Exposing 6 LIES They DON'T WANT YOU KNOWING & Designing your PERFECT Offgrid 12v system / SOLAR

Sarah and Keelan Travels - Offroad Caravanning Aus

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#offgrid #12volt #diy
The rookie 12v mistakes everyone makes because the 12 volt experts have lied to you! uncovering and the truth on 6 of the most common myths and misconceptions in the offgrid living, power, solar and lithium battery industry The experts don't want you knowing this and Designing your perfect 12v offgrid setup on a budget!
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cheap, DIY tips to get 50% more out of your 12v system in your 4x4, caravan or boat to keep you offgrid and powered up for longer! don't destroy your 12v system silently! ROOKIE 12V MISTAKES that 99% of people makes

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1 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 1,7 тыс.

@Clynikal 11 месяцев назад

I really wanted to find holes in your video because obviously I think I know better being in electrical engineering but you’ve come up with really practical advice. Nice one.

@WSallai 11 месяцев назад

With the exception of the Sun revolving around the Earth statement, but…the solar blanket is an exceptional idea for maintaining the maximum efficiency of capturing the Sun’s rays.

@meruertmeyer8017 11 месяцев назад

55555aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaàaaaaaàaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaàaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaàaaaaaaa55aaaa6 ņmň😢😊😢😊😊ppö😢

@kelinrkp 11 месяцев назад

What about the alternator / regulator shorting when it was under water, I just never thought about it before.

@iantepuke2445 11 месяцев назад

@@kelinrkpnn

@StLUNATIC26 11 месяцев назад

@@WSallai yes this! I hope he just misspoke

@derekeasterbrook6791 Год назад

Hi Keelan, I'm a 66 years old electrician and I've made several You Tube videos on the current draw from portable fridges and solar blanket inputs. I've explained why I changed my batteries from AGM to lithium and why appliances draw more current as the voltage drops, but you do a much better presentation than I do. Keep up the good advice because you're doing a great job.

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks mate!! that means a lot! im sure your videos are unreal and have helped a lot of people!! cheers for watching mate

@Malc664 Год назад

@@SarahandKeelanTravels Derek has helped me Kee. He's a good bloke

@ashleyward427 Год назад

Great to see, awesome reliable information, and finally someone who explains the ins and outs of the electrical setup. I've lost count of the number of times I've explained the same info to people who then choose to ignore it, more fool them. Keep up the great work.

@RyanWattersRyanWatters 11 месяцев назад

I’d love to hear your thoughts on buying the simpler all-in-one portable systems like Jackery for ultra simple builds; e.g. I’m going to building a really simple teardrop for me and my wife for weekend trips, and I really only need something to keep a portable fridge and my max fan running over a weekend. (I’ll have propane for grilling, and small backup lithium batteries for our handheld devices, as well as tap lights for the interior of the teardrop.)

@davidelliott5843 11 месяцев назад

AGM is lead acid with glass reinforcement in the active media. In every other respect it’s the same old same. Extremely heavy and you only get about 50% of the charge as usable power. Lithium let’s you use 95% or more.

@ianmoreton5720 11 месяцев назад

You've nailed it I have 1450w of solar with 400 amps of batteries. you need to be able to cover your daytime use while collecting enough for night time.

@MaritimeUnprepared 2 месяца назад

Do you store all of your electricity together or do you have multiple systems?

@jerrymyahzcat 25 дней назад

Do you mean 400Ah of battery storage? Amps is Current.

@izzzzzz6 11 месяцев назад

there are at least 3 other common ways to charge batteries. Generator, Alternator, Grid. These and some others are reasons some people might want to have more batteries than match upto the panels. Also you can draw more while stressing the batteries less. Generally this extends the discharge time and extends longevity. Having the fold out, roll out or by carrying extra panels are good options. Whats most effective is angling a panel into the sun on an extension cable. This way you can be parked in a spot that comes into the shade, or preferably in the shade all day but run your panels on a cable out into a sunny spot, walking over to them from time to time to realign the panel. Mono and poly panels on a flat roof are less than ideal unless close to the equator. Alignment by hand into the sun all throughout the day is in my opinion the best setup when camping out for a period in one spot.

@amythinks 10 месяцев назад

You might want to consider that if you're going on an extended weekend, solar is not as important compared to those who are living in their rigs. If you can charge a big battery system at home and live off that for a 4 day trip, you're golden. That being said, I'm very happy to see you promoting ground deploy systems. I agree 100% that's the way to go.

@jasonhepburn2706 Год назад

I am loving the salesperson voices hahaha

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

Hahah that was a jockey voice mate hahah could win the Melbourne cup with that vocal pitch

@timwatson9413 8 месяцев назад

Excellent video. Learnt more in 30 mins than I did watching 100 other RU-vid videos on 12V solar systems. Thanks.

@matthewnirenberg 10 месяцев назад

Only a few points to add: - More storage (if in budget) means you'll be fine if you have a few days that are overcast or if you don't have the ability to otherwise charge (i.e. camped for three days in the shade or if a storm comes along) - Modern lithium batteries like all lithium batteries have more life (cycles) if you keep them between 38% and 92% charge. By buying batteries with twice the capacity you need (so if you wanted to use 50Ah you'd buy a 100Ah battery) you're able to set the max charge % and minimum charge % to ensure that you get the most life out of the batteries. - Modern lithium batteries prefer to be slowly charged. Fast-charging dramatically shortens their life (cycles) the same as running them to charge %'s outside the 38% - 92% range.

