. We love ours for the same reasons. However, I was an early adopter in May 2020 so much more expensive and Battle Born was best in class then. I like the Redodo batteries for compact 410AH footprint, Bluetooth, and cell monitoring. Victron's best in class and you will love your RV even more with its own per plant.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      We have been pretty happy with our system and now even happier with a little extra battery bank😁

  • @grayfox9911
    @grayfox9911 7 місяців тому

    The dogs had a blast being loose, huh? Y'all have fun!!

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Absolutely! They know when we come here that they don't need to be tied up and take full advantage if it 😁🐾

  • @joewatanabe5543
    @joewatanabe5543 7 місяців тому

    I;m glad the experiment went well and I hope Lynn is back to 100%

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Thanks, happy to know we can run the AC off of battery/solar!
      Lynn is back to 100% after a few days of rest thankfully

  • @adriangleprin6949
    @adriangleprin6949 7 місяців тому

    A new game called , keeping up with the Wagners. Not really as you have done it before me . Which is very good as you are running the tests i need to know . Great stuff , keep the info coming . As i will be changing out our inverter for the multi plus and adding a second 460 AH battery . All of which i had planned to do .

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      That's a risky game to play🤣 it can be fun but expensive haha! Either way, glad our upgrade videos either inspire or help you along your upgrade journey👏🏻

  • @sidqcampbell6892
    @sidqcampbell6892 7 місяців тому

    heart stopping intro today... thanks. Hate you got sick but relieved to know you ae feeling better!

  • @jim-kalliedunn-md4bz
    @jim-kalliedunn-md4bz 7 місяців тому

    Awesome video,Y’all are the envy of all the campground ❤ 😊

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Haha why thank you! We do love our setup😁

  • @EdinboroLake
    @EdinboroLake 7 місяців тому

    Those new chairs look awesome! I just wish the heated models were in stock at Realead or Amazon. I guess I’ll have to keep looking and waiting.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Oh yeah we have been eyeing up the heated chairs for the winter! They're probably more seasonal but if we see them back in stock we will let everyone know😎

  • @BradLMN
    @BradLMN 7 місяців тому +1

    If you have a Coleman Mach AC unit. I highly recommend the Coleman Mach Soft start. I just installed one on our 15k & one on our 13.5k units.
    Super simple install & works extremely well!
    Another great video...thank you.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      We have dometic ac units. Soft starts are nice but we haven't had the need for them yet but might go that way

    • @BradLMN
      @BradLMN 7 місяців тому +1

      ​@WanderingWagners I have done about the same with our system. Started out with the Multiplus II 2 x 120 12v & 400ah of lithium. One of our next upgrades will be increasing out battery capacity.
      Added 1440w of solar to the roof along with a victron 150/100 solar controller.
      Our system ran the 15k ac without issues, but it was still a big initial amp draw on startup.
      After I added the soft starts this past weekend, it was a huge difference on the initial amp draw on startup.
      I believe I will be able to run both ac units at the same time if I ever really needed to. Although I haven't tested that yet.
      I am just sharing my experience after installing the soft starts & they will definitely have power consumption benefits along with being easier on the ac units & the rest of the system.
      Always enjoy watching your videos & Piper seems to be back to her normal self. 👍

    • @OldManandtheSuperC
      @OldManandtheSuperC 7 місяців тому

      -I’ve been redoing (not re-do-do-do-si-doing) my battery wiring. Learned a couple of things. First I noticed Nexus had placed a special kind of fuse I had never seen on each of the old lead acid batteries. Looked it up and it’s called an MRBF terminal fuse. Googling that I found out the professional solar installers have all gone to this kind of fuse after seeing multiple fires caused when these big lithium batteries arc across those ANF fuses. They also said when connecting these batteries we should use a star configuration for the battery cables so that the cable run to each battery is exactly the same length. I used the Bojack MRBF 250 amp fuses.

  • @boomersudden6257
    @boomersudden6257 7 місяців тому

    Great video Lynn and Mike. Would love to add solar to my camper when I get it.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Thank you! We are loving having solar. Really opened up the way we can travel and camp

  • @N9PPX_Chris_Rhyno
    @N9PPX_Chris_Rhyno 7 місяців тому

    Great job! One thought, You could build a shelf above the batteries for storage or a shelf to stack the batteries to give you more room for storage.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Yeah we agree and something like that will be in the works very soon!

