Going off grid.

[Degnr8]

Hi all. I'm a newbie here. I just bought an Econoline 350 super duty that I'm going to convert and am looking for a trailer. I've been looking into my options for off grid electricity. I notice everything still recommends batteries and inverters, but with solar generators being so much simpler, cheaper, and more compact I'm wondering why. What's the down side to solar generators?

 

[Rich W.]

The solar generators that I’ve seen are small by RV standards and wouldn't supply enough power to get even a very efficient RV through the night, and without perfect solar conditions (a rarity) the panels aren’t big enough to make much more power during the day than to just recharge the battery. The solar output claims are under ideal conditions. They list running capacities in the 2000w+ range but the panels that come with them are nowhere near that capability. Since you are building this rig from scratch you can make it as efficient as possible, do you energy calcs, and maybe find a solar generator big enough to suit your needs.

 

[Wemustrv]

Welcome to RVforums. Enjoy your adventure! I am not in the know on solar generators so I will let the experts comment.

 

[Diesel Pusher]

Speaking from my own experience from Jeep camping with a rooftop tent using my Goal Zero Yeti 1000, I can run my Dometic CFX50W fridge/freezer, LED lights and recharge a couple of devises for about a week without recharging. I use two 100 watt folding panels to recharge and usually just plug them both into the Yeti at the start. I can also charge (AC or DC) from the Jeep when driving.

I've seen several Van and Schoolie builds, some more elaborate then others, using different brands of "solar generators" with built in inverters with solar ranging from 200 to 600 watts. These systems can work very well in a small rig. Determining your needs will identify any downside.

 

[TheLooks]

There is no free lunch. If you use it you have to recharge it. If you don't have enough solar input, it won't charge as fast as you use it. Usage and recharge rate will determine everything. Its nothing but a battery after all. I suppose the compactness of the package is attractive. As others have said, make sure of you usage and plan accordingly. Don't expect the pie in the sky recharge rates all day, every day.

 

[Degnr8]

The solar generators that I’ve seen are small by RV standards and wouldn't supply enough power to get even a very efficient RV through the night, and without perfect solar conditions (a rarity) the panels aren’t big enough to make much more power during the day than to just recharge the battery. The solar output claims are under ideal conditions. They list running capacities in the 2000w+ range but the panels that come with them are nowhere near that capability. Since you are building this rig from scratch you can make it as efficient as possible, do you energy calcs, and maybe find a solar generator big enough to suit your needs.

Thanks

 

[Degnr8]

Well, after figuring out my power consumption a solar generator that would meet my needs is ridiculously expensive. I'll go the battery and inverter route, which raises another question. My rig has a 24 volt system and I'd like to recharge from the alternator, so does that mean I need 24 volt house batteries?

 

[Voyageurs]

Depending on what you are pulling consider going with an electric tow vehicle. Obviously at some point you will have to recharge the battery but you can run a trailer for a LONG time off of an EV trucks battery in a typical dry camp situation. Lots of different variables of course but worth checking into for your situation.

Good luck.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Well, after figuring out my power consumption a solar generator that would meet my needs is ridiculously expensive. I'll go the battery and inverter route, which raises another question. My rig has a 24 volt system and I'd like to recharge from the alternator, so does that mean I need 24 volt house batteries?

Good choice! 24v system you say? That is just premium, and if true you can't do any better. Well OK you can but that would prick my interest. I would be verifying with multi meter.
You can find 24v inverters, almost all MPPT solar controllers will work out of the box! There are less losses in the conversion, smaller wires can be used in the conversion.

Any 12v things like lights and water pumps can be run off of a DC to DC converter.

My system is 24 volt. My lights, well most all my electrics are 115vac with the exception of the water pump.

 

[TheLooks]

Depending on what you are pulling consider going with an electric tow vehicle. Obviously at some point you will have to recharge the battery but you can run a trailer for a LONG time off of an EV trucks battery in a typical dry camp situation. Lots of different variables of course but worth checking into for your situation.

Good luck.

And what will that cost if a solar battery is to expensive?

 

[Voyageurs]

And what will that cost if a solar battery is to expensive?

Yah I get that. It’s more a suggestion if he is looking at a clean slate approach of replacing the tow vehicle. If that is in the cards then it’s a simple straight forward solution for someone wanting extreme off grid capabilities with a trailer truck solution. We do this to a lesser more limited degree towing with an electric SUV.

Just a suggestion. There are lots of ways to do it of course.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Yah I get that. It’s more a suggestion if he is looking at a clean slate approach of replacing the tow vehicle. If that is in the cards then it’s a simple straight forward solution for someone wanting extreme off grid capabilities with a trailer truck solution. We do this to a lesser more limited degree towing with an electric SUV.

Just a suggestion. There are lots of ways to do it of course.

Can I ask you a question? Why do you push EVs so desperately? Is it because you see the writing on the walls, with dealer lots being over run by quota they can't sell! Maybe you feel when the market tanks, like it is! you are afraid you won't be able to buy parts to keep your investment going? I don't really care for your answer, I do my research, and wouldn't own one. I just can't figure why you feel you need company!!!

 

[Voyageurs]

Can I ask you a question? Why do you push EVs so desperately? Is it because you see the writing on the walls, with dealer lots being over run by quota they can't sell! Maybe you feel when the market tanks, like it is! you are afraid you won't be able to buy parts to keep your investment going? I don't really care for your answer, I do my research, and wouldn't own one. I just can't figure why you feel you need company!!!

No. Just adding an alternative in an area I have some experience. We all do that on a public forum. I have no problem with gas or diesel vehicles. We have had many. But nothing wrong with discussing alternatives. Electric tow vehicles open up some possibilities within the camping world.

The idea behind public forums is to share knowledge. I have some experience in this realm. Why not share it.

Safe travels.

 

[TheLooks]

If only that were the reason. There is money to be made promoting the "future" in public forums. And they are always the first to cry to admin when someone calls them on it. This I have a good deal of experience in. The pattern is always the same, based on the comments made in the negative. The same responses in a pattern I have come to recognize. You are the best I have seen at it. Consider your response above about buying an overpriced tow vehicle which would restrict his camping ability within the US after he had said a solar battery was to much money. I have looked them up and $10,000 is not out of the question for a decent one. But it was an opportunity to promote "the future". And for the record, I hope it is the future, but only if I have unrestricted ability to move about the country like I have now. That is not a current reality, nor is it likely to be in my lifetime. Carry on with your regularly scheduled program.

 

[Degnr8]

I have a tangential question. I keep reading that I need a DC to DC charger. Why can't I just wire the second battery to the alternator? At this point I'm just talking about in the tow vehicle in case that matters like if the issue is current loss over the distance to the trailer

 

[TheLooks]

By wiring into the tow vehicle battery, you risk running it down to the point of not starting your tow vehicle. A DC to DC unit is used as a separate system to charge the trailer battery from the alternator when the engine is running. It will not run down the tow vehicle battery while the engine is not running.

 

[Degnr8]

I'm converting the tow vehicle into a camper as well. What I was asking about was wiring the house battery in the tow vehicle to the alternator, not the starting battery

 

[TheLooks]

The house battery is connected to the alternator. There is no way to connect both batteries to the charging wire without there being a connection between the batteries......You would need to put a disconnect in and remember to use it when the engine is not running or make it automatic so the switch only activates when the engine is running. ...a relay that powers up when the engine runs.

 

[TheLooks]

I read a bit on this, and alternators do not charge very fast. You may find you have to run the engine a long time. It would charge on a long drive yes. But not like you can run it for 15 minutes and get back up to full charge.

 

[Degnr8]

This is really helpful. Thanks