Solar “generator”/suitcase(?) for boat camping

[mysery1]

Originally Posted by Camp20144

Ok, that clarifies a couple things in your previous pictures. The 30A plug on the Bauer box is so you can plug your camper shore power directly into your “suitcase”? You were able to start your A/C, do you have a soft start on your A/C?

Yes it is set up so the shore power cable plugs into the "suitcase". No soft start on the AC, the microwave draws more current when starting and running. The only other thing I do is turn the battery disconnect to the off position on the trailer so the converter doesn't charge the trailer battery while plugged into the "suitcase". I have a separate 100 watt panel with a cheap SCC that I hook up
to the trailer battery if needed. The trailer came with a connector on the side that's wired direct to the battery.

[mysery1]

If I was going to do it again I'd use something like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7reC9QlPHlA&t=429s

[Camp20144]

Originally Posted by mysery1

If I was going to do it again I'd use something like this.

I saw that video on Will’s site and wondered about those. The “All in one” concept sounded interesting. Somewhere I saw that the preferred mounting for those boxes was on the vertical. Said it was for circulation. I wondered how that differs from an inverter mounted horizontal.
A couple other thoughts, 1) making sure the individual included components met one’s needs, and 2) what is the failure rate of the individual components - are they replaceable?

[mysery1]

If I was to mount an all-in-one in any sort of enclosure I would add a seperate cooling fan hooked up to a thermostat. I worked on electronic/electrical circuits for 30+ years and anything is repairable if you can source the parts. I've been on the DIY Solar Power Forum for a couple years haven't seen whole lot posted if anything about all-in-one failures. Most of the issues posted were about programming. I would purchase one from a seller that has a good reputation of support after the sale.

[Camp20144]

Originally Posted by mysery1

If I was to mount an all-in-one in any sort of enclosure I would add a seperate cooling fan hooked up to a thermostat. I worked on electronic/electrical circuits for 30+ years and anything is repairable if you can source the parts. I've been on the DIY Solar Power Forum for a couple years haven't seen whole lot posted if anything about all-in-one failures. Most of the issues posted were about programming. I would purchase one from a seller that has a good reputation of support after the sale.

I saw a couple “suitcase” builds where the guys installed 2 fans on separate thermostats with different set temps. If the first fan couldn’t control temps the second fan kicked in. I think they were smaller fans, used less power if the first controlled temps.
I usually try to purchase from sellers with good reputations. May pay a little more, but I think it pays off in the end with customer service.

[faithie999]

Originally Posted by Camp20144

My cpap can be powered directly off of a 12 volt battery. It has a separate cpap to battery power cord. I’m assuming any losses to efficiency should be minimized?

yes. you will always lose some power using an inverter, so use 12v for whatever devices you have that are native 12v.

[nvs4602]

Originally Posted by mysery1

I built my solar generator last year for a 2 month trip. I was going to mount everything in/on our TT but decided to go portable. We used it on that trip and a few other times and it has met our needs without fail. The only thing is I would like to clean up the wiring but that isn't high on my list of things to do at this time. It consists of Jita 12 volt 300 amp hour LiFePO4 battery with a 200A BMS, Renogy 50 amp DC to DC charger with a MPPT SCC, Giandel 2200 watt inverter, PV combiner box, 4 100 watt panels, fuses, switches and associated wiring. I built it so you just plug it in like hooking up to shore power. The only thing we don't run is the AC unit. I have run the AC just to see if it would and it does. With the wife who makes no effort to conserve power beside not running the AC, it will last about 18 hours without charging, long enough to make it thru night and then some. If it's just me and the solar panels are hooked up and I get a few hours a day of sun, water and waste are my limiting factors for the length of my stay. I'm 68 and can move it around by myself but will accept help if offered.

How long have you used the Giandel 2200 watt inverter? That's the one I've been looking at but in the 24v version. I built a 316ah lithium ion battery out of 840 (18650) cells.. it was a fun project and I learned a lot about battery pack building. I fused each cell so if on goes bad it will simply blow the fuse and the rest of the cells will keep working. This is the same thing they do when building the batteries for Tesla cars.

[mysery1]

Originally Posted by nvs4602

How long have you used the Giandel 2200 watt inverter? That's the one I've been looking at but in the 24v version. I built a 316ah lithium ion battery out of 840 (18650) cells.. it was a fun project and I learned a lot about battery pack building. I fused each cell so if on goes bad it will simply blow the fuse and the rest of the cells will keep working. This is the same thing they do when building the batteries for Tesla cars.

I've had the inverter for just a year. I used it on our trip, a couple of times for power outages here at the house to run the frig and other appliances and charge my e-bike with it. I've been pleased with it and appears to be a quality unit and I highly recommend it.
Nice battery build, I thought about trying to build my own but I didn't have time before our trip.