DIY Portable Solar Battery and Panel

[@haveminivanwilltravel]

Another great vid! What an excellent idea. Thank you again for sharing all the videos you do!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Thanks for watching. I like to see people take the ideas and improve upon them. Everyone in our space adopts and improves everyone else’s ideas, making them their own.

[@mmqqq8246]

Ooohhh this is GREAT!!

[@savedby_gracethrough_faith]

I have a 120w eco-worthy solar charger and the same schumacher jump starter batter as you have.

[@ghostofwar1892]

what are the specs on that solar panel. that solar panel is no longer available and i want to make a very similar set up to what you have and want to make sure any solar panel i get won't burn out the battery box at all. if you have an alternative solar panel that would be perfect. . im sure they have ones more efficient now

[@OdysseyCamper]

A similar 50W panel would be this one for $40. amzn.to/4gIchE6 That's almost half of what I paid and as you suggested, it's slightly more efficient. However, if I were to do this project today, I'd probably go with a 100W panel. Since doing this project, I've noticed that you hardly ever get the full watt rating out of a panel, due to temperature, clouds, time of year, etc. My suggestion would be this unit, which can actually collect light from the front and back if you set it at an angle to the ground. It's very efficient and inexpensive. amzn.to/4gOM7iR This would be able to max out the charge controller. It will not "take" more current than it can handle, so you won't damage anything. You could also update the charge controller to an MPPT unit for the same cost. amzn.to/49SlTK2 However, this unit is not weather-proof, so consider how you will use it. Thanks for checking out my video!

[@billwilhoit9296]

Can you add a larger solar panel like 300 watt

[@OdysseyCamper]

I can and will probably do that by the end of the summer. Thanks for watching!

[@sdnlawrence5640]

I wonder if this would work with my POTEK model?

[@OdysseyCamper]

It should work with any pack that has a lead acid battery. It looks like the Poteks do, but if it’s lithium, you’ll need another solution. A quick way to tell us if it’s heavier that it looks, it’s lead acid :-)

[@sdnlawrence5640]

@@OdysseyCamper Cool. Thanks. It is heavier than I think it should be, but I'm an old man!

[@OdysseyCamper]

@@sdnlawrence5640 me too. Lead acid :-)

[@KampingKatie]

I just found your channel. This is great. Could I run a small portable refrigerator off of this?

[@OdysseyCamper]

You can if you use the solar panel. With just the battery pack you could only run something like a small Alpicool refrigerator overnight. You would need the solar to run the fridge and recharge the pack during the day. I did exactly this and the panel was able to keep up with my Alpicool.thanks for watching!

[@KampingKatie]

@@OdysseyCamper Thank you for responding so quickly. Must have been good timing. 😊

[@mzmonicaallday6615]

OMG! I have had the Schumacher for over a year and never knew it had a battery and inverter inside?!?!? Now I need a nano solar panel. Thanks!

[@OdysseyCamper]

MzMonicaAllDay I had a similar experience with the DieHard battery pack! I had already installed an inverter and I was like, “hey, wait a minute” LOL Thanks for watching!

[@AZBryants1]

Got my Schumacher 1200 being delivered today, from Walmart...$99!!! On the way to completing my solar, thanks to your video. Thanks for taking the time to make the instructions!!!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Deb Bryant That’s awesome! Thanks for watchin!

[@AZBryants1]

seriously, your videos are so informative, and you answer my questions as they come up. Even a novice should be able to follow your instructions! I'll upload pics when I get it set up. :)

[@AZBryants1]

also, the unit I'm getting is the SJ1289 Multifunctional Power Supply, that has the light on a flexible arm, and the tire pressure is digital, and cuts off at the desired pressure. It's an upgrade from the one you featured, I think.

[@OdysseyCamper]

I'll check that model out. Yes, if it has a digital pressure gauge, it's definately an upgraded model.

[@OdysseyCamper]

I'd love to see the pictures! Thank you for your kind words. I try do these so anyone else can follow along. Everyone has a different set of skills. As soon as I'm satisfied with the final design, I'll put up a video of my new bed system. It does not require any special tools to build AND does not use wood for those with allergies or chemical sensitivity.

[@u9wjLU7h]

Is it safe to use a 200 watt bluetti solar panel to charge my Schumacher ?

[@OdysseyCamper]

@@u9wjLU7h Yes!

[@n1k1george]

I've had the Schumacher for quite some time now. It has been a great unit and now with this little hack it will be even more versatile! Thanks for the great tip. BTW I've been really bad about the monthly recommended charging. After 4 years of maybe charging it two or three times a year, the battery is still functioning just fine.

[@OdysseyCamper]

I’m glad to hear the battery is not as delicate as they make it out to be. Thanks for the info. I think that the use case and temperature have a lot to do with it. The one my kid brought to TX did not last long but it was stored in a 120+ outdoor closet, so... It should last longer if kept at room temperature. Thanks for watching!

[@sunsetz72]

That was really cool. Thanks

[@OdysseyCamper]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@kimhudson9618]

Thanks for this video! I have a Renogy solar suitcase that I use to keep my truck camper battery charged while boondocking, and am still a bit confused on which cigarette lighter adapter I would need to charge my Schumacher power station. I saw your link below, but is there one that I wouldn't have to cut the wires to reverse the polarity, for it to work correctly? I love the Schumacher for keeping phones charged, and even powering my hot air styling brush LOL!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Hi Kim, Thanks for watching! I’m a little confused by your question. Do you mean that you want to plug the battery pack into the truck’s lighter? If so, this cable will help amzn.to/3OHczOm However, if you meant that you want to connect the Renogy solar that way, I’ll need to look into it. Let me know.

