Upgrading Our RV Power: What We Should Have Done Before

[@GratefulGlamper]

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[@briantracy1324]

12:49 Tijuana Flats?? Try the new Chipotle that opened next to TJ's ,, it's right next to your favorite Harbor Freight in Apopka...

[@jenniesjourney6780]

Charity, I am right there with you about putting holes in the RV.

[@shelleymurphy1966]

Me too.

[@beentheredonethat6219]

I did 3-4 years of research on solar before going full-time and saved. I only have 30 amp 5th wheel toy hauler and 1 ac. I maxed out so boondocking would not be a problem. I chose to go to Quartzsite and use Solar Bill’s for the install. 1 day install, 3,000 watt inverter, 800 watts of solar, got lion energy batteries from Costco big discount 4 for the price of 3! I also had a shut put in. After 10 months, learned to use fridge on propane since it’s the biggest battery hog! Now the last 2 months I have used 0 shore power in AZ!!

[@GratefulGlamper]

We converted our fridge over to 12 volt - uses much less energy. Thanks for watching and for the comment

[@SuperSushidog]

Great job! We're in Yuma now and are electrically independent too. We built our batteries from prismatic cells and saved a ton of money. Research is the key. San-Tan Solar has some great solar panel prices, but we recently got 8, 550w Sungold Power panels for only 51 cents/watt shipped to our door. There's an aluminum angle distributor in Somerton, AZ that has the best prices we've found to build our solar rack too.

[@beentheredonethat6219]

@@SuperSushidog research is the key. I have my setup with multiple angles for the panels to be set at for different times of the year! Sounds like you did a great job too!

[@beentheredonethat6219]

@james-rd4dq I am not an electrician, and wanted it to be safe! That’s why I spent the money. Seen a number of rigs burned up by people doing it wrong! I made my own bracket to elevate the panels. I don’t need and more power, I can go 3 days with out sun, and I have a generator if needed. I didn’t buy the batteries at solar Bill’s. I got them for way less then I could at Solar Bill’s. You must have a 50 amp rig. That is a energy hog to need all that. Solar Bill’s was 1/2 the price of other companies. So we can have a difference of opinion. As long as I’m happy that’s all that matters!

[@Scrambler85]

I'm envious, my van has 1,200 watts of solar panels and 900 amp hours of lithium batteries. Excellent installation 👍👍👍

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks! 👍

[@Frenchy5117]

Add an open louvered doors for ventilation

[@1MillionMileRoadTrip]

We went crazy, as my wife saids I went crazy. We put 2400 watts on the roof, two victron 3000 inverters in the rv basement and 10 battleborn 100 amp batteries. We boondock almost all the time.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Nice!

[@kathleenrutherford733]

Oh my, love it

[@bobabooie6389]

Love the dog microwaving the bacon👍🇺🇲

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks! Alaska loves bacon 🥓

[@GregVT]

*Casually strolls in eating a Cinnamon Roll* 🤣🤣🤣

[@GratefulGlamper]

Because that’s how I roll…😆

[@805_Raptor]

I worked with Derek and Lacey as well on my toy hauler. Great people to work with!

[@OFFGRID_Trucker]

Wow.. AWESOME UPGRADES. I just got my Multiplus 12v 300 120 wired up. It keeps my four BB 100Ah lithiums charged and when it's not snowing.. my 2 arrays 1200w on a dual axis tracker and the 3x290w (870w) from my pair of Victron 100\70 controller connected into the CERBO keeps the AC flowing. It's now setup to be offgrid. Now all I gotta do is find some land to park it on. PS. I tow my Jeep behind my RAM 2500 on occasion when I have my 'fully self contained cabover sitting in the bed and heading over to the Oregon coast dunes. I also lived in Florence, OR for almost a year.. so I know my way around there. Gotta love 7 miles of oceanfront dunes we can drive on.

[@georgettesmith2696]

Hello I've been watching your videos for awhile and they are helpful since I'm new to the rv world. I have a ? Did you ever figure out the wifi issue for working on the road.

[@ralphknappiii8746]

I own an older pop up myself and age is just a number... you guys have maintained and updated so much she is a dam near new girl

[@GratefulGlamper]

Right!?!

