You know Marc, one of the reasons I started following y’alls blog/website over a year and a half ago (new to the KZread channel), is because you make the complicated easy to understand. Your explanations of things like this, has taken away a ton of mystery and the usual 𗀺𗀴 look on my face. I just love you, Trish and your kids, the blessed life you have...but mostly I like how you simplify the complicated, thank you for that!

That rig and tv are so awesome! Love you guys! We watch each week. Thank you so much. You have so inspired us on our journey to full-time RV living.

Battle Born is the ONLY !!! Company to buy your batteries and off grid supplies !!! They have the best customer service not only in the industry but with any vendor I have ever done business with.

What a great, well organized install and thank you Mark for breaking the technical side down so it’s easy to understand. I hope you guys have a lot of off grid adventures to show us. Safe travels.

Great video Mark on explaining a solar system for a RV.

Well done Marc. I had no need to understand your explanations but had no difficulty following this. You manage to make technical things interesting. I think it's your passion about your 'toys' and enthusiasm for sharing. Thank you. All the same I'm looking forward to getting back on the road and doing some more vicarious travelling with y'all.

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah he did a great job explaining everything!

Our family is getting into the RV lifestyle and all of your videos have been most helpful. The whole solar situation can be quite confusing and daunting to say the least. Thank you for a very informative and fun look at a complicated subject!

It's about a year after this video was posted, but I've just been watching your old videos to pass the time and learn something new. My boyfriend and I just bought a 2004 Trail Cruiser 527RL Fifth wheel this spring, and have been fixing it up and learning along the way. This will be our 4th trailer. Started with a pop up, then a 32ft bumper pull, then an 18ft bumper pull, now our 28ft fifth wheel. Now the reason why I decided to actually comment, but the fact that I am in school for Electrical Engineering. And this video made me update my resumes to go hand out to RV places because I had never even considering using my education to work in the RV world. So thank you. I'm incredibly grateful for even making me thinking about that idea!

I really like these types of videos. This and the steel mill video remind me of the "How it's made" series . Great job!

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

Love how it's made! Totally agree with you!

Wom! Nice set up. I'm sure getting those batteries for free helps with the justification. Li-Ion is definitely the way to go.

Grand job, one of the best splaining on this subject ever. Now we need everyone to watch it.

Oh my gosh! All of this time I’ve had problems understanding the workings of solar, batteries (will invest in lithium), the inverter and so much more, and now, I am really getting the hang of it all. Of course, I still have a great deal more to learn, but I’m finally getting it. Just wow. Amazing and feels so good too. You’d be great at writing a book, and you’d save so many people from thinking they were stupid. I can’t pinpoint when the light bulb finally came on, but it did and it has. I will be forever grateful. Thank you, you and your explanations rock.

Awesome video! I’m drooling over that amazing boondocking set up. If I lived full time in my trailer I’d save for something like it!! Also very informative for us electrical newbs!!

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

It really was quite informative, solar is essential we boondock quite often.

Truly the best video I’ve seen on KZread about solar charging systems - very easy to understand!

@mikehildebrand3135

4 жыл бұрын

couldn't agree more. I have been thinking of one and this answered all my questions.

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

Yup 100% helps with understanding everything

For me, the BEST youtube video I've seen in your series. Bravo, just got a chance to catch it and it was a great lesson!!!

Good job Mark explaining the solar system and how it works. I understand a whole lot more now. Amazing. ❤️❤️

This is our third battery/solar install. The first install included two 6v batteries and a small 600-watt inverter and we were thrilled to charge a laptop in a Walmart parking lot! Starting small now is better than starting big, later. Today, we're excited to show a "big rig" system for those looking to see what's possible. The pricing for the entire system is included in this blog: www.keepyourdaydream.com/offgrid Many people have asked if solar is necessary when having a generator. The problem with *only* having a generator is it needs to be on for every individual task. If the boys want to game - the gen must be on. To make coffee, charge a laptop, turn on the TV, etc. In our experience, no one task seems important enough to turn it on... so it either stays off or stays on all day. After hours of running and smelling the fumes, it gets old. Not to mention hearing the hum for hours. Thus, it might be best to have a small battery/solar setup to handle things like charging small devices or watching TV and use the gen for the heavy lifting or to run the AC.