  • @melissablanchard4281
    @melissablanchard4281 7 місяців тому +2

    Where's the flux capacitor? 😅

  • @willieking1017
    @willieking1017 7 місяців тому

    Awesome video and I hope you are feeling better dear friend

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Yes, thank you,I am feeling all better!😊

  • @lamiglass1
    @lamiglass1 7 місяців тому

    I just bought chairs similar with the cup holder being part of that side pouch thing which holds the cup at a really awkward angle so I bought a cup holder meant to be mounted on motorcycle handlebars and it works great

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      So far the cup holder has been working fine for us but they definitely are different than what we are used to. Though we love that they are insulated! We do like that there loveseat holders can hold more than one item though.

  • @jrreed3360
    @jrreed3360 7 місяців тому

    Well done!!!

  • @Midget_X
    @Midget_X 7 місяців тому

    You both are frigging awesome love the videos

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      🙌🏻 thank you!! We really appreciate that. We do what we can to be entertaining and educational 😁

    • @Midget_X
      @Midget_X 7 місяців тому

      @@WanderingWagners it's nice to see two people have so much fun. Wished the rest of the world would join us

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      @Dwaynelrs.x absolutely agree!

  • @ogaddcb
    @ogaddcb 7 місяців тому

    Around 2:07 I think I saw my favorite tape measurer, Lufkin Self-Centering Tape Measure. I really like mine. As Jethro Bodine would say takes a lot of “ciphering” out of the picture.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Our Trusty measuring tape stays in the RV😊👍🏻

  • @GeneralEOD
    @GeneralEOD 4 місяці тому +1

    Does RedODO recommend type and size Lithium-Ion Fire Extinguisher for two 410Ah batteries?

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  4 місяці тому

      That would be up to the end user to determine... Like anything else

    • @GeneralEOD
      @GeneralEOD 3 місяці тому

      I contacted RedODO - they recommended a Class D fire extinguishers.

  • @johnnylightning1491
    @johnnylightning1491 7 місяців тому

    Mike, is that little gizmo on the side of the battery a low temp cutoff or something else? With all of that solar and batteries I'm thinking you guys could go forever without hooking up. Keep the good stuff coming guys and give the pups a treat for me, maybe 2.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      That is a victron battery sense. It transmits battery voltage and temperature. It will tell the charge controller if it is too cold to charge.

  • @PhilMarshall-b4k
    @PhilMarshall-b4k 7 місяців тому

    Awesome video! 5 ⭐️ PM, Hag Md

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Thanks! It was a great first test-more to come!

  • @stana2z
    @stana2z 7 місяців тому +1

    Moving the solar controller might give enough room for the vacuum.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Yes it would! We even talked about that😁

  • @187rocketman
    @187rocketman 7 місяців тому

    Thats a crazy name redodo

  • @danofiremano
    @danofiremano 7 місяців тому

    How do you like that little Blackstone? I have the next size up (22-inch 2 burner) and I really like it. I have WT-Forecast too on the Nasty setting! ~ LoL

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      We don't have a Blackstone. I used my sister's for the cheese steaks and she used our grill for brats haha

  • @andysams6690
    @andysams6690 7 місяців тому +1

    Now you all need more panels! Lol 😅

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +2

      Already considering 2 more on the roof🤪

  • @joemurano1417
    @joemurano1417 7 місяців тому

    Great battery setup! It's too bad the Jeep Wrangler 4xe (plug-in hybrid) isn't available in 2-door; You could easily charge it!

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Thanks! Yeah it's unfortunate all the cool models are only available in 4 door jeeps. Probably better because they're more money than we'd want to spend lol

  • @ronpearson1790
    @ronpearson1790 7 місяців тому

    MO POWER!!! Good video. A while back you mentioned that you were having trouble with your 12v fridge. Is it still working good?

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Thanks, as for the fridge, it has messed up a few times since that video but we caught it early enough to where no food spoiled yet. Just have to turn it off then back on. No reason it stops, just annoying!

  • @OldManandtheSuperC
    @OldManandtheSuperC 7 місяців тому

    Some folks have said their Multiplus is loud and gives off a lot of heat. I think they said the charger hums and the fan is noisy. Have you run yours enough for the fan to come on and do you find it noisy? Give off much heat? Thanks!

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      It does create heat when you're working it hard. The fan can be noisy but we really don't hear it unless we open up the closet doors.

  • @camperbum
    @camperbum 7 місяців тому

    Cool set up, can't you stack your batteries, it would take up less room, just asking cause I've seen others do it, I know you will give me a good answer, thanks from your Ozark chicken Hauler lol. Get a easy start.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Yep we can stack the batteries. I moved the batteries to the closet to put them as close to the inverter as possible and set them side by side to better distribute the weight.

