Basecamp 20 Power & Solar Upgrades plus Inverter Install

This video describes the various power and solar upgrade options for the 2021 Basecamp.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a licensed electrician. All viewers assume risk for their own projects. Consult a professional if you are not comfortable working on electrical systems.
Items of interest in this video were purchased with personal funds.

[@tomdt2795]

Thanks for this video, which helps me to plan my battery replacement and inverter installation. I'll also add a power transfer relay that will prevent the inverter from powering the AC/DC power converter.

[@mister-LA]

Really appreciate this video. Please do a couple more on solar! Thank you.

[@jasonborup]

I won't name any names, but I just dropped 9k for close to the same setup. I have a Xantrex Inverter/Charger and 300 watts of solar. but pretty close. Keep up you roll!!

[@philippeplouffe5332]

Thank you for this great video. Easy to understand.

[@antoniorengifo1447]

Thanks for the relevant information and clear delivery

[@vanderbt1]

I'm thinking about adding an inverter to our BC 20X. I already have 2ea BB 100Ah GC2 batteries. I added a Victron Bluetooth monitor for the charge controller. I also added the Victron 712 Battery monitor which is also Bluetooth enabled. Since the hardwired charge controller monitor was rendered useless by the dongle, I decided to run the RJ45 cable that came with the 712 battery monitor. I also purchased 2 Renogy 100W solar panels and a Victron MPMT 100/20 charge controller to harvest solar on the ground in the event the panels on the roof are in the shade or to speed up charging. The great thing about using all Bluetooth enabled components is that the two charge controllers are networked with the battery monitor to efficiently charge the batteries. I've been getting about 280 watts at noon in Southern New Mexico in mid October. I've been researching hybrid Power inverters. I'm thinking about getting a 2000 watt Bluetooth-enabled Victron inverter charger and no longer using the already installed Progressive Dynamics converter and just wiring the AC output of the Inverter to the AC power panel to run all electrical loads. Any ideas or comments would help. Thank you for the very informative video.

[@ryanhogan5958]

Sounds like a great setup. I’m a big fan of Victron products and Bluetooth capability. I installed a 712 on my previous rig. I’ll be doing a video on adding it to the Basecamp. I looked at inverter/chargers but they were a little too costly and large for my application. There’s lots of room in the curbside bench if you can run the wire. Did you have a difficult time running the RJ cable? I planned on zip tie to the existing cable and pulling it through. Let me know what you end up doing.

[@vanderbt1]

@@ryanhogan5958 I did have trouble running the RJ45 in the area of the storage shelves aft of the wetbath. The last few feet were difficult. In retrospect, I would have reterminated the existing existing, already run jst cable with RJ45. Not possible to pull through because the cable is bound in with others.

[@someinternetguy-r4l]

Planning this upgrade and have a silly question. The lug connector sizes for both the fuse and batteries are 3/8 or 5/16?

[@SlowYourRoll]

The lugs on BB batteries are 5/16th. I believe the lugs on the shunt are 3/8.

[@andersswenson7886]

If I am on shore power for a couple of days my victron shows that the battery is off. Do you know if the battle born has an auto shut off if it is fully charged and I am on shore power?

[@SlowYourRoll]

I need to know more about your system but I’m not aware of a shut off on BB. They should always have a state of charge even if you are on shore power. You may have an inverter or switch that cuts off the 12V system when plugged in but the battery monitor should continue to read “13.2” as an example. In a linear example cable should go battery negative to shunt to negative bus bar.

[@andersswenson7886]

@@SlowYourRoll you’re right, I figured it out. Off was just the charge state. I’m installing shunt this weekend. Flying blind is stressful.

[@williamjohnston6461]

Hi "Slow your roll". Thanks for the informative video. Based on it, I duplicated your process for the inverter install. Nice work. Have you connected the breaker to power all of the 110 outlets in the Basecamp yet? I would love to see that too. Thanks, Wil Johnston (looking for more sun in Seattle)

[@SlowYourRoll]

Glad it helped! I have not completed the AC wiring setup yet as the current configuration is working out.

