Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

ris wrote:Don we are one hour south of glacier national Park lots of smoke from fires in Montana and it’s in the mid 90s during the day. Seems to be warm everywhere but the Northeast. Safe travels thanks for the update
Richard

Richard, safe travels also. I hear the fires out that way are raging. Hazy here in Nebraska on Saturday and the locals said it was from fires out West.

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flboy wrote:

featherliteCT1 wrote:flboy, I will be interested to hear how you manage all this heat and humidity and how your solar system performs (e.g., the extent to which you are able to use the AC powered by your batteries and how difficult or easy it is to get the batteries recharged).

I have a few more travel days under my belt. Running AC a few hours (up to 4) at night when I first park.

I think this will improve significantly when I connect my Renogy 20A DC to DC charger and connect up power from TV alternator. I think this will do the trick by supplementing Solar. I really don't want to add more panels... but would like to break even each day assuming a up to 4 hours of AC use and more if needed fro comfort.

Of course, I could just run the Gen for Ac and to charge.... but I'd only do that as the last alternative. It is only my backup.

All said, I think my investment in the 510aH of DIY LifePo4 for ~$1,000 total is very worthwhile given total they weigh less than 100lbs. Makes parking lot boondocking in the summer doable without having to run generator or etc.. In the woods, I'd run the Gen a few hours at the end of the day to keep ahead on the batteries if needed.

Howdy Don. Glad to see things are going well and that your systems are working nicely.

Could you guide me to where in this thread you talk more in depth about your LiFePO4 batteries and how you configured them? That is a near-miraculous amount of money invested for such a large return. I have over $1000 in just three Group 31 AGM! but I didn't have to build each battery, just the tray they're all mounted on.

If you have no qualms about earlier-than-otherwise tow vehicle alternator replacement, then you can tap into your tow veh's charging system, but is the wire diameter sufficient for that long of a run, is it sufficient gauge to prevent voltage drop?

Too, running the genset to give some bulk charge amps isn't a bad idea at all - just extravagant - but then so is running A/C from batteries (and inverter)! That in itself is amazing... then the solar can do the absorption phase and float during the remaining daylight.

Once I figure out my photos transmission problems (phone to email) then I can start my 5 X 10 thread. Stay safe out there.

Apples wrote:

Howdy Don. Glad to see things are going well and that your systems are working nicely.

Could you guide me to where in this thread you talk more in depth about your LiFePO4 batteries and how you configured them? That is a near-miraculous amount of money invested for such a large return. I have over $1000 in just three Group 31 AGM! but I didn't have to build each battery, just the tray they're all mounted on.

If you have no qualms about earlier-than-otherwise tow vehicle alternator replacement, then you can tap into your tow veh's charging system, but is the wire diameter sufficient for that long of a run, is it sufficient gauge to prevent voltage drop?

Too, running the genset to give some bulk charge amps isn't a bad idea at all - just extravagant - but then so is running A/C from batteries (and inverter)! That in itself is amazing... then the solar can do the absorption phase and float during the remaining daylight.

Once I figure out my photos transmission problems (phone to email) then I can start my 5 X 10 thread. Stay safe out there.

Apples, here is the link (below) where I describe the batteries in a YouTube video and the link for more details on how I mounted and use the system. I do discuss my setup earlier in this build thread.

Note, that $1,000 is a DIY cost ordering cells and BMS from China (Alibaba) and doing all the integration and testing/setup myself, not to mention waiting over 3 months for slow boat to arrive. Nevertheless, it is as cheap or cheaper than a SLA equivalent useable aH not to mention 100s of pounds lighter.

I have a Renogy 20A DC to DC charger I need to connect, but that solves the long run of wire and voltage drop issue when charging from the truck alternator. A 10ga wire should handle the 20A and the DC to DC converter works down to 10V (I think) but provides a constant charging voltage out which is programmable. I don't think a 20A load is going to strain a >250A heavy duty alternator (may be a 340A) not sure on the F250.

280aH LiFePo4 build

https://youtu.be/RzfH5qx9zps


Episode 10 on build where I detail electrical system.


https://youtu.be/sB1wnbC0IqE

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Thanks for the info! and, yes, I'm just a little bit behind the times. I had overlooked how potent these charging systems are in contemporary light trucks!




Sounds like you have all the bases covered, and covered well. I tip my hat to you!

1 week out on the road in the CTC. Lexus has claimed her spot. All is working well so far!



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Portable HF station deployed. Contact to Barcelona Spain from Nebraska on 20M this afternoon.


Portable Vertical Antenna



Radio Station



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What height did you mount your laptop desk? I built mine at 30" and it seems too high, but then I'm a short guy.

I Think it is 30" also. I measured the standard height of my desk at home and duplicated that. That works well with a standard chair height.

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Without a doubt, the most important capability of the build! May as well stay home without it!





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What am I looking at, Don?
Coffee... I'll bet it has something to do with coffee.
I drink about 3 cups a year.
I'd think that ice maker would cover the most important capability.

Yes, it is coffee. The world is a nicer place because of it..

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Very cool build...I dont post very often here but I often read thru some stuff.

If your portable is in Nebraska we are a bit too close to work on 20m but if you can do 40 or 80 maybe we can set up a sked...

tx2sturgis wrote:Very cool build...I dont post very often here but I often read thru some stuff.

If your portable is in Nebraska we are a bit too close to work on 20m but if you can do 40 or 80 maybe we can set up a sked...

Sure.. I can cover 40M and 80M. Give.me a time window, frequency, and callsign.. we'll give it a go. My call is KE4EVL.


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Don, hope you’re still having a great time on your trip after glacier national Park we decided to head to East on Highway two and go toward Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin. The smoky days and lack of Visibility to see the mountains was the determining factor in heading east after glacier instead of south toward Yellowstone. We have been enjoying traveling on Highway two across Montana and North Dakota.
If you are traveling every three or four days the battery to battery chargers in the 20 amp range work great Keeping the batteries fully charged. We have 450 amp hours of lead acid batteries and have no problem going for 4 to 5 days before we get down to 50%. Of course we don’t have a AC that will run off of batteries. We have to run the 1000 watt generator to run the ac. Enjoying your blog and videos on YouTube
Richard

Richard, good to hear from you and thanks. Glad to know all is well. I am in Nebraska at my son's and will be heading East towards Massachusetts in a few weeks. Breaking in this new CTC.

I have a Renogy 20A DC to DC Charger with me. I have to hook it up. Will do before I head East.

Safe travels!

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