| Author |
Message |
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16501
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3019
Location: MD
|
 Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 6:25 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
 |
|
It's not the size of the tank, it's the MPG! With a 20 gallon tank the farthest I have gone is 266 miles. Since I have GW's screwy fuel level sender I usually fill up between 200-220 miles on the odometer and add 12 gallons. If it read accurately I would probably do 270 miles per fill up.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16501
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 6:51 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
| 4Gears4Tires wrote: |
| It's not the size of the tank, it's the MPG! With a 20 gallon tank the farthest I have gone is 266 miles. Since I have GW's screwy fuel level sender I usually fill up between 200-220 miles on the odometer and add 12 gallons. If it read accurately I would probably do 270 miles per fill up. |
FWIW I think the syncro tank is 18.5 gallons.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 3019
Location: MD
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
I thought it was 20! You might have just saved me a stranded fiasco at some point in the future. So 250 miles is about where I would go if I had spare gas or an accurate gas gauge.
_________________
'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22640
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 8:03 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
| dobryan wrote: |
| djkeev wrote: |
I have my Dometic CF11 center console refrigerator in the Van right now.
https://www.dometic.com/en-au/au/products/food-and...1-_-190935
This is my "go to" everyday work refrigerator.
I find it curious that this small 1.1 cf unit sucks 2.2 amps 30 watts at 12v
And
My big Truck Fridge TP41a sucks but 1.9 amps 45 watts at 12v
I guess the Wattage factors in?.......
|
Dave, Wattage is not an independent figure.
Watts = Amps x Volts.
Not sure why the math does not work for the two fridges. |
You need the watt hours ( units of energy) used over many cool cycles to compare. 24 hours would be enough.
_________________
.ssS! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
Well, it has been 22 hours, I was going to do a full 24 hours but the sky darkened, the thunder rumbled and the lightning flashed!
Looking at the radar map it was pull the Ecoflow now while dry to charge it for tomorrow, or go out and get it in a monsoon later.
I opted for being dry rather than wet.
22 hours used 58% of the charge.
That means if fully charged I have just shy of two days of power.
Considering that it will charge during driving, that's not bad.
But if I snatch up my bargain add on battery....... I'll have almost four days of power.
Decisions, decisions....... but more storage = less anxiety ....... kinda like carrying a spare rear wheel hub or fuel pump, you kinda know you won't and you hope you do NOT need it, but it's nice to know it is there.
Though I DID need a fuel pump before I started carrying a spare, I'll probably never need one again........
Dave
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ProspectiveOwnergon
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2020
Posts: 211
Location: SoCal
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
| Goal zero just did 2:30pm to 8:am from 100% down to 46% in the morning. Was running TF65 at setting 5-6 which is almost coldest. Pretty impressive. 100w panel plugged in now and claims full in about 4-5 hours. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
S4VAGE
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007
Posts: 258
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 8:42 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
| Had I read this thread a couple of days ago I would have grabbed the REI deal. This is a great solution that can move between vans. I went with solar suitcase for all the reasons. We picked up a second Westy and I have been tried to be more selective about what upgrades I really NEED. I was avoiding doing all the second battery stuff. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
S4VAGE
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007
Posts: 258
Location: Oregon
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dlb154
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2006
Posts: 359
Location: Reno, NV
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 9:18 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
Guys, The Bluetti AC50S is a solid unit and always less money than others. The only drawback is the invertor is only 300w. Not an issue for me since I don't need AC power and only use it for the 12v and USB.
See the thread I started for more info and pictures of the unit I built several years ago using a MPPT charge controller, fuse block, power ports, and SLA batteries. I didn't add an invertor because I didn't need one. My cost a few years ago to build this was double the cost of the Bluetti, 4 times as big, 4 times as heavy, and less capacity given the SLA batteries vs the Li-Ion batteries in the Bluetti.
Yes today you can build your own for a great price but once you add in the BMS and pure sin wave invertor, all in a small form factor, it's really not worth the hassle to build for most people.