[@toddcarden1997]

Hey Slow-ur-Roll... really enjoying your videos.. we are scheduled to pick up our basecamp20x this August. I already own a EGO Nexus Inverter (as well as many of the Ego lawn products so I have a lot of lithium batteries already (11-5ah or better). Would you still think I need an inverter like this or am I better off cheaper/more functionally figuring out a way to leverage that given that I have a Honda Ridgeline that has a gas powered 400w, in bed inverter while using the engine... Thoughts?

[@SlowYourRoll]

Todd thanks for the comment and for following. I guess it all depends on how much, when, and where you need the power. If you run low draw appliances your current ECO seems like it will work fine given its versatility. If you need to go higher for larger draw appliances like coffee makers or hair driers (ahem the wife) then you may need to go larger. We are usually tethered to the BC so that’s where I wanted my inverter. However I do like then new portable solar powered ones you can bring anywhere. Hope this helps and best of luck picking up in August.

[@cooltwinmomful]

Love your video and congrats on doing things yourself! I'm getting my new 20X late this year and I'm researching the upgrade to Lithium myself. I will have the solar added like you. Can you please let me know what the factory make and model numbers were for your 20X? Especially the Progressive Dynamics converter.....I think it should have the Lithium switch but just wanted to make sure. Really appreciate your help!!

[@SlowYourRoll]

PD4045KA is the converter model#. Are you looking for the solar make and model? They are Zamp 90W panels but the info is probably on the side attached to the roof.

[@cooltwinmomful]

@@SlowYourRoll unless you're wanting to seriously practice your climbing skills don't worry about the panels 😉 thanks for the information 👍really appreciate it. Did you already have the Lithium Batteries from Airstream dealer upgrade? If so they may have changed out your converter....I just realized that after I sent this post. 😳

[@SlowYourRoll]

@@cooltwinmomful I did get them through Airstream but it was delivered with AGMs since BB was back ordered. The technician did confirm the original converter installed had the switch. You have to remove the panel cover to see it. In addition you will have to change the settings on the solar controller to account for the lithium settings vice AGM.

[@cooltwinmomful]

@@SlowYourRoll perfect! That was the main piece of info I still needed. Thanks again! P.S. if you guys get down to Dallas area give me a shout.

[@JoeVolcano42]

Great video, thanks! Did you consider adding another battery to support the additional 110v? (I realize it would be expensive) Renogy has 200 AH batteries now - would 2 of those fit in the Basecamp?

[@SlowYourRoll]

Not at this time. 200 suits our needs. You can add more capacity by removing the battery box that comes with the Basecamp. Not sure if the specific measurements.

[@plinytheelder1956]

Good deal buddy, your almost there. Excited to see next step, wiring to the breaker! Just got back up to my property in Washington with my 20X that I picked up in Vegas last week. 24hrs of driving but this thing tows great! I did have one concerning moment though while towing, the passenger side window rock guard almost broke lose. they didn't get it on the hinge correctly and it spit the upper screw holding the other side of it. I caught it on my 1st fuel stop in Mohave. Quick question: would you happen to know what the maximum PV input voltage is for the Victron Blue Solar MPPT charge controller via the external port? I tried connecting the panel I have mounted in the bed of my truck but the Victron display showed no increase in wattage. my panel in the truck has a open circuit voltage of 71 volt so I'm wondering if it was to much voltage for the Victron MPPT charge controller. keep em coming buddy!

[@SlowYourRoll]

I’m glad you caught it before it broke free. Yikes. As far as I can tell from the wiring diagram the external port is not wired to the solar controller. It’s wired to to the positive and negative bus bar. I welcome any comments from someone who knows definitely. If I’m right that means you need a separate solar controller for your external panel. My external panel has a PWM controller.

[@plinytheelder1956]

@@SlowYourRoll yeah I finally found the external port noted on the main wire diagram. It shows a 10 amp inline fuse as it connects to the bus bar. I checked for polarity prior to connecting my panel, now after not seeing any increased wattage I checked it again and found an open circuit. I'm guessing I blew the fuse? looking in at the bus bar from the removable hatch cover under the seat cushion I can now see the fuse. I'm thinking of disconnecting the external port from the 20x's charging system and using it to directly charge my AC200p Solar generator so to not have to take it outside to recharge it. The AC200p can handle 35-150v of PV input and trims the charging wattage at 700w. Currently I've been using the 20x's 12v output next to the battery disconnect to charge the AC200p but it has a max charge rate of 96w. I remember you saying your not familiar with the AC200p. Can I recommend you checkout their website? MaxOak Bluetti". They come highly recommended and I now own two of their products including the EB240. For full reviews on KZbin I used "HoboTech" & "DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse". Will Prowse is extremely knowledgeable in all things solar related. side note: thanks for your repeated responses to my inquiries and I look forward to furthering our discoveries together on the 20x lifestyle! Best wishes to you and your family and hopefully we can get your channel to 1k subs soon!

[@SlowYourRoll]

@@plinytheelder1956 Will Prowse is the man. I like where you’re going with the solar generator. Another option I’d like to offer if you want to retain the existing solar connection for future use/upgrades is you can run the Bluetti PV wire through a hole in the battery compartment. It’s open to the outside air I believe for the 7 point hitch connector. It’s easy to spot when you remove the battery access board. If you want to get sexy with it buy an extension of that wire and insert a port in the board and one outside next to the zamp plug.

[@plinytheelder1956]

@@SlowYourRoll Your brilliant Ryan! Thanks for the hint. I did see that hole in the bottom of the battery compartment with the 7 point wire and a few others going through it and was initially thinking of sealing it up with foam to prevent mice from getting in. that was the only open hole to the outside I found under the carriage, thank God! And probably the worse place to have a opening for rodents with all the wires and connections in there. With your brilliance I'm glad I didn't seal it up! This morning after reading your comments, I spent a few minutes running a 20' MC4 extension cable through it (with barely enough room) they even made it through the finger hole in the removable access panel under the cushion and WA-LA I am now connected to the 325 watt panel on the back of my truck. I also spent a bit of time this morning researching the special connections for the AC200 and found the exact 2 pin 12V/25amp aviation plugs Bluetti are using on the AC200 with the weatherproof external passthrough mounting port on Amazon. So thanks again for your idea and brilliance and yes I think I will just leave the ZAMP plug as is (short of replacing the blown fuse and connecting it to the charge controller). If I may, I'll send you a picture of my setup via email if you don't mind. My name is Thomas

[@SlowYourRoll]

@@plinytheelder1956 I’m glad it worked out for you. We just got back from testing our boondocking capabilities. I’d love to see the final project.

[@campndad5642]

@slow your roll in your experience with the change over to lithium would it be possible to add 3 lithiums and remove the old vent box totally out? Also do you know if the extra solar ready port can be fed to the existing victron charger so that another controller does not need to be used?

[@SlowYourRoll]

I don’t have the specific dimensions but I think you can easily fit three lithium batteries if you remove the existing box. I’m pretty sure it’s just screwed to the floor but I’ll check next time. I’m actually exploring replacing the current 2 BB batteries with their new “Game Changer” line. They fit 280 AH into one battery. 200 is plenty for my needs but the end game is to install a 12V air conditioner. Stay tuned for that video lol. If you opt for three you just need to build a bracket and battery strap to secure in place. Let me know how it works out for you. As far a solar I think the best practice would be to add an additional solar controller. The existing solar port goes right to the bus bars from the factory. I would reference Will Prowse or Explorist Life to see if you can run two sets of solar in to the Victron controller.

[@campndad5642]

@@SlowYourRoll thanks. I had a turtleback trailer for 4 years and had a similar type of solar set up. I think before I go to deep I will get some practical experience with it and then look at possible converting over to a redarc manager 30 that can do dc to dc charging while on the move.

[@PhilosophicalPawn]

I have a question about the dimensions of the dinette table, how long and wide is it?

[@SlowYourRoll]

43X26”

[@waynebogan1828]

How much noise do the fans on the inverter add?

[@SlowYourRoll]

I’ll have to get back to you. Didn’t run it under load for long but during that time the fans didn’t kick on.

[@Steve-qn8gn]

The right on;y then left only audio is terrible here.

[@Gigler43]

What’s a ball park price for all of this stuff?

[@ryanhogan5958]

Inverter $299, wires and fuse $91.

[@robertporter1429]

@@ryanhogan5958 Inverter may now be $439....I think? :) 8/2022

[@cooperdog9956]

Airstream is SLOW to catch up to technology.