OFF GRID Solar & Electric TOUR // RV • Tiny Home • Bus Conversion with Battle Born Batteries
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- We are an amateur couple who have spent the last 3 years building our tiny dream home, complete with a solar and electric system for off grid living inside a 1996 MCI D3 40-foot bus.
One of the most complicated and intimidating parts of building our bus conversion was understanding the solar, batteries, and electrical system so we could live off grid in our upcoming adventures.
WATCH the interior build weekly vlog series: • Making a Bus our Home ...
► Join the Rehabi-Tribe and help support us as we make videos: bit.ly/2KlBlDk
We have listed our main Solar, Battery, and Electric components below, but for a complete detailed list visit the recourse page on our website: bit.ly/3ysQewL
Battle Born Batteries
bit.ly/3t45NrA
Smart Solar Charge Controllers
bit.ly/3mThHn9
Lynx Distributor Fused Bus Bar
bit.ly/3mQ53oQ
DC-DC Charger
amzn.to/3mUGMhA
Inverter Chargers
bit.ly/3l1P8RZ
Breaker Box
amzn.to/3jDub09
Battery Guardian
bit.ly/3DzsuZD
Battery Monitor & Shunt
bit.ly/3DCBzRk
Cerbo GX
amzn.to/3kFINLE
LED Touch Screen
amzn.to/3zGxOrB
00:00 About our Bus Conversion
00:58 About This Video
01:23 Our Solar & Electrical System Basics
02:26 Battle Born Batteries
02:38 Detail and Each Component
02:48 Solar Panel Energy Flow
04:24 Charging Batteries with Alternator
05:14 Shore Power Hook Ups
05:36 Invertor Chargers
07:27 120 Volt Breaker Box & Management
08:10 Resource Blog Post
08:43 12 Volt Power System
09:23 Monitoring Batteries & System
10:51 What We Wish We Would Have Known
11:49 Don't Make This Mistake
12:37 Estimate Your Power Usage
14:02 Planing for the Future
14:43 The Most Important Advice
15:39 Why we made this video
This has to be one of the best comprehensive videos for understanding how power collection and conversion works! The graphics is A+! Thank you Don and Mel for taking the time to explain to us. I've watched so many videos "explaining" the ins and outs of solar collection and I've learned more from this video than any of the other ones. Thank you!
You are so lucky to have your dad help you. I had to do my whole system completely by myself which i really enjoyed doing but was very challenging. The graphics you did for this video were awesome, and so helpful for people to understand the basics of a Solar/inverter system. Larry
Thanks Larry, yeah it was incredible to have my dad help with the system. We also went to a full day long Victron El seminar which helped a lot!
I’m glad you like the graphics, I wanted to make the video for myself 3 years ago and I’m a hands on and visual learner :)
With the competition out there now for solar components, you can get into solar for way less now. Several companies out there now have a variety of different all in one systems that have the charge controllers, inverters, and bypass power (shore power) all in one box. There are a handful of people out there that have made a living of informing the public about these things. I highly suggest checking out Will Prowes in regards to new and changing tech in this field.
great bus.and a complete pleasure watching anything from the 2 of U.
Thanks so much for the support Baarry!
Best information I’ve seen yet and I actually understand what is going on! Great job!!
So happy the video was helpful Irfox49 :)
That was the BEST description and visuals on this topic that I’ve seen.
Just like your build, slow, methodical and informed! Thanks for the ideas.
Wow, thanks!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! That made things a lot easier to understand.
So happy the video was helpful Tizah!
the new ecoFlow system is fantastic.
Unreal! You are so, so smart.
Great video guys, teasing us with the masked off paintwork too eh 😂😂😂
You saved the best points for last. Your admonishment to find someone who knows what their doing when it comes to electrical systems is spot on! Your observation that solar equipment prices is experiencing the impact of economy of scale certainly should be taken to heart as it leads to more for less. Finally, your system is well thought out though I personally might have gone with a 24 volt system.
Hey Kevin, thanks for the kind words. If we were doing it over again I might wire it up as a 24V system as well. But everything is working so on to the next adventure :)
You two are so cute and I'm enjoying your videos
thanks for watching!