OMG OMG OMG!!! I UNDERSTAND! Thank you so much for breaking this all down into simple regular "hairdryer" language...lolol. Now I get the watts and what I can/cant use simultaneously. I actually feel GIDDY. Totally embarrassed here, but hey...its all about learning, right?!

We are going to be full time bone dockers haven't even bought the rv yet . But videos like this, is what really helps us understand what you really need to look at and help us get started right. This was really helpfully .

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

Highly recommend a large solar setup if you plan on boondocking alot, it was amazing having it and not running the generator.

This was great. I really needed to hear this. I'm going to be full timing next year and I had no idea just how helpful solar could be. Thanks guys.

I discovered your channel a few months ago and I have finally made it thru every single episode. I absolutely love your family! I was just watching something from your first season. I think it would be fun for you to bring up your inital episode and talk about how you would do that inital year differently with the knowledge you have now. Its been fun watching your kids grow up and the profession video production of your videos. Looking forward to your next video on Sunday.

This is such a cool episode. I love this techy stuff

Thank you for posting this video. I finally understand. My eyes didn't glaze over, my ears didn't flip to a buzzing sound. I finally know what to look for and how to work with the techs that will be installing my system. I finally feel confident and comfortable. That don't happen everyday 😂😂

Thank you so much. Layman's terms is what I've searching for when it comes to understanding how it all works. Happy travels...

Just getting into the process of thinking about full time RV living. Thanks for the great explanation on power issues. Your videos are such great representations of the how to issues of living on the road.

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

They really are, very well said. Great information here!

@freddyoshana8794

3 жыл бұрын

Good luck

Awesome video. Love you guys. Had to quit what I was doing cause I got the notification for your video.

So happy for you guys! May Sunshine follow you where ever you are! God Bless!

Good introduction into power. I'm still clueless, but will learn when I'm actually on the road. Thanks for all your work.

Hey there fam, You guys are very inspiring and I hope your videos don’t ever stop cause it’s amazing to watch this lifestyle grow. Much love, The Deason family

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

They are so inspiring, they got us started in fulltimeing!

@donraptor6156

3 жыл бұрын

$17000.00 in Batteries does NOT inspire me!

Your in my back yard! I grew up in goshen. Live down by fort Wayne love the channel

Looks like a extremely talented crew and they also produce a quality installation!

I love how you went through and described solar and the batteries and such, I totally learned so much and how solar is just a way of charging the batteries, which are the thing that will power everything!

Great topic. I found 2x used 138ahr batteries lithium on eBay that are being charged by 2x160w panels. Should last a long time for our purpose.

Love your channel keep up the good work I wood Love to meet you some day 👏🏻😁😍👍

Man! What an excellent explanation of your setup! Thank you so much for the time and energy it took to share this information! It is truly appreciated! Godspeed to you and yours in your travels.

You make the best entertaining and most informative videos---I look forward to Sunday night now! Thank you for all your hard work.

The only criticism I have is the lack of terminal protection in the storage area with the batteries, charge controllers, and inverter. There's a lot of power in that cabinet and a lot of risk to mitigate if someone was working in there with tools or if something came loose and fell. You have fused protection, but this doesn't protect against everything. The high power usage of hair dryers is the reason I never recommend 6 way plug adapters for bathrooms. Trying to explain that to my sister is like discussing nuclear physics for some.

I've been so excited the last few weeks having you guys in my home area, driving the same roads, going the same places I've gone. I live in the Toledo Ohio area, we visit cedar point often, and my father lives in Elkhart IN.

@soillife1

4 жыл бұрын

Findlay Ohio here.

You guys are awesome! Thanks so so much for breaking things down to 101. I’m planning to go full time and had no idea where to start learning this and didn’t know much about it. I’ve learned so much watching your videos so thank you!,

That's one awesome solar install/system. Very happy for you guys.

Great job breaking down the term “solar” (in this application). We have a solar set up on our Airstream, and I have been completely intimidated by it because I had now idea how it all worked. I think I’ll watch this video a couple more times. The biggest drawback to our system is our lead acid batteries. Again, great job!

