Portable Power Stations Uses with Campers | Tips Tricks & Hacks
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- I share my best tips, tricks and hacks to gain INSANE capability using portable power stations with an RV. By using power stations with your camper, you can boondock for longer and save money on expensive battery upgrades. The value is in the countless ways you can use your PPS all year long, even when the camper is parked.
POWER STATIONS
Most Goal Zero Yeti's are out of stock right now, contact me if you need help...
Available on Amazon *
Goal Zero 1500x with solar - amzn.to/2VlKLrS
Goal Zero Core 1000 (the best priced power station) - amzn.to/3t6buW4
-These units are the only power stations available with the Anderson Power power pole OUTLET! The output on this unit has 20a capability, 10 less than the X series but still does the job!
1500x is currently out of stock, email me and I'll email when back in!
Yeti 3000X (huge capacity) - amzn.to/3EyZ3al
Other Great Power Banks WITHOUT the Anderson output:
Jackery 1500wh - amzn.to/2WLaISv
Jackery 1000wh - amzn.to/38tT6N0
(Heavy) Bluetti AC200p (lifepo4) 2000wh - amzn.to/2WB15Wz
(Lighter) Bluetti 2400wh - amzn.to/3zzCKhL
OTHER ITEMS MENTIONED
30a to 15 amp adapter (many styles)
Style 1 (common) - amzn.to/3DzXhoY
Style 2 (dog bone) - amzn.to/3DDi4ba
Style 3 (Trailer Side) - amzn.to/3ByuHCr
NOCO 10a Genius Charger- amzn.to/2Y5fzhx
Eyelets For leaving on Battery Option- amzn.to/3jy0jSI
Anderson 45 amp plug kit - amzn.to/3jEYh3r
Anderson 10awg extension cord - amzn.to/3Bxfly8
Please feel free to comment with product questions, I'm happy to help!
____________________________________________
If this video helped you out or saved you a few bucks, please consider buying my a coffee. It really helps, thank you!
www.buymeacoff...
* Amazon Affiliate Links provide me with a very small percentage of the sale with no additional cost to the buyer. Please support DIYOL by using my links for any Amazon purchase. Thanks!
We have used the ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
Thanks for tuning in!
Another great video! You sir have a very natural and relaxed manner about you in front of the camera. You need a TV show!
Haha… thanks for the nice comment. There should be a TV show about tiny campers and off grid living, I’d watch it!
Great Video. I have a couple of the Goal zero 1000x model. I was already doing most of the things you described.
Nice, how have your results been?
@@DIYOutdoorLife Results have been great. I have a truck topper on my Nissan titan with 500 watts of flexible Sunpower panels on top. I did add 4 of the expansion batteries as well to help with the storage capacity to run all my power needs. I am still experimenting with new ways to do things.
@@allencolter nice set up!
I purchased a Yeti 1500x with a 100W panel. Reading the documentation I realized using it as emergency power for my fridge and the AC port would not be efficient. So I bought a portable fridge that runs on the 12VDC outlet. I have also purchased two more 100W panels. This will now let me cool the fridge for two 1 hr periods during the day while also running the portable fridge. I believe this will be a good system for the next power outage that we get.
Nice set up, you’ll get some great use out of that!
I am a beginner with jeep camping with little to no mechanical knowledge. Thank you for your detailed input with your videos. I love your videos and feel more confident as a new adventure seeker. I am to make this investment thanks to you.
That’s exciting to hear! Thanks for watching!
This is a great video! I am at exactly this spot right now. Inverter? Power Station? back and forth. We dry camp most of the time and are ok with our weekend usage of the two 12v batteries we have (with or without using our solar). We currently charge with the little Goal zero 150. We need to upgrade from that as it doesn't last the whole weekend and has limited power usage. I like your two choices in the video and how you explained using them. I will watch this again and the other videos about power. Thanks for explaining this in simplest forms. I can't wait for the set up video!
I really appreciate the feedback...new video coming soon, have to wait a little .. sunday maybe?
Have you tried using power tool batteries as back ups? I use my makita batteries as back up power on cloudy days. I bring them on every extended camping trip with my combo drill and driver. When I don’t use my power tools I have about 20 amp hours worth of batteries I bring with me. They saved my life while I was high up in the Rockies and my fuses blew on my truck. I used my batteries to power my gps and get me back to civilization.. 6 hours later.
They are really handy to use, in your case being prepared helped out big time.
In an old video, I showed the dewalt 20v usb attachment. I also have the LP heater that runs lights, igniter and fans off a tool battery.
you're great at this my bro thank you for showing us - great presentation!
Thanks for watching!
Just came across your channel and thought it was great. I have a question for you. I have the GZ 1500X.
In addition to the 1500, For extra power would you recommend a GZ 500X or the 1000 Core TIA Frank
Watt hours becomes key, I would go with the 1000.
Thanks for watching the channel!
Hi Brian, thanks for the video very informative! For some reason I can't find the "how to install Anderson Powerpole" connectors video. If you share the link with me that would be great! Thanks
Hi Simon, thanks for watching! I do a quick tutorial in this video I’ll link, but there is a bunch of excellent dedicated videos on UA-cam if this doesn’t help.
Using Goal Zero for RV Battery
ua-cam.com/video/_MRIg0Szh-0/v-deo.html
Hey Brian, I have been doing a lot of research on power stations to run my Bouge RV 30 quart fridge for at least three days and while I have found several nice power stations that would do the trick they are pretty darn expensive. Since you are a DIY channel I am wondering if you could do a video on making our own power station. I found some prewired smart battery boxes on Amazon and I'd like to put a LifePo4 100 ah (1280 watt) into the box and run my fridge. I have never done a DIY like this and I'm not terrible comfortable or very knowledgeable about wiring. Would you consider doing a video like this. If I go ahead with this project I will probably simply charge the battery with a 2 amp battery charger but eventually I'd like to figure out how I could leave the battery in the box and charge it from my 100 watt solar panel as the battery boxes seem to have Anderson plugs and I think that is what I need in order to use my solar panels. However, I'm also confused about the mppt or the PwM? I might also need? Anyway, what do you think? is this something you might be able to do for any of us wanting to build our own power station?
I would love to make a couple videos like that, I've been doing that for years and the technology is improving daily!
I'm not sure when I will get to it, for the time being, what size Power Station are you looking for? You can run your refrigerator for three days on this- amzn.to/3PTb8xJ
it's on sale right now and would be hard to beat that price even building it on your own
@@DIYOutdoorLife I have been looking at that one but I just want to run my fridge with whatever I buy. I have a GoLabs R500 already. There is a Lifepo4 100 AH Power Queen battery for sale right now for $376. and if I bought a cigarette lighter with alligator clips I could run the fridge with that couldn't I, or do I need something else to run the fridge as well? Those two items would only cost me me about $440. with taxes. Would that work to run my BougeRV 30 quart for 3 days?
