09-27-2019, 11:48 AM
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#16
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Houston
Age: 28
Posts: 58
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Houston
Age: 28
Posts: 58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Terrapod
Highly recommend an external battery system. It separates the power usage from the vehicle and can be portable.
In my case, I have a LiFePO4 50Ah battery system that is charged via a 100W solar panel on my RTT. Works fantastic and does a great job running my fridge, charging devices, more.
And...FWIW - my total spend on this DIY system was right around $750.
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I really like this idea man, thanks for the info!
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09-27-2019, 12:22 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mississauga, ON
Posts: 1,163
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mississauga, ON
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Personally I use Anker 20,000 power bank and charge it with foldable (size of a tablet) Anker 20W solar panel. Got both of them on Amazon. Basically it gives me unlimited power to charge phones and flashlights. Easy, cheap and portable setup. If I wanted to go big and use lots of power I would probably go for deep cycle battery and solar blanket like this one: Buy Portable Solar Panel Blankets Online for Camping - Off Grid Trek
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Last edited by scanny; 09-27-2019 at 12:24 PM.
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09-27-2019, 01:37 PM
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#18
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 1,959
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I agree with everyone else. I'd go with a portable lithium power generator like a Goal Zero or Jackery and then a smaller bank to charge smaller devices. Honestly though, I have a 400W lithium GZ and hardly use it. Most of the times I just charge in the car as I go since I don't stay in one spot for too long or use a smaller bank. That being said I still have a dual battery system because of my fridge, winch, and lights but in your case I don't think a dual battery system is required since it's quite a expensive to do and do properly.
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09-29-2019, 11:44 AM
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#19
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 373
Real Name: Chad
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Atlanta
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Real Name: Chad
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If any of you are interested - I posted up my DIY power setup.
DIY Solar Charged Power Box
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2016 TE - 2.5 Icon Stage 2 Ext Coilovers, Icon 2.0 Remote Res rear shocks - RCI sliders & skids - Custom front LED in-grill mount - Rigid - General ATX 275/70 - SCS Wheels, Terrapod RTTx, Raingler, Baja Designs, Rhino Rack.
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09-29-2019, 01:19 PM
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#20
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Red Stick Louisiana
Posts: 135
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Red Stick Louisiana
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Dual Battery on the Cheap
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09-29-2019, 01:25 PM
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#21
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: phoenix
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you guys spend a lot of money for a long weekend of charging your phones lol
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09-29-2019, 04:04 PM
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#22
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by honda250xtitan
you guys spend a lot of money for a long weekend of charging your phones lol
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a lot of us go out for more than long weekends
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09-29-2019, 04:57 PM
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#23
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Atlanta
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Real Name: Chad
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Join Date: Nov 2016
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...And don't post it on IG.
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2016 TE - 2.5 Icon Stage 2 Ext Coilovers, Icon 2.0 Remote Res rear shocks - RCI sliders & skids - Custom front LED in-grill mount - Rigid - General ATX 275/70 - SCS Wheels, Terrapod RTTx, Raingler, Baja Designs, Rhino Rack.
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09-29-2019, 06:42 PM
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#24
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Terrapod
...And don't post it on IG.
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I really dig your setup, done right and built to last. Someone can probably get away with 80% of the functionality and build it for less coin by using some HD golf cart batteries, but my hats off to your level of detail and quality components; it's something that I've done, and will do again on my camp trailer project. I really like the battery health minder right on the case, makes it a lot easier to see how everything is doing.
In all honesty, for $750 that is actually a killer system.
And I do have to say that going out for 5+ days with a wife and 3 kids in tow and you're going to want to keep off the vehicle battery as much as possible.
I'm not a big fan of the store bought battery packs only because you're paying a huge premium for convenience and a cool looking box, not performance.
Last edited by ChrisJHarney; 09-29-2019 at 11:45 PM.
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09-30-2019, 07:32 AM
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#25
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 373
Real Name: Chad
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Atlanta
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Real Name: Chad
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisJHarney
I really dig your setup, done right and built to last. Someone can probably get away with 80% of the functionality and build it for less coin by using some HD golf cart batteries, but my hats off to your level of detail and quality components; it's something that I've done, and will do again on my camp trailer project. I really like the battery health minder right on the case, makes it a lot easier to see how everything is doing.