Too cool! We JUST did the same exact install on a Momentum 395M

Of all the solar installations I've watched I finally got it watching yours. Thanks for sharing.

@KeepYourDaydream

4 жыл бұрын

Sweet. That was the goal. We don't do amps and watt conversions :) Google is pretty good at it though.

Another great video. I am now a fan going on a couple years and they just keep on getting better. I hope the next time you come south I can meet up with everyone. See ya'll next Sunday evening.

You broke down the basics really well Mark. That stuff is confusing for sure.

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

Yes it can be! We still don't understand 100% but loved our solar!

@DragonsREpic

4 жыл бұрын

not really. its simple. I already taught myself

This was such a great explanation Mark! Thank you. We don’t own an RV yet but you did such a great job explaining this where I could understand it.

You guys always make my Sunday afternoons...

Marc and Tricia, you keep upping the game on yourselves. I've been watching/following along for a while and commenting periodically but this was a great technical (non-travel) video extremely well done and I appreciated it. I can't wait for all of your videos, but follow-ups on this topic will be interesting as well (what worked, didn't work, worked better than expected, etc.) Keep on living the daydream!

You are the first channel we followed and still our favorite.

@chrispatriot

4 жыл бұрын

Same here! And I haven't even started RV'ing yet! Which means I am already breaking one of the most talked about fundamental thoughts that KYD mentions... Which is to not totally over-think things, but purchase whatever you can afford and get out on the road sooner, rather than later.. ;) I'm a recovering perfectionist and occasionally I have withdraws... Okay, a lot of them... LOL

Battleborn is awesome if you want a drop in system from the lead acid batteries. But the Tesla modules provide far more energy density and with the EVTV bms it’s basically as safe as the bms in the battleborns.

@tbear68-

4 жыл бұрын

Tesla modules?? Enlighten me...

Hey Mark - you brought up the flux capacitor... that's exactly the thought that came to my mind when you started your overview of the power compartment. Just a few more watts and you should be ready for time travel.

We are upgrading our older rig and considering solar as part of our electrical management system so this vid was very informative. Thanks!

I understand solar a lot more now! Thank you. What was the cost of such a build?

You have to figure in recovery costs. What is cheaper to recover, the cost of a generator and gas (which you probably already have), running your truck to charge batteries (you are already paying for that), staying at an RV park that will keep everything running and charged or solar? Why spend money you don't have to unless you are being sponsored.

@KeepYourDaydream

4 жыл бұрын

It's a good point, but we're not alone with these installs out here. I continue to see even bigger all the time.

@HereThenGone

4 жыл бұрын

If you plan to use the system for all your power needs, it makes perfect sense. We haven't plugged in for 2 months now. Love solar. 😎🌞

@erichakanson9514

4 жыл бұрын

It's not just about the money, it's also about quiet. Generators make noise, which can be annoying; there can also be restrictions on running it in some locations--like National Parks.

Great job and video, also looks like a nice neat install! Thanks for all you do. Jim.

Mark, you are such a pro on these technical videos. Bravo.

I had those breakers mounted under my hood in the van, in AZ heat of 100 plus and the heat of the engine running those breakers tripped on their own. Just a FYI

@Proost1

4 жыл бұрын

Yep - I'm here in Scottsdale and the bank of batteries for my inverter are right up front in front of the generator. Fully exposed. I'm reconfiguring to put all 8 of my LiFePO4 inside a bay.

@chrispatriot

4 жыл бұрын

Great Comment! I've noticed that no matter how well thought out a system is, sometimes it misses a couple elements, and unfortunately, those are the ones that make all the difference when you're going through them... ;)

@andrewcombs8180

4 жыл бұрын

Yar Nunya we are installing our batteries under the bed just above the front bay. This way it allows a simple connection straight below them to the front storage bay as well as allowing us to use that storage for other non-temperature sensitive items.

@Proost1

4 жыл бұрын

@Yar Nunya yep. My plan is to keep out of the extremes. haha

I think that this video is great, only have one question. Why not more panels on your roof, you had plenty of room up there?

@kyledury1455

3 жыл бұрын

MikeJ F must be 1200W was plenty.

Am an electrician and a geek, so good! THX

Very well put together. We have been installing solar for a lot of years and we must say you have done a great job in your explanation.