@@lifewithpugwinklethe additional value is in charging. The EF can charge from wall in under an hour, thats a couple hundred dollar component right there. On top of that, it has a built in MPPT for solar charging.
Dont get me wrong, the home made units are GREAT but there is a ton of value in these as well.
@@DIYOutdoorLife Yeah you are right! I have been flip flopping back and forth for the past few days. I really need to make a decision before Prime Day is over. :) Thanks for the advice, I appreciate your time. I don't really need the fast charging but the fact that the MPPT is built in so I can charge by my solar panel if I want is a nice feature. And bringing it in the house to use during power outages is a good feature as well. I think I will end up going the power station route again for now.
Nicely done!! Thanks for sharing...
Appreciate it, thanks for watching!
Totally agree with your use. I like pratical videos, keep up the good work
Thank you, I appreciate you swinging by.
Great videos, thank you! With how you’re using the Goal Zero, have you ever thought about removing your camper’s house batteries and just using a Goal Zero? Curious if there are any cons to this I’m not thinking of, as I’ll need to replace my house batteries soon.
Hey Alex,
Yes, I think it’s a great solution for some set ups. With my camper, there’s a real convenience of having both but you could definitely skip the house battery if you wanted.
Using Goal Zero for RV Battery
ua-cam.com/video/_MRIg0Szh-0/v-deo.html
Great video! Hopefully someone can assist - I want to have a new small trailer wired so that my GoalZero 1500x replaces a standalone lithium battery. (Already own the GZ, can save the cost of the lithium standalone). Problem is, the power control unit installed in the trailer also charges the trailer battery when connected to shore power - I obviously don’t want that to happen since it’s actually my GZ and output only from this port. I was thinking I just don’t wire any ac to the power control unit, but rather connect the shore power port directly to the GZ charger brick. I then run the high capacity 12v Anderson out of the GZ to the DC (battery) side of the trailer power control unit, and maybe just wire the trailer AC wiring to the GZ inverter. It’s a small trailer without Air conditioning and only has a few outlets on a single circuit. Any issues with this?? Will the power control unit still deliver DC to all the trailer appliances etc without any AC power to it?! Any assistance is appreciated.
Yes, that will work great! I have a couple different videos on the channel where I show something similar.
Although there's more than one way to do it, wiring your shore, power inlet to the Goal zero charger, and the Anderson to your fuse block is a great way to go.
if you disconnect the AC input on your converter, your Anderson can just go into the fuse block and you're off to the races. There's one wire that connects the AC to DC side of that converter, if you disconnect that, you can wire your inverter from the GZ into the AC side. This is a great set up for running your DC load off of the Goal zero with the option to turn the inverter on and power your outlets. I use the app to handle this control and it's very convenient
@@DIYOutdoorLife The trailer’s all in one power unit (ac with converter and charger and dc fuse block) had me confused, so your idea is even better. I’ll have BOTH the ac and dc connected from the GZ to the power control unit which allows for standard wiring (shore port to GZ as first mentioned), but won’t allow any ac to dc conversion within that unit since I’ve not wired the crossover wire - that same crossover wire that probably trumps all since people prefer to run on shore power over battery and also would have been the source of the charging, I suppose - neither of which I want in my case. Nipped in the bud. I’ll keep looking through your videos. Thanks!
I have watched several of your videos and I appreciate the real world deep dive perspective! Any thoughts on buying open box goal zero yeti? Good price but 60 day warranty gives me pause. Thanks!
I think theyre a great buy. I bet 99% of them were returned without being used. I have found some places that offer a 2 yr warranty on open box goal zero. Either way, I think its worth the risk. If somethings wrong, youll know within a week if you test it out.
Thanks for watching!
@@DIYOutdoorLife thank you. I’m near Utah usually. They have an awesome garage sale a couple times a year (or used to). Been using their stuff for years but haven’t bought any of the x series yet
@@ChasinSimplicity the 1500x is an amazing power station, even with some of the advanced stuff you’re seeing with bluetti and Ecoflow… it’s my go to
Probably a silly question, but how do you charge the power station with your truck while driving? I truck camp, and rarely camp in the same spot, being able to charge as I am exploring in the truck might be perfect for me. Thanks!
They have a 12v plug that allows you to charge while driving. It’s slow but adds up on longer drives.
I use my 11 various types of power stations for running everything from my freezer (very important if you fish, hunt, or grow vegetables) to 12 volt cookers and WIFI during power outages. We have hurricanes here and other severe weather and our grid is already weakened by those and log trucks are always taking down power poles too. After hurricanes Laura and Delta and several near misses I declared war on power outages. My latest purchase was the basics for solar powered air conditioning based on a 300 ah LiFeP04 battery. Once I finish getting the rest of the parts I can also use it in my camper for cooking and other high draw uses so I don`t have to turn off my heat or air conditioning to avoid tripping a breaker and save some on my electric bill if prices increase for that. I`m on a very small fixed income and can`t afford to fuel a gas generator when the power is out for a very long time. That`s another reason I bought what I have. We may never have another two week long power outage but I regularly cycle my power stations to run fans, lights, 12 volt cookers, or my WIFI during severe weather so I can keep an eye on radar without losing a connection, plus I can take my music gear and play a concert anywhere I want. And I don`t have to worry much about power outages or severely suffering if I lose my small disability check. If I do at the very least I`ll still have electricity.
Great stuff. They are a lot of fun to play around with, but as you say, they’re also a really important tool.
Thanks for watching!
@@DIYOutdoorLife I just moved into my 2005 Salem LE 5th wheel camper yesterday. I got very lucky to find it a few years ago for a great price and asked the man to please hold it until I could get all the money together and he did. It`s in great shape and I put a roof over it. I don`t know much about these things so I`m studying videos like yours to learn more. It has a Magic Chef fridge/freezer but only the freezer seemed to be working so I turned it off. I know nothing about the water heater either and I`m scared to try to turn it on. There was no manual with it so I`m lost. I anticipated that I might need a refrigerator and freezer so I bought a 5 cubic ft freezer that fits in the bunk beds room and a 3.1 cubic ft dorm fridge that fits in the kitchen/living area. I can easily run those off solar and I think I`ll just get an immersion water heater for 5 gal buckets and a camp shower. That setup is dirt cheap. I spent the last of my savings on the large battery and a roof over this thing and can`t afford to fix anything like a water heater or fridge like this.
@@baneverything5580 it’s certainly a steep learning curve, but you will learn fast. Please keep us in the loop with your progress
Hi .great video! I have a small 300 watt rockpals power station. Can I plug it into my trailers solar plug ? I have the 100 watt solar folding panels for it too.do I need solar controller or the power station does that ? The cigarette lighter output is 8 amp and the furrion solar plug is rated at 10 amp . Will it work? I tried it and it seems to I just didn't want to ruin something. Thought I better ask a expert !🙂
Hey Evan, you don’t need a charge controller for the Rockpal, it’s built in. You can plug in thru solar port if you make sure ur onboard battery is disconnected. Check out this video, similar set up. Thanks for watching!