@javabeanz8549 8 месяцев назад

When my area was hit with the remnants of Hillary, one of the people that I helped with their solar system was running out of power in the middle of the night, the cloud cover was just too much to get a decent charge on the batteries. Plus, he has flooded lead acid, golf cart style batteries.

@shmayazuggot8558 7 месяцев назад

Since when does a LifePo4 last longer by keeping charge state above 38%? Lol this is what needs to be considered for Acid batteries.

@javabeanz8549 7 месяцев назад

@@shmayazuggot8558 not sure about the actual numbers, but it is advised to not fully charge or discharge them. From what I heard, the last 10% is what degrades them most. LiFePO4 batteries do have a different number of charge cycles depending on the depth of discharge.

@matthewnirenberg 7 месяцев назад

@@shmayazuggot8558 Because outside the percentages I mentioned, the cell degredation accelerates and thus greatly shortens the life of the battery. For lead acid batteries its the voltage drop in the battery that you have to be careful of, not the percentage. For example a 12V lead acid battery who's voltage drops below ~11.6V will struggle to charge again.

@PureGlide 11 месяцев назад

A few thoughts: - More battery is good if you want to go more bad weather days or over winter. Spending money on more solar instead will only help if you live in a really sunny place like Aussie. You can always plug in to charge your big battery (overnight for example) so more battery will help. - My general rule is put as much solar on your roof as you can fit. As you say that is the cheapest... - Lithiums can be charged fast, but a smaller slower charger is better for them. They'll last for more cycles if you charge slower. So yeah no problem having a slower charger.

@danemmerich6775 10 месяцев назад

Exactly!

@AiChatbot443 10 месяцев назад

Yeh, this guy is purely speaking for what is good for him and it’s obvious. I wouldn’t trust what he says when he’s using words incorrectly lol 2 minutes in and he’s saying ‘reinterate that’ not even a word.

@SnowIsMyTerrain 9 месяцев назад

Up here in the northern bits of North America for half the year, I need 920Ah (11.77kWh) of battery to last me a long weekend trip with all the stuff I get up to (which, granted, is a lot) since it's just completely infeasible to recharge via solar, especially in snow/rain/storms.

@mrmagoo2255 9 месяцев назад

@@AiChatbot443 Absolutely delighted to hear that mate. We have lived sustainably for decades on Fraser Island and it pisses me off that smart arse show pony misinforms people trying to learn something so he can subsidise his yuppie lifestyle as a narcissistic, hypocritical salesperson for tyre deflators. Have a nice day.

@is-ness 9 месяцев назад

If your travelling it Manu’s sense to have more battery bc you get the alternator amps to tie you over longer when stored in the shade mentioned at all camp sites. 🤷‍♂️

@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen 11 месяцев назад

One extra thing I would like to comment on is the daylight calc for solar power. We used to spend 3 months sitting on the north coast fishing. The van never moved in all that time and I decided to find out just how much solar we were getting under clear blues skies during different months. I measured solar input over a full day each time and it was quickly obvious that daylight is not the same in the early morning and the evening as it is during the middle hours of the day. The first two hours of daylight and the last two are almost useless for gathering solar and we eventually came to the conclusion that there were only 6 hours of peak solar during winter and 8 during summer. The difference in the position of the sun during different months was also a significant factor in the amount of solar energy it was possible to gather. Although the van was in exactly the same position for all the measurements I took and the days were clear and cloudless, there was less solar being gathered in June than in July and less in July than in August, That all came down to the position of the sun in the sky during diffrent months as all the other factors were as close to being the same as possible.

@GetGemmaOG 7 месяцев назад

You've gathered research in the very area of interest I have. In addition the quality of the rays depending on where you are in the world and the weather patterns.

@suitinaute 7 месяцев назад

Excellent content mate. Loved it. Good bit of humour too. One thing only. Earth moves around the sun 😂😂😂. Otherwise, 10 out of 10.

@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen 7 месяцев назад

Errr, when I said the van didn't move at all I sort of meant from its position on the Earth - not quite sure if that was what you were referring to though :) @@suitinaute

@suitinaute 7 месяцев назад

@@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen Sorry mate. Was replying on my phone and thought I was replying directly to SKT Travels. :) (As the sun is revolving around the earth 😂 8:35 I think we dumped that theory quite a while ago.)

@mySeaPrince_ 6 месяцев назад

Were the panels flat .. (I'm not a flat earther 😻 .. been reading the other comments in this thread).. I'm in the UK.. Like Australia (but more rain & less lethal wildlife) for Sun in the sky time. Angling to the Sun's tangent at midday can X5~ the output.. also cleaning the panels helps.. (do this when they are cool, water evaporates quick when hot.. also damage can happen.. in various ways! Turning or tracking the Sun does increase output but not drastically unless you're near the equator. The speed of the Sunset on the equator is really quick compared to the UK. There are specific MPPT controllers that are better but can be very expensive and not worth it.. better to buy another battery.. in my case I bought a decent electronic battery charger, main thing is the input voltage can be 195v to 280v .. and it does 7 stage charging.. I use lead acid.. almost ready to go lithium (not cheap one) and lead acid.. just got to save up.

