Make My Own Solar Generator For Intermittent Boondocking

[SJ Communicator]

If your Bluetti has a 30A plug, you can use the factory cord. Put the Bluetti in a watertight container under the camper? Not very secure, I'm aware, but an option...

My rig has the detachable cord twist lock connection at the rig & standard 30 amp plug for the campground power. Yes the Bluetti has the same receptical as the campgrounds. I originally was thinking on the same lines as you regarding a semi- weather proof container under the camper and use the factory cord coiled up. However considering the weight of the AC200L & the B300K (60lbs + ea) that would be some of lugging back & forth of heavy items. For us getting set up for the night is much more stess free than packing up & rolling out in the morning. For extended boondocking that would be a very viable solution. However for just overnighting maybe not so much. So my idea of just having to run a cord from a secured compartment to the shore power port would only involve one item even if it was my longer than needed factory cord. In my old age my mind tends to work along the lines of what is said to be a quote from Henry Ford "Give a hard job to a lazy man & he will find the easiest way to do it!" Another thing that crossed my mind is as you mentioned the security factors! God forbid we ever had to spend the night at a rest area or a Wallyworld parking lot, which we try to avoid at all cost, thus joining Harvest Host. Being on the road one never knows what they may have to contend with. Anyhoo I would never wnat to leave expensive equipment out in environment like those. Even though with the handle system I technically could lock the AC200L to the frame.

 

[SJ Communicator]

For charging, I know Bluetti has an alternator charger option, but it might be possible to trickle in 12V to the solar port as an alternative. I like the idea of the RV plug cover as a pass thru, my rig has that now for the regular 30amp plug. The only thing is, it is a 95% seal even with the little door, I use a few pieces of electrical tape around the cord after hook up to fully seal it off.

The outside box option is also interesting, could add a cable lock to the whole thing and keep all the space available. Hooking up portable solar would be simpler this way too, everything is outside.

I looked up the electrical power cord hatches on Amazon! They're not very expensive but me being me I see where I would need to so some modifications to make it work on my rigs thin compartment door. I'm still working out the recharge aspect but what I have thought about is the following. Making a rack out of PVC pipe for my flexible solar panels that would clip over my pick up truck bed such as a tonneau cover that would charge underway to top off a 200ah battery. The battery would be on a mobile charging platform such as a hand truck with my inverter. Then disconnect ftom the dolar rack on the truck. Roll to tthe bac of the rig use the AC power inverter to recharge the Bluetti before using it for the night. Then basically rinse & repeat. I plan on Doing some testing to record the actual DOD needed. But if I do not deplete the AC200L less than 50%. I know I can recharge at 10amps in less than an hour. If worst comes to worse I will always have my 3000w duel fuel genny to use for recharge only. I am definitely a hope for the best and plan for the worst minded individual. I just received my B300k expansion battery so I will start putting it and the AC200L through their paces. I will post results as the the process evolves.

 

[SJ Communicator]

BougeRV tried to pass off to me a trashed powered cooler in a trashed ripped up box as new. Just a data point while you are shopping.

Thank you for the heads up! I usually by stuff through Amazon with my Prime membership. If I ever have an issue of any kind it is usually resolved immediately.

 

[DaveT-JAY]

Thank you for the heads up! I usually by stuff through Amazon with my Prime membership. If I ever have an issue of any kind it is usually resolved immediately.

Yeah this was via Amazon. I was able to get a full refund.

 

[MagnusBjorn]

I have the 200L and expansion battery in my 26M. I can run for several days easily if I set the fridge/water heater on propane and limit the use of the AC to a few hours at night.

I installed the units in the outside kitchen and ran an extension under the motorhome to the shore cable. I installed an access point in my outdoor kitchen to run the cable to the solar generator. With 400W of solar and the charger 1, I have boondocked for a week without power problems.

 

[SJ Communicator]

I have the 200L and expansion battery in my 26M. I can run for several days easily if I set the fridge/water heater on propane and limit the use of the AC to a few hours at night.

I installed the units in the outside kitchen and ran an extension under the motorhome to the shore cable. I installed an access point in my outdoor kitchen to run the cable to the solar generator. With 400W of solar and the charger 1, I have boondocked for a week without power problems.

That is awesome! I have not yet had a chance to do some "real world" scenario testing. Good thing for us is we have our rig parked on our home property so it will be pretty easy to do once I get the chance to do it! I am very happy to hear your experiences! Even though expensive I'm happy I decided to go the route I did. So far the only negative I have regarding the 200L is the fact the (included)cord for hooking up the expansion battery is so short. It makes it impossible to stack the units together with the front panels facing the same direction. In the adds it clearly indicates when you can stack the 200L on top of the B300k in the same orientation. But in reality the connections are on opposed ends for both fronts (or backs) to have them match. It seems the engineers would've informed the sales department not to advertise the units stacked with both fronts at the front. Or the sales department would've told the engineers to reconfigure the connection port locations to make it match the colorful brochure. I don't know if a longer cord is available from Bluetti but I would assume there is for an upsell angle...