RV Power Station Hack | Interior Back-Feed
ua-cam.com/video/lf2nbCLuLCY/v-deo.html
You mentioned converting the CPAP to DC with cig lighter plug. How do I do that?
Thank you in advance!
Can you share with me the exact unit that you use?
How do you like the Biolite 1500W?
BioLite Base Charge 1500 #biolite
ua-cam.com/video/S-9iCJdGeyk/v-deo.html
When using the anderson power pull system, can you still use your 12v outlets on an rv?
Yes, it’s great
What size wire do you recommend for 30ft run to solar panel?
What size panel?
How do I talk to you about this? Please help out a newbie!
I just emailed you back, talk to you soon!
We have a ridge that is 2 way: electric or gas. Not sure how I could plug it into one of the power stations? Can you help me figure that out?
When you say Electric, is it 110 AC or 12 V DC?
@@DIYOutdoorLife 110 AC
@@nancycosgrove2185 110 ac refrigerators require a lot more inverter capability and battery capacity to run on power stations, compared to 12-24vdc fridges.
There are countless power stations capable of running them, but it's impossible to give accurate run times without knowing a lot more about the fridge. Generally speaking, any power station 1500wh or larger can achieve adequate run times on these style refrigerators, you can plug them directly into the powerstation and get between 1-4 days depending on the efficiency of the fridge and the temperature outside.
Im happy to help you put more if you need guidance, ill have a lot of questions about things to make more accurate guestimations.
@@DIYOutdoorLife thank you for taking time to read and reply! I will look at my fridge schematics and see if it is possible to plug into a power station. I really appreciate your straightforward videos.
@@nancycosgrove2185 by law, there's always a cut sheet on the back that tells you the data. Your Power Station will be able to run it, the trick here, it's for how long? This is more complicated because the fridge turns on and off depending on the outside temperature, food temp inside, etc. etc
Let's say it runs on 250 W . That would run for four hours on the thousand watt hour power station. Since it doesn't run continuously, it might actually last 12 hours. You have to do some testing but its easy.
Can you isolate your furnace? Seems to suck up All my bats.lol
Absolutely, that can be a good idea. The furnace is fed by two wires, just put a connector on the hotwire and you can extend it to the power station. Even though the furnace runs on gas, the controls and the igniter are 12 VDC and this will work great. Let me know if you have any issues, happy to help.
@@DIYOutdoorLife you just got a new sub. Living in RV half a Year. This last week, the furnace broke, the wfco went out, water pump ( brand new one won't shut off?) batterys went South. And my generater acting up on 12 hour's a day. But love it now an almost expert RV tech. Lol putting in a power dynamic has smart charge,(wizard) all this and all I had to do was utilize my solor generator 💪💪👍👍 thanks for video 👍
That's how it always seems to go, seemsv like you're keeping a good attitude about it!
@@DIYOutdoorLife but you know I put after market computer board on furnace. Made in America. It's so much better! Quieter, more efficient. Even was working one should replace. When they maintance it. I have faith in Spade's so I don't stress and everything happens for a reason. Nothing one can do about it. Or like mom said " son it's it God's hands now. Skills always come in handy.. solor generator is saving 30 bucks a Day not running. Solor generator handles easy 160 Watts when on. 40w to run converter. But solor gen has 30amp receptacle. So fast and easy. Takes 2 hours to charge with generator.. while running make coffee and use microwave. And getting hotter during the day. In the mountains living the dream!. God bless you have a good soul 💪👍👍🙏 be watching more of vids. I'm a fixer, builder. Made a bad ass ebike! Made video of. God bless and thanks again! I should have thought of😂😂
Do you have methods to use the other type of battery systems to wire into the camper to work without an Anderson output? I'd be curious to see how it can be done with alternate output jacks. Great job!
Yes, it’s pretty handy. I use the Anderson as the base, easy to convert to aviation plugs or xt90s or w/e connection you need. The Anderson is nice to start bc it’s so easy to convert and it holds up well outdoors.
Also check out the video where I backfeed the cigarette lighter inside
@@DIYOutdoorLife I think I am going to look for a 100 Ah battery to start. My Aliner has a 25Ah one, and I think it will die within a day. Any thoughts on a good battery? Recommendations? Will probably get a solar panel to go with it. My trailer is prewired with a Zamp connection, so will look for something compatible. Thanks again!
This guy is the BEST reviewer I’ve seen. Every time I watch his video I feel smarter on the subject. He’s such a good teacher and awesome speaker
Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate the support.
100 percent
Thank you so much for your kind words! I completely agree with you. This UA-camr is fantastic at explaining things and making us feel smarter on the subject. Speaking of portable power stations, have you heard of the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series? It's a versatile powerhouse with a massive 5kWh capacity, fast recharging, and waterproof technology. It's definitely worth considering for all your camping adventures!
I am trying to find the video where he installs the Anderson connectors right to the goal zero power station and bypasses the battery so there is a dc-dc connection but I can’t find it. This guy’s videos are amazing, learning so much, getting more interested in boondocking every day.
You have the best, clearest, most pragmatic camping/camper videos out there.
Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate you watching the channel.
Great job. You are a natural teacher! I have been dry camping for twenty years now and love what solar generators have done to change it for the better. We leave our Honda generator at home now. Funny, I did the same wonky thing in charging our trailer lead acid battery using the solar generator and external battery charger. As you say, it is super inefficient, but it totally worked. Thanks for putting yourself out there.
I appreciate you swinging by! I have gone through all of the trials and tribulations too. The power stations are a HUGE leap forward in capability, but like any tool, you still have to learn how to use it. Thanks again!
I have the GZ 1500X and I’m not getting consistent 14v out of the 12v plug, plus I think it wiggles out on bump roads, both situations cause my fridge to shut off. Have you ran into any of those problems?
Over the years, it's been a very common issue with the standard cigarette style plugs. If I'm using it while driving, I use the Anderson plug on the GZ, which is very handy.
In my experience, it's almost always the male side of the plug, sometimes you can use a little bit of tape to make it fit tighter.
Hope this helps, thanks for watching !
Not calling them solar generators earned a like from me. The actual information in the video is good as well.
Haha... i'm with you
Never mind, he called them solar generators in another video.
@@jayw900stopppp... lol I'm with you, I've said 100 times in videos. If you don't put solar generator in your tag, nobody finds the video, because everyone calls themv by the wrong name.
Once again, you bring it all together in a way that makes perfect sense. Thank you Brian!
Thank you Julie for watching and supporting the channel!
I LOVE your videos. They are practical, helpful, and easy to understand.
I currently have an AGM battery with 10 gauge wiring would I need to convert to 6 gauge wiring to use a portable power station?
Nope, 10 is fine. Since these ports are putting out 25 to 30 amps on the DC anderson, 10 gauge is fine on the short wire runs.
