Solar Powered Truck Camping | For Better or Bikes

Рет қаралды 23,766

4 жыл бұрын

This is our Solar Powered Truck Camping setup. We have been using consistently for almost 2 years with no issues. We initially started with a generator, but realized it is impractical to carry a gas can and fire up a generator just to charge phones or cook a quick meal. Also, they are loud and some locations dont allow them.
We use our Solar Powered Truck Camping setup to cook meals on an electric skillet, charge electronic devices, power lights, and heat up water for showers and coffee.
The whole setup cost around $1000, but has more than paid for itself in convenience. We no longer search for electricity or have to pay for campsites to have access to warm water and electricity.
Solar Powered Truck Camping Parts List
3x: Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel (Slim Design): amzn.to/2QlZwrk
1x: Vmaxtanks Vmaxslr125 AGM Deep Cycle Battery: amzn.to/30fXAFA
1x: Adjustable Solar Panel Mount (41-inch Length): amzn.to/2Qmw84c
1x: AIMS Power 2000 Watt 12 VDC Pure Sine Inverter Charger w/ 6000W Surge: amzn.to/2Of4HGR
1x: AIMS Power REMOTELF Remote Switch with LCD Monitoring Screen: amzn.to/2LHblUY
1x: Temank 40A MPPT Charge Controller: amzn.to/30zCNI9
1x: Fan-Tastic Vent 01100WH Endless Breeze - 12 Volt Fan: amzn.to/2QjXI28
1x: Crimping Tool for Lugs. You cannot crimp lugs without this!: amzn.to/30ajSs6
1x: 5 Pack 4/0 Gauge 4/0 AWG 5/16" Stud UL Heavy Duty Copper Crimp Lugs: amzn.to/34WuGJn
2x: 2 Pack 4 Gauge 4 AWG 5/16" Stud UL Heavy Duty Copper Crimp Lugs: amzn.to/2M6uj6f
1x: 5 Pack 1/0 Gauge 1/0 AWG 5/16" Stud UL Heavy Duty Copper Crimp Lugs: amzn.to/30fIFer
1x: 5 Pack 4/0 Gauge 4/0 AWG 5/16" Stud UL Heavy Duty Copper Crimp Lugs: amzn.to/30f6ZNr
1x: 10 ft 4/0 Gauge AWG Welding Lead & Car Battery Cable Copper: amzn.to/2M7iaOp
1x: Solar PV Cable 8 AWG MC4 Solar PV, Copper, UL 4703-2000V: amzn.to/30kCkxm
1x: Fuseholder & 300 Amp Fuse 2/0 1/0 to 2/0 1/0 AWG: amzn.to/34Y1vp6
1x: Fuseholder & 200 Amp Fuse: amzn.to/31GMnub
1x: Fuseholder & 500 Amp Fuse: amzn.to/30a408n
3x: ANJOSHI 100A Fuse Holders Inline Circuit Breaker: amzn.to/31JIp3W
1x: 10 Pairs MC4 Cable Connectors Male/Female: amzn.to/30dVsOE
1x: 4-Post Power Distribution Block - Pair of 3/8" Black & Red: amzn.to/34XkMqK
1x: Y Branch MC4 Connectors MC4: amzn.to/31FPmTT
Mount Aluminum Brackets to Topper:
4x: 3” x ¼” Bolt
4x: 1-¼” Rubber Washer
8x: 1-¼” x ¼” Washer
1x: Marine Grade UV Resistant Silicone
16x: ¼” Nut
8x: ¼” Washer
Connect Solar Panels to Each Other:
2x: 6’x 1-½” x 1-½” Angle Iron (with or without holes)
12x: 1” x ¼” Bolt
12x: ¼” washer
12x: ¼” Nut
Mount Solar Panels to Aluminum Brackets:
6x: 1” x ¼” Bolt
6x: ¼” washer
12x: ¼” Nut
1x: 1” x 5/16” Self Tapping Screw (for securing ground to truck frame)
Zip Ties for keeping cables tidy

Пікірлер: 40

@BoeingJetTech 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, right to point. No crappy music, etc. This is an example of what a DIY video should be.