@pastyhen2200 6 месяцев назад

OMG! Thank you so much! I never thought I would be able to wrap my head around the way a solar system works. Something about the way you explained this has helped me so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

@cyclemoto8744 9 месяцев назад

Well done explaining all the concepts to those who haven't been educated. Not everyone is interested in educating themselves or able to understand electrical concepts as such there is a need for some to rely on retailers, so the key for anyone in that situation is to do their research to find reputable businesses who provide reliable advice. Cheers

@Feebeeee Год назад

Thanks for the info, the way you explain it makes heaps more sense & easy to understand. Thank you also for the savings codes, we have purchased numerous big ticket (for us) items in the past year, on sale & with the extra discount it has helped us get what we wanted sooner. We don’t care about flash or fancy, just want safe & reliable. Really enjoy watching your channel with the info you share & especially your mad fishing; glad we aren’t the only crazy people who get excited pulling in fish or even better mudcrabs etc & we are close to twice your age haha Hope you are well over your cv cooties & take things easier for a bit, it can take more out of you than you realise sometimes. Take care you two

@debbiestorm1801 Год назад

Great episode Keelan & Sarah. Great information about solar & battery systems. Thanks. 😊

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

cheers for watching Debbie!!

@kurtburkhardt5862 6 месяцев назад

We do love your adventures and videos. Your advice is good and as an electrician I do know a bit about power, solar and batteries. I installed a 2nd 100 AH Optima AGM battery in our 4Runner with a Redarc 1225 controller 3 years ago. With 200 watts of solar it worked fairly well powering our ICECO fridge and lighting. Of course it won't compete with a Lithium battery (I may swap in a 100AH lithium, my charger can do lithium) We have a travel trailer now and I just upgraded the 90AH lead acid battery with a LiTime 300AH lithium battery a Victron MPPT 100/50 charge controller and a 3000watt Xantrex converter/charger. It is winter here so I did test everything by connecting the 200 watt panels we currently have. Will be putting the trailer in storage until spring. I was planning on 600watts of solar, but will definitely add a 2-400watt flexible separate panel. We don't use nearly as much power as you do, but I would rather have too much than not enough. Like any power system it needs to be balanced. Can't wait to try everything out in the spring...

@johntatman9168 11 месяцев назад

It's great to see others who actually understand this. As you've stated the 2 problems people make are not having enough battery power to run through the night or a battery so big they can never get it charged. I recommend having more battery power and using portable panels as you have or even having a generator for days when it's overcast or rainy.

@Thejonthomas Месяц назад

What kind of generator might you recommend for those cloudy days?

@johntatman9168 Месяц назад

@@Thejonthomas I would match the generator to the battery bank. Get one that can charge your battery/batteries from 20% to 90% charge in 2-3 hours. I have a 6700w battery bank and a 3000w generator. Hope this helps.

@rawiridixon4430 Год назад

another great tip is for example if fully off-grid and rely on solar, for example you pull up at dusk, set up your panel for the morning to where the sun is set to rise. there is enough sun position apps to do that, if you sleep in to say 8am there is already an amp or 3 being generated

@e210dall3 Год назад

Epic video. thanks Keelan. Appreciate your time and effort putting these together. Entered competition.

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

all good mate! as long as it helps someone out there im happy as a pig in poo!! cheers for the comment legend

@Aetisdios 11 месяцев назад

I’m new to 4x4ing and learning heaps. Mate this was an excellent video! Gave me a good NO BS understanding of 12V systems. Cheers!

@josiestephenson4602 10 месяцев назад

Thanks so much guys this helps me so much with set up!

@glenstod 11 месяцев назад

Bloody hell, brilliant. Learnt more in the last 20 mins than i have talking with so called retail experts for the last 2 years. Wish i had seen this 12 months ago because i have been chasing my tail trying to sort my power issues in my bus. Well done ol' mate. Cheers. Glen and Di.

@deirdrefisher2773 Год назад

Thank you for your pure honesty. Interested in replacing agm with lithium into the back of our Ute for fridge, oven, coffee machine etc. We were told by a reputable company we could not put lithium in to replace agm with our redarc system. We would have to buy new system to change to lithium battery in rear of car. However I’m hearing you say we can buy a itec compatible lithium, no issues. Once again, another good info session👍

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thats no good mate, iTechworld are the only real ones making a proper AGM drop in replacement with the full warranty too! we proved it works off an old charger and we had it under bonnet too.. I would just replace the battery or batteries you have with some itechs! like I said you might not get the top couple percent out but you won't even notice that. SKT for extra 5% off!!

@karlieblack918 Год назад

Thanks so much! We have needed a decent video on 12v system and you simplified it perfectly. Thanks heaps

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks legend!!

@GAZUNC-fh7sd 5 месяцев назад

I have been learning about Solar for the last 5 years in my Coaster bus and you sir are SPOT ON. Well Done😊😊

@travellingwithgeoffv795 Год назад

Great to hear and see a common sense video on off grid set ups. A great presentation and hopefully more traveller's will think twice about what they need to survive the jungle of solar setups. Well done

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks legend!!

@pauldemarco3370 Год назад

Hey Keelan & Sarah, Thank you guys for being honest and refreshing in the way you do your vid's, great info keelan, proper figures with good reasoning as to your choice's. How right you are on the portable solar blanket, preach it brother!! I like in your vid's how you guy's have not lost that feeling for camping, swag's etc I think sometimes we can get caught up in having the best this or that to do the job but in reality you only need a simple setup to have fun out there in this big country. Keelan hang on to Sarah with both hands mate it's hard to find a partner that obviously loves you and is a decent lovely person, you are both suited to each other and people can see that in your vid's, Keep the video's coming and thank you for entertaining me in my lounge room. Regards Paul D

@remigiuszdejnarowicz7764 11 месяцев назад

One of the main advantages of solar blankets, and other non fixed pannels, is that if you have roof solar, you need to park your caravan in sunny place to get needed charge. It can get really hot inside, and sometimes you waste your power on AC. It's far more reasonable to park in the shade and put only solar blankets on the sun.

