MAKING SENSE OF SOLAR + ZAMP GIVEAWAY (OUR RV SOLAR SETUP - PART 1)

Upgrading our RV Batteries and adding Solar has been a game changer for us. Dry-camping in the dark and having devices constantly drained is not "RVING". When we first started we had no idea how solar works or where to start and this video is help you make sense of solar.
Here is an introduction to Solar and the first of our Making Sense of Solar video series:
Topics Covered in this video:
1. Why we moved to solar
2. How does solar work
3. Identifying your dry-camping needs
4. Why we moved from a 12v battery to two 6v batteries
5. Reviewing our install & setup
6. Giveaways! 40-watt portable panel and LED lighting kit
******************* TO ENTER GIVE AWAYS *************
40-Watt Portable Solar Kit: / keepyourdaydream
Zamp LED Lighting Kit:
/ keepyourdaydream
********** MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE *********
KYD Solar page: www.keepyourdaydream.com/solar/
Zamp Solar: bit.ly/zamp-solar
Battery Systems: bit.ly/battery-systems
Email Josh: [e-mail]
Our approach to working with partners:
It's important to mention that our opinions can never be purchased and we're not getting paid from Zamp or Battery Systems. They provided the products for us to give our honest review and feedback. We would not recommend any company or product unless we were confident they would take care of the KYD Community!
********** KYD MERCH *********
KYD SHIRTS & GEAR NOW AVAILABLE!
www.Shop.KeepYourDaydream.com
********** KYD PODCAST ********************
If you want to hear more great stories of people who turned “someday” into NOW... tune into Keep Your Daydream podcast. Stories of full-time RV, Sailing, Climbing Everest to riding bikes across the world, each episode is inspiring.
www.KeepYourDaydream.com
********** KYD GEAR & AMAZON *************
Our Amazon page includes all our fav gear!
www.amazon.com/shop/keepyourd...
********** CAMERA GEAR ********************
Canon Rebel T5i
Go ProSession 4
DJI Phantom 3 Pro
Rode Mic
MUSIC:
www.epidemicsound.com
Not so small print:
Amazon:
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
KYD Partners:
It's important to mention that our opinions can never be purchased and we're not getting paid from Zamp or Battery Systems. They provided the products for us to give our honest review and feedback. We would not recommend any company or product unless we were confident they would take care of the KYD Community!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Our approach to working with partners: It's important to mention that our opinions can never be purchased and we're not getting paid from Zamp or Battery Systems. They provided the products for us to give our honest review and feedback. We would not recommend any company or product unless we were confident they would take care of the KYD Community!

[@waynemartinez9937]

Top 5 apps

[@sandradee11482]

The question of having enough power is a big one for our future planning, so this was super helpful. Thanks!

[@Livefreediefree]

Thank you very much guys. I'm looking forward to future videos on this subject as I have purchased two 100 Watt panels but have to purchase everything else and install it. Waiting for your next video is like waiting for the next super bowl! Thanx so much for what you guys do.

[@everyonecanrvecr1589]

Great video guys. After reading all the comments, I get a kick out of the few people who actually complain about your opinions and suggestions and the video. You answered a few of my questions so I think the appropriate thing to say is THANK YOU for being willing to share your experiences. Keep up the fantastic work!!!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Lol. Yeah, I used to be able to keep up with all comments, but now just read all the comments and reply to a few. Regarding the comments you mentioned, we call it the accurate police :) The force is strong among KZbin.

[@vickymerry7199]

My husband and I just bought a used beautiful Gulf Stream motorhome this weekend. We are total newbies!!!! I found your videos by accident and having this accident changed my fear of RVing totally. So I have subscribed and will watch each and everyone to learn and feel the confidence of knowing almost everything about an RV . Solar is the way to go as I can see. You guys are awesome and also funny! I love it and can't wait to hit the road. Thanks for making these videos so easy to understand.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Welcome Vicky! Keep in touch.

[@tompryor6269]

As all we've watched before, another information and entertaining video. We've been on the fence about solar, and have been camping only at parks we can get water and electric. Would be great to be able to just head out to the desert or the mountains, find a quiet spot and enjoy it all. Keep up the great work and enjoy all of your travels. Tom & Nancy

[@ofcrlawless]

Wow perfect timing! Just about to figure out what we needed for our new toy hauler and now everything is going to change! Going to jump on the 6 Volt setup. Already have one solar panel pre-installed and one 12V deep but was just about to buy another 12V. So glad you posted this today. Really appreciate what you do for the community!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

We've been so happy with our two 6v batteries. As you know, it will still be a 12V system but accomplished with two 6V batteries. Or 4, 6 so on. We can go days on our two batteries and even longer when connected to our solar. But even in the woods with no sun... we can meet our dry-camping water limitations.

