Testing HUGE 800watt portable solar setup on a narrowboat | ALLPOWERS R2500 Product Review

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

If you would like to help support our channel you can buy us a coffee www.buymeacoffee.com/nomadiccrobot Thank you

[@neilyeomans9805]

3x 300 watt solar panels on roof about 80 pounds each plus a decent solar controller that will get you through 9 months of year. Generator noise will drive you mad plus petrol fumes and storage. Lithium battery it’s the way to go. I’m a live a board using this set up cooking on halogen hob running a fridge and a freezer through an inverter.

[@bigKDL]

Your spot on

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thanks,all worth considering

[@fp30e]

Hello Chris, Very Interesting. I have a power-bank (The Orange One) which was used all last summer. As long as I did not use it on anything that draws a lot of power, Kettles, Fires etc I found it did just the job. I could run some stuff all day and it would not cost me a penny. During the day the power-bank would hold its full charge, it was only after sunset I began to use the battery. Lights on your boat, a LED Projector for outside cinema worked well, just be aware of what wattage per hour it uses. I think Solor cells are brilliant. I loved your video, Excellent. Thank you. Spoolbox

[@davejones8612]

I note a few narrowboat channels that used to put a video out every week, haven't put one out for 2 or 3 weeks now.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Yeah I did notice that, we are all set for monday after a tough month,thanks for all the support

[@davejones8612]

Look forward to it then cheers

[@RetireMentalityChallenged]

I'd say if you had that battery pack and panels a SMALL generator should be all you need to charge it. You could probably charge from a second alternator as well because that just a generator itself. Then you could use the boat to charge the battery whether you traveling or not just like your doing with leisure battery now.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

yes I think its possible, I do wonder how many people it would annoy when moored up with the noise, I dont want to make an enemies😂😂

[@timothybearne147]

@@TheNomadicCrobot It depends on the generator, some smaller ones are quieter than engines. Perhaps in the well deck with the cratch cover closed to the towpath side.

[@seanplatnauer7211]

its a Constant currant constant voltage charger, the way you charged it is in the constant voltage region probably, reducing the power going to the battery. retry the experiment from 10% should show double the charge with 800W of solar

[@mungmungie]

Would it be worth building a simple frame to put on the roof of the Wombat? You could lay the solar panels flat when you're cruising, and prop them us when moored.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

its a good idea, worth thinking about

[@shanehumberstone5262]

Got myself a jackery explorer 500 as an upgrade from my jackery 240,great products

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

I love these battery boxes, there great

[@stansnape3634]

great blog young man

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thank you 😀👍

[@shoreylife]

Great review buddy. Looks like a great piece of kit. I dream of being able to afford a power station one day, for Garfield.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thanks buddy there pretty cool

[@JamesRook]

These power banks continue to get better and better. This looks like it might be a really good temporary option with perhaps a stand alone genset for backup and emergencies. I'd think you first need to know what your daily power needs are while cruising and while moored up, and if your engine can supply any power to a house bank while running. Have you decided what kind of and how many batteries you're going to need? Have you worked out your electrical systems as far as house power and boating needs? If I had a choice, I'd spend the money on building a system that also charged the battery banks off of the boat engine, incorporating solar panels. Less clutter and doesn't take up any storage space, you don't have to hook up and unhook the battery connections all the time, much quieter than a standalone genset unit and doesn't use different fuel (which also has to be purchased and stored safely), should be able to work with shore power, and once installed can be pretty much automatic or at least configurable by throwing a few switches. Granted, a proper system will be expensive and is marginally DIY, but boating ain't cheap!

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

I feel it could be doable, it could also be bit much setting it up every day.Thats it will need to write up a list of all our energy uses and go from there. Originally the plan was possibly 4 batteries that will charge from the engine and also from solar.Thanks your not wrong...none of this boaty stuff is cheap

[@ClareHenney-hd2hy]

Hope you two are ok. Just noticed you said you’ve had a tough month. Do hope everything is ok. Are you both going to Crick? Drink on me if you are xx

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Hi Clare, yes its been a bit of a funny month but we seam to be getting back in to the swing of things, we were meant to be going along to crick along with Titan boat canopies but we got a bit lost with all the dates and running around so it doesn't look like it know, hope to catch you soon, drinks on us both xx

[@leona_devon]

Could you not plug it into the engines alternator somehow and charge it from the engine when it's running? Great review

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

I think we need a sine wave inverter on the narrowboat , then it would be ideal, thank you

[@leona_devon]

@@TheNomadicCrobot I was thinking from the 12v system, if it allows 12v in, like from a car lighter socket.

[@leedavies3629]

Nice one Chris is this just a temp thing cos I think you will need a full solar set up if you plan to do the hole network that 2 or 3 winters dude but them power banks are top to help you out have a top week guys 🙂🔧🎸✌️

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

yes it would be a temp thing just so we could get moving, they seam to bring alot of energy in when the suns out, have a lovely week

[@bigKDL]

These things are very handy when your moored up fitting out the boat before you get the boat set up properly but just not practical when living and cruising taking up to much room abd you have to set it up ever time you stop you have got them free so sell the kit and use the money to buy a proper solar set up for the boat

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Very true, its amazing how much power a solar set up can bring in when the suns out

[@Cissa-q6c]

Chrissy Crobot lekkie man!!! Taken on board son, now you have to think in watts. You have half the energy you need, coupla panels fixed to the Wombat, plus the portables hung off the side when your moored, that's it. Another unit or add on battery would give you 4 kwh of stored free energy, 9.6 years of a charge a day. George Forman barby, lekkie chainsaw, fans, amps and music ,outdoor shower pump any thing you want ,just watch the watts. Charge your bike! you'll need a good trolly attached to that lekkie bike .On your way plus half a doz other spons for the trip. Very professional presentation and Triton can have a spin as well. I'm drinking to you cruising in the next week!!!

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thanks Chris, were trying everything in our way to speed up this process, we know geni's can anger alot of people so would like to keep the peace, charging these could potentially just about do it, thanks so much

[@Cissa-q6c]

@@TheNomadicCrobot Chris, this unit has a built in sine wave inverter. Maybe talk with the company to help you set up some large fixed panels and to show the true advantage of maximum d/c charging. Would be good to see a complete system functioning on the native Aussie namesake that eats roots and leaves ie Wombat!!!The company has a good reputation for after sales service and 10% discount is an extremely generous purchase incentive. Extension leads (220v}for outside use and {12v} charging should be safe to keep unit dry and secure. All best C.

[@MsLisa8989]

Do you think on narrow sections of tow path these might get knocked or damaged by passers by, people on electric scooters.. or just stolen?

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

yes maybe, they are quite heavy so would make for a tricky escape, you could also lock them to the boat I suppose

[@CaptainK007]

Christ on a bike, it was you playing Torchy Torchy the battery boy! I thought it was a thunder storm. ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

😂😂😂

[@gilleslacroix4255]

Yeah thats what i’am talking about …with this you can down since the fix system on the boat

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thanks Gilles

[@paulinehiggins8239]

These are great Chris, not noisy like a generator but I really don’t understand them. Can’t they be mounted on the roof of the narrowboat? 💕

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

unfortunately these are portable ones so not actually sure they would like to sit in the rain much, in the long run a proper permanent setup would be the thing to go for, but im just thinking of was to speed the whole process up, thank you Pauline

[@johnd7904]

Chris, As Frank Zappa said...STRICTLY COMMERCIAL! Those solar panels look a tad flimsy to me, but good tech for sure. Hi BEX, when are you guys going to respond to that rude boat time stunt of dirty non titan Chris. I would find them under the lid of Bex's compost loo, or on a big fat bag of frozen chips.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

I know that was very rude of boat time 😂😂its a great bit of kit, designed for filing away so probably why the legs are a bit more fragile

[@bindatek8801]

If you are not planning to charge the All Powers on SOLAR. What about charging from a split charging system from the boat engine, better still fit a second Alternator, but remember that drags on the engine (Fuel Consumption goes up). Forget petrol generators Nomadic Crobot!! They are not reliable, and often last for only months!! For 8 months of the year, you should be able to charge the "box" with SOLAR! Think about that, free electric, can't be bad. Becks will install Solar Panels on the roof of the boat, she is so talented with tools!!

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

unfortunately our boat isn't powered by a pure sine wave inverter so the all powers won't charge from it, we really need ro update the system on the boat, then we could charge it while moving, Thanks ill get bex on it 😂

[@derekcon374]

You can charge it via a 12v supply it will be slower but when cruising you have 12volts from your engine/ alternator.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

thats interesting, thanks

[@stevenmorris551]

Have you sunk Crobos ???? long time no hear !!

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

No not quite yet, we're back thankfully tomorrow 😃❤️

[@endeavour2968]

I’d lay those panels on the roof flat, maybe put a rope through backs so don’t blow off, as it charged 30% in 1 hour pointing at the sun, I’d guess it would drop to 20% in 1 hour laying flat, but a 2 hour cruise in the morning and 2 hours in afternoon would get you around 80-100% capacity. Far better than running any generator. If you want to charge it, you can charge it off your inverter while engine runs, or you could charge it off 12v lighter plug on boat, or using crocodile clips direct to the boats engine battery. If battery bank doesn’t come with 12v charging which I’m sure it does, you could check solar input charge voltage, it probably says 10v -20v input, in which case you can connect your power bank from your boat battery or engine 12v system as this will be powering at 14v ish. Suitcase generators are petrol and more flammable, also petrol has a shelf life of 6 months, so unless you use it a lot, you’ll find problems starting it as fuel has gone bad. Diesel generators are the way to go as fuel doesn’t go off and you have 200-300 litres of diesel in main tank and you can use red diesel, but open frames diesel are loud. Cocooned are the best for noise and fuel efficiency but these cost around £2000-£3000 second hand and £6000-£10000 plus new. But these are raw water cooled so need a hole drilling in bottom of boat to allow water to be sucked up, plus exhaust needed and fuel lines, flow and return, 12v and 230v connections and transfer switch fitted. I personally have 400w of solar on roof at a cost of £800 DIY fitted and I have Hyundai 2500w suitcase generator for emergencies or washing machine, however since sola installed generators been used about 3-4 times in nearly 6 years…