Marc, If you pull out the SPEC sheet for the Victron Inverter you will find that that is a 3000VA(Volt Amps) and NOT 3000 WATTS. 3000VA will convert to approx 2400 watts as AC power is calculated different than DC power. AC Power will be calculated by use of the RMS formula. Google RMS Calculation and you will see that normal house AC voltage is actually about 170 VAC Peak to Peak, not you take that number and multiply by the sin of 45 degrees (.707) and you will get the actual voltage (RMS) 120VAC. This is why AC is power is measured in Volt Amps, DC power in Amps*Volts = WATTS. Clear as Mud ??

I like this video and gave it a thumbs up BUT! Your viewers watched it for educational reasons & although you did a very good job on explaining the dynamics & limitations of the install, you really left us hanging on what a similar install might cost us. That is as important as power management for hair dryers & toasters IMHO. Your viewers are smart enough to understand costs would vary based on a multitude of factors but some range of cost (simple to complex) would have been nice. Thanks for your videos!

@Fordgroup00

4 жыл бұрын

2003Harleyguy They start at $1500-$2500 on up

@2003Harleyguy

4 жыл бұрын

@@Fordgroup00 Do you know for a fact that his solar install cost him $1,500? No? I asked the cost of a "similar install" would cost his viewers as a frame of reference & budgeting. Keep your wild speculation thank you. Just the install of the solar panels would cost more than that. That's why I asked the fair question.

@mishafrog8786

4 жыл бұрын

@@2003Harleyguy He also stated $1000 x 6 battle batts = $6k and thats before the other gear, My guess with fitting charges this job is way over $10k might even be upto $13k ?

@2003Harleyguy

4 жыл бұрын

@@mishafrog8786 This is my whole point, they should have given us SOME IDEA of the cost for a similar installation. My guess is closer to 20K (labor & equipment) for this install but now we'll never know. Again, my whole point.

@mishafrog8786

4 жыл бұрын

@@2003Harleyguy Ref my other post , also suspecting freebie s here ?

Awesome video showing a solar power install! Can't wait for the next video !! Y'all are the best!

Great info on this video mark, and the installation looked like a work of art.

You are the best I would love to meet you some day you are the best👍❤️😁

17:06 ... "lets talk about the cost", "should you invest" . Forgot one point: "can you afford $6,000 in just batteries?" . Great system, clearly designed, assembled and installed professionally. Problem is, most of us aren't influencers and have to pay full boat. More "power" to ya (yes, pun), but the search continues for the cost / performance sweet spot. It seems that Battle born has hooked-up just about every RV channel on youtube and that's cool ... unfortunately, they are catering to a very small portion of the RV community as a whole. When someone comes up with an affordable system, THAT will be news and THAT will have a major impact on how we all get our power. THAT is innovation, throwing insane amounts of $$ at something is not.

@billredding2000

4 жыл бұрын

@Bob: I'm planning on getting a Class B motorhome in a year or so (2021 model, maybe early 2022) and as we've been seeing lately, they seem to be moving in the all-electric direction. I hope by then (2020) we still won't be paying $1K each for 100Ah batteries. I'd want 4 as a minimum, 6 would probably be the max (and I'll be lucky to find space for 6 somewhere on a B). -- BR

@kdkd693

4 жыл бұрын

Bill Redding suggest you look at diy batteries from 4x 180AH cells. Watch Will Prowse’s videos. He has kits now too. Cheapest way to go and good quality

@billredding2000

4 жыл бұрын

@@kdkd693 Thanks for the info, but I'm not a fan of Will Prowse (for a couple of reasons). While I certainly could "build my own lithium batteries" skills-wise, at my stage in life I'm not as "enthusiastic" as I was when younger, so I prefer things already done (like going for a factory-built Class B vs. me buying a van shell and building my own B). Battle Born (for one brand, there are others I'd expect) has a quality product and (apparently) very good customer-support goin' on. I'm just hoping the market itself will bring down their prices as this technology becomes more mainstream. Even though I'd also have a small generator on board (backup), I'd prefer a mostly-solar-solution to my power needs off-grid/boon-docking. But...I haven't given up undertaking "projects" completely, so in a year's time or so (when I get my Class B) if prices are still high like they are today (over-pricing as the market will bear presently), then yes, I'll look at rolling-my-own." ;-) However, since we don't know what features (power-wise) Class B makers will be offering for their 2021 models, I'll have to wait until then to re-evaluate what to do. Regards, -- BR

