Hello! I plan to start full-timing in my 29 ft RV (Fifth Wheel) later this year. I am looking for options for boondocking. I do not want to use a gas generator. Hence, solar... I have a tight budget so the Titan $8,000 option won't work for me. This Bluetti AC200 looks like a good option but I'd like to be able to plug my 50 Amp RV plug into it. Of course I have an adapter for 50A to 30A and then an adapter for 30A to 20A. I currently have 2 deep cycle 12v lead acid batteries in parallel. Not sure if I can add a lithium battery option to that array but would consider that (if I could build it relatively cheaply). Not sure how many panels I would need to keep everything charged when I'm in the middle of nowhere. Sorry for this lengthy post but I am stressing out a little bit on how to proceed. Any help and guidance is truly appreciated. Also, since I'm a novice please dumb down the language for me. Thanks!
Total Newbie looking for Guidance
- Thread starter Cynthia
- Start date
On YouTube there are allot of examples of people installing solar on their RV's. Cost was anywhere from under $200 to over $12,000. I would also highly recommend as a backup, an inexpensive gas powered generator for those unexpected times when there is no sunshine, or You need additional power, (unless You are willing to spend $1,000s to ensure You'll never need a generator). I see allot of people buying several 100 watt panels for their solar system, I would recommend buying the more powerful 300-400 watt panels. It will save on your limited space, and not require as much wiring. Do an energy audit to determine how much electric You use and when. Research this forum. Probably 95% of your questions will be answered by your own research, and You'll end up with a system more suited to your particular needs.
Thanks for your advice but I am not really a DIYer. You didn’t say anything about the Bluetti. I would rather use power from solar storage. I have had bad experiences with gas generators so def not interested in that option. I will do some research but wondering again if I can plug my camper into the Bluetti?
This gets complicated as almost ALL 50-amp wired RV's use both sides of the service separately as 120 volts on each leg. As I recall, going from 50 amps to 30/20 amps at 120 volts, You are only using one leg, so some items in the trailer will not receive power. Maybe someone who has successfully converted to solar with a 50 amp hookup can help.
D
Deleted member 165
Guest
My RV is running from a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter and everything works, but I wouldn't take that next step to 20. Breakers are going to trip continuously.
Edit: oops I realized that I am stepping down from the other direction. My RV is 30 amp.
Edit: oops I realized that I am stepping down from the other direction. My RV is 30 amp.
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The only reason my camper is 50 amp is because it’s set up for 2 air conditioners. I only have 1. So I don’t need more than 30 amps. The power cord on the RV is 50 amp which is why I need 2 steps down to be able to use the Bluetti. I just want to make sure that is not an issue.
Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
If i read the info correctly the Bluetti only ouputs 120. Only half of your 240 electrical panel will work.
Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
I understand. If the Bluetti only puts out 120 v then only one half of you RV panel will work. Which half may depend on the the adapter you plan to plug your shore power into the Bluetti if there is such an adaptor.
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I think I should try to find a discussion about using a solar generator with a RV that needs step down adapters which I do have. Unfortunately my questions are very specific to my situation. Hopefully I can find something like that in this forum. Thanks very much for your input.
The AC200 has a 1700 watt hour 50 volt battery and a 6 plug 2000 watt 120 volt inverter.
12 VDC ouput plug is 25 amps and 10 amp cig lighter.
RickP
Solar Power Padawan
If the Titan fits your connection needs, there are packages that are well under the “Titan 2000” package that is near $8000, and you can add battery packs and additional solar as funds allow. The 500 watt kit is a bit under $4K. Still expensive, but 1/2 the buy-in on the big package. Of course, that’s assuming your power use doesn’t require more. And the main hurdle is availability. No Titans until September, at best.
Will has had very good luck in tests with the Bluetti, commenting in a recent video that he hasn’t killed one yet.
