Most DIY Solar Generators Fail These Tests: RV and EV Level 2 Charging

While I am very tired of solar, due to another job I have been hitting my skull against, I wanted to test the Bluetti EP800 for 2 more functions that will be very useful for me and I am sure other off grid users. I had Jason with, Goldfield Mountain Electric, return and install a 50amp RV 240vac plug in the garage that I picked up from amazon so I could run the tests.
#1 Will it really power all the functions on a 50amp luxury RV with 2 A/C's?
#2 Will it really charge an electric vehicle as many solar generators do not put out compatible power for level 2 chargers?
I was confident the RV would run, but don't forget about powering down the inverter or battery charger, but did not know if the EV would charge on level 2 as I have not been able to get it to work on any other generator.
Thanks for watching!
50amp RV outlet: amzn.to/4aown2z
Dicount code for EP800 "AZEP800" : www.bluettipower.com/products... 5% off
Dicount code for EP900 "AZEP900" : bit.ly/4bC5byk (Long-term validity discount code: AZEP900 - 5% Off)
Bluetti Solar+ program: bit.ly/4dH1GIG
Tech support: [e-mail]

[@TimothyMichaels]

So far the battery installation has been really positive with very few negatives.

[@AZExpert]

I might do a follow up last video in the series for negatives. ;)

[@canuckchris5733]

I am really enjoying this content 😎

[@AZExpert]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Macktruck50]

how much did your hole system cost

[@svenjohnson2389]

I think he was born with his hole system.

[@Fix-it-tony]

I did the same thing, I built a huge 20x40 patio cover and filled it with solar panels. Installed a 15 kw battery backup that allows me to be net zero and sell 1000 kw per month back to the power company for about $300 a month credit.

[@clarencewiles963]

This should have a big impact on people who are into grids situations.

[@NoelBarlau]

There couldn't be a video more up my alley than this one. We have 20kW of grid-tied solar and a 2013 Nissan Leaf which has the same Lizard battery yours received as the warranty replacement. We've had it since 2015 and the range has gone down to about 60 miles with a light foot and no heating or air conditioning. Last week I picked up a crashed 2022 Leaf Plus at auction, and I'm going to be replacing the 24kWh original battery with the 62kWh one from the wreck. Looking very much forward to the 200+ mile range! Once the battery swap is done, the Leaf will be doing duty as our "toad" vehicle, just as you mentioned. It'll be interesting to see how the different campgrounds react to my request to charge the Leaf while we're parked there. I'm planning on being totally up front about it and offering to pay extra for the privilege, because it does obviously increase your electrical usage significantly. I also ordered 16x 304aH EVE LFP cells directly from China, and I'll hopefully be setting those up along with some rooftop solar in our 2007 Monaco Dynasty Palace III. Unrelatedly, the Midea air conditioner you're using in the bedroom is an inverter model which is much more efficient than the old style ones - it's essentially a cooling-only mini split, but I'd imagine you already knew that. If you get a chance to review the new inverter roof a/c units which are just coming out, that would be some great content for your channel. There's a huge amount of interest in these, but very little practical information at the moment.

[@AZExpert]

Thank you. Your swap sounds fantastic

[@CrazyMooseManor]

Thank you. Been looking at solar set up for my rv at the house. This helps alot.

[@AZExpert]

Great to hear!

[@jeffsteele1295]

Great Video Thanks so much .

[@AZExpert]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gereshomeE]

Nice video and a nice house; I like the colour schemes! 😊

[@AZExpert]

Thanks! 😊

[@RVingwithBandit]

Now you need to figure out how to add to your leaf and feed power from its battery into your houses system if needed. Basically using it as extra battery storage.

[@JeffinTD]

Nice setup and nice video. Yeah, shading just a small portion of a PV panel kills a disproportional amount of energy.

[@fatmuscle1]

My home solar is a 19.1kWh system. It was great in the beginning, but since the power company restructured the rates for surpluses.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Have you seen the new Pebble electric pull-behind RV?

[@tacokid13579]

Need a taller solar pergola instead of trimming the trees, more shade for the house and I’m sure the trees would appreciate it too 😊. Great content!!!

[@AZExpert]

Great idea!

[@smashdaworld5916]

Hey, always enjoy the RV vids now solar too is awesome. Small shading can have major impact on a solar array if the whole array is in series. All current is limited by the least producing panel. Parallel has the drawback of wire amount and size.

[@JohnMcdermott-ho6je]

Very impressive system overall. The big question as always is total cost. I know you did most of the labor involved but materials and devices and hired labor are?

[@dc1544]

you can rebuild that leaf battery in EV.

[@ikokovidis56]

Impressive !!..Personally and as I see the hole story, you need more efficient panels ,possibly higher pergola (or better install them on your roof..) DOUBLE the Bluetti stack and you 'll be 100% Independent from the grid... Well done!!