Thank you so much for watching, I am glad that you like the channel!
Hello. Your videos are extremely helpful and still my head swims and I’m unclear as to what I need for my RV boondocking needs. Can we please hire you as a consultant for our needs? There was no contact info in your bio
Thank you
Happy to help if I can 🙂
diyoutdoorcontent@gmail.com
What is a cpap ( hope I understood correctly) machine? Google says it’s an oxygen machine. Love your videos by the way.
Sleep apnea is a condition that is being diagnosed rapidly. Essentially, the person does not breathe regularly and completely while sleeping, it leads to a lot of persistent problems. A CPAP machine is prescribed and people report feeling better than they ever have, it helps him breathe normally while sleeping.
Although these machines are changing the world for so many, they are power-hungry and make camping difficult .
Hope this helps, thanks for asking!
Honestly, your reviews , creativity and articulation - you should have WAY more subscribers! Great job, again!
Thank you so much for that, I really appreciate the comment.
Hi Brian, could I power my teardrop via my Oupes 600w by using an Anderson powerpole extension cord (as in this video) but with a male cigarette lighter plug on one end of of the extension cord that I can connect to my Oupes power station, given it doesn't have a Anderson powerpole connector like the Goal Zero?
Thanks, Chris P.
Unfortunately, it’s not the plug that makes this possible. The Anderson on the goal zero has a 30 amp rating, cigarette style is 10a. We have to figure out what’s going on with your galley plug, that’s your only option with the Oupes 600.
We don’t have a teardrop but a 17 ft Casita. Would something like this work for us, running the A/C off grid?
I hope this helps!
Running Teardrop AC with Solar! Portable Power Station Air Conditioner
ua-cam.com/video/DzRKUQEo5K0/v-deo.html
Brian, this video is so good. I just picked up an Ecoflow River Pro and it has 2 DC5521 outputs; I bought a DC5521 to PowerPole adapter - but I could easily have made my own. By the way, my Phillips CPAP has an available DC cord - and as you said it's much more efficient that using the 120v plug because that plug has an inverter to convert to low voltage anyway. Using the 120v cable means you're relying on two inverters (12v to 120v & 120v to 12v) when you don't have to. I tried it out with my old Jackery, and I saved somewhere between 30 and 50% power.
Very nice power station, glad you’re testing and playing too! Thanks for swinging by.
Out of curiousity, does the yeti 1500x fit into a drawer within the decked system in the back of your truck? Would it overheat the unit if stored and being used while in the drawer?
Mine does not, I'm not sure what the dimensions are for the decked systems on bigger trucks though.
Normal conditions, you could use it that way no problem. I would be cautious if it was very very hot out, but normally it wouldn't be a big deal at all.
My question is…. When you hook up a goal yeti to the RV as if it’s the RV car battery. Do the electric plugs in the camper work.
No, the battery side is 12volt DC, the receptacles are 110v AC. You have to plug into the goal zero AC outlets for that to work.
Since you made this video back in 2021 I am wondering if there are other portable power stations that have the Anderson port?
I was hoping to see more... lol
Eco flow features it on the delta pro
Bluetti on the newer AC models has an aviation port, that is a little trickier, but can do 25 amps
It's still a feature that's not offered on most inexpensive power stations .
I know this is an old video, but do you happen to have any links for the 6mm barrel plug pigtails these Yeti’s use? I’ve searched for a while now and can’t seem to locate any. Can only find the “standard” 5521 and 5525 pigtails. Thanks!
I actually found mine in a computer store, I believe some laptops used to take them. I just saw this on Amazon, looks right but not 100%.
amzn.to/3jMWE6D
@@DIYOutdoorLife thanks! Subbed👍🏻
Looks like you plugged the Anderson cable from the battery box to the Goal Zero? Cant wait for the next video so i understand this better.
and just like that, everything changed!!!
-One of the features that I've used on GZ units for years is the anderson high power DC...It has some amazing capabilities. You can run a cabin off of it!
So this would be better then buying two lithium batteries and all that do-n-do if i wanted to go with the system your showing? As I have the same batteries now as you do and I am inspired by your share ❤
Yes, a large power station would do the trick. The yeti 1500x is nice. A lot of folks are doing the same set up with the EcoFlow pro, it costs more, but is very, very nice.
amzn.to/43WUEd0
Can you make a film, or have you already made one explaining the uses of a portable power station like this as a shore power source? As many travel trailers, ours has a 30 amp connection. Why not just directly plug it into the PPS? Thank you.
We talk about that in this video that you’re commenting on. It’s a topic I’ve mentioned a lot on the channel, but there’s not a dedicated video to it.
Here’s the problem. Your power station battery is DC. The inverter makes it AC. When it runs back to your camper, the converter makes it DC. It activates your battery charger and starts to charge the battery on the camper.
Each one of these can waste 10 to 20% during the inversion and conversion process. At the end of the day, you’re likely getting less than half of the energy out of your power station.
If you give this video another watch, you’ll see that when we plug it in that way, the results are so terrible. The ways that we demonstrate in this video will last twice as long and are far more economical, although I understand the temptation of just plugging it in.
If you get a large portable power station, and turn the disconnect switch off on your camper, you’ll get the best results . They won’t be good results, but maybe for convenience alone it’s the best option.
@@DIYOutdoorLife Appreciate the expanded response to my question! I watched your video attentively and see what you mean now! Your channel is excellent. I appreciate not being subjected to background music, pop-ups and silly advertising. Subscribed. Will you be delving into the mini-split cooling systems for campers? Our Casita rooftop Coleman-made a/c is as loud as a jet and is probably extremely inefficient.
When viewing videos regarding various power solutions, I only find a presentation worth praising about 3 or 4 times a year. Outstanding Brian.
I really appreciate that, thank you for swinging by!
I agree! Great work, Brian and Thank You!
حاجة
7ن
Hey Brian, I really like your videos. I've been watching them over and over and I pick up new things all the time. I'm curious, since you have a lot of experience with the Goal Zero. I have the 1000 core. Bought it when they first came out. At some point the inverter or the AC panel went out. Goal Zero says they cannot sell the inverter to fix it. Have you come across this or know anyone who has? And what was their solution? I'm connecting an external inverter to the DC Anderson output whenever I need to use AC but that gets to be a hassle. It would be nice to have the AC panel working again. Any help would be greatly appreciated. And keep putting out more videos. They are always fun to watch. Thanks
That is extremely rare with Goal zero. They have their flaws like others, but the inverters are very good.
I can't recommend that you do anything that could be dangerous, but they do have a large DC connector that plugs the inverter in on the inside. There's no reason why you couldn't plug-in another thousand watt inverter in its place, it just wouldn't look as pretty.
Thank you Brian, I'll look into that.
Excellent video! now subscribed :)
Welcome, thank you for subscribing!
HI JUST WONDERING HOW THE EARTH LEAKAGE OR RCD WOULD WORK ? AS THE UNIT IS NOT EARTHED ....