I‘m hopeful the more experienced RVers will spot your question here and weigh in in your best options. The best options will have more to do with your wattage requirements than your connectors. Anything you can find out on which loads you want to use while boondocking will help folks get you there. Unfortunately AC units are beastly watt (and amperage) users, so running one will take some doing on pure solar. One option to consider on a generator is a propane conversion... use what you already carry (propane) and very little, if any, fuel odors in use.
Good luck!
Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
Do you have a 30 Amp to 20 Amp step down adapter? Will one of those fit one of your home receptacles? If so, you have a way to plug your 30 Amp shorepower into a Bluetti.
Did that answer your question.?
Yes and yes.
Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
When you tested that did all your circuits work?
Thank you. Titan is out of my price range which is why I'm researching the Bluetti. My needs are relatively low. Just need periodic use of the water pump for the bathroom; the TV; the microwave; the coffeemaker or other small appliance; and a random outlet for a lamp or fan. Of course I also understand that I can't have all appliances running at the same time. I'm hoping I can live without the AC and survive in the heat with fans and protective window coverings. It sounds like the Bluetti will work for me and I can recharge it either via my truck's cigarette lighter or with a few solar panels. I will also rummage around in here to see if I can find any discussions specific to RVs. Thanks again.
Ampster
Renewable Energy Hobbyist
Yes, there is a Vehicle Section within the Solar section but this discussion has primarily been about batteries.
I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. When I tested what? When I've used the 30 amp adapter at a campground with shore power everything works.
svetz
Works in theory! Practice? That's something else
Hi Cynthia!
Welcome to the forums!
Take a deep breath! I know the forums can be frustrating at times getting what seems a simple question answered. I'll do my best to walk you through it, but ask questions on anything you don't understand and hopefully everyone else will keep me honest!
I don't know about RVs per se... but if your adapters look like the images below I think I can tell you if it'll work.
 | 50 to 30 amps |  |
Since you're a novice, let me first start with a brief explanation of 240V in the U.S. Coming into the house (and apparently 30/50 amp RVs) are 3 wires known as L1, L2, and neutral. From L1 to L2 is 240V. The neutral is center-tapped off the transformer and is 0 Volts measured to ground. So L1 to neutral is 120V, as is L2 to neutral. The advantage to this is that you can have appliances at either 120V (blender) or 240V (water heater). Ground is usually an earth-ground bonded to neutral near the service entrance.
Typically most of the circuits in a house in the U.S. are 120V. To get an even power draw across the transformer every other circuit switches between L1 and L2. The other side of that circuit is the neutral wire. Circuits that need 240V just go from L1 to L2 and don't use the neutral wire.
Take a look at the middle pinout ... it shows that the ground is removed, but L1 & L2 go through, so 240V devices would still work if there was enough current for them (e.g., < 30 amps).
Take a look at the rightmost pinout. It bridges L1 and L2. This can be dangerous! If 240V was the input power source it would short across the bonding causing sparks, a boom, and hopefully a blown fuse (don't worry too much about this, the way the plugs work it won't happen). But, if 120V is the input power source as you want to do, then all it does is make 120V available to the wires on L1 and L2. This means that no 240V devices will work, but all the 120V sockets would work.
So, would using a Bluetti 200 work?
- The Bluetti 200 outputs 120V at a max of 2000 watts, or 2000/120 = 16 amps.
- 16 amps is less than the rating on the 20 amp converter plug so it'll be okay
- Since there's 120V input the 20 amp converter won't explode/catch-fire/or-worse.
- Since L1 and L2 are bridged, all circuits should work
- But, since it's only 120V, no 240V appliance (possible AC or water heater) will work. You can usually spot these as the circuit breaker will be double wide and the appliances plug will not fit a 120V socket.
If your energy audit (example) shows you don't need more than 2000W then it'll power your devices. Also from the audit you can determine how long its 1700 Wh will last.
Anyway, hope that helps you out!
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svetz
Works in theory! Practice? That's something else
These threads will get you started on that question and have examples to get you through the math:
