I'M DONE | Van Life SOLAR Changes after 3 Years | Bluetti AC180

[@SunflowerandtheBussLady]

Linnea, I remember you saying something like, ‘please don’t catch fire’ as you added the last battery cable. I clenched my teeth and prayed right along with you. I was a very proud KZbin aunty! LOL. Every time I see your videos I feel a connection that KZbin affords. Big hugs and congratulations! 🙌🏽🥰🙏🏽✌🏽❤️

[@scotttovey]

Akela's reaction to that alarm was priceless. In the future, if you need to replace the battery or the fuse, you may want to put a cutoff switch between the fuse and the battery. It's not necessary, but you will feel safer being able to connect and disconnect those wires without the spark.

[@bps1776]

👆 this

[@bexnut]

Blue Sea make a great set of high-amp battery switches for this purpose. Also a good move to install a Blue Sea terminal fuse (or fuses for multiple batteries) onto the positive terminals, plus terminal covers, to prevent any damage to the batteries if the system is overloaded, or against short-circuits.

[@user-uk6yz1my8h]

Akela's sweet little face as she was cuddling closer to you is priceless. Glad all is well.

[@engineerswhovanlife]

You absolutely crushed it and honestly looked so confident in the process! Yay for solar being done!

[@Steve_travels]

I'll be reaching out to you once I have a few more resources in place

[@engineerswhovanlife]

@@Steve_travels do it! We’re here to help and love hearing about everyone’s unique DIY builds!

[@DavesBonsai]

The Bluetti AC180 has worked well in my bonsai green house. Gald it's working for you.

[@OceanCrazie]

Oh wow! The alert @ the outtakes reminded me of Hunger Games! 😳🫣🙃🤓🤯🤭😂🤣 Congratulations on the accomplishment of your Solar! 👍👏

[@paige_n_neri]

Great info! Akela's reaction to the zombie warning 😂😂😂

[@tammyoverton2518]

Thanks to you, I just upgraded my power to a Bluetti AC200L! Can't wait till it arrives next week. Thank you!!

[@Linneaandakela]

Good choice! How exciting!

[@tammyoverton2518]

@@Linneaandakela I love thrifting and found the best hoodie last weekend. It was a LINNEA AND AKELA hoodie and in my size!! My FAVORITE find!!! 😍

[@livinginthenow]

This was great. The idea of a circuit breaker is something that never occurred to me before, but it makes perfect sense. Love, love, LOVE the bloopers at the end with Chris being a pest. You flinching when he made that zapping sound made me actually laugh out loud. 😂😂😂

[@krismaki757]

What great timing. My brother and I were talking about solar, power stations, and generators today. I am hoping to be getting a van in the not too distant future, so I can hit the road after raising my 4 kids, working, etc. I am now disabled and want to see this beautiful country we live in before I can't walk at all. I'm just starting to pay closer attention to what I will need to power my van life, as far as solar and a power station. I truly hope I will not have a need for a noisy generator. Thanks for the info, and the link to Engineers who van life blog.

[@amyfu2047]

You are so awesome Linnea!! You have come so far in the last three years!! I literally watched your build as I was doing my own. I’m still paying off my van so I’m working fulltime at a regular job. I’m so happy that KZbin and Patreon have helped you so much to be able to live your best life at your age. I’m looking at upgrading my own electrical system. Long story short when I ordered my batteries they ended up delivered in Ontario and I live in The Yukon. Like next to Alaska. Completely opposite end of Canada. Ordered a second set. Tracking shows they arrived in Canada but they never arrived. So I ended up depending on my jackery 240 to run my fridge in summer and heater in winter. I just didn’t run heat during the day so if it was -40 outside it could be -20 celcius in the van after ten hours with no heat. I just didn’t run my fridge at all because food stayed cold enough. I literally used my unplugged fridge as a freezer all winter. Life in Northern Canada is fun. But when I finish paying off my van I am definitely going to start spending winter down south!! You inspire me so much. I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished!! I’m a single 44 year old woman and I understand being scared at times and not feeling completely comfortable with the electronic stuff. You’re teaching me so much! Hopefully I’ll get a cubic mini next summer. I was hoping to this year but I just can’t afford it right now. Damn this economy! 😂😂 Safe journeys and give Akela a hug.

