MooMoo is such a wonderful little girl!! I have never heard her bark!!! My dogs bark like a yappy!!! Thank you for showing all us your system and how you check it out.
My thumbs up is for a new, big fridge, for all your fresh fruits and veggies!! Great price too! It was interesting to see you do your power testing too. You have an awesome set-up. Looking forward to seeing you again soon xxx 💖
new to your vlog and I am impressed w/ your home set up!! U have all the comforts of home a way from home...Living like this is a dream but I ould be lost w/ all the technology...thanks for sharing
dang girlfriend, that's a lot of power, I envy you guys doing what you guys are doing, I'd love to live like you guys but my lungs are what holding me back. I told Carolyn that I'm living threw yours the thing I would to do is to live in a RV and travel. You go girl!
thank you for the video. I have a much smaller setup than you do and I have also installed a generator for ac use. I almost feel proud of myself for getting the backup power. even with all of your solar and batteries you saw it beneficial to do so as well. Thank you for the videos, keep them coming. maybe one day I will see you on the road, safe travels.
Ausia - Love to watch you and Moo-Moo! I have watched some of your fantastic interviews. It is amazing how many of these travelers have built/modified their vehicles for traveling. How did you all learn so much about electric, solar and conversions?
Panda loves her power and toys. Hey I'm the same way. Maybe one day I will have a setup like yours. I think its very cool. By the way I have a background in Electronics so all this tech talk was cool.
Seriously, are you an electrical engineer! You knowledge-base is huge: video recording/editing, sound, highly technically inclined. Do you have a technical background or did you learn all of this on the fly? Very impressed.
How long AC by its self -- You are awesome!!!! I am learning solar for small house --you are helping -- and just love your videos -ever since you was a mime LOL
I would strongly suggest to read the blog of Handy Bob Solar, especially his battery charging puzzle, it will help you have a better understanding and to optimize the system you have...
I was actually commenting to myself just before you turned on the hair dryer saying "all that and she does not have a hair dryer?" lol. Then you brought it out, love the video. Great to see what can be run.
Just found your channel watching "Suze's full time van life", they were talking about how your set up your solar for a model, looking forward to watching vids. I am still a couple years out but working on it.
You need to check amp draw off of your batteries. Voltage level is immaterial as a check for the ability of your electrical system to run all of your electrical devices. Not that you should not monitor voltage level, but amp draw is a better indication of your systems performance.
She was checking the voltage, 'i think,' to see if any power was coming off the batteries. If resistance is felt in the line the volrage will fluctuate a few decimal points showing 'activity' but that's all it means is, "yes the batteries have engaged." With no voltage fluctuation, at all, I think she was showing that her solar was operating all that directly, and that there was no amp draw off the batteries. Not sure, but that was my take home message. But only if she's somehow bypassing the batteries/inverter and has a switch that splits off to direct power into a charge controller to inverter system. But yes, if pulling off batteries, amp draw is the only thing that counts. Voltage is irrelevant except to know that your system is wired/operating properly and cleanly. Voltage drops should never occur. That means there's too much resistance in the system somewhere. Usually bc of wrong gauge wiring (too small or too long or both), or dirty terminals.
Girrrl....studying Solar for my rig! Your rig is awesome! Never seen so much solar run so many things. Going to check out the external battery charger. Thanks for info!! Your background must be electrical engineering!
Under load the batteries' voltage will drop in a temporary way, but you have to wait for a while once you've taken all the loads off to see what the 'resting' voltage of the batteries are. Your system is so robust that you just have to think about the batteries getting to a resting state below 12.2 which is pretty cool.
thinking your calling in life is as an educator. very impressive job. i learned more about solar in your video than with any of the others i've watched. thanks! BTW, is there such a thing as a battery with an alarm that goes off when it gets too low? some people might get so engrossed in a movie or game and forget to check their batteries. oh, one last question. how do you minimize the gasoline odor around your generator/gas can area? thanks so much. i think you're great.
No but most charge controllers have built in switches and most inverters do have alarms. Not sure about the gasoline smell all I can suggest is placing the generator further away so it doesn't bother you.
Dang girl! I have an Aliner camper I just bought and I want to figure out how to just put a couple of 100 watt solar panels on it. This is not my strong suit. I need you to teach a class. I appreciate your videos!
Is it just me, or is this one of the BEST vids that you've done yet? It really says a lot about how smart you are with energy management! You're DEFF more than the sum of your parts! Cheers girl!
It's real simple: You have 300 watts of solar panels. Therefore, your daytime loads should not exceed the power that your panels can provide - assuming your house batteries are full. And, your total power consumption each day should not exceed the amount of power that your solar panels can generate each day. For example, if you're getting 250 watts out of your panels for five hours per day, your total daily consumption should not exceed 1250 watt hours (5 x 250 watts). Of course, since you do have a generator, you can use as much as you want. But, if you want to be truly independent of your generator, you have to limit your power consumption to no more than your panels are producing. I would suggest increasing your solar capacity. But, you definitely seem to have enough battery capacity. Cool video!