In all honesty, for $750 that is actually a killer system.
And I do have to say that going out for 5+ days with a wife and 3 kids in tow and you're going to want to keep off the vehicle battery as much as possible.
I'm not a big fan of the store bought battery packs only because you're paying a huge premium for convenience and a cool looking box, not performance.
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Thank you.
I get the whole golf cart battery thought and did consider it. Lead acid batteries are indeed, a lot cheaper...up front. However - LFP batteries have approximately 3 to 5 times more cycles in them vs Lead acid. Most lead acid can only take about 1000 cycles. LiFePO4 (LFP) can take 3000 to 5000 cycles. The cost over time is the key.
And...my entire setup only weighs in at 17.2 lbs.
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2016 TE - 2.5 Icon Stage 2 Ext Coilovers, Icon 2.0 Remote Res rear shocks - RCI sliders & skids - Custom front LED in-grill mount - Rigid - General ATX 275/70 - SCS Wheels, Terrapod RTTx, Raingler, Baja Designs, Rhino Rack.
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09-30-2019, 07:37 AM
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#26
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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NMC lithium batteries would be a good compromise, that's what most of the "solar generators" (dumb name) use. UPSs use NMC so batteries arent too expensive.
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09-30-2019, 10:47 AM
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#27
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Utah
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Want to do this simple and easy?
Go to costco and buy one of these:
https://www.costco.com/Type-S-Lithiu...100425276.html
And then go to Harbor Freight and buy something and get a free one of these:
Problem solved. For about $60. And you can also use the lithium jump starter if your battery goes dead. For an occasional weekend, I wouldn't get too caught up in having solar and 2nd battery and all of that sort of stuff. You don't really need any of it for normal weekend camping.
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09-30-2019, 08:06 PM
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#28
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 165
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Terrapod
Thank you.
I get the whole golf cart battery thought and did consider it. Lead acid batteries are indeed, a lot cheaper...up front. However - LFP batteries have approximately 3 to 5 times more cycles in them vs Lead acid. Most lead acid can only take about 1000 cycles. LiFePO4 (LFP) can take 3000 to 5000 cycles. The cost over time is the key.
And...my entire setup only weighs in at 17.2 lbs.
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No, I get it, weight savings is a huge deal when you're loading up for a long trip, and I understand the battery cycle advantage as well, I've done stand alone systems with both Lithium phosphate and lead acid (AGM). I was just trying to keep the costs somewhat similar when comparing a store bought battery box to a homemade unit. Someone could get two 35Ah batteries for just shy of $100. For the average Joe who is going to go out on a 5 day trip MAYBE twice a year at best, the difference between 1000 cycles and 5000 cycles is a moot point, unless you plan on passing it down to your grand kids.
But I understand how attractive the Lithium route is and what you built is top shelf stuff in a great package and perfect for going out on multiple trips with little to no maintenance.
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09-30-2019, 08:14 PM
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#29
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Join Date: Jan 2018
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[QUOTE=Jetboy;3364059]Want to do this simple and easy?
Of all the free "junk" you can get at Harbor Freight, I have to say those little flash lights are awesome, especially with the magnet and the little hook, I have about 10 sitting around the house and the shop for any such occasion.
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10-06-2019, 10:00 AM
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#30
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Canuckistan
Posts: 152
Real Name: Mike
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Canuckistan
Posts: 152
Real Name: Mike
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scanny
Personally I use Anker 20,000 power bank and charge it with foldable (size of a tablet) Anker 20W solar panel. Got both of them on Amazon. Basically it gives me unlimited power to charge phones and flashlights. Easy, cheap and portable setup. If I wanted to go big and use lots of power I would probably go for deep cycle battery and solar blanket like this one: Buy Portable Solar Panel Blankets Online for Camping - Off Grid Trek
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The Buy Portable Solar Panel Blankets Online for Camping - Off Grid Trek[/QUOTE] solar blankets are pretty darn good. I have a 120w and am looking to get their new 215W.
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