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Merian
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Joined: January 04, 2014
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Zeitgeist 13
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Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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 Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices |
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We recently bought a Bluetti, but haven't really used it yet.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Abscate
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Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22639
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices |
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It’s approximately 1/4 of a Group 24 battery at 4x the price
A bit of a hefty price for portability
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VicVan
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Joined: July 01, 2015
Posts: 1840
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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| Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices |
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Add an 110V inverter and a battery charger and you can build one yourself!
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32576
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 4:32 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices |
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Wow!
This thread got shut down fast by a few strong negative comments!
I think the nay sayers need to view this topic differently.
There are many of us, myself included, who haven't the electronic know how to gather bits and assemble a unit such as these that are commercially offered.
However...... If someone wants to put one together for me.......
Plus
We don't want a permanent in vehicle mount situation. Portability between vehicles is a huge selling point for me.
Plus
Having it all in a neat little case is a selling factor too.
I am in the market for a unit to run my Truck Fridge TF-41 chest refrigerator (so yesterday, so discontinued! Replaced by ref/freezer combo units ) all night and maybe for a day or so while parked.
It will recharge while driving Via the lighter port.
Or plug it in to Shore Power if available.
I will need the ability to power the refrigerator while charging the generator.
I will be wanting to move the power pack between vehicles at times too.
So, One of these portable "solar generators" has a huge appeal.
I've been looking at a few of them.
The Jackery
Bluetti (the AC30 only charges via 110 shore power or solar panels.)
YETI Goal Zero
River EC Overflow
Plus a lot of unheard of brands
I'm not looking to run 110v appliances or other items, really just the refrigerator. ..... maybe an LED light.
Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Last edited by djkeev on Sat May 29, 2021 6:31 am; edited 7 times in total |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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shadetreemech
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Joined: October 05, 2005
Posts: 777
Location: Claremont, CA
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
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A Goal Zero Yeti came with the Van; I keep it topped off with a Renogy 100W Solar Suitcase unit. The Yeti powers the Engel MR040 to keep the oatmeal stout cold.
Dan
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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DuncanS
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Joined: October 17, 2013
Posts: 4583
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
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24AH??? Seems a bit pricey for so little storage capacity.
https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?name=sportsm...p;id=51512
4+ times the storage for half the price. Under the back seat, forgotten and out of the way. Guessing that at least this will be needed to keep his fridge cold overnight.
Can't some of you knowledgeable people help Dave chose the bits and pieces he needs along with a wiring diagram? Considering all the help he has provided over the years it is a small task to help a fellow T3 guy. |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32576
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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rmcd
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2010
Posts: 1348
Location: PNW - its a dry rain.
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2021 10:16 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Ya know what?
The moreI look at the various units, the more I like the Ecoflow unit.
It has features that intrigue me.
The biggest minus is the fan running while charging, but I'm guessing this noisy fan also explains the fast recharge time...... Keeping the heat at bay.
In an already noisy Van...... what's a little fan noise?
At $300 I'm not going to do much better on price, I pulled the trigger.
I can always return it if it ends up not living up to the hype.
Dave |
Roger that Dave! I’m trying to dyi my own and can’t get b grade batteries for that price let alone charger and BIS and MPPT.
Nice work.
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight= |
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djkeev
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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vegpedlr
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Joined: June 07, 2014
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Location: TBD
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| Posted: Mon May 31, 2021 8:37 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
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For a lot people, these things will work well. A lot of van folk use them for all power needs. Being able to take them outside, or in the house during an outage. Sure, you can DIY, but once you’re done, the cost won’t be that far off, and the form factor will probably be more awkward. I’m still waiting for mine to experiment with while I try to kludge my way through a mess of parts for permanent van system. Keep an eye on the InterWebz, lotsa sales.
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ProspectiveOwnergon
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Joined: May 22, 2020
Posts: 211
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Mon May 31, 2021 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
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I have the Yeti Goalzero 500x and used the 6mm 12v plug (10amps max) to anderson to bluesea fuse block. It fits on it's back behind driver seat. It can even fit in the house battery box on it's back. Since the fans are in the sides, it can sit in this orientation.
The tf65 and sink draw 6amps so I can even draw more against it if I want. Charging it I would have to plug in my solar briefcase and 30' extension cord.
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djkeev
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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ProspectiveOwnergon
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Joined: May 22, 2020
Posts: 211
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
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You absolutely could. You can have solar plugged in or the car charger if you still have a cigarette lighter port to do so. The lid of the driver battery housing wouldn't close and tou wouldn't want it to a) ports are facing up and b) fans on side will want fresher air.
The thing with most of these solar generators are they have lower power consumption capabilities. The 120ac outlets tend to pop after 300w...however, I can run my Traeger scout off it without a problem...other than draining my battery after about 8 hours. :p
Enjoy your EcoFlow! Purchased my 120ah batteries to build my own LiFePo4 pack...so then the GZ will become a random need. |
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slownsteady
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Joined: October 22, 2013
Posts: 49
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
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Hello Dave - I too went this route wrt a portable all in one battery backup (though I did go with the Dometic PLB40 - 40ah capacity). I run a Engle fridge with it and have 100w solar panels. I also have a standard flooded aux starting battery under the drivers seat for additional capacity if needed.
My experience with this setup is it works great! I have not found myself wanting for more capacity. I did some initial testing with my fridge and battery and found I could easily achieve 2 to 3 day's operation with the fridge set to approx 36 to 40F. Ambient or outside temps play a big role in the cycling of the compressor in the fridge and resultant draw on the battery. Plugging the solar panels directly into the battery gets it back up to 100% during the day if you have good sun. Driving a few hours will also bring the charge back up to 100%.
Basically, if you are traveling every day or two and camping in the evenings, don't bother hooking up the solar. If are camping and staying put for a 2 or more days, definitely put the solar panels out and chase the sun.
One note to pay attention to - the EcoFlow power packs use LithiumIon batteries and not LithiumIon"Phosphate" batteries. The difference between the two is primarily the longevity and recovery capacity of the battery. The LithiumIon is rated for approx 500 cycles. Depending on how much you travel / camp, this should last many years ( example being 25 weekends per year = approx 50 cycles per year = 10 years of service).
I really think you will enjoy the simplicity and portability of this approach. Keep us posted on how it works and how you like it. |
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djkeev
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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djkeev
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