[@demonknight7965]

You probably didnt need to tape up the negative cable. But it is always a good practice to be safe and not take any chances. :) three words to always live by. C.Y.A. Cover Your Arse. One thing i would suggest is color coding the wires in and out of your circuit breaker. Just a little red tape on the positive cables so that way you can know at a glance.

[@cherylpugh5895]

Linnea, what an amazing young lady that you are, to take on electrical work in your van, and are able to put in solar power. You did a great job upgrading the power. You said you were nervous, but you showed a confident person!! Love you, my friend

[@hailahafley-kluver2052]

Watching what you do makes me feel so great to know the power of what a woman can accomplish when she needs and wants to. I love it all...and especially Akela's expressions. The best hugs come from our fur babies. I looked up Bluetti...wonderful.

[@thelivnded12]

Omg this all makes sense now! My bf was trying to explain how i needed to set mine up for my little van amd watching you install this and explain it, i now know exactly how i need to do mine

[@suezaple4950]

I remember most of this you mention about your build congratulations on your upgrade and appreciate you showing us how you did it. Awesome work Linnea

[@charleneolmsted1718]

Of course, you have special people

[@injectionAI]

i'm 2 months in and wow, it can be challenging. i'm rocking a Delta Pro with 800w of solar

[@Linneaandakela]

Yes it can!

[@raelynnfinch9102]

Great job on your solar! I have been with you since right after your van build! Thank you for sharing your life adventures- even tho I’m old enough to be your mom, (and your mom is adorable by the way!) you inspire me to try new things! Keep having fun and stay safe!

[@lynncatalano4782]

Wow! I didn't realize the van build was so long ago

[@NYR14477]

Omg it’s been 3 years since I’ve been watching you guys. That’s insane. Thanks for sharing your life journey with us

[@barbhampton54]

Watching you do all of this is truly empowering! I admire you and how you are following your dreams.

[@ErikSjaastad]

Oh no!!!! Poor Akela❤❤❤❤❤❤ I've been charging my portable straight from my 12v fuse box for the past 2 years. Each pug takes about 100w so you can just use one or unplug it all to gether if you want to save your house battery. I haven't seen that many people do it that way but it's been working great for me.

[@andreaewert7204]

🙌 great job upgrading your solar!

[@juliewilliams4068]

I always LOVE when you add the extras at the end. 😂😂😂

[@amyrudolph1090]

You are just like me working on electrical, cracks me up! I also have a fear of things exploding and whenever something sparks it totally freaks me out! 😅

[@patriciatwalsh4479]

Thank you for sharing blue yeti and the new solar panels & the flexible way directing them. Stay safe. I love the dogs so loving ❤😊

[@omavicmcmurray2893]

Love this stuff, not just the content but the embrace of learning new technologies , you are inspiring!❤

[@jasonjones5213]

Those power stations changed everything, for the good.Great job on the solar.

[@naomig7004]

There was a boy around but you still did it yourself so cool! 💪 You make me feeling like I can figure it out too 😁 Great video.

[@CowboyTrucking61]

3 years wow, can't believe it. Happy 3rd anniversary. Been watching since you started.

[@Steve_travels]

I ordered my Bluetti and used your code for the discount ❤❤❤

[@SarahBoza]

I feel the exact same whenever I am doing something technical and my Husband is around. Don’t watch me struggling!!!! Haha love you guys!