[@paulinehiggins8239]

Where are you guys, are you alright? Bit worried, understand sometimes nothing is happening worth videoing but being this on I worry you not OK. Miss you. 💕

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Hi Pauline, oh bless you for asking, my dad had a fall about a month ago so iv been helping out with him , hes fine thankfully 😊 just got a bit behind with the KZbin channel though we have been filming bits and getting bits ready, so watch this space (probably still a little way away but we will be back ) ❤️❤️ hope your well have a lovely week

[@paulinehiggins8239]

@@TheNomadicCrobot. Oh yeah family first. Glad your dad is OK though. Take care guys. 💕

[@Narrowboat.and.offgrid.living]

I like these units but there seems to be no way to lock it to the back of a boat wile charging could get nabbed otherwise

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

that is always a bit of a worry, you could use a bike chain I suppose on the handle

[@seanandlee8280]

modern generators are much quieter than the one you saw in the last episode. also more efficient. Obviously solar is free and cleaner but we do live in the UK and we can't always rely on it.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

yes iv seen these small Honda ones, id probably go for more something like that

[@seanandlee8280]

@@TheNomadicCrobot you will get there mate, all the hard work will be worth it.

[@Edsbar]

Can you find a bit of room on the boat roof for the panels. That way you'd be capturing all the free solar energy rather than buying petrol for the generator. free is GOOD, not polluting is BETTER.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

I agree...soalr is a great way of getting free energy, here are portable so shouldn't really be kept outside, but I believe the company does do permanent outdoor ones too

[@JamesRook]

Good luck with this.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

thanks

[@NarrowboatWill]

Blimey. What a set up. Is this a Freeby?

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Yeah we get to keep it for reviewing it....be rude not to 😅

[@NarrowboatWill]

@TheNomadicCrobot that's bloody awsome.

[@johnd7904]

Dear Crobots, Shorts...Shmorts! We crave a really long vlog. Please. PS We hope you are well. Miss you.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thanks and sorry for the shorts,they were always ment to be more a way to attract new viewers, we have a new video all set for Monday thanks for the love ❤️

[@shanehumberstone5262]

Don’t have the power unit sat in the sun while it’s charging

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

probably a good idea😂😂

[@markrant1460]

dynamite device!!!! better than an electric eel. cool seat chris. will it blast all of the spiders out of the boat? Mark Alberta, Canada

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thanks Mark, its a great bit of kit, im sure we could potentially use this if we really wanted to get going

[@markrant1460]

it seems to be one of those devices which when needed it would be really handy. Looking forward toyour next episode. Mark Alberta, Canada (currently exploring Britain wish we could meet.)@@TheNomadicCrobot

[@nfavor]

Nice vid! Would of been great to see the mighty Titan powered via solar!

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Why didn't I think of this 😅

[@rorywhite1922]

hay you 2 when the next blog been 2 weeks now

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Hey,we've had a few weeks of to sort out some family issues but will be back Monday,thanks for all the support 😃

[@clivealmond422]

Hi guys whats going on no vlogs for few weeks.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thanks for you Question Clive, we had a family emergency this last month so just started build up another episode, thanks for all your support

[@MistaTerps]

You need to be running a 48v LifePo4 battery system. Aside from the increased risk of death it offers plenty of benefits 😂👊

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

count me in 😂😂

[@daveoliver7521]

and it's a No from the Expert Joiner, not one single crash or a mention of a Hatch in this episode, might have to start watching some other Crashy type channels😂

[@SiG-Popart]

Unless you need to be portable just get 1-2 KW panels on the roof 👍ani’t no replacement for KW panel displacement > either LiFePO4 Batteries or save a bit and get some Agm Lead Carbon Deep cycles you won’t go wrong either way.

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Thants interesting thanks for your input

[@theemporersnewclothes]

Crobots product testing laboratory

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

on fire 😂😂

[@mrmocki]

Honestly , much less than this kit ( i know you got this for the advert but) you can get 400w or more of semi flexible panels on your boat roof , fit and forget , a mppt controller and much more battery capacity, even with paying someone to install . Those battery banks are fine for extra power but not really going to run a whole boat realistically CCing . Good on you for blagging the free kit , but its not the ideal solution in real life we dont think

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

yes I would like to get a more permanent setup, but seeing that we got offered to review these I was playing with the idea of actually being able to do it? it would be possible...but could also be stressful

[@malcolmone1]

have to see the bank manager for a loan loan

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

😂😂

[@Nofear25]

Come on you lazy pair time for a new video hahah ❤

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

We're all set for Monday,thabks for rhe support 😊🤩😍

[@stevefairbanks835]

Are they made in China?

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

I wouldn't be surprised

[@edwardhoughton2565]

Xx

[@stuartrobertshaw175]

fed up of all these shorts and longer gaps between normal posts

[@TheNomadicCrobot]

Sorry Stuart, we've been having a few weeks off due to family health, we hope to be back soon 🙏