Solar Powered RV Water Heater Conversion - 12 Volt Dump Load - Everlanders see the World!

Version 2 is here: • Part 2 - Solar Electri...
In this video, we find a super cute 9-liter water heater at the Home Depot in Oaxaca Mexico, and modify it to use 12 volts from our Solar diversion.
0:00 Welcome to the Dump!
1:02 Water Heater Options
1:50 Shower Keg Testing and Teardown
3:35 Rheem 9 Liter Water Heater
5:17 First thing is to T̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶ Tear it all to pieces...
7:40 Converting to 12 Volt
13:18 Christmas with Overlanding Giants
14:31 Reorginising our water system
15:49 3D Printed mount, Soldering Cables, Final Install
18:47 Special Clip for Laurie Berg
21:00 Control Loop Script
24:31 Final Tour of it all working.
26:38 Vote on upcoming projects/videos!
And let me know what you think of the upcoming video topics as explained near the end of the video...
If you'd like to drop a few pesos in the Sombrero for Fuel or Camera Gear, please consider becoming a member of the channel. For more information Click Here: kzbin.infojoin
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[@randallmartin2285]

Personally I'd like to see more amazing unboxing action. Best unboxing ever!😂😂😂

[@Everlanders]

You got it Randy!!!

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

@@Everlanders That was fantastic! I had to explain my laugh to my wife. Blessings!

[@donboggs3880]

Stumbled into your channel and was amazed at how genius your unboxing method shocked my mind. I've found a fount of curiosity as I will go wandering into your video mindfield. Thanks for posting!!! PS also thanks for the peso/dollar clarification, changed my viewpoint immensely! I thought you had more money than sense. Glad I was wrong. Great video delivery.

[@Angie-fe8yd]

@@PatrickKQ4HBD I just laughed outloud watching this 😃luckily I am home on my own...I'm going to rewind and watch it again it was so good 😂🤪

[@paulcurtis5496]

Best unboxing EVER!

[@50Acres]

Oh I vote for DC-DC conversion, nothing annoys more than taking DC, converting it to AC just so I can then convert it back to DC.

[@Everlanders]

Glad it's more than just me...

[@lorinatzen]

Agree, work for solar company, DC is the source voltage, just buck off/boost excess of the MPPT

[@Crane_pond_Chronicles]

This is why my off grid tiny house is being installed with as many 12 volt appliances as possible

[@Everlanders]

Well, it's your lucky day, the DC-DC conversion video just dropped: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3K9eItpbJ6Xo8U

[@50Acres]

@@Everlanders Ha, awesome, I've been using one of those converters to charge my laptop, works great. Need to convert the Dyson now.

[@WillProwse]

I used a voltage sensitive relay to trigger a heating element in my rvs water heater a few years ago. Worked great. Nice job on your system

[@Everlanders]

Hey Will, sorry we missed you on our way South, needed to get out of the USA quickly or we would have come to say hello...

[@WillProwse]

@@Everlanders oh no worries! Really cool video you made 😁 nice job

[@jimmorrison4609]

I agree

[@mohamedgerald5045]

Instablaster...

[@tinyhouseonwheelsireland]

Can you post a link to that video please, I can't find it

[@GoatZilla]

I love reviews where the reviewers have the balls to actually take the product apart. Earned your keep.

[@candeffect]

Balls have brain cells?

[@hellopsp180]

"If you've Ever Suffered from Pre Mature Relief this will solve it for you" Quote of the year 4:35

[@directionwood]

Thank you for this

[@brikshoe6259]

I thought he said "premature release".

[@markwilhelm3892]

Followed by "Might need a bigger hammer, or more lube" at 11:54.

[@theshartbus1267]

@@brikshoe6259 same difference lol

[@patrickcallahan2210]

Looking most forward to the DC-DC efficiency and the 3d printer mods!!!

[@rudyserlet8959]

Yeaaah me too intresting the dc-dc

[@mikefranks4528]

4:05 is pure genius! Best unboxing EVER! 😂

[@hannesvdvreken]

It took me 3 days of searching the internet but I found a 24v ballast for UV lamps! Then paid 60 dollars for shipping. Totally worth it.

[@moorgrovee]

Lora sounds interesting!

[@murphyslaw907]

All of those projects sound awesome. I am definitely in for any and all technical project videos. Your content has been an inspiration for my own build.

[@Everlanders]

Thanks so much for the kind words!