[@tammyinman1699]

Awwww poor Akela!! I don’t think I could learn all that! Lol…. Gives me anxiety thinking about it 😂. Hi to Chris n Kobuck. Linnea you are amazing!!!❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️

[@zepherstarrtrail7802]

I used to have an Old English Sheepdog that would get occasional hot spots . Besides cortisone shots, I used to apply clear aloe Vera gel. It helps take the heat out and helps with the itching as it heals. I hope she gets better soon.

[@sammyinbrooklyn]

Akela is so adorable ❤. Thanks for sharing!

[@Linneaandakela]

She really is! Thank you :)

[@sammyinbrooklyn]

@@Linneaandakela you’re welcome ☺️

[@beeamerica5024]

Hundred percent electrical technician 🤓 missed seeing my doggy but the part at the end was good that sounded like a movie the last day of Earth 💥🐝😉

[@karenb1627]

Girls got skills. I love how stubborn you are about doing things on your own. The value you place in yourself with your knowing capabilities. Which includes, getting good advice and pursuing the task. That's empowerment.

[@dorothymctee5626]

You and pup are amazing

[@alanaward6584]

I love how much you love your pup, or should I say, pups. And like a nut, I am fascinated with that blue coffee mug. Love blue. OK my squirrel brain is in control. Sorry. Thanks for all the solar info. Almost twice the power is fantastic, & small. Happy trails!

[@tammycruz8189]

YEAH So Happy For U . Safe Travels Always God Bless Y'all Mucho Love From Your Friend In Michigan Tam 💜💜

[@KevinM-ov3qr]

Hopefully your wires are rated for the new fuse. Otherwise they will over heat and be the cause of your fire

[@Linneaandakela]

They are :)

[@sheripride428]

North Woods! I love watching you accomplish things

[@dyanprice4397]

That is amazing! Bluetti!!

[@LimeRickey71]

Congrats on a sick set up Linnea!!! So happy for you all!

[@gsp49]

So nice to own your own power company.

[@Linneaandakela]

Haha must be!

[@paulinemorales3391]

I love the outtakes!

[@robinruns_late8375]

Love Bluetti. I am wiring my whole van with a Bluetti AC 200 Max. Solar panels on roof straight into Bluetti and then 12v/30amp outlet wired out to a fuse panel. No other batteries etc needed the Bluetti will do everything. Your videos are very helpful.

[@Linneaandakela]

That sounds so nice and simple!

[@msvg3]

Great tips on the upgrade. Chris, behave!!! 😊. Looking forward to the return to the north woods in a warm season. ✌️❤️🏕️

[@The.painted.Buffalo]

Super informative and funny! I do a lot of electrical with my eyes closed 😂 ironic you did it in the rain, but was scared of the shock 🤭 exactly how I’d do it too 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@margaretmartin3143]

Lots of good how to info and electrical consult help. I had no idea of where to even start w using solar power. I'm wondering if u have a video of the initial solar panel install and setup.

[@drewwarmath2559]

“At the ready with my Bluetti AC180…….” 😊 I actually use a competitor’s 500 model, but I’m impressed with your official, and unofficial reviews. I too quit using an inverter a couple years ago. The draw was just so much greater than sticking with DC. I use my van for business, and have greater access to AC as needed. It’s still nice to get off the beaten path whenever possible though. Great video! It’s been fun to watch your upgrades over time. A lot of great info! Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@hopefulhope9123]

I love the love that you have for your dog because I have a German Shepherd Belgian Malinois cross 50/50 and I he's a rescue and he's about the same age as your dog and I love your authenticity and your love for your life and how that that is your home and you've made it your home this episode kind of seemed like it was just one of your promote promote promote promote ones which you never do so I'm happy I'm going to become a patron because I think that you have so much Knowledge and Skills to offer people who generally don't want that fake like they want to really truly live this life just like I do and you are so authentic and true and real and you will have such a beautiful story

[@bebastella68]

Omg! I remember when you started ❤🙏🏽

[@kizer19796]

Just found your you tube channel couple days ago, good content I really like the outtakes from this video gave me couple chuckles.