    • @camperbum
      @camperbum 7 місяців тому

      @@WanderingWagners ok, I was just wondering, I have a 400ah battery and would like to get another one but not if I should more panels first, I have 400w on top and 200w suit case, I can run everything but not enough to keep the air conditioner on...

  • @Kbvols
    @Kbvols 7 місяців тому

    I know two things about Solar…1-how to spell solar and 2- the sun is involved….I am certainly curious about if a solar system is right for me. What is a ballpark cost of a similar system that you have? Again just seeking a ballpark amount as I really have no idea. Thanks!

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      You'd probably be around $8,000. The copper wire is not cheap.

    • @Kbvols
      @Kbvols 7 місяців тому

      @@WanderingWagners thank you so much for such quick reply. Indeed copper wire not cheap. I truly had no idea what such a system would cost. Seems like quite a lot but if boondocking in high temps to run air conditioning and keep beer cold it would probably seem inexpensive 😁. Thank you again!! Look forward to running into you all some day as we’re just down the road in Celina.

  • @umajunkcollector
    @umajunkcollector 7 місяців тому

    All set for long term BOONDOCKING, (in WalMart parking lots, lol). No need for crowded ""parking lot"" RV parks. Just think of all those rivers and. Lake shores... do you like fishing? Maybe charter on a walleye fishing boat. We enjoyed fishong around Ohio. Pan fried fresh fish in a cast iron skillet over the camp fire. I can picture Lin cleaning some perch with a Cutco filet knife...

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      We do quite a bit of dry camping and boondocking with the occasional parking lot layovers.
      We aren't fishermen but our brother in law owns and operates a fishing charter business on lake Erie

  • @toddfather1971
    @toddfather1971 7 місяців тому

    Get a soft start on that AC. Cheap

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      We have thought about it but don't really need it, although we may get one just because.

  • @matthewaaron664
    @matthewaaron664 7 місяців тому +1

    Yes bikini season is here🎉❤😅

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Yep it returned in last week's video👍🏻

  • @TNWisky7
    @TNWisky7 7 місяців тому

    Sorry You got sick hope You feel better soon. Love the fact you all have so much solar and that it gets charged up quickly with the Sun. I noticed your Families place right away. Wow I might be a fan of the Chanel. 😅😅 Keep up the great work Guys.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      Thanks! We lucked out on having decent sun this trip. We ended up leaving before bad storms since Lynn was so sick so we didn't get to test it in cloudy weather yet.
      Appreciate the comment😁👏🏻

  • @danwhite4086
    @danwhite4086 7 місяців тому

    Another great video, but lacking with the bikini 😂😂😂

  • @lawrenceconstantine
    @lawrenceconstantine 7 місяців тому +1

    USB PORT

  • @JJay210
    @JJay210 7 місяців тому +3

    Hell no I do not agree with your shirt what it says pet all the dogs 😂because I pet the wrong dog and it bite me 😂

  • @AintLifeGrandRV
    @AintLifeGrandRV 20 днів тому

    The manufacturer says.......grammar says

  • @henryford2736
    @henryford2736 6 місяців тому

    Why run the AC on batteries if you have a generator?? " Solar" is outrageously expensive.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  6 місяців тому

      Because there are places where generators aren't allowed and in general when you're dry camping, generators are annoying and that's just being a courteous camper. We enjoy the peacefulness of not having to run it.

  • @jimdietman6939
    @jimdietman6939 7 місяців тому

    Thanks for setting me straight on the name you ears must have been burning every time you said redodo. Get better lynn.

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому

      Yeah, the company thanked us for putting that out there too!😂

  • @dennismassie3552
    @dennismassie3552 7 місяців тому

    👋🏻34222☀️🌴🇺🇸

  • @rickyroten2410
    @rickyroten2410 7 місяців тому

    Man your a rolling power plant …….

  • @jasonthemason1971
    @jasonthemason1971 7 місяців тому

    Can I charge (for the first time) a SOA 206ah Lithium Ion battery off of a 12V battery tender, before I install it?
    I guess they recommend fully charging it and waking the battery up by doing so……….

    • @WanderingWagners
      @WanderingWagners  7 місяців тому +1

      I would recommend connecting it to a lithium battery charger to bring it fully up to charge. You can ask the manufacturer for a more accurate answer though.

  • @bertkelly7650
    @bertkelly7650 7 місяців тому