[@Endless_Skyway_Adventures]

Keep Your Daydream A 6 volt battery is made of 3 2volt cells wired in series, a 12 volt battery is made of 6 2 volt cells wired in series. 2 6 volt batteries in series has 6 2 volt cells, and is electrically identical to a 12 volt battery, the difference is cell size and capacity. This concept removed some of the mystery for me.

[@Nhawk5867]

Marc, when you said you have an awning that needs power I started laughing. It took me back to NY and the time when you did not need power for your awning! Love your channel, keep up the good work!

[@GeorgeSullivan]

Oh, what perfect timing. Just as I'm moving ahead with my 1985 Diamond refurbish. Thanks for the good guidance.

[@garyhanson4133]

I think you are right by doing the first video simplified. Solar can be complicated or simplified. I've been thinking of stocking solar at the store as True Value has some available I'll see what I can do out of zamp as well as they are pretty close , maybe I can become a dealer. Thanks again for an informative video.

[@goodxrvn2053]

Thanks for this series. Great information and you guys are fun to watch! Keep at it..

[@rons3699]

Sooooo much GR8 information for a newby, like me... Thanks for making and sharing this video :::))) Wishing you guys a wonderful weekend... Working on buying a rig to start my nomadic life...

[@karinhart489]

There is a video showing that solar powered for lamp set up from Zamp where the local CERT volunteers are using it in practice for lighting up an awning area for ham radio communications in a disaster. It went on wish list then, but cool you get to give it away, too.

[@johnyee9688]

You guys did a great job explaining solar in layman's term. Thanks for sharing

[@sherri443]

THANK YOU so much!this series on solar FINALLY has helped me understand! I feel like I get “it”! You guys rock!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Check out our newer solar video and blog. We explained in more detail. keepyourdaydream.com/rv-solar

[@leohorton4146]

Love your channel. You have a gift for making the complex understandable. Looking forward to follow-up videos, as this is a topic of great interest to me and fellow RVers!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Super nice Leo. Thanks!

[@roywilkinson2879]

looks like the cable to your battery through the frame which is metal, the cable can bounce about and cut through the insulation and short out. the 100amp fuse at the battery may not blow until the cables have sparked a lot and got hot or burnt before it blows the fuse. you need to fit insulation and support the cable so it does not get damaged. cheers keep up the good work. why go for the small 600w, you know it will not be any where near enough when you get used to having more power, just get the 3kw.

[@santahawes8389]

Ginger arrived today, and my granddaughter's first comment (she is 9 y/o) after looking at the photo card and then at Ginger, was that it looked like a drawing of you daughter! She thought that was cool! Thank you for the stuff, and "Traveling Ginger" already has a spot in our Bounder, so she will be there to help document our family's travels. Fair winds and following seas!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

That's great. Ginger flew to your from Point Roberts, WA. Look it up on Google... a very small piece of the US basically in Canada. Tori drew Ginger by hand :)

[@masgoodieloft]

Thanks for the info on solar. We've been considering it for our RV, but it seemed a little overwhelming. We were totally laughing our butts off about the headlamp issues! We are always blinding each other with them, lol

[@deanwebster]

Great video as always, with lots of information!!! Thanks for everything you guys do!! Looking forward to digging into solar!! of course, It only took me about an hour to watch it on campground wifi :( Being has I am in the US, I am roaming so, limited cell service... Looking forward to the this weekends video as well!!

[@KenCustis]

Great intro Marc! One thing about running on Solar - what ever comes out of the batteries has to go back in. The more you take out the bigger (wattage) the solar panels will have to be to get the amps back in. The single panel you have will do OK charging your laptops, phones, and camera battery, but watch how much time it will take to recharge the batteries after you run the room out or your awning. By plugging the trailer into your truck it should charge your batteries, and if you need to move the room in or adjust your jack to connect - plugging into your truck should take care of those. On 6 volt batteries when you run them in series you do not gain twice the amp hrs. 2 6 volt batteries rated at 140 amp hrs. will only give you 140 amp hrs. I would recommend a good panel that will measure the state of your batteries that shows Voltage, and Amp capacity, it will keep track of the amps out and the amps put back in. Josh sounds like a great source for anyone thinking of putting on solar to figure out what they need by how they use their RV or what they can reasonably expect from a solar system. .