@aladwanit 2 жыл бұрын

Good job 👍 brother

@arlenwoods3285 Жыл бұрын

Looks fine good ideas

@SamCarleton 9 ай бұрын

thanks for the video. I’m starting to contemplate doing the same thing on a 3/4 truck w/ 8ft bed. It’s nice to get a feel for how much solar will actually fit. Two thoughts: 1: about adding batteries, don’t do it! Buy a whole new bank of batteries. Most folks don’t realize that a battery bank (multiple batteries) should always be of the same batch and put into service at the same time. The reason is simple, as batteries age, they don’t charge as much. When a battery that is older, say only charges to 90% of its potential to wired to a battery that can go to 100%, the old battery will always be pulling from the newer one until the new one is at 90%, too. This prevents the new battery from exceeding 90%. The end result is you loose 10% of the new battery from the start! Just don’t do it, if you need more batteries later, buy all new batteries! 2: have you ever considered a good battery shunt to tell you how much battery you really have left? While not cheap, I highly recommend the Victron Energy SmartShunt. I have it, and it is amazing!

@arlenwoods3285 Жыл бұрын

Looks good to great job man

@Moderndayvet 2 жыл бұрын

I like this set up ! I just want something simple that works !

@chronobot2001 2 жыл бұрын

Looks good to me. Nicely done ! It would also be handy during power outages.

@Idmtnman 3 жыл бұрын

Nice set up. The metal strap across the battery worries me a bit though. If your battery slid over it would be a dead short across the top post with a fairly heavy conductor.

@thewanderingwelder2804 4 жыл бұрын

I was wondering what would be the best way to keep the dogs cool in the back while not having to worry about them damaging the screen! What a great idea!!!

@byrdoffgrid2087 4 жыл бұрын

Like The setup 🤙🏼

@OutdoorTony95 Жыл бұрын

Find yourself a used Pelican case that would fit all of your components. There are videos on how to arrange everything. Your setup would be highly protected and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. And your case is warranted for life as well.

@shitloveaduck Жыл бұрын

Works great!! Some of the more elaborate systems can only be a few hundred $$ more and have some safety issues that are beneficial. You might want to consider LiFePO4 vs AGM batteries. You will need 1/2 - 1/4 fewer batteries with the same amp hours. That is, if you need more power. I have a couple of systems that are using a 240 ah LiFePO4 battery. One has 3,000 watts, the other has 2,500 watts. Both of the systems are also charged by the alternator. The systems are isolated so that there is no draw on the truck battery. Both systems use 2x 175 watt flexible solar panels for 350 watts total per system. I have about $2900 CAD into each system. One is with a Rayzr truck camper, the other is on an R-Pod trailer. Definitely more money, but like having 4 AGMs like you have with each Lithium based battery and they are rated for 5000 charge cycle equivalents & warranted for 10 years each. The batteries are expensive up front, but you save over the long run. I really liked the simple, but well done idea of the loops attached to the bolts holding the solar panels on. Well done. Regardless, you have definitely built the system that works for you!! That what really matters!! It’s fun experimenting with alternative energy. Please stay safe, Eh!

@TheLawrence1999 4 жыл бұрын

Not a bad little setup, altho I would place the battery and such in a plastic container and keep all the other bits in a seperate container just to keep clean and tidy. But Im looking for ideas to add to my truck and checking out diff videos myself so thanks for posting this video.

@SolarSailor1967 3 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed seeing your set up. Videos like this inspired me to build my own set up for camping. I need a 12V outlet like you have. I'm also nervous about drilling my camper shell. I currently have 2 panels that aren't mounted. Its more work but gives me more flexibility especially at low sun angles. I'm like you. I'm more about function than appearance. Good job on the set up!

@valivalentin8963 2 жыл бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iLiPp7qhudeuqmQ.html

@northcountybigfoot9240 2 жыл бұрын

Great system

@arlenwoods3285 Жыл бұрын

It's all good

@lynnerowe2642 3 жыл бұрын

I have my remote switch on the side walls with Velcro. I think you have carpeting inside if yours. Works great. Can move it around if you need to.

@MrGaborseres Жыл бұрын

Cool 😎 👍

@brentjohnson6654 4 жыл бұрын

Good video and overview. New sub here

@forbetterorbikes9547 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for joining us!