[@SuperSushidog]

Saweet! Brain surgery isn't pretty. Great job! We FT in a class A gasser with very limited space (though it has a tag axle with a decent carrying capacity) for our healthy solar/battery system. We have a 5,000w inverter powered by our 48v system and a 1,000w inverter powered by our 12v system. We had to hang our 5,000w inverter on the wall in our bedroom as we have no place in the basement to put it. Oh well. Our mini split is super quiet, and the inverter fans are quieter than our old rooftop AC, so overall, it's quieter than it was on shore power. Rather than go with premade batteries like Battleborns (as we're retired and on a budget,), we built a couple batteries with LiFePo-4 prismatic cells that we keep balanced with 2 stand-alone BMSs with active balancing to keep all the cells synched up. Not only does this fit into a smaller space, but it's cheaper too. For instance, our 320ah 16s 48v battery was only $1,726 shipped to our door. Add another $140 (w/freight) for the 200-amp Heltec BMS with low temp protection, etc. and we have a 16.38 kwh battery (the equivalent of almost 13, 100ah Battleborns) for about the price of 2 of these same Battleborns. Energy storage capacity is important to get you through the night, but being able to recharge your batteries while still running your air conditioning is important too, so you can have air conditioning tomorrow. It looks like you guys have done it with a total of almost 4,700 watts of solar. Good job! We have 4,400 watts on the roof and another 620-watt liftable array on the side for over 5,000 watts ourselves. Great minds think alike. Take care. Hope to see you down the road.

[@Hossss1987]

Would you mind posting Derick’s information and just a general idea of what it cost you to do all this? (Don’t have to be exact) wife and I want to do this as well

[@GratefulGlamper]

It’s in the description: ccrvtechandsolar.com/ and he can give you an idea on cost based on your needs

[@destinysisco3142]

Its your perception of change. Try to remain in gratitude to help reduce your stress. It's great you have a big solar system. Sending light and love ❤

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks so much!

[@blk123]

Excited about a closet makeover. That is quite the setup for your solar system.

[@pamrubright2164]

Wow… we have a sugar glider that travels with us. We never mention her because she never leaves the RV except when we take her out in her little travel cage. She has a large cage inside. We have stayed at the park near Tampa, and at the Villages. Our rigs are our private property. I believe the animals they need to know about are the ones that will walk on their property. We haven’t seen your motorhome up close, but it looks nice and I feel the only fair way to decide if an RV is acceptable is by looking at it. I’m sorry you were denied. We are full time and have used Thousand Trails for the past 4 years. We have the full membership including the trails collection. The experience you described is bizarre, especially for an age qualified park to invite kiddos in. It seems like rules are changed depending on the park people. Some are easygoing and some are rule mongers. We try to roll with things, but I totally understand your frustration. We have watched you kids grow up. We love and appreciate you guys.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thank you so much 💙

[@everythinglifesaving]

See ya at EAA AirVenture again this year if you go. We’ll be there working and exhibiting with Vandoit with some other special surprises 😊🎉

[@GratefulGlamper]

Sounds super fun!

[@estried86]

I'll be there in 193 days, I better start packing...🤔

[@StephenColclasure]

Now its time to add solar panels on the sides with hinges so that you can pop them up when parked. :) lol

[@janehargis9301]

NVM my previous post - his info was on the back of his sweatshirt! 😊

[@gthornton3]

🎉🎉 HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎉🎉

[@GratefulGlamper]

Happy New Year to you also! 🎊

[@williambenedetti1793]

Awesome install!!

[@GratefulGlamper]

Than k you!

[@heatherjolly8389]

More power!!!!

[@shawnbeerens4292]

R R R! Lol

[@barbarapadgett5538]

Great new install!

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thank you!

[@jukeservices]

Sweet!

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks!

[@solonutiket564]

I'm against holes in the roof. Why can't the AC be located at the front or rear, exhaust out the side wall. Manufactures don't get it yet. Thanks for bringing up their short comings. and if they wanted to really do it right, they would provide metal shutters to cover the panels in the event of hail or stormy weather, and of course they would need to be aerodynamic.

[@GratefulGlamper]

👍

[@Welovesissy713]

QUESTION: I know this is off topic for this video, but I notice you have a nice hydraulic setup for your underbed storage. I was just telling my husband today that we needed something to hold ours up in place. Do you happen to have a product link?