@sillyboy32

4 жыл бұрын

I’m a fan of Will. I built a portable for my 4Runner with 2 battle borns in a pelican box. Way more than I need. Connected to a red arc and it kicks butt. Expensive, and I’ve been fortunate to sell a large business. That said. If funds are tight will will tell you how to build a battle born for 1/3 the cost. But I love my battle borns

@jamesgulrich7416

4 жыл бұрын

@@billredding2000 Well said. The cost of these batteries ... 6K? They should be 1K for four. It's just too expensive upfront for the average RVer. I will stick to my six 6-volt lead-acid batteries that I could replace six to eight times for that price. Ouch!

Thanks Marc and Trish. One kid in college waiting for her to fly the nest so we can get on the road and your videos we watch faithfully

Incredible review and install of your new solar system. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Someone may have already commented on this,but wouldnt your onboard generator power all this?

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

It definitely would, but they are just loud, require maintenance and fuel. We had solar on our old rig and it was amazing, looking forward to adding it to our new rig.

@living4hockey

3 жыл бұрын

The generator would make too much noise while he’s trying to make videos inside the RV.

How much weight did the whole system add? Including the batteries?

@KeepYourDaydream

4 жыл бұрын

I could do the math (and will) but I'm so far below my GVWR, I haven't looked. That's the nice thing about a toy hauler. Full water is no problem. The axles are 7k x 3 = 21k and the GVWR is 20k.

Awesome. I aspire to have a setup like yours someday. Keep your Daydream is a good, a very good name for your channel and a worthy goal.

Wow!! Very cool. I don't understand most of it lol but my hubs will. Thanks for sharing! 😊😊

What is your pin weight now after the installation?

@cswhiteleytx

3 жыл бұрын

This is one question none of the high subscriber KZreadrs ever answer...puzzling.

Marc with the battery heat wrap you have the cold taken care of for the Li's but how do you address the "too hot" for Li's in the compartment? Great vid!!!!!

I am amazed that this all can be installed and ready in just under 60 min. WOW. :)

Very well done. Great information about updating your system. Keep the rubber on the road.

What was the cost to install your solar system through that company?

@brandonstephens3903

3 жыл бұрын

15000 ish

So how much would that total set up cost for anybody else

@johnsartori9685

4 жыл бұрын

I am going to make a guess 6batteries-$6000, 4 controllers- $1000, panel $800, wiring $700-$1k, then the install.... probably around $16000 or close to it.

@stevengarcia3909

3 жыл бұрын

Super solar flex by montana

I saved this video just to learn more and get the company that did the job! When my wife and I do go full time we will be going there to get that done! Thanks for the video!

What an awesome explanation! When we first bought our RV we didn't understand that we needed an inverter when we plugged things in, the lights worked, but hat was it. We thought we just needed a Solar panel, so when things weren't working we went back to the place we bought the RV and they explained how it all worked. We learn as we go, were still trying to figure out how to back it in with ease. I swear when we pull in people get there chairs out, popcorn and soda just to watch us 😲

👋🏻Florida ☀️🌴🇺🇸 Great Excuse for a Cat Re-Weigh . 😜😂

Your truck came with green anti-freeze? I thought all the Fords were on the Orange anti-freeze. $6,000 in batteries OMG then panels, inverter/converter, wiring, controllers and labor. Had to be a $10,000 upgrade.

@richardowens9061

4 жыл бұрын

BattleBorn GAVE them their batteries, saving them about $6000.00! If you have a KZread channel with over 200,000 subscribers, they might give you some batteries, too!

@akbychoice

4 жыл бұрын

Richard Owens you stayed the obvious however it’s not gonna happen for the majority of viewers.

@richardowens9061

4 жыл бұрын

@@akbychoice That's absolutely true! The point I was making is that it didn't cost them $10,000.00, even if it would cost us that much, or more. And, we don't know what other components might have been provided by other suppliers, either. Did they get a discount on their Victron inverter, too? We don't know, they didn't say!