[@kimhudson9618]

@@OdysseyCamper Thanks for your reply. I would like to be able to recharge the Schumacher from my Renogy 200W solar suitcase that has a voyager 20A charge controller. After I posted the question to you, I realized that the Renogy suitcase has the MC4 type connectors, and couldn't find anything that has the male cigarette plug on one end with MC4 on the other. Just being lazy and was hoping to find something ready made that was plug and play.

[@gencrow9840]

u can add a lithium batery made from 18650 cells and use a 12v regulator on it and be good to go ull have like 500wh or somthing or more depending what u build u can get the batteries from laptops and power tools batteries etc

[@OdysseyCamper]

That’s awesome! I will Look into it. Thx!

[@richardbottslotsandmore5696]

I purchased one of the cheaper ones at Wal-Mart years back...I wanted to rig my 2012 dodge grand caravan up for traveling and this is a great idea...Thanks for the awesome videos....new sub here...

[@OdysseyCamper]

Richard Bott Slots I’m glad the video gave you some ideas! The Caravan is a good choice for traveling. Safe travels and thanks for watching!

[@transformed613]

Good Job, MacGyver

[@OdysseyCamper]

Lol, thanks!

[@annetorswick9641]

Thanks for the video. I have had the Schumacher for about 4 years and bought it for boosting my car in an emergency. I never thought of it as a back up generator in a power outage. I have been thinking of solar for back up but had no battery. Thanks to your video I will purchase a solar panel and probably an extra battery. I have also subscribed to your channel. Great information!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Anne Torswick cool, I’m glad you found it useful! Thanks for watching!

[@mmqqq8246]

Do you have the link to the extra battery???

[@OdysseyCamper]

Yes! If you go to this page on the blog and scroll down to where it says, "Common Battery Types" I give the part number. Also, there is a discount on the same page to save 10% odysseycamper.com/battery-discount/ Thanks for watching!

[@manii8597]

Will it run a car fridge? And how long will it run it for, and with the solar panel, will it do it indefinitely?

[@OdysseyCamper]

With the solar panel in full sun, it should run the Alpicool I show in my videos, indefinitely. The fridge pulls a little under 50W but does not run constantly once it cools down. So, the panel would actually be charging the battery pack in between compressor cycles. However, this size battery pack only has around 18Ah of battery capacity, so even if you ran it to empty, that's only 216 Wh or a little more than four hours of constant run time on the fridge. Of course, it's only running part-time, so you might make it to the next sunny day. For a comfortable margin of safety, I would go with 100W of solar and a little more battery capacity, ~25-30 Ah. You can accomplish that by plugging in a second battery to the pack. Thanks for watching!

[@glasserallen]

Awesome great video you answered a question that I've had for a couple years now thank you :-).

[@OdysseyCamper]

da man cool, thanks for watching!

[@savedby_gracethrough_faith]

My schumaker charges by the usb port. I just bought a 120w portable solar panel. My question is, can I charge the schumaker by using the usb adapter that come with the solar panel?

[@OdysseyCamper]

So my first answer is that I don't know, but if you send me some product links, I'll look at your particular setup. However, I don't think it will work, and here is why: The charging voltage has to be high enough to charge the battery, so a standard 5 volt USB would not be enough to charge a 12V battery or even a 6V. But there might be something about your panel and battery pack that I don't know about. You can send more info here, or go to OdysseyCamper.com and sign up with your email (bottom of page if you are on your phone). That will give you my email address and we can communicate there. Thanks for watching!

[@savedby_gracethrough_faith]

@@OdysseyCamper I have the same Schumacher as you do. I can charge it threw the usb port while driving. I just bought a 120w eco worthy folding solar charger ($200 canadian). I dont remember if the schumacher saying it can be changed via cigarette lighter thingy. Lol. My van has 2 older sealed gal batteries hooked up to alternator. But they are old and don't fully charge and the inverter is also old fashion. I dont know anyone who is willing to help me change the batteries so that's why I bought the solar panel. I wish I had your knowledge. Thanks for your video.

[@OdysseyCamper]

@@savedby_gracethrough_faith OK, then it's possible that you could charge through that port. Nobody is born with all the answers; we all had to learn too ;-) I suggest you check out the channel, DIY Solar with Will Prowse. I didn't know about him when I put all of my stuff together, but he has some very good info on his KZbin channel. He has also built a number of van/RV systems.

[@douglaswindsor120]

The question I have is that all the one's I've seen are designed to fail when you had the batteries out did you check the charging stats in what I've seen on the net sealed lead acid battery are dead at 12 volts and should be kept between 13.4& 14.8 since I had an old black and decker booster pack with inverter I took it apart and written right on the battery was do not discharge below 12.2 float charge is 13.4 and full charge is 14.8 the wall charger was built in and written on it was output was 12 volts in checking out my old Canadian Tire booster pack they were all the same right now I have two everstart booster packs with inverter and air pump it's charger says it put out 12 volts but the unit says it is 13.1 at full charge so if you have a booster pack use a proper charger and charge it through the cigarette lighter plug

[@OdysseyCamper]

Close. A battery at 12V is 50% discharged. That’s as far as you should discharge a lead acid battery if you want maximum life out of it, so some people might say it is “fully discharged” at that point. But you CAN discharge it further. Around 12.8 is fully charged. The chargers are higher voltage because you need a higher voltage to reverse the discharge process. The vehicle alternator (and the cigarette lighter) will run at the required voltage to charge the battery, but it’s not ideal. A dedicated charger will do a better job of topping it off. If you have an inverter in the vehicle then you can just plug the battery pack into that to charge (the die hard has a built in 120 to 12V charger). Thanks for watching!

[@cherbear1996]

Just bought a schumaker sj1 yesterday and the only downside is that its not able to chg by solar..then your video popped up today..im clueless when it comes to this stuff and even after watching ur video i still dont know what u r talking about..but ill watch about 100 more times n maybe it will sink in..lol thx so much

[@OdysseyCamper]

Cool! Just let me know if you have any questions.