Great video! Thx much +Panda Monium !! Can't wait to see the install of the solar fridge. Didn't know they made them LOL! And now I'm wondering about solar powered A/C units for RVs, too ....😊 Newbie question: if you pulled Panda into a friend's driveway or for some strange reason an RV park, could you use the plug you showed for your generator and then power the whole rig via electric? And if so, would you ever want to do that? Just wondering.
+Reba Kennedy Thanks Reba. ... an efficient solar air conditioner would be awesome lol. The answer to your question is yes I can use that plug for shore power, but it's really not my thing. I'm more into dry camping or Boondocking.
I love your musical choices. How did you find them and are they copyright free?(can't remember the proper term right now.) Also, in a couple of months I will be purchasing my first RV, a Class C. How do you know much solar will be needed? I will be boondocking most of the time, if not all of the time.
Yup on RU-vid 👍 awesome... congrats . Everyone's power consumption is different you'll have to find what your needs are and what electronics you'll be using.
You can run your laptop with 12VDC directly from a cigarette lighter type plug. Your voltage inverter uses a lot of power converting 120 VAC to 12 -18VDC The computer has a built in voltage regulator in it that takes the DC input voltage and regulated it to 5 VDC to run the laptop. You laptop battery is 12 VDC Most people don't know this and continue to use the inverter that comes with every laptop sold. That;s because it's there to use in the home. Have someone wire a cigarette lighter plug with the correct polarity to your laptop and put the inverter away
If done in daylight you are checking your solar cells. You would have to do this at night to check your battery. I guess you have 2 separate batteries. I wouldn't check it at night maybe before daylight in morning. I believe you have way more solar cell then battery.
+Sidney Boudro Thanks that's why I made the title.... What can my solar panels run. I have tested it at night and wouldn't try to run all this on battery power at night, but I can run one or two items for a several hours at night... thanks for your comment. :)
hi Panda...running your window air conditioner that uses 4 amps at 120 volts...@120 volts 1 amp equal 120 watts...4 amps equals 480 watts...@ 12 volts 1 amp equals 12 watts so that means you are taking 480 watts out of your batteries...
Wow, You have got some serious Solar. I have 1k watts and a 3,500 watt inverter. However, I have a small battery bank due to weight restrictions. It works well as my Solar can supply all my needs during the day while keeping my battery bank in float all day. You have a huge battery bank that must weigh close to 1,000 pounds. How does your RV handle all that weight and does it put you over the maximum payload of your RV?
The engine is a 350 1 ton and seems to handle well considering the battery weight but I try not to drive more than a 100 miles at one time. Thankfully my panels are lightweight only 4lbs each.... and I don't carry anything else heavyweight. I have driven 18,000 miles so far with no issues ...only regular maintenance. 👍🙄
do you ever deploy those panels as an awning in the horizontal position you could maybe collect full power, near 1kw, this would supply most of the power needed by the a/C , and reduce battery drain, supporting you some 'Cool' in the afternoon without killing the batteries also what is the max power charge you have seen from the panels
Yes if there's five on the roof and 8 on the side and it's just so I have the panels they still charge the battery even folded down but at least I do have the option and I have put them up like a awning Hector.... I was just stating I don't put them up every place I go to
There's a couple ( Jennifer and Mike Wendland) with a 24' Foot Class B RV Roadtrek van that can run there A/C and everything on at the same time, Even the Microwave, the top of there van is solid Solar panels and there central A/C is locaded under the Van, Pretty Awesome with Lithium Ion Batteries. I want to say he's getting 27,000 Watts. Here's his web site. roadtreking.com/category/how-we-roll/
Hi: Fully charged flooded lead acid, deep cycle batteries, such as the Trojan T-105's or InterState 6 Volt banks in groups of 2,4,6,or 8 cells are considered fully charged to a maximum healthy capacity @ 13.8 Volts DC. Batteries @ 12.4 Volts DC are at about 80% of their max capacity. @ 11.5 Volts DC those batteries are at approx 60% of their max capacity, and should not be taken lower. @ 10.5 Volts DC your batteries are at 50% of charge, and will be damaged if they are not Trojans. Trojan Batteries are the only company who ONLY manufacture deep cycle batteries ! 😉 Trojan do not manufacture automotive batteries. No 12 Volt battery should be considered a true deep cycle, serviceable battery suitable for solar battery banks. There simply isn't enough lead in the 12 Volt cells to escape common discharge damage and sulfation. Many RV folks use 12 Volt deep cycle, flooded lead acid cells in their solar systems, but they won't get the overall performance and longevity from their battery arrays that are obtained from using proper 6 Volt cells. Also, it is not your solar panels which you are running off of, only the battery arrays you have and your inverter. Your solar panels are only used to charge your array.
