Hi, I do camp hosting and off grid primitive camping. I full time. I had a large solar/battery system in the motorhome available 4 years ago. Now the 48 volt all in one systems are well tested with good reviews. And the prices have gone down wonderfully. I plan to put in the core components myself (inverter/batteries/wiring in between those) and hire out install of the solar panels and hire out the actual wiring to the breaker box, etc.
Has anyone is the group gone to 48 volt?
Are you planning on doing it?
I am camp hosting in mid Texas - Very affordable campground near Coleman Texas. Does anyone want to “partner” up and we help do each other’s solar/electrical upgrade? If so, please let me know.
Thanks Chuck
Hi Chuck - While I didn’t go the 48V route, I stayed with 12V and did all of the things you’re planning for your setup. I posted those in this thread:
I went with all Victron components and Battleborn lithium batteries. The Victron inverter allowed me to supply 120V AC to both legs for 50A service which made the AC side wiring much simpler. The main difference for your setup will be supplying 12V DC using a DC to DC converter similar to a Victron Orion to take the 48V input and supply 12V output for the RV 12V system.
Not sure what components you’ve selected, but I found the install to be pretty straightforward. You’ll be able to use smaller gauge wiring for the DC side going with 48V, where I had had to use 4/0 wiring for my 12V connections between the batteries and inverter. The 120V AC wiring was the easiest as I was able to use the existing wiring and just splice in the the inverter output between the shore power and generator.
I still may convert from 12V to 48V in the future, mostly to save weight on the batteries and DC wiring.
Hi, I appreciate the input. Very good points. My last rig was victron and it worked well for me. Thanks
Chuck I am curious if you are going to continue with Victron components. I look forward to seeing your install.
Hi Ryan,
I used victron boondocking for 4 years and loved it with the motorhome that I had. I had a huge system (2 3000 watt multiplus 2s, about 3000 watts of solar on a platform and 20 battle born lithium 100 amp batteries). Victron is great. However, I have less space in this Vilano. I am hoping I can get 2000 watts on the roof (I have 3 air conditioners on the top so that limits roof room unless I platform over them). And I probably will almost never pull 4000 watts from the inverter at once. I probably will be pulling 1500 watts 95% of the time. So if I use a 6000 watt inverter, it will be just cruising most of the time and rarely go to 2/3s percent. If I have 3 or 4 48 volt batteries, that will give me a battery bank of 1200 to 1600 watts which should give me “extra”. I think I will heat off grid with a diesel heater - they work wonderfully and use very little electricity and very little diesel.
So based on size, cost, convenience and efficiency I think I will go with another brand of 48 volt - an all in one system. I am researching (reading, utube watching and calling distributors for info now) and I am now deciding between 3 inverters (I think) and 3 different battery makers (I think).
Thanks for the response.
Also, again, If anybody out there wants to do their build while I do mine and “help” each other. It could make it more fun.
Hey Chuck - That was a lot of battery in your motorhome!
My 34RLB (Beacon version of 320) has 2700 watts up there and also had three ACs. It is all Victron with 2 Multiplus II inverters but nowhere near the battery bank that you had. We had 600aH but served us well. I am an ex IT guy so I have always been a bit heavy on power usage with gadgets I use and could have always used a bit more of a battery bank. We were primarily off grid with the last year being over 270 days without hookups and full time.
Diesel heaters are very efficient. We almost switched to one for our heat in our Beacon and have been on a bit of a conversion quest so have it spec’ed for our next unit. I am guessing you have been eyeballing the EG4 for all in one solutions?
Would love to make it down to Texas for a co-install but I wont be ready for the next install for a bit.
270 DAYS!!! Good for you. I went nomad in 2007. And started boondocking around 2012. Back when there was nothing. It is nice to see your roof.
I had a diesel heater in one rig I had and loved it. I may install one in this one under the stairs. It was so efficient. Works fast. uses very little electric and uses very little diesel. I don’t know why more rigs don’t use them. And I think, it would be a quick install. I may remove the built in vacuum that I never use to put it in there.
If you ever get to hord’s creek campground (Corps of Engineers), say “hi”. I am doing the gate attendant / camp host task till April fools day next year. Super affordable. 22 to 25 a night but if a person has the senior pass or the disabled pass - 12 to 14 a night and wonderfully quick, well spaced out with great lake views.
Did you mainly do blm?
Diesel heaters are very popular in the conversion community; van, boxtruck, skoolie and overlanders but agree I dont see many RV folk doing it.
Yes mostly BLM. In that time we only paid for a spot 3 nights @ $10 a night and our kept our dump / fill fees to a minimum (utilizing free when we can find it) so our total “camping fees” expenses during that time was just a few hundred bucks.
We typically winter in south Texas but the park we use down there closed up for renovations this winter so not sure we will make it to Texas. Would enjoy swinging into Hords Creek.
Keep us updated with your solar solution I am interested in seeing how it comes along.
cool, I did alot of desert, New Mexico State Park boondock and some national parks. I want to do blm when I leave here. I would love to hear about where you went. If you get bored, my email is red2020jeep@gmail.com. Thanks for the response. Chuck