[@macandro7336]

Mark and trish you guys are stepping up the game! It is amazing how you guys are helping so much each and every one of us rvers! I cannot thank you guys enough! From tours of places to solar panels and blm's?! thanks for each and every tip of info you guys have given for free!!! Btw we went to dc and me and my husband from @live.laugh.travel looked at your video from dc to remember where to go and what to see! Well guys God bless and take care! And again thank you for all the help y'all provide 👍👍

[@wanderingsauveys1349]

I love Zamp solar. I have two of their panels on our 5'er and they have been fantastic. Very durable, keeps our batteries charged and does a great job. My install has room for 2 more fixed Zamp panels and I hope to add those sometime in the future. Having previously lived in Oregon, I regret not stopping at Zamp to see the factory. I'm excited to see your video of their factory. When it comes to solar, my money only goes to Zamp! Thanks for the great video!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Great company. Thanks for the comment.

[@takayama1638]

Well y'all, today, Valentines Day, 2018, I've been binge studying solar. Can't believe I missed y'all!! Since I'm a subscriber for a long time. I'm about burned out on solar (get it?), but yours was one of the best! I've finally learned that yes, we need solar instead of just a generator, which I don't have either. I'll contact, who is it, Joe, Jack, at Zamp. I'm thinking we need the two 6v batteries and enough solar to keep them charged. Oh me, inverter, converter, me old head is spinning...

[@dallaspierce988]

OMGoodness.. Thank you for this video.. Can't wait for part 2!

[@K4t77]

Awesome video! Can't wait for future solar videos. Trying to learn all I can and you guys keep it simple :)

[@TheNorthwestTravelers]

Another great Video! Never thought I would be interested in Solar, but your video makes so much sense! And those solar panels are portable. WOW. Can dry camp in AZ when we are ready! No Generator!! Tricia is soo Funny. Playing with the cables while you are talking. Gotta love you and your family.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Thanks Frank. Keep in mind, when it's hot... solar won't get that AC craning unless you have a big battery bank!

[@TheNorthwestTravelers]

Good point. Thanks

[@genemccarthy2847]

It is October 2019 and we are planning to incorporate a portable solar system in our 2018 Grand Design Imagine 2500RL. Your videos will help us develop a plan to do so, Thank you from Sedona Arizona.

[@amyharvey2478]

Thanks for the videos. I need to look for part 2. I am hoping to get zamp solar next spring (120watt panels). We are already prewired. We really love to dry camp so having power is great.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Check out our recent solar eclipse video. We dry camped for 4 days and batteries stayed at 100% the entire time with our 12 watt portable panel.

[@jeenabittenbender7205]

That suitcase portable solar is exactly what I'm wanting to get!!! RV in the shade, panels in the sun. I'm going to be dry camping in AZ all fall/ winter. Would be perfect!! Thank you for the great informative video!!!

[@jeenabittenbender7205]

Eddie Vidmar yes. From October to March in Ehrenburg Az. Save up money for that time, then travel to cooler climates for the summer. Oregon and Washington for the summer of 2018. I'm going to start out with 2 100 watt folding panels and 4 batteries.

[@Endless_Skyway_Adventures]

Eddie Vidmar remember batteries charge off of the truck when driving so no need to have solar deployed.

[@jeenabittenbender7205]

Your RV Freedom! That works ok if you do a lot of traveling. Not really well when your stationary. You'd be better off just getting a Generator

[@scotthelmann5156]

Jeena Bittenbender- The numbers say that you are correct. 2 golf cart batteries and all LED lights would be the first step, a generator (alike a honda 2000) would be the second and then think about adding solar. Remember to only expect to actually get 50-75% of the solar panel rated output as power actually delivered to your batteries during those peak sunlight hours of the day.

[@Endless_Skyway_Adventures]

Jeena Bittenbender the point was That if you are travelling, you use the truck to charge the batteries and if stationary you use the panels.

[@geemoe3064]

suggestion here - at 12:46 you have wires coming out of the frame. You may want to get some rubber grommets to surround the metal so as you go down the road, your frame metal will not cut through the wires as the RV shakes.