All portable power stations have floating grounds. If you have a device, like an EMS, or anything that is searching for a ground- you simply plug a neutral ground bonding plug into the power station.
Can you run your ac through the night off that battery bank? Thank you for all the help.
Running air conditioning is the trickiest off grid. Yes, I can run my AirCon overnight but it’s more complicated than that and makes it challenging to offer advice on. What AC, how it’s configured, what temperature is it outside, what humidity, how many people are sleeping in the camper, and so on and on….
The advice I give most people when starting off to get an outlet timer. Just put the AC on for an hour or two before bed and start there. It’ll cool things down enough to sleep and you’ll be able to see where you can go from there.
Sorry for not being able to get a straight answer, thanks for watching!
Do you have a hot water heater in your camper? If so, does your power source work for it?
Hi Lori, hot water heaters come in gas, 120v electric, and both. Even gas models require power to run their controls and ignition. This power source will run the gas models and 2-1 models (set to gas) no problem. Although it can handle running the 110v models, it doesn’t last long.
Hope this helps.
Why didn't you show us how to hook up to car charge?
Every power station comes with a 12 V plug, you just plug it in the cigarette lighter. Although it's handy, cigarette lighters, can only output a small amount of charge, it's a very time-consuming way to charge the power station.
Thanks for watching
I greatly appreciate you sharing your knowledge and loved your videos on the Hiker Trailers. Question: I have a Rivian R1T and plan to purchase a Hiker Trailer due to its low weight, low cost, and durability. With the coming onslaught of EV trucks, could you please talk how this will change the way we power our trailers and maintain as much EV range as possible? Particularly battery or Goal Zero configuration and possible ways to configure the trailer to power the EV in a pinch.
I have an EV towing video filmed, not sure when the release date is. Really exciting to see the Rivian Hiker combo!!!
I have an EV towing video filmed. I met someone who tows with a Tesla and lives in the camper full-time! Not sure when it will be edited and released.
I'm very excited to see the Rivian - Hiker combo, stay in touch!
Great, I'll keep an eye out for the video. Thanks.
I get 4X longer runtime using my CPAP on DC vs AC
Absolutely, it's a major major difference that people don't realize.
amazing! this is great! will a gz yeti 400 power a noco 10 battery charger to top off my 100 ah battery?
No, unfortunately that wouldnt get the whole job done. A depleted 100ah lead acid needs 600wh. With the efficiency loss, youd get less than half that. It would certainly help give you a boost though.
@@DIYOutdoorLife thank you. i am looking at getting a dc/dc charger installed. i may remodel my camper and just power it off a GZ. i like the all in one mobility of the product
Thank you for this video. I want to use the last method where you connect the camper directly to the Yeti. I have the 1000X version and a pop up camper. I don't really need the outlets powered but wanted to be able to use the lights (12V). Do you think it will work with the lower version of what you use, which is 1500? TIA
Most people have no issues with the 1000x. It has a 15a output rather than a 30a, but it can still get the job done.
Here’s a video that goes in to greater detail about what we’re talking about .
Using Goal Zero for RV Battery
ua-cam.com/video/_MRIg0Szh-0/v-deo.html
Brian! Thank you for the response! I really like the way you're explaining everything in your videos.
I actually watched that other video and have all the supplies on my Amazon cart! 😂
You got a new subscriber! Keep up the good works!
@@AmazingLeechmud1144 thank you for subscribing, I really appreciate that! Good luck with your project and keep me in the loop.
I am seriously interested in what your saying. I'm currently building a trailer which will be pulled behind my 2007 Triumph Rocet 3 motorcycle.
That’s awesome, I always love to see those motorcycle trailers… impressive!
@@DIYOutdoorLife would like to have a conversation if it's possible. I am 67 yrs old & am trying to figure out the power thing, a brief conversation might be very helpful, if that's possible.
@@kennethburke6045 sure thing, send me an email and will set it up.
diyoutdoorcontent@gmail.com
I really appreciate your input and teachings. Thanks! Hopefully I won't fall for advertising hype due to your educating us.
Thank you, best of luck with your projects!
I wish you would do a video on how to connect the new Jackery 3000 pro to a camper
Unfortunately, jackery does not offer the high current DC 30 amp output. I was disappointed when I saw they didn't include it on the new pro model either.
Although you can still use the methods in this video to use the power station while camping, to power your camper off the DC, you'll have to follow this video for backfeeding up to 10a.
RV Power Station Hack | Interior Back-Feed
ua-cam.com/video/lf2nbCLuLCY/v-deo.html
@@DIYOutdoorLife thanks for the response
Excellent video! I am not getting my teardrop until April but trying to learn as much as I can. The more I watch your videos the more I learn. I go back and rewatch them and pick up something new each time. Thank you for doing this Brian. You are quick with the response to my questions.
I’m so happy to hear that, that’s what I’m doing it for! I have it set up on my phone so comments come in like text messages, that helps me stay on top of things. Thanks for watching!
Why not eliminate the 12v agm altogether?
You can, but it still provides some function for my set up. We still use it for short trips, trips where well have 120vac at our destination, and it powers the break away auto brake in the event of a decouple. For those things, its easier to leave both systems in place than eliminate one.
Likely the biggest reason for me is that the AGM still has excellent run time. If I want to disconnect the yeti for any reason, including bringing it somewhere thats getting better solar, the AGM can run the teardrop by itself for days.
Hey just checking in to see if you are doing ok.
All well here, crazy year. All good stuff, just very challenging to edit and post videos. We'll be back better than ever soon.
Thank you for checking in!
Just watched this video again for at least the 4th or 5th time. I pick up new details every time I watch it. Such a thorough and thoughtfully put together teaching video. Thanks once again for everything you do for the small trailer community.
Based on your teachings, I was able to understand how nonsensical it would be to "upgrade" my camper batteries to lithium. So I'm sticking with the 200 ah of AGM and augmenting with my just purchased GZ Yeti 1000X and 100 watt GZ Boulder briefcase. My career is in teaching Lean principles, and the waste that "locked down" lithium camper batteries create would have made me loco.
I'm running my camping refrigerator here at home off the Yeti 1000X and charging with the Boulder 100 BC placed on the back deck. This setup is giving me an opportunity to play with the set up which is helping me learn how the system works while also keeping that refrigerator "at the ready" for when we can finally get outside to do some winter camping.
Maybe someday, you can make some videos on the work you do at the Zen center. That's fascinating stuff to me.
Cheers!
This makes my day, really glad it was helpful. What kind of fridge are you using?
Can be a lot of fun to hone our system in and lean and flexible will prove its value.
Thanks for watching and the nice comment! - Brian
PS… the zen work might make it’s way in some time, pretty cool stuff
I'm glad you learned some valuable things here. I'm learning about my YETI too.
My experience suggests you will ultimately want another 100 Watt solar collector, so keep you eye open for a sale on another one.