@driftfitness 9 месяцев назад

I'm glad Keelan pointed out the actual amount of effective daily solar collection. We've been told 4hrs per day is about average depending on location and season. Great video

@rcuintheshed6981 11 месяцев назад

This vid has made my day I'm just about to build an offgrid cabin thank you thank you thank you so much good info in this one package 👊 and a fellow Aussie

@itechworld1 Год назад

Love ya work! Best of luck to all the entrants!

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

Cheers legends! thanks for all the support!!!

@CaptainSeamus 11 месяцев назад

Really good video! And I say this as a solar and renewable energies instructor. One thing you maybe sorta missed on was with MPPT you can step your voltages up (putting the panels in series instead of all in parallel) which lets you use smaller wiring to carry the same number of watts. The MPPT unit then steps it down to charge the batteries at the voltage they need. Also, Amazon is horrifically bad about peddling PWM as MPPT... which is just shameful. ANYONE getting into this needs to get some professional training or advice, and I commend you for pointing that out at the outset! Lastly, with your LiPos - I wouldn't hesitate to sleep on your bed... if I had lead acids, though... yeah, not so much... And I say this using lead acid for my little 200AH (and 400w of solar!) set up, and well aware of all the ups and downs. I live in an area where we can drop to -25C or 0F - LiPo doesn't like any charge below freezing, where lead acid is ok... it always about tradeoffs!

@robinkelly1770 8 месяцев назад

Just as long as your series wiring for panels doesn't take your voltage from extral low up to low voltage. (In Australia 120v dc ripple free) You then need a qualified electrician

@CaptainSeamus 8 месяцев назад

@@robinkelly1770 Very true. Also, something a lot of people may not realize - in the USA all motorhomes, campers, trailers and the like fall under the NEC for wiring. Lots of details to worry on. Cheers!

@sevansoft 2 месяца назад

Super useful content, I've been after this kind of info recently and you nailed it for me, I now understand what I need to consider when designing my power system.

@tybernhardt2970 5 месяцев назад

So i glad i found & subscribed to this dude! currently 4640w solar on my 32' converted shuttle bus, 1860w of that is the awning, when parked runs an ac/dc mini split. just 600Ah of storage, proves longer to save $ for.

@crcurran 11 месяцев назад

Exceeding your battery bank size is for the cloudy / overcast days. You could even run petrol motor to charge up your batteries.

@travelling_kelpies Год назад

Best vid I've seen on battery systems!! Real world scenarios makes it so much easier to understand. Been tossing up if we go a 600ah system and this pretty well decided it for me. Can't survive without that coffee machine 😜 and damn those Indian curry eating birds 😂 Great vid! Thank you.

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks mate!! glad you enjoyed it!! I reckon you'll never ever regret getting the 600 ah, just make sure you have the solar ratio too!! 2:1 if not better and you'll have no issues at all!! hahah you don't want the pelicans eating curry mate

@WhiskeyHunterVAT69 Месяц назад

more great info. Thank you for the VOD. 👍👍

@raymondcochrane8617 2 месяца назад

Just caught you two first time today. What a genuine young couple of Aussies you are. You are both so honest and humble. Well done Sarah and Keelan and best of wishes for the future of the channel

@craigtomkinson2837 Год назад

Cracking Ep guys and super well explained well done,. for my camping set up I have 2 to 1 Ratio solar to battery as I make lots of ice every day and freeze hot fish every two days it just does the job, I got 280amp of Lithium batteries and got 750watts of solar, Iam going up to 1000 to 1200wats of Panels, so your so spot on

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks legend!!

@joshuakerr2411 10 месяцев назад

3 to 1 is a much better ratio. Allows for overcast days and winter yield 👌

@kathryntucker3701 Год назад

Hi Keelan…I’ve heard this before but have not much idea of how it all works! Jim watched the whole episode with me and agreed with your presentation as that’s how our van is set up. We’ve been around Australia using this system so we can vouch for it working. You do a great job…keep up the good work and thanks for your generosity, luv ya ❤️

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

thanks legend! thanks for being locals on the channel!! we appreciate all your comments and kind words!!

@michaelcameron8904 11 месяцев назад

Keelan i think you explained things very well. We live totally off grid so we became aware early about the best system for your needs. Bravo from Victoria Australia

@missiontrekkers 6 месяцев назад

Great advice mate!!! Fellow electrician and traveller.. with your advice around 2:1 is what I took on and helped us live off-grid for weeks at a time. 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

@BrianGolding-mp1wf Год назад

Thanks! Watched Keelans & Sarah's video on battery and the importance of CHARGING and how to go about it correctly. Absolutely spot-on advice and totally agree you need twice the solar wattage to battery amps. For every 120amp battery system requires a 200-240w solar system with a good MPPT regulator to operate well. You both give strong advice keep up the good work travel safe. Brian 👍

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks Brian! appreciate the comment and the super thanks mate! glad you got good info out of the vid!

@malcolmwaugh8678 10 месяцев назад

@@SarahandKeelanTravels You have people talking about 120amp battery ?????Really use the correct terminology, 120 amp Hr . and what about the max discharge current limitation of lithium batteries, Most seem to be up to 100 amps????

@ssteele1812 9 месяцев назад

@@malcolmwaugh8678 Most of the LiFePO4 batteries on the market now are 1C discharge rate. meaning that a 100AH battery can discharge 100A continuously. My 200AH battery can discharge 200A continuously. If you parallel the batteries, increasing the AH total, you also increase the discharge for the pack. SO, 3X 200AH batteries could discharge 600A continuously. Then there are the peak ratings that offer 2-3X the discharge rate for short bursts.

