How I Installed SOLAR POWER in my VAN (The Easy Way) | Off Grid VAN

How I Installed SOLAR POWER in my VAN (The Easy Way) | Off Grid VAN

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▬▬▬▬▬VIDEO CONTENTS▬▬▬▬▬▬

0:00 – Intro
0:11 – How off grid systems work
3:08 – Why Power Stations make it easier
5:05 – How to set up DC power on a power station
5:40 – Installing Solar Panels
7:51 – Running wires for DC appliances
8:20 – Connecting Wires to Fuse panel
9:27 – Cutting Ceiling panels
9:48 – Installing 12V Lighting
10:07 – Connecting Fuse panel to the power station
11:31 – Ending

How I Installed SOLAR POWER in my VAN (The Easy Way) | Off Grid VAN

When I say my van is run on solar power, that’s technically not true. Its battery powered, but that battery is charged by solar panels. Like I said, everything is actually run off of a battery. Most people use 12v or 24v battery systems. This is usually referred to as Direct Current (DC). Not everything can run on DC but some examples are 12v lighting, 12v roof vents, 12v fridges, etc. 12v appliances usually have a 12v “car” outlet or simply a positive and negative wire to be attached to a power source. 12v batteries can also provide power to 110v (AC) appliances, but not directly.

If you use a battery, eventually it’s going to run out of energy. So the same way you need to charge your phone when it dies, you’ll also need to charge your battery. There are 3 common ways to charge a battery. Shore Power, Solar panels, and vehicle battery/alternator. These methods can be used individually, you can use 2 of them, or all 3 at the same time. In this example let’s say you have all of these methods set up. Your energy sources are pulling energy into your battery bank, where it’s being stored for usage with your appliances. This is a full system because you have power coming in to replace the power that’s being used.

Now unfortunately, you can’t just plug a solar panel directly into a battery and get power. Actually, you can’t do that with any of these methods. You’ll need some extra devices to regulate and convert the energy going in and out of your battery.

Portable power stations have all of the small components combined in one device with a lithium battery and a screen to monitor your system.

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50 Comments

  1. v on December 31, 2022 at 2:24 am

    Amazing video, thank you very much for posting!
    I was wondering if you could share what kind of solar panels you have in your van?

  2. CAN WE LIVE PAST 7/5/2073(?) on December 31, 2022 at 2:25 am

    HEY, I LOVE IT! CAN I GET A HOLD OF YOU SOME HOW? I WANT TO BUY A NEW MINIVAN AND DO ALL OF THIS TOO. I LIVE IN USA, IS IT POSSIBLE YOU CAN HELP ME?

  3. Mur Diesel on December 31, 2022 at 2:26 am

    I am switching from my AC200P to the Max so it will utilize the same space and expandable. Try to run the whole truck camper off the shore power cable and solar right to the AC200Max. Great video and awesome sound.

  4. Dan Mackenzie on December 31, 2022 at 2:33 am

    Nice video.. very informative and well made. Great job…. Thanks

  5. Karen Andy on December 31, 2022 at 2:33 am

    Smart I’m interested in a consultation

  6. Timothy Ashby on December 31, 2022 at 2:35 am

    Thanks!

  7. Simon H on December 31, 2022 at 2:39 am

    Such an elegant video

  8. Michael Hollister on December 31, 2022 at 2:39 am

    Thank you very much for this video!!! You are the first person to explain this process in a way I totally get!!! Love your videos!! Thanks again!!

  9. FLGIRL on December 31, 2022 at 2:40 am

    This video was informative. I do like this route a lot better for powering my van. Thanks!

  10. senseidadproductions on December 31, 2022 at 2:40 am

    Great Video – thanks for the details. I just received a bluetti eb70s and I’m thinking about the aC200 Max you have – this is all in addition to the dual battery setup I have installed on my build – but you can never have too much power!! One of the selling point on the AC200 Mac is the 30 amp DC port vs the car adapter. I know it needs a different cable, but the 30 amps is another step up to what you can power up. Happy trails!

  11. Walton Craghead on December 31, 2022 at 2:42 am

    How do you use a generator when the power goes out?

  12. M Ladetto on December 31, 2022 at 2:42 am

    Great easy to understand video. The bonus was while watching it FedEx sent me a notification that my Blue Eddy AC 200 Max was just delivered to my porch.

  13. IVIusicMayhem on December 31, 2022 at 2:43 am

    Bro I never comment, but dang this video was super detailed and helpful. Appreciate it and keep them coming 💯!!

  14. Topofhelist on December 31, 2022 at 2:43 am

    I see the need for future solar generator repair or refurb shops

  15. Zack Mom on December 31, 2022 at 2:44 am

    On a gloomy week, how long would the battery last with 12v fridge connected to it?

  16. Tevis Carter on December 31, 2022 at 2:47 am

    Your a GENIUS 😊

  17. LT Juglans on December 31, 2022 at 2:48 am

    Power Station 2100 dollar ( 2000eur ) in Europe. Rather expensive.

  18. turboteresa1 on December 31, 2022 at 2:48 am

    Come to Chicago and let me take you to dinner. 🙂

  19. Phylana Ladd on December 31, 2022 at 2:49 am

    Do you have any videos showing how you hooked up your 12V switches? Thank you!!

  20. Deb Cecotti on December 31, 2022 at 2:50 am

    You just gave me hope that I will be able to set up my own Solar System. Mad skills my friend. Thanks so much.

  21. ron ethridge on December 31, 2022 at 2:50 am

    very nice work-more /where did you get the bluetti/power bank/thanks much

  22. Blue Team SIX on December 31, 2022 at 2:51 am

    Most vehicles aren’t connected to the grid. So to say one is off-grid is kinda funny. I love your videos. Truly a master.