[@GrandmaofJKAM]

I just discovered your channel. Your how tos are different than all the others I’ve watched - full of tons of useful information. Thanks so much!

[@judithneeley5229]

Thank you for all this information broken down for a newbie to understand. I was curious about controllers, which you didn't really go over, and reading comments I understand now that it's built into your system. Still, would be helpful to know how they work and why they are necessary. I don't have an RV yet, and am thinking of going portable for my pickup with canopy for truck camping, and expand when I decide which kind of RV I will get. I go back and forth all the time between trailer, cargo trailer converted, camper van and class b. Anyway, thank you for well done video.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Too keep it simple, controllers not only give you readings on how much energy is being produced, but prevents the batteries from being over charged. In the case of a portable unit, the controller is built-in, but if you had a rooftop unit the load controller would be installed on the inside wall of your RV.

[@texasproud3332]

Great video guys can't wait to see the next video have been on the fence about solar for a while the way y'all are explaining so far sounds easy to understand thx

[@KeepYourDaydream]

It was so complicated to us initially and wanted to keep it simple. It's been SO nice to charge our devices without being hooked-up. Today we parked in a lot at Whistler and was able to charge my laptop, Canon battery and phone. If you can't do solar yet, break it up with batteries, inverter and then solar to keep things charged for multiple days

[@rejeanrobichaud]

Thanks for the video , im considering it for the home in Emergency when the lights go out .

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Josh from Battery Systems does many home setups. He'd be happy to help you figure out what you need.

[@BiitchSlapper]

When I saw Trish with those alligator clips I thought of Short Round in Indiana Jones Temple of Doom... "cover ya heart, cover ya heart" Be careful, Mark. :)

[@kevincarlin604]

I can't wait to see this installation!

[@0HARE]

Thanks for the solar intro. I’m a little late to this video, like three years. Do you still recommend Zamp? We have already upgraded to two NAPA 6-volt golf cart batteries. We just need the inverter and a fold-out solar panel. Happy Camping

[@moondancer5115]

What a generous offer from Josh! Good to know, I foresee taking him up on that in the future 😏👍 great info and explanation Marc and Trish...it can be so confusing...

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Josh was SO helpful. He REALY likes solar :)

[@robadkisson6288]

Marc you did a good job using grommets for the wires for your solar but forgot to install one where you passed the wired through the frame up front.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

That's a good idea. I'll get one of those!

[@LessmillerJeffrey]

I love the simple video on Solar, I would like to know what is running off your inverter and where is it? Do you just have one outlet to run AC or did you setup wiring to switch between AD & DC.. ( not meaning our favorite band)

[@barbiecampos2662]

Great information. So, we have a new camper which does come equipped with the solar ready plug in as Trich stated. Does that mean we don't need to do any extra additions, like an inverter etc? And do all the plugs work inside?

[@deborabatemon2010]

its pretty cool not sure if I could figure out how to install it

[@gwenkaiser6836]

Love your videos. You keep it fun and interesting.

[@allan1062]

Good move, great response...too bad I missed u guys when u were on the Island 🌴.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Oh, bummer. The Island was busy!

[@2Peachcobler]

Don't forget your CO detector would be part of your level 1 electrical needs. Frankly I don't know how you manage your electric and water with 5! Would like be to add a solar panel sometime in the future, can't afford one now, so maybe by the time I can afford it I'll know what to expect by watching your great videos. Hope to get out on some short trips this year after many repairs are done. Don't do Instagram so maybe next do the contest on U-Tube since that is where you are introducing it. Safe travels.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Good point! If you want to space out the investment, I'd say upgrading the batteries is step 1 (not too expensive), then the inverter and then the solar to keep the batteries charged. We can go 2-3 days on the batteries alone and our fresh water doesn't last too much longer than that...due to your point about the 5 of us.

[@lvrv8511]

We use a Zamp 120 suitcase to charge our dual battery bank.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Nice.

[@PentaxLife]

Great video glad you are going with solar power . Make sure to get the kids involved solar is the Future. Remember in batteries bigger is better. I am running 2 6v at 1253 AMp . Keep up the great work.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

2 6v at 1253... amp hours?

[@scotthelmann5156]

Jeff Loitz - i think you are quoting CCA (cold cranking amps). For RVs it's amp hours (amps per hour) that give you an idea of how much current you can take from the battery to power your devices.

[@PentaxLife]

Scott Helmann no they are true solar battery 6v @ 1253 Ah I put a link in the above post. Have great day.