Dude, I have been trying to solve all these problems and glad I ran into your video.
That's great to hear, I'm glad you found us too!
Your videos have been so helpful in many ways. I am stuck however on knowing what adaptor will allow me to connect my Bluetti b300s to Goal Zero Boulder 200. I thought you spoke about it on a video but can’t find it.
Are you able to recommend what adapter works?
This will do it. Swap the Anderson plug into the orientation of your boulder
amzn.to/4dmkfAt
@@DIYOutdoorLifeGreat, thank you. What are your thoughts on using a cable with an Anderson plug on one side and an xt60 on the other? The Bluetti port is an xt60.
@@dpeterson5105 they’ll work great too
amzn.to/4doe52S
Thank you for the recommendation. I got the wires but my Goal Zero is not recognizing my Bluetti b300s. Any thoughts on why? (Bluetti is charged to 80%)
It would not be the Goal zero solar that recognizes, the solar panel will output, but the b300 must accept the charge.
My understanding is that the B300 expansion batter can accept solar directly - 60v max.
A boulder 200 is way under 60 V and should work well.
Have you tested the B300 with other solar?
Can I use a 100 watt briefcase Solar panel to charge a 1500x?
Yes, you can. It’s important to realize, because the battery is so large, that it might take you a couple days to charge it back up with a panel that size. If you’re just using the power station moderately, 100 W will keep it topped off while you’re off grid. If you have to do something demanding, and run the power station down, having more solar would be needed for a fast charge.
@@DIYOutdoorLife all I’m using it for is a JP50 Iceco 12 volt refrigerator. Do you think once I have it completely charged that my 100 watt boulder will keep it charged?
@@troylungren7788 yes. In good conditions, it’s going to be great. It’ll take you a little while, but soon you’ll be a expert.
You’ll wake up with it drawn down a bit from the night. The solar will help you rebound. On poor solar days, you won’t get much, other days you’ll be full by 10am.
Ultimately, you should be able to accomplish any camping trip with that set up, that’s good gear.
I have a jayco 2006 rv. Just bought it. Thinking of getting the anker Solex F2000 767powerhouse. It has a connector where my rv three point plug can plug into with 30 amp. What would be the advantages and disadvantages. Can I just not have a permanent battery ( Agm ) and run it like that. My fridge does not work on electric so it runs on gas.
It will work, it's just remarkably inefficient. Sometimes that's fine, as long as the runtime holds up.
That 30 amp plug on the anker is 120vac. It wastes around 15% taking the DC from the battery and turning it to AC. Since your camper turns it back to DC, it wastes another 20%.
This gives you 60 to 65% of your power station storage, and even wastes more with standby consumption from the inverter being turned on.
Even though this is bad, sometimes it's easy and works out . The reason I'm showing the DC connection in this video is bc its extremely efficient and runs the camper just like a battery.
Let me know how you make out, thank you for watching the channel !
Wow. Thank you so much for that reply. I am still learning and don’t know much at all. I thought that would be an easy fix. I have two dead batteries and need not start from scratch and am a bit lost. Do you have any suggestions. It’s a jayco 2006 20BH. Rv. I am thinking two golf cart batteries now and We do want the ability to camp for 5 days or a week if we want to. Will watch this video again. Don’t understand all yet.
I just watched the install video. Thank you. The link on Amazon say currently not available on that cable. I think I am going to do your setup. Do you just have a AGM battery as normal or is golf cart a good option to? So none of the anker or eco flow has that Anderson plug?
@@jacoe33333it is nearly impossible for me know how much storage capacity youll need- it depends on how much you need and how much you get from solar.
Two 6v golf cart batteries can provide some excellent run time for sure. Good ones can be pricey.
amzn.to/3u5zkWf
Being able to do a power station modification might be the way to go too.
This ecoflow has the anderson, a HUGE capacity and $1000 coupon right now-
amzn.to/3MGtJvX
Oh wow. Thank you for that. That is some serious power. How do these ecoflow’s hold up in terms of heat dissapation? They don’t have the aluminum construction like the yeti. Is the ecoflow pro the best choice today?
Great video, I like your style, chill but very informative!
Thank you, I appreciate you turning in!
How does it work with the 1000
It works well. You will notice a decrease in run time etc, but I use my 1000 for all of these jobs.
Wait ah sec, did you day charge the GoZero with your car while driving?? With tha DC CHARGER??
Yea. The GZ has a regulated car charger.
Where's this cake of which you speak?
Cake? Like birthday cake?
@@DIYOutdoorLife You said we could have our cake and eat it too. Which--side note--is an odd saying when you think about it. It should be the other way round, but it got changed by mistake somewhere down the line apparently and it stuck. Anyway, I want cake. You can have the leftovers ;)
Being that I use a Cpap, possibly installing a DC plug and conserving usage is intriguing!! Consequently i have a travel cpap with a DC plug.. I'm going to have to try this. Hoobilly
Heading for the airport now, flying to Indiana. Maybe I’ll see you in Columbus tomorrow!
I enjoy your videos and for the most part, I can follow. My husband passed away so I’m having to learn about things that I really didn’t want to think about.
My question is, when talking about isolating, how can you do that with your AC, refrigerator, furnace, etc because they don’t have plugs that you can access? I have a Thor Compass 24KB which has a huge basement pass thru storage compartment and I know you said it is inefficient but my plan is to get a Bluetti AC200Max put it in the storage compartment and plug the MH in using the power cord. I know I can’t dry my hair, make coffee in my Keurig, and run the AC. At the same time. To charge it, I’m getting 2-350 watt solar panels. I have a generator and a 100 watt solar system installed at the manufacturer, I would like to use the generator to charge but how would you connect it. I know this is a basic question for you but again, I’m on my own as I live in Alaska and have no idea who I would take this to to set it up.
Hey Jeanne, thanks for reaching out. Im going to Alaska for the first time next month, pretty exciting.
Your question isn't basic at all, quite the opposite. Theres a million considerations here, I'll do my best to help any way I can.
Shoot me a line at diyoutdoorcontent@gmail.com and Id be happy to get you started.
subscribed
Thank you, I appreciate you coming aboard!
You could also wire up a cigarette lighter plug to Anderson power pole to get power into your camper as well. You would likely be limited to 10A but that should be no biggy on a small camper where you are not running anything bigger than some LED's and the fans on a propane fridge.
That is correct, I have a video on the channel explaining how to do that. It's a great way to use a power station without Anderson, although in a limited capacity.
I’ve just discovered and started watching your videos. I live them. As a teacher myself, I can appreciate how you describe things and reiterate and summarize. Nice work.
Few questions (at this point LoL), I like how you can plug your camper into the Yeti, could unplug my RV (50amp) into the Yeti (with the 15amp extension of course)?
And: Would I be able to run one of my standard AC unit (at least on low ) while it’s plugged in and how long could I run it if I’m not using much else?