I've tested this unit earlier this spring to power my 50qt ARB and a cheap 52qt AlpiCool refrigerator. See results in the thread. ARB is more than double the cost but out performs the AlpiCool by several hours.
We have a couple SunPower flexible solar panels (110w) and they consistently push 115w in full daylight. This charges the AC50S faster than the AC wall adapter that comes with the Bluetti.
Dave (djkeev) - get yourself a solar panel to charge your Ecoflow and drop the worry about running out of power. Your daytime draw is easily replenished with a 100w solar panel and in the cooler evening hours, you shouldn't have much draw at all.
Here's my thread on the AC50S: (edit - link didn't work)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
Last edited by dlb154 on Sat Jun 05, 2021 11:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
S4VAGE
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007
Posts: 258
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2021 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
I’d snag that if I were you!
These will Be one of those items that improve in quality and plummet in price. |
Ordered... running Zamp portable panel + 63qt ARB |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22640
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 5:15 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
Well, it has been 22 hours, I was going to do a full 24 hours but the sky darkened, the thunder rumbled and the lightning flashed!
Looking at the radar map it was pull the Ecoflow now while dry to charge it for tomorrow, or go out and get it in a monsoon later.
I opted for being dry rather than wet.
22 hours used 58% of the charge.
That means if fully charged I have just shy of two days of power.
Considering that it will charge during driving, that's not bad.
But if I snatch up my bargain add on battery....... I'll have almost four days of power.
Decisions, decisions....... but more storage = less anxiety ....... kinda like carrying a spare rear wheel hub or fuel pump, you kinda know you won't and you hope you do NOT need it, but it's nice to know it is there.
Though I DID need a fuel pump before I started carrying a spare, I'll probably never need one again........
Dave |
That’s only one day use using the “ don’t discharge below 50%” rule which you should follow for flooded lead acid batteries
_________________
.ssS! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32584
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 5:59 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
| Abscate wrote: |
| djkeev wrote: |
Well, it has been 22 hours, I was going to do a full 24 hours but the sky darkened, the thunder rumbled and the lightning flashed!
Looking at the radar map it was pull the Ecoflow now while dry to charge it for tomorrow, or go out and get it in a monsoon later.
I opted for being dry rather than wet.
22 hours used 58% of the charge.
That means if fully charged I have just shy of two days of power.
Considering that it will charge during driving, that's not bad.
But if I snatch up my bargain add on battery....... I'll have almost four days of power.
Decisions, decisions....... but more storage = less anxiety ....... kinda like carrying a spare rear wheel hub or fuel pump, you kinda know you won't and you hope you do NOT need it, but it's nice to know it is there.
Though I DID need a fuel pump before I started carrying a spare, I'll probably never need one again........
Dave |
That’s only one day use using the “ don’t discharge below 50%” rule which you should follow for flooded lead acid batteries |
I'm not sure I agree.
I believe that The remaining percentage showing on the display is down to a safe discharge level.
When it gets to zero, it shuts off to prevent any farther draw down.
I need to verify this to be true but there are absolutely no warnings to not use it below a given percentage point.
My understanding is that it is more like a fuel gauge you use to judge how full your tank is before you set off.
I would think that they "stupid proofed" this in many ways.
Dave
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dlb154
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2006
Posts: 359
Location: Reno, NV
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 7:54 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
These units use Li-Ion batteries and the discharge depth is different than lead acid batteries. So you get more usable capacity out lithium batteries.
As you stated Dave, the internal controller will protect the batteries and shut off when drained too low. I wouldn't hesitate to use it till it stops and then recharge it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ProspectiveOwnergon
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2020
Posts: 211
Location: SoCal
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 10:07 am Post subject: Re: Portable Power Devices aka Solar Generator |
|
|
| Agreed! Most lion batteries are programmed to be at 0 with about 5-10% remaining to prevent rundown destruction. There would be serious class-action lawsuits if running your battery to 0% kills it, when that's your gauge. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
