School Me On Off-Grid Power Solutions

[Reinen]

Portable batteries (aka Solar Generators) are very versatile, movable and easily upgradable.

Multiple charging options and efficiency will make your life much easier. Multiple charging methods is a good thing. DC to DC when the engine is running, solar when the engine is stopped. Maximize your charging wattage. Otherwise your life will revolve around when & how you're going to obtain power to recharge, and how long it will take. If your portable battery has a max charging wattage of 120w, get a 120w solar panel (that realistically maxes out at 100w) and a 100w DC to DC charger. Don't play around with anything smaller, you'll be a slave to it constantly thinking about how you're going to charge.

Also find ways to minimize the power needed to do what you want to do. Your wife likes her movies? Use a tablet, not a TV. Multiple power draw options are not a good thing. Avoid 120v whenever possible, converting 12v to 120v is inefficient and will drain batteries faster. If everything you need runs via 12v directly or 12v to USB-A or USB-C (never stepping up to 120v) your battery will last significantly longer.

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[Dyolfknip74]

Unfortunately a 30w solar panel would take 80 hours to charge a 12v 200ah battery, so that might not be sufficient for an off-grid solution.

As stated, the Rubicon version is 30w. The normal hood version is 100w. Also, I didn't realise people meant they wouldn't have a functioning charging system on their rig. Sorry, I was just giving options.

 

[tomd]

Advantage of portable system I assume: if your trailer is parked during the day (likely in some shade), you can bring the battery pack with you while out driving/exploring and the dc-dc will charge.
Not really possible with built in system.

 

[lalalofsky]

As stated, the Rubicon version is 30w. The normal hood version is 100w. Also, I didn't realise people meant they wouldn't have a functioning charging system on their rig. Sorry, I was just giving options.

I think that the Cascadia is a cool system, in fact ive looked at it before. In the case of which hood, i have the non rubicon style hood, so the higher watt would be what I’d get.

I dont think it was a knock on you, i think it was more insight on how it would perform for my use. I know pretty much nothing about these solutions. If i didnt plan to run multiple eletrical accessories, i would get the panel for sure. Like i said it was t the top of my list when i first got my jeep, but now know it wont operate to the extent that I personally need.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

I think that the Cascadia is a cool system, in fact ive looked at it before. In the case of which hood, i have the non rubicon style hood, so the higher watt would be what I’d get.

I dont think it was a knock on you, i think it was more insight on how it would perform for my use. I know pretty much nothing about these solutions. If i didnt plan to run multiple eletrical accessories, i would get the panel for sure. Like i said it was t the top of my list when i first got my jeep, but now know it wont operate to the extent that I personally need.

It's all good. I basically just use it as a trickle charger on the POS batteries.

 

[jmccorm]

I have the Cascadia 4x4 VSS on mine. The Rubicon version is rated for 30w. Mine pushes about 25 v in the end of winter sun. More than enough to keep battery topped up or even charge from dead. Super easy install.

I understand that the Cascadia 4x4 VSS Complete Hood Mounted Solar System delivers 30 watts of power. You say that in the weak winter sun, it was delivering 25 volts. Did you mean 25 watts?

I was wondering about that solution in particular. I might pull the trigger on it. Does it give you a choice of which battery you charge, and if so, which battery did you choose and why?

 

[Dyolfknip74]

I understand that the Cascadia 4x4 VSS Complete Hood Mounted Solar System delivers 30 watts of power. You say that in the weak winter sun, it was delivering 25 volts. Did you mean 25 watts?

I was wondering about that solution in particular. I might pull the trigger on it. Does it give you a choice of which battery you charge, and if so, which battery did you choose and why?

Nope. I never measured wattage after I installed it. Just hooked meter up on DC to see what it was outputting.

 

[jmccorm]

Nope. I never measured wattage after I installed it. Just hooked meter up on DC to see what it was outputting.

Ah! It has an open cell voltage of 25Vdc! Okay, now I got you!

And wow, I have so many questions. It's a good thing that I just now stumbled across this item in a listing at Rebel Off Road. They've got lots of reading about this kit. It looks like the Cascadia 4x4 Wrangler JL VSS System is doing all the right things (as far as the full kit goes).

They can just sell just the solar panel itself. But beyond that, they sell a custom cut vinyl base sheet (that protects the paint, should you need to remove the cells). More importantly, they sell an MPPT charge controller that handles the mismatch between solar and battery voltage as it optimizes the charge going into the battery (like any good MPPT charge controller would do). What's not to like?

If I may ask...
Did you have to choose just one battery to charge, and if so, which one did you choose? And why?

 

[OSCAR II]

I understand that the Cascadia 4x4 VSS Complete Hood Mounted Solar System delivers 30 watts of power. You say that in the weak winter sun, it was delivering 25 volts. Did you mean 25 watts?

I was wondering about that solution in particular. I might pull the trigger on it. Does it give you a choice of which battery you charge, and if so, which battery did you choose and why?

The key component is a charge controller! A 12v rated panel will have an open voltage output about double that. Same goes for a 24v panel and so on. If you put a meter on a 12v panel with no load it will read 24v+-, as soon as you connect to a (healthy) battery you'll see 13v+-. Your battery is not only storage but is kind of like a shock absorber/voltage regulator. But without a charge controller you will cook the battery.

 

[Fudster]

Hello All!

I am about to start the process of designing and building a off road camper to pull behind my jeep. Ideally I will be traveling with my wife, and our puppy. I know little to nothing about power solutions, but have been doing some reading on, solar, heating, power boxes and power storage. I am looking for clear cut knowledge, that would help point me in the right direction. Typical travel times would be no longer than a week.

Thank you!

While Wrangler owners have done this stuff, this is the place where the experts cut their teeth https://diysolarforum.com/

It's not that this forum's a bad source, just that you wouldn't go to the DIY Solar forum looking for the best info a lifting a rig, much that I bet some of its members have.

...you catch my drift...

 

[OSCAR II]

Example, here is the name plate off my gennys panel. A toy compared to the systems I've installed, but its served me well over the last 16 - 18 years.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Ah! It has an open cell voltage of 25Vdc! Okay, now I got you!

And wow, I have so many questions. It's a good thing that I just now stumbled across this item in a listing at Rebel Off Road. They've got lots of reading about this kit. It looks like the Cascadia 4x4 Wrangler JL VSS System is doing all the right things (as far as the full kit goes).

They can just sell just the solar panel itself. But beyond that, they sell a custom cut vinyl base sheet (that protects the paint, should you need to remove the cells). More importantly, they sell an MPPT charge controller that handles the mismatch between solar and battery voltage as it optimizes the charge going into the battery (like any good MPPT charge controller would do). What's not to like?

If I may ask...
Did you have to choose just one battery to charge, and if so, which one did you choose? And why?

I've go it hooked to main posts of primary battery. AFAIK, that allows it to trickle charge both batteries due to OEM wiring. That's pretty much my main reason for getting it.

 

[Sidewalk]

I have a "vanlife" setup (it will be home if the GF decides to end it). Charge controlled combines the solar and engine to charge the house battery (solar can also charge the start battery when the house is full).

I am a low power user though. I like the heat, so I don't need AC. Most of the time when it is hot, I will be outside doing stuff anyway (I am an endurance athlete). Only real draw I have is a 12v fridge, the solar has plenty enough for that.

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