@marks7120 Год назад

I’m an electronics tech by trade and I could talk 12v till the cows come home. Thanks mate great practical advice. Good old ohms law, love it. One exception worth noting when it comes to adding batteries rather than solar is for those who are doing weekend away and just need enough to last a few days and can charge on the trip home or plug in at home. Keep the videos and advice coming. I’m a big fan.

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

hey mark thanks for watching! for sure mate! We try make these videos as general as we can to try cover peoples best interests (weekenders, weekers, monthers, fulltimers) it's a hard balance trying to cater for all bases! cheers for the comment mate and watching the video!!

@marks7120 11 месяцев назад

Yeah, I get you 100% like I said “top job”. It’s always best to get qualified, unbiased advice from a pro such as yourself. Keep it up.

@trparker3607 11 месяцев назад

Weekend warriors require storage and charging via vehicle normally big alt. So heart is the battery... But nice work

@RVFreeDa 10 месяцев назад

Thanks for your time and the info!

@JeffLudlow-ys4wp 9 месяцев назад

Thanks for the great information, will watch again as many times as I need till it sinks in. Will also look to swapping out the AGM for drop in Lithium but will have to drop into the BMPro non lithium management system supplied in my Urban. Not off grid for more than a few days at a time but thanks I can now calculate what extra I may need to somehow add into the system. Well done, I have watched your videos since the first van.

@markdavies1021 Год назад

That was very informative and you explained it well for gumbies like myself. Keep up the good work guys. I look forward to your videos when they come out.

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks mark!! cheers for that support mate! cant do it without ya!

@user-zf5dm4yu6f 11 месяцев назад

Hey guys just want to say I love all your content. Love how you explain everything whether it’s travelling or content like this . Please keep up the amazing work . Thank you both . 🤙🍻

@ewetuber186000 11 месяцев назад

Great video! I learned a lot! Regarding solar panels vs battery storage…I’m in North America, USA - Michigan, solar angle not too good, cloudy days, shade from tall trees…often we don’t get enough sun in summer to charge the battery bank. Spring Fall and winter are hopeless. Alternator charging and a good old generator are essential for me.

@duncancremin1708 11 месяцев назад

Nice presentation, well thought out and simplified for folk beginning to figure this stuff out. Obviously slightly biased by your own experience in a sunny climate, but good nonetheless. I generally tell people to size their battery banks using your method, then add 20-30% for stuff they’ve forgotten and to allow for inverter issues. The batteries should be able to run for a “reasonable time” without needing to be charged. Exactly what constitutes a reasonable time will vary from one person to another and one location to another and can be tricky to work out, but 24 hours is a minimum. Adding charging sources will extend the time you can use the system and most people will have at least one source they can charge from away from base. Car alternator, portable genny, site hookup, solar, or wind. The more different options you have, the greater your chances of not running out of power. But you do need enough storage to cope with total collapse of your charging system for long enough to fix it. So, figure out your minimum battery size, to manage for your own “reasonable time” then figure out how to charge it adequately to avoid ever actually using the full capacity.

@basspig 11 месяцев назад

The ratios will vary depending on what part of the world your system is located in and what kinds of conditions you have. For me I get two to three good hours of sunlight being in the middle of the Woods so I have 21 KW of solar panels which manages to keep my 42 KW hour battery bank at full charge under most conditions like hazy sunshine bright overcast and of course fully sunny days.

@jasonhepburn2706 Год назад

Have entered my details. Thanks for running this. Fingers crossed

@itechworld1 Год назад

Best of luck Jason!

@jerrytalley802 5 месяцев назад

Just found your channel. I’ve seen so many solar videos and I’m thinking this is the best one by far. You’re not only a professional but you live in reality, and have years of real life experience in the trenches per say. I’m a solar amateur but I concluded myself that the most bang for the buck is solar panels, and also concluded I need some portable panels, as much as practicable. On my Jayco camper, I can add 2 panels with the current charge controller and factory wire. So my plan is to add 2 panels on the roof, the get the portable with built in charge controller to hook to the battery to add capacity without changing the internal wire in the camper. I will be referring back to this video, and go through others you have. No doubt the most accurate/informative solar video I’ve seen since I started looking into it, years ago.

@user-jw3jm4qm5d 4 месяца назад

Excellent work mate. You’re a champion. Just getting set to do a lap on a working holiday. Invaluable info cheers. Safe travels

@CurryHang 20 дней назад

Omg, what a great video! I learnt 99% of how I should set up my system in this 30mins. I watched hundreds of other videos about solar but none of them are as clear as your presentation. You’re godsend! Well done! I am Melbourne based as well but the way😂

@mickburns5546 Год назад

Excellent presentation. I’m a retired sparky and agree with your logic. I’ve also been running Itechworld lithium under bonnet and in the van for several years. I also have a lithium starter battery under the bonnet of the Cruiser. Still having arguments with people who assure me that the batteries will catch fire and kill us. Still waiting 😅

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

Thanks mick!! Good on ya mate, we get told the same things haha you might be waiting a long long time haha 😂 cheers mate

@andrefischer5025 Год назад

On the fire topic… it’s another misconception right? Lithium batteries don’t cause/start anymore fires than other batteries. But if something else causes a fire and the lithium catches it’s bad, real bad, no way to put out. Like I wouldn’t put a winch isolator close to a lithium battery.