[@Linneaandakela]

Thank you!

[@brianburge3349]

THANKS YOU ARE VERY INSPIRATIONAL.

[@patricialawrence7459]

👋 Hi Chris. Nice to see you.

[@mikesoule1761]

Spectacular!

[@terryqueen3233]

Good job young lady good job. I haven't gotten my truck yet in order to start my build but I hope I do as good as you in a little less time and I will utilize that blog you were talking about. Stay safe out there now. PS it's good to see you two back together

[@amandachambers8593]

I have the small one and I freaking love it!! Really happy to see you choosing this company too!! ❤

[@simply.leen.]

I have the small Bluetti as well. I have to keep telling myself that I don't need the bigger battery (yet) because everytime I see the capabilities of their batteries, I am so tempted to buy another one! LOL

[@milocross9693]

i've been following your tutorials since i started vanlife 2 years ago!! i'm a fellow solo female vanlifer :) i got a small battery bank to tide me over until i could afford to do solar and ended up just never feeling the need to ever go solar...now that i'm seeing this video i'm glad i never went in on it! i have a jackery 500 and i love it but boy does it charge slow compared to the one in the video 😅 might need to upgrade pretty soon here!

[@johnbenjamin79]

Great video and congrats on "finishing" your solar.

[@simply.leen.]

The fact that you did this while it was raining? I was a bit worried - old lady worries perhaps. LOL But I love the fact that you powered on regardless and completed the tasks. Thank you again for the excellent informative video and the laughs. WHAT WAS THAT ALARM?

[@pamelahipple589]

Oh I love your channel, you are a true inspiration. Thank you

[@brendalynn0]

I am so happy for you 😊

[@abigailvuocolo1548]

Linnea thank you! This video came at the perfect time, I was about to purchase a jackery 1000 in the upcoming weeks, before moving into my bus. I have now removed it from my cart and am purchasing this! Glad I saw this before buying

[@donnaingle391]

Linnea,you have grown so much in van life ! Your amazing!

[@CJO509]

Love this! And your hair looks so great.

[@gingerlundgren-barron3594]

I have a Goal Zero 1500x and love it .. But I know Bluetti is very good too.

[@samtoomer2756]

Has it really been 3 years? I remember you putting in insulation while still in Southern Utah. Also can’t believe that it’s been that long since you got your freezer! I really thought it was only a couple months ago- the time flies!

[@belindamceathron304]

Great job and I love the support you receive from your beau. ❤

[@jimmymalone3494]

I enjoyed video thank you.

[@dylanbalderson3049]

I would recommend you put some connectors where your wires go thru your new breaker box. That way your wires are protected from any vibration from the van driving! They’re black plastic connectors and tighten around the wire.

[@mackenziewebster9553]

Do you mean like a rubber grommet?

[@kathyhays9819]

Way to go girl!!!! You rock

[@tomscotttheolderone364]

It looks good. One thing though, mentioned in another comment. You need to install cable clamps on your wiring where it enters the breaker enclosure. This is an absolute requirement on all electrical installations. Other commenter called them connectors, which is not correct. The clamps act as bushings to protect insulation from the sharp edge of the enclosure opening. They also act as strain reliefs to protect the wire from being pulled out of the breaker if something should snag or pull it.

[@mackenziewebster9553]

Similar to like a rubber grommet but with metal?

[@tomscotttheolderone364]

@@mackenziewebster9553 No, a clamp that firmly holds the wire in position so that it doesn't move. Bushings only offer protection against wire chaffing, but doesn't hold it.

[@mackenziewebster9553]

@@tomscotttheolderone364 I see, that makes sense. Thank you for your response!

[@MannyWC]

Bluettti equipment won’t disappoint. Customer service is NIL!- MIA!- I installed the AC300/portable 350w panel with 410w on top of van (total solar 750w and total battery 252ah/ 3052wh). I haven’t had to tough it (thankfully!) as there is nooooo customer service!.