[@ajarivas72]

This video is great

[@dannelson6301]

A friend just introduced me to your channel ... I love it. Best unboxing ever! A small suggestion for a belt and suspenders approach to protect against thermal runaway, or to simply control the water temperature via analog (for those who don't wish to go with digital control). Repurpose the existing tank-mounted thermostat, wiring it in series with the 12V heating pad (after removing the 120V connections). If folks want to keep the 12/120V option, you could also replace the single-pole (120V) thermostat with the 2-pole (240V) version, using one set of contacts for the heating pad and the other set for the 120V heating element.

[@mikefranks4528]

The video was incredible as usual. It sparked the inner geek in me and the inner industrious man. Love that you are using Python for scripting. Your knowledge of electronics, plumbing, physics, mechanical engineering, information technology, etc. is on par with professionals and you still have the ability to innovate where needed. And you know the theory behind all of them. I salute you, sir.

[@Everlanders]

This is the kind of comment I need right now... 🥰

[@ajarivas72]

@@Everlanders You are above the professionals.

[@memoryim]

Your intelligence never ceases to amaze me. I always love watching you create things. I’d love to see the 3D printer and the dc to dc converter projects!

[@stingy49]

I vote Maxxair only cause I think it's the most applicable to a lot of people. Could be a big hit for the channel. I love all the ideas though! Can't wait to see them in due time.

[@allendeanhuscusson459]

You could link 3 heater Matt’s on the outside as easy as you put one on there, I do love your presentation almost as much as making comments. Great job and your work bench language

[@Everlanders]

Yup, you could...

[@joell439]

FWIW, I'm interested in everything. I hope eventually you cover all these projects in the future. I'll be here to watch every minute regardless of the order they are presented. I have learned about all kinds of things I never imagined from just watching your channel. Thank YOU! 👍👍😎👍👍

[@Everlanders]

Such a heartwarming comment, thanks so much Joel!

[@NoelBarlau]

This was one of my favorite videos of yours so far. Excellent content. I'm extremely interested in the DC-DC conversion, as well as more code demos like this one.

[@Tom111060]

... I'm in in all of these planned projects ... Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience ...

[@woopwoopadventures6789]

Thank you for your effort in putting all these videos together. I can't wait to start IOT in my truck.

[@cam_DA_Hawkdriver]

Your humor = my humor. Love the work!

[@Everlanders]

If you like that, you'll love this...kzbin.info/www/bejne/a367nHdtj8ShmsU Going public next week.

[@TheNCGardener]

I love your practical uses for the raspberry Pi and other electronics.

[@williamjordan811]

Being People are being DE platformed... LORA EFP-32 Mesh Network is a winner for me. Great Project, Cheers

[@stevenraeburn8178]

It is not often I can watch a KZbin tutorial/video from start to finish - but I always find these videos gripping...interesting...informative... awesome - thanks for all the information - it is inspirational.

[@a787fxr]

I'm glad that you took it apart so I won't have to. Thanks for all the great information. !:- )

[@tjnak]

I very much liked this water heater project. Thanks. Cheers.

[@BrokeOverLand]

All of those are excellent ideas. Your attention to detail is always an inspiration. Side note: my Prusa just got delivered yesterday so I’d lean toward 3D printing if I had to choose. :)

[@wladewig]

With the 12volt powered water heater in play, it looks like there's still surplus SOC for the next project :) NICE!

[@Everlanders]

Yup, 3D printer is the new Dump Load, and we're still charging!

[@johnh2937]

Sir, you have a mad skill set. My congrats!

[@bradleyjohnson452]

I always find them entertaining and thought provoking. Some may not always apply to me, but they become a jump off point. I have a cabin that I will be converting to solar and would like to to apply some of these projects. Great work

[@Crogon]

I'm voting for DC to DC. I'm sure I could go full monkey and rig everything to work myself, but I'd love to see it done with high quality parts and made to look nice and neat and etc. :)

[@ericfox9648]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video This is my first watch of your offerings. Thank you so very much

[@allendeanhuscusson459]

Man I like how you work! Nice job at making things easy to understand

[@micahc9509]

P.S. the more I watch about your build the more I see how great it is. The keg idea for water is just paying back in dividends; I was looking at a tank solution for my build just out of pure capacity but it's hard to argue with your setup with compressed air and the multiple uses, as well as the ability to easily refill water without needing a real RV fill point.

[@Everlanders]

Yes for sure! There are no options for hose refill south of the US border...

[@IanSGI]

Nice project! I've voting the DC-DC conversion. I hope you have a ready supply of transistors

[@JCisko]

Brilliant!!!! I’m a fan…. I’m preparing to cross the Atlantic and work towards the Mediterranean and into the Black Sea (God willing), in the Summer of 2022. Thank you Friend.

[@lorandoane118]

I loved the unboxing. I wish more folk started their videos like that.

[@cpirius]

Great video, very interesting, thanks! :) I'm interested in seeing the DC-DC efficiency gains.

[@Everlanders]

Coming soon!

[@freddyboy84]

Great video - Keep all the ideas coming. LORA definitely. I fitted a similar tank that's used in boats heated by the engine which has worked very well for many years. Its got a housing for an element which I can use for surplus solar / mains heating. When I get the surplus solar fitted.. Interesting to find out about the bearing problem on the fans.

[@garymoyer648]

I'm running 1200 watts of solar to lithium batteries with 3000 wats of inverter. Not that it matters but I have magnum solar controller & inverter. I have heard the conversion to 120vac is inefficient. I would be interested in dc to dc conversion to charge laptop, cell phone,etc. Thank you for all your help. Gary.

[@overlandsally]

all of the ideas are interesting. thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@MSC-101]

Love your projects. Onwards and upwards SVP. Thanks

[@justinsweeney220]

I've always wondered about the DC to AC back to DC conversions being inefficient, just never tested it out, so that's my vote. Going from 14v to 19v will have it's drawbacks, and be proprietary to that one device, an inverter gives you the standard AC outlet. Thanks for the content.

[@Everlanders]

Yes, Agreed, but we will still have our Inverter as the "Universal Adaptor". But I'm on the laptop for 6-10 hours a day and the 3D printer is on for long stretches at a time, so I'm hoping that these see the biggest gains in efficiency.

[@kaoskev]

I bought a few LoRa’s a year or two ago and never got it off the ground. That’s my vote.

[@brooksjulius7608]

Thank you. This was a very cool video. Extremely informative and intuitive. You rock!

[@randydicotti3975]

Being an Arduino fan, I can appreciate what you've done here. Well done.

[@yourpcmd]

Just so others know, the price, $2999 is in MXN currency, which is about $150 USD.

[@JourneyOnLife]

Not for long, lol. Soon to be dollar for dollar : )

[@Scrambler85]

Stopped the video and did the conversion, 😆

[@seekingtheedge]

Nice setup! One thing you could consider is to put a thermostatic valve on the output so you always get the same output temperature and your reservoir contents lasts longer. You then can even heat your reservoir to let's say 80° and still have a safe output temperature of let's say 40°. Are you also going to use it for the shower?

[@ronb6182]

Shower? I would put a shutoff valve on the shower head. 6 gallons of hot water won't cut it for long but one good thing it don't take long to reheat the water. I once went to my neighbors fishing trailer to do some work and the kitchen had a 10 gallon water heater and the cold water came out hot because of the back feed of the water heater. I would like to see a 12 volt heating element and put it on a ten gallon water heater. But on a house it would be better just to install a solar water heater. I would save the power for running an AC unit. 73

[@ozavros]

Absolutelly brilliant! Keep up the good work

[@davidshaw427]

You are the greatest!!!! I have just started a complete start from scratch Caravan renovation here in Australia.........and watching a bunch of videos to get wised up with water systems and electrical.....this is next level brilliant! You are my hero! Cant wait to get stuck into the other videos......

[@swaterman08]

always more lube! I am noticing, you are improving with the Funny!

[@BHrobry]

he is and was always funny just now he is braver to show it

[@Everlanders]

Thanks for the Noticing! (I'm trying)

[@swaterman08]

@@BHrobry Yes, always funny and still Improving! no one is a master at everything right away, unless you are the Hynman

[@myozone]

Dry Canadian humour

[@cliffmorgan31]

It’s commercial.... Canada Dry.

[@myozone]

All of the projects please, definitely not niche !

[@oklahomaoverland]

Nice conversion on that hot water heater!

[@keepinganopenmind8216]

Well done. great addition.. to the setup ! Thanks for the share.. Plan to do one myself.. shortly, gave me some ideas.. Thanks Compadres'

[@johncochran5913]

I’d love to know about dc-ac-dc

[@summerWTFE]

@4:10 damn. Good thing I wasn’t drinking milk at the time.

[@seanfarmer7371]

Thanks for this video and others like it, I love the detail of explanation and ingenuity. You are the reason I got into building and making things. Thanks fellow Canuck

[@JasonKnowsPodcast]

I love your videos! You are so knowledgeable about your rig and devices as well as creatively mashing things up with 3d prints! I aspire to copy some of your projects and apply my own ‘opportunities’ with your creative solutions and problem solving! Thank you!