[@tobbywhitmore3721]

Wow... I will stick with the generator.. but u guys are excited. So congrats 🎉

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks

[@maryhight6030]

Wow 🤯 crazy!

[@WayneMarkle-tj9hb]

I noticed while removing a component from roof, the technician had to chisel away on the roof. Is you roof a spray on? I’m asking because I have a 2003 Winnebago and have to get a complete replacement. Have you had any cracking with your roof? Great solar set up too. You should be set for any travels. Keep up the great videos!!

[@Donald-ry8mn]

When and can you change your presh water ,black,grey tanks for bigger tanks

[@janehargis9301]

Can you put Derek’s info here? Informative and enjoyable. Thanks for sharing!

[@GratefulGlamper]

ccrvtechandsolar.com/ it’s also in the description

[@Greg-n-Simba]

Ohhhh my goodness guys.... found this off grid package from sun gold power - 9,800 bucks and it comes with 10x 550w panels 4x 5.5kwh lithium batteries (25 yr warrenty) and a 10kwh solar inverter withh all the wiring, mounts, and lifetime support! It is suppose to generate 22kwh A DAY.... thats 600kwh a month! The ave house uses 880kwh a month - massive off grid potential. Has anyone looked at these and used them... if so please give thoughts on how this would work for an RV

[@oursceniclife]

I am curious how much power do the inverters draw when they are idle, or how much does the system draw when idle since there are software components which require power 24/7?

[@judyross182]

I don't trust the wind sensor either. So I only open the awning when it calm.

[@GratefulGlamper]

👍🏻

[@adriannurse1502]

I would love to have enough solar to run our residential refrigerator and at least one AC unit.

[@scottszego3700]

maybe its just me, but with all that roof space on the towed SUV. is there a way to tie down a portable solar panal to it during travel days and connect into the port at the back of the RV? now that would be must see TV. you all are awesome.! stay safe.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Right!?! Thanks for watching

[@enidshear2847]

Sprinkled

[@airstreamer]

Looks like you should be pretty set up now! Happy New Year! - Michelle

[@GratefulGlamper]

Thanks! Happy New Year!

[@airstreamer]

Thank you!@@GratefulGlamper

[@estried86]

Now you'll have to go put it to the test for a whole week in Oshkosh.

[@GratefulGlamper]

Right!?! 🛩️

[@bitworkx6028]

It is what it is. And you xan boondock for quite awhile.

[@shawnbeerens4292]

Man i think I could enjoy that job!

[@GratefulGlamper]

The National RV Training Academy has a great program to be a certified RV tech and solar installer.

[@shawnbeerens4292]

Holes reduce weight lol!

[@ZXX984]

I’d be pacing back and forth. I don’t like putting holes in campers or my walls at home. Is the roof pretty much have lots of life left? I’d fear replacement after all those panels were installed. Is that oil splattering issue on the towed taken care of? Happy New Year’🎉

[@GratefulGlamper]

Lots of life on the roof and we think we have the oil blow by solved - time will tell. Thanks for watching

[@JulieWilliams-so2hs]

Does that unique cleaner work best if you moving or permanent

[@GratefulGlamper]

Either way!

[@neemaborji9993]

Victron is crazy expensive and seems way too complicated with all of the seperate conponents and wiring in between. Also the Battelborn batteries seem too big for the capacity they have. I bought two EG4 6000xp all in one inverters and three EG4 server batteries for a total of 12000 watts (50amps) and 15KWH. My total was $7000 usd

[@terryheard859]

Hows the added noise treating you in the bedroom when those inverters kick in ?

[@GratefulGlamper]

Since the most noise they make is while Charging batteries while the sun is up, they are fairly quiet during the night when sleeping

[@terryheard859]

That's not bad! I figured they'd be "kicking on" if you were running your AC in the evenings

[@The_camping_captain]

Why did they run the batteries in three groups of three?

[@gthornton3]

Charity Where do you get the brush you use in the toilet?

[@GratefulGlamper]

From Unique Camping + Marine

[@HumilityisHumble]

Dude all you need is a 5000 watt inverter for big loads and a 1000 watt inverter for small loads. And a couple of chargers. You would have saved 15k.