If the answer has to do with making sure I’m charging the Yeti to replenish with solar, what would be a decent set up (panel/charge controller/etc)?
Thanks again for your videos.
Hey William, thank you for watching the channel!
The answer here can get complicated and it’s easiest to just say no.
You can plug your camper into the yeti or any larger power station, as you said (50-15) and run the outlets in the camper. There is no “standard” air conditioner though, they have a huge range in how much they draw. Since you mentioned 50 amps, I’m assuming your RV is rather large. The power station, like this yeti, would likely run the AirCon but for a very short period. Without knowing exact specs on your gear, it’s hard to say but it’s likely that the amount of power storage and solar here would be unreasonably expensive.
I run a small window AirCon with the yeti in the teardrop with the yeti 1500 and it just gets us by.
Your best best is a traditional generator to help run the air conditioning in hot weather.
Thanks again!
I love watching your videos and have learned much from you. Thank you. We bought an Ecoflo Delta max AND a Delta pro. Over $7000.00. Fried them both in a week. No reason or rhyme. Since we changed our phone number after we bought them, the company won't recognize us and warranty the products. I bought a 4000 watt inverter. A 400 amp hour lithium lifepo4 battery. A 40 amp mppt solar charge controller and made my own solar power generator using the 4- 160 watts(each) solar panels that came with the Delta Max. I now have a KILLER SYSTEM more powerful than anything on the market at the price point.
Omg… I’m so sorry you got burned like that.
I love the home build systems. It’s really easy to work off raw cells w a BMS as well. What you lose in portability, you gain in performance AND serviceability!
Yes. I am mounting a diamond plate truck tool box to a 4 wheel hand truck and installing all of the components other than the solar panels in it to make it safe and portable. 👍
I had an old rack mountable Tipp-Lite UPS hanging around. Replaced the batteries and it's good to go for about 8 hours. Fits right under the bed in the Teardrop. The one amazing thing I discovered was to unplug the battery on the front of the trailer, then plug into shore power on the UPS. My run time went from about 120min to 480min...
Great call and repurpose. You definitely want to disconnect the battery, the battery charger will eat that UPS up. Great score!
I don't know how we survive electrically with our CLC TD? We have a 206 WH PPS (solar charger with Fe in the battery & about 5 lbs). I think it translate to about 17 amps (maybe 14 or so recoverable). Never come close to running out of juice.
I understand you and Cosmo and Drew and others run video productions out of your TDs with concurrent electricity demands. But for the rest of us more casual campers I think a much simpler less expensive systems will do the job with comfort. As a retired sailmaker I see lead acid batteries as a relic from the last century.
But I'm enjoying your videos and have picked up some useful ideas. So keep up the good work.
PS: blue & white
Thanks for swinging by, this is a refreshing comment. I am used to people saying that they need more capacity than what I feature…. Electric skillets, hairdryers and air conditioners!
Less is more, thanks for watching!
Where can I source a female to female Anderson Power Plug adaptor, sir? Great video btw. Keep it up!
All APP plugs are unisex. Are you just looking for a cable? This one is 10 AWG and good quality.
amzn.to/3UJB3do
@DIYOutdoorLife idk exactly, lol. The plug on the Jackery 1000 is male and the plug that will be on our Hiker trailer is also male.
@@adamlivingston6659 with Anderson power pole, the plug is both male and female, you just turn it upside down until it fits. You want to make sure the colors coordinate, if they don't, you can actually re-orient the plugs and swap them around.
I do believe that the Jackery pro does not have an Anderson output. I am pretty sure they just use Anderson for their solar input. Youll want to double check. if they do not, you can use a plug like this for your Hiker.
amzn.to/3ys89XL
Keep me in the loop, will make sure you get the right device
@DIYOutdoorLife yes sir, the plug I'm talking about is from the exterior solar panel used to charge the Jackery. I may just use the plug that you sent me the link to. I just thought the APP would be a better option. Less likely to jiggle out.
Thinking about a power station as a backup for my Casita. Any reason I can't just plug it into the solar port and keep the onboard battery topped off on cloudy days? There is also an AC outlet in the Tacoma that could charge the power station...
Unfortunately, It doesn't work that way. That solar port on the camper connects directly to your camper battery. The output on the PPS is a steady voltage. I charge controller is required to deliver a proper battery charge and avoid overcharging. It would be nice if you could do direct DC to DC charging that way, but it's a no no.
The AC outlet in the Tacoma is very low wattage, most of the power stations will trip it. With some of the nicer power stations, you can turn the charging down and it works, but the inverters in our vehicles are notoriously low quality. Sometimes they are modified sine wave and can damage the rectifiers in power stations.
Sorry to have Debbie downer news, they're great ideas!
@@DIYOutdoorLife Thanks that's the kind of info that is helpful. So I need to be able to bypass the battery, as you did, for the system to be workable.
@@BobWadeGuitar yes, it is essentially taking over as the battery with an inverter and charge controller built in.
@@DIYOutdoorLife what capacity power station would I need as a backup for basic needs?
@@BobWadeGuitar can you list what your basic needs are? How many days are you talking about? Would you have solar charging it?
I really, really appreciated how well you educated us on all the nuances of using a power station. We are brand new to power station world. We have a Honda generator but have come to appreciate that this is a perfect complement. I did look at Jackery, Okmo, Bluetti, Pecron, GoalZero but finally went with Vtoman and paired it with a 130w Bougerv solar panel so far so good. Thanks again!
Nice set up! Thanks for watching!
I've ben watching your videos, and thank you! Now I can't seem to find an answer, I've ben looking for though. I have a roof mounted solar panel on my small camper. It of course runs to my charge controller, then to the battery. I also like how you use portable power stations. What I'm trying to do, is add a second line directly from my roof solar panel, to have an Anderson plug directly into my portable power station. Is this possible ? Thank you in advance.
You can set it up like mine, so that I can easily plug from one to the other. You cannot run one single panel to two different batteries though, even if one is a PPS.
@@DIYOutdoorLife Ok, thank you.
@@DIYOutdoorLife Seems like there could be a way to have a switch , to go from one battery to another.
@@DIYOutdoorLife "You cannot run one single panel to two different batteries though" ??? Now Im pretty sure I could climb up and disconnect my solar panel on the roof. Then plug it into my PPS, right?
@@clifblake yes, blue see makes a switch that does that. You just want to make sure it’s (1 or 2) and not (1,2, both). You do not want the chance of accidentally turning them both on at once.
Sir, thank you for the video it was very helpful.
I have a yeti 1000 lithium and was considering using it to supplement my 2005 Bigfoot truck camper electrical system. Would mainly be for boondocking. I haven’t purchased a “house” battery for the camper yet. Any recommendations on a good AGM battery?
I love these VMAX, multiple sizes available. I’ll link a good size AGM that fits in a group 31.
amzn.to/3SIwahW
I can use my makita batteries to recharge my jackery and in turn use my Jackie’s inverter to power any 120 volt appliance
Nice! Especially when you have the tool batteries already. I use the new tool batteries for a lot of things, very handy!