[@ronaldsova2380]

Always enjoy watching your videos. Got a lot of great options with Your solar set up Something a little off-topic Just bought a 2007 American tradition the previous owner installed 3 new 15000 Btu Ac's on the roof are there any certain brand of soft starts for the AC's you Recommend THANKS!!

[@AZExpert]

afunny you should mention that...that's my next video. But RVP makes an easy one for coleman and dometic makes a more plug in play one for dometic and Amazon sells a Spartan I've used that's a little more confusing, and the micro air are nice but very complicated.

[@2hotscottpro]

Will wait for next vid.😊

[@PineRidgeRez]

I installed the Coleman soft start unit on the bedroom Coleman air that always was noisy when starting, and is much quieter now.

[@curtisdoyle3598]

Your good I like solar

[@garyag45]

Interesting 🤛👍🙏😎🦅🇺🇸

[@2hotscottpro]

That took a lot of time well enjoyed.I think.lol😅

[@user-cf2wt8xc9m]

with the current system at your house how long will the battery will last, if there is a power failure in your area how long will the battery system last with no power.

[@AZExpert]

Assuming good sun and wise power management, I would never lose power for the refrigerator and lights, a better more modern solar array would allow me to run the A/C the whole day too with never ending power.

[@franklogan494]

Hello James, have you ever come across a reliable aftermarket 12 volt pickup truck heater? My heater core needs a replacement and trying to find a shop that will work on an older truck is not easy, thank you!

[@EfficientRVer]

Get some aftermarket 12V seat heaters to sit on. Heating the air much with 12V needs more power than most alternators can spare, and you'd need wires with as much copper in them as a heater core.

[@franklogan494]

@@EfficientRVer thank you for the advice.

[@GeofCates8075]

I should probably watch again but i missed the obvious...your roof covered in some panels? Do you notice dust decreasing efficiency as well?

[@AZExpert]

no, I used to clean them but found no improvement in the desert. The storms was them enough here.

[@amsoiltek]

You are lucky that your SRP rates start at .13 to .14 cents per kw, here in Socal I'm almost a .40 cent kw and my 2kw panels barely make a dent anymore, it was great back in 2010 when I installed them.

[@curtisdoyle3598]

I wished I had a motorhome to live in but SS does not stretch that far 😅

[@freewaylee]

The side yard limits your sun to 4 hours? A string inverter, a single panel in shade will knock out the array by 60% or more? Is there a reason you did not put the pergola in the backyard?

[@AZExpert]

theres a pool there and it is east of a two story house

[@AZExpert]

Also it's the south side so it makes usable power from 9am to 4pm

[@freewaylee]

@@AZExpert gotcha.

[@chevy5515]

If a guy was to purchase that system out of pocket how long would it take to recoup his investment? With power savings.

[@stevebadalamente7070]

I sent you a question on your Email and am curious if you actually recieved it.

[@ernielansford8710]

Have you had experience with the new Anker System? Their marketing is certainly good, LOL

[@AZExpert]

I have not seen the system yet. Looks nice to me too.

[@rcac1023]

My question is, all the money you have spent to build this system. How long will it take to pay for its self

[@MaryWehmeier]

Question: How does the wife and kids deal with the solar system? LOL on the dreaded HOA.

[@AZExpert]

Just have to listen to me talk about it all the time, otherwise it hasn't changed life around the house at all. HOA can't say much about solar installs.

[@Critical-Thinker895]

So the power company gets to accept electricity you provide from infrastructure you invested in, you maintain and you upgrade when necessary and all they have to do is charge you at the going rate. In other words they get to provide you with electricity without ANY investment at all. The best part is that they convince you that you are helping the environment when in fact all you're helping is their business model. Have I forgotten anything?

[@AZExpert]

Yes, change is never solved by complaining about change

[@Critical-Thinker895]

@@AZExpert I'm sure they see it that way too. This is probably gonna get you taxed more too from somebody. Like how electric vehicles cause an increase in taxes because the government loses revenue from the gas tax.

[@EfficientRVer]

@@Critical-Thinker895 I'm getting hit with I think $150 extra on my car registration this year due to owning a PHEV. But I'm OK with that. I get to make 1/2 gallon of "gas" every night by plugging in, and even when running only on gas, I'm getting 60mpg, or 70mpg if I drive slow. The amount of money I save on gas is WAY more than the amount I give to the government, due to having an efficient car. Would I prefer to contribute no taxes to the roads I drive on? Depends on what mood I'm in, but generally, no. Happy to pay my share, and have the roads. I've got to go now. Harbor Freight opens in a while, and I want to be the first person there to take the limit of 3 Icon rechargeable bar work lights for $20ea, normally $40. Plus I get 3 free gifts with any purchase. And I get to drive there and back without using any gas, without any wear on my engine. It will use way under $1 of electricity. If I drove something stupid, it would cost me $5 of gas, plus engine wear and tear. None of that for me today.

[@Scott924m]

Can I get a snarkey reply ?

[@AZExpert]

ahem...."snarky reply"