@ianweal3081 Год назад

Likewise, running Itech winch/starter lithium under bonnet in Troll & Itech auxiliary batteries in rear storage system and Itech lithium in van. Obviously mine is yet to detonate still also. What is ignored by the conspirators, I'm yet to see a lithium battery to explode, however I have witnessed a lead acid explode in my garage, showering all within the garage with acid, 2 people straight into a cold shower, 2 cars immediately subjected to detailed wash, many tools washed and lubed, acid crystals still formed in nokes & crannies for years after the event. I'll notify you when a lithium copies it, should I survive, 😂.

@brianrawlinson8488 Год назад

Great vid! And you are spot on 👍 I was going to replace the solar that came with my van but have decided an extra solar blanket is a smarter choice, thanks for the 5% off

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

for sure mate! solar blankets are awesome! enjoy mate and you're welcome!! thanks for watching and supporting

@matthalpin1981 Год назад

Brilliant, thorough video. I learned a ton. Thanks Keelan!

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

Thanks legend!! 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

@Mr83rt 3 месяца назад

Loving your videos mate. My wife and i are planning a lap and have zero idea on what we are in for but with thanks to you and your informative videos we are the little more wiser

@Rufffy8 Год назад

Hey Keelan great content and details, follow on video would be great if you can share how you have set up your system with the HA35 and extra MMPt's and then how you monitor this as the HA35 is a popular stock item.

@campwinnietravellingaustralia 11 месяцев назад

Hi Keelan. I'll do something not often seen. From one RU-vid travelling channel to another, I appreciate what you have done here!! Thank you for sharing your professional knowledge on 12v systems, lithium batteries and solar panels. We are full time on the road and currently need an upgrade, and this has helped us greatly! Thanks again buddy. Really hope to see you and Sarah in the wilderness sometime. My shout for a coldie 🍻 Love from us @Camp Winnie

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

thanks legends!! Safe travels!

@neontravler202 Месяц назад

I spent the last 4 years traveling with my Dad in his RV. We used a 500w homemade portable solar array. (Five 100w flat panels in series). on good days charged full from 60% by 1pm. 4000Wh battery I learned to cook the big meal for the day while we had good solar coming in. we could last 3 days of rainy weather before needing to use the generator to charge back up. We learned that charging to 80 - 90 percent was better. the last bit getting to 100% took too long & was not needed. Thank you for this video.

@-PORK-CHOP- Месяц назад

Good on you for giving it a go to explain how 12 / 240 systems work and how to configure it, one point to also remember, the more gear you put in ie: multiple batteries, solar panels, chargers, inverters it all adds weight to your van / 4WD, your system would be around 200Kg, then start adding the weight of coffee machine, fryers etc etc, before you know it just the electrical systems will add 400Kg to your setup, this needs to be considered, it's such a hard subject to explain, you did a good job, I would recommend people seeking advice from a professional installer to suit their needs as you say every system will be different, but definitely start by working how many watts your gear will use BEFORE speaking to someone, because it's very easy to confuse a buyer with a few technical terms in about 2 minutes to the point where they just say just give me everything and before you know it you in for $20,000 of gear,

@michaelgralike8886 11 месяцев назад

Loving your honest and straight forward explanations on this subject. Hopefully people will come across your video before they start their 12 volt systems as this is probably the best explained one i have seen so far. Thanks

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

thanks mate!! fingers crossed we can help as many as possible

@tylercrosbie Год назад

Awesome vid Keelan, we've just started our indefinite lap and totally agree with everything you've said. We ended up with 400ah, (probably should have gone 600), but my big thing was having enough solar. 800w on the roof and 2 300w itechworld blankets. I run on the assumption of 5 hours of useable sun, (I think 6 hours was being generous :) .. The blankets are the thing for me that really keeps the system humming along nicely. Being able to reposition is excellent. And multiple chargers is a must. I have a 30amp BMS and a 40amp DCDC charger to take care of it all, (Redarc gear on that front, batteries, blankets and inverter are all itechworld) Love your presentation style, humour and knowledge mate.

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

how exciting mate how good is road life!! we would struggle to go back to a house haha I tried to be pretty accurate with my estimations and calculations to stress to people you don't get optimum conditions all the time! thanks for the comment mate!!

@open2viewhoxtonpk2picton20 4 месяца назад

Wow. The most informative video I've see on the subject so far. Thank u😊

@sharongreaves759 11 месяцев назад

Great episode, lot's to think about before we get our van. Very helpful 👍

@brendanlind-uh6cf Год назад

Mate you broke it down very good a lot to take in but easy to understand

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks Brendan!! glad you enjoyed it mate!

@markelliott6370 Год назад

Bro you are a guru You smashed that out of the park! Good to see you helping and getting people to understand what solar and power storage is really about 🤙🏽

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

thanks mate!! appreciate the kind comment!!

@maxwood192 11 месяцев назад

Good video. Most people have no idea of how to how to manage a 12v system. The more money you spend the better the system, how much should you spend, spend as much as you can afford to spend. I purchased my camper van with a system already installed, maybe not the best system but I make it work. In normal circumstances my truck alternator and solar will keep my battery charged. About 4 pm every day I check my battery storage level, if it is too low to last overnight I run my honda 2kw generator for 60 to 90 minutes, I normally charge to above 90% battery storage level, this system works well. Personally I think its important to know the health of your battery, I have a very good battery monitor which gives me a lot of information on battery charge and discharge. yes manage the system well and you will have less problems.

@GlennBroome-im7mz 10 месяцев назад

Love your work. Learnt so much. Just keen to get on the road!!