[@l.b.3148]

Probably a bit more responsive if you are sponsored 🤔

[@MannyWC]

@@l.b.3148 def. Not as I know folks that are affiliates. It is really too bad. I think they are trying to get the affiliates to be their tech peeps. idk. Just thankful all is working, but I have questions of expansion but can’t reach anyone. Ever!

[@robertallen6028]

the only things i would suggest is you use cable ferrules on the ends of your cables so they don't fray out which could lead to shorting. it is a good idea but not necessary to use the ferrules on all cables that are held in place by screws. in addition, you shouldn't have any bare cable showing beyond where the cable goes into the device. this could also lead to shorting. you do such a great job, these two things would make your build that much better. keep up the great work and videos and kiss akela for me!!!

[@joylynnburkhardt3202]

You go girl!!

[@chadchlarson5298]

3 years …… that’s amazing

[@Linneaandakela]

It has flown by!

[@ResoluteRonin]

I Love my Bluetti! Been using one since 2020

[@Linneaandakela]

I really really love mine too!!

[@maryhight6030]

I just ordered that Bluetti AC180 today🎉

[@Linneaandakela]

That's awesome, you will love it!!

[@lindadunn5707]

Hi Linnea you Rock girl ! No worries with all those electric cables, I sent you some money via Google so I hope you received it OK hunny to get yourself & our favourite pouch a treat ! You make life look so easy my little Ray of sunshine 🌞 so enjoy life hunny & will be watching your next vlog next week , stay safe , god bless your Vivid fan & friend from the 🇬🇧UK , Linda & family xx😊😂

[@Uggatip]

fantastic

[@jonathanford9774]

Yep a 12 volt spark will make anybody jump 😮

[@ronethridge9875]

is it good to go-or go to good/can you run your refrigerator off that/fine/thanks much

[@DebraAltizer-eq9wz]

Love watching you guys. I must have missed something, why are you getting rid of your inverter?

[@chadfaulkner3600]

in the past couple years, solar power stations have come along so much that i wonder if its really worth installing a perminant solar electrical system

[@sovereigns1grace]

It really would have helped me if you'd explained why you removed the inverter.

[@dwaynerobinson1037]

What about the inverter ? You never said how you now convert the power.

[@TheBlackSheep321]

Without the inverter how do you plug your fridge in or charge your new power station?

[@abigailvuocolo1548]

Do you have a list somewhere of all you used in your solar set up?

[@cherylbrown7622]

did you get and install a different inverter?

[@shelby1188]

Akela in a cone in a camper. Can’t make this up! 😂

[@abigailvuocolo1548]

So do you not need an inverter?

[@CityGirlGoneGreen]

Are you using that anl fuse with lithium batteries?

[@MrGundawindy]

I don't want to be that guy, but I told you about that fuse in your "Solar power upgrade" video a year ago. I'm surprised it's lasted this long, probably only because you were hardly ever using the inverter. But the real question is, have you upgraded the wiring at all? The fuse should be sized depending on the wires it is protecting. If you have 20A wire and a 40A fuse, that's a really bad idea.

[@VoodouFairy]

you mentioned that the solar panels on your van are heavy. is there a reason you didn’t go with flexible solar panels??

[@grandpamikee]

High five.

[@billiefreedom6687]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I’m truly grateful as always. So with the circuit breaker you no longer require an inverter? I seriously don’t comprehend electrical. Amps, watts, voltage 😳 I do however feel less fortunate for not being a patreon. It seems as though allot of youtubers that I fallow are going that direction. The almighty dollar wins again…. Le sigh 😞

[@angiewhiting1146]

I’m going to start van life by the end of the summer! I’ve been doing rv life for two or so years but I feel like simplifying and I want to make sure I’ve got the power I need, do you have a complete list of what I would need to have a similar electrical set up that you have? I also want to do a freezer for small game and fishing. Also curious why you chose blue etti be eco flow? Thanks!