[@j87waldo]

I put blue sticky tack over my lights

[@williamsorg2473]

What could go wrong? OMG!!

[@LauraGoldberg-ks6go]

got a numbe for derek im in florida and want to add a bunch of solar

[@GratefulGlamper]

ccrvtechandsolar.com/

[@RickandDarcirvadventures]

You say you don’t want to spend money on a new rig but how much have you spent on ALL of your upgrades (new roof, solar, new batteries and other components, bunk beds, switching around your kitchen, etc)?

[@GratefulGlamper]

Still tens of thousands less than a new RV 😎

[@SuperSushidog]

Upgrades are pricy, this is true. But even if they were to purchase a new rig, it is very unlikely to have the huge battery and solar system they have, which would still need to be added at great expense. We have an older motorhome that we recently added about $12k in solar and batteries to. But even if we went out and purchased a brand-new MH, there are none on the market that come with 5,000 watts of solar and 23.5 kwh of batteries like we have for FT off-grid living. So, we'd still have to spend this money to equip our rig, on top of the sky-high price of a new motorhome.

[@lrobie123]

upgrades are worth it when too risky to buy a diffrent used rv or new rv that know nothing about it which likely has a ton of problems

[@CoddiwompleTravelers]

Solar and off grid is like a crack. You can get addicted 😂

[@GratefulGlamper]

I know!! 💙☀️

[@bobbafett1971]

Do you have a generator on the rig to charge and run a/c

[@GratefulGlamper]

We do have an onboard gen if we need it (cloudy days, etc).

[@dianaherring8594]

@@GratefulGlamper what brand & type do you use?

[@pamstoneburner7680]

How much weight did this add to your rv?

[@GratefulGlamper]

That’s a great question! However our class A diesel pusher has a very large GVWR and we’ve weighed it at cat scales many times. We’ve also had at least 500-1000 pounds to spare so we’ve not been very concerned about weight.

[@bertkelly7650]

Hope you didn't pay for that stuff. A generator in that same bay could run both ac's at a fifth of what solar cost and still have your closet. HNY! .

[@GratefulGlamper]

There are many places that have generator hours (mostly not allowed through the night). We can use the power of the sun and no need for using the generator unless we have a string of cloudy days. Thanks for watching

[@MISCIFMAKER]

10 grand in solar is a joke

[@livellfamilytrucking]

Wouldn't it be just cheaper for a generator

[@GratefulGlamper]

Cheaper, yes but not the long term solution we want since many places do not allow generator use 24/7 plus the fact that we don’t want to be using a generator when boondocking in close proximity to other RV’s (noisy, stinky, uses fuel).

[@SuperSushidog]

Yes, but aside from the price, noise and smell of running a generator 24/7, most places have quiet hours that prevent running a generator overnight to run your air conditioning. My 5,500w generator burns an average of .7 gallons/hr when running just one rooftop AC. .7 x 24 hrs. = 16.8 gallons a day if you need to run it all day (plus there's the cost of generator maintenance and repairs). At $3.50/gallon that's $58.80/day for fuel alone. Most FHU RV parks cost less than that, even on a nightly basis.

[@johnhines3591]

Devil's advocate here, Wouldn't it be cheaper & easier just to run a generator when you need to? My best guess is that system is a good $15,000 or so. I could fuel a generator for close to a decade for that. To each their own. Sounds like it's just keeping up with the Jones.

[@gthornton3]

Generators are loud.

[@johnhines3591]

@@gthornton3 I can barely hear my 2500 watt generator at 40 feet. Can't hear it in my trailer. My AC unit is louder.

[@josephcaprara898]

Four commercials later

[@josephcaprara898]

Well not really. Camping in places where there are generator hour restrictions.

[@dianaherring8594]

@james-rd4dq what brand solar set up & battery brand & type? Lithium? Size?

[@josephcaprara898]

What a waste of space. Moving everything up to the rooftop would save you space. Think a small cap top carrier

[@peacedaely1969]

I would not be able to sleep with that under my bed..

[@MSG3726]

Go big, or go home…. 😂

[@HumilityisHumble]

Are you guys Bitcoin mining or what? Why would you possibly need all that power if you don’t even have tv’s? You running ac/microwaves all day long?

[@00buck80]

I would say none of your business