amartin
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2022
- Messages
- 32
Hello, I've been trying to plan a small 12V system for use in my truck when off the grid. Found this place thanks to Will's great videos which have now sent me down the rabbit hole of building my first setup. Looking for some feedback/critique from DIY Solar on my plans to help find issues.
My current plan: I keep going back & forth on this but as of now here is the general idea:
Now, on to the questions:
EDIT: Adding sample image of what the seat area looks like so you can understand what I am working with. Those plastic storage bins can be removed and the battery should fit at the bottom. Going to build a panel to mount up the Redarc/Victron/wiring/etc that go vertically on that back wall.
My current plan: I keep going back & forth on this but as of now here is the general idea:
- Battery: TBD but only 100ah capacity - more on this below...
- DC-DC and MPPT via Redarc BCDC1225D
- Solar: 100w panel on camper shell roof to start; after verifying real-world performance will expand.
- Monitoring through Victron Smart Shunt 500A via bluetooth
Now, on to the questions:
- Battery: I've watched all of Will's videos and even more on the Tube for battery tear downs. I need something 12V 100ah with working low temp protection (I'm in Wisconsin). If I can find one with Bluetooth to monitor SoC and see how fast my solar is working that's really all I want. If I could buy the SOK with Bluetooth already working without upgrading the BMS myself I'd do that. Don't like the aolithium one design based on teardown. Not many others have built-in bluetooth which isn't bad but then I need the Victron shunt. HQST has come up in searches which seems to be a re-branded Renogy but I can't find a teardown to see the guts. I need either something cheap & non-serviceable but good quality cells, or something better that is serviceable. Don't really care about parallel/series limitations as it won't be expanded. Thoughts?
- Redarc: I'm going this route not because I like it best, but because it is a very small package to install in my limited space. Would prefer a Victron Orion + SmartSolar but there's just no space to put them. Open to other suggestions but it needs to be pretty slim to fit behind the seat area in a Toyota Tacoma (quad cab behind rear seat with all the stuff gutted behind it). Anything better that I'm missing?
EDIT: Adding sample image of what the seat area looks like so you can understand what I am working with. Those plastic storage bins can be removed and the battery should fit at the bottom. Going to build a panel to mount up the Redarc/Victron/wiring/etc that go vertically on that back wall.
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