Certainly has been great following your videos along and an excellent video covering all the main points of a solar install. Looking forward to seeing how your solar system works for you in the future.
Wow you have explained your system very well. Great job!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I hope y'all are better I love y'all's video's thank you💗💗
all good thank you
Wow! Very informative. I have to admit that I don't understand the solar system but your video is certainly one to save and watch (for me) quite a few more times. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed the complex information. All the best to both of you.
A very good presentation full of important info. As a electrician a really preciatet your comments on safety. Greetings from Norway 🙂
Thank you Arne! Best compliment coming from an electrician
All I can say, other than, Great video, is, you will want/need the full Batt, pack sooner than later. Also, max your panels to roof space, charging while using + night/when the sun don't shine...... Ask me how I know, LOL..... Best of Luck.......
Thanks for the tips!
Well done. Very handy, and added to our watch-again-as-needed playlist!
Awesome video!! I have 600AH of Battleborn Batteries, 2400watts of Solar panels and many of the same Victron components. Another thing people have to consider is 2400watts of solar does not mean you will have 2400 watts coming down, at best I have gotten 2100watts, you can’t count on the rated wattage in your calculations. Aim for more wattage in your panels. I can run my air conditioner while the sun is up and have no issues with batteries, but once the sun goes down I can not run it. Well I can run it but it will quickly drain my batteries. Also during the winter shorter days means less solar charge times. My furnace is propane and dc fans, so it is a drain on batteries need to make sure there’s enough battery watt hours to maintain heat during the night. There’s so much more to think about but these are a few things I’ve encountered with my system.
That was very informative, Just the thought of wiring up a whole system is very daunting but you made it sound easier. I know that you have to buy all the inverters and the batteries ETC. it was good to see the explanations for each product, the easiest way though would be to come with you Hahaha
Thank you i loved this love you guys
thank you for everythings
YOu are welcome
Wow don!! Thank you for the video! It has eased my anxious worries about this step!!
Glad to help
Great video! Love your bus. Very professionally done. Hope to see you on the road.
Wow, this is something else! 😃
The single most important system on a van or bus. Good job with your system!
Thanks Dennis
Thank you for the video. I’m sure you already know this but in your video you rate your alternator as watts when it is rated in amps and you stated you were Victron inverters were 300 W when they are 3000 W. I ended up putting one Victron multiplus II in my motorhome and I love it. I have a 2000 Monaco dynasty and I only have room for 400 amp hours of lithium batteries but that is very much more efficient than the AGM’s that I had before so I’m very happy.
Hey Timaz, you are correct! Thanks for catching that. Thanks for sharing about your rig
I love your approach and your delivery of this information was exemplary. Love the animated graphics. When will you do the full bus tour now that y'all are finished and have been living in the bus? I couldn't find one since you guys completed.
We still have some jobs we want to complete before we do a tour, but there will for sure be one :)
@@Rehabit8 Hell yeah! Thank you. Great news. Can't wait!
Definately added this to my library! This is the most informative video I have found yet. I am about a year out on installing my solar system on my MCI build. This will be a great reference. I love how you are harnessing the alternator as a source of charging power, also. Just curious, does your system decide when that bus source is needed and when it isn't?
Hi Chris, the DC to DC charger senses when there is a charge and only comes on to charge the batteries when there is power over a certain level. It automatically stops when the batteries reach there set max level - When the bus turns off the charger automatically disconnects
Great Description thanks!
I am so amazed the intricate all that can be. I am so glad you could figure it all out.
as a recommendation if your mounting to plywood you can get fire treated plywood, less likely to combust if there is a short in the system
Hey ak, great suggestion we used treated and have also mounted components with a heat sink to metal plates between components and the wood as suggested in the owners manual
Great info.. job well done
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this video mate. Very nice
You are welcome Marcelo
Thank you! Very informative. Suggestions of adding the 25%, space for more batteries and charge controller are all great. You guys are awesome!
Thanks for the support 1truebob :)
Thank you so much 🙏 Extremely helpful, and now I’m saving this video 💯🙌
Your welcome shazoopla :)
@@Rehabit8 aww you guys are the ✨cutest 💕 ✨
great vid.. ur editing and animation Sequences are really good. that takes sum work
Thank you so much
I HAVE A HUNCH THAT BATTERIES WILL BE A THING OF THE PAST IN THE NEXT 10YRS .. WAIT AND WATCH
How? with solar, storage is the biggest issue. I'm curious how you can do away with them. Or do you think solar will go away, maybe hydrogen storage?