[@cherbear1996]

Odyssey Camper i certainly will..and btw..i also subscribed..love learning new things even if i can be a bit dense n slow at this kinda stuff..just love knowing that its possible.😊

[@cherbear1996]

Odyssey Camper well..i do have one question..so what exactly do i need to buy..dont have soldering iron tho..so zip ties it will be..but everything else?? 50 watt solar panel then what? Thx much..oh srry..see the list at the bottom..so..panel..connectors. chg controller. And the other stuff, lol..srry i have a tbi so recall is awful without going back to look..but thx..

[@OdysseyCamper]

Cheryl Mongold Thanks for the sub! Hey, nobody can know everything and we weren’t born knowing this stuff. There’s a reason I’m not making cooking videos :)

[@OdysseyCamper]

Cheryl Mongold OK, glad you found the list! Yeah, when someone asks a question I have to say, “what minute marker was that?” The last thing I want to do is watch my own video one more time and I don’t remember which part had what, LOL

[@mmqqq8246]

Can you run an alipicool c45 with that jump box. ...maybe just nights ...can hook fridge to solar during thevday And maybe you know if you can charge the jump box while running the cooler too??

[@OdysseyCamper]

The answer to both questions is yes, but the run time would be limited. The key is to have everything cold during the day and then run it on the jump pack at night. It will also help if you keep the cooler full. I use water bottles to take up the unused space. These steps will ensure that the compressor does not run constantly. If it did, the pack would only last about 4 hours.

[@mmqqq8246]

One more question lolol...i have a low wattage 12v heated seat cushion ...id like to use as a bed warmer on long trips in the van ...not on long ...5 min here or there to warm up....do you think thos will work for that too? Got it for 9.99 at bed bath and beyond

[@aquapower6388]

@Odyssey Camper According to the manual. charging by means of DC power overrides the 'maintain' mode and can therefore overcharge the battery with dangerous results. Is that problem solved because the dc power is coming out of the solar charge control?

[@OdysseyCamper]

No, unfortunately it does not prevent that issue. From what I see in the wiring, the 12V goes directly to the battery. However, you can check the battery voltage every 30 min or so when driving and pull it off when it gets charged. You’ll never get to 100% that way, but you can get to 80-90. You can also put a small inverter between the cigarette light and the 120v built in charger, to get a full charge.

[@atlhawks4113]

You are awesome bro! Keep up the good work, thank you!

[@OdysseyCamper]

ATL Hawks thanks man!

[@ericna9104]

I need your advise. I have a portable folderable 100W solar panel which I use with Jackery power bank. Can I just use this panel's one of the connector to charge Schmacher power bank? Please advise me. Thank you so much for the video

[@OdysseyCamper]

Hi Eric, You will need to put a solar charge controller in between the panel and the Schumacher. It's what I show at this point in the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYbEiaiQrJylsMU You could also use a different model of solar charge controller (10A is enough).

[@GrantTravels23]

I never realized you could just plug into the DC port to charge. Excellent idea! Now I can charge by solar or car plug. Thanks for the info

[@OdysseyCamper]

Grant Travels Yep, goes directly to the battery. Thanks for watching; glad you found it useful!

[@bass1bass2]

Hello. I don't know if you'll get this in time I'm a total newbie at this stuff. It confuses me how the power box gets charged by the 12 volt output? Do I need a certain 12 volt plug for that to happen? Are all 12 volt plugs the same? I know in music it's all about ins and outs. So it's confusing me how to solar power a little is charging into an output? Any help would be great thanks

[@OdysseyCamper]

The 12V output of the battery pack is essentially wired directly to the battery. So, if you introduce a voltage sufficient to charge the battery (either from a solar charger or a cigarette lighter socket) you can charge the battery. A male to male cord is all that is needed to charge from the vehicle. Thanks for watching!

[@ithinkhellisbroken9101]

How clever my friend, I like the 110 diehard power pack, thank you for the tip.

[@OdysseyCamper]

ITHINKHELLISBROKEN glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@davidgarcia-mo4ob]

can i hook up a 100 watt instead of 50 ,is it ok?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Yes you can! I did just that after this video was made. Thanks for watching!

[@VanDwellingLife]

You are my hero. I have been looking for something like thos for months!! Thank you!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Van Dwelling Life Oh wow, I’m flattered! Your channel looks cool; I will subscribe. I’d encourage others who read this to go check it out and sub. Thanks for watching!

[@VanDwellingLife]

Odyssey Camper Thanks matey. I will be sure to send peeps your way when I get my set up together. Moving in a newer smaller van so will have plenty of new videos coming up and I will most definitely be checking your channel for more awesomeness. 😁👍

[@jmnavarromd]

For the DC charge port. Are the wires for the male plug opposite polarity? I mean if I were to use the battery for power does it make a difference for charging back power delivery?

[@OdysseyCamper]

I think I get what you are saying. When making a male-to-male charging cable, you’ll want + to + and - to - stated another way, the center part of the plug should be wired to the center part of the other plug. Thanks for watching!

[@douglaswindsor120]

Check out the voltage on your charger most are 12 volts and if you check the specs on a sealed lead acid battery you'll find as I did when watching utube videos I then tore apart my old black and decker it was confirmed right the battery was written do not discharge below 12.2 and the float was 13.4 volts and full charge is 14,8 and the voltage on the charger was 12 volts so it's dead to start with anytime you leave a lead acid battery in a dead or flat stage the sulfur in plates start to harden a process called sulfation and the battery won't take a charge since there is always internal shorts the battery losses power over time so in a month if you loose a volt it now down to in making the battery useless so once a month you'll need to charge it properly best way is to use the cigarette lighter plug to cigarette lighter plug and hook up a good battery charger to it

[@Adriftimages]

I know in the manual it says not to charge and run it at the same time.... any idea why that is?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Matthew Koch I’m actually not sure why they say that, but I’d speculate that the charger would have trouble adjusting the rate of charge to the battery if its voltage was fluctuating. I have done this without anything being damaged, but I would guess it’s not good for the charger.