@jasoncamilleri4194 4 жыл бұрын

Inside the truck bed, behind the truck cabin, you seem to have a sun screen, maybe for privacy or whatever... is it possible to make some kind of board, maybe plywood or steel sheet, and fix it instead of the sun screen...? This will enable you to fix every little bit of your electrical setup to this board or sheet, including the remote setup which you have hanging on side of the truck bed... That way you would have the Charge Controller, Inverter, Busbars and Remote Setup, all nicely organised and easier to get to, and all will be showing as if you have a schematic of your setup. All you leave on the truck bed is the battery... Just a thought... to go even further, you can also hide the wiring sandwiched between 2 sheets if you want, that way the wiring won't show, not even from the cabin, so all you see inside the truck bed, at the back, is the equipment, as the wiring will be running behind the board or sheet which the equipment is fixed to... again, just a thought...!

@Kazukio77 4 жыл бұрын

I know this is almost 2 years old but if you take a piece of plywood and attach a 1x3 to it, you can use a C clamp or a canopy clamp to secure it under the bed rail giving you a flat surface to mount your electronics recessed under the bed rails.

@forbetterorbikes9547 4 жыл бұрын

That is a great idea!

@ManuelArandajr 4 жыл бұрын

I'm thinking of doing something like this but I will be using a battery from a company called Ecoflow, it has a connection built in for solar and a DC connection for up to 600w. Hopefully it helps to save space and all those wires.

@bluecollarstudio8513 4 жыл бұрын

Mount the 12v, inverter remote, and mppt device in a $7 plastic ammo can from harbor freight.

@forbetterorbikes9547 4 жыл бұрын

Hey, thats not a bad idea. Mount them so the display is facing out, but the wiring is inside than can?

@bluecollarstudio8513 4 жыл бұрын

@@forbetterorbikes9547 Yes.

@bradcooke5383 4 жыл бұрын

What brand of topper is that? I like the extra head room.

@forbetterorbikes9547 4 жыл бұрын

It is a leer topper.

@uncle_creepy2743 3 жыл бұрын

hello. do i have to ground my solar setup to the truck? its a total separate system then the trucks electricity and i was thinking that i dont have to ground to the truck and just keep it grounded to the battery. also i have no inverter or 120 volt system just running 12 volt right now.

@mikesaumell290 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve got the same question too. Cause I’m not planning on drilling into or through my truck bed

@kuselisebith 3 жыл бұрын

Tourn the solar-mounting-system 90° - you block the airflow while driving this way (more gas usage equals to no win win)

@ginaepe Жыл бұрын

YOUR TOTAL COST WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW !

@martinjkneece66907 2 жыл бұрын

Trying to do this on my car and can't find anyone to help

@BankOfShane 4 жыл бұрын

damn bro... lead acid batteries... you are using new tech with ancient tech. upgrade your batteries to lithium ion... maybe even make your own from 18650. It will be safer, not as hot, and more reliable.

@Kazukio77 4 жыл бұрын

excess heat or cold is not good for lithium batteries, not to mention the cost difference. If your running climate a controlled environment then i'd agree but you only gain 30% max cap on them since SLA can max discharge 50% and lithium max 80% without killing the cells

@bertsbug Жыл бұрын

Lifepo 4 are your best bet pretty cheap really safe and can be recharged 4000 to 7000 times.... 4000 killing batteries alot 7000 using till 30 percent or so

@glensmith766 4 жыл бұрын

The 12 volt line that you have to the remote 12v distribution point (at 7:17) does not appear to be fused. I'd be a little worried about that, there may very well be a fuse in the distribution point, but if those wires chafe and short out between there and the battery, you have a problem. The system looks nice though. Could try mounting your meter and distribution point under the bed rail with one of the cap clamps or bolts, given that the bed is almost certainly double walled, you could screw it right to the inside sheet metal of the bed. If drilling holes isn't something you want to do, use the clamps at the top and VHB tape the bottom

@forbetterorbikes9547 4 жыл бұрын

Hmm.. I hadnt considered that. Now that you have shown concern, I am concerned. Will be installing an inline fuse right away. If the bed is double walled, then I am definitely open to screwing right into it. What harm could a few little holes do. I will enspect it to see if I can screw into it without screws coming out the side of the truck. If so, then maybe put them all on a steel plate and mount that plate directly to the bed. Thank you for our input. I will post an update once I solve this.