|
|
10-22-2019, 03:25 AM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Irvine, California
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 38
|
New E21 Boondock Ready(5.1KwH solar system)
Hi folks,
Newby here, and first post. I have been enjoying reading posts old and new getting familiar with this forum
I thought I share a few pictures of my newly almost completed (90% ) Boondock ready system.
My setup:
- 2019 (8/13 orientation) Escape 21
- 24VDC (25.6VDC nominal) 200Ah LIfepo4 battery bank
- Victron 100/20 MPPT controller
-Victron 24/3000 inverter
-Victron BMC 712 Battery monitor
- 2 x Hyundai 260W solar panel.
- Micro Air softer start for 11000btu AC (runs on the inverter and bat)
Hope this will encourage some folks to take the leap to Lithium and Solar for their Escape.
Thanks,
Johnny
[/IMG]
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 05:28 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: alpharetta, Georgia
Trailer: 2014 21' Escape
Posts: 494
|
When we bought our Grover just over a year ago there were two things it does not have, one the outside shower that I will have aided one day but most of all solar. Doing most of our camping in the SE really no need for it but a soon as my better half can we are heading west and boon docking will be the plan.
I enjoy watching certain you tubers that this is how they live, now a days with lithium batteries and enough sun its not to hard to live off the grid.
Enjoy your new adventure on wheels.
Enjoy the journey.
Steve
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 06:14 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
|
Very nice job. How about a shot of the 260w panels? I'm taking it you managed to get them on the roof.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 07:39 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,146
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by E Ticket
- Micro Air softer start for 11000btu AC (runs on the inverter and bat)
Hope this will encourage some folks to take the leap to Lithium and Solar for their Escape.
|
Johnny: Welcome. I need to know more! I've been holding off on committing to solar/lithium primarily due to cost but also worried that shady sites and lower solar irradiance in the east will require a lot of panel area to have decent production. That said, it would be a perfect pairing with my 9,000 BTU Fujitsu mini-split heat pump. Since my roof A/C was removed I have room for more panels up top. I've been imagining the day that one could have whisper quiet A/C and heating running reliably from a lithium battery bank coupled with solar. Do you have any data on how long you can run the A/C without issue? Do your panels tilt? Thanks for your post.
(FWIW the only one I know of that seemed to be doing this reliably was Kimberley out of Australia. They had a downsized 7500 BTU A/C mated to a 2500W inverter with 480Ah lithium battery bank and 720W solar.)
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 07:49 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Trailer: 2010 17B “MATT”, then 2017 19 “Lilly”
Posts: 1,584
|
2 x 260W panels = 520W. Isn't that .52kW, as opposed to 5.1kW?
Also, wow, that is a sweet battery bank! And def need some pics of the roof.
Does this mean that your whole system is running at 24V now? If not, how do you manage that aspect of this setup?
__________________
💩-p+☕️+n
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 08:03 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,146
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sclifrickson
2 x 260W panels = 520W. Isn't that .52kW, as opposed to 5.1kW?
|
It is 520W or 0.52 kW of panel capacity, but he stated KwH. 0.52kW x say 10 hours of production per day (?) = 5.2 KwH of energy production. Even with the panels tilted perfectly and in the sun all day that is probably an unrealistic figure as far as actual production. Given all the factors you can really only figure on 4 hours or so of what solar experts consider "full sun" in any given day.
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 08:17 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: North of Danbury, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21C
Posts: 3,033
|
If possible could you post your approximate equipment costs and hours / time to install ?
I am sure many , myself included would be interested in doing something similar if the return on investment is there .
On another note , anything that leads to the elimination of camp site generators should be applauded !!
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 08:33 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,146
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve dunham
If possible could you post your approximate equipment costs and hours / time to install ?
I am sure many , myself included would be interested in doing something similar if the return on investment is there.
|
I'm curious as well, but will contend that you are doing this for capability not an ROI. The costs are still just too high. For perspective the closest system from AM Solar is $6,250 for materials only or $12,230 installed with 46 hours labor ($130/hr).
https://amsolar.com/rv-complete-solar-systems/99-trlslv
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 09:44 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: North of Danbury, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21C
Posts: 3,033
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327
I'm curious as well, but will contend that you are doing this for capability not an ROI. The costs are still just too high. For perspective the closest system from AM Solar is $6,250 for materials only or $12,230 installed with 46 hours labor ($130/hr).
https://amsolar.com/rv-complete-solar-systems/99-trlslv
|
I agree that a reasonable ROI is not possible . I’ve run the numbers several times for a much smaller and less elaborate system and based on our age , camping style and usage the numbers / cost just don’t add up for us .
That’s not to say these systems do not have value
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 10:04 AM
|
#10
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Irvine, California
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 38
|
Thanks, Steve. Have fun boondocking.
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 10:13 AM
|
#11
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Irvine, California
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 38
|
Still new to posting in a forum. Thought I attached a shot. Here is another try:
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 10:29 AM
|
#12
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Irvine, California
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 38
|
Hi, I am still learning how to upload images. I somehow was able to last night but now. I am bot eventhough I am doing the same steps. Baby steps. Will have the image to share when I learn more
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 10:31 AM
|
#13
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Irvine, California
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 38
|
Your code is wrong, I'm embedding the images - Donna D.
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 11:09 AM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Irvine, California
Trailer: 2019 Escape 21
Posts: 38
|
Thanks for the replies. I will better formulate answers later as I learn more of how to navigate using this forum. Thanks for interest and patience.
Johnny
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 11:14 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
|
Awesome setup.
This is definitely where things are heading for FTers and boondocking.
Interested in more of the details on stepping down voltage and if and how you’re incorporating shore power/tow vehicle charging line. This appears to be a similar install to the folks that are putting in the 24v Tesla battery module.
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 11:37 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,105
|
Nice, big panels. Nice, clean roof. Needs antennas on it.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 12:11 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
|
How are the panels secured to the trailer?
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 12:48 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NA, Arizona
Trailer: 2017 5.0TA
Posts: 549
|
Nice setup, perfect for boon docking as for A/C better technology is still needed.
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 12:53 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,105
|
If you had enough battery capacity to run an A/C after sundown just long enough to cool off the trailer for the night it would be worth it in dry climates. Wouldn't do you much good in the Southeast, though.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
|
|
|
10-22-2019, 04:44 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sclifrickson
2 x 260W panels = 520W. Isn't that .52kW, as opposed to 5.1kW?
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327
It is 520W or 0.52 kW of panel capacity, but he stated KwH. 0.52kW x say 10 hours of production per day (?) = 5.2 KwH of energy production. Even with the panels tilted perfectly and in the sun all day that is probably an unrealistic figure as far as actual production. Given all the factors you can really only figure on 4 hours or so of what solar experts consider "full sun" in any given day.
|
The title lists "5.1KwH", which was presumably intended to be 5.1 kWh (kilowatt-hours). That's presumably the energy storage capacity of the battery, not the peak power of the solar panels or the energy which might be generated by them per day.
5.1 kWh is consistent with the listed battery:
Quote:
Originally Posted by E Ticket
- 24VDC (25.6VDC nominal) 200Ah LIfepo4 battery bank
|
200 amp-hours multiplied by 25.6 volts is 5,120 watt-hours (or 5.12 kWh). This is roughly equivalent to a 400 Ah 12 V (nominal) lead-acid battery bank.
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|