[@scotthelmann5156]

Reading the label in the link attached the battery shows its is a 893 Amp Hour battery (at the standard 20 hour discharge rate). Thats still very impressive but at 342 lbs it would be tough to move for sure!. Those two batteries of yours are equivalent to 8 standard GC2 golf cart batteries. That is considerable power!

[@PentaxLife]

Scott Helmann still need more lol . My wife is on assisted air so I have to run a C-pap and a oxygen concentrator and they are Very power hungry.

[@cbkb983]

I'm SO jealous. Wife is on your instagram now entering the drawing. And we're switching to 6v now. Oh btw still have plenty of bbq sauce from my latest batch just waiting for you guys. In fact, we're boondocking this weekend with some of my veteran buddies. Gonna be a blast, maybe literally. They still love to shoot.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Your BBQ sauce is the best. No joke.

[@bobnelson9468]

Very brave of you to tackle this. Thanks for the info and carry on with the commenting. You may be looking at a record here.😉

[@KeepYourDaydream]

You're right. Somewhat intimidating that we'd get it right, but all the videos on YT are SO detailed (accurate) it doesn't make sense. We thought we'd keep the first one simple.

[@jenniferhasson5251]

Thanks so much for the informative video.

[@wendellhii1622]

We love you guys, from Maine!

[@allan1062]

U drilled a hole in the frame then pulled electrical cables thru it. That hole needs to have a rubber grommet installed before the battery cables ground on the frame from travel vibration!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

That was an existing hole. I'll add a rubber grommet. Thanks!

[@rdotson610]

What a great Channel and really well done and entertaining. My wife and I literally spent half a day binge watching your channel. One quick question on your solar power episode. Was there any particular reason why you only hooked up your inverter to the one outlet? Not a critisisim was just curious.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Thanks so much. Regarding the inverter, for a couple reasons with a small battery bank and 600 watt inverter, I wanted to be able to manage how much power was bing used. If I'm not careful, every outlet in the rig would be plugged in. Second, I would have had to run cables to the back of the rig and connect to the main power supply. Didn't want to tackle that on the road. My upgrade (on probably a new rig) would be a larger battery bank, 3,000 watt inverter and roof panels.

[@sohappytosew1082]

Any thoughts on a solar/LP generator to be your source of energy? Thanks! Love you guys.

[@richpoincelot1184]

You guys are very entertaining. Great job on the videos. When will you guys be in Yosemite? My wife and I are going to be there at the end of August and it would be cool to say hi. ;-)

[@jamesgriffin5828]

It looks like there's no insulating grommet where the wires are running through the frame. I had a short in my old trailer and it fried a whole bunch of stuff. It never did work properly again. Do yourself a favour and take a bit of time to put in rubber grommets. I wish I had on my old trailer. I love your videos. Keep up the awesome content.👍

[@KeepYourDaydream]

This is the top comment and my next purchase from Home Depot. This is what makes the comments so great. Two way learning!

[@webcompanion]

@@KeepYourDaydream after the grommet install I would also shoot a little Great Stuff Pestblock in there to keep the storage area free of all the varmints. Keep it all sealed up! Thanks for the great tips in this video esp how the 6 volt batteries have a much higher rated amp-hour life.

[@philsmith5400]

Good start, Marc and Trish! The RV we have ordered has 2 6V batteries, but I want to consider switching them out to lithium, so I am really looking forward to the battery segment. And, you're dating yourself with the Sgt Schultz reference, Marc!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

I'm glad you got the Sgt. Schultz reference. Trish didn't think people would get and take it the wrong way. You don't need to wait for the battery video. If you're willing to spend the money upfront for lighium, they are the way to go. You'll get your money back in maintenance and longevity. Plus, you might get some value from selling new 6v batteries.

[@markfowler6200]

Phil Smith you definitely have to get the right kind of 'battery maintenance system' with Lithium. If you leave a wet cell lead-acid battery plugged into a good quality trickle charger, it'll last years. If you keep lithium batteries on a charger continuously, it ruins them. Work with your battery company to get a good lithium battery management system that is compatible to the specific battery you buy. It adds considerably to the total cost. That is why lead-acid wet cells are the biggest seller, they are very robust and charging is very simple, but they seldom last more than 4-5 years when well maintained. So over a long period of time you will replace lead-acid batteries more often.

[@petebradt]

You will never regret buying lithium.