Cool
Thanks for watching.
Thank you for the wonky solution, it is perfect for my needs. Great videos, keep up the good work.
That's great to hear, thanks for watching!
Why a 10amp NONO over say a 2amp? Thanks
Can you elaborate? I'm not sure what you're asking.
I’m sorry. I’m asking why a NOCO 10amp charger/tender over say a NOCO 2amp charger/tender. What are the advantages between the 2? I’m assuming just faster charging? I’m asking because of the cost basically. And my bad with spell check on the NONO instead of NOCO😂 Thank you
@@RickThompson-tj9bp ohhh, I should've caught that... lol
As you said, the 10 amp charger is five times faster and, in addition to that, it's a multi stage charging that gives a good full cycle charge. The two amp version is just a trickle charger/maintainer.
Thank you!
Great video, nice that all the BS has been ripped out and it's just sharing for the betterment of life, thank you!
Thank you, I appreciate you watching!
Nice info. I thought about a 1000....but I think the 1500 will give more power and longer runs. I don't have a camper but would like it for around the house. Is the 1500 very heavy? Might I need to get the dolly GZ sells? Thanks!
The 1500 weighs about 45 pounds… That is considerably lighter than some of the other models and very manageable. Most wont need the dolly until they get the 3000, But you can always purchase it afterwards if it’s a problem
I think I've seen you use a Goal Zero 200x in a previous video? I could be mistaken. If so, do you use that small Yeti for charging phones, cameras, tablets, lanterns, etc. and use the bigger Yetis for only the more energy intensive devices?? Or does that not matter at all? I have a 200X for tent camping, but as I mentioned in a previous video, I'm looking at getting a bigger Yeti and curious if you still use the 200X anymore.
I do! It is the go-to for portability. I use it a lot for my film gear and all of the small stuff. The fast charging usb c 60 watt plug is what makes that little guy a star, it's so small I can bring it places I wouldn't dream of bringing the big ones. Shoot me a line if you're looking to get a bigger one, I'm working on promo codes.
I plug my Ecoflow delta into the battery dirreclty using the 12volt DC plug. I bought a male-to-male plug into a standard 12 volt plug wired to the battery. It's been working great.
I have a video on that. It works great for light use up to ~140 watts and under. Very handy!
Ed, are you running directly form the 12volt DC output on your solar generator to the house battery in the camper? Could that over charge the house battery?
@@pvttom I turn off the house battery and run the Delta to a 12 volt plug. I have never used the house battery, but it's there 'just in case'. I like how it lets me know my usage.
@@CallaFab ok cool I get it. Do you know if I could charge the house battery by: running a line from 12volt DC outlet, to a solar controller, to the house battery? Does that make sense, that way I would not overcharge the camper battery.
@@pvttom
You wouldn’t want to do it that way. They make small DC to DC charge controllers that allow that though. Since the DC poor is 10a max, you’ll need a small DC DC charge controller
what's that lithium battery car charger you are talking about? Can you really charge ithium battery by connecting it to the car's 12v system?
I’m using 120 watt goal zero car charger. It has the option to turn from 5 A to 10 A and is well within the limits of almost any alternator in any car. Goal zero also has a link system that allows you to plug directly into the alternator, it’s a lot more intelligent than most DC to DC charge controllers but I would not run it on any tow vehicle that does not have a large or upgraded alternator. Both of the systems, the cheap system I use and the expensive system available “isolate“ the battery chemistries to avoid funny business. Great question
Holy crap. I should have found this video before I did any upgrading of my battery capacity on my Bushwhacker!
I have to use a CPAP. When I first got the camper I got about four hours out of my battery using the CPAP before it tapped out. I've been playing with how to get decent output to run the CPAP. I've got the adapter piece to bypass the humidity/warming chamber. I've added a second marine battery in parallel. And it worked ok. It gave me a night but again it tapped out the battery capacity if I use any camper electrical, in addition.
With your recommendation I purchased a River 2 from Ecoflow. Plugged in the CPAP in to it. But it wouldn't give me a full night.
I've got a good system down now as I got the River 2 plugged into a Sinewave inverter, which is plugged into the camper, drawing power from the batteries. From there the CPAP is plugged into the River 2. It works pretty well. At the end of the night the River 2 is topped up and the camper battery isn't too drained. So I added a solar panel which charges the camper batteries. So I can boondock pretty well.
But now ... based on your recommendation about at DC plug for the CPAP (which I didn't know existed) I've ordered the cord. I should be running way more efficiently.
I think if I keep watching your videos I might finally get this system down. Thanks.
Bypassing the heater/humidifier and running on a DC plug is key. In some situations, it's cheaper to buy a different CPAP than it is upgrading the battery system. And your case, it looks like you're making excellent changes, keep me in the loop!
PS also try plugging the Eco flow into the 12 V plug instead of the inverter, you will save a ton of runtime that way
The most important video I’ve been looking for is your next one and I can’t find it!!!
Do you mean this one?
Using Goal Zero for RV Battery
ua-cam.com/video/_MRIg0Szh-0/v-deo.html
Hey Brian. I really appreciate your videos! They are very helpful! I'm in the process of trying to figure out the best way to power my camper for some boondocking. We have a 2011 3750 FL Montana 5th wheel. It does not have an inverter, only the converter that it came with which I believe is somewhere between 80 and 90 amp output. The current battery is a group 31 Duracell deep cycle Marine RV battery. Since we do not plan to do a tremendous amount of boondocking I'm really wondering if using a power station with the Anderson connector that you talk about in one of your video’s might be the simplest and smartest way for us to have off grid power. The other thing that I would need it to do is power my residential style refrigerator, that I just finished installing myself, when we’re going down the road. Would the Goal Zero 1500 X be enough to power everything in our camper including the microwave as needed, (except the air conditioners), by going this route? If this would work how long could I expect it to run what we need before recharging the power station? Thank you so much!
Hey Rob, I appreciate you tuning in.
There’s a few things here to help you get started.
Running the RV from the Anderson on the 1500x is great. You’ll have good run times and it’s efficient and easy. Connecting it that way, however, will not power the AC appliances. It will power your lights, slider, water pump, and anything else you have set up on DC. You will need to plug appliances directly into the inverter on the 1500 to power from AC.
Did you say that your refrigerator only runs on AC?
The 1500 will definitely handle your microwave, but it would be best to use it sparingly.
Another xlnt vid !! Thanks and the Core 1000 kept the fridge, internet and B'Cast TV running for several hours during a recent power failure.... So its a great device beyond just using on camping trips in the Bushwhacker !
Thanks, glad you got in on the deal! Many many uses!
You need a big 60 Solar panel on your trailer roof. Renogey has great controllers.
No charge controller needed for this set up, it’s built into the power station. Check out my video on the solar panel on roof, I also have some videos on Renogy charge controllers too. Thanks for watching!