New E21 Boondock Ready(5.1KwH solar system) - Escape Trailer Owners Community
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Old 10-22-2019, 03:25 AM   #1
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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










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Old 10-22-2019, 05:28 AM   #2
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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
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Old 10-22-2019, 06:14 AM   #3
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Very nice job. How about a shot of the 260w panels? I'm taking it you managed to get them on the roof.
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Old 10-22-2019, 07:39 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E Ticket View Post
- 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.)
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Old 10-22-2019, 07:49 AM   #5
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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?
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Old 10-22-2019, 08:03 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by sclifrickson View Post
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.
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Old 10-22-2019, 08:17 AM   #7
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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 !!
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Old 10-22-2019, 08:33 AM   #8
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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
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Old 10-22-2019, 09:44 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
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
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Old 10-22-2019, 10:04 AM   #10
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Thanks, Steve. Have fun boondocking.
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Old 10-22-2019, 10:13 AM   #11
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Still new to posting in a forum. Thought I attached a shot. Here is another try:
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Old 10-22-2019, 10:29 AM   #12
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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
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Old 10-22-2019, 10:31 AM   #13
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Your code is wrong, I'm embedding the images - Donna D.
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Old 10-22-2019, 11:09 AM   #14
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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
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Old 10-22-2019, 11:14 AM   #15
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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.
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Old 10-22-2019, 11:37 AM   #16
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Nice, big panels. Nice, clean roof. Needs antennas on it.
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Old 10-22-2019, 12:11 PM   #17
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How are the panels secured to the trailer?
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Old 10-22-2019, 12:48 PM   #18
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Nice setup, perfect for boon docking as for A/C better technology is still needed.
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Old 10-22-2019, 12:53 PM   #19
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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.
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Old 10-22-2019, 04:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sclifrickson View Post
2 x 260W panels = 520W. Isn't that .52kW, as opposed to 5.1kW?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
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 View Post
- 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.
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