@mattthwaites3924 Год назад

To quote Keelan “as the sun revolves around the earth…” 😂😂😂 they did teach me about that in school, but you re right not the 12v stuff! Seriously, a very helpful video. Enjoy watching your videos each week with my 5 year old son, he gets a massive stoke from watching and just wants to go camping all the time - love it!!! THANKYOU ❤❤❤

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

that one was a mouth typo, we don't do retakes normally so I was like stuff it, its going up hahah cheers for watching!! what a little legend! thanks for the support

@mattthwaites3924 Год назад

Yeah I know… but that’s why you guys are doing so well. Authenticity. We all make mistakes. Nothing wrong with it!

@VetinaVan Год назад

Nailed it, good to hear some common sense advice! When we left some time ago i put in 400ah of lithium and 1.6kw solar.. Been so many occasions when we have had a run of overcast days where others with much bigger battery systems have struggled to keep up charge, yet we were back to 100%. Solar is absolutely the heart! Safe travels. 🍻🍻🍻

@jerrymyahzcat 11 месяцев назад

Unfortunately many don’t have the space for the size solar arrays being discussed here. You need lots of real estate for large solar.

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

Thanks legend, love your system! I have actually seen a video you have done showing your solar setup, it’s perfect! Fill the roof is the best advice haha cheers for watching

@Charlie-ec3bc 4 месяца назад

Thanks for breaking it down to basics for us to understand great videos !

@jodyharbinson9018 Год назад

Thanks for keeping everyone real. We love watching you guys, you make so much sense. Get better soon

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

thanks legend! will always keep it real.. even if it gets us in trouble haha cheers

@mrmagoo2255 9 месяцев назад

@@SarahandKeelanTravels Your version of reality is closer to your rectum than your head. Try putting the latter in the former, instead of subsidising your yuppie lifestyle by vlogging tyre deflators at the expense of people trying to learn something. Have a nice day, show pony.

@GonzoTheWicked Год назад

great vid, i do enjoy the electrical vids and did buy an itech system after watching your channel. please tell me have you ever had anything to do with wind turbine power generation for long term off grid ? pos and neg?

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

Thanks mate!! Hope ya got a good SKT discount!! Save some coin! No I havnt aye and I will look into it

@GonzoTheWicked 11 месяцев назад

@@SarahandKeelanTravels um lol I actually did,, last year around the black friday sales I added your discount code as well and got a complete twin battery, dcdc,inverter,ac,etc kit for $2772.10,, so very much a massive win,( current price $3119.00),big thanks. It is for a camper Im building but did a test run at easter with a temp fit to our prado,, love the kit,, great gear. great buy. Great advice,,,Thanks

@MyVanConversion 10 месяцев назад

Great video. I agree with what you're saying. Really interesting about the drop in replacements for AGM - thanks for sharing

@johnkillen588 11 месяцев назад

that was the best expose/explaination on solar that I have heard and I thank you. I have a degree in EE and your explanations are clear, concise and above all Accurate! thanks

@stevemundy2862 Год назад

Well done Bro 👍

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

cheers Steve!!

@Mick_Farley Год назад

Best episode yet !

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

cheers legend!!

@patroln48 11 месяцев назад

Excellent, so informative - thank you!

@MrMercenary20 6 месяцев назад

Amazing data filled video and suuupperr easy to understand thank you for this

@joshyoung8773 Год назад

Awesome advice, Keelan. Something we will definitely use when we upgrade our van in a few years time and go for a full offgrid setup.

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

thanks mate!!

@alexandramary3118 11 месяцев назад

Hi Keelan and the excellent camera person Sarah, Thank you for this informative video. It took me some time to get my head around solar power for my horse float and then I realised that I needed more solar panels because my fridge was using more power than I had charging the batteries. You have also pointed out information that I wondered about with regard to using electrical items during the daylight hours when the batteries are charging. My system currently is 348 Ah AGM batteries, 450 watts portable solar panels with MPPT regulators which is working but I might get another 200 watt panel. I got AGM batteries because I read the lithium batteries didn’t like high temperatures but perhaps that has changed and the lithium batteries were much more expensive. I am a 65 YO female. I laughed at the term you used “as much use as boobs on a bull”. I have done some work on a large dairy farm and momentarily wondered how to fit the milking machine on the bull. Kind regards, Alexandra.

@bradrobertson1451 Год назад

Hey Legends. Keep up the good work. I actually collected my Austrack van same morning as you couple years ago in Adelaide. Good to see you’ve moved on to bigger and better things!!

@brittany_aus_explorers 11 месяцев назад

Great info and cheers for the discount!

@jamesprendergast4174 Год назад

Hey SK Team! Love your work and this vid is why. You make this complex topic simple enough for us mortals to understand. Entered the comp and would love to install that battery in the back of the cruiser! See you on the lap!

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks for watching James!! glad you got something out of it mate! good luck in the Comp!!

@garywilson9178 Год назад

That was great info. I’ll have what you’re having. Lots of solar.

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

more the merrier!! haha

@garywilson9178 11 месяцев назад

@@SarahandKeelanTravels hi, love you travels. When your at Orchid Beach, ask about for pics of the Orchid Beach resort and pool being swallowed up by the ocean in th 70s. I used to fly up there from Coolangatta and park at the front door located on the beach side of the grass runway and watched it disappear over a couple of years. Would be interesting to see any pics they might have. My wife says please change your sunnies Keelan!