[@JuhaLehtinen]

Shouldnt that temperature be over 65'C to avoid legionella bacteria growth?

[@Everlanders]

Yes indeed! I'm running it at 70° for the last while.

[@Everlanders]

And after I get the rest of my plumbing parts here, I can connect the cold water to the faucet again and then I'll likely jack it up to 80°c and then blend it back at the tap.

[@hellopsp180]

yes to 60 C = Growth This tank needs to be cleaned probably monthly just to ensure nothing nasty has overgrown inside it However, what's more, important is overnight it is dropping to ~40C which is even more dangerous than keeping it at 60C I reckon this water tank should be kept at a toasty constant 100 C ;)

[@gerritboglio6999]

Are you feeding water from the purifier? Would that keep the bad stuff out?

[@BradMurry]

“Metric English” 😂

[@wile1coyote]

This is my first exposure to your channel and vids, I am blown away frankly and yes your application is more extreme and fringe than what I require but its still just amazing to see the innovations and possibilities. My RV h20 heater recently crapped so I am sourcing options and choices and youtube led me here and I will now learn all kinds of amazing things cos of it, thanks so much!!

[@Everlanders]

Thanks, so happy to hear that! 🤗

[@Moist_yet_Crispy]

Such an awesome video! I didn't know there were 12v heating mats like that. Subbed and liked and looking forward to more videos!

[@zwarst]

DC/AC 2 DC & DC

[@rblibit]

DC to DC Efficiency - new sub as of 3 minutes ago. I converted a dozen computer servers used in our business from standard AC computer power supplies to 12 VDC Automobile supplies and added 22 ah ACM batteries and powered them with combo power-supply/chargers and this also allowed us to get rid of the UPS units for them as well. It reduced our monthly electric bills by $150 to $200 since it also reduced our A/C requirements by a decent amount. We also converted all of the hard drives to SSDs in the servers at the same time which was required for some servers due to the smaller max size power supplies available for DC (250 vs 350 watt). Payback was 18 to 24 months. If you included the UPS conversions, we were going from AC to DC then to AC then back to DC by the time it reached the computer guts! Now we are AC for the Charger/PS units and all DC from there! Plus the backup batteries would run the servers for 4 hours on average instead of 20 minutes on the UPS units. In Florida (Hurricaneville) this was an AWESOME benefit! Best Dog Gone project I've done in a long time. This is why I vote for DC to DC efficiency. Cheers, Richard

[@Everlanders]

Great example! Nice work!

[@benchamness7090]

Hey Everlanders. I love these videos so much. They are just the right mix of technical nerdiness and humour. Would love to see the dc to dc experiments but they all sound great. We miss seeing you guys in person.

[@Everlanders]

Heya Ben! Nice to hear from you, glad you're seeing the humor in it, sometimes it feels there's not much left in me...

[@andrewswingler]

Killer channel. Wonderfully creative and inventive build!

[@JasonVladimir]

Great show! I'm trying a similar concept. Thanks for sharing!

[@koningbolo4700]

Sous vide cooking in an overlander... great stuff...

[@rtsaldivar]

Intrigued by your creative practicality! I’m now a l subscriber and follower. You’ve prompted me to investigate script programming and 3D printing. Looking forward to your future vids. Thx!

[@TheScorpiobiker]

Thank you for this excellent video. I’d been pondering upgrading my 30ft travel trailer to full solar and the use of Pi electronics you demonstrated is a great way to automate my system.

[@Everlanders]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Trevwhitesailing]

Nice job was going to do this on my yacht, thanks for explaining how

[@paulnorberg3869]

Definitely the best unboxing video ever. I really enjoyed how you saved all of the materials the tape and the packing materials, just brilliant. Oh and the incisive reflection on the contents, just the best!!

[@Everlanders]

Thanks! I'm probably best known for my incisiveness... 🤔

[@samualwhittemore228]

Love your channel!! You are a man after my own heart... I'm Running my scratch built Arduino based voltage regulator in my onan military diesel generator -- as I type this(No problems since I installed it over six years ago). Stuck in a Weatherford,TX truckstop during snow/ice storm. I'm an over the road trucker, electronics hobbiest, and Ham radio operator. Glad to see someone else putting some handy tech to good use. I have a 1997 REVCON Trailblazer that I am refitting for overlanding. Including a 12 valve Cummins swap -- which need I to rebuild. LoL

[@rylexautumn3766]

Any video that starts with tearing down a perfectly good item to modify it...I'm in. Thanks dude. Good show. I'll be back!