[@Adriftimages]

Odyssey Camper thanks! It would be cool to charge with the solar and still be able to run

[@lindapeterson5810]

You have great ideas with great basics for someone 'just trying it out', or working up to full time, on a budget. Thanks! And no propane!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Linda Peterson Thank you! I hope it gives you some ideas :)

[@alvaradacosta293]

I like this video.... Do you have a video where you showed how to install a stand to the back of the 50 watt solar panel? Thanks... I really needed this :)

[@OdysseyCamper]

Alvara DaCosta I don’t have a video that specifically show this, but you could build a frame like the one I used in my roof and then add a couple swinging legs. Really, the stuff I use in this video is overkill, but it might give you some ideas: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGHcpHyEnLSid7M

[@funvideolearning]

Hi, this is a great video. I've set up my system using the Schumacher power box. At first, when I connected it to my solar panel (using the solar controller) it started increasing the charge on the Schumacher. Now, 2 hours later, it appears to be draining the unit. Any idea what might be happening? It is currently out in the sun (not evening or dark conditions).

[@OdysseyCamper]

Hmm, I haven’t seen that before. However, if you are looking at the percent charged, it could be that is was charging at a higher voltage to start and has now dropped it slightly to finish. The percent meter is just an estimate based on the voltage at the battery. Check it without the panel plugged in, then after six hours charging in the sun, disconnect the panel again and check it. If the reading is lower then maybe you have a bad charge controller. I hope this helps and thank you for watching!

[@karencamping.5813]

Do you have a video for how I attach the auxiliary battery to the die hard battery? Loved your step by step demonstration --- I think I can do this 😊

[@OdysseyCamper]

Karen Bryant You can do anything you set your mind to! I do not have a video, but I will make one. If a couple weeks go by and you don’t see it, message me here. Thanks for watching!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYLEhGBnpNp8p9E

[@transformed613]

Do you know how I can find the right model number to replace the schumacher 12vdc battery with a lithium battery. Thanks

[@OdysseyCamper]

Transform I don’t but you could probably fit one that is the same size. If you go to this post, there is a link to the “DieHard” battery (same as the Schumacher) and it gives the dimensions. odysseycamper.com/battery-discount/ Note that you would also need to replace the internal battery charger, which was not designed for lithium. Thanks for watching!

[@tinabeane]

Still have my DieHard that I bought in Dec. 2017 after your review. I do remember to charge it at the beginning of every month. Used it many times to charge things and inflate my tires. I highly recommend them not sure if they are still available with Sears closing.

[@OdysseyCamper]

tinabeane that’s good to hear! Just used mine to inflate my tire after pulling yet another nail. I suspect that even with Sears closing, someone will license the Craftsman and DieHard names. Hopefully, the products stay just as good!

[@davidgarcia-mo4ob]

masterforce menards same

[@marshabrown8337]

Great video. Thanks. Take care.

[@OdysseyCamper]

Thanks for watching!

[@godvsevolutionmythgodvsevo1038]

Have the Schumacher SJ1332 does it have overcharge protection when charging through the 12 volt charger?

[@OdysseyCamper]

ANDY WAN it does not have built in overcharge protection but the instructions say 30 min at a time. I’ve charged for 60 min on/30 off and then check the charge state. If you use a charge controller then you don’t have to worry about overcharging.

[@SW-nl1ky]

Thank u, thank u, thank u!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Florence McClean Cool, hope it helps!

[@kandrews6635]

I got your suggested setup for solar and charger and Schumacher jumpstart, hooked it up and works great. I got a gift of one more solar panel, same 50 watt. My question is how to connect the two panels together and then to charge controller.

[@OdysseyCamper]

Awesome! I'm glad it's working for you. You would need to connect your second panel in "parallel" with the first. What that means is that + on one panel will go to the + on the other panel (positive to positive, or red to red). Then connect - to - (negative to negative, or black to black). I think the easiest way to do this is to leave your existing connectors in place and wire your second panel in at the box on the back of your original panel. That's the black box on the back of the solar panel I show in the video. If you do this, you will make full use of the 7A charge controller (a 50W panel does not make full use of its capacity) and probably be pretty happy with your new panel. You can stop here, or read on.... Your 100W of panels will probably not be in ideal sunlight most of the time and so, they will output less than the 5.55 Amps and 18 Volts (5.55 Ax18 V= 100 Watts) they are rated for. But on those rare occassions that they do, you would be producing enough energy to take advantage of a 10A charge controller (the Shumacher unit is 7A). That would give you slighly faster charging than you currently have--but only under those ideal conditions. If you do want to maximize it, increase the charge controller to a 10A unit. I suggest this one amzn.to/2FAhT6j that I use in my console battery pack. An advantage of this controller is you could use forked lugs and connect both panels AT the charge controller. But if it was me, I wouldn't bother. It's hard to have full sun and keep your panels at EXACTLY the right angle and temperature. So they are always producing less than the full 50 or 100 watts. Your gains with the different controller will be negligible under most conditions. Then again, the controller is only $15.

[@offgrideditor]

Could I expand this system using a 100ah marine deep cycle battery?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Hi Anthony, You could absolutely do that, just remember anything you take out of the battery, you need to put back. A 50 Watt solar panel only puts out about 5A max, so that would take in excess of 20 hours of full sun to fully recharge a big battery.

[@offgrideditor]

@@OdysseyCamper Thanks so much. You and your video have been very informative.