@geraldhenrickson7472

4 жыл бұрын

I would estimate 14K. That is what someone who does not do their own system would expect to pay. Much less than that for a stick and brick home. Still most than most can afford methinks. BTW...you both are stating the obvious yet Richard seems to be having issues with a fellow full-timer getting a helping hand from BattleBorn and is bogged down in Jealousyville. Myself I am happy for them...

Very good video! I just bought my first rig so I have a LOT to learn. Thanks to you guys, I think the learning is going to be a lot easier. I have watched a few of your videos now and this is the one that got you a new subscriber.

That has to be the best solar set up that I have seen. Very nice.

The thumbnail description looks fishy,🤔😊

@KeepYourDaydream

4 жыл бұрын

Lol. I really do you think you should do a video - Keep Your Day Truck. Should someone get a truck just for towing?? ;)

@BigTruckBigRV

4 жыл бұрын

@@KeepYourDaydream lol might have to.

We played a drinking game in this episode.... every time you said “hair dryer” we drank a shot.....😄🥴

@chrispatriot

4 жыл бұрын

LOL And the next morning you needed that "Iron" to get out the wrinkles... ;)

Good grief, you busted my budget at the start, ahhhhh, never mind, good for you. It is pretty cool. Good job Mr Wizard.

Great video with lots and lots of good information, and you do a really good job of explaining the nuts and bolts of how an RV's electrical system works before and after you introduce solar into the equation ⚡

When is China going to start making the Lithium batteries at 1/4 the cost?

Your full time lithium is a no brainier. No tilt kit on your panels?

@korygrandy

4 жыл бұрын

Missing out on some extra juice without the sun trackers Could power an outdoor swimming pool with em! And/or also limits where/how you park without them since you will want them positioned appropriately.

Great overview of the total power system with the solar, generator, batteries, and shore power. Neat install!

Currently we only use our travel trailer maybe 5 weeks out of the year cumulative, but i switched to dual 6v golf cart batteries based on your recommendation with Ginger 1.0 and OMG.what a difference just that made for us.

@Fordgroup00

4 жыл бұрын

When our standard crappy 12v’s crap out, I’m switching over to lithium

Excitement about free stuff that 95% of viewers can't afford...

@AdventureEndeavor

4 жыл бұрын

😂

@stevewalker9066

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah I'm tired of watching super white privilege, Unsubscribed

@Highvoltagesteph

3 жыл бұрын

Except for the fact that if you were living in an RV full time, this $6-10k install is the equivalent of having roof damage on your home. RVing isn't for people who can't budget or save money along the way. They have hundreds of other videos on how to do things cheap.

has whole rig generator... adds 10,000$ solar.

@biz4twobiz463

4 жыл бұрын

omgnothingisavl ... Hmmmm, I am wondering if this solar system was FREE?? Or...if they really paid??

@AC-Cowboy41

3 жыл бұрын

GenSet is a backup system.

Great video & great timing for us. We are heading to Reno, NV next week to get lithium Battle Born batteries. We plan to put the easy start on our a/c. The guys did an amazing installation for you. Safe travels 😊💕🇺🇸

Marc & Trish, this is the best breakdown on electrical source input/distribution output explanation out there for folks that RV. Lithiums are the way to go with the warmer blankets! You'll have to give the viewers an update soon once you've had the chance to put them through the testing phase. Thanks for this very useful vlog and safe travels! ☕️

@KeepYourDaydream

4 жыл бұрын

Results are in. It's amazing! We didn't expect the events we've been attending to be all dry camping and up to 5 days. This system has made it possible.

@BenNstyle

4 жыл бұрын

@@KeepYourDaydream Mission accomplished 💪🏼👍🏼

Serious electrical engineering episode. Thanks for explaining all of that in a coherent fashion.

We are planning on full timing. Y'all's videos are always amazing and informative. Power management is what scares me the most. Just slightly higher than tank management. Lol. Thanks for this videos, saving it to my library. It was VERY technical.

Very good Video, I learned so much. I was worried about not having A/C, but I can see it is possible at least temporarily with your explanation. Great Job!!!

Best explanation i have heard yet on explaining solar.