Wow all the solar panels on your right side does your rig no justice! We never get to see the left side of your motor home lol Your interior is beautiful. and WOW your battery bank is phenomenal!!! YES I'M VERY INTERESTED ABOUT YOUR REVUE. BW
question..... I have been really having a difficult time trying to find a Class B van. I hear that it is easier to do Urban boondocking if I had a Class B van or a vehicle., are you having a hard time with Docking? Are you still able to do Urban boondocking or must you go to Lowe's, Home Depot, or Walmart and Industrial locations to park overnight in? I'm still trying to decide if I should get a Class C if I can't find a Class B
I have boondocked in an urban area before but yes it would probably be easier in a smaller class b than a class c but I don't mine staying in industrial areas or box stores.
I would love a complete list of the products you used to set up your solar and battery and generator system. Help a Newbee out sister. lol I have no clue - I don't even understand why 2 6v batteries instead of 1 12v battery. I Just sold my motorcycle - 1 step closer to my RV life. So much research yet to do and still have to find an affordable RV.
Awesome congrats on getting closer to RV life... if you look on my channel there is a solar playlist that has a lot of information that might help and to answer your question the reason for 6 volt batteries instead of 12 is because they have bigger lead plates and can hold a charge for longer and usually more Amp hours. Goodluck
Thanks so much! I look forward to maybe meeting you at RTR or Quartsite after I get it going;) I'm still in sticks and bricks in Holiday, Fl. right now. If you're in the neighborhood feel free to stop by:)
AUSIA. ON A OLDER VEHICLE LIKE PANDA .NORMAL CHARGEING SYSTM VOLTAGE IS ABOUT 12.75 TO 13.50. WITH ALL U RUN IN PANDA .12 VOLT W EVERY THING RUNNING IS FINE. AS FAR AS A.C. YOU SHOULD HAVE NO TROUBLE W SAY 5000 BTU .YOU SHOULD PROBABLY KNOW WHAT YOUR UNIT IS. OTHER OPTION IS YOU CAN EASALIE RUN ANY LOWER BTU FROM ABOUT 800 TO ABOUT 1000 BTU. SOME ONE IN ANOTHER VID THAT BOB WELLS DID HAD A 825 BTU WINDOW UNIT. U HAVE MANY OPTIONS. COWBOY.😃🐼....
So what about your fridge! do you have it on all the time and from which bank you give it the power the 220amps in house bank or the other 960amps. and I noted that somehow the 6v battries seems to work better than the 12v bank is that true!
Thanks for you question ...i usually run it (yes full-time) on the house batteries since they're hooked up to the alternator, solar panels and generator. It is correct that two 6 volt batteries are usually better than one 12 volt.... First let’s look at the make up of each type of battery. Both are lead acid batteries, both contain 2.1 volt cells. Three cells in the 6 volt battery and six cells in the 12 volt battery. The 6 volt battery has more space per cell than the 12 volt hybrid so the plates are thicker and will last longer. The 6 volt will be able to discharge deeper than any hybrid 12 volt deep cycle. Two 6 volt deep cycle batteries are a much better buy than two hybrid 12 volt batteries.
+joeshaver100 It runs off of 12v and is very efficient but they aren't suggest for high humid climates .....although I haven't ever had a problem with mine even in humid climates
Ausia, This is exactly what i wanted to know!!!! omg i watch a new video from Bob cheap rv living he was showing new batteries and his solar panel setup. I asked questions why he would need so much power he has answered yet. but others have answered my questions. I asked the samething you are doing. well I said im going to have a sewing machine running a/c , microwave, lights,computer, etc. wanted to know how much I would need to buy.... well you did awesome love this video!!!!!! This is going on my collection!!!! plus im sending this to my girlfriend we were disgusting this whole situation. well you answered my concerns and questions!!!!!
How long can you run you stuff through out the night though? Like your air conditioner and the TV through the whole night? 300watts totally do this? I was thinking of getting like 1000w when i get a class B camper
+Beezy Talking Shit No I would run my air conditioner during the day... it's a power hog! The Tv i can run all night long.... good luck with your search for a class B :) and getting solar installed.
Quick question: Is there anyway to run an oven/range or heat/electric blanket off solar panels? I see people using propane to heat and cook with even though they have panels. Do these devices simply drain too much power?
Oven/range would YES definitely use alot of power, so i wouldn't suggest it and as I stated in my last video (heres the link... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nEPObs5YzmA.html) I have a propane stove and oven and my 30lb propane tank last me over 6 month just cooking. So I believe it's just more efficient unless you use induction cook tops that still use alot of power but more efficiently and also there are 12volt electric blankets that I do use myself with my solar power ...which I show in my next video. Hope that helps.
Panda Monium Ok, cool. I had no idea you could get that much use out of a propane tank. I live in S.C. anyway, so heat would not be a major need, except Dec.-Feb. Thank you for the quick response!
Oh my goodness, you have an awesome setup! Do you have a video or blog post on how you set it all up? I am not in my van yet, she is empty and almost ready to start rebuilding her. Really really like your set up :o)
Thanks I do have a solar playlist with about 11 videos related to my solar setup here is the link if you're interested. .. Rv Living Solar: ru-vid.com/group/PLEyLkKywZHoQtAPo5o7p-yL_59TTgIKvL