@stuartturner5406 11 месяцев назад

As a fellow electrician... 100% Agree!!! Love this video :)

@noelinegranger5671 Год назад

Thanks for that very simple explanation I find a lot of this information is so confusing but you made that simple and clear understanding

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks legend!! thats the hardest thing about electrical!! trying to make it not only boring but its easy to comprehend!!

@Davi.b Год назад

Heads up. I am puzzled as to why people do not use the rear of the van to mount an extra solar pannel with its own regulator. Could even put it on a hinge so it sits flat like a the roof panels. Good vid bro. 👌

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

Great idea mate I actually really rate that!!

@Davi.b Год назад

@@SarahandKeelanTravels ta daaaaaa

@ouraussieadventuresinamog Год назад

This is great, well done explaining this. Alot of people certainly get this wrong. We have just gone through all this with our build for the Mog. Great episode it's funny to see a serious Keelan, hope your feeling better.

@coolhandluke1503 11 месяцев назад

This is golden, I've been thinking about this for days, even the simultaneous charge. Subbed and mostly because I'll need this knowledge soon, so I'll be checking out some other vids and this itech stuff, cheers for the help

@benkanobe7500 9 месяцев назад

I really appreciate your Informed Opinion as you are not just spewing crap you have heard. Thank you.

@aquadmc7295 Год назад

Great episode guys, I'm learning slowly. I've had IITECH products for a year or so, I like them. Just last week I ordered 200w solar blanket ( to replace a heavy 250 W folding panel) and a battery box for the portable battery I have. Thanks again, Cheers.

@dominic-ryan Год назад

Top content, really solid overview. I'm actually running on a 3 to 1 ratio, but that is crappy Vic weather for you. Awesome that the 120X is under bonnet rated. Easy capacity upgrade and weight saving over AGM.

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

I love a good 3:1! I always say 2:1 atleast any more is bonus!! That’s it mate!! I wish I had 3:1!

@user-ih4pq2bi4p 2 дня назад

Thank you for a clear and easy description of a solar system.

@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen 11 месяцев назад

Holey moley that is a BIG system compared to what we have used. Great information for people on this video. I am no electrician but I have been living with and building my own solar/wind systems since the 1990s and that 2:1 ratio is very important. This is probably the best video I have ever seen on building a solar system the right way. I was very interested to hear about the changes that allow litium to charge off and AGM systems because that has been the one thing that has stopped us going to lithium batteries. We have 3 different systems on 3 different vehicles and the cost of changing the AGM gear out was just prohibitive. Now we can start planning to make the change next time the batteries need replacing. It is amazing how quickly solar systems are changing. I remember the first panel I bought was huge, it cost $1200 and was only 120w!

@tylerfb1 11 месяцев назад

Good video. If I would suggest something, it’s moving away from amp-hours to watt-hours. It doesn’t make sense at first, but when you think about it, overall its easier to calculate and understand loads, storage and charge sources. Just multiply your battery amp-hours by the voltage and bang you’ve got a unit that is easy to apply everywhere, including across an inverter into high voltage. This also allows easier computation with 24 and 48 volt batteries, which is what I recommend over 12v.

@traceycrawford9938 11 месяцев назад

Thank you soooooooo much for this video!! Planning to start Vanlife in Australia soon (through necessity) and I’m so confused about the electrical setup. Your video is very clear and it’s finally starting to make sense! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

@SarahandKeelanTravels 11 месяцев назад

how exciting!! thanks for watching and safe travels!!

@richarddeutsch9984 11 месяцев назад

He forgot about the current beeing drawn all day long by the 12v/230v inverter. And the battery loosing power because of the bluetooth working and the bms calculating and so on. And those appliances draw more power than they advertise. So a Rice cooker for instance will say 450w but will draw up to 750w as long as it runs. A coffie machine will say 1550w but will draw 2000w until the water boils. So coffie + Rice and you will fry your 2000w inverter. Think bigger (but bigger also means more daily consumption) Also, depending where you live, there can be 1 or 2 or even 3 days, without sun. Think of 2 or 3 days of fridge, water pump and so on. Whatever you end up buying, just account for that little bit extra.

@pen1910 11 месяцев назад

nice work. i have enough knowledge to get me through🙄however your video has made me research a bit more to get the best out of my system. so a BIG thankyou

@mitchb8325 Год назад

Just on the weekend just gone had buy brand new replacement washing machine try tell me need new surge protector they deteriorate, after five years what load of rubbish just try make you spend more money & Don’t worry about the keyboard warriors they most probably never been touring in caravan or camper trailer do it off grid. That’s why I like watching your videos being up front and honest straight to the point

@SarahandKeelanTravels Год назад

thanks Mitch!! you gotta watch them mate!! we havnt had too many warriors, they cant lie with the calculations because thats the facts haha thats correct, I feel a lot of the time, people think they know power systems but have never used it out in the field! I reckon theory VS practical knowledge totally different!! thanks for watching mate

@tallambert 11 месяцев назад

Hi Keelan, great video and excellent advice for the whole battery to solar ratio. Your excellent advice of a 1:2 ratio of solar to battery is just as applicable to a fixed home system. (Of course lots of other considerations to work into that if you are grid connected but the basic principle of making sure that you maximise your generation to support the storage capacity) Have you also included a water (heat) storage capacity to your system? When you’re at maximum generation and nearing full (~80% charge), divert energy into a hot water storage system. I realise that this would need to be sized for your travel needs; however, by having a store of very hot water slows for the ability to use this when your not generating and this in turn make your stored energy go further. Awesome video and keep up the great work. (Ps wish we had as much useful sun over here in the UK 😊 )