[@learaymond]

All really good information, thank you. How was the smoke in Whistler? It was pretty smoky down in Vancouver today. Got a great picture of the hot pink sun though; I'll post it in KYD.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Very smoky today. We did Peak 2 Peak today. We did get a chance to see Whistler without the smoke when we arrived. Amazing here.

[@cynthiahunter519]

Solar is going to be one of the first things we get once we get our 5th wheel next month.

[@melbarnes2109]

Hi, my question is can you use a 6 volt Optima Gel Cell Battery instead of a lithium?

[@bob_frazier]

There are also 8V "GC" golf cart batteries. Beware, the GC and GC2 configurations are more about physical size than voltage. I have four Lifeline GC2's (yeah, 6 volt Golf Cart Batteries) which are 220 Amp Hours each, made by Concord.

[@RinaMeyers]

Thank you, just bought our camper and got the sola panels to go with it....going to become a Patreon!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Welcome! Emailing you now...

[@theoldfarmerswife5915]

we are just learning about solar. Where are parts 2 & 3 to your solar series? Did we miss them somewhere?

[@wheelch0ck]

Hey guys! I love your channel. I was just wondering if Morgan said anything about 2 deep- cycle 12V batteries in parallel? (Voltage is constant in parallel).

[@timlist4173]

So, If you go off grid and run solar for most needs (no tv or AC) how much will it cost in cash and in weight? How many batteries are needed to keep all the laptops and phones etc charged and to have the inverter to power the AC items? Many trailers have very little budget for weight like maybe 1000 lbs after tanking the fresh water up. and two adults food and gear will quickly eat that up (we are older so we weigh a bit more than you kids do). We just do not want to overload the trailer.

[@Berrypancakes229]

were planning on buying a fifth wheel with solar hook up. we have no idea where to start. hopefully will figured it out.

[@chrisnashley01]

That's a decent solar setup

[@bob_frazier]

Hey! How did the" Found On the Road Dead" (FORD) truck issue/repair turn out????

[@kevincarlin604]

By the way, do the batteries work in place of a gas powered generator?

[@SeanMagin]

Love the videos. Are you still planning on a part 2?

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Yes, big solar upgrade taking place in a couple weeks and the video a couple weeks after that.

[@chantalz]

I can't wait to get solar panels one day. They're quite the investment up front, but they seem so worth it. We are leaving for our first month road trip this wkd and will be boondocking. with this heat, I so wish we'd spent the $ on solar now. Instead I bought a Rigid work fan from Home Depot and a battery/charger pack. I still can't figure out how much power we'd need. I so can't math! :( PS Have fun in BC! Hope you come visit Victoria. The ferry makes it a bit expensive but Vancouver Island is worth it (Victoria, Tofino, etc.).

[@KeepYourDaydream]

We did visit Victoria, Tofino, Nanaimo and Campbell River. Wonderful sights. We're in Whistler now.

[@yosemitepaul]

Hi Trish and Marc. My name is Paul and I love your shows. ( love Charlie ). I have a Winnebago Mini Drop that is Zamp Solar ready I have a 140 Watt Zamp suitcase solar panels with a charge controller I also have a 5200 watt inverter. I don’t want to use the alligator clamps on my batteries ( two maintenance free ) so can I just plug in my solar panels into the trailer and turn on the inverter. Or do I have to use the alligator clamps

[@eddiecastaneda9523]

Battery bank , the number of batteries you will need to provide the stored power

[@sellC1964]

I enjoy your series and look forward to each and every one. One quick question - Is a purchase technically required to enter the drawing? If that is the case you may want to check the legality of the contest. Keep enjoying your travels!

[@backwoodsriders1879]

Just have to say coffee is more important than computer lol. Guess that's what starbucks is for.

[@andrewlittlefield3425]

Wow! Thanks

[@jdearin101]

I know this is your old trailer but I was just wondering why did you add a separate plug to charge as apposed to just running your trailer wire to the inverter to fire up your existing outlets? Wouldn't you have more flexibility and be able to charge the devices in different locations?

[@KeepYourDaydream]

I guess we could have ran a wire from the inverter into the panel. A lot more work. For only a 600 watt inverter. If all the outlets were hot, the family could drain the batteries pretty fast. I might have needed some help for that too. Drilling up through the bottom, pulling the panel out and connecting. That's a bit above my know how

[@ktflying989]

need a rubber grommet on those forward wires please!!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

My next Home Depot purchase.

[@kdunncocc8593]

Keep Your Daydream it's always something!!

[@leaptx]

what's your fridge running off?

[@susanbezler983]

excellent explanation thanks

[@Ram-re5em]

I have a really hard time with panels on the ground. Out boondocks and they are stolen

[@garettcastle2335]

Solar for RVs in our language. Thanks.

[@kazwo]

12:44 use proper cable feedthrough!

[@clydealspaugh8701]

There are many considerations when building a battery bank. Different people will have different needs, so will make different choices. Here is what I did as a weekender. I found that I could choose 12 volt lead-acid deep cycles, 6 volt "golf cart" batteries or lithium batteries. Lithium batteries were much too expensive for me as a weekender, (as much as four times the cost of lead-acid) so it was a choice between 6 volt or 12 volt batteries. Both have a 50% DOD. (Depth of discharge) So, I could install a pair of 100 amp/hr 12 volt batteries (Connected in parallel for 200 amp/hrs at 12 volts total.) in the same space as I could install a pair of 225 amp/hr 6 volt batteries.(Connected in series to give 12 volts and 225 amp/hrs total.) 200 amp/hrs Vs. 225 amp/hrs. Since the DOD is 50% the actual practical yield would be 100 amp/hrs Vs. 112.5 amp/hrs. The 6 volt batteries were double the cost of the 12 volt batteries. Would it be worth paying double for an extra 12.5 amp/hrs of usable power? Not for me. The advantage I can see in the 6 volt batteries is the number of cycles they can provide. In other words, they have a longer lifetime. Even this wasn't worth the extra cost to me. But it would certainly be for some others. I have built a battery bank of 12 volt lead-acid deep cycles with a total capacity of 400 amp/hrs. My battery bank cost just over $400. Using 6 volt batteries to get the same capacity would have cost between $850 and $1000. Lithium would have been much more. What makes sense for one RVer may not for another. It is good that we have choices.

[@farrelvincent9990]

Very interesting video! Thanks for sharing your lives with us & continue to enjoy your travels. P.S. Mark, you know you married WAY above yourself, right? :) #GodBless

[@davidshowman9296]

All right 2 adults 2 to 3 children, my real guess would be. 600 to 800 watts of solar, 3000+ inverter, 600 amps of lithium batteries.

[@michaelshanks6387]

The links are wrong, the one to Zamp actually takes you to the Battery Systems website. Thanks for the great videos!

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Hmmm. Thx. Will check out now.

[@CDB1952]

I tried to listen closely. I clearly understood the individual six volt batteries are of a higher amp hour capacity. However it also seemed, it was suggested the amp hour capacity of two batteries in series add up - as I expect you are aware, they don't the voltages add in series. Amp hour capacity does add with batteries in parallel.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

You're right. 1 6v with 216 amp hours + another 6v battery is still only 216 amp hours. But two 6v batteries is equivalent to three 12v batteries. Without my pocket protector on, I may not have said it exactly correct.

[@alejandroovaldez975]

Saludos de Monterrey México

[@dominique___1980]

So .. a couple of years after your video .. I'm looking to add a solar panel to my "solar ready" Forest River. (What a load of horse manure.. it charges the battery and that's all.) Turns out, Zamp has a proprietary outlet .. and their panels are $700. Competitor panels are $150-$300. I think I despise Zamp. Thanks for the other information on the boondocking.

[@joelhughes8023]

Did I miss an episode? Last I saw, your truck was nada!

[@billbill7667]

Great video.

[@kathrynlabrujadelaplaya508]

Thanks

[@johnhensley360]

Have you guys swapped the bulbs ( that run on battery) to L-E-D? These use around 10 to 1 compared to original bulbs.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Ginger came with LED.

[@gavincrum9495]

The problem I have with portable systems is theft. Leave them out when you go out and they'll most likely be gone when you return. Unfortunately it takes the fun out of camping sometimes when you need to secure and lock everything when you leave.

[@Berrypancakes229]

What the cost of the solar panels?

[@julieherrill5038]

Thinking of your followers again, thank you. Great video. Just going to instagram now.

[@KeepYourDaydream]

Thanks Julie!

[@lcbacon2347]

How do we get to Part 2

[@jackphillips3512]

Ironically, your "one of these guys" plus are rectifiers - converts your AC back to DC! Consequences of our normal power grid using AC. Most of our electronics are DC.