  23. Catherine B on December 31, 2022 at 2:51 am

    Okay stupidest question you will probably ever get.. recently someone I know had their work van stolen as a woman considering van life is it possible to rig a safety like device that if someone tries to open your door in the night even though it be locked to shock and scare the sweet tea and lemon out of some one…with all the crazy cracked up addicts I’ve heard of just lights blinking on and off isn’t enough to scare crazy away? …love that you can explain how this solar stuff works to me a severe dyslexic it means so much to be able to understand it and great knowledge for hurricane season in Florida..thanks so much love to know if you have security video..thanks 💝👑🕊

  24. S Hampton on December 31, 2022 at 2:51 am

    Very impressed young man. Keep up the good work.

  25. Cpt Obvious on December 31, 2022 at 2:55 am

    You could have just installed a combi 3000w controller/inverter/charger for $350

  26. Ik Ben Rachelle on December 31, 2022 at 2:59 am

    Could you use a fuze box for you AC stuff too, and just connect it like you did the DC fuze box?

  27. PRIVATE SECTOR 042 on December 31, 2022 at 3:00 am

    Thank you for not filling your content with ads and giving us some really good straightforward information 👍👍👍

  28. Marco Tapia on December 31, 2022 at 3:00 am

    You are running a 100 amp fuse panel on a 12v /10 amp socket. Looks like you had at least 5 15 amp fuses on your panel. The bluetti hasn’t tripped on that socket yet?

  29. Zack Mom on December 31, 2022 at 3:00 am

    You have a link for that tape you used for the panels?

  30. Bernadette Brown-Williams on December 31, 2022 at 3:00 am

    How much would you charge to set up my van like this?

  31. Mike Kuna on December 31, 2022 at 3:00 am

    Nice clear explaination. In 2018 I build out my Promaster and decided to go with a solar generator instead of a separate component system. It has worked out well and it was much simpler to set up. It is also nice because it is portable. I can easily take it out of the van and use it for other purposes. Thanks for the video.

  32. NW Garage on December 31, 2022 at 3:00 am

    Awesome video!

  33. chris keeping on December 31, 2022 at 3:03 am

    There are a lot of absolutely appalling tutorials out there… yours are excellent. Clear, slow, concise and inspiring. Good job, bud.

  34. Kent Robbins on December 31, 2022 at 3:04 am

    You do real good work, I need an idea for a single half bed truck bed box with a tonneau cover for a 2022 GMC sort bed. (Fishing gear)

  35. Just Shara on December 31, 2022 at 3:06 am

    🔥💛💛💛💛

  36. looper lin on December 31, 2022 at 3:06 am

    Thanks perfect instructions for connecting and the difference between regular battery and power station

  37. AL Genaro on December 31, 2022 at 3:08 am

    how do you find out how much you are able to power with one 12v cigarette adapter? if you wanted to add lights or something on the same small fuse block as the cameras for example. maybe there is a chart somewhere that factors in gauge and length of wires and amps drawn on each etc?? just don’t want to melt stuff in my walls where it won’t be easily seen etc

  38. Meg Thee Tiger on December 31, 2022 at 3:10 am

    This is actually really informative and helpful. Thank you.

  39. Topofhelist on December 31, 2022 at 3:11 am

    The solar generators seem good but what about if you ever had to swap a battery out in the future how hard would it be or the inverter or whatever

  40. DualEx on December 31, 2022 at 3:11 am

    ▬▬▬▬▬VIDEO CONTENTS▬▬▬▬▬▬
    0:00 – Intro
    0:11 – How off grid systems work
    3:08 – Why Power Stations make it easier
    5:05 – How to set up DC power on a power station
    5:40 – Installing Solar Panels
    7:51 – Running wires for DC appliances
    8:20 – Connecting Wires to Fuse panel
    9:27 – Cutting Ceiling panels
    9:48 – Installing 12V Lighting
    10:07 – Connecting Fuse panel to the power station
    11:31 – Ending

  41. Dee Whitman on December 31, 2022 at 3:12 am

    First video for me but certainly not my last. Awesome explanations here. I am only 3 minutes in and had to comment.

  42. trevor Byron on December 31, 2022 at 3:14 am

    Really enjoyed

  43. Edward Douglas on December 31, 2022 at 3:15 am

    Thanks a lot. Very helpful. 🙏🏼

  44. CHPTechnologies on December 31, 2022 at 3:15 am

    So I understand the concept of connecting fuse block to the powerstation. What I’m having a hard time grasping is how you can have more amperage in fuses on the block than the powerstation can handle on it’s own? May be a dumb question but I’m still trying to wrap my head around that bit.

  45. Busters Bashers on December 31, 2022 at 3:16 am

    Errr, , , ours is 240 not 110.

  46. Tom Geihl on December 31, 2022 at 3:17 am

    Curious as to how that power bank would hold up to strenuous use. I want to put solar into an ice fishing house, the house would have a mini fridge, heater, tv, gaming council, outlets, and lights. Curious as to do that power bank could handle all that running and for what length of time

  47. Tyler Rietz on December 31, 2022 at 3:18 am

    Great video! Thank you 🙏🏼

  48. Leese Emme on December 31, 2022 at 3:18 am

    Somebody explain to me why on Earth he doesn’t have more followers or even his own show. I’ve been watching your videos for quite a while and they’re always really really good.

  49. RV10flyer on December 31, 2022 at 3:19 am

    I have that exact inverter. Worked great in my shop for the last year. It will run any of my 120V power tools, chop saw, 2 gallon air compressor, etc.

  50. Antoinette Sanders on December 31, 2022 at 3:20 am

    I love your videos. You help me out so much. I would like to use this to see if I can hook up this dometic slide out CD fridge I have. No one has a video on hooking up a fridge like I do. It has been a very difficult journey.

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