Help with camping power setup

[honda250xtitan]

you guys spend a lot of money for a long weekend of charging your phones lol

 

[jhguth]

you guys spend a lot of money for a long weekend of charging your phones lol

a lot of us go out for more than long weekends

 

[Terrapod]

...And don't post it on IG.

 

[ChrisJHarney]

...And don't post it on IG.

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.

 

[Terrapod]

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.

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.

 

[jhguth]

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.

 

[Jetboy]

Want to do this simple and easy?

Go to costco and buy one of these:
https://www.costco.com/Type-S-Lithi...k-with-LED-Flashlight-.product.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.

 

[ChrisJHarney]

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.

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.

 

[ChrisJHarney]

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.

 

[Marine0369]

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

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.

 

[Terrapod]

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.

The reality to this is - there really is no "correct" answer. There are so many different ways to make your base camp. I always advise everyone to spend what you can, reasonably to make a system that meets 'your' needs.

The perfect camp is the one that works for you and your budget.

 

[ChrisJHarney]

The reality to this is - there really is no "correct" answer. There are so many different ways to make your base camp. I always advise everyone to spend what you can, reasonably to make a system that meets 'your' needs.

The perfect camp is the one that works for you and your budget.

So true. I love reading posts when people start getting amped up to work on their rigs. I think it's great when someone wants to think outside their own box and create something. Even if it's been done before, just getting out to the garage or shop and fiddling with things, learning about the way something is built and trying to replicate and add on to according to their needs. It brings personal satisfaction to me whenever I can add something, or delete something, and so many times I realize that a truck is no different from a work shop, in that with some practice and a lot of research you can safely modify a lot. And sometimes I just like to take things apart to see how they work, even if I'm not changing anything.

This forum is a great tool if you know how to use it. I just read the thread about your RTT venture last week and love it, I think it's great that you are sharing your development process with us, it's really fun to watch, and listening to it through the words of an engineer as opposed to a sales brochure is such a breath of fresh air. It's really difficult to find information about products that isn't either just a sales pitch, or just an extremely dry data sheet.

 

[xyzzy]

I may be in the minority here, but if you turn your phone (& electronic gadgets) off, the rate of discharge approaches zero and a simple LED flashlight (or headlamp) with AAA or AA battery(ies) lasts a really long time, so this sounds like an unnecessary first world problem.

If you're going camping, try going minimalistic, it's really very nice - enjoy the solitude, peace, and quiet. Or is the sound of silence too deafening for ya?

Just my opinion, and if you don't share it, that's OK, keep the discourse civil.
:cheers:

 

[Big B]

Want to do this simple and easy?

Go to costco and buy one of these:
https://www.costco.com/Type-S-Lithi...k-with-LED-Flashlight-.product.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.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner :thumbsup:

 

[dajosh]

I may be in the minority here, but if you turn your phone (& electronic gadgets) off, the rate of discharge approaches zero and a simple LED flashlight (or headlamp) with AAA or AA battery(ies) lasts a really long time, so this sounds like an unnecessary first world problem.

If you're going camping, try going minimalistic, it's really very nice - enjoy the solitude, peace, and quiet. Or is the sound of silence too deafening for ya?

Just my opinion, and if you don't share it, that's OK, keep the discourse civil.
:cheers:

But how will my IG followers know I’m really camping?

Just kidding. I totally agree on the LED headlamps and all that.

I’ve actually come to love my Jackery 240. I use it for the LED strip on my ARB awning and if anyone needs to charge their cell phone. It’s really convenient.