Thank you so much for this video!! :0) As a DIY enthusiast and a Bus conversion dreamer, I greatly appreciate all that you do. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
hey, good sensible video i'm sure it will be helpful. i think you might have mis spoke one refering to alternator output in watts not amps. just FYI. On a technical note be sure you will not overload your system when charging with the bus alternator. LIFEPO4 batteries will take all the power they can get (unlike lead acid batteries) and can put burdens on your system. This should be negated by the dc to dc charger but keep it in mind.
Hey Gary, yes the DC convert or manages a decent trickle charge to the batteries as I know they could take “all” the power if they could :)
Very good video. And I have no plans to do this . However I have followed you entire build and I really like your approach and your team effort. Way to go. Look forward to more content in what ever it may be.
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thanks you guys did a great job. loved the video. you did a great job of explaining things. the other thing i noticed is that you had taped up the out side of the bus and it looks like you are getting ready to paint. cant wait for that one!
Hey Don great video buddy just one little thing I picked up on when you explained the bus alternator on the MCI you said it was 240 watts I think you might have meant 240 amps mine puts out 270 amps you were right about more than you'll ever need.
How many amps is the DC to DC charger putting out typically 30 amps is what Victron sells but you can add 2 or 3 or 4 of them if you want too I'm looking for a model that I can run right into the bus aircondioner breakers at 105 amps or the over the road heat system of 80 amps it's okay the lithium will take whatever you throw at it that's where the DC to DC charger comes into it.
Anyway you two have done a wonderful job on the conversion can't wait to see your travelling video's in your new home.
Hey Brian you are correct! Amps not watts- thanks for catching that. The DC to DC is a slow charge since the batteries will “take as much as they can” and we want to be sure to keep recharging the bus batteries :) I hadn’t thought about using more than one - interesting idea
@@Rehabit8 I was happy to hear you can use more than one I'm thinking 3 at 30 amps each would be great 90 amps is a great quick charge and wouldn't take long.
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So many questions! First off, I'm assuming the bus batteries (plural) have you on a 24v system? Does the DC/DC reverse charger work with both batteries, or do you need one for each 12v line? Of all the different UA-cam rabbit holes I've gone down trying to educate myself in the process, you guys are far and away the most help. I hope if you get anywhere "out near the west Texas town of El Paso..." get me a should and let me buy first round while I fish for more wisdom for my 2003 45' Van Hool tiny home!
Great video! You guys have done a great job on the bus. I look forward to hearing about your future adventures and how the bus is working for you. Did you folks make your solar/house batteries wiring diagram available anywhere? I’ve searched w/o luck. Thanks!
Robert Vero Beach
Do you have any information on how you connected your dc to dc charger? I have looked through most of your videos and haven't found anything. Thanks
7:29 so is it's a split phase system like the ones in homes right?
Where did you get your stainless steel outlet cover? And what is the name of it? Looks nice
The short power inlet
Hi Pee all the components and where we got them are listed on our electrical post on our site rehabit8.com/battery-solar-and-electrical-set-up-for-our-bus-conversion/
Watched you do this Electrical Build. Considering the cost involved in this setup, I was sad to see the "flow" in the layout of your Power Wall. With the amount of money involved this is a Focal Point of your Coach. An example: the ( 2 ) Victron Mulitiplus inverters should be side-by-side, not on different Walls.. I could go on, but I won't. JMO
Hey Gerald, they have the same distance for wire length so didn’t see an issue with it. Would love to here why you thought this was an issue
@@Rehabit8 Here is an example of a Clean, well laid out, balanced system that has good flow to it. No excessive wires cluttering the system. Notice ( 2 ) breaker boxes together, ( 2 ) Multipass Inverters together, ( 2 ) MPPT Controllers together.. No offense meant. I'm just saying with that much money invested, I'd want the cleanest well laid out flowing system. JMO ( skip to 3:20 for the power wall ) ua-cam.com/video/PtHpk4l39GM/v-deo.html
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