[@OdysseyCamper]

@@offgrideditor Thanks for watching!

[@cybersecretary]

thanks. I was wondering if I could run a seperate larger pure sine wave inverter from my schumacher for a 350w blender or guitar amp. guess so. this is what I did. 50w poweadd pirtsble panel and the Schumacher for my trips. I was at RTR and had plenty of power for my phone and laptop. easy and inexpensive plus I jump started myself and other people.

[@OdysseyCamper]

Dee Yes, you can, but it sounds like you figured that out ;-) Glad to hear you figured out a way to play at RTR. Hope to see you there in 2019! Thanks for watching!

[@shawntampa]

Thank you for your help at the RTR and for posting this video!! I am getting the things to make my own today.

[@OdysseyCamper]

shawntampa Awesome! I enjoyed speaking with you! I hope it you get lots of use out of it!

[@patchandler9768]

Hi. I am heading to the 2019 RTR. I bought the Schumacher SJ 1332. Hoping to use it for charging devices along the way. Happy to see a mention if the RTR in comments. Makes me feel like I made a good investment. Was also wondering if I can use it to plug in an area heater at night.

[@caroleolson6736]

Hi, very helpful vid. But can you help me with a question? I can’t find anyone I trust or who knows. I want to get a Dometic CF-18 refrigerator for my Prius, but I’m afraid to try it on my 12v. Will the Shumacher or the Sears DieHard you show here get enough amps (is it amps or watts?) to take care of the Dometic all day and night if necessary in my Prius (I would be driving almost every day to keep it charged)? SURE would appreciate it. Thanks!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Carole Olson the battery packs (either one) would power it while you sleep and during the day, you can plug it into the Prius. Keep the empty spaces filled with water bottles and it will not draw much power once it is cold. Even unplugged, it should go through the night and still be cold in the morning.

[@gfowkes]

I bought a 100-watt Renorgy solar kit. It came with a 30 amp charge controller, and some heavy wiring. Could I wire it to a male cigarette plug after the change controller into the Schumacher similar to what you showed in the video? Thanks in advance. I really hope this works!

[@OdysseyCamper]

Greg F YES, you can! The panel can generate enough power for 8 amps at 12V and that’s well within the 15A rating of the cigarette plug. In practice, the voltage from the panel will be higher and the current lower, but it adds up to the same amount of power. The charge controller will then step the voltage down to the right level for charging. Go for it!

[@gfowkes]

@@OdysseyCamper Thank you!!!

[@maplesden6768]

and i was wondering that around the 18 minet mark , you was saying something about useing that one connector for a small load!! do you think i could use that connector to run my fantastic fan???

[@ravendon]

Can you easily chain these jump starts together for more storage? I have the 1000w Stanley JUMPiT with 500 cold cranking amps.

[@OdysseyCamper]

VanLifer yes you can, but you don’t need to buy the whole unit, you can just hook up the extra batteries in parallel (+ to +, - to -). One of my videos shows this. For the jump packs that have a 12v lighter socket, it’s really easy. On other types you might have to open the jump pack to make the connections.

[@mikescallon4069]

Was the panel marked neg -positive ?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Mike Scallon it was, but I used a voltmeter to check it. You can also look at the bands on the diodes.

[@gadams8160]

Thanks Odyssey Camper for doing what the apparently ineffective solar panel industry for some reason can't do. I am headed out for a month of camping in May and a very logical path led me to the same configuration of products being discussed here. As a novice, I must be missing something. Why are there not packages like this already? Seems to me, especially in today's world, we should not have to cobble together a bunch of mismatched products to acheive some solar independence while in the boonies. I have money. Please put together a product.

[@kssrob5609]

How long will the Shumacher power a standard CPAP machine?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Hi Bobby, If you can tell me how many Watts (W) or Amps (A) it uses, I can give you an estimate. That info should be on the CPAP or its AC adapter. Most are around 30W which would give you 6-7 hours of run time.

[@jacobt5951]

How long does it take to charge the die hard to 100 percent when plugged into a wall?

[@OdysseyCamper]

It will hit about 80% in six hours or so, from my experience. After that, the charger tapers off the current (best for the battery life) until it hits 100%. In my experience, this can take up to 18 hours total. Essentially, if you charge too fast the fluid in the battery can boil, which isn't good for battery life. This is why I tell people not to recharge these by plugging the into the vehicle's cigarette lighter. You can do it, but the battery won't last as long.

[@jacobt5951]

Thanks for the response! Love the channel. Any idea of how long it takes to charge the battery along with the backup connected together? Also the Schumachers went up in price alot! About 140$ online thanks for the great info and help!

[@OdysseyCamper]

jacob t Thanks! I will have to try that sometime. I’ve only charged the two of them together when I’ve been driving. In that case, they are connected to a 10A charge controller and recharge over a 6-8 hour drive. As a rule of thumb, with battery packs you could always use more reserve and faster charging. It’s an economical alternative to an RV sized battery bank, but you have to pay attention to your power consumption, for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@universal7564]

great idea. might get one

[@jimmyskates7957]

With this set-up can we chain in a third battery for increased storage capacity? If it is possible I would assume it would be better to upgrade to a 100w panel for better recharging. Correct?? Thanks

[@OdysseyCamper]

Jimmy Skates Correct on both counts! You can attach a third battery, but you need more solar if you want to charge it in the same amount of time. Three of these batteries would be 66Ah. A 100W panel puts out 8 amps in ideal conditions so that would take a little over 8 hours to charge. But conditions are never ideal, so 10 or more hours is more realistic. Thanks for watching!

[@weswalker1208]

Thanks for the video but I do have a question is the 12 volt regulated and is the 110 regulated? I'm sure you know what I'm talkin about but for others I will explain it does it maintain full Voltage until the battery is completely dead or does the output drop during discharge. Thank you in advance

[@OdysseyCamper]

Wes Walker Good question! The 12 volt output is straight from the battery, so no, it is not regulated. The 110 comes from an inverter (for the benefit of others reading this) and maintains full voltage until the voltage drops below its operating voltage. I’ve never tested the exact battery voltage that this occurs at but I THINK it is around 10.8 volts. It beeps and then the inverter shuts off. Thanks for watching!

[@jeanariley7759]

Darren I think I figured it out but I dont have another quick connect with the 12 volt plug. I would hook the external battery to the jump as noted in the video connect another extension on the charge controller to go to the battery and connect to the battery side of the charge controller. But I need a 3rd quick connect extension cord to connect to where it says solar on the charge controller to plug into the ciggarette lighter port on the van.....is that correct?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Ha, just replied to your other message, but I see you figured it out. amzn.to/2JrYkvC

[@jeanariley7759]

@@OdysseyCamper Lol Thanks! Just saw the reply on other video myself. Yeah, sadly, I did not know about using the charge controller when charging from the cigarette lighter port. Although the diehard jump pack does not come supplied with a.c. or dc cords, my other jump pack did. It came with the male to male dc cable. (Makes no sense to say you can charge from 12 volt source if it could shorten the battery life). Anyway, following all your supply lists for each project and not knowing about charging concerns using 12 volt source (without a charge controller), I only bought 2 of those 5ft dc cables w/ quick disconnect on end and cigarette lighter connection on the other. For my purpose, using the Schumacher charge controller and charging the jump pack w/ the extra battery attached, I need 3...:( Does Ace hardware carry those cables?) Wal-Mart does not and have never seen them in auto parts store. Some of my battery tenders came with them but they are only like 6-8" long. Also not marked which side is positive or negative so....

[@OdysseyCamper]

Correct, you've got it!

[@maplesden6768]

i was wondering if you could tell me how high of watts inverter i could go on the sears die hard. i want to get one of the personal size blenders. i think its about 650 watts. do you think i could do that? much apperciated thank-you

[@sazonpralvarado1744]

How long take to charge the die hard power pack when its completely out?

[@OdysseyCamper]

francpr 23 It depends on what you are using, but if you plug it into the wall it will charge overnight.

[@sazonpralvarado1744]

Odyssey Camper apreciate for the answer

[@kareneighth6045]

Thank you! After re-watching all your battery videos and comments, I am starting to “get it”. Question: do you carry the Schumacher AND the Diehard in your travels?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Awesome! So actually, I gave the Schumacher to my son for Christmas, since he's always leaving his dome light on and running down the battery. I now travel with my console battery pack and the Diehard. The Diehard is my backup if I run the main batteries down, but I also use it for cooking if I want to sit out at a picnic table and make coffee, soup, or oatmeal with my immersion heater.

[@tinabeane]

Very helpful video, thanks! Will share :) Tina

[@OdysseyCamper]

tinabeane I’m glad you found it helpful! Thank you SO much for sharing it!

[@lancecatterall2145]

Can you charge this through cigerette lighter while van is running?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Lance Catterall Yes, you can, but...you will want to put a charge controller between the vehicle cigarette lighter and the battery pack. The reason is if you wired it directly the battery pack could draw too much current and blow the fuse. You can use the same charge controller shown in the video. The wire that says “solar” would go to the vehicle lighter. The wire that says “battery” goes to the battery pack, just like in the video. The best part is you would only need to buy an extra plug from the parts list. You can use the same charge controller for both the panel and the cigarette lighter. In that case you probably won’t want to stick it to the panel like I did.

[@volvoqueen9698]

Can I change to lithium battery replacement. I paid too much! Hate that

[@99wolfseditionify]

In the process of doing this and i can not get it to charge. I'm losing my mind.

[@SuAmigoElilegal]

Why dont u just put a big solar on top of ur truck n have a great generator

[@tproc6642]

Hey there, I am on a similar path as you (converted Chrysler Pacifica)...I currently have the Schumacher unit. My plan is to expand via minn Kota battery box, and throwing a 125ah agm inside. My main question is for charging this set up while driving. I didn’t want to mess with male to male aux. from car to jumpbox-but was thinking; aux/cig. From vehicle (15amp) /into inverter 150watts/then plug in a normal 110 extension cord to the proper charge inlet on the back of the Schumacher...I haven’t seen anyone do this to keep batteries charged/maintained. Will it charge both batteries safely. I am still learning, but I believe what is vulnerable would be the male to male connection between the Schumacher and minn Kota box. If the 125ah battery is low it would draw more through that 15amp fuse I believe, or would it work? Idk -I will eventually do solar, and have a 60 watt folding unit by Rockpals for boondocks. And info would be appreciated... thank you! Safe travels

[@OdysseyCamper]

Cool, another minivan camper!! I think you do have a valid concern with the current draw from the 125Ah battery if it is low. With the 22AH batteries in these jump packs (some are 10Ah) even a dead battery only draws a few amps. With the bigger one, you could draw more than 15A. But fuses are cheap, so I would try it and see. You might find that it's not an issue. I think your idea of connecting from the lighter to an inverter, into the charge inlet would work. It would be inefficient, but it should work fine. Inefficiency isn't really a concern here, since the engine is running anyway. Also, it would charge both batteries without damaging the internal charger, since it is current limited. BUT, it is not big enough to rapidly charge both batteries. It would charge slowly and would probably only be well suited if you are driving every day, or using it to keep things topped off. I actually have my diehard in the garage right now, keeping two batteries topped off. I turn the jump switch to "ON" and connect it to the spare battery, which puts them both in parallel. Then I plug in the unit to run the charger. Hope this helps (going to read your other questions now). Thanks for watching!

[@SouperMaruchan]

Yes! I love your content! I'm debating on how I'm gonna insulate my odyssey. What would you suggest?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Thanks for watching, Ben! One advantage of the Odyssey (or really, any minivan) over a full size van is that they are better insulated out of the factory. The floor has a layer of insulation under the carpet, the headliner is fairly thick, and all those interior panels have some insulation on the back. Mostly all of this is for sound, but it does create a lot of dead air space, which is a good insulator (when you can't create a vacuum). So I'd save filling all the cavities with foam or something, for last. I'd first focus on the windows, since that is where the most heat is gained or lost. You could make insulated panels like I did here-- odysseycamper.com/2017/10/15/diy-insulated-window-panels-stealth-camping/ although I found they worked a little too well in the summer, keeping the heat in. You can also make a lightweight panel from Reflectix and put black felt on the other side. The panel will not provide insulation (but will reflect radiant heat on the silver side, absorb it on the black) but if you make it larger than the window, you can create a dead air space between the panel and the window and that WILL reduce heat transfer. As for all the heat that goes out the front window and vents, I'm working on putting an insulated curtain between the front and the back. I've only got a privacy curtain at the moment. I'm about to find out just how well these ideas work because I'm heading to Arizona in January. I'll be staying overnight at about 5000 feet in NM, and it's supposed to be COLD... I'll be using a battery pack and an electric blanket, along with some good sleeping bags. If you don't see another video past January, look for me in the mountains of NM :)

[@SouperMaruchan]

Odyssey Camper thanks. Yea I was looking at your website last week, and I decided that I'll do something very similar to what you did. I think I'll also be making what you made here, so I can also use an electric blanket. I plan on visiting Colorado, so I really need to prepare for cold lol

[@CommanderRick]

Anyone know if I would be able to charge this shumacher kit by activating the alligator clips then connecting the alligator clips to a solar panel alligator clip? I'm assuming this will charge it since it's making a direct connection the battery, anyone know?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Commander Rick it would charge it, but it could overcharge it. So, it’s a good idea to use the charge controller from the video. That will prevent the panel from overcharging the battery. But in a pinch, what you describe would work.

[@CommanderRick]

Odyssey Camper Yeah I have one of those folding solar panels from renogy thats connected to the solar charge controller. Thanks for the fast reply, wanted to make sure I wouldn't ruin the jumper kit.

[@ASMRFoodieeats2]

LOVED THIS VIDEO!! IS THERE A WAY I CAN JUST BUY A Solar Charge Controller AND not have to sauder anything? CAN I JUST CRAZY GLUE IT TO THE BACK OF THE SOLAR PANEL, THEN CONNECT IT TO MY UNIT THAT YOU MENTIONED?

[@OdysseyCamper]

I'm glad you liked the video! Crazy glue would not hold due to the slight flexing of the panel and the effects of weather. However, you could use aquarium sealant (RTV sealant), it just takes some time to dry. I used 3M trim adhesive strips, but the problem with those is that they make it near impossible to remove the charge controller if you ever want to (I've tried and I think it would damage the panel). To avoid soldering, you could use crimp on lugs like these amzn.to/2RjOKPk Thanks for watching!

[@ASMRFoodieeats2]

@@OdysseyCamper omg you are AWESOME!!!! So to be clear, I can buy those connectors and not have to sauder a thing? But I still need to open the solar panel and connect the wires right? As you showed in the video? Or no. THANK YOU so so much :)

[@OdysseyCamper]

Northern Girl you’re welcome!

[@ASMRFoodieeats2]

@@OdysseyCamper when you have the time Please awnser my q with your thoughts. I'm learning a lot and I am about to buy the solar charger and booster :)

[@OdysseyCamper]

@@ASMRFoodieeats2 That is correct. However, you will also need the crimping tool, which I forgot to mention. Here's a link to the tool, but you can buy this in a kit at Lowe's or Home Depot for less than this Amazon one. I'd only buy this kit if you will be doing other work as well. amzn.to/2RmW2Sj

[@LxTxSURGE]

I have the first version the one with one dc and one 12v one , can i carge it with dc also?

[@OdysseyCamper]

LxTxSURGE You would still be able to charge through the dc outlet, but I would put a charge controller between the battery pack and the charging source. You can use the solar charge converter I show in the video.

[@jeremyrobertfreelance]

Would this setup be adequate to continually use a Dometic refrigerator?

[@SuperNoncents]

2003 odyssey headed out march 1. Alabama to Oregon to Ventura county to Jacksonville fl!

[@OdysseyCamper]

nick turner Awesome! Just did MI to TX, to FL, to AZ and am now working my way east to Boston. See you on the road!

[@jeanariley7759]

Hi there! LOVE your stuff! Great content. Questions: 1) you day Diehsrd has larger invertor. What I see is both have 400w invertor. Did I miss something? 2) can both of these be charged via your 12 volt cigg lighter plug and do they come with that cord? What I did see was that the Shumacher, I think, had a bit larger ah battery...18ah on diehard a d 22 or23 ah on Schumacher.

[@OdysseyCamper]

Thanks! You have amazing attention to detail! You heard correctly, it's just that the specs for the Schumacher are misleading. If you look at the manuals for each, the Schumacher is rated for 200W continuous. They cite the peak capacity which is 400W. This link should bring you to the right page of the manual. www.manualslib.com/manual/149568/Schumacher-Instant-Power-Xp2260.html?page=8#manual The DieHard unit is rated for a constant 400W. It's shown on page 9-10 of the manual. c.shld.net/assets/docs/spin_prod_751319512.pdf You CAN charge both directly from the cigarette lighter but neither one includes the cord. However, if you go to my Kit page here, you'll see the parts to make one. kit.com/odysseycamper/diy-solar-generator One word of caution. Although you CAN charge from the lighter plug, you should not leave it connected for more than 40 min or so, or you can overcharge it. Also, since your vehicle doesn't really have a float charge mode, the pack won't be 100% charged, but maybe 90%. In some of my videos I mention that a dead battery could draw too much current and blow a fuse. I tested this and it turned out NOT to be true of these tiny batteries, so it's no problem charging from the lighter socket. Thanks for watching and for the awesome questions!!

[@jeanariley7759]

Thanks so much for your response. I am also having trouble finding at least a 50 watt suitcase style solar panel. Harbor Freights is only like 13 watts - I think. I don't want to mount anything on the vehicle that I would be using. Many others are too expensive- Even the folding style. The flexible ones are poor quality to me. BTW, the prices have gone up on both Jump boxes - even at Lowes. Pretty good jump.In the $130 range at Lowes for Shumacher and about $160 on Amazon for either. I currently have a Everstart 1200 from Walmart - only $64.99 but you cant replace the battery and the invertor is only 100w. Once that battery is shot, the whole box is toast.

[@OdysseyCamper]

I’m sorry, your second message got held up in the filter and I didn’t see it. Yes, the prices seem to vary wildly, which is troublesome because as soon as I give someone a price estimate, it goes up or down. I’d check over a few weeks and when you see a price in the future that is lower, jump on it. As far as the folding panels go, they are overpriced in my opinion. I’d consider making your own with a long (piano) hinge, a latch, and a handle. All three can be found at Lowe’s. Then you can buy the panel size you need.

[@L3o487]

Why not connect solar panel with a CES Quick Disconnect Connector directly to the battery compartment of the DieHard Platinum Portable Power 1150 i think i a good idea

[@astrorganic3169]

Solo por añadir los subtitulos en español me voy a suscribir a tu canal

[@OdysseyCamper]

Me alegra saber que son útiles! Yo no hablo español, así que tengo que usar el Traductor de Google. Así que puede que no sea una traducción perfecta.

[@astrorganic3169]

@@OdysseyCamper Está perfecta...pregunta - 50 vatios es lo mismo que 50 watts???

[@OdysseyCamper]

@@astrorganic3169 Si

[@OdysseyCamper]

Además, no he completado subtítulos en español para cada video. Si hay uno en particular para el que los quieres, comenta debajo del video y los agregaré.

[@astrorganic3169]

@@OdysseyCamper ok muchas gracias!

[@Bananahammock2024]

I wondered how you added the extra battery. Did you plug it into the DC outlet?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Yes, the easiest way is a male plug from the extra battery into the DC outlet. It is also possible to drill a small hole in the battery cover to run the wires through and then use a quick disconnect plug from the extra battery to the wire going into the battery pack.

[@Volusiaev]

Just subbed to your channel....love it! Quick question: Does the Schumaker charge controller shut off when the batter hits 12.6 volts? I've read that you can ruin these sealed lead-acid batteries if you over charge them? I want to keep my power pack - jump starter in my car at all times, without having to take it out once a month to charge it. I figured if I keep plugged into the lighter (with the charge controller) It would be fully charged all the time. Thanks in advance.

[@OdysseyCamper]

Thanks for subscribing! I talked to the Schumacher rep and he said that it switches to a trickle charge once the battery is charged. They actually had it designed to work with their battery packs.

[@slimpickings3763]

Sir you are right up my alley with this idea!! I was looking for a week on utube to see if anyone else was doing this setup and I finally found you. So you have a new subscriber. The versatility of the Schumacher power pack makes this setup ideal for overlanding. Thank you for sharing this! :)

[@OdysseyCamper]

Robert Cgraggen- NW SELF RELIANCE & OUTDOORS Awesome, I’m glad it helped! Check out @OdysseyCamper if you are on Facebook. I put a short clip up of a run-down test with a 180 watt load. I will have a couple more clips up soon. They are too short for the KZbin format. Thanks for watching!

[@tproc6642]

Hello again, how large on an external inverter can the Schumacher handle. Looking into running 600 watts nutri bullet...as efficiently/ frugally as possible. Thanks

[@OdysseyCamper]

I think the 12V socket is fused at 15 or 20A. I can't remember so you may have to look at the owner's manual or inside. 15A limits you to about 180W (15A*12V) and 20A limits you to 240W. I think the max for this type of 12v socket is 20A. Of course, you could put lugs on the inverter wires with an inline fuse and connect it straight to the battery. This would require a small hole in the battery pack, to pass the wire through.

[@MaryBrooke]

One dislike = Yeti marketing team 😜

[@OdysseyCamper]

Yep, it annoys me that they suck so much money out of the sheeple. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with the product; it’s just 3x what it’s worth. Ignorance tax I suppose...

[@OdysseyCamper]

Brooke Barber Just noticed the name on the post,-thanks for watching!

[@ThinnerandHealthier]

Can you buy a 100 watt solar panel and plug it in to one of the genarators?

[@OdysseyCamper]

Shannon Hamblin You sure could, as long as you use a charge controller between the panel and the battery. You could use the one in the video or take advantage of the extra power and use a 10 amp charge controller. Thanks for watching!

[@ThinnerandHealthier]

Odyssey Camper. Awesome. Thank you for replying. :)

[@OdysseyCamper]

This is the 10A charge controller I would use (Amazon) amzn.to/2CoFlg7. I used the same one in my console battery pack and it worked well. Plus, it's only $16!

[@ThinnerandHealthier]

Odyssey Camper Thank you very much. :)

[@austintillman8297]

How did Ur solar panel work in the windshield? please

[@OdysseyCamper]

It worked well, but it made me nervous putting it up there because of the sharp corners. If one of the suction cups lets go, it could scratch up your dashboard. I now think a flexible panel is a better idea IF you plan to mount it inside on the windshield.

[@karencamping.5813]

Thx for the battery connect video !!!! Appreciate it!