[@StepvanDan]

Great video ,tons of info thank you your a very smart guy thank you for sharing ,big hugs from MN

[@WANDERER0070]

I like watching any improvements and hopefuly learn something, thnx for the vids

[@ismscsim]

Excellent post...thanks

[@josephschachinger5568]

Wow, just wow. That was fun to watch. I am officially subscribed.

[@lee8652]

Spit my coffee out during that unboxing! Love the channel, I always learn something new from watching you.

[@Everlanders]

Mission Accomplished then...

[@jncolligan1]

What a great way to run a dual heater! One off your van exchange getting there! One off solar for your morning shower while you sleep in!! :)

[@anewhouse108]

New to the channel. That was a great modification. Gave me new ideas for my little van. Gonna go dive through your other videos to check out your system automation

[@jupiteradventure5284]

#metoo I can feel a YT/everlanders day coming up......

[@rolandaferdinandyaya]

🎉 love your work, following ur videos so much 2 learn. You really are awesome slowly showing step by step how to make it work Thank you 😊

[@derrickboatman1560]

The Terminator hand got me that's what earned your like, subscribe, notify, all. I think everyone should be required to use a Terminator hand for pointing to stuff in the video

[@allmomomosthomebus3895]

Very slick. Impressive.

[@anthonymarino4260]

thanks for sharing. nice video

[@alfredbucket848]

brilliant system. I love the use of electrodacus and arduinos... great work.

[@thegodemperorofmankind7yea704]

@@opera5714 I’m interested in alternatives?

[@JeffHarbert]

Now that right there is good and proper voiding of a warranty. I am proud of you.

[@Everlanders]

🤣 Thanks! I wish I still had that shirt...

[@Angie-fe8yd]

That un boxing was brilliant 😂

[@tinyhomeincred-i-box]

Love it! Thanks..radio gets my vote.

[@Everlanders]

I tried, I could only get about 2 km of range, which I didn't feel was worthwhile. I did a few members videos on the topic.

[@Simonbove]

Loved that unboxing haha 🤣

[@cathietonkin5577]

Wow.... a real life Mcguyver!!!! Amazing! You could make this a side hobby..... for ladies like myself who couldn’t but would love to have hot water in their van! (my hubby is not that mechanically inclined).

[@Everlanders]

Whether you think you couldn't, or you think you could, you're right.

[@garrykennedy5653]

Loved it I don’t think I could ever do what you do but it’s great to see you at work coming up with these great ideas

[@Everlanders]

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right,”

[@MrRickzc123]

Nice to watch a gentleman on KZbin that is tech minded, and knows his electrical/electronics. Thank you for the very informed information. I know electronics very well but definitely would like to know more about raspberry pie.

[@Everlanders]

Nice to be referred to as a Gentleman! 😜

[@ericstainz9072]

After watching just the unboxing (thanks) and the mention of the Pre-Pressure disfunction valve I had to subscribe 😂 and 🧠 great channel.

[@rayarthur586]

First time seeing this channel. I will be subscribed as soon as I am done writing here. Great video. I too wondered about the conversion loses so when you get to it I'll be there. But in reality it looks like most of your videos will be of interest. Thanks Ray

[@EbleontheRoad]

Good you made it in Metric English so we can understand it to😀👌 I vote for the Maxxfan video, it drives us crazy even with the new motor! Great video, you explained all very good! We're missing Kara's salads they are the best🤤🤤

[@conniedavis6274]

HEY GUY YOU ARE ALRIGHT! NOT only informant but have sense of being real ! Thanks.

[@Everlanders]

9 out of 10 doctors agree! 😂

[@michaelcanto6175]

Great inspirational and funny videos, Thanks! You reminded me about 12v/24v water heater elements. Gave me an idea with this video... ;)

[@cyclemoto8744]

As always thank you for the content. An additional praise is required for your sped up unboxing segment. Oh how I dislike unboxing videos. Cheers from OZ

[@NigelBallard]

This video was truly great, I"m a little burnt out on the many '10 Things Not to Do' and our '10 best van tips' vides out there. I've recently been watching the Swiss guy with the Hat who performed some LoRa radio experiments, gotta love that link budget. You would seem like the perfect individual to experiment with extracting H2O out of the air especially as you are effectively stuck in a high humidity location, you've got the tools and the requisite skills and the space in the vehicle to install such a beast. Again, thanks for the homebrew technical stuff, it really is a breath of fresh van air!

[@Equitable111]

What fun!!! Your wife is a lucky lady!

[@stuartmallett6334]

I like you videos very much, some really good topics, keep up the good work.