OffGridInTheCity
Moderator
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2018
- Messages
- 3,207
It's been a while but I thought I'd give a shout out on the trailer 
Battery:
The DIY 14s100p batteries (27kwh) in the trailer with Batrium as the BMS have been performing very well. It's been several years, 25K miles, and some really rough roads and no problems to report with them physically. We use the mini-split to keep the trailer temps 'mild' all year round so no temp stress on the cells.
By going up to the 27kwh battery bank we can go 3-4 days boondocking, all-electric (including 24/7 Starlink), with no conservation if we use propane or kerosene heat.
MPP Solar 3048LV:
The MPP Solar 3048LV continues to work well, but doesn't seem to MPPT very well. The max I get out of the horizontal, 1340w panels on the roof is 600w in optimal spring sun at mid-day. The MPP Solar has a minimum 60v PV spec but boosting the string voltage to 75v VoC didn't make any difference and it pulls right down to 60v anyway. Thinking of trying a different charge controller.
Heat:
With the larger battery, the mini-split can do a full 1 nighter even in the harshest conditions 2 days with power management. But for longer trips we carry 2 x 30lb propane bottles + heat buddy which works well but creates significant condensation. On a recent trip to Hart Mountain (near Plush, Oregon) we tried a kerosene heater for the 1st time. It's nice, dry heat. Used about 1gal per day - same as propane - in 35F lows.
Thinking about building a kersone heater into the trailer as the current 'portable' one (in pic) is not protected from rain/snow and the metal trailer skin blocks the 'clicker' signal to remotely adjust the strength of the heat. I have to go outside to click.
Battery:
The DIY 14s100p batteries (27kwh) in the trailer with Batrium as the BMS have been performing very well. It's been several years, 25K miles, and some really rough roads and no problems to report with them physically. We use the mini-split to keep the trailer temps 'mild' all year round so no temp stress on the cells.
By going up to the 27kwh battery bank we can go 3-4 days boondocking, all-electric (including 24/7 Starlink), with no conservation if we use propane or kerosene heat.
MPP Solar 3048LV:
The MPP Solar 3048LV continues to work well, but doesn't seem to MPPT very well. The max I get out of the horizontal, 1340w panels on the roof is 600w in optimal spring sun at mid-day. The MPP Solar has a minimum 60v PV spec but boosting the string voltage to 75v VoC didn't make any difference and it pulls right down to 60v anyway. Thinking of trying a different charge controller.
Heat:
With the larger battery, the mini-split can do a full 1 nighter even in the harshest conditions 2 days with power management. But for longer trips we carry 2 x 30lb propane bottles + heat buddy which works well but creates significant condensation. On a recent trip to Hart Mountain (near Plush, Oregon) we tried a kerosene heater for the 1st time. It's nice, dry heat. Used about 1gal per day - same as propane - in 35F lows.
Thinking about building a kersone heater into the trailer as the current 'portable' one (in pic) is not protected from rain/snow and the metal trailer skin blocks the 'clicker' signal to remotely adjust the strength of the heat. I have to go outside to click.
Last edited: