DIY 24V Power Station for a Teardrop and Home Backup

[ChainedTraveler]

I'm considering putting together a 24v power station with a 2k watt inverter and 2x100 ah batteries. It would be overkill for my teardrop but it would serve a dual purpose of working with my home generator to power the house during power loss. It would be easy to connect because the tear drop is in the garage.

Recharging would be done with a 20a or 30a or 35a 110 charger. Camp generator is a small tailgate generator. Home generator is a 5500.

I want to be able to keep the fridge cold and run a small window unit...both as needed so I could get a couple hours run time on battery before having to start the generator.

I would also have the option of adding a couple more batteries for home use to up the system to 200 ah total.

My main concerns are space for the inverter and 2 batteries in the trailer. How well will the smaller generator work with a 35 or 30 amp charger. And whether or not 2400 watt capacity would be worth the effort.

 

[Brumasterm01]

Are you looking to run 2x 12v 100ah batteries in series? Or 2x 24v 100 ah batteries in parallel? 2x 12v seems too small for your inverter. I think you would be very close to the max continuous discharge bms rating at full load.

I used 3 100ah 12v batteries in my build to feed my 1500 watt inverter. In retrospect i wish I had just purchased a single larger 24v battery. I spent more money on cabling fuses and busbars just trying to repurpose 2 older lithium batteries rather than a just buying single larger 300ah battery or a 150 ah 24v.

2k inverters are large. You'll need even more space for heavy 4 AWG to 2 AWG cables, fuses and busbars. These cables need space for 45 90 degree turns as they make their way to the inverter. Trying to fit this inside a smaller teardrop may be challenging. Maybe look at building it out in a tongue box.

Is the extra battery capacity worth it? I think it's worth it. Running a tv, starlink, microwave, refrigerator, electric blankets in the middle of nowhere without hookups, noisy neighbors and battery capacity anxiety has been worth it to me. But others are just as happy with ice box cooler and a small battery to run lights and a ceiling fan.

 

[ChainedTraveler]

Are you looking to run 2x 12v 100ah batteries in series? Or 2x 24v 100 ah batteries in parallel? 2x 12v seems too small for your inverter. I think you would be very close to the max continuous discharge bms rating at full load.

I used 3 100ah 12v batteries in my build to feed my 1500 watt inverter. In retrospect i wish I had just purchased a single larger 24v battery. I spent more money on cabling fuses and busbars just trying to repurpose 2 older lithium batteries rather than a just buying single larger 300ah battery or a 150 ah 24v.

2k inverters are large. You'll need even more space for heavy 4 AWG to 2 AWG cables, fuses and busbars. These cables need space for 45 90 degree turns as they make their way to the inverter. Trying to fit this inside a smaller teardrop may be challenging. Maybe look at building it out in a tongue box.

Is the extra battery capacity worth it? I think it's worth it. Running a tv, starlink, microwave, refrigerator, electric blankets in the middle of nowhere without hookups, noisy neighbors and battery capacity anxiety has been worth it to me. But others are just as happy with ice box cooler and a small battery to run lights and a ceiling fan.

Thanks, def some things to consider. Biggest thing camping would be a 400w AC. But if I connect it to my house it would be a 650w fridge plus a 400w AC. I would not run anything heavier than those two to conserve electricity. All cooking would be done with gas.

It's hard to find smaller 24v inverters. I specifically want an inverter that has wired AC connection so that I can install a cord to connect to the generator connection.

 

[Rich796]

Victron makes smaller 24v inverters. With excellent features.

You are not going to want to connect your inverter directly to your generator. And also neither one at the same time. To your house. If you are just wanting to charge the batteries from the generator. The generator would be connected to the charger only. And, the charger to the batteries. The inverter would only be connected to the batteries and the house.

To tie your inverter or generator, to your house. To " back feed " it. Just make a double ended cord, to plug in. If you are not using an automatic, back up power, transfer switch. You will need to turn your main breaker or disconnect switch off. Before applying inverter or generator power. And you will need to completely disconnect it. Prior to re-powering the house from the main utility source again.

With only a 100-200A/H capacity. Your probably better off running the house off of the generator. Than an inverter. Unless your just wanting to run some lights and possibly the fridge. Because, it won't be a constant power draw.

 

[ChainedTraveler]

Victron makes smaller 24v inverters. With excellent features.

You are not going to want to connect your inverter directly to your generator. And also neither one at the same time. To your house. If you are just wanting to charge the batteries from the generator. The generator would be connected to the charger only. And, the charger to the batteries. The inverter would only be connected to the batteries and the house.

To tie your inverter or generator, to your house. To " back feed " it. Just make a double ended cord, to plug in. If you are not using an automatic, back up power, transfer switch. You will need to turn your main breaker or disconnect switch off. Before applying inverter or generator power. And you will need to completely disconnect it. Prior to re-powering the house from the main utility source again.

With only a 100-200A/H capacity. Your probably better off running the house off of the generator. Than an inverter. Unless your just wanting to run some lights and possibly the fridge. Because, it won't be a constant power draw.

Yes to all this. Run on inverter. Fridge and AC until charge is needed. Disconnect and go to generator to run house and recharge. Basically a fuel saving mechanism for the big generator.

 

[ChainedTraveler]

Victron makes smaller 24v inverters. With excellent features.

You are not going to want to connect your inverter directly to your generator. And also neither one at the same time. To your house. If you are just wanting to charge the batteries from the generator. The generator would be connected to the charger only. And, the charger to the batteries. The inverter would only be connected to the batteries and the house.

To tie your inverter or generator, to your house. To " back feed " it. Just make a double ended cord, to plug in. If you are not using an automatic, back up power, transfer switch. You will need to turn your main breaker or disconnect switch off. Before applying inverter or generator power. And you will need to completely disconnect it. Prior to re-powering the house from the main utility source again.

With only a 100-200A/H capacity. Your probably better off running the house off of the generator. Than an inverter. Unless your just wanting to run some lights and possibly the fridge. Because, it won't be a constant power draw.

The idea of connecting to the house is just to supplement the generator and stretch fuel consumption. There will only be a few things to run with the inverter.... refrigerator as needed, maybe a ceiling fan and small AC. Prob would only get a few hours out of of this set up to before charging would be needed but once the generator is running, I'll be able to do a heavier load and recharging the battery